 The First Rule of Genealogy and Preservation: Start with Yourself The devastating fires here in Los Angeles County have left many families grappling with profound loss—loss of loved ones, homes, and irreplaceable memories. As genealogists, we often focus on preserving the stories of those who came before us. Yet, these tragic events are a stark reminder that preserving our own memories and legacy is just as crucial. In genealogy, the foundational rule is to start with yourself and work backward. I believe this principle should extend beyond research and encompass all aspects of genealogy preservation. When my daughter and her husband had to evacuate due to the Eaton Canyon fire here where we live, it brought this truth into sharp focus. While packing essentials—vital documents, medications, water, food, and supplies for their dog—she hesitated when deciding whether to grab one of her “memory boxes.” In that moment, the importance of preserving those irreplaceable personal memories became evident. Homes and material possessions can be replaced, but the unique pieces of our family’s story cannot. Why Starting with Yourself Matters Genealogists dedicate countless hours to documenting family histories. We preserve old photos, letters, and heirlooms from previous generations. Yet, how often do we turn the lens inward to safeguard our own stories and memories? Starting with yourself is not only the first rule in genealogy research but should be the guiding principle for all preservation efforts. Here’s how to make it happen: Steps to Preserve Your Memories
Lessons from the Fires When disaster strikes, the things we value most become clear. For my daughter, it wasn’t the house or the furniture she worried about—it was the box of cherished memories. This underscores the need to prioritize preserving the intangible pieces of our lives that define who we are and where we come from. As genealogists, our mission is to honor and preserve the past. Let’s ensure that future generations have a complete story—one that includes us. By starting with yourself, you not only protect your legacy but also set an example for others to follow. In doing so, you contribute to a living, breathing family history that can withstand the tests of time and tragedy. Final Thoughts The first step in genealogy research is to start with yourself and work backward. Let’s expand that rule to encompass all of genealogy. Start with yourself first in preserving your memories, stories, and legacy. By taking these steps now, you ensure that your family’s story—including your chapter—will endure, no matter what challenges lie ahead. Quick Summary
"My heart goes out to everyone who has endured unimaginable loss during the devastating fires in Los Angeles County. To our dear family friends who have suffered so greatly: please know that you are in our thoughts and prayers, and we are deeply sorry for your loss. To my family: we faced incredibly close calls, and I am profoundly grateful that we are all safe. Our physical well-being is a blessing I do not take for granted."
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 2024 Genealogy Wish Grants Winner!The 2024 Genealogy Wish Grants Winner has just been announced! Congratulations to Mari Knapp of Ohio, who won this year for her double long standing mysteries/brick walls! About This Year's Winner Mari Knapp has been researching her family history and genealogy for over 20 years. She has been following Know Who Wears the Genes in Your Family for close to 3 years, while being an active participant. Like many who have been working on their genealogy for decades, she just cannot solve her family mysteries! A Tough Choice, Once Again There were many entries for this year's third Genealogy Wish Grants! It was down to two compelling stories, an emotional journey and struggle with belonging and double long-standing family mysteries, that made it a tough choice. One of these two was a story that is deeply personal, emotional, and filled with struggles, from his adoption to his challenging family dynamics and personal setbacks. His wish to connect with his biological father's family (who he was told was his father) seems rooted in a desire for closure and belonging, which makes it heart-wrenching. His honesty and sense of hopelessness (“stuff like this just doesn’t happen for me”) added to the emotional weight. Mari’s story spans two significant mysteries on both sides of the family, showing her long-standing passion for genealogy. The maternal mystery (a teenage pregnancy and family cover-up in a small town with intermarrying) is a poignant story rooted in historical context and societal norms, while the paternal mystery involving a surname mismatch revealed by Y-DNA and autosomal testing is intriguing from a genealogical perspective, especially with the additional layer of the surname appearing elsewhere in the family tree. Not only did Mari meet all the criteria to apply, but her mysteries were intriguing as well. This Year's Story Entry “I have been researching my family tree since 1999, but more so since retiring in 2020. I have a mystery on both sides of my family and both have me pulling my hair out. On the maternal side, my grandmother states that her mom at age 13 was