 Top 5 Genealogy Websites for BeginnersAre you just starting out on your genealogy research? Researching your family history can be a bit overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be. Here are 5 of the best genealogy websites for beginners, with something for everyone!
1. Ancestry.com
2. FamilySearch.org
3. MyHeritage.com
4. Google
5. Archives.gov (National Archives)
More Genealogy Resources: Learn about more family history and genealogy resources under the Genealogy Resources category and on my dedicated Genealogy Resources page.  MyHeritage AI Time Machine: See Yourself or Your Ancestors Travel though Time! |
 One of My 6 Senior Photos Uploaded to MyHeritage AI Time Machine-© |  One of My Recent Photos Uploaded to MyHeritage AI Time Machine-© |
Some of the results...
 Me: MyHeritage AI Time Machine-Celtic |  Me: MyHeritage AI Time Machine-French Aristocratic Lady |  Me: MyHeritage AI Time Machine-1930s British Lady |
 Me: MyHeritage AI Time Machine-Aztec |  Me: MyHeritage AI Time Machine-1930s British Lady |  Me: MyHeritage AI Time Machine-1920s (B&W) |
 Me: MyHeritage AI Time Machine-1950s Illustration |  Me: MyHeritage AI Time Machine-1970s Hippie |  Me: MyHeritage AI Time Machine-1970s |
 Me: MyHeritage AI Time Machine-Cowgirl |  Me: MyHeritage AI Time Machine-French Royalty |  Me: MyHeritage AI Time Machine-Punk Rocker |
What do you think?
My Eldest Daughter, with MyHeritage AI Time Machine:
Some of the results, with the first picture of her now as a comparison...
I can tell you as her mom, they look JUST like Her! What do you think?
My Second Daughter, with MyHeritage AI Time Machine:
Some of the results, with the first picture of her now as a comparison...
I can tell you as her mom, they look JUST like Her! What do you think?
One of My Friends, with MyHeritage AI Time Machine:
Some of the results, with the first picture of her, a few years back, as a comparison (I had to use some pics of her during the last couple of decades, as I didn't have enough)...
I can tell you as her her best friend for over 30 years, they look JUST like Her! What do you think?
How MyHeritage AI Time Machine Works:
AI Time Machine uses artificial intelligence to learn what one looks like and creates images of that person depicting how they may have looked throughout different time periods in history! Using your real photos, you can see yourself or an ancestor anywhere from prehistoric times until now, with an extra futuristic time period added in!
It uses many photos of one person, and it builds a model that can portray the same person in multiple poses and different lighting conditions from what is in the original photos that you have added. Then, it uses a set of themes, as it incorporates the model that was made, with designs from the different themes to create super realistic photo images that you can share and download!
It uses many photos of one person, and it builds a model that can portray the same person in multiple poses and different lighting conditions from what is in the original photos that you have added. Then, it uses a set of themes, as it incorporates the model that was made, with designs from the different themes to create super realistic photo images that you can share and download!
How to use MyHeritage AI Time Machine:
- Go to MyHeritage AI Time Machine
- Click “Try It Now”
- If you don’t have a MyHeritage account, then they’ll ask you to create one (don’t worry, it’s FREE and quick!)
- Upload anywhere between 10-25 photos of the SAME person, at DIFFERENT angles (They recommend 3 full-body shots, 5 upper-body shots, 10 close ups, and 2 side profiles)
- Enter a “Title” (first name of you or person, or any other title you’d like)
- Select whether “Male” or “Female”
- That’s it!
It takes about 30 to 90 minutes to generate the model and give you your first default themed images. I Know, a long time, but don't worry because they will send you an email when they’re ready, so you can go about your business and not have to wait on them, and it's well worth the wait! Once they’re ready, you can view them, download them, and share them to social media. From there you can also choose many, many more themes that each take only a couple of minutes to generate! There are 9 different images for each theme!
MyHeritage AI Time Machine Themes:
Females:
I did not create any for a male, so I didn’t get to view all the themes for them, but it is pretty much the same, but for males.
