Family Tree Magazine Podcast

In this episode of Best Websites, genealogist Caitlin Hollander Waas talks with Lisa about Jewish genealogy and the tools at JewishGen that can help with the process. https://media.blubrry.com/family_tree_magazine/media.blubrry.com/family_tree_magazine/content.blubrry.com/family_tree_magazine/BW-12-2025.mp3 Best Genealogy Websites: JewishGen.org In this episode, Lisa Louise Cooke  welcomes Caitlin Hollander Waas, the chief genealogist at JewishGen.org, to the podcast. They discuss the intricacies of researching Jewish ancestry and the invaluable tools and resources available at JewishGen. Guest: Caitlin Hollander Waas, Chief Genealogist at JewishGenVisit the website:https://jewishgen.com/ Stay in the Know Sign up now for our FREE daily newsletter and get: Expert tips and tricks to accelerate your research In-depth articles on a variety of genealogical topics Exclusive offers on new tools and resources Plus, find Family Tree Magazine on your favorite social channels! Listen to Lisa Louise Cooke’s Genealogy Gems podcast available at her website and all major podcasting services, or download the Genealogy Gems Podcast app.

In this episode of the Family Tree Magazine podcast, Andrew Koch and Lisa Louise Cooke look back on all that has happened in the world of genealogy in 2025. https://media.blubrry.com/family_tree_magazine/media.blubrry.com/family_tree_magazine/content.blubrry.com/family_tree_magazine/2025-12-FTM.mp3 Feature: 2025 – The Genealogy Year in Review As we close out the year, we’re taking a look back at the moments that shaped our pursuit of genealogy in 2025. Lisa Louise Cooke’s guest is Andrew Koch, editor of Family Tree Magazine.  He’s here to share his expert perspective on the biggest genealogy news stories of the year and what they mean for you, the family historian, moving forward.  Mentioned in this episode: New/significantly updated websites for several important genealogy resources include FamilySearch Catalog, Chronicling America, the Atlas of Historical County Boundaries, WikiTree, and the Irish National Archives. FamilySearch Full-Text Search moved out of beta and into main part of the site. Records are continually being added so it’s worth checking regularly. MyHeritage finishes Name and Stories Indexes added French-language papers from Canada.Elephind.com has been relaunched. It’s a great resource for searching multiple disparate newspaper collections at once. Watch Lisa Louise Cooke’s interview with the founder of Elephind.com for the story behind the relaunch and recommended search strategies. Visit Our Sponsor: Newspapers.com Use promo code ‘FamilyTreeMagazine’ for a 20% discount on your subscription. Sign up today at Newspapers.com and embark on a journey of discovery! Stay in the Know Sign up now for our FREE daily newsletter and get: Expert tips and tricks to accelerate your research In-depth articles on a variety of genealogical topics Exclusive offers on new tools and resources Plus, find Family Tree Magazine on your favorite social channels! Your Host Listen to Lisa Louise Cooke’s Genealogy Gems podcast available at her website and all major podcasting services, or download the Genealogy Gems Podcast app.

In this episode of Best Websites, Katherine Schober highlights how Matricula Online can help you locate church registers. https://media.blubrry.com/family_tree_magazine/media.blubrry.com/family_tree_magazine/content.blubrry.com/family_tree_magazine/BW-11-2025.mp3 Best Genealogy Websites: Matricula Online Matricula Online is a specialized digital archive where you can find church registers (mostly books of birth, marriage and death) from various European countries (currently Austria, Germany, Poland, Serbia and Slovenia). German genealogy expert and translator Katherine Schober of Germanology Unlocked joins Lisa Louise Cooke on the podcast to explore this valuable and free website. Visit Matricula Online at https://data.matricula-online.eu/en/   Visit Our Sponsor Newspapers.com Use promo code ‘FamilyTreeMagazine’ for a 20% discount on your subscription. Sign up today at Newspapers.com and embark on a journey of discovery! Stay in the Know Sign up now for our FREE daily newsletter and get: Expert tips and tricks to accelerate your research In-depth articles on a variety of genealogical topics Exclusive offers on new tools and resources Plus, find Family Tree Magazine on your favorite social channels! Listen to Lisa Louise Cooke’s Genealogy Gems podcast available at her website and all major podcasting services, or download the Genealogy Gems Podcast app.

