Genealogy Insider - ShopFamilyTree.com Sales

Missouri Genealogy Research—Beyond the Basics

Diane — Wed, 15 May 2013 20:26:49 GMT

You've found basic data on your Missouri ancestors from sources such as birth and death records and censuses. Now you're ready to dig deeper into more-advanced, richer genealogy resources.

You'll learn how in our May 23 webinar Secrets to Beat Your Missouri Brick Walls.

Cheryl Lang, manager of the Midwest Genealogy Center in Independence, Mo., will show you how to take your Missouri genealogy search to the next level with

Military records and rosters
Court and tax records
Manuscripts and state-specific collections
State archives resources

She'll also give you a quick refresher on Missouri vital records, and guidance for using cluster and collateral techniques to break through brick walls.

Got a Missouri genealogy question? You can submit it to Cheryl before the event or ask during the live Q&A session at the end of the presentation.

Webinar participants will get our newly revised Missouri State Research Guide and our St. Louis City Guide, a 25-page handout of Cheryl's presentation slides, and access to view the webinar again as many times as you want.

Click here for more details about the Secrets to Beat Your Missouri Brick Walls webinar and to register.

Online Genealogy Milestones for WikiTree, FamilySearch and Us!

Diane — Tue, 23 Apr 2013 16:49:33 GMT

Two—no, make that three—genealogy organizations have reached milestones this week:

WikiTree, a genealogy community with a goal to build a free worldwide family tree, now has 5 million ancestor profiles. The site's founders say its "slow-growth" approach—encouraging the careful addition of profiles over "bulk" uploads—makes this milestone an important one.

You can hear from WikiTree founder Chris Whitten in the January 2013 Family Tree Magazine Podcast, hosted by Lisa Louise Cooke.

Browse or search the profiles by surname here. If you want to build a tree there, start with the "How WikiTree Works" page.

The volunteers for FamilySearch Indexing, the effort to index records at the Family History Library and make them searchable at the free FamilySearch.org, have indexed their one billionth record.

The volunteers who indexed and arbitrated that record, Kenneth B. of California, Brittney S. of Idaho and April R. of Alberta, Canada, get a FamilySearch backpack with goodies inside. You can see how the indexing process works on FamilySearch.org.

This last milestone has us smiling big: Family Tree Magazine has reached 10,000 likes on Facebook!

Click here to visit us on Facebook and get a coupon code for ShopFamilyTree.com.

Awww, Shucks. We Like You, Too!

Diane — Tue, 23 Apr 2013 16:45:15 GMT

Family Tree Magazine has reached 10,000 likes on Facebook! We're thanking our Facebook fans by sharing a ShopFamilyTree.com coupon code good for 15% off your next purchase, plus free shipping if used before May 1.

Now's the time to pick up Family Photo Detective by Maureen A. Taylor, How to Archive Family Keepsakes by Denise Levenick, Simple Tips for Solid Source Citations video class and other genealogy how-to helps.

Visit us on Facebook to get the code!

New Value Packs: New England Genealogy and Census Research

Diane — Tue, 23 Apr 2013 16:11:31 GMT

If you have New England ancestors, or any US ancestors, at least one of these value packs from Family Tree Magazine will help you discover more about them.

They're both bargain-priced at ShopFamilyTree.com, and even better, they both qualify for free shipping:

The New England Genealogy Value Pack gathers tools for researching your family tree in Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island and Vermont. You'll get webinars, our newly updated State Research Guides, webinars and the Researching your Colonial New England Ancestors book.

Get all the details on the New England Genealogy Value Pack here.

Want search strategies for hard-to-find relatives in the census? Techniques to go beyond your basic names, ages and relationships, and mine census records for clues to your ancestors' everyday lives and which records you should look for next?

Our Census Research Value Pack has video classes and books to improve your census research skills. Get all the details on the Census Research Value Pack here.

Help Us Get to 10,000 Likes! (There's Something in It for You)

Diane — Wed, 10 Apr 2013 18:56:16 GMT

Why should you help Family Tree Magazine get to 10,000 likes on Facebook? Here are three reasons:

1. I've always wanted to be popular.

2. If the "Microsoft Word Will Never Understand That My Name is NOT a Spelling Mistake" page can get 161,707 likes, we can get 10,000.

3. When we hit 10,000 likes, we'll post a coupon of our fans' choosing! Vote in our Facebook poll for either 30% off a Family Tree University course or 15% off your entire purchase at ShopFamilyTree.com.

Visit Family Tree Magazine on Facebook to vote for your favorite deal and share it with your friends.

Spring Clearance Sale at ShopFamilyTree.com

Diane — Mon, 18 Mar 2013 20:08:25 GMT

Who doesn't love a good clearance sale? I sure do. And a genealogy clearance sale is even better.

We just happen to be having one at ShopFamilyTree.com. Through tomorrow, March 19, you can get 30 to 50 percent off a ton of genealogy goodies, including our:

Discover Your Roots Kit (great for beginners, and it's 30% off)
10 Years of Family Tree Magazine (2000-2009) DVD (40% off)
2008 and 2009 Family Tree Magazine annual CDs (60% off)
State Research Guides hard-bound book (60% off)

Time to go shopping! Click here to see everything in our ShopFamilyTree.com Spring Clearance Event.

Jump-Start Your African-American Genealogy

Diane — Wed, 20 Feb 2013 20:32:01 GMT

As we enter the last week of Black History month, I wanted to make sure those researching African-American roots know about this new Value Pack of genealogy tools: our Jump Start Your African-American Genealogy Value Pack.

Slavery and segregation present unique obstacles to tracing African-American family history—but finding those roots isn't always impossible.

The books, articles and classes in this new value pack will help you formulate strategies and uncover sources to help you deal with brick walls in African-American genealogy research. You'll also learn about resources that exist just for African-American ancestors.

The Jump Start Your African-American Genealogy Value Pack contains:

Find Your African-American Ancestors: A Beginner's Guide
Best African-American Genealogy Sources article download
Best African American Genealogy Websites half-hour video class
Reconstruction 101 for African-Americans half-hour video class

Getting all these resources in one Value Pack means they're yours for just $29.99 (instead of $75-plus).

Click here for more details on the Jump Start Your African-American Genealogy Value Pack.

Find Polish, Czech & Slovak, and Hungarian Ancestors With New Ultimate Genealogy Collections

Diane — Thu, 07 Feb 2013 14:08:09 GMT

Update: The Ultimate Polish Genealogy Collection is sold out, and we have just a few left of the Czech and Slovak and the Hungarian collections. Get yours while they're still available!

If you're researching ancestors from Eastern Europe, you've probably encountered your share of name variants, translation troubles, records access challenges and other obstacles.

We've got three new Ultimate Collections to help you overcome these research problems:

Each collection has a Family Tree Magazine expert guide, Family Tree University in-depth independent study course, a 30-minute demo-packed video class, our International Genealogy Passport CD, and a language or records reference book.

Here's what you'll get:

expertise on how to research ancestors from Poland, the Czech Republic and Slovakia, or Hungary (depending which collection you opt for)
strategies for discovering your ancestor's birthplace
where to find records
techniques for learning immigrants' original names
the best websites and offline resources to use
language help

Plus, receive a coupon for 25 percent off any future online genealogy course at Family Tree University.

