

The Research Like a Pro Genealogy Podcast
Nicole Dyer
Research Like a Pro is a podcast about genealogy research methodology. Diana Elder and Nicole Dyer of FamilyLocket.com discuss how to take your family history research to the next level and uncover more of your family tree. Learn about research objectives, analysis, locality research, research planning, source citations, report writing, case studies, and more. Diana and Nicole are the mother-daughter team at FamilyLocket.com and the creators of the Amazon bestselling book, Research Like a Pro: A Genealogist's Guide. Diana created the Research Like a Pro method after becoming an Accredited Genealogy professional through the International Commission for the Accreditation of Professional Genealogists. Discover the process that a professional genealogist uses and make progress on your own brick walls.
Episodes
Mentioned books

9 snips
Aug 25, 2025 • 27min
RLP 372: Onsite Research - Beyond Digitized Records
Discover the untapped treasures of genealogical records still hidden in courthouses and archives. Nicole shares her thrilling onsite research adventures, from finding ancestral diaries to encountering unexpected challenges in Kentucky. The discussion highlights essential strategies for effective research trips, including planning, problem-solving, and communication tips. Learn how to maximize your time and efforts in various repositories while uncovering unique family histories that digital records might miss. This captivating journey will inspire you to delve deeper into your genealogy!

9 snips
Aug 18, 2025 • 36min
RLP 371: Comparing Marriage Records: Original Licence and Return vs Marriage Book Entry
Dive into the fascinating world of marriage records and their critical role in genealogical research. Discover the differences between original licenses and marriage book entries, as well as their historical context regarding women's rights. Personal anecdotes and challenges faced by researchers bring these documents to life. The discussion also touches on the evolution from paper to digital records, emphasizing the importance of preserving family history while making it more accessible.

8 snips
Aug 11, 2025 • 31min
RLP 370: Tracing the Enslaved in the 1900 U.S. Census and Enslaved.org Project
Explore innovative techniques to trace enslaved ancestors through the 1900 U.S. Census and the Enslaved.org project. Discover how AI tools enhance genealogy research, aiding in transcribing historical documents. Learn about the challenges of identifying family groups and names post-emancipation. Hear personal stories of researchers, including a deep dive into the Royston family history. The hosts emphasize community contributions and resources that can significantly aid in uncovering ancestral connections.

8 snips
Aug 4, 2025 • 40min
RLP 369: Decoding the 1819 Weatherford Assault Case in Frontier Arkansas
Discover the fascinating 1819 Weatherford Assault Case in Frontier Arkansas and the ingenuity of using AI tools for genealogical research. Learn how to tackle complex court records with FamilySearch's full text search, and hear about the adventures of transcribing historical documents. The hosts discuss challenges like name inconsistencies and highlight the significant impact of AI in making records more accessible. Explore the intricacies of legal proceedings and celebrate the role of technology in unveiling family histories.

8 snips
Jul 28, 2025 • 20min
RLP 368: AI in the Driver’s Seat - Using Technology to Identify Vehicles in Family Photos
Explore the fascinating intersection of artificial intelligence and family history. The hosts discuss how AI can identify vehicles in old family photos, revealing insights about economic status and social context. A personal story about an eye-catching image of a mother on a sheep next to a vintage car uncovers her family's rich history. Listeners learn about the significance of these details in painting a fuller picture of their ancestors' lives, encouraging a deeper engagement with genealogical research.

6 snips
Jul 21, 2025 • 34min
RLP 367: The Nurturing Legacy of My Second Great-Grandmother - Alice Frazier Harris
Explore the heartwarming legacy of Alice Frazier Harris, a nurturing spirit from Texas. Discover her journey through marriage and motherhood, facing the loss of two children while caring for family. Hear anecdotes about her role as a grandmother and her lasting impact during challenging times, including the Great Depression. The podcast beautifully intertwines tales of family bonds, love, and tradition, highlighting the significance of ancestry and personal storytelling in understanding one's roots.

8 snips
Jul 14, 2025 • 45min
RLP 366: Using AI to Add Historical Context - Boston Union Workhouse and Sarah Jane (Miller) Creer
Discover how artificial intelligence is transforming genealogical research. The hosts dive into the life of Sarah Jane Miller, tracing her journey from a workhouse in England to Utah. They explore the stark realities of life in Victorian workhouses and the impact on children like Sarah Jane. Learn about a custom AI tool designed to ease research log updates and hear practical tips for ethical integration of AI in personal genealogy. Their upcoming webinar on Y-DNA analysis and educational initiatives adds to the rich discussion.