In this episode of the Family Tree Magazine podcast, Rhonda Lauritzen offers practical tips for organizing your family history writing projects. https://media.blubrry.com/family_tree_magazine/media.blubrry.com/family_tree_magazine/content.blubrry.com/family_tree_magazine/10-2025-FTM.mp3 Organizing Your Family History Writing Projects Rhonda Lauritzen is a professional biographer at Evalogue.Life and a regular speaker at international conferences. She has written a dozen books and has been hired to help tell the stories of families, cities, and nonprofits. As an expert storyteller, Rhonda is joining us today to share how to efficiently write well-organized, gripping family history projects. Read In the Write Order by Rhonda Lauritzen in the Nov / Dec 2025 issue of Family Tree Magazine. Organizing Your Family History Writing Projects In this article, Rhonda Lauritzen offers strategies for managing family history writing projects to avoid overwhelm. Family Tree Magazine Visit Our Sponsor: Newspapers.com Use promo code ‘FamilyTreeMagazine’ for a 20% discount on your subscription. Sign up today at Newspapers.com and embark on a journey of discovery! Stay in the Know Sign up now for our FREE daily newsletter and get: Expert tips and tricks to accelerate your research In-depth articles on a variety of genealogical topics Exclusive offers on new tools and resources Plus, find Family Tree Magazine on your favorite social channels! Your Host Listen to Lisa Louise Cooke’s Genealogy Gems podcast available at her website and all major podcasting services, or download the Genealogy Gems Podcast app.

In this episode of Best Websites, Daniel Loftus offers some valuable tips for using Find a Grave with more efficiency and respect for others in mind. https://media.blubrry.com/family_tree_magazine/media.blubrry.com/family_tree_magazine/content.blubrry.com/family_tree_magazine/BW-10-25.mp3 Best Genealogy Websites: Find a Grave  Daniel Loftus, Genealogist and Creator of Project Infant,joins Lisa Louise Cooke to discuss best practices for using the Find a Grave website for genealogy. At Find a Grave you can search for the graves of your ancestors, create virtual memorials,add photographs,leave virtual flowers and a note on a loved one’s memorial, and even search graves of famous people from around the world. Guest: Daniel Loftus Websites and Links Visit Find a Grave: https://www.findagrave.com/ Visit Our Sponsor Newspapers.com Use promo code ‘FamilyTreeMagazine’ for a 20% discount on your subscription. Sign up today at Newspapers.com and embark on a journey of discovery! Stay in the Know Sign up now for our FREE daily newsletter and get: Expert tips and tricks to accelerate your research In-depth articles on a variety of genealogical topics Exclusive offers on new tools and resources Plus, find Family Tree Magazine on your favorite social channels! Listen to Lisa Louise Cooke’s Genealogy Gems podcast available at her website and all major podcasting services, or download the Genealogy Gems Podcast app.

In this episode of the Family Tree Magazine podcast, Robbie Gorr provides tips for the mastering the cemetery transcription. https://media.blubrry.com/family_tree_magazine/content.blubrry.com/family_tree_magazine/10-25-2025.mp3 Feature: Cemetery Transcription Amateur genealogist and historian Robbie Gorr explains everything you need to know for successful Cemetery Transcription. Read Zen and the Art of Cemetery Transcription by Robbie Gorr in the September / October issue of Family Tree Magazine. How to Research Marriage Records for Genealogy Online resources mentioned in this episode: Find a Grave Billion Graves The War Graves Photographic Project JewishGen Online Worldwide Burial Registry Canadian Headstones Visit Our Sponsor Newspapers.com Use promo code ‘FamilyTreeMagazine’ for a 20% discount on your subscription. Sign up today at Newspapers.com and embark on a journey of discovery! Stay in the Know Sign up now for our FREE daily newsletter and get: Expert tips and tricks to accelerate your research In-depth articles on a variety of genealogical topics Exclusive offers on new tools and resources Plus, find Family Tree Magazine on your favorite social channels! Listen to Lisa Louise Cooke’s Genealogy Gems podcast available at her website and all major podcasting services, or download the Genealogy Gems Podcast app.

