The Genealogy Guys Podcast & Genealogy Connection

The Genealogy Guys Podcast #417

The Genealogy Guys Podcast & Genealogy Connection

Show Notes

News You Can Use and Share! SUMMER SALE CONTINUES! The Genealogy Guys Learn subscription website is on sale for $64.00 per year – a 35% saving! We have scores of videos and written courses, and new content is added each month. Visit https://genealogyguyslearn.com/, click the Enroll Now button, and complete the subscription form. Be sure to click on the Add Coupon link and use coupon code Summer2023. This deal is for new subscriptions only and is in effect until midnight ET on 30 June 2023. Library and Archives Canada (LAC) has announced the release of the 1931 Census of Canada. They are also collaborating with Ancestry and FamilySearch to make images and indexes available. MyHeritage has released ReImagine, a new photo scanning and editing tool for iOS and Android mobile phones. MyHeritage announced a recap of the release of 46 million historical records collections in May 2023. George recaps those collections. The Texas State Library and Archives Commission (TSLAC) is pleased to announce a new partnership with the University of North Texas (UNT) Libraries. The TSLAC Newspaper Collection is now live and available for free online. More than 4,500 issues of historical Texas newspapers from TSLAC's collection, published from 1855 to 1930, are available online through UNT's Portal to Texas History. The National Genealogical Society (NGS) and Vivid-Pix announced the Family Matters Community Outreach Toolkit Lending Service for NGS member organizations. Read the full press release at the Genealogy Guys Blog at http://blog.genealogyguys.com/2023/05/ngs-and-vivid-pix-announce-family.html. Drew recaps the newest records releases at FamilySearch. Listener Email Judy in Avon, Ohio, wrote again to state that she had not fully explored the RootsMagic tutorial videos. She is now much more comfortable with RM9 and fully endorses it. Judy also wrote that she has tested DNA with Ancestry and discovered one match that has taken her research back another generation. Drew provides some guidance about how to proceed. Michael wrote to reinforce the idea of focusing research on one's great-grandparents and setting goals for what you want to learn about them. Cindy wrote again concerning her Swedish conundrum. She thanked The Guys for their advice. She has also done more research without success and asks listeners to share suggestions. Jerry wrote to reference our Episode #407 and a link http://www.ancestrallines.net/overview/, a page that presents a new pedigree numbering system that has been developed for the family history and genealogy community as an alternative that visibly displays ancestral lines and generations in multiple presentation formats. He had trouble accessing the site, but The Guys confirmed that the .net site is still available. Drew will be presenting this weekend, June 23-24, at the Barbara J. Brown Family History Seminar being held at the Archives of Michigan in Lansing. This annual event is a hybrid event. Participants can attend sessions either online or onsite. Registration details are available at https://www.michigan.gov/mhc/archives/family-history-seminar#RegistrationDetails. Drew is busy preparing for his Irish research trip in early October with Donna Moughty and accompanied by his brother. He stresses that, before you make any research trip, prepare as much as possible in advance so you don't lose valuable onsite time having to do that preliminary work there. Don't forget to order Drew's new book, Generation by Generation: A Modern Approach to the Basics of Genealogy, from Genealogical Publishing Company (https://genealogical.com/) or Amazon.com. Thank you to all our Patreon supporting members for their support. Your Patreon support helps us improve our technology and provide even more podcast content to you! You can join us for as little as $1 a month or as much as you'd like to contribute. Visit https://www.patreon.com/genealogyguys to get started. Please also tell your friends and your genealogical

More from The Genealogy Guys Podcast & Genealogy Connection

Oct 17, 2026

News You Can Use and Share RootsMagic 12 has just been released. MyHeritage has added 338 million records in August and 450 million records in September. Ancestry released an update to its DNA regions. Registration is now open for RootsTech 2027. Drew shares newly released records at FamilySearch. Listener Email Carol writes about obtaining Swiss canton records from FamilySearch online or in person from the FamilySearch Library. George discusses how he used Artificial Intelligence (AI) to generate a handbook of genealogical AI prompts. He steps through his process and how he combined three results into a single prompt library in an MS Word document. Drew describes how he used AI to migrate from one iMac computer to the new Studio and display. The checklist this assistant compiled captured the details and nuances of migrating computers. Please email us at [email protected] with your questions and comments. And please support us on Patreon!

Sep 7, 2026

News You Can Use and Share! Drew talks about the new Y-DNA offerings from MyHeritage. George highlights millions of new records added at MyHeritage during July and August. Drew discusses a new Ancestry DNA feature for finding relatives from particular regions. Nathan Dylan Goodwin has released a new book from a new series; The Dover Trunk Murder is the title. Drew highlights the millions of new records made available at FamilySearch during July and August. Drew discusses the establishment of an AI SIG in our local genealogical society and recommends that other societies do the same. George discusses MyHeritage's OldNews and the plethora of information available from these records. Drew talks about genealogy institutes such as SLIG, IGHR, GRIP, and GenFed and their value. CORRECTION: IGHR does not now offer an in-person option, only a virtual one. Apologies from Drew for that error. Please let us hear from you at [email protected] with your questions and comments. And please support us at Patreon!

