How Witness Records Can Guide Your Genealogy Research

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In this podcast, genealogist Robyn Smith tells us how you can use witness records to guide your genealogy research. Plus: learn what you can do with those photo negatives and how to navigate WikiTree.

This podcast is sponsored by Newspapers.com, the largest online newspaper archive. Newspapers.com boasts over half a billion digitized newspapers from the 1690s to the present day and can help you learn more about your family’s story. Find marriage announcements, birth announcements, obituaries, photos and more in papers from across the United States, the UK, Canada and beyond. Cover three centuries worth of family history!

Ep. 168: December 2022

Tree Talk: Genealogy Gift Giving (1:56)

Family Tree Magazine New Media Editor Rachel Christian joins Lisa to share gift ideas with a genealogy twist.

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The Genealogy Insider email newsletter includes a digest of articles, including one or two free articles in each newsletter. Daily and weekly options.

Celebrate Your Family History: 20 Fun Ideas for Any Budget

Don’t hide your family history—show it off! These inspiring projects and gift ideas offer many ways to use your family photos and heirlooms.

Feature: Witness Testimony (5:20)

We may not have been around when our ancestors lived, but there were witnesses to the important events in their life. In her new article for Family Tree Magazine, called Witness Testimony, author and genealogist Robyn Smith explains how witnesses can help you in your genealogy research.

Resources Mentioned in This Interview

Robyn Smith’s Reclaiming Kin blog

Google Books

Internet Archive

How to Research Witnesses and Bondsmen in Genealogy Records

Take your research down new paths by studying the witnesses and bondsmen named in records. Learn when they were needed and what they can reveal.

5 Strategies for Deciphering Old Handwriting on Documents

You’ve found the record you’re desperate for — too bad the old handwriting looks like chicken scratch. Here’s your ticket to deciphering difficult documents.

Family History Home: Caring for Photo Negatives (16:32)

The Photo Detective Maureen Taylor explains how to care for old family photo negatives and why they deserve a place in your collection.

Read History in Reverse by Maureen Taylor in the January/February 2023 issue of Family Tree Magazine.

Resources Mentioned in This Interview

Maureen’s Website

Photo Negatives: How to Scan, Preserve and Store Them

Learn how to care for and scan old photo negatives—and why they deserve a place in your collection.

Best Genealogy Websites: WikiTree (26:53)

The founder and President of WikiTree.com, Chris Whitten, provides a beginner’s guide to this free collaborative online family tree website.

Resources Mentioned in This Interview

WikiTree

Editor’s Desk: The Year in Review (34:36)

Family Tree Magazine Editor Andrew Koch recaps the genealogical highlights of 2022.

Resources Mentioned in This Interview

2022 record releases:

1921 census of England and Wales (Family Tree article; Findmypast)
1950 US federal census (Family Tree guide; National Archives; FamilySearch)
Beyond 2022 Project: Ireland Virtual Record Treasury
New York City Historical Vital Records Project

RootsTech: 2022 virtual lecture library

Genealogy TV:

Genealogy website updates:

Ancestry.com: SideView; Chromosome Painter; photo-colorization and -enhancement features
MyHeritage: DeepStory; JewishGen partnership
Findmypast: Tree S earch

1950 Census Research Guide

The 1950 census documented names, ages, occupations and more for over 150 million people. Here’s everything you need to know about using the 1950 census for genealogy research.

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.