- Through the decades:
- 1920s
- 1920s Flapper
- 1920s (B&W)
- Aviator
- 1930s British Lady
- WWII Nurse
- 1940s
- 1950s
- 1950s Illustration
- 1950s Chic
- (1960s and) 1970s Hippie
- 1970s
- 1970 Hairstyle
- Punk Rocker (1970s and 1980s)
- Through the Centuries:
- Russian Tsarina
- 16th Century Royalty
- Baroque
- 18th Century Bride
- 18th Century France
- Victorian
- 19th Century Princess
- (1600s to 1900s) American Frontier
- (1700s to 1800s) American Pioneer
- US Civil War Woman (Daguerreotype)
- French Royalty
- Medieval Ages:
- Vikings
- Saxon
- Ottoman Empire Bride
- French Aristocratic Lady
- Noblewoman (Lady)
- Ancient Civilizations:
- Egyptian
- Ancient Greek
- Roman
- Celtic
- Mayan
- Aztec
- Rainforest Tribe Member
- Amazonian Shaman
- Other:
- Arctic Explorer
- Astronaut
- Cowgirl
- Greek Goddess
- Nun
- Pilot
- Pirate
- Race Car Driver
- Futuristic Cyborg
I did not create any for a male, so I didn’t get to view all the themes for them, but it is pretty much the same, but for males.
Tips on How to Get the Best AI Time Machine Results:
- Use a VARIETY of poses/angles
- Use photos with different expressions
- Use photos taken on different days
- Use photos taken at different times of the day
- Use photos that contain only one person (or crop out other people)
- Use photos where there is no makeup or very little makeup
- Use photos that are about the same age if you can
- Choose photos without sunglasses
What are you waiting for, create your MyHeritage AI Time Machine photos today!
Go to: MyHeritage AI Time Machine
Don't forget to share your results with others and on social media using the hashtags #MyHeritage and #AITimeMachine!
*The FREE usage allows you to upload photos of one person and then generate up to 400 images of that same person, using 50 themes, for a limited time. After that, it becomes a paid feature, and a one-time purchase allows you to upload photos of one person to create one model, and then generate images for up to 50 themes, with a total of 400 images. If you want more themes, you make an additional purchase.
* MyHeritage Complete Plan Members can upload photos of up to 5 people, to create 5 models, and generate images with up to 100 themes, for a total of 800 images.
Related Content:
MyHeritage DeepStory: Make Your Ancestor’s Photos Talk and Tell Their Story!
MyHeritage In Color: Updated Photo Color Restoration!
Genealogy Resources: Ancestry's New Photo Editor and New Look Updates
As of Today, a New Game Changer From MyHeritage!
The MyHeritage Deep Nostalgia Tool: Photos Brought to Life!
More Genealogy Resources:
Learn about more resources you can use in your genealogy research and to preserve your family history under the Genealogy Resources category and on my dedicated Genealogy Resources page!
#MyHeritage,#AITimeMachine
Top 5 Genealogy Brick Wall Busters
We’ve all been there; there always seems to be that one ancestor (or many) whose records run dry and that just seem to fall off the face of the earth in one’s family tree. What do you do when you come across the dreaded genealogy brick wall? Do you get frustrated? Do you spend tons of money on possible records and professional research help? Do you start searching aimlessly? Do your brick walls seem to last for years on end? Your brick walls may not really be brick walls at all; it may be HOW you search, that you’re missing key clues, and that you’re not using ALL your resources. I have quite a few “brick wall" busters, but these are my top 5 tried and true ways of breaking through them.
1. Descendancy Research
- Complete
2. Collateral Research
- Complete
3. No Name Search
- No surname
- No given name
- Both no surname and given name, if needed
- Location or nearby locations and approximate age only
4. DNA
- Matches
- Group into as many groups as needed to get to your brick wall generation
- Weed out all other known lines/groups
- Find common surnames in unknown group
- Find common ancestral couple in unknown group
- Build quick dirty tree
- Descendancy research
- Collateral research
- Etc.
5. Think Outside the Box
- Hiding from something?
- Purposeful name change?
- New identity?
- Double life?
- Family secrets?
- This list could go on forever 😉
More Genealogy Tips:
Find more brick wall tips under the Genealogy Brick Wall Cases category, research tips under the Genealogy Research Tips category, and quick tips under the Genealogy Quick Tips category!
*Best of the Genea-Blogs
The Best Month to Purchase Your Ancestral DNA Test Kit Is Finally Here!
Are you aware of all the holiday ancestral DNA sales that happen in November each year? If you didn’t, then you do now! November is always the best month to purchase a DNA testing kit! See what each of the fab five genealogy DNA testing sites has to offer and tips on how to choose which sale to go for!
AncestryDNA Holiday DNA Sale:
AncestryDNA Holiday DNA Sale
Want the largest database of DNA matches and the best starting point for your DNA (you can upload your AncestryDNA to MyHeritage and LivingDNA for free later or FamilyTreeDNA for only $19)? AncestryDNA is having a holiday sale on their DNA kits for only $59! Hurry, these offers are short lived!