In this episode of Best Websites, Lisa Louise Cooke highlights some of the most valuable features of Veridian, an excellent resource for finding historical newspapers. https://media.blubrry.com/family_tree_magazine/media.blubrry.com/family_tree_magazine/content.blubrry.com/family_tree_magazine/2025-09-BW.mp3 Best Genealogy Websites: Veridian In this episode of the Best Websites for Genealogy Podcast, host Lisa Louise Cooke explores Veridian, and its millions of historic newspaper pages searchable and accessible online. Learn what Veridian, the scope of the collections and strategies for accessing the archival content. Whether you’re hunting for obituaries, wedding announcements, or everyday details that bring your ancestors’ lives into focus, Veridian offers a unique and free resource for your research. Stay in the Know Sign up now for our FREE daily newsletter and get: Expert tips and tricks to accelerate your research In-depth articles on a variety of genealogical topics Exclusive offers on new tools and resources Plus, find Family Tree Magazine on your favorite social channels! Your Host Listen to Lisa Louise Cooke’s Genealogy Gems podcast available at her website and all major podcasting services, or download the Genealogy Gems Podcast app.

In this episode of the Family Tree Magazine podcast, Lisa Louise Cooke speaks to Katie Merkley about homestead records and what they can tell us about ancestors. https://media.blubrry.com/family_tree_magazine/content.blubrry.com/family_tree_magazine/09-2025-FTM.mp3 Feature: Homesteading Records and Research In this episode, we’re digging into the lives of our American ancestors through land records—specifically, homestead records. When President Abraham Lincoln signed the Homestead Act into law in 1862, it offered settlers a bold promise: free land in exchange for a commitment to improve it. This opportunity drew thousands of families westward in pursuit of a new beginning. But there was a catch—qualifying for that land required detailed documentation and years of effort. While it may have been a bureaucratic challenge for our ancestors, that very paperwork has become a treasure trove for today’s genealogists. Homestead applications often include personal details, affidavits from neighbors, naturalization records, and more, providing an extraordinary window into our family’s past. Websites mentioned in this episode: Bureau of Land Management GLO: https://glorecords.blm.gov/default.aspx Earthpoint (Plot legal land descriptions in Google Earth): https://www.earthpoint.us/ Katie Merkley’s website: https://krgarnergenealogy.com/ National Archives – The Homestead Act of 1862 https://www.archives.gov/education/lessons/homestead-act A Genealogist’s Guide to Homesteading Records and Research This article explains what homesteading entails and how genealogists can find and use homesteading records in their own research. Family Tree Magazine Sign up for Our Free Genealogy Newsletter: Stay in the Know Sign up now for our FREE daily newsletter and get: Expert tips and tricks to accelerate your research In-depth articles on a variety of genealogical topics Exclusive offers on new tools and resources Plus, find Family Tree Magazine on your favorite social channels: Facebook Instagram Threads YouTube Join the thousands of genealogists who rely on Family Tree Magazine for the latest news and advice. Follow us today and start your journey of discovery! Listen to Lisa Louise Cooke’s Genealogy Gems podcast available at her website, and all major podcasting services, or download the Genealogy Gems Podcast app.