impregnated by a certain man who was 19. Her father forced her into marrying someone else. This was in West Virginia, small town, and a lot of intermarrying going on. I would like to find out if her birth father was truly who she said it was. And/or On my paternal side, Y-DNA matches showed up an entirely different paternal last name than the one we knew as ours. Autosomal 2-3 cousin matches confirm it as well. I am not sure if the culprit is a grandfather or great-grandfather. To confound the issue, my father's great-grandmother also shares this surname and is tied into the family somewhere. This all takes place in Georgia and Alabama. Thank you!” Thank You Thank you to all of this year's Genealogy Wish Grants applicants! I hope you all continue to follow and participate! Don't forget to apply to Genealogy Wish Grants 2025, details coming soon! The entry start date will be posted on my Facebook Page, my Facebook Group, my blog, and on the Genealogy Wish Grants page, so stay tuned! P.S. I wound up solving the other’s case as well. After all, it is Christmas. 😉
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These deals won't last long—take advantage now to elevate your family history research! 11/3/2024 A Heartwarming Reunion Through Genealogy and DNA– Reuniting a Family Across Time and DistanceRead Now A joyful reunion – a father meets his newly discovered sister for the first time, with the help of Genealogy and DNA Sometimes, our journeys into the past uncover more than names and dates; they bring people together in ways that go beyond generations. Recently, I had the privilege of helping a client, Taylor, bring closure to a family mystery that stretched across continents and decades. Her father, George, born in Japan to a Japanese mother and an American serviceman stationed abroad, had been adopted at the age of five and brought to the United States. He spent a lifetime wondering about his biological roots, especially about the father he never knew. The Initial Reach-Out When Taylor first reached out to me over a year ago, her message was filled with hope but frustrated by the challenges they faced. She shared her father’s background—adopted with no father listed on his birth certificate, the only information available was that his biological mother (after finding her) had shared he was the son of a U.S. serviceman from Illinois. Her father had already initiated DNA testing, and had second-cousin matches, but no close relatives. While Taylor and her father had so few pieces of the puzzle, his desire to know his roots drove them to push forward. A Methodical Search and Discovery After assessing Taylor's information, I felt confident there was a path forward. To deepen the search, we explored her father’s AncestryDNA matches. Using a combination of grouping his DNA matches, creating a family tree for a common ancestral couple, and tracing their descendants, I began piecing together connections through military records, locations, dates, and family history. Through a systematic search—one that involved analyzing both historical records and genetic links—I was able to zero in on Taylor’s paternal line and locate the most likely candidate as her father’s biological father, as well as providing her photo comparisons of him and her father. Within a day, we had identified not only a likely father but also a living child of this man—Taylor's father’s biological sister. Yet, DNA results and facts alone don’t guarantee a reunion. Reaching out to this newfound family member required sensitivity and respect for the complex emotions involved. The First Contact and the Waiting Game When I reached out to this newly discovered sister, her response was understandably cautious. With respect and empathy, I explained the background, how I came to contact her, and what this connection could mean for her. She asked for time to process this life-changing news, and I let her know that there was no pressure for a quick response. An Unexpected Reunion and Heartfelt Gratitude Several months later, I received an email from Taylor. It read, "I just wanted to let you know that my dad’s biological sister did end up contacting him. They connected a few months back and speak pretty regularly. I believe one day they will probably meet in person too. I just wanted to say thanks again for your help and finding closure for my dad!" This was fantastic news. Taylor’s father and his sister had formed a connection—one that went beyond genealogy or even the search itself. They were becoming part of each other's lives, bridging the years and miles that had kept them apart. Just days ago, I received an even happier update: "Hi again! I wanted to share this photo with you. We went out to meet my dad’s biological sister Cheryl in Florida. Thank you again for all of your help. You have made such a big impact on my dad’s life and my long-lost aunt’s life by connecting them. I will forever appreciate it!" Reflecting on the Power of Family Connections Every genealogy journey is unique, but stories like Taylor’s are reminders of the profound impact family connections have on our lives. It was an honor to help this family find the answers they sought, and to witness such a happy outcome. Connecting people to their roots isn’t only