MyHeritageDNA Holiday DNA Sale:
MyHeritageDNA Holiday DNA Sale
Want to dig deeper into your European ancestry, along with getting to use some fantastic DNA tools? MyHeritage is offering their MyHeritageDNA + MyHeritage 30 day COMPLETE trial (access to their family tree database, historical/genealogy records, and ALL their specialized photo tools + Deep Nostalgia) for only $39, along with FREE shipping on 2 or more kits until November 8th! They also wrap it up beautifully for you! Give a one-of-a-kind gift of incredible discoveries this holiday season!
23andMe Holiday DNA Sale:
23andMe Holiday DNA Sale
Want to look deeper into your health & traits and see your DNA results in a fun way? 23andMe is having a sale for 50% off their DNA Kits until November 23rd!
FamilyTreeDNA Holiday DNA Sale:
FamilyTreeDNA Holiday DNA Sale-1
FamilyTreeDNA Holiday DNA Sale-2
Want to dig deep into your ancestry and heritage? FamilyTree DNA is the only company that offers Y-DNA (paternal ancestry) and mtDNA testing (maternal ancestry) way back, and they have an early bird sale going on right now for up to $70 off their autosomal DNA, Y-DNA, and mtDNA tests!
LivingDNA Holiday DNA Sale:
​LivingDNA Holiday DNA Sale
Specializing in African Ancestry, British Ancestry, and European Ancestry, along with sub-regional breakdowns, LivingDNA is having a sale for $69 (+ Free shipping on 3 or more kits) for their ancestral DNA kits!
DNA Testing Kit Purchase Tips:
- Upload your Ancestry, 23andMe, or MyHeritage autosomal DNA data to FamilyTreeDNA for FREE! You'll get your autosomal DNA matches and use of their Family Finder-Matrix tool (compare up to 10 DNA match relationships at a time)! You can also enjoy their Family Finder features (Chromosome Browser, myOrigins, and ancientOrigins) for a one-time fee of only $19!
- Upload your Ancestry DNA, FamilyTree DNA, or 23andMe DNA to MyHeritageDNA for FREE! You'll get your DNA matches and access to contact them, along with using labels for your DNA matches and viewing shared ancestral surnames! You can also pay a one-time unlock fee of $29 (or if you have a MyHeritage subscription already) to access all of their advanced features (your ethinicity estimate and genetic groups, their chromosome browser, the ability to view family trees and pedigree charts of your matches, your shared DNA mtches, your shared ethnicities, your shared ancestral places, their AutoClusters feature, and their Theory of Family Relativity feature!
- Upload your Ancestry DNA, FamilyTreeDNA, 23andMe DNA, or MyHeritage DNA for FREE at LivingDNA! You'll get an "ancestry taster" of Global ancestry (8 continental ancestry regions) and DNA matching for a limited time. You'll have the option to pay to upgrade to get your full autosomal results if you choose.
- Upload you DNA results from AncestryDNA, FamilyTreeDNA, 23andMe, MyHeritageDNA or LivingDNA to GEDmatch for FREE!
- Test at AncestryDNA first, then upload to one of the other sites that offer FREE DNA uploads, so you only pay for one DNA test!
Related DNA Content:
More DNA:
More Genealogy Resources:
Learn about more resources you can use in your genealogy research and to preserve your family history under the Genealogy Resources category and on my dedicated Genealogy Resources page!
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Welcome to the Blog
Welcome to Know Who Wears the Genes in Your Family! Here you'll find genealogy research tips, family history resources, DNA insights, technology and AI tools, genealogy news, and stories from my own research journey. Whether you're just starting your family tree, exploring your ancestry, or tackling a challenging brick wall, my goal is to help you discover, understand, and preserve your family's story.
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Genealogy Brick Wall: Another New DNA Mystery Match-Part 1
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The Best German Genealogy Research Resource
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Genealogy Brick Wall: The Case of an Ancestor's Hidden Identity- Part 4
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Ancestry's New Deep Dive Census Record Feature!
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The 1850 U.S. Census: One of the Golden Genealogy Records
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Genealogy Brick Wall: The Case of the Elusive Ancestor
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Google Search Tips for Genealogy- Beginner
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Irish Genealogy Research Resources
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Genealogy Brick Wall: The Case of an Ancestor's Secret Past
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