In this episode of Best Websites, website founder Jenny Joyce of Cite-Builder.com shows the value of a proper citation and how Cite-Builder makes citation more manageable. https://media.blubrry.com/family_tree_magazine/content.blubrry.com/family_tree_magazine/2025-08-BW.mp3 In this episode, we dive into the world of genealogy with Jenny Joyce, the creator of Cite-Builder, an online citation generator designed specifically for genealogists. Discover how Cite-Builder streamlines the often daunting task of creating source citations, making it easier for researchers to track and verify their findings. Jenny shares insights on the importance of proper citation, the variety of templates available, and how her platform supports different citation styles. Visit Cite-Builder.com Use coupon code FTM20  to receive a 20% discount on your first-year subscription. Stay in the Know Sign up now for our FREE daily newsletter and get: Expert tips and tricks to accelerate your research In-depth articles on a variety of genealogical topics Exclusive offers on new tools and resources Plus, find Family Tree Magazine on your favorite social channels! Your Host Listen to Lisa Louise Cooke’s Genealogy Gems podcast available at her website and all major podcasting services, or download the Genealogy Gems Podcast app.

In this episode, host Lisa Louise Cook interviews David Fryxell about the best online tools for genealogy research. https://media.blubrry.com/family_tree_magazine/content.blubrry.com/family_tree_magazine/FTM-08-2025.mp3  Feature: 101 Best Genealogy Websites of 2025 Lisa Louise Cooke and David Fryxell discuss the impact of AI on genealogy, the importance of newspapers as sources, innovative tech tools for genealogists, and international resources. 101 Best Genealogy Websites of 2025 Sign up for Our Free Genealogy Newsletter: Stay in the Know Sign up now for our FREE daily newsletter and get: Expert tips and tricks to accelerate your research In-depth articles on a variety of genealogical topics Exclusive offers on new tools and resources Plus, find Family Tree Magazine on your favorite social channels: Facebook Instagram Threads YouTube Join the thousands of genealogists who rely on Family Tree Magazine for the latest news and advice. Follow us today and start your journey of discovery! Listen to Lisa Louise Cooke’s Genealogy Gems podcast available at her website, and all major podcasting services, or download the Genealogy Gems Podcast app.

In this episode of Best Websites, Lisa Louise Cooke walks through the National Archives and all there is to discover. https://media.blubrry.com/family_tree_magazine/media.blubrry.com/family_tree_magazine/content.blubrry.com/family_tree_magazine/2025-07-BW.mp3 Best Genealogy Websites: The National Archives In this episode of Family Tree Magazine’s Best Websites podcast, host Lisa Louise Cook dives into the National Archives website, a vital resource for genealogists. She discusses the vast array of free records available, including census, military, and immigration documents, and highlights unique collections such as the Freedmen’s Bureau records and Dawes Rolls. Lisa also shares tips for navigating the site and utilizing its features, including the History Hub and webinars, making it an essential tool for anyone researching their family history. Resources Mentioned in This Article: National Archives Visit the National Archive’s Genealogy page. Stay in the Know Sign up now for our FREE daily newsletter and get: Expert tips and tricks to accelerate your research In-depth articles on a variety of genealogical topics Exclusive offers on new tools and resources Plus, find Family Tree Magazine on your favorite social channels! Your Host Listen to Lisa Louise Cooke’s Genealogy Gems podcast available at her website and all major podcasting services, or download the Genealogy Gems Podcast app.