Only 50 of each Ultimate Collection are available, and to further entice you, they're discounted by 63 percent or more.

Check out our new Polish, Czech and Slovak, and Hungarian ultimate genealogy collections to start finding your Eastern European ancestors today.

Editors' Pick: Google for Genealogists Ultimate Collection

Beth — Tue, 15 Jan 2013 14:17:27 GMT

When it comes to free online genealogy tools, nothing rivals Google for power or potential. From Google+ to Google Reader to the Google News Archive, a little bit of expert training can help you turn this robust search engine into the ultimate genealogy assistant. Get wired with this month's Google for Genealogists Ultimate Collection if you want to:

be more successful in your Google searches you do for your genealogy research
go beyond subscription sites such as Ancestry.com and discover sources of free genealogy data online
leverage Google’s full suite of tools that will be helpful in your family history research, such as Google Alerts, Google Translate, Google Drive—and even ones you may not know about

Get search secrets in one exclusive kit, including:

Advanced Google searching strategies
Details on how to go about digging into your roots online
How to use cool Google tools such as Gmail and Google Books
How to navigate the genealogy globe with Google Earth
Tips and tricks for finding and sharing genealogy on Google+

Get started now!

Win a Family Tree Magazine VIP Program Subscription

Beth — Mon, 14 Jan 2013 14:44:27 GMT

Want to take your research to the next level this year? One lucky genealogist will get to enjoy a one-year Family Tree Magazine VIP Program Subscription for FREE! Enter for a chance to win a subscription that includes:

A one-year subscription to Family Tree Magazine (1-year/7-issue US subscription): Get America's #1 genealogy magazine, packed with how-to tips and step-by-step guidance to discover, preserve and celebrate your family history. (If you're a current subscriber, your VIP membership will extend your existing subscription by 7 issues.)
A one-year subscription to Family Tree Plus: Get subscription-only access to 10 years of how-to articles from the experts at Family Tree Magazine through the online archives.
Exclusive tuition discounts on Family Tree University online courses: Get an additional 10 percent off sale prices and specials on our web-based classes for family history hobbyists. Choose from dozens of one- to eight-week courses led by expert instructors that will boost your research skills!
Family Tree Toolkit: This exclusive toolkit includes a PDF of 101 Websites, selected project forms and a printable family tree that is perfect for framing.
Member-only savings: Log in before you shop to save even more on every order from ShopFamilyTree.com with your exclusive 10 percent automatic discount! Additional discounts for members will be provided throughout the year. Get free standard shipping on US orders from ShopFamilyTree.com throughout the year.

Enter our sweepstakes for a chance to win by filling out this form by 11:59 p.m. ET Jan. 28, 2013. The winner will be chosen at random from all entries received and notified by email.

Blog Book Tour: How to Archive Family Keepsakes

Beth — Thu, 10 Jan 2013 14:37:03 GMT

How to Archive Family Keepsakes: Learn to Preserve Family Photos, Memorabilia & Genealogy Records (Family Tree Books, 2012) by Denise Levenick, The Family Curator, launches a blog book tour today that runs through Saturday, Jan. 26.

Visit 14 popular genealogy blogs and websites featuring Denise and her book for book excerpts, interviews, special guest posts, free downloads and giveaways. View the schedule at the Blog Book Tour Page.

With top reviews from leading genealogy bloggers and 5-star ratings on Amazon.com, this new resource by Denise will help you organize and preserve your family history heirlooms and research in 2013.

How to Archive Family Keepsakes offers practical guidance for family historians who are:

helping a parent or loved one downsize to a smaller home.
needing a simple, effective filing system for genealogy research.
interested in scanning and making digital copies of genealogy records.
looking for a way to preserve your family history and heirlooms for future generations.

The book is currently available at ShopFamilyTree.com at a 28 percent discount. Proceeds from the sale of the book during the online book tour will help fund the 2013 Student Genealogy Grant founded in 2010 in honor of Denise’s mother, Suzanne Winsor Freeman.

Editors' Pick: Organize Your Way to Your Best Genealogy Year

Beth — Tue, 08 Jan 2013 17:54:13 GMT

Effective family history researchers know that organization is the key to productivity. Are you as organized as you'd like to be—or could be? If your new year's resolution is to cut through your genealogy clutter, check out this trio of PDF book downloads by Denise May Levenick, the Family Curator that provides practical step-by-step solutions for organizing physical and digital materials, once and for all.

How to Organize Inherited Items
Are you the lucky recipient of Mom and Dad's "stuff"—a lifetime's worth of family photos, papers, and memorabilia packed into boxes? Learn how to organize inherited items in a way that honors them while bringing peace to the rest of the family. You'll learn how to:
    •    Effectively sort and purge boxes that you inherited
    •    Decide which family heirlooms to keep
    •    Donate items to museums, societies, and charities
    •    Protect and pass on keepsakes

TIP:
People who inherit family archives often take on one of three roles: Curator, Creator or Caretaker (or perhaps a combination). Once you identify why you've inherited the family archive, it's easier for you to determine what to do with it.
Curator: understands the responsibilities involved in caring for a family archive, from organizing to preserving; knows enough to recognize significant objects and suggest and implement ways to care for, display and preserve them
Creator: finds ways to use a family archive materials—whether it be inspiration, raw materials or information sources—in his own creative projects, such as completing a family pedigree, writing a biography, assembling a scrapbook or compiling a family medical history
Caretaker: serves as the temporary family archive "holder" until the next person in line takes it over
___

How to Organize Family History Paperwork
Family history research can quickly create mountains of paperwork. This download give you step-by-step instruction to effectively organize and digitize your genealogy research papers. You'll learn how to:
    •    create a personalized filing system to suit your genealogy research style and experience
    •    turn your computer into a filing clerk and research assistant by establishing a clear, consistent naming pattern for files and folders
    •    Scan old paper records and store them electronically to save space and make them easier to find
    •    make digital copies of original source documents
    •    organize your family history research for future generations

TIP:
Think about your genealogy files as two different record types—original documents that you want to physically preserve and store, and working documents used every day that are more temporary in nature. A different digital routine is needed for each record type.

TIP:
Use a consistent file-naming scheme for your digital documents. Some genealogists find that a combination of Surname, Date and File ID work well for digital files; others use a numerical reference number that corresponds to their paper files.
___

Organization Strategies for Genealogy Success
Effective family history researchers know that organization is the key to productivity. You'll learn how to:
    •    Organize your genealogy research methods
    •    Organize your family history source citations
    •    Select the best software for efficient and effective research
    •    Connect with fellow researchers online to help find answers to your genealogy brick walls

TIP:
Research success begins even before the first internet query box is completed or the first reel of microfilm is loaded. You have a research goal—to find your ancestor. What you need is a research strategy—a written, step-by-step proposal to achieve your goal. An effective research strategy includes at least 4 major steps:

1. Set a goal.
a. Identify the problem or goal.
b. Break down the goal into smaller, focused mini-goals.

2. Decide what sources to search.
a. List record groups that may provide a solution.
b. List specific sources to search.
c. Locate repositories holding the sources you need.

3. Search the source.
a. Note the results of your search, positive or negative.
b. Copy the raw information.
c. Record the source citation data.

