Interested in Starting the Genealogy Hobby?
There are lots of websites and resources from which to learn to grow as a family historian and genealogist; here are a few of my favourite ones.
Podcasts
Internet Genealogy Magazine
Genealogy Societies
If I hadn't taken the first step to joining a family history society when I wanted to learn more beyond the magazines I was reading, my research would probably still be at beginner level. However, I found out about a society under an hour's drive from my home, which focused on the very areas both where my family originated from and subsequently emigrated to: the British Isles Family History Society of Greater Ottawa
I have learned SO much, and met so many interesting people that membership is a must-have. I also try to give back by volunteering, and participating where I can (though distance limits my availability). More later on various stories discovered with the help of BIFHSGO members.
I also have a membership in the New England Historical Society. I can't wait to delve into their huge record collection in search of my Massachusetts and New Hampshire connections, as well as my husband's French relations in Connecticut and Rhode Island.
So there you have it; a few of my favourite things (genealogy-wise, that is). Without them, my AnnecestreeForest would just be a bunch of twigs.
First, and foremost, my "virtual mentor" Lisa Louise Cooke and her team at the Genealogy Gems website https://lisalouisecooke.com/ I have learned SO much from her podcasts (which I listen to on my way to and from work), and the how-to's on her website. Not to mention the Book Club (have you read any of Nathan Dylan Goodwin's books?). I'll be a Premium Member for a long long time.
Lisa also does a podcast for Family History magazine https://www.familytreemagazine.com/podcasts/ which is perfect for beginner genealogists.
And while on the subject of podcasts, here are are my top 5 after Genealogy Gems:
- Extreme Genes, at https://extremegenes.com/ a weekly podcast by Scott Fisher, who interviews all kinds of interesting people about their family history discoveries and techniques.
- Family Locket, at https://familylocket.com/ presented by the mother-daughter team of Diana Elder and Nicole Dyer. Very gently and informatively teaching about genealogical research. Their book "Research Like a Pro" is a really good resource.
- Genealogy Happy Hour, at https://genealogyhappyhour.com/ The sound quality is a bit iffy, but the content is great for newbies or even people who don't think they're newbies! On top of that, Amy Crabill Lay and Penny Burke Bonawitz make a wine recommendation with each episode. :)
- Generations Cafe by Amy Johnson Crow is another good one. Check out her latest on the WANDER method. https://www.amyjohnsoncrow.com/category/podcast/
- For a different "look" at genealogy, listen to Marian Pierre-Louis' podcast at http://www.thegenealogyprofessional.com/ This is most interesting as she interviews people who have started their own genealogy business. They talk about how they got started in genealogy and how they started their businesses.
Some Favourite Research Aid Websites
At the top of my list is Cyndi's List. This website is a treasure trove of links to just about anything and everything you might want to look up while immersed in this hobby (passion). From courses to forms to records to country-specific links, this is your best first stop.
Next is the Family Search Research Wiki which is like a virtual encyclopedia (for those of us who remember what the paper versions looked like!) Here you can look up helpful information from practically any country.
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| Screenshot of FamilySearch's Research Wiki page as of Jan 24 2020 |
Roots Web is another comprehensive launching point, affiliated with Ancestry (which I'm sure you've all heard about by now!) On the Roots Web page you can link to message boards where you can post your questions and/or help others with their questions. Another amazing feature of this website is the "Hosted Web Sites" page which lists hundreds of links to other repositories and individual family tree websites.
And finally, don't forget that magazines have websites too! My go to's for ongoing genealogy news and education are:
Family Tree Magazine UK (by the way, they published a story of mine about the dolls house on my home page - very exciting! Link to "Life at Clover Hill"
Internet Genealogy Magazine
Genealogy Societies
If I hadn't taken the first step to joining a family history society when I wanted to learn more beyond the magazines I was reading, my research would probably still be at beginner level. However, I found out about a society under an hour's drive from my home, which focused on the very areas both where my family originated from and subsequently emigrated to: the British Isles Family History Society of Greater Ottawa
I have learned SO much, and met so many interesting people that membership is a must-have. I also try to give back by volunteering, and participating where I can (though distance limits my availability). More later on various stories discovered with the help of BIFHSGO members.
I also have a membership in the New England Historical Society. I can't wait to delve into their huge record collection in search of my Massachusetts and New Hampshire connections, as well as my husband's French relations in Connecticut and Rhode Island.
So there you have it; a few of my favourite things (genealogy-wise, that is). Without them, my AnnecestreeForest would just be a bunch of twigs.
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