Jul 13, 2026

News You Can Use and Share! Highlights of awards made at the NGS Conference this year. NewspaperFinder is a database for locating and accessing digitized newspapers at https://newspaperfinder.com/. George highlights millions of new records added at MyHeritage during May and June. Archivists from 30 countries convened in Kazakhstan to explore digital records access. Drew highlights the millions of new records made available at FamilySearch during May and June. Listener Email Jean complimented Drew's recent appearance on DearMyrtle's online show. Drew discusses his recent participation in the GRIP immersive genealogy training institute, and he fills us in about other institutes. Please let us hear from you at [email protected] with your questions and comments. And please support us at Patreon!

May 18, 2026

News You Can Use and Share The Zion Cemetery Project in Tampa has moved a step closer to the realization of the creation of a dedicated memorial site. The City of Tampa has agreed to trade land with one of the two major landowners whose building spans some of the Zion Cemetery site. This is a project win in which The Guys were deeply involved, and they celebrate this victory. MyHeritage has introduced Infographics, a new tool that takes your MyHeritage family tree data and generates an attractive graphic highlighting the individuals and events in their lives. MyHeritage's new AI tool, Scribe AI, is now available for iOS and Android devices. George shares details about My Heritage's new record releases. The BBC reported on a new database that allows you to search Nazi Party Membership Cards from Germany for the names of members. Margaret Lance Cheney was awarded the Fellow of the Ohio Genealogical Society. She has served OGS for many years as president and in other capacities. Congratulations on this well-deserved, long-overdue recognition! RootsMagic has announced that Ancestry has changed its API (Application Program Interface) and that RootsMagic has released a new version of the software, Version 11.2.0.0, and that users should upgrade to the newest version in order to connect with Ancestry changes. Older versions of the program still work, but they will no longer connect with Ancestry. FindMyPast has released Ireland, Directories and Almanacs 1844-1928, and the Ireland National Census of 1928. In March, FamilySearch added more than 30 million records from 28 countries. Drew highlights the millions of new records available at FamilySearch. What We're Up To Drew recently presented in person at the Sacramento Genealogical Society in California. Drew announces that RootsTech 2027 is now accepting speaking proposals. Drew will be presenting at the Genealogy Research Institute of Pittsburgh (GRIP), hosted by the National Genealogical Society (NGS). There are both in-person courses and online courses available. George shares that his research on two intermarried lines can be traced back to 15th-century England. These include his fourteenth great-grandparents. The Guys discuss the need for backups for all of your genealogical society officers. This can prevent the loss of access to essential resources and procedures for the organization. Please let us hear from you at [email protected] with your questions and comments.

Mar 29, 2026

The Guys return after George has been exploring new treatment options for effective management of severe depression. More details can be shared if you email [email protected]. The Guys are devastated at the news that the historic courthouse in Rome, Floyd County, Georgia, was destroyed by fire on 23 March 2026. This is the epicenter of George's research into his maternal ancestry. The Guys are celebrating 20 YEARS of the podcasts! News You Can Use and Share WikiTree is one of the biggest collaborative genealogy research sites on the Internet. WikiTree invited George to share his GEDCOM and allow WikiTree volunteers one week to collaborate on his ancestral research. The WikiTree Reveal can be seen at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J2Ea6XxZFRY&t=2402s. Nathan Dylan Goodman's latest book, The Hop-Picker Murders has been released. Drew reviews the latest installment of the Forensic Genealogist mysteries with Morton Farrier. MyHeritage has released UK and Ireland incoming and outgoing passenger lists (1678-1960). They also released Nonconformist Births, Deaths & Burials. MyHeritage has released the Spanish Newspaper Collection on OldNews.com. MyHeritage has published the England & Wales Probate Index (1858-1995) and the 1890 New York Police Census. MyHeritage has now expanded its contents and it is now available in 50 languages, perfect for precise research! MyHeritage is now home to the complete Swedish Births (1850-1920), Marriages (1850-1945), and Deaths (1850-1945). MyHeritage introduced Scibe AI, a powerful new feature that uses AI to transcribe, translate, and analyze historical documents and photographs. FamilySearch announces a collaboration with America250 to celebrate the founding of the United States in 1776. FamilySearch in March added more than 30 million records from 28 countries. Listener Email Judy asks about legal obligations to register a name change in the U.S. Drew responds in detail. Laurie asks about George's deep dive into Scots-Irish records and reference books he has found helpful and instructive. Drew recaps his experiences at RootsTech 2026 in Salt Lake City. Drew will be presenting in person for the Sacramento Roots Cellar Spring Seminar on 18 April 2026. Get the details and register online at https://www.rootcellar.org/. Please let us hear from you at [email protected] with your questions and comments.

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