4. Analyze the information.
a. Evaluate the information.
b. Record your findings in your notes and database program.
c. Determine your next step.

5. Repeat from Step 1.

___

You can achieve your genealogy research goals this year with these and other new and recommended books, CDs, downloads, and all-inclusive research kits that will show you how to research your heritage, both online and off. PLUS: Get organized and save, too! Spend $30 on any of these recommended products in January and get the Organize Your Genealogy Life! CD for 50% off; just enter code ACHIEVE2013 at checkout to save on this essential CD.

New Guides Added to "A Genealogist's Guide to Names" Series

Beth — Mon, 07 Jan 2013 14:12:43 GMT

Four additional PDF downloadable reference guides have been added to the newly released series, "A Genealogist's Guide to Names." Each guide features first names from a specific region or country; naming patterns and traditions; spellings; pronunciations; and meanings that can help your search for ancestors from a given locale.

A Genealogist's Guide to Gaelic Names
A Genealogist's Guide to Irish Names
A Genealogist's Guide to Native American Names
A Genealogist's Guide to Russian Names

What's in a Name?

Beth — Wed, 02 Jan 2013 17:04:21 GMT

Bonne année, Gutes Neues Jahr, Xin nian yu kuai, Feliz Año Nuevo and Kali hronia … Whether you say it in French, German, Mandarin, Spanish or Greek, they all translate to "Happy New Year!" Hope yours is off to a great start!

Speaking of languages, genealogists understand and appreciate the value of names and all the family history information that they can provide. Naming patterns and traditions; spellings; pronunciations; and meanings can impact your search for ancestors from a given locale.

To provide added insight to your ancestral search, we've created 15 PDF downloadable reference guides featuring first names from around the world. Each comprehensive guide is presented in dictionary-style format, making it easy to search for names, spellings and their meanings. For example, A Genealogist's Guide to British Names reveals that the name Harry means "ruler of an estate." Rather prophetic for Prince Harry!

Get more information from your genealogical research this year with a better understanding of your ancestral names!

A Genealogist's Guide to Ethnic Given Names
A Genealogist's Guide to African Names
A Genealogist's Guide to British Names
A Genealogist's Guide to Chinese Names
A Genealogist's Guide to Eastern European Names
A Genealogist's Guide to French Names
A Genealogist's Guide to Gaelic Names
A Genealogist's Guide to German Names
A Genealogist's Guide to Greek Names
A Genealogist's Guide to Hawaiian Names
A Genealogist's Guide to Indian Names
A Genealogist's Guide to Irish Names
A Genealogist's Guide to Italian Names
A Genealogist's Guide to Japanese Names
A Genealogist's Guide to Jewish Names
A Genealogist's Guide to Native American Names
A Genealogist's Guide to Russian Names
A Genealogist's Guide to Scandinavian Names
A Genealogist's Guide to Spanish Names

Editors' Pick: Scandinavian and Irish Genealogy Value Packs

Beth — Wed, 19 Dec 2012 14:39:56 GMT

Whether you're just starting to explore your Swedish, Danish or Norwegian roots, or you want to go deeper into your Scandinavian roots research, the Scandinavian Genealogy Value Pack includes the resources you need to search for your Northern European ancestors.

You'll learn:

History and geography of Scandinavian countries
How the patronymic naming system works
Basic language tips
How to find overseas records and navigate records websites, including the Swedish National Archives
Tricks for sorting out Swedish roots
Tips for decrypting your Viking ancestry

The value pack includes:
   •   Scandinavian Genealogy 101 Independent Study download
   •   Scandinavian Genealogy Handbook download
   •   Your Swedish Roots
   •   Understanding Scandinavian Patronyms and Farm Names video class

Do you have Irish post-Famine immigrants or Catholic Colonial settlers in your family tree? Inspire your Irish research with the Boost Your Irish Genealogy Value Pack. If you've begun digging deeper into your roots, this pack can help you make use of a vast array of resources.

You'll learn:

Strategies for finding your Famine-era family through census-substitutes
Essential online resources for Irish genealogy
Basic steps for rooting out important Irish records, including birth, marriage, death, church and census records
Irish genealogy facts, charts and websites

The value pack includes:

Tracing Irish Ancestors in Griffith's Valuation video class
Irish Genealogy Online video class
Finding Your Irish Ancestors DVD
Irish Genealogy Cheat Sheet download

Take advantage of discounted value pack prices now and begin—or further—your European research efforts.

The End Is Near?

Beth — Tue, 18 Dec 2012 20:04:26 GMT

Friday, Dec. 21 is the winter solstice—the shortest day of the year and the date that marks the onset of winter. And, as you've no doubt heard by now, it's also the day the Mayan calendar ends, which many people believe translates to the end of the world. Happy holidays, eh?

This isn't the first time people have predicted the end of days and braced for the apocalypse. Here are three instances featured in Good Old Days, My Ass: 665 Funny History Facts and Terrifying Truths About Yesterday by David A. Fryxell:

Way back in 448, Moses of Crete, a rabbi, claimed to be the Messiah as predicted by Talmudic calculations and led his followers to the sea, which was supposed to part so they could reach Palestine. Having given away all their possessions, the rabbi's followers cast themselves into the Mediterranean. Seeing them crash on the rocks or drown, the rabbi declined to follow and "suddenly disappeared," leading some to conclude he had actually been "some malignant fiend" in human form.

Then there were the astrological predictions that a 1524 planetary alignment in Pisces would produce an apocalypse. Germans built boats, including a three-story ark constructed by Count von Igleheim, and residents of port cities took refuge afloat. When doomsday arrived with only a light drizzle, angry crowds outside the ark stampeded, trampling hundreds, and stoned the count to death.

In America, forerunners of today's Seventh-Day Adventists, the Millerites, followed Baptist preacher William Miller, who concluded Christ would return in 1844. Another Millerite pegged it more precisely on Oct. 22, 1844, a day that came to be known as "the Great Disappointment." Thousands of followers gave away their possessions and awaited the end. When Jesus didn't appear, one wrote, "I lay prostrate for two days without any pain—sick with disappointment." Even children in the streets would taunt the disappointed Millerites, saying, "Have you not gone up [to heaven]?"

For a look at more interesting and often funny history facts—and terrifying truths—from the 18th, 19th and early 20th centuries, check out David's book.

And if, by chance, the world is ending on Friday, what's to stop you from indulging in another piece of homemade fudge washed down by a cup of eggnog? After all, it is the holiday season …

Finish Your Holiday Shopping! 12 Days of Genealogy Gifts

Beth — Wed, 12 Dec 2012 14:26:41 GMT

Wrap up your holiday shopping here for the genealogists on your list (or for yourself!) PLUS: Become a VIP for the Day—get 10% off and FREE US SHIPPING. Hurry! The VIP for the Day offer ends at 11:59 p.m. EST Thursday!

Editors' Pick: December's Ultimate Collection: Genealogy Websites

Beth — Thu, 06 Dec 2012 14:23:34 GMT

At this busiest time of the year, we've made it our mission to help make your web research easier and more efficient. Ramp up your research skills and save time in the process with December's Ultimate Collection: Genealogy Websites. The Family Tree Magazine editorial team has hand-picked its favorite resources to help make you an online genealogy research pro.

