Many family researchers are shocked out of their "today" socks to learn that official death certificates weren't required until the 20th century. ...more

February 17, 2008

In November, I wrote a column about ancestor migration trails and mentioned that William Dollarhide's "Map Guide to American Migration Routes" is one of my favorite books. I purchased it for $9.95 in 1997 and looked for it online during research for the column. It was being offered for staggering prices from $90 to $165. ...more

January 13, 2008

A death certificate contains valuable information about more than your ancestor's demise. Frequently, it will include information about birth, parents and spouses. ...more

November 11, 2007

A tired expression to describe a genealogical puzzle we can't solve is to say, 'We've hit the brick wall.' ...more

October 14, 2007