The Creative Penn Podcast For Writers Researching And Writing Family History Or Genealogy With TL Whalan
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Aug 4, 2025 T.L. Whalan, an Australian author known for her short stories and contributions to family history, delves into the fascinating world of genealogy. She shares the motivations behind researching family history and the importance of interviewing living relatives. Whalan discusses the emotional journey of uncovering ancestral stories, using historical records and DNA testing to trace lineage. Her anecdotes highlight the challenges and triumphs of publishing a family history book, illustrating how these stories can transform dusty records into compelling narratives.
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Why People Do Genealogy
- Genealogy is the study of lineage starting with oneself and working backwards to ancestors.
- People are fascinated by archaeology for self-knowledge and the thrill of discovering unique family stories.
Start Research With Living Relatives
- Always start genealogy research by interviewing living family members to capture stories before they're lost.
- Then use official records and newspapers to corroborate and extend your family history.
Verify Genealogy Websites Info
- Use genealogy websites like Ancestry.com to collate many records fast, but verify sources carefully.
- Beware user-uploaded information for potential inaccuracies and always seek original records.