about tracing family trees. It’s about bringing families together, offering healing, and sometimes changing lives in unexpected, wonderful ways. Taylor’s father now has a sister in his life, and both he and his daughter, Taylor, have more pieces of their family story than they ever imagined possible. This was more than a happy ending—it was a beginning for a family reconnected across time and place. The Client's Review on Google and Yelp"My father is 70 years old and was adopted at a very young age from Japan. For all of this time, it has been a mystery as to who his father was. Me and my siblings are in our 20s and thought it was finally time to hire a professional and see what we could uncover. Within a very short time of emailing her, Diane responded to us almost immediately and was eager to help. Since we had such limited information, we held our breaths in case there wasn't enough to work with. To our surprise (and delight), Diane found my biological grandfather within the same weekend! She was thorough and informative at every step, keeping us updated and explaining what she was doing. She went above and beyond to help us and it has been eye-opening to know our ancestry after all of this time! We highly recommend Diane and will always be grateful for the work she did for us. 10/10! Thanks for all of your efforts!" -Taylor N Interested in Discovering Your Own Family Story?If you have questions about your family history or are searching for long-lost relatives, you don’t have to navigate the journey alone. With professional guidance, uncovering the stories and connections of your family tree can be within reach. Feel free to reach out—each family story is unique, and I’m here to help bring yours to light.
 The evolution of genealogy: From traditional research methods to modern digital tools The Evolution of Genealogy: From Paper to Pixels Genealogy research has transformed dramatically over the years. Once upon a time, tracing your family history meant hours spent in dusty archives, poring over paper records, and scrolling through reels of microfilm. It was a slow, methodical process that required patience and persistence. Today, the world of genealogy has shifted with the arrival of digital technology. Online databases like Ancestry.com, FamilySearch, MyHeritage, and Findmypast have made accessing records easier than ever before, allowing genealogists to search vast collections from the comfort of their homes. DNA testing from companies like AncestryDNA, FamilyTreeDNA, 23andMe, MyHeritage, and Living DNA has opened new doors, providing insights into ancestry and helping break down brick walls that traditional records couldn’t. Most recently, AI has entered the scene, offering tools that can analyze patterns in data, transcribe historical documents, and even predict family connections. For example, MyHeritage's Smart Matching™ uses AI to automatically match your tree with historical records and other trees, while their Photo Enhancer and Deep Nostalgia™ tools sharpen old photos and animate faces. Additionally, AI-driven transcription software like Ancestry’s “Handwriting Recognition” quickly digitizes and searches old handwritten documents, and translation tools like Google Translate help genealogists translate foreign records instantly. These are just a few examples of the vast amount of what AI has helped to accomplish! These advancements have made genealogy more accessible and efficient, revolutionizing the way we connect with our past. As we move forward, it’s exciting to imagine how genealogy will continue to evolve, bringing our ancestors’ stories into sharper focus with each new technological breakthrough! Relevant Topics Watermark Your Public Family History Photos for Free with Canva When you share your family history, whether it be your public family tree, through a blog, or even a family website or social media page, you undoubtedly share family/ancestor photos as part of the sharing process. This will not be a debate on whether you should share your photos or not but is just simply a way to address the issue of you maybe wanting to share photos to help others out and bring joy but not necessarily having someone reshare them and take the credit. My trees on Ancestry and MyHeritage are private, as that is what I prefer for numerous reasons. When I get a request on Ancestry, through Ancestry messaging, asking to share a photo, I need to do so through email, as Ancestry’s messaging does not let you attach a photo if it’s not in a public tree. I am always happy to share photos, but like many, I don’t like having my photos reshared by someone else as their own. If you are like many, there is a way to share your photos, while protecting them as your own. You can create a watermark for your photos, documents, research, and anything else needed, for free, in Canva. How to Create a Free Watermark in Canva
This version does add a slight filter over your photo Or
Drawbacks to Adding a Watermark to Your Family History Photos
Examples of Free Watermarks Made in Canva
Keep in mind that anyone can easily remove them. 😉 More Genealogy ResourcesLearn about more family history and genealogy resources under the Genealogy Resources category and on my dedicated Genealogy Resources page.
