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The past holds many fascinating stories patiently waiting to be told. Whether it is to indict wrongdoing and finally bring justice to the aggrieved, to finally shed light on the forgotten heroism of some ancestor and let them finally be celebrated, or simply to answer questions that torment people for decades about their identity, there is an incomparable sense of closure that comes from learning one’s family history. Here is a round-up of some incredible genealogy TV shows that offer just that.

The Genetic Detective

In this ABC News series, investigative genetic genealogist CeCe Moore works with law enforcement officials to solve cases and bring violent criminals to justice. Her expertise and unique skill set help the police revolutionize crime-solving, uncovering the identities of violent criminals using DNA evidence.

The show features riveting cases, including a case involving a teenager’s rape and murder which ended with an innocent man spending 20 years in prison before he was finally exonerated, and the murder of a mother and daughter that had remained unsolved since 1998.

The show is co-produced by ABC News and XCON Productions.

Where to find

Relative Race

Relative Race strikes a more upbeat tone. It follows four teams as they complete challenges, fighting for a jackpot of $50,000. The teams travel across the United States, racing against time to find family members and forging relationships as they go. Along the way, the teams complete tasks involving everything from archery, woodcutting, and backpacking, to tricky obstacle courses meant to test their physical limits. The contestants also solve puzzles, and find answers, filling in gaps in their own personal stories in the process. This genealogy show is filled with wholesome moments, and is incredibly moving but also heartwarming at the same time.

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Genealogy Roadshow 

In this American genealogy documentary series which first aired in 2013, researchers use clues provided by participants to help them uncover their history. A genealogy show on PBS,  Genealogy Roadshow brings history and science together to investigate family stories and identify connections between contestants and historical events such as the American Civil War, and figures of historical renown. Families are brought back together, stories going back generations are verified, uncovering amazing facts and discovering secrets in the unlikeliest of places. 

Where to find

Ancestors in the Attic

In this fast-moving Canadian series, a team of researchers works to help people all over Canada discover their family history and learn their roots. The investigating teams use a range of techniques to uncover the information they are looking for, including standard detective work and genealogical approaches typically used for investigating crimes. The investigations cross borders and unearth centuries-old secrets in some cases.

This genealogy show first hit the airwaves in 2006 and was presented by Jeff Douglas and, before his passing in 2008, Paul J. McGrath – a professional genealogist himself.

Where to find

Strange Inheritance

Many a story has been told about family heirlooms, inheritances, and estates of value left to family members. The scandal and acrimony that sometimes surrounds these situations make for great entertainment. However, Strange Inheritance takes a different route. This Fox News docu-series recounts stories of the most unusual items left to surviving relatives. It features everything from the comical to the outrageously bizarre. Jamie Colby hosts the engrossing show, covering stories as varied as they are unique. One family fights to keep a bug museum alive, another remarkable story talks about a century-old coin that could potentially be worth millions. The reality genealogy TV show first aired in 2015 and will have you hooked before you know it. 

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Ancestors

The Ancestors is a genealogy show that goes around the world piecing together family histories and telling the inspirational stories of different families. It is meant to help people learn about the different resources they can use to trace their own family histories. It also demonstrates the profound effect that learning one’s history can have on a person. Over 23 episodes hosted by Jim and Terry Willard, a lot is shared about the methods of genealogical research, and what records are available, to help people on their way to looking into their own genealogies. Ancestors TV show first aired in 1997. 

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Finding Your Roots with Henry Louis Gates, Jr.

Henry Louis Gates, Jr. is a renowned American professor and historian. He hosts this much-loved PBS show which first aired in March 2012. It brings the work of experts in genealogy, history, and genetics together to help guests on the show learn about their families’ pasts. Sometimes participants unearth unexpected connections to well-known figures. The show is an absorbing watch as you experience deep emotional and personal journeys with the guests as they unravel their pasts. Long-held beliefs about ancestry are challenged and using DNA, experts follow bloodlines and establish what is fact and what isn’t. The Harvard professor, who has also done a lot of work researching diversity, has also helped African American families trace their roots and learn about their ancestry. 

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Roots Less Traveled

The aptly named Roots Less Traveled follows pairs of family members as they embark on journeys to find answers about their shared history. Usually coming from different generations, they come to understand each other better as they work out what is fact and what is just family lore in the stories that have been passed down across generations. They travel around the world to exciting and unique locations as their stories unfold and their bonds grow.

