The Research Like a Pro Genealogy Podcast

In this episode, Nicole and Diana discuss the crucial "Research Planning" stage of the Research Like a Pro process in the fourth part of their series on the father of Cynthia (Dillard) Royston. Nicole begins by emphasizing the importance of creating a thoughtful research plan rather than haphazardly searching records. Diana then walks through the specific steps she takes for this case study. She states her objective, which is to discover a candidate for Cynthia Dillard's father residing in Cass County, Georgia, during the 1830s. Listeners hear her summary of known facts for Cynthia, her husband Thomas B. Royston, and a probable relative, Elijah Dillard, who was identified through DNA. Nicole shares the background information she gathered on Cass County, Georgia, including its formation, its role in the 1832 Cherokee Land Lottery, and the impact of the Civil War. Diana presents her hypothesis, suggesting that Cynthia and Thomas B. Royston married in Cass County around 1833 and that two Dillard household heads from the 1840 census are potential candidates for Cynthia's father. Finally, she shares her full list of identified sources from her Cass County locality guide and concludes with her prioritized research plan, which starts with Census, Marriage, and Land Records. Listeners learn how to systematically move from a broad objective and known facts to a focused, prioritized plan for complex family history research. This summary was generated by Google Gemini. Links Revisiting the Father of Cynthia (Dillard) Royston: Part 4 Research Planning - https://familylocket.com/revisiting-the-father-of-cynthia-dillard-royston-part-4-research-planning/ 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 Institute Courses - https://familylocket.com/product-category/institute-course/ 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/

The episode centers on the process of locality research for Cass County, Georgia, as Diana continues her project to find the father of Cynthia (Dillard) Royston. Diana explains her research objective is to discover a candidate for Cynthia's father residing in the county during the 1830s. Nicole discusses the importance of narrowing the time frame for a locality guide, focusing on the county's earliest years from 1832 to 1860. They then compare their process for utilizing the Deep Research capabilities of large language models (LLMs) to create the guide, sharing their query and noting the varying results from Claude, Perplexity, ChatGPT, and Gemini. Diana and Nicole discuss two crucial findings that impacted their research strategy. They detail the county's name change from Cass to Bartow in 1861 due to General Lewis Cass's Union sympathies and the Confederacy's desire to honor Colonel Francis S. Bartow. They also review the record loss event from the courthouse burning in 1864, explaining that many records like deed and marriage books were saved by the heroic efforts of County Clerk Tom Word. Additionally, they summarize the 1832 Cherokee Land Lottery, which was the method for distributing land and attracting settlers to the area. Listeners learn how to efficiently use AI to create a comprehensive locality guide and gain valuable insight into how events like name changes, record loss, and land distribution fundamentally shape genealogical records. This summary was generated by Google Gemini. Links Revisiting the Father of Cynthia (Dillard) Royston: Part 3 Locality Research - https://familylocket.com/revisiting-the-father-of-cynthia-dillard-royston-part-3-locality-research/ 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 Institute Courses - https://familylocket.com/product-category/institute-course/ 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/

This episode focuses on the second step of the Research Like a Pro process: creating a timeline and analyzing the sources in the ongoing quest to find the father of Cynthia (Dillard) Royston. Diana begins by detailing the research objective for this phase: to discover a candidate for Cynthia's father residing in Cass County, Georgia, during the 1830s. Diana discusses compiling a timeline for Cynthia, analyzing her census records, and explaining why she estimates Cynthia's birth year as 1815, based on her marriage and the birth of her oldest child. Nicole introduces the section on Elijah Dillard of Alabama, a possible genetic brother to Cynthia, whom Diana includes in the timeline for comparison. Diana reviews Elijah's records and estimates his birth year to be close to Cynthia's. Listeners learn how to critically evaluate conflicting ages in census records and use other family events to narrow down a probable birth year. Diana then adds the unresearched Cass County, Georgia, Dillards from the 1840 census to the timeline, identifying Elizabeth and John Dillard as the most likely parents based on their age. She notes a second Elijah Dillard in the Cass County group, which prompts her to use geographic identifiers in the timeline to distinguish the two men. Diana concludes with a source analysis of the federal census records, discussing their value as original records and the difference between direct evidence and undetermined information. She also observes that the proximity of John, William, and Elijah in the 1840 census district suggests a connection, while Elizabeth's location requires further research. Listeners see how to use timelines to organize existing research and how initial record analysis can lead to new research questions. This summary was generated by Google Gemini. Links Revisiting the Father of Cynthia (Dillard) Royston: Part 2 Timeline and Analysis - https://familylocket.com/revisiting-the-father-of-cynthia-dillard-royston-part-2-timeline-and-analysis/ 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 Institute Courses - https://familylocket.com/product-category/institute-course/ 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/

