History tells us who we are and how we came to be who we are.
Like history, genealogy studies people. It’s a field of study that can tell us who we are in a more exact sense by showing us how our ancestral lines connect from one generation to the next.
In this episode of the “Doing History: How Historians Work” series, we investigate the world of genealogical research with Joshua Taylor, President of the New York Genealogical and Biographical Society and a professional genealogist.
Episode Summary
In this episode, we investigate the world of genealogical research with Joshua Taylor, President of the New York Genealogical and Biographical Society and a professional genealogist.
During our investigation, Josh reveals information about professional genealogists and their research process; Where genealogists look for information and the digital resources they use; And, the role DNA plays in genealogical research.
What You’ll Discover
- New-York Genealogical and Biographical Society
- Overview of professional genealogy
- Where genealogists start their research projects
- How far back you can expect to trace your family tree
- Differences in access to records between the United States and European countries
- The role questions play in genealogical research
- Genealogists’ research process
- Where genealogists look for information
- Digital resources for genealogical research
- Types of historical sources genealogists use
- How genealogists research people who left little-to-no written record
- How genealogists use the work of other genealogists
- How to know if the family tree constructed by another genealogist is accurate
- The role of DNA in genealogical research
- Objectivity in genealogical research
- The final products of genealogical research
- Strategies for becoming “unstuck” in your genealogical research
- The role historical context plays in genealogical research
- Researching in U.S. census records
- Tips and tricks for conducting genealogical research
- Local genealogical societies
Links to People, Places, and Publications
- Joshua Taylor
- New York Genealogical & Biographical Society
- Genealogy Roadshow
- Who Do You Think You Are?
- Boston University Genealogy Certificate Program
- Board for Certification of Genealogists
- GPS: Genealogical Proof Standard
- GPS: Genealogical Proof Standard Explained
- Ancestry.com
- FamilySearch.org
- MyHeritage.com
- FindMyPast.com
- New England Historical and Genealogical Society
- New York State Family History Conference
- New York State Archives
- New York State Library