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The Research Like a Pro Genealogy Podcast

Nicole Dyer
The Research Like a Pro Genealogy Podcast
Latest episode

390 episodes

  • The Research Like a Pro Genealogy Podcast

    RLP 388: Ultimate Guide to Mastering FamilySearch with Dana Palmer

    15/12/2025 | 41 mins.

    Nicole and Diana discuss FamilySearch.org with their guest, Dana Palmer. Dana, a Certified Genealogist and Certified Genealogical Lecturer, specializes in Midwestern research, lineage society applications, and publishing family books. She is also part of the Mayflower Silver Books team and lectures at national conferences. The discussion focuses on her new book, Ultimate Guide to Mastering FamilySearch. Dana shares her early love for family history, which began as a child influenced by her grandparents, and the motivation for writing her book, which came from years of teaching popular in-person classes on the FamilySearch website. During their conversation, Dana provides an overview of FamilySearch, highlighting features like the Full-Text Search. She offers her best tips for finding records, outlining a process that involves using Full-Text Search, the historical records tab, the catalog, and local repositories. Listeners discover important facts about Full-Text Search, such as using wildcards or misspellings and knowing that some restricted collections are only available at FamilySearch centers. She also gives tips for utilizing the Research Wiki, including its Guided Research feature. Dana encourages putting family on the collaborative FamilySearch Family Tree, explaining how adding sources and memories helps protect data and detailing the privacy protections for living people. She also brings attention to the value of the Books section and the Memories section for preserving family artifacts. Finally, she reveals one of the site's best-kept secrets: the free FamilySearch Community for transcription and translation help. Listeners will learn a variety of essential strategies and tools for mastering the FamilySearch website's powerful resources. This summary was generated by Google Gemini. Links Ultimate Guide to Mastering FamilySearch - https://genealogical.com/mastering-familysearch-by-dana-ann-palmer/ 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 Research Like a Pro Genealogy Podcast

    RLP 387: Revisiting the Father of Cynthia (Dillard) Royston - Part 1 Objective

    08/12/2025 | 28 mins.

    Nicole and Diana give an overview of Diana's multi-phase research to discover the father of Cynthia (Dillard) Royston. Diana first reviews four past phases of her research. She discusses Phase 1, which initially focused on George W. Dillard as a strong candidate, and Phase 2, which identified and eliminated ten other Dillard candidates in the area. Both of these documentary-based hypotheses are eventually disproven. She then outlines Phase 3, where she successfully tests and disproves a false ThruLine DNA hypothesis that suggested Hopson Milner was the father. Next, Phase 4 adds DNA analysis to the quest, leading to a cluster of matches with a most recent common ancestor of Elijah Dillard, who is a possible brother or