In every 30-minute episode, a new pair set out on this journey of discovery, confirming and debunking what they know of their histories. Roots Less Traveled is designed to be an informational and educational program primarily aimed at teens.

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DNA Detectives

This 2015 documentary features 12 New Zealanders as they delve into their ancestry. Mysteries are unraveled, long-lost ancestors found, and even some ties to royalty, and fortunes are discovered. 

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Long Lost Family

You’re going to need a tissue box close-by for this one. A heart-wrenching series that helps people find their long-lost relatives. Truly emotional personal sagas play out on screen as people, some well into the latter stages of life, finally reunite with relatives that have been lost for decades. A father meets his mother, not having seen her for 30 years. An adopted woman, now in her mid-fifties tries to find her family while reckoning with the emotional dilemmas that bring about. 

The show is hosted by Chris Jacobs and Lisa Joyner, who artfully navigate the desperate emotion and turmoil of the participants with empathy and understanding. Mistakes, forgiveness, grief, and desperation all come to the fore as people grapple with their past.

Where to find

Who Do You Think You Are?

BBC One’s genealogy series features celebrities discovering previously unknown facts about their family histories. Well-known figures like JK Rowling have all come to the show and investigated their family, often with unexpected results. Stories that lay untold are finally allowed to be narrated. The incredible tales of the experiences, the courage of their forebears finally come to light. The quest typically leads to other countries and the participants learn of previously unknown losses and the bravery of their loved ones in the face of such adversity. In equal measure, they are also able to celebrate their successes. Other guests on the show have included Bill Oddie, Graham Norton, Nigella Lawson, Jeremy Irons, and Patrick Stewart.

Where to find

We hope this list of genealogy TV shows is useful to you, and maybe this is just the motivation you need to keep on researching your own family history and building your family tree.

Having a genealogy blog can be beneficial in a multitude of ways, but can sometimes seem like a big and daunting task. Read about the 8 simple steps to starting your first blog with ease! 

Some may think that starting a genealogy blog is too difficult, or even unnecessary, but people who truly care about genealogy and ancestral research will benefit from this. Recording your findings is a big benefit of genealogy blogging, no content will ever get lost, and it will be very easy to share information with other family members and even the rest of the world. 

Blogging opens up a lot of doors and enables users to make new connections with other genealogy bloggers who may even be looking for the same information.

Choose a Type of Online Genealogy Content

Come up with a few dozen blog ideas before starting your blog. Try not to keep it general, like “A post about grandmother”, but make it as detailed as possible – the beauty is in the details, especially with genealogy content. Put together a mindmap of points that you would like to cover in each entry, and some of the unique features that your blog will have that other writers may not, as it will make your genealogy blog more unique and interesting to other readers. Choose your genealogical specialty, it may so happen that another professional or enthusiast will come along to read your blog and find exactly what they were looking for.

“I found it difficult to reach such a wide audience. So many people come from so many different backgrounds and so their interests are vast and wide. I realized I don’t need to try to reach everyone all the time. Even just one person is worth the trouble if I can inspire, help them with a genealogy road block or learn more about themselves.” – Christy Walton, The Modern Genealogist

Create a Content Plan

Before commencing your blog writing, you will need to make sure that you create a comprehensive content plan that will keep you on track for what to post and when to post it. It’s imperative that you decide what to share and when to share it, before it goes out. 

You might decide to have some seasonal posts that can only go live in the summertime, or Christmas. The posts will be queued for the respective seasons, and will make it a lot easier for you to plan for future posts. The frequency of posts is also important, as you need to try and target the peak times in your region. Understanding when more readers are online will guarantee an influx of traffic to your genealogy blog. 

The best way to write a list of topics is to jot down anything that is in your mind at the time, and anything that you are keen on finding out or writing about first. As your blog will be genealogy research-based, you will definitely have a lot to talk about most of the time. Remember to go into a lot of detail when you are writing about your findings, as details are the most interesting bits of genealogy.

