From Cheesemaking to Child Migration: What Tracing My Maternal and Paternal Lines Uncovered
Two of my earliest genealogy research goals were to trace both my direct maternal and paternal lines as far back as I possibly could. This led me to discover so much about several ancestors in the process, not just direct line relatives. But two stories from my direct lines stood out to me in particular. One led to a fun little aha-moment, while the other uncovered a life story of struggle and resilience.
3 Mistakes I Made Early in My Research (and How You Can Avoid Them)
If you’ve started to build a family tree and realized later on that some things just don’t seem right, you’re not alone. These aren’t colossal failures. They’re common misconceptions that many of us run into. I wanted to share three early missteps that changed the way I research, along with some context on how I learned to approach things differently. If you’ve made any of these too, you’re in good company.
How to Use Census Records to Trace Your Ancestors’ Migration Patterns (and Break Through Brick Walls!)
When you're staring down a brick wall in your family tree, few resources are more revealing — and underestimated — than census records. These routine government snapshots can uncover how your ancestors moved over time, giving you helpful clues about where to look next. So let’s walk through how to use census records from Canada, the United States, and the UK to track your ancestors’ migration patterns and uncover the hidden chapters of their lives.
Brick Wall in Your Family Tree? Start Researching Siblings
When you're tracing your family tree, it's easy to focus only on direct ancestors — your parents, grandparents, and so on. But sometimes, the most important clues are hidden in the lives of the brothers and sisters they grew up with. Researching your ancestors' siblings can be one of the most powerful strategies for breaking through genealogy brick walls.
A Baby, A Secret, and a New Life: What I Discovered About My Great-Grandmother’s Immigration
Growing up, I was told that my great-grandmother’s family came to Canada to find work, like many of us were told about our ancestors. But the truth was far more personal—and shocking.
Once I started to become more serious with my genealogy research in my teen years, I started to uncover missing puzzle pieces that solved family mysteries. But this time, I found an entirely new mystery that revealed the true reason as to why my great-grandmother, her parents, and her sisters all immigrated to Canada. And that reason…
Free Canadian Genealogy Websites to Kickstart Your Research
Researching your Canadian ancestors doesn’t have to be expensive. Whether you’re just starting your family tree or looking for new records to explore, there are plenty of free Canadian genealogy websites that can help you discover valuable information. From census records and immigration databases, to historical newspapers and land records, these online resources provide can helpful clues about your ancestors’ lives.
Why Obituaries Became My Favourite Research Tool for Finding Recent Ancestors
As a young hobby genealogist, I used to get so frustrated that there were no good records to confirm more recent dates of death or find the names of younger relatives. Most countries have privacy laws that withhold exact record entries like census forms in order to protect the identities of living citizens.
So what do you do to find out more about the people who lived in the later half of the twentieth century? Enter: obituaries
The 1931 Census of Canada
On June 1, 2023, Library and Archives Canada (LAC) will release the 1931 Census of Canada to the public. The census was conducted beginning on June 1, 1931, and according to Canadian privacy laws census data cannot be published until 92 years after it was collected. This means that for the first time, we’ll be able to take a detailed look at the over 10.3 million people living in Canada during 1931.
How to Start Building Your Family Tree
Building your family tree is an exciting and accessible way to explore your family history. With advancements in research methods, such as genetic genealogy and affordable DNA tests, a wealth of tools and technologies are available to kickstart your genealogical journey. If you're unsure about where to begin, this guide will provide you with the essential steps to get started.