Gift yourself the gift of time this holiday season—at a 66 percent discount—to take your research to the next level.

Win Your Wish List!

Beth — Wed, 05 Dec 2012 15:31:19 GMT

What genealogy goodies would you like to find under your tree this holiday season? Enter ShopFamilyTree.com's Win Your Wish List Sweepstakes for a chance to receive them!

To enter: Visit the Win Your Wish List sweepstakes page to find instructions on how to select the five books, CDs, videos or other products you'd most like to win—and how to enter. One winner will be selected at random from all the entries.

Hurry! The entry deadline is midnight ET Monday, Dec. 10!

10 Best Genealogy Gifts for the Holidays

Beth — Thu, 29 Nov 2012 14:13:39 GMT

Is hard-to-buy-for Aunt Helen the repository for recipes, photo albums and keepsakes? Does Grandpa Joe archive all of your family's facts and dates in his head—not to mention all those lesser-known scintillating tidbits? If you need holiday gift ideas for your genealogically inclined relatives, look no further!

Click here for Family Tree Magazine's 10 must-have items to help discover, preserve and celebrate your family's history, making you the family hero in the process. (And, you can always get a gift for yourself and just wrap it for the big day!)

Cyber Monday Savings

Beth — Mon, 26 Nov 2012 14:26:24 GMT

Hope you and yours had a lovely Thanksgiving!

Just want to make you aware of our Cyber Monday Savings featuring extra savings on new live webinars, plus limited-quantity value packs, available today only! And, if you didn't get to shop our Thanksgiving Week Sale, you've got until 11:59 pm. EST tonight to take advantage of the awesome savings.

Help friends and family—and yourself!—dig deeper into ancestry at a great value, just in time for the holidays!

Family Tree Black Friday Sale All Weekend Long!

Beth — Wed, 21 Nov 2012 14:00:24 GMT

We at Family Tree Magazine wish you and yours a Norman Rockwell-esque Thanksgiving filled to the brim with food, family and fun!

After the last piece of pumpkin pie has been devoured and any leftovers are tucked away in the fridge, thoughts often turn to the upcoming holiday season. Why not get a jumpstart on your holiday shopping—for your genealogy-minded family and friends (as well as yourself!)—from the comfort of your own home?

We're pleased to share our BIGGEST Thanksgiving Week Sale ever—from Thanksgiving Day through 11:59 p.m. EST Cyber Monday (Nov. 26)—featuring our BEST prices of the year! Watch for:

Up to 64% off Beginner Genealogy Tools
Up to 70% off Research Your Heritage Tools
Up to 66% off Online Research Tools
Up to 64% off Tools to Organize & Share Your Findings

AND:

Up to 40% off Books
Up to 45% off On-demand Courses
Up to 50% off CDs
Up to 70% off Value Packs

PLUS:

We're releasing a limited-edition kit perfect for the holidays that you won't want to miss! Watch for it Thursday in our newsletter and on our website.

Let us help you avoid the Black Friday (and crazy weekend!) shopping and traffic frenzy. Take advantage of our BLACK FRIDAY ONLINE SAVINGS ALL WEEKEND LONG AND THROUGH CYBER MONDAY for the BEST prices—and the BEST gifts—for your genealogist friends and family!

Switching Things Around With Reverse Genealogy

Diane — Wed, 24 Oct 2012 18:32:03 GMT

I've just recently started the phase in my genealogy search where you contact distant cousins to exchange family information. It's a fun phase!, and not just because of the enlightening genealogy information and ancestral photos that turn up. It's neat to see how we're related and think about all the other folks out there who could by my cousins.

This is what reverse genealogy is all about: finding cousins, sharing family information and memories, and breaking down research brick walls.

It's starting with your ancestors and working forward in time to find living relatives (the reverse of what genealogists typically do).

Our Reverse Genealogy Value Pack has all the tools you need to locate folks who may hold the keys to your tough family history problems:

Research Strategies: Reverse Genealogy article download by Lisa Louise Cooke: Get advice for making like Sherlock Holmes and finding cousins, including tips for figuring out where to look, as well as the best websites and directories to use.

Reverse Genealogy independent study course download: This course, also developed by Lisa Louise Cooke, has in-depth instructions on tracing your family lines forward to find living relatives.

They're Alive: Finding Living Relatives on-demand webinar by Thomas MacEntee: Learn about using people-finding websites, how to approach a possible cousin (without feeling like a stalker) and more.

Step by Step Guide: Safely Sharing Data Online article download by Rick Crume: You want to find relatives and you want them to find you, but how do keep from putting "too much" out there (and maybe letting the wrong people find you)? This advice will help you stay safe.

Right now the Reverse Genealogy Value Pack is just $49.99, a 66 percent savings. Get yours in ShopFamilyTree.com.

It's a Great Time for Finding Ancestors' Military Records Online

Diane — Thu, 11 Oct 2012 13:17:09 GMT

In this quick preview of our Oct. 18 Online Military Records webinar, presenter David A. Fryxell explains why it's a great time to be researching your military ancestors.

The webinar will cover how to find online records for ancestors in specific US wars, the best websites for researching military ancestors (such as those David included in our 2012 list of the 101 Best Websites for genealogy), answers to webinar attendees' military research questions and more.

The Online Military Records webinar takes place next Thursday, Oct. 18, at 7 p.m. ET (6 p.m. CT, 5 p.m. MT, 4 p.m. PT).

We're offering a package deal with our Family Tree University US Military Records course: When you register for the course session starting Oct. 15 for just $79.99, you'll get a coupon for additional $20 off the Online Military Records webinar (the coupon code will be in your course registration confirmation email).

Check out the US Military Records course here and the Online Military Records webinar here.

Iowa Genealogy Tips From Our Crash Course Webinar

Diane — Wed, 10 Oct 2012 17:32:24 GMT

Although the state of Iowa draws its name from the Ioway tribe of American Indians, it was also a home to colonists from New France, as well as farmers who made it part of the Corn Belt.

Whether your Iowa ancestors were European explorers or arrived with westward settlers, our upcoming Iowa Genealogy Crash Course webinar by Diana Crisman Smith and Gary Smith will answer all your questions about Hawkeye State heritage.

Diana and Gary let slip these "preview" tips from the webinar to share with you:

• Iowa is the 29th state, attaining statehood in December 1846. Birth and marriage records began in 1880 and death records in 1891. There are some online indexes (and even record images) you can use from home—at least to get enough information to request original records. We'll help you use these online sources, and tell you where to go for the originals.

• Iowa is one of the lucky states with great state censuses. In the webinar, we'll talk about when they were taken, what information they include, where to find them, and how to use them. You'll see examples of one of the greatest censuses in the country (in our opinions:) and the three pages of information on each enumerated individual.

• Land has always been one of Iowa's most important assets. The first sale of most land was from the federal government to individuals. Using the Bureau of Land Management's General Land Office database and other sources, we'll show you how to find land records and what they mean to your research.

• The Iowa Genealogical Society is large and active. We'll have some tips on researching using the society's library in Des Moines. If you have Iowa roots, this is one society you should join.