Choose a Blogging Platform

Once you have decided what aspects of genealogy you want to write about and what you plan to achieve through blogging, it is time to get down to the technical side of blogging. The first step is to choose a blogging platform. You should have a pretty good idea about some of the available platforms that will fit with your blog style and necessary plugins. There is an abundance of free options such as Blogger, WordPress and Medium, as well as some paid ones. There are certain limitations to using free platforms, so customizations will be somewhat limited. Nonetheless, these platforms will offer you a good degree of freedom with making your blog unique, with special plugins that you can use to make it more interesting and user-friendly.

Customize Your Blog

One of the most important things that your blog will need is a face. A successful design and layout are half the battle of having a great blog. The popularity and appearance of your website will heavily rely on the theme you choose. Your first-time readers will notice your blog’s appearance before they even look at your text content. Choose a theme that stands out and works for your specific needs.

Fill in Your Basic Information

Remember to fill out your basic information before publishing your posts. Think of an original and descriptive bio to introduce yourself, tell visitors what the blog is about, who you are as the author and why you chose to have a blog about genealogy. Leave your contacts, links to social media if you would like readers to be able to reach out to you. This will also add credibility to your blog, and make it easy for people to contact you if they have any genealogical leads, ideas or questions. 

Depending on the blogging platform you choose, you might be able to create separate pages for About and Contacts with a contact form and maybe some others.

Write and Publish Blog Content

It is now time to start blogging, and you need to start practicing writing your blog posts. It should ideally be something valuable that people will be keen to interact with, and hopefully come back for more. 

Once you have written your blog post, you need to remember to proofread it for any spelling mistakes or typos. Make sure to add photos to enhance user experience and increase customer, or reader retention in the future. Turn on commenting to get feedback on your content.

Get Your Family’s Opinion!

Now that you posted your first blog article, it is time to let your blog into the world! Remember that sharing your ancestry findings with other professionals and fans is only possible if your blog is discovered by them, so you need to work on spreading the word about your genealogy research and attract other readers to it! 

Ask your family what they think of your new blog, they will be able to give advice on the findings that you’ve recorded, and give you a very honest opinion and feedback on your work. You can even get content inspiration from your family, as they will know a lot about the past, and are probably itching to share it with you. If you are a member of a genealogy society or a community on social media, you can tell them about your blog too and invite them to read and comment on it.

You are now ready to start your very own genealogy blog! You have chosen your blogging platform that suits your style and tech needs, created a theme that will look fantastic once your genealogy blog is up, and have created a thorough content plan to make sure that you are not scrambling for ideas later on. Writing your very first blog is an exciting time, and following these 8 simple steps will hopefully alleviate some stress and answer questions about how to do it correctly. 

Family history, or genealogy, is the unique process of looking through records to find information about your relatives and using those records to link individuals to other generations. The primary rule of genealogy is to work deductively- so from the known all the way to the unknown. This is usually done to avoid attaching the wrong person to your family tree, and the following steps explain the genealogical process in greater detail to help you conduct a successful genealogical search.

Identify What You Know

The first step to beginning genealogical research is to identify what is already evident to you. Take the important pieces of genealogical information such as relationships, names and dates of birth. The best way to do this is to speak to your relatives about what they remember from their past, as they will most likely know a lot of useful information that they would love to share with you. They will bring you a lot closer to putting together your family tree.

Write Down All the Information You Know

Commencing your research is as easy as buying a notebook and writing down everything you know. A lot of genealogy apps will generate forms in a few basic formats such as research logs, multi-generational charts and the sources that are already available.

Interview Your Relatives

Asking your relatives is the best way to understand your family tree, they will tell you interesting stories about the past that will decipher a lot of the questions that you probably already had in mind. The best way to ask questions is to make them open-ended, avoid asking yes/no questions as it will cut the conversation short, and that is not the goal of the interview. The goal is to talk about special memories, emotions, and people with whom your relatives shared their special times. 

Gather Additional Information

There are a lot of sources and places to be visited when doing a genealogy search, and gathering additional information is very important if you want to put together a good family tree. Apart from speaking to your relatives and putting together research logs and charts, you can also conduct a thorough internet search to see if there is anything else that you can find. There are many websites and tips for genealogical research that have the largest collections of free genealogy records and free name-search databases. 

Exploring specific websites after searching for last names in your family will also help you put together your family tree. Visiting your local family history centers can give you a lot of new information about what you are looking for. In the US, there are over 4000 family history centers where anyone can access a large collection of genealogical information. Using the local centers, you can find microfilm records from all over the world.  