Dana Palmer, a Certified Genealogist and lecturer, specializes in Midwestern research and lineage applications. In this engaging discussion, she shares her passion for family history sparked by her grandparents. Dana dives into the features of FamilySearch.org, emphasizing the Full-Text Search and tips for finding records using wildcards and the catalog. She also highlights the importance of the Research Wiki, collaborative Family Tree contributions, and the value of preserving memories through photos and documents. This conversation is a treasure trove for genealogy enthusiasts!

Diana shares her intricate journey to uncover the father of Cynthia Dillard Royston. She discusses testing the hypothesis around George W. Dillard, eliminating several candidates along the way. A breakthrough occurs with DNA analysis pointing to a cluster linked to Elijah Dillard. The discovery of Cynthia's husband in Cass County, Georgia, shifts the focus, sparking a new objective: to find a Dillard candidate from the 1830s in that area. It’s a masterclass in tackling genealogy's toughest challenges through rigorous research.

Diana and Nicole begin the episode by chatting about what they have been working on in their research. Diana then introduces the main topic, the fascinating case of John Royston, an ancestor who ran away as a 19-year-old apprentice in Virginia in 1770. They discuss the detailed advertisement placed in The Virginia Gazette by his master, Samuel Daniel, which provides a physical description, a list of his clothes, and mentions his skills as a chair maker and blacksmith. Diana shares how she uses AI tools to generate images based on the ad's description and, more importantly, to add historical context. The hosts discuss the information Diana gathered from AI regarding the apprentice system in Colonial Virginia and the significance of John's clothing—a working-class frieze coat paired with a "new broadcloath waistcoat and breeches" of "pretty fine cloth." The AI's analysis suggests this attire points to John having a middle-class social status and that he planned his escape carefully to maintain a respectable appearance. Diana highlights how the 1770 advertisement is crucial for connecting John to his father, Richard Wyatt Royston, in the records of a "burned county." Listeners learn how to utilize a single, detailed historical record and modern AI tools to transform a seemingly "disappearing" ancestor into a well-contextualized person with a compelling story. This summary was generated by Google Gemini. Links Disappearing Act: John Royston Apprentice (1750 – after 1814) - https://familylocket.com/disappearing-act-john-royston-apprentice-1750-after-1814/ The Virginia Gazette - March 15, 1770 (see page 4) - https://teacherresources.colonialwilliamsburg.org/API/Download/v1_0/GetOriginalLimited?Identifier=CW11851S 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 Institute Courses - https://familylocket.com/product-category/institute-course/ 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/

Diana and Nicole dive into an intriguing 1867 divorce case that highlights the complexities of dower rights. They explore Marylynn Salmon's book on women's property law in early America, revealing how women's rights evolved post-Revolution. Key topics include the legal status of married women, varying regional laws, and the significance of understanding property records for genealogy. Listeners gain insights on statutes like the feme sole trader act and the impact of colonial laws on women's autonomy and property ownership.

Discover the fascinating life of William Beddoes, an English immigrant who helped establish Salem, Utah. Explore how newspaper research uncovers family histories and community contributions. Learn about the unique construction of the Salem Canal and its significance for irrigation. Dive into the intriguing details of a primitive water leveling device mentioned in his obituary. The hosts discuss evaluating historical claims and the importance of local records for genealogical research, offering insights and future research possibilities.

Nicole shares her thrilling discoveries at Love County, including insights from cemetery visits and early deeds, like the intriguing Sophie Williams-R.E. Frazier Deed. The discussion dives into Indian Territory land allotments and navigating historical records. A mix-up with names leads to revelations in property transactions, while Nicole explores town patent books revealing fascinating community ties. The episode highlights the importance of meticulous research and the journey to uncover family histories in early county records.

In this engaging conversation, Linda Broenniman, an author and speaker recognized for her family's Holocaust-era stories, shares her journey of uncovering eight generations of hidden family secrets. She reveals the complexities of her father's hidden Jewish identity and how her mother was honored as Righteous Among the Nations for her bravery during World War II. Linda discusses the emotional impact of family secrets, the importance of ancestry, and the healing journey that comes from discovering one's roots.