Episode 299 FamilySearch's Full Text Search and AI Assistant

Your ancestor is not boring. You just haven't uncovered their full story yet! If you've got a family tree profile that feels like a "plain Jane," this episode shows you how to turn it into a richer, more compelling portrait. Start with 5 simple ways to check your existing research. Then discover 5 Ways to Bring an Ancestor's Story to Life through additional research. Once you've developed their fuller story, discovers practical ways to introduce your ancestor's story to your family without overwhelming them. Along the way she's share 4 of her favorite story tools from Ancestry.com, FamilySearch and MyHeritage. This episode is perfect for genealogists with an ancestor they've neglected, a research project that stalled, or a family story they want to make more vivid and meaningful. You'll leave with a clearer research direction and a fresh reminder that even one overlooked detail can bring an ancestor's life into focus. Visit the Show Notes Page: Visit the show notes page at Genealogy Gems for everything discussed in this episode. You'll also find the videos on these topics. https://lisalouisecooke.com/2026/09/16/ancestor-makeover/ Become a Genealogy Gems Premium eLearning Member: Gain access to the complete Premium podcast archive of over 150 episodes and more than 50 video webinars, and Lisa Louise Cooke's new online course! Become a member here. Get Lisa's Online Genealogy Course: How to Create a Genealogy Research Plan in 10 Minutes a Day The free podcast is sponsored by: Get your DNA kit today. Visit newspapers.com/genealogygems to get 20% off your subscription. Archives.com Follow Lisa and Genealogy Gems on Social Media: Instagram.com/genealogygemspodcast Facebook.com/genealogygems Pinterest.com/lisalouisecooke YouTube.com/GenealogyGems Stay Up to Date with the Genealogy Gems Newsletter The Genealogy Gems email newsletter is the best way to stay informed about what's available with your Premium eLearning Membership. Sign up today.

It's August, and before summer slips away, we're going surfing genealogy style! In this episode, Lisa Louise Cooke is taking a fast-moving tour of favorite genealogy websites, along with some lesser-known gems that may be completely new to you. At each stop, you'll discover a reason to visit and a practical tip for getting more from the site. ✔ SHOW NOTES: Get the show notes at Genealogy Gems. (Premium Member Bonus Downloadable PDF in the Resources section.) Genealogy Gems Premium Members Exclusive Download: Premium Members have exclusive access to: Video classes and downloadable handouts The Genealogy Gems Premium Podcast Downloadable ad-free show notes PDF cheat sheets Become a member here. Learn more about Genealogy Gems Premium Membership. Our Sponsors for this episode: Newspapers.com Get 20% off a Publisher Extra subscription. Click here and use coupon code GenealogyGems MyHeritage Click here to start finding your family history at MyHeritage Visit Archives.com Get the Free Genealogy Gems Newsletter The Genealogy Gems email newsletter is the best way to stay informed about what's available with your Premium eLearning Membership. Sign up today here. Follow Lisa and Genealogy Gems: Instagram.com/genealogygemspodcast Facebook.com/genealogygems Pinterest.com/lisalouisecooke YouTube.com/GenealogyGems

Genealogy Gems Podcast Episode 309with Lisa Louise CookeJuly 2026 Visit the Show Notes Page: Visit the show notes page at Genealogy Gems for everything discussed in this episode. You'll also find the videos on these topics. Become a Genealogy Gems Premium eLearning Member: Gain access to the complete Premium podcast archive of over 150 episodes and more than 50 video webinars, and Lisa Louise Cooke's new online course! Become a member here. Get Lisa's Online Genealogy Course: How to Create a Genealogy Research Plan in 10 Minutes a Day The free podcast is sponsored by: Get your DNA kit today. Visit newspapers.com/genealogygems to get 20% off your subscription. Archives.com Follow Lisa and Genealogy Gems on Social Media: Instagram.com/genealogygemspodcast Facebook.com/genealogygems Pinterest.com/lisalouisecooke YouTube.com/GenealogyGems Stay Up to Date with the Genealogy Gems Newsletter The Genealogy Gems email newsletter is the best way to stay informed about what's available with your Premium eLearning Membership. Sign up today.

When building your family tree it's easy to skip over your own parents. Just in time for Father's Day we are exploring practical strategies for uncovering and preserving your dad's life story. Learn how to get around privacy restrictions barriers on records, build a timeline, conduct interviews, and strategically fill in the gaps in your family history. ✔ SHOW NOTES: Get Lisa's video show notes pages here. (Coming Soon) (Premium Member Bonus Downloadable PDF in the Resources section.) Genealogy Gems Premium Members Exclusive Download: Premium Members have exclusive access to: Video classes and downloadable handouts The Genealogy Gems Premium Podcast Downloadable ad-free show notes PDF cheat sheets Become a member here. Learn more about Genealogy Gems Premium Membership. Our Sponsors for this episode: Newspapers.com Get 20% off a Publisher Extra subscription. Click here and use coupon code GenealogyGems MyHeritage Click here to start finding your family history at MyHeritage Visit Archives.com Get the Free Genealogy Gems Newsletter The Genealogy Gems email newsletter is the best way to stay informed about what's available with your Premium eLearning Membership. Sign up today here. Follow Lisa and Genealogy Gems: Instagram.com/genealogygemspodcast Facebook.com/genealogygems Pinterest.com/lisalouisecooke YouTube.com/GenealogyGems

Genealogy Gems Podcast Episode 307with Lisa Louise CookeMay 2026 Visit the Show Notes Page: Visit the show notes page at Genealogy Gems for everything discussed in this episode. You'll also find the videos on these topics. Premium Members can download the show notes cheat sheet PDF. Become a Genealogy Gems Premium eLearning Member: Gain access to the complete Premium podcast archive of over 150 episodes and more than 50 video webinars, and Lisa Louise Cooke's new online course! Become a member here. Get Lisa's Online Genealogy Course: How to Create a Genealogy Research Plan in 10 Minutes a Day The free podcast is sponsored by: Get your DNA kit today. Visit newspapers.com/genealogygems to get 20% off your subscription. Archives.com Follow Lisa and Genealogy Gems on Social Media: Instagram.com/genealogygemspodcast Facebook.com/genealogygems Pinterest.com/lisalouisecooke YouTube.com/GenealogyGems Stay Up to Date with the Genealogy Gems Newsletter The Genealogy Gems email newsletter is the best way to stay informed about what's available with your Premium eLearning Membership. Sign up today.