Decide What You Want to Learn

Evaluate what you have put together so far and figure out what information is still missing. Determine what family members or individuals intrigue you the most and put together a list of the missing pieces to narrow down your search and set an objective or question to research, to make sure that you do not get distracted by the abundance of information.

“When I started blogging I was extra prone to getting distracted by all the cool side stories I found while researching my main target. I had a lot of margin notes about people and places I wanted to explore!” – Andrea Blair, My Hearth Story

Keep in mind that you should be focusing on one question at a time as trying to answer too many questions when doing genealogy leads to a lot of confusion and careless errors, getting distracted is normal, genealogy is a very broad topic with a lot of interesting facts to cover, every the most experienced genealogists also get carried away.

Prepare the Research Questions 

Finding the appropriate genealogy questions is the most important step in your genealogy research. What are you hoping to find out? Some people just want to prove their lineage to someone, or just find new names. Others want to gather ancestors methodically and make new discoveries and connections. No matter what the objective is, having a list of research questions will help to keep you on track of finding out what you need to know and narrow down your search. 

Identify Genealogy Resources for Getting Started

Before getting started, you must locate and identify your sources. This is easier than it sounds, as options for finding genealogical information exist on the web, in libraries, churches, courthouses, and within your own house and family. Usually, the internet and libraries provide an array of free and useful resources about family, however, not everything can be found on the internet or in a book. Some of the records that can be scanned for information are vital records created by governments, these include records of births, messages, and death by towns or states. It can also include places, and mother’s maiden names. 

Emigration and immigration records are also good resources to have when getting started. Records are generated when tracking individuals departing or arriving in a country. This includes passenger lists, border crossing records, and passport applications. 

Search the Records with Genealogical Information

Searching records with genealogical information can give you lots of insights into the information you are looking to find. There are lots of records that you can go through, such as naturalization and citizenship records, which are generated through an individual applying for and becoming a citizen of a country. 

Beginning in 1790, the United States naturalization process required two steps. After living in the US for at least 2 years a person could file a declaration of intent to become a citizen, the information that will be available for genealogical information is the nationality, name, and date of arrival of the subject, as well as some information regarding the place of birth and offspring. 

Visit Genealogy Websites

There are many genealogy research websites that can help with your genealogical search. They are a quick, mostly free and accessible way to get important information that will help you put together your family tree. There are numerous websites about specific ethnic heritage and parts of the country where your relatives may have lived. 

“Much of my research wouldn’t be possible without information I find online that has been scanned in by volunteers. I am so grateful to the folks who take their time to make history available to everyone, and I support them whenever I can!” – Andrea Blair, My Hearth Story

Join Genealogical Societies

Over the years, many catalogs have been preserved in hopes that one day a person will come by to ask for them. Joining a genealogical society will help you understand your relatives’ past, and even meet people who know about the relatives you are looking to find. Having a membership can help you get access to this collective knowledge. Societies may have publications, newsletters, and correspondence or members-only sections on their websites. You may even be able to request local records, copies, photographs, school records, and other important information. 

Take a DNA Test

Your DNA can hold information that will help make new discoveries about your family’s past, your family roots, as well as confirm the information in your family tree. The genealogy microarray-based autosomal DNA testing surveys a person’s entire genome at over 700,000 locations with a simple saliva sample. Taking a DNA test will solidify any leads which you may have found regarding your long-distance relatives. 

Organize Your Records

Having a lot of data can often be overwhelming, so sorting out a filing system can be a good way to keep your files stored logically. The best approach is to sort as you go, instead of waiting till all the documents are collected because chances are, you will get confused and make mistakes when sorting files, so remember to document as you go. Data recording can also be done in a spreadsheet or any genealogy software online. 

Starting a genealogy research process is a lot easier than it seems. If you follow all the steps correctly and thoroughly, it will be rewarding to find the relatives that you have been looking for. From the very first step of identifying what you already know, up to taking a DNA test and organizing your records, you need to make sure to follow each step and gather all the information that you can find, from all the sources that have been presented to you. The search may be long, but with the help of your own family, websites, documents, and archives, you will be able to achieve exactly what you have set out to accomplish! 

What is Genealogy?