The Iowa Genealogy Crash Course webinar takes place Tuesday, Oct. 30 at 7 p.m. ET (that's 6 p.m. CT, 5 p.m. MT and 4 p.m. PT). Once you're registered, you'll receive access to view the recorded webinar again as many times as you want, a PDF copy of the presentation slides and 12 pages of additional handouts that'll help you find Iowa ancestors.

Sign up for the Iowa Genealogy Crash Course now to save $10 with our early bird discount!

Find Your Ancestors' Military Records Online

Diane — Thu, 27 Sep 2012 13:59:22 GMT

Just about everyone has an ancestor (or more) who served in the military, and the records of their service can be rich with genealogy answers: compiled military service records (aka CMSRs), pension applications, bounty land warrants, draft registrations, discharge papers, citations, regimental histories, burial records, veterans questionnaires—the list goes on.

Our upcoming webinar Online Military Records: Document Your Family's Service will help you use online resources to find your family's US military records. You'll learn:

what types of military records might exist for your ancestors and where to find them
how to track down draft registrations (even if your ancestor never served)
how to trace ancestors' service in the American Revolution, Civil War, World Wars and other US wars
the best websites for finding military records, including Fold3, the Daughters of the American Revolution genealogy database and more

Plus you'll be able to submit your own military research questions to presenter David A. Fryxell both when you register and during the live webinar.

The hourlong Online Military Records webinar is Thursday, Oct. 18 at 7 p.m. ET (that's 6 p.m. CT, 5 p.m. MT and 4 p.m. PT).

Your registration includes access to the webinar recording to watch again as often as you want, a 25-page handout of the presentation slides, and a six-page handout of additional information on finding online military records.

Click here to lean more about our Online Military Records webinar (and save $10 on your registration with our early bird discount).

Get Your Connecticut Genealogy Questions Answered!

Diane — Mon, 10 Sep 2012 17:16:18 GMT

Calling genealogists with Connecticut kin: Get help tracing your Constitution State ancestors in our upcoming Connecticut Genealogy Crash Course webinar.

Presenter D. Joshua Taylor, whom you might recall revealing roots information to the likes of Sarah Jessica Parker and Rob Lowe on NBC's "Who Do You Think You Are?," will share secrets to discovering your family tree in Connecticut.

What will you learn? Among the strategies Taylor will show you:

how to find resources such as vital records (going back as early as 1650!), church records, censuses, court records and more
tricks for tracing Dutch, English, Italian, Irish and other ethnic ancestors
the best places to search for Connecticut ancestors online

You'll have the chance to submit your Connecticut genealogy questions to Taylor when you register, and again during the webinar.

Registrants also get copies of the presentation slides plus handouts including Family Tree Magazine's Connecticut State Guide and New Haven City Guide, and they can to view the webinar again as many times as they like.

Here are the Connecticut Genealogy Crash Course basics:

Date: Thursday, Sept. 27
Time: 7-8 p.m. ET (starts at 6 p.m. CT, 5 p.m. MT and 4 p.m. PT)
Price: $49.99 (register now to save $10 with our early bird special!)

Click here to join us for the Connecticut Genealogy Crash Course!

Fresh Fall Sale (Plus Friends & Family Savings) at ShopFamilyTree.com

Diane — Fri, 07 Sep 2012 20:49:59 GMT

I wanted to do a quick post to let you know we're having a a big sale—the Fresh Fall Sale—in ShopFamilyTree.com! You can save up to 50 percent off select genealogy how-to CDs, DVDs, Video Classes, books and Family Tree Magazine back issues.

You could get

on-demand webinars such as Using Probate Records or our Illinois or Michigan genealogy crash course
the Genealogist's Census Pocket Reference to keep handy (it's full of information and tips, and it really does fit in your pocket)
our Family Tree Essentials CD with how-tos on the basic genealogical records you need to search for
any number of Family Tree University Independent Study courses

... and lots more. Plus I'll let you in on our Friends & Family savings, which gets you another 15 percent off when you enter code FAMILY (expires Sept. 14) at checkout.

Shop the Fresh Fall Sale here, now through Sept. 15!

Get Strategies for Solving Brick-Wall Genealogy Problems

Diane — Thu, 06 Sep 2012 13:11:22 GMT

Maybe it's Great-great-grandma's maiden name or a 10-year gap in an ancestral family's whereabouts. Or your immigrant ancestor's passenger record is nowhere to be found.

Whatever genealogy brick wall or elusive ancestor you're struggling with, we've put together a research kit that will help you conquer it. The limited-edition Ultimate Genealogy Problem Solver Collection gathers top tools and tricks for solving tough genealogy problems.

The collection includes:

Quicksheet: Historical Biographer's Guide to Cluster Research with advice from renowned genealogist Elizabeth Shown Mills
101 Brick Wall Busters with Family Tree Magazine experts' answers to readers genealogy questions
Research Remedies CD with guides to research obstacles from maiden name mysteries to incognito immigrants
Using Cluster and Collateral Searches to Beat Brick Walls recorded webinar with techniques for getting clues from records of your ancestors' friends, neighbors and relatives
Step-by-Step Guide: How to Fix Common Genealogy Errors, a digital download article with strategies for spotting errors in your family tree (and keeping them from coming back)
They're Alive! Finding Living Relatives recorded webinar has tips from genealogy sleuth Thomas MacEntee on finding cousins who might have family information
Family Tree Problem Solver by Marcia Hoffman Rising, the newly revised classic book with strategies and case studies for breaking through brick walls

Only 35 or so more Ultimate Genealogy Problem Solver Collections are still available (depending when you read this), and they'll be gone after September.

The price for all this is $69.99—a $100-plus savings over buying each item individually.

Get your Ultimate Genealogy Problem Solver Collection now in ShopFamilyTree.com!

Find Genealogy Research Bargains in our Summer Sizzler Sale

Diane — Thu, 19 Jul 2012 13:51:05 GMT

What to do while you're inside trying to beat the summer heat?

Why not learn more about how to do family history research? We'll make it easier with our ShopFamilyTree.com Summer Sizzler Sale: Now through Monday, July 23, you'll save 40 percent or more on genealogy how-to books, CDs, digital download guides and video classes.

For example, you can pick up:

Online Genealogy Value Pack at 53 percent off (it includes two CDs, a webinar and research guides)
Online Military Records: Document Your Ancestor's Service webinar at 40 percent off
What's in a Civil War Pension File video class at 40 percent off
Research Strategies: Special Censuses downloadable guide at 40 percent off—making it just $2.40

Click to check out these and other genealogy how-to bargains in our ShopFamilyTree.com Summer Sizzler Sale.

Get Expert Advice for Researching German Genealogy

Diane — Tue, 19 Jun 2012 20:37:11 GMT

People claiming German ancestry still outnumber any other heritage group in the United States—which is why we're offering a new German Genealogy Value Pack that'll help you trace your German roots in the United States and in your ancestral homeland.

This Value Pack is full of practical advice for overcoming the challenges of tracing your German ancestors.

Our German Genealogy Value Pack includes:

Find Your German Roots Independent Study Course download, with four lessons to help you use genealogical records and more to determine who your German ancestors were and from where in Germany they came.

A Genealogist's Guide to Discovering Your Germanic Ancestors e-book download by Chris Anderson and Ernest Thode, with expert instruction on researching German ancestors.

