The Blog

Guides, tutorials, and deep dives into genealogy research, DNA testing, and family history.

Genealogy Life

Valentine’s Day: A Love Letter to Small Town Love’s Greatest Witness

Every love story has its witness. And for generations, there was no witness more vigilant - or more deliciously indiscreet...

Marc McDermott
Marc McDermott Feb 14, 2025
Genealogy Life

The Pull of Place: Answering Your Ancestral Call

You're staring at that village name on your computer screen. Again. Five generations of your family lived there. Worked there....

Marc McDermott
Marc McDermott Feb 13, 2025
Genealogy Life

Through Your Great-Grandchildren’s Eyes: Your Digital Legacy in 2075

Picture this: Your great-granddaughter in 2075, curled up on her hover-couch (okay, maybe just a regular couch), diving into the...

Marc McDermott
Marc McDermott Feb 3, 2025
Genealogy Life

Professional Genealogist vs. Amateur: We Both End Up in Our Pajamas at 2 AM Looking at Ship Manifests

The genealogy world can have its divisions. There, I said it... Professional vs. amateur. Certified vs. self-taught. Subscription-based vs. free...

Marc McDermott
Marc McDermott Jan 31, 2025
Genealogy Life

The Ghost in Your DNA: Why You Feel Connected to Ancestors You’ve Never Met

It's 2 AM. Again. You're hunched over your laptop, squinting at a baptism record from 1847. Your eyes are wet....

Marc McDermott
Marc McDermott Jan 28, 2025
Genealogy Life

12 Unconventional Ways to Stay Focused (That Actually Work)

Let's get real. Your genealogy research is a mess. You started looking for your great-grandfather's military service records. Now you're...

Marc McDermott
Marc McDermott Jan 24, 2025
Genealogy Life

Dear Santa: A Genealogist’s Christmas Wish List (Including That One Elusive Death Certificate We’ve Been Hunting for Three Years)

Look, Santa, I know you're busy. And yes, I'm aware that writing this letter at 11:47 PM on December 19th...

Marc McDermott
Marc McDermott Dec 20, 2024
Genealogy Life

Confessions of a Find A Grave Photo Volunteer: How to Explain to Cemetery Caretakers Why You’re Climbing Trees for the Perfect Headstone Shot

Here's the thing about being a Find A Grave photo volunteer: nobody prepares you for the weird. They tell you...

Marc McDermott
Marc McDermott Dec 18, 2024
Genealogy Life

The Genealogist’s Bucket List: Bold Research Goals Worth Chasing

Here's the truth about genealogy: The biggest breakthroughs happen when you chase the seemingly impossible. Every major genealogical discovery started...

Marc McDermott
Marc McDermott Dec 16, 2024
Genealogy Life

Julia Roberts Isn’t ACTUALLY Julia “Roberts”?? Finding Your Roots

Julia Roberts recently discovered she's been carrying the wrong last name her entire life. The revelation came during a genealogy...

Marc McDermott
Marc McDermott Dec 12, 2024
Genealogy Life

The Most Shocking Celebrity Cousin Matches EVER on Finding Your Roots

Ever wondered if you're secretly related to someone famous? Turns out, some of your favorite celebrities might be sharing more...

Marc McDermott
Marc McDermott Dec 12, 2024
Genealogy Life

The Secrets Hiding in Your Ancestor’s Old Letters That Could Change Everything You Thought You Knew About Them

Your family’s old letters aren’t just sentimental keepsakes—they’re untapped goldmines of secrets that could completely flip the way you see...

Marc McDermott
Marc McDermott Dec 10, 2024