Most of us have some knowledge about our immediate family members, far less about our remote ancestors. But if we seek a deeper understanding of our background, whether it’s due to health issues, legal matters, or simply out of curiosity, we inevitably turn to genealogy. 

What does genealogy mean?

The most common answer to the question “what is the meaning of genealogy?” is that it is a record of the ancestry and descent of a person, family, or group. It is also defined as the study of family origin and histories, or a group of individuals or species having a common ancestor. Within this article, we refer to the word “genealogy” in the context of pedigree research which normally starts with collecting names and most significant dates such as births, deaths, and other notable events. The process of gathering the information is quite exciting yet complex. You might have to turn to public records, censuses data, directories, mass media publications, and even do genetic testing depending on the purpose of your search. Therefore you need to set a goal, make a research plan, and define a list of available offline and online resources. Make sure to study the genealogy glossary before you start digging and analyzing.

What is Genetic Genealogy?

This field of study uses genetic material along with traditionally discovered information to identify if the individuals are related, find or and establish ancestry. The method has become quite popular and makes it possible to trace the ancestry even for those who aren’t able to use conventional sources of knowledge, e.g. orphans, adoptees, child migrants, etc.

What is the Difference Between Genealogy and Family History

Even though the terms genealogy and family history are often used as synonyms, most professionals conclude that the first one with its cold facts and dates is just the backbone for a more vivid and detailed narrative of the latter. When you put together all facts and stories behind them you get the opportunity to see previous generations in their historical and social context with all their joys and sorrows, triumphs and tragedies.

Why do Genealogy?

Naturally, there are some other significant reasons for exploring your heritage other than creating a beautiful family tree you can be proud of. Although the primary purpose of research used to be seen as establishing kinship and succession rights, nowadays more and more people study their family line to connect with their roots and gain a sense of belonging.

“I started My Hearth Story because I believe in preserving stories – of people, places, & things! Every place has a story, if you know where to look. I am passionate about connecting the present to the human experiences of the past”. – Andrea Blair, My Hearth Story

Find Living Relatives

How well do you know your extended family, for instance, your great-grandmother’s cousin? And if you are an adopted child or have a history of adoption in your family tree? With the same likelihood, you may have a biological relative you’ve never met or even known about right in your neighborhood or anywhere across the world. If you have no information to help you in your study, you can start with ancestry DNA testing. Genetic testing not only allows you to look into your origins up to a millennium back but also helps you reach out to people who have the same DNA segments as you and maybe even have a family reunion.

Medical History

Another practical side of taking up genealogy research is taking care of your health. Knowing about your family history can help you minimize the risks of developing serious problems such as heart diseases, diabetes, or cancer. Even though you cannot change your genetics, you can adjust your lifestyle and change your habits to prevent or reduce the chance of developing an unhealthy condition. It is useful to collect information from your relatives by asking questions and looking into documents like medical records and death certificates to understand what inherited diseases might run in your family. For more information, you can turn to genetic testing, especially when you lack information about your family members.

Validate Stories

Suppose you’ve heard some legends about one of your relatives but never saw any facts supporting the story behind it. What if the proof that something happened can bring you peace of mind or the real reason to be proud of who you are. And if the legends are not all that bright, maybe you just need a chance to forgive and accept or have an educational experience for your children. One way or another, these are the worthy reasons to look into your genealogy and try to find the answers.

Famous Ties

Some people start genealogy research hoping to find proof of relation to a historical figure or someone prominent. It’s exciting to know that you are related to a movie star, a famous musician, or maybe even one of the American presidents. 

Deeper Personal Identity

Learning about your family’s history can give you a deeper understanding of yourself. When you look at every individual, whose life preceded your appearance, in the context of time and place of their existence, you might be able to find answers to many questions and assess the circumstances of many important events from a different perspective.

6 reasons to Love Genealogy

Conclusion

So why study genealogy? The older we become, the more we realize how valuable the family is to us. The more we find out about family ties and relations, the deeper is the understanding of our roots and background. It helps us learn to accept, forgive and empathize. When we analyze the disappointments and hard times our ancestors had to make it through and still survive and even be happy, it makes us more resilient to challenges in our own lives. We receive useful clues to staying happier and healthier and increase the feeling of self-worth.

Our family history can become an invaluable source of knowledge and a precious gift not only to us but to the generations to come.