Tracing German Ancestry in Eastern Europe download, with guidance on tracing the German ancestors from Slovakia, Romania, Russia and other places beyond Deutschland's borders.

Genealogy Cheat Sheet download, a quick reference designed to deliver the information you need to understand the records of your German ancestors

Plus, you'll get a coupon for 25 percent off coupon for our Family Tree University course German Genealogy 201: Strategies and Skillbuilding.

Best of all, this collection of German genealogy guidance is on sale for $49.99—64 percent off the price of buying each item individually.

Learn more about the German Genealogy Value Pack in ShopFamilyTree.com.

Take a Crash Course in Texas Genealogy!

Diane — Fri, 08 Jun 2012 15:15:00 GMT

I've had a little taste of Texas genealogy research. The Lone Star State is where my great-grandfather was jailed and later pardoned for violating local liquor laws, and where my grandfather spent time in an orphanage and went to college.

So I'm excited about learning how to dig deeper into my Texas family history in our next webinar!

Texas genealogist Randy Whited will show genealogists how to research their roots Texas-style in our Texas Genealogy Crash Course webinar. Here are the details:

Texas Genealogy Crash Course
Wednesday, June 27
8 p.m. Eastern (7 Central, 6 Mountain, 5 Pacific)
60 minutes

You'll learn important state history, details on finding records such as vital and immigration records, the best websites and resources for Texas research—including the Texas State Library and Archives Commission, which was helpful in my search—and more.

Webinar attendees you'll participate in the live event and Q&A session, get access to the presentation slides and the recording to view again as often as you like, and you'll receive a free PDF of our Texas Research Guide book.

Sign up now to save $10 on your Texas Genealogy Crash Course registration in ShopFamilyTree.com.

Canadian Genealogy for Americans

Diane — Wed, 23 May 2012 17:28:05 GMT

Has your genealogy research led you to ancestors in Canada? That's not surprising—folks have been crossing the US-Canadian border for a loooong time. Consider:

After the American Revolution, around 35,000 Loyalists headed for Canada's Maritime Provinces.
>
By 1812, about 80 percent of the estimated 100,000 settlers in southern Ontario province were of American origin.
Approximately 900,000 French-Canadians emigrated to the United States from 1840 to 1930.
As available US land diminished in the late 1880s, Canada's Prairie Provinces saw a massive influx of Americans.>
Around 1895, when US border-crossing records begin, as many as 40 percent of immigrants to Canada planned to end up in the United States.
In 1897, the Klondike Gold Rush spurred a stampede of Americans to the Yukon.

Fortunately for US residents tracing Canadian ancestors, an abundance of resources is available—but where do you start?

Why, with our next webinar, Canadian Genealogy for Americans.

Author and lecturer Lisa A. Alzo will introduce you to major Canadian genealogy resources and websites, key record groups and essential history. You'll also receive our digital Canadian Genealogy Guide when you register.

Here are the Canadian Genealogy for Americans webinar details:

Tuesday, June 5, 2012
8 p.m. Eastern (7 p.m. Central, 6 p.m. Mountain, 5 p.m. Pacific)
Duration: 60 minutes
$49.99 (but register now to save $10!)
Registration includes: participation in the live event, access to the recording to watch again as often as you like, a PDF of the presentation slides, our Canadian Genealogy Guide

Our Canadian Genealogy for Americans webinar will enable you to formulate a solid research plan for discovering your Canadian kin. Register at ShopFamilyTree.com.

Your Unofficial Guide to Ancestry.com Webinar

Diane — Thu, 17 May 2012 13:27:09 GMT

So you've got an Ancestry.com subscription, but you have a nagging suspicion that you're not getting your money's worth. You might still be missing that breakthrough genealogy record, or you could be frustrated by the sea of search results you get—some clearly not even close to being your ancestor.

Or maybe you're thinking about investing in an Ancestry.com subscription and wondering if it'll be worth it.

Our May 23 webinar will answer your questions and help you get the most out of your Ancestry.com membership. It's called Your Unofficial Guide to Ancestry.com: Tips, Hints and Hacks for Finding Your Ancestors. (Family Tree Magazine isn't affiliated with Ancestry.com, so this webinar won't be a commercial.)

The webinar will cover:

How to efficiently navigate Ancestry.com
Tricks for finding the record collections you need
Search tips for locating hard-to-find ancestors in Ancestry.com databases
Things Ancestry.com doesn’t tell you (like the limitations of its collections and how many freebies are on the site)

The Your Unofficial Guide to Ancestry.com webinar takes place May 23 at 8 p.m. Eastern (that's 7 p.m. Central, 6 p.m. Mountain and 5 p.m. Pacific). It's presented by David A. Fryxell, a veteran genealogist and a Family Tree Magazine contributing editor.

We'll help you start finding the genealogy answers you need in the world's largest genealogy database website. Register for Your Unofficial Guide to Ancestry.com now to take advantage of our $10 off early bird special!

How to Savor Your Family's Food History and Save Favorite Recipes

Diane — Wed, 02 May 2012 17:31:57 GMT

I'm in love with our newest book, From the Family Kitchen: Discover Your Food Heritage and Preserve Family Recipes by Gena Philibert-Ortega.

Before you even open the book, it's pretty: Hardbound, with a lovely cover and a cute yellow ribbon bookmark.

And then it's about food history and family recipes, a topic that fascinates me.

Who better to describe the book than its author? Here's what Gena has to say about this labor of love:

Do you ever wish you knew more about your ancestors’ lives? When I think of my ancestors, I wonder how their lives were similar to mine. I also ponder what I can add to my genealogy research that will be meaningful to future generations.

From the Family Kitchen will help you understand and appreciate your ancestors’ everyday lives by exploring the foods they ate. These details make your family history more vivid and more interesting to younger folks—not to mention very tasty.

This isn’t just another guidebook. It’s a keepsake designed to help you gather and preserve your family’s food traditions, past and present. You can use From the Family Kitchen to:

1. Learn where to find recipes Great-grandma would've cooked. I’ll walk you through the history of American foodways, and introduce you to resources for researching the food traditions of specific eras and regions. The book even includes historical recipes, cooking instructions and entertaining advice to give you a flavor of your ancestors’ experiences.

2. Better understand the foods of immigrant ancestors. Your family’s food traditions today might still reflect your ancestors’ cultural heritage—but how have those dishes changed over generations and across countries? I’ll explain how to find out.

3. Interview your family about their food memories. Get tips for gathering recipes and recollections. The book includes dozens of suggested questions to ask.

4. Record your family food traditions. Within the book are beautiful recipe journal pages for preserving the dishes you discover in your research, and especially today’s family favorites—creating a legacy for future generations.

This is Diane again. This hardcover book is a great addition to your genealogy or cooking bookshelf, and it makes a wonderful Mother’s Day gift. You can order From the Family Kitchen from ShopFamilyTree.com on sale for a short time, for $22.39.

Bon appétit!

Researching Genealogy in Land Records

Diane — Wed, 18 Apr 2012 15:02:51 GMT

Researching your genealogy using land records—deeds, patents, plats, etc.—is often considered advanced. But a genealogist of any level can find an ancestor's land records using the help in our Family Tree Land Records Research Value Pack.