8 snips
Jul 7, 2025 • 30min
RLP 365: Thomas B Royston's Land and Headstone in Chambers County, Alabama
Diana shares her intriguing visit to her third great-grandfather's grave in Alabama, sparking a conversation about his life and land ownership. They explore historical documents, including censuses and wills, revealing the Royston family's expansion and challenges, including the presence of enslaved individuals. The discussion also highlights Thomas B. Royston's Masonic affiliations, underscoring their significance in understanding social status. Plus, tips on using modern tools for genealogy research add a fresh twist to ancestry exploration.

5 snips
Jun 30, 2025 • 31min
RLP 364: How to Match Individuals in Old Photos Using Related Faces
Delve into the world of identifying family members in old photos! Learn how one host unraveled the identities of her great-great-grandparents using clues from relatives and AI technology. Discover the powerful tool, Related Faces, which analyzes facial features to identify individuals. Hear about the unique challenges of matching faces over time and see how personal research blends with innovative technology to solve photo mysteries. This engaging discussion combines genealogy with modern science to unlock the stories behind cherished family images.

Jun 23, 2025 • 28min
RLP 363: A Day at the Chamber County Courthouse: Tips for Success
This podcast episode discusses visiting county courthouses for genealogical research. Diana shares her experience at the Chambers County Courthouse in Alabama, where she researched her ancestor, Thomas Beverly Royston. She explains the importance of preparing a research plan before visiting, including creating a timeline and identifying potential records. She also mentions learning about what records are available beforehand, either online or by contacting the courthouse. Diana describes the process of researching at the courthouse, such as going through security, overviewing the books, and using index books to locate records. She discusses the excitement of finding original records and correcting errors from microfilm research. She also addresses challenges, such as distinguishing between mortgage and deed records. Diana outlines a system for tracking research, including using a notebook to note volume and page numbers, photographing records, and marking searches off the log. She also shares her process for entering the research into a digital log once home, including creating source citations and downloading images to Google Drive. Listeners will learn tips for preparing for and conducting research at county courthouses and how to manage and organize the findings. This summary was generated by Google Gemini. Links A Day at the Chamber County Courthouse: Tips for Success - https://familylocket.com/a-day-at-the-chamber-county-courthouse-tips-for-success/ Sponsor – Newspapers.com For listeners of this podcast, Newspapers.com is offering new subscribers 20% off a Publisher Extra subscription so you can start exploring today. Just use the code “FamilyLocket” at checkout. Research Like a Pro Resources Airtable Universe - Nicole's Airtable Templates - https://www.airtable.com/universe/creator/usrsBSDhwHyLNnP4O/nicole-dyer Airtable Research Logs Quick Reference - by Nicole Dyer - https://familylocket.com/product-tag/airtable/ Research Like a Pro: A Genealogist's Guide book by Diana Elder with Nicole Dyer on Amazon.com - https://amzn.to/2x0ku3d 14-Day Research Like a Pro Challenge Workbook - digital - https://familylocket.com/product/14-day-research-like-a-pro-challenge-workbook-digital-only/ and spiral bound - https://familylocket.com/product/14-day-research-like-a-pro-challenge-workbook-spiral-bound/ Research Like a Pro Webinar Series - monthly case study webinars including documentary evidence and many with DNA evidence - https://familylocket.com/product-category/webinars/ Research Like a Pro eCourse - independent study course - https://familylocket.com/product/research-like-a-pro-e-course/ RLP Study Group - upcoming group and email notification list - https://familylocket.com/services/research-like-a-pro-study-group/ Research Like a Pro with DNA Resources Research Like a Pro with DNA: A Genealogist's Guide to Finding and Confirming Ancestors with DNA Evidence book by Diana Elder, Nicole Dyer, and Robin Wirthlin - https://amzn.to/3gn0hKx Research Like a Pro with DNA eCourse - independent study course - https://familylocket.com/product/research-like-a-pro-with-dna-ecourse/ RLP with DNA Study Group - upcoming group and email notification list - https://familylocket.com/services/research-like-a-pro-with-dna-study-group/ Thank you Thanks for listening! We hope that you will share your thoughts about our podcast and help us out by doing the following: Write a review on iTunes or Apple Podcasts. If you leave a review, we will read it on the podcast and answer any questions that you bring up in your review. Thank you! Leave a comment in the comment or question in the comment section below. Share the episode on Twitter, Facebook, or Pinterest. Subscribe on iTunes or your favorite podcast app. Sign up for our newsletter to receive notifications of new episodes - https://familylocket.com/sign-up/ Check out this list of genealogy podcasts from Feedspot: Best Genealogy Podcasts - https://blog.feedspot.com/genealogy_podcasts/