In this episode of the Family Tree Magazine podcast, Andrew Koch offers tips for researching ancestors across the United States. https://media.blubrry.com/family_tree_magazine/media.blubrry.com/family_tree_magazine/content.blubrry.com/family_tree_magazine/07-2025-FTM.mp3 Feature: How to research ancestors in any US state. In this episode of the Family Tree Magazine podcast, host Lisa Louise Cooke welcomes Andrew Koch, the editor of Family Tree Magazine, to discuss the intricacies of genealogy research across the United States. They explore the importance of understanding U.S. history, the significance of vital records, the role of census records, and the value of land records in tracing family history. Andrew shares insights on the state-specific research guides published in the magazine and how they can aid genealogists in their quest to uncover their family histories. Resources: Watch Andrew Koch’s Rootstech presentation Sea to Shining Sea: How to Research in Every U.S. State Family Tree Magazine July/August 2025 Digital Edition State Research Guides for the Entire U.S. State Land vs. Public Land States Free Download Takeaways: Researching different US states can feel like researching countries. Knowing the history of a state can guide your research effectively. Vital record keeping in the U.S. is decentralized by state. State censuses can provide additional information between federal censuses. Land records can reveal significant details about ancestors. It’s important to stay updated on privacy restrictions for records. Stay in the Know Sign up now for our FREE daily newsletter and get: Expert tips and tricks to accelerate your research In-depth articles on a variety of genealogical topics Exclusive offers on new tools and resources Plus, find Family Tree Magazine on your favorite social channels: Facebook Instagram Threads YouTube Join the thousands of genealogists who rely on Family Tree Magazine for the latest news and advice. Follow us today and start your journey of discovery! Your Host Listen to Lisa Louise Cooke’s Genealogy Gems podcast available at her website and all major podcasting services, or download the Genealogy Gems Podcast app.

In this episode of Best Websites, Rick Crume highlights some translation tools for making sense of foreign-language records. https://media.blubrry.com/family_tree_magazine/content.blubrry.com/family_tree_magazine/2025-06-BW.mp3 Best Genealogy Websites: Translation Tools One of the biggest challenges that genealogists face is translating foreign-language records, especially if the handwriting is hard to read. Author Rick Crume joins Lisa Louise Cooke on the podcast to discuss navigating a variety of tools that can get the job done. Read Found in Translation by Rick Crume in the May  / June 2025 issue of Family Tree Magazine. Visit Our Sponsor: GoldieMay.com One of Family Tree Magazine’s best of 2024 is genealogy research software called Goldie May. It can help you speed up your research, untangle your family tree, and stay organized. It even has an automatic research log. It does not replace your genealogy programs, but it might replace the sticky notes on your monitor and papers on your desk — all those places where you keep notes and figure out your research.  There’s lots to do for free. Get started at goldiemay.com.  Stay in the Know Sign up now for our FREE daily newsletter and get: Expert tips and tricks to accelerate your research In-depth articles on a variety of genealogical topics Exclusive offers on new tools and resources Plus, find Family Tree Magazine on your favorite social channels! Your Host Listen to Lisa Louise Cooke’s Genealogy Gems podcast available at her website and all major podcasting services, or download the Genealogy Gems Podcast app. Family Tree Magazine May/June 2025 Digital Edition

In this episode of the Family Tree Magazine podcast, Lisa talks with Rhonda Lauritzen about to approach sensitive topics when interviewing relatives. https://media.blubrry.com/family_tree_magazine/content.blubrry.com/family_tree_magazine/2025-06.mp3 Feature: Handling sensitive family interviews. It can be a challenge to navigate hard-to-talk-about subjects in family history interviews. Author Rhonda Lauritzen shares interviewing tips from journalists, storytellers, and her own professional experience as a professional biographer at Evalogue.life. Read Speaking Softly by Rhonda Lauritzen: 7 Steps for Handling Sensitive Subjects in Family History Interviews Navigate hard-to-talk-about subjects in family history interviews with these tips from journalists and other storytellers. Family Tree Magazine Visit Our Sponsor: GoldieMay.com One of Family Tree Magazine’s best of 2024 is genealogy research software called Goldie May. It can help you speed up your research, untangle your family tree, and stay organized. It even has an automatic research log. It does not replace your genealogy programs, but it might replace the sticky notes on your monitor and papers on your desk — all those places where you keep notes and figure out your research.  There’s lots to do for free. Get started at goldiemay.com.  In this episode of the podcast, Lisa Interview Richard Miller about all Goldie May has to offer. Stay in the Know Sign up now for our FREE daily newsletter and get: Expert tips and tricks to accelerate your research In-depth articles on a variety of genealogical topics Exclusive offers on new tools and resources Plus, find Family Tree Magazine on your favorite social channels: Facebook Instagram Threads YouTube Join the thousands of genealogists who rely on Family Tree Magazine for the latest news and advice. Follow us today and start your journey of discovery! Your Host Listen to Lisa Louise Cooke’s Genealogy Gems podcast available at her website and all major podcasting services, or download the Genealogy Gems Podcast app.