 Identifying Family History Photos: A Case of Mistaken Identity While working on my own genealogy for a bit, I came across an exciting find! While adding photos to my family tree, I realized that my 3rd great grandfather looked different than in his other photos, which I guess I never paid much attention to before. This particular photo came to me from my father, who had received it, along with many others, from my great grandmother and her 2nd husband, who also was her cousin. He had told me who everyone was in all the images he had sent me, and he had said this particular photo was that of my 3rd great grandparents, George W. Taylor and Rachel Ann Robinson. I was not so certain this was them, and my father had been wrong on a few others, so I had decided to take a deep dive into dating old photos so that I could learn more. In doing so, I had deduced that this photo was actually of my 4th great grandfather, Samuel Taylor and his 2nd wife, Frankie Gholson, in which we thought there was no known picture of, but we had one all along!  My 4th Great Grandfather, Samuel Taylor and Wife, Frankie Gholson, ca. 1864-1869 A Short Description of the Ancestral Couples My 3rd great grandfather, George W. Taylor was born 7 Jun 1834 and died 13 Feb 1917. My 3rd great grandmother, Rachel Ann Robinson was born 23 Mar 1843 and died 15 Apr 1919. As you can see, according to the dates, he was 8 years older than she. My 4th great grandfather, Samuel Taylor (George’s father) was born 21 Aug 1804 and died 4 Oct 1893. His wife, Frankie Gholson was born 9 Mar 1819 and died 9 Aug 1894. On the other hand, there was a significant age gap of almost 15 years between the two. As you can see in the photo, the man appears to be much older than the woman. Also, the photo seems to be older than other photos taken during the time period of my 3rd great grandfather being the age of the man in the photo. Dating CDV Photos (Carte de Visite Photos) After deep diving into research on dating old photos, I was able to compile all the info together, and had deduced that this photo was that of my 4th great grandfather, Samuel Taylor and his wife, Frankie, taken most likely between 1864-1869.
CDV: 1854 (1859 Europe-1860 U.S.) -~beginning 1900s, but most popular during Civil War)
 The Top Gifts to Give Guide: The Best Family History and Genealogy Gifts The Gift that Keeps on Giving: Family History and GenealogyIf you are looking for a meaningful and memorable present for your loved ones this holiday season, consider giving them a family history gift. A family history gift is one of the most personalized and thoughtful gifts you can give that keeps on giving! Spread the joy of genealogy, while helping others discover who they are and where they came from! Whether it is a book, a photo album, a DNA test, or a family tree, a family history gift is the perfect gift to help others connect with their past and inspire their future! The Best Family History and Genealogy Gifts
More Genealogy ResourcesLearn about more family history and genealogy resources under the Genealogy Resources category and on my dedicated Genealogy Resources page.
 Unlock Your Family's Genealogy with Family History Interviews! The holidays are a great time to reconnect with your family and learn more about your ancestors. One of the best ways to do that is by interviewing your relatives and asking them about their memories, stories, and experiences. Interviewing your family can help you discover new information, fill in the gaps, and preserve your heritage for future generations. But how do you conduct a successful family history interview? Here are some tips to help you prepare, conduct, and document your interviews. How to Prepare for a Family History InterviewIf you are planning to interview your family members about your genealogy during the holidays, you need to do some preparation beforehand. Here are some steps that you can follow to make sure your interview goes smoothly and productively.
By following these steps, you can prepare yourself for a successful genealogy interview that will help you learn more about your family history and heritage. Some Questions to Ask during a Family History Interview
Interviewing your family is a rewarding and enriching experience that can help you uncover your roots and connect with your past. By following these tips, you can make the most of your interviews and discover new aspects of your family history and genealogy!
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BlogI hope my family history and genealogy blog on genealogy research tips, resources, events, and more, along with my own genealogy journeys, will help you in your research and in building your family tree to learn more about your ancestors and family history to preserve for future generations to come! 
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