The tools in this collection include:

Land Records 101 Family Tree University Independent Study Course download: Master the basics of US land records research, including what documents to look for and where to find them, online and offline
Platting Metes and Bounds Properties on-demand video class: If your ancestor's property was surveyed under the metes and bounds system, land records describe it in terms of trees, rocks, fenceposts, streams and roads along the boundaries. This lesson will help you make sense of those descriptions and map out what the property looked like.
Platting Rectangular Survey System Properties on-demand video class: Learn how to plat ancestral properties surveyed using the rectangular survey system, also known as the public land survey system.
Using Land Records article download: Our guide to land records explains land records from early headrights to claims under the Homestead Act. You'll also learn about property deeds and "dower rights," which can be informative about female ancestors.

The Family Tree Land Records Research Value Pack is deeply discounted this month only: just $49.99! (You'd pay $163.97 to buy each tool individually.)

Click here to get this deal.

ShopFamilyTree.com Maintenance

Diane — Fri, 06 Apr 2012 19:30:55 GMT

Just a quick housekeeping note to let you know ShopFamilyTree.com is undergoing scheduled maintenance and may be unavailable for a brief period. If you visit ShopFamilyTree.com and aren't able to find the genealogy how-to product you need, please wait a short time and try again. Thank you!

Save 50% or More on Genealogy Stuff at ShopFamilyTree.com Now Through Sunday

Diane — Fri, 16 Mar 2012 15:34:01 GMT

Need a My Family Tree Research Planner?

50 percent off!

Our downloadable guide to tracing immigrant ancestors?

50 percent off!

A 2010 Family Tree Magazine back issues CD (after all, it's text-searchable and takes up a slim quarter-inch of bookshelf space)?

54 percent off!

You're probably getting the gist by now: For the Amazing Deals Sale at ShopFamilyTree.com now through Sunday, lots and lots of genealogy how-to books, print back issues, CDs, article downloads and more are at least 50 percent off.

Click here to see everything included in the sale. Remember, in ShopFamilyTree.com you get free shipping on orders over $25 (and digital downloads count toward the total).

Tips on Exploring Your Irish Family Tree

Diane — Thu, 15 Mar 2012 13:09:01 GMT

I grew up thinking I’m an eighth Irish, through my great-grandmother Mary Norris. But my genealogy research has since revealed that I’m only 1/16th Irish—Mary’s father was from Ireland, but her mother was German.

And this little guy is 1/32nd Irish:

So this St. Patrick’s Day, Leo and I will have to make the most of our respective slivers of Irishness.

Whether you're a lot or a little Irish, you share heritage with the second-largest heritage group in the United States. Here are some more stats:

50,000 to 100,000 Irish came to America in the 1600s, and 100,000 more in the 1700s. Eight signatures on the Declaration of Independence belonged to men of Irish descent.
In the American colonies, up to 90 percent of indentured servants were Irish.
About 250,000 Scots-Irish settlers from Ulster province arrived in the United States during the Colonial era. They were descended from Scottish and English tenant farmers settled in Ireland during the Plantation of Ulster.
In the century after 1820, about 5 million Irish arrived on US shores. Irish made up almost half of all US immigrants in the 1840s and one-third in the 1850s, the decades of the Great Potato Famine.
Today, Massachusetts is the most Irish state, with about a quarter of the population claiming Irish roots.

FamilyTreeMagazine.com has some great advice for tracing your Irish roots:

For in-depth help researching your Irish ancestors, take a look at our Irish Ancestry Value Pack, with:

how-to guides
the Genealogist's Guide to Discovering Irish Ancestors book download
the Irish Research 101 Family Tree University Independent Study course

The Irish Ancestry Value Pack is just $49.99 this month.

Tips for Finding Female Ancestors

Diane — Thu, 08 Mar 2012 15:06:06 GMT

March is Women’s History Month, so let's seize the opportunity to talk about finding women ancestors. Learning their maiden names can be a big problem, especially when you're researching before the era of consistent vital records.

For me, birth and death records, when they're available, have been a source of maiden names. Carefully examining census records also has helped: In two cases, I've found a female ancestor's elderly mother or father living in the daughter's household.

Here's a roundup of free FamilyTreeMagazine.com articles that focus on finding women ancestors:

Best records for finding female ancestors
Strategies for finding female ancestors
Glossary of Women's Words (such as "consort," "grass widow," and the oh-so-flattering "spinster")
Details to zero in on when you're dating women's clothing in photographs
List of women's nicknames (because Elizabeth might go by Bet, Bess, Liza, Libby, Tess or any number of other monikers)
Women's history websites, books and organizations

You'll discover more research strategies and details of our female ancestors' lives with the tools in our Women's History Month Value Pack, specially priced at $29.99 (a 59 percent discount) in March.

"Research Me! I'm Irish"

Diane — Thu, 01 Mar 2012 14:54:34 GMT

... might be what you hear your Irish ancestors saying in your dreams. This month's Ultimate Collection will show you how to do it.

Our Ultimate Irish Genealogy Collection is packed with practical advice for otracing your Irish ancestors in America and in the old country. It includes:

Irish Research 101 Family Tree University Independent Study course download: successfully use US records to determine who your Irish immigrant ancestors were and their place of origin in Ireland.
Irish Genealogy Online video class: Recommends the best websites for finding Irish ancestors and features a case study demonstrating how to trace an Irish famine emigrant on the web.
Quick Guide to Irish Genealogy Websites: Our at-a-glance chart shows you what resources you'll find and other stats on several popular Irish genealogy sites.
Genealogist's Guide to Discovering Irish Ancestors book download: Get help with genealogical records, maps, translations and more.
A New Genealogical Atlas of Ireland book: This graphical representation of Griffith's Valuation has maps for every county showing civil parishes, baronies and dioceses, as well as poor law unions and parishes.
101 Things You Didn't Know About Irish History book: Dispel the myths and learn the true stories of the Irish.

All this is a $185 value priced at $69.99 (that's 62 percent off) this month only—and only 100 are available!

A bonus with this Ultimate Collection: You get a coupon for 5 percent off the Irish Research 201 Family Tree University course, with four lessons focusing on records of your Irish ancestors in Ireland.

Click here to learn more about the Ultimate Irish Genealogy Collection at ShopFamilyTree.com.

Leap Day Sale on Genealogy Guides at ShopFamilyTree.com!

Diane — Wed, 29 Feb 2012 14:40:49 GMT

A once-every-four-years date calls for a once-in-every-four-years sale.

Today through March 4, you can take advantage of our Leap Day Spectacular to pick up our best-selling genealogy guides, books and more for $2, $9 or $29. For example:

Our German, Irish, Scottish, Swedish and many other family history research how-to downloads are just $2.
Books including Remember That? and Family History Detective, and CDs including Research Remedies and our 2005, 2007 and 2008 back issues compilations, are just $9.
Collections including our Virtual Conference Ethnic Research video classes, the Problem Solver Double Pack, and the Discover Your Roots Kit are just $29.

As always, you get free shipping on ShopFamilyTree.com orders over $25—digital downloads count toward that total.

Click here to see all the great $2, $9 and $29 deals in the ShopFamilyTree.com Leap Day Spectacular.

Rumor has it ...

Diane — Tue, 28 Feb 2012 16:30:54 GMT

Pssst!