In this episode of Best Websites, Lisa Louise Cooke offers tips for using Google Earth for genealogy. https://media.blubrry.com/family_tree_magazine/content.blubrry.com/family_tree_magazine/2025-05-BW.mp3 Best Genealogy Websites: Google Earth for Genealogy Lisa Louise Cooke, author of The Genealogist’s Google Toolbox, 3rd edition and Family Tree University instructor explains the value of the Google Earth website to genealogists. Download Google Earth for free. Discover why Google Earth is an essential tool for every genealogist’s toolkit in this engaging episode. Lisa explores how this powerful platform brings your family history to life by: Anchoring genealogical context to specific places and timeframes. Navigating shifting boundaries with access to historical maps. Visualizing research for deeper analysis and insights. Crafting compelling, interactive stories to share your family’s legacy. Lisa dives into practical applications, highlighting features like: Exploring historical maps from the David Rumsey collection, spanning the globe. Creating custom historical map overlays tailored to your research. Plotting land patents and legal descriptions with precision. Building immersive family history tours and recording videos for storytelling. Tune in to learn how Google Earth can transform your genealogy journey. Visit Our Sponsor: GoldieMay.com One of Family Tree Magazine’s best of 2024 is genealogy research software called Goldie May. It can help you speed up your research, untangle your family tree, and stay organized. It even has an automatic research log. It does not replace your genealogy programs, but it might replace the sticky notes on your monitor and papers on your desk — all those places where you keep notes and figure out your research.  There’s lots to do for free. Get started at goldiemay.com.  Stay in the Know Sign up now for our FREE daily newsletter and get: Expert tips and tricks to accelerate your research In-depth articles on a variety of genealogical topics Exclusive offers on new tools and resources Plus, find Family Tree Magazine on your favorite social channels! Your Host Listen to Lisa Louise Cooke’s Genealogy Gems podcast available at her website and all major podcasting services, or download the Genealogy Gems Podcast app.

In this episode of the Family Tree Magazine podcast, Judy Russell tells us what genealogists can expect to find in divorce records. https://media.blubrry.com/family_tree_magazine/content.blubrry.com/family_tree_magazine/2025-05-FTM.mp3 Feature: Divorce records with Judy G. Russell In this episode of the Family Tree Magazine podcast, host Lisa Louise Cooke interviews Judy G. Russell, The Legal Genealogist, about the often-overlooked topic of divorce records in genealogy. They discuss the types of information found in divorce records, the historical context of divorce laws, and the various documents associated with divorce cases. Takeaways: Understanding the legal context of divorce is crucial for research. Different types of divorce records exist, including legislative and judicial. State archives are key resources for finding divorce records. Privacy laws can restrict access to divorce records for many years. Newspapers often contain valuable information about divorces. Genealogists should look for patterns in names and records. Record loss can complicate research, especially in judicial cases. Visit Our Sponsor: GoldieMay.com One of Family Tree Magazine’s best of 2024 is genealogy research software called Goldie May. It can help you speed up your research, untangle your family tree, and stay organized. It even has an automatic research log. It does not replace your genealogy programs, but it might replace the sticky notes on your monitor and papers on your desk — all those places where you keep notes and figure out your research.  There’s lots to do for free. Get started at goldiemay.com.  In this episode of the podcast, Lisa Interview Richard Miller about all Goldie May has to offer. Stay in the Know Sign up now for our FREE daily newsletter and get: Expert tips and tricks to accelerate your research In-depth articles on a variety of genealogical topics Exclusive offers on new tools and resources Plus, find Family Tree Magazine on your favorite social channels: Facebook Instagram Threads YouTube Join the thousands of genealogists who rely on Family Tree Magazine for the latest news and advice. Follow us today and start your journey of discovery! Your Host Listen to Lisa Louise Cooke’s Genealogy Gems podcast available at her website and all major podcasting services, or download the Genealogy Gems Podcast app.

