Genealogy Magazines Offer Valuable Insight

An article on BangorDailyNews.com, "Genealogy Magazine takes on genetics," provides an in-depth review of the  Family Tree Magazine December 2009 issue and it's theme, "Complete Guide to Genetic Genealogy," as the article says, "an ambitious claim." The article highlights one article in particular, "DNA Fact or Science Fiction,"and follows up with a number of useful links and additional information on vaccinations over the years.

Watch for end-of-year specials. This time of year, many of the popular genealogy magazines are offering their complete 2009 editions on CD, with searchable content -- a good way to catch up on valuable content you might have missed.

Getting a Genealogy Education

Those new to family history will soon find, one surest ways to expand your family tree is to expand your genealogy education. More and more opportunities and resources for learning are becoming available. In her article, "Getting a Genealogy Education," Cindy Drage presents an overview of what you may find. No longer is genealogy just a hobby for seniors. Younger people are not only taking an interest in genealogy, but many are entering the field professionally. Educational opportunities are available to all, at any level of expertise, and at reasonable cost, depending on your goals. If you have no budget for education, a great wealth of knowledge is available through free articles, workshops, and online courses. The most experienced researcher can benefit from the new an innovation techniques of others. There is no lack of educational resources in this highly popular field.

Free e-book explains DNA basics

A recent article on Examiner.com, "Genealogy 101: I Have the Results of My Genetic Genealogy Test, Now What," highlights an e-book (published in 2008) by Blaine T. Bettinger, Ph..D., author of The Genetic Genealogist, with a link to a FREE download. The book is useful, not only as a practical guide to Y-DNA and mtDNA testing, but also provides information to help you find what DNA studies have been performed, and how and where to find various DNA and Surname groups.

Free Online Classes Through OpenCourseWare

There is no limit, it seems, to the information available on the Internet for the resourceful and curious researcher. In her latest article, "Free Online Classes Through OpenCourseWare," Gena Philibert-Ortega explores yet another useful -- and free -- resource. Universities around the world offer a wide range of non-credit classes in many disciplines, on topics that may inform your genealogical research. 

Brushing up on "Genealogy Lingo"

Genealogy is a hobby with its share of acronyms and its own vocabulary. In her article, "Genealogy Lingo," Gena Philibert-Ortega reviews some of the most common genealogy terms with resources for learning more.

Students in the Graveyard - what can it mean to you?

Here's a new twist on cemetery research -- it may be that others have done some research on your family on assignment with local colleges. In his article, "Students in the Graveyard," Larry Naukam reports on what you might find, and most interesting of all . . . what the student may have found in their pursuit.

Online video guides African American research

As we come to the end of Black History month, and article from the Springfield's News-Leader, suggests an online resource out of Missouri that might be of interest to anyone researching African American history. African-American Genealogy: Putting Together the Pieces of Your Past is a five-part video created by the Missouri State Archives, a division of the Secretary of State's office. Family History Research Consultant Traci Wilson-Kleekamp provides tips on accessing the best Web sites, which records are most beneficial and how to get the most out of original records. Wilson-Kleekamp guides researchers through the process of identifying ancestors from the era of slavery through a variety of records and documents. The series and other information on researching African American history is available online at the State web site.

Ancestry Learning Center redesign announced

According to an article in the Press Register last week. The Generations Network announced a redesign of its Ancestry.com learning center. The Learning Center focuses on those who are new to the site as well as those who are new to genealogy. The revamped Learning Center includes numerous short videos, featuring Ancestry.com's Chief Family Historian Megan Smolenyak. The Ancestry Learning Center is available free of charge. You will have to create a (free) user name and password in order to use it. Also, many of the tutorials and other "how to" information will have links that point to content behind the "pay wall." That is, you will have to be a paid subscriber in order to access some of the items that are mentioned.