Word on the street is that tomorrow, Feb. 29—aka Leap Day—we're having a ShopFamilyTree.com sale worthy of a day that comes around only once every four years. We hear that a whole bunch of our genealogy how to books, CDs and other ancestor-finding helps will be at $2, $9, and $29.

We'll see you Feb. 29 at ShopFamilyTree.com.

Presidents Day Sale on Genealogy Resources at ShopFamilyTree.com

Diane — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 14:25:22 GMT

Happy President’s Day! We’re marking the occasion with a big President's Day sale!

You'll save up to 46 percent on selected genealogy books and how-to articles, including:

Guides to help you research ancestors in Illinois, Virginia and Washington DC
Our collected State Research Guides book with advice for tracing your ancestry all across the United States
Our Military Research Guide CD and other guides to finding records of ancestors in the Revolutionary War, Civil War, World War I and World War II, and other American conflicts
The book Life in Civil War America by Michael O. Varhola
The book Who's Buried in Grant's Tomb?: A Tour of Presidential Gravesites by Brian Lamb

See ShopFamilyTree.com for the full list of what’s included in our President’s Day sale.

As always, you get free shipping on orders of $25 or more, and Family Tree VIPs get an extra 10 percent off.

And if you suspect there's a US president in your family tree, check out our presidential genealogy research resources on FamilyTreeMagazine.com.

CD & DVD Clearance at ShopFamilyTree.com!

Diane — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 21:01:00 GMT

We're having a CD and DVD Clearance Event today through Monday at ShopFamilyTree.com!

You'll save 50 to 75 percent on how-to genealogy products including

10 Years of Family Tree Magazine 2000-2009 DVD
Trace Your Roots Online CD
Family Tree Passport to Europe CD
Research Remedies CD
... and more!

Click here to see everything included in our CD and DVD Clearance Event!

Brightsolid to Launch 1st Pay-As-You-Go Census Records Site

Diane — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 16:33:32 GMT

Remember how British genealogy company brightsolid was poised to announce plans to launch a new product for the US market? Here it is:

Brightsolid just announced a new pay-as-you-go site for US census records, 1790 to 1930, plus 1940 when it's released later this year. It'll be called CensusRecords.com, and is already live as as an early beta version that invites user feedback.

This is the first site that will let you search for your ancestors in the cnesus, then purchase the record with their names—a model that'll potentially make census research more affordable and accessible to those who don't want to commit to a genealogy website subscription.

No doubt brightsolid hopes—I know I do, too—that the pay-as-you-go service will lure casual researchers to get more involved in family history research.

Censusrecords.com visitors will be able to search for free. To view documents and download them to their computer, they can subscribe or buy pay-as-you-go credits, which start at $7.95 for 1,000 credits (good for 60 days).

Pay-as-you-go costs could add up if you're not sure you've found your ancestor and have to check a bunch of records, but if you're sure you've found the right folks, this could be your most cost-effective approach.

With the confluence of several factors—a growing interest in family history, economic concerns, anticipation for the 1940 census, and "Who Do You Think You Are?" showing genealogy to the masses—Censusrecords.com is poised to be a big hit. What do you think? (Hit Comments below to share your thoughts.)

We're joining in the RootsTech excitement with conference specials for everyone! You'll get 20 percent off select online genealogy titles at ShopFamilyTree.com.

Ultimate German Research Collection

Diane — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 19:30:23 GMT

If you're like me and have German ancestors, you're part of the United States' largest heritage group: German ancestry is consistently the most-claimed ethnic background on US censuses.

This month's Ultimate Collection will help you research those folks! Our Ultimate German Research Collection has

Find Your German Roots: Family Tree University Independent Study Course download
German Newspapers in America (on-demand video class)
Genealogist's Guide to Discovering Germanic Ancestors digital book
Family Tree Passport to Europe CD
Tracing German Ancestry in Eastern Europe download

Plus, you get a 25 percent off coupon for the Family Tree University German Genealogy 201 online course (learn more about this course here).

This collection is a $184 value for $69.99, and it's available only while supplies last, and only in February. Get your Ultimate German Research Collection in ShopFamilyTree.com.

Get $10 Off Two Webinars in ShopFamilyTree.com

Diane — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 17:00:53 GMT

Kentucky and Tennessee genealogy often goes hand-in-hand due to the states' similar history on the Old Frontier. Many settlers in both areas arrived via the Cumberland Gap in the late 1700s, so if you have ancestors in one state, you might have them in both, or your people may have spent time in both.

We want to make it easier for you to learn about genealogy research in both areas, so we're offering a $10-off-two webinar deal:

Kentucky Genealogy Crash Course
Tennessee Genealogy Crash Course
They're Alive!: Finding Living Relatives (so you can use the discount even if your ancestors stayed in either Kentucky or Tennessee—just about all of us could use secrets for tracking down distant cousins)

Enter coupon code WEBTRIO10 at checkout to get this deal.

The Ultimate Get-Your-Genealogy-Organized Collection

Diane — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 15:26:34 GMT

It's getting toward the end of the month, so I'm issuing a reminder to get our Ultimate Get Organized Collection while it's still available. How-to-get-organized articles and classes are among our most popular, and this is the perfect opportunity to get a a package deal on a bunch of them:

My Family Tree Research Planner: This undated calendar, customizable for use in any year, has plenty of space to schedule library visits and genealogy society meetings, and track your research to-dos and goals. Click here for a video look inside (scroll down).
Organize Your Family Archive OnDemand Webinar: Got boxes of family papers, photos, knicknacks and who knows what else? Denise Levenick, aka the Family Curator, provides tips on how to decide what to save, easy ways to inventory and more.
Time Management for Genealogists download: Learn the skills to manage your limited genealogy research time your way in this Family Tree University Independent Study course download. Discover how to set achievable goals, use online project management tools and more.
Family Tree Magazine February 2012 digital issue: Get tips to make over your research methods and workspace for better efficiency.
Family Tree Magazine 2012 Genealogy Desk Calendar: This calendar has inspiring ancestor photos from our readers, plus coupons you can use all year in ShopFamilyTree.com.

Through Jan. 31 or while the limited supply lasts—whichever comes first—it's all $69.99, which amounts to a 61 percent discount. Click here to laern more about the Ultimate Get Organized Collection and get yours.

Giant 50% Sale at ShopFamilyTree.com!

Diane — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 13:56:17 GMT

ShopFamilyTree.com is offering our top genealogy how-to products at half-price today and tomorrow. That includes books, downloadable research guides and webinars such as

My Life & Times: A Guided Journal for Collecting Your Stories (just $15 on sale)
Remember That? A Year-by-Year chronicle of Fun Facts, Headlines, & Your Memories (only $8.50)
German Genealogy Guide Digital Download (only $2)
Irish Genealogy Online video class (only $15)
Brick Wall Busters: Solutions to Real-Life Stumpers on-demand webinar (only $20)
Tracing Immigrants Family Tree University Independent Study Course (only $50)

See the full list of Giant 50% Sale items on ShopFamilyTree.com.

Remember, purchases totaling over $25 of qualifying items get free shipping (downloads do count toward this total), and Family Tree VIPs get an additional 10 percent off.

Time is tight—after Thursday, these great deals will be gone.