In this episode of Best Websites, Diahan Southard walks through some of the most recent updates to AncestryDNA and MyHeritage DNA. https://media.blubrry.com/family_tree_magazine/content.blubrry.com/family_tree_magazine/2025-04-BW.mp3 Best Genealogy Websites: AncestryDNA and MyHeritage DNA updates with Diahan Southard In this episode of Family Tree Magazine’s Best Websites podcast, host Louise Cooke discusses the latest updates in genetic genealogy with expert Diahan Southard. They explore significant changes in AncestryDNA and MyHeritage DNA, including refined ethnicity estimates and new features that enhance user experience. The conversation delves into the importance of reference populations, the impact of algorithm updates, and practical advice for navigating unexpected results in DNA testing. Resources Mentioned in This Interview: Ancestry MyHeritage Diahan Southard’s Your DNA Guide Visit Our Sponsor: GoldieMay.com One of Family Tree Magazine’s best of 2024 is genealogy research software called Goldie May. It can help you speed up your research, untangle your family tree, and stay organized. It even has an automatic research log. It does not replace your genealogy programs, but it might replace the sticky notes on your monitor and papers on your desk — all those places where you keep notes and figure out your research.  There’s lots to do for free. Get started at goldiemay.com.  Stay in the Know Sign up now for our FREE daily newsletter and get: Expert tips and tricks to accelerate your research In-depth articles on a variety of genealogical topics Exclusive offers on new tools and resources Plus, find Family Tree Magazine on your favorite social channels: Your Host Listen to Lisa Louise Cooke’s Genealogy Gems podcast available at her website and all major podcasting services, or download the Genealogy Gems Podcast app.

In this episode of the Family Tree Magazine podcast, Gena Philibert-Ortega addresses common obstacles faced when finding female ancestors and strategies for overcoming them. https://media.blubrry.com/family_tree_magazine/content.blubrry.com/family_tree_magazine/2025-04-FTM_1_.mp3 Feature: Strategies for Tracing Female Ancestors In this episode, Lisa and Gena Philibert-Ortega discuss the unique challenges faced by genealogy researchers when tracing female ancestors. They explore five common obstacles, including name changes, missing records, and the importance of understanding historical context. Gena provides practical strategies for overcoming these challenges, emphasizing the need for thorough research plans, creative searching techniques, and awareness of significant historical events that impact women’s records. Read The Feminine Mystique by Gena Philibert Ortega in the March / April 2025 issue of Family Tree Magazine and online. Visit Our Sponsor: GoldieMay.com One of Family Tree Magazine’s best of 2024 is genealogy research software called Goldie May. It can help you speed up your research, untangle your family tree, and stay organized. It even has an automatic research log. It does not replace your genealogy programs, but it might replace the sticky notes on your monitor and papers on your desk — all those places where you keep notes and figure out your research.  There’s lots to do for free. Get started at goldiemay.com.  Stay in the Know Sign up now for our FREE daily newsletter and get: Expert tips and tricks to accelerate your research In-depth articles on a variety of genealogical topics Exclusive offers on new tools and resources Plus, find Family Tree Magazine on your favorite social channels: Facebook Instagram Threads YouTube Join the thousands of genealogists who rely on Family Tree Magazine for the latest news and advice. Follow us today and start your journey of discovery! Your Host Listen to Lisa Louise Cooke’s Genealogy Gems podcast available at her website and all major podcasting services, or download the Genealogy Gems Podcast app.

