I just completed one of the messiest same-name research projects I have ever worked on. Researching an individual who shares the name with others in the community is something I feel I’ve become a bit expert at doing. If you’ve done any measurable amount of research in Scandinavia, then you Read more…
A few weeks ago this article was featured on BBC. I loved it. Without doing any long-term studies, I already knew about the mental health benefits of knowing your family story. Enjoy this read. No matter what your family background might be, I guarantee there are inspiring stories. I come Read more…
The term parish has several different meanings in our research. The first and most basic meaning is the actual church building. We say things like, “The marriage took place in Vor Frue Parish,” or “The child was christened in the parish,” and both of these mean the event took place Read more…
The following excerpt is from a life sketch of my ancestor, Martha Larsen Peterson. She was awarded “Local Mother of the Year” in 1962. I love seeing this idealic image of her life. The tone of the article just makes me smile. Martha was the mother to nine boys. She Read more…
I just submitted my AG renewal application. It’s always such a good feeling to have that done and to know I don’t have to think about it for five more years. For those unfamiliar with the Accredited Genealogist credentials, I will give a brief explanation. Accredited Genealogist professionals undergo a Read more…
Just thought I would share this beautiful church in central Denmark. This is Hvirring Kirke in Skanderborg County. I’ve done a lot of research here. I have a lot of my mom’s family that comes from this area. This is one of those places that I feel really connected to. Read more…
We try to be good researchers and exercise good habits. But sometimes it feels too big and way too technical! One thing that can give us hang-ups is citing sources. There are giant books explaining how to cite sources. You can attend workshops to learn how to cite sources. All Read more…
A few weeks ago I posted a short description of the Danish Estate system. This is a tricky key to being really proficient in Danish research, and if I’m being honest, I feel like it’s my Achille’s Heel. I still get very intimidated by using the estate records because I Read more…
I’m always trying to find ways to keep my skills sharp and learn the latest and greatest in research and technology within the genealogy world. One of the best ways I have found for doing this is by participating in research institutes and online courses. I’ve taken a few Scandinavian Read more…
My family recently returned from a pretty amazing river trip on the Middle Fork of the Salmon River in the Idaho wilderness. One of the campsites along this river is called “Whitie Cox,” named after the man who was buried here. His story is pretty amazing. Whitie Cox was a Read more…