In this episode, Dr. Brendan Scott, manager of Roots Ireland, discusses the importance of the RootsIreland.ie website for Irish family history research. https://media.blubrry.com/family_tree_magazine/content.blubrry.com/family_tree_magazine/2025-03-BW.mp3 Best Genealogy Websites: RootsIreland/Irish Family History Foundation Centres In this episode, Dr. Brendan Scott highlights the extensive collection of records available, particularly Catholic records, and explains how the site operates with genealogy centers across Ireland. The conversation also covers the subscription model for accessing records, tips for newcomers to Irish genealogy, and the limitations of historical records. Visit RootsIreland. Visit Our Sponsor: Storied.com The next generation of family history is here. Storied is taking family history to new and exciting places with AI, StoriedBooks and more. With billions of historical records and exclusive newspaper publications, you can build and expand your family tree with ease. Collaborating with your family has never been easier or more affordable. Don’t let your family’s legacy go untold. Preserve these memories in a beautiful, interactive format that will be cherished for generations. Turn your family’s journey into a stunning StoriedBook — a keepsake to pass down to your children and grandchildren. Visit Storied today and get started for free. Stay in the Know Sign up now for our FREE daily newsletter and get: Expert tips and tricks to accelerate your research In-depth articles on a variety of genealogical topics Exclusive offers on new tools and resources Plus, find Family Tree Magazine on your favorite social channels! Your Host Listen to Lisa Louise Cooke’s Genealogy Gems podcast available at her website and all major podcasting services, or download the Genealogy Gems Podcast app.

In this episode of the Family Tree Magazine podcast, Sunny Morton takes a look at three popular genealogy websites (Ancestry.com, FamilySearch.org and MyHeritage) and compares them and their features. https://media.blubrry.com/family_tree_magazine/content.blubrry.com/family_tree_magazine/03-2025-FTM.mp3 Feature: Comparing Genealogy Subscription Websites In this conversation, host Lisa Louise Cooke and author Sunny Morton compare the top three genealogy websites: Ancestry.com, FamilySearch.org, and MyHeritage.com. They discuss the definition of historical records, the role of AI in indexing, and the strengths of each platform when it comes to DNA testing and tools, and searchability. Takeaways: The definition of historical records is unclear and varies. Ancestry has the largest number of total records, but not all are historical. AI is significantly improving the indexing of genealogy records. FamilySearch is a free platform with a global focus. MyHeritage offers advanced language translation technologies. FamilySearch does not provide DNA testing tools. MyHeritage allows users to upload raw DNA data from other companies. Read Three’s Company by Sunny Morton (Mar / Apr issue of Family Tree Magazine) Sunny Morton’s Website: https://sunnymorton.com/ Sunny Morton Visit Our Sponsor: Storied.com Storied.com CEO provides an overview of how Storied can help genealogists easily tell their family history stories. Storied is taking family history to new and exciting places with AI, StoriedBooks, and more. With billions of historical records and exclusive newspaper publications, you can build and expand your family tree with ease. Collaborating with your family has never been easier or more affordable. Don’t let your family’s legacy go untold. Preserve these memories in a beautiful, interactive format that will be cherished for generations. Turn your family’s journey into a stunning StoriedBook, a keepsake to pass down to your children and grandchildren. Visit Storied today and get started for free. Stay in the Know Sign up now for our FREE daily newsletter and get: Expert tips and tricks to accelerate your research In-depth articles on a variety of genealogical topics Exclusive offers on new tools and resources Plus, find Family Tree Magazine on your favorite social channels: Facebook Instagram Threads YouTube Join the thousands of genealogists who rely on Family Tree Magazine for the latest news and advice. Follow us today and start your journey of discovery! Your Host Listen to Lisa Louise Cooke’s Genealogy Gems podcast available at her website and all major podcasting services, or download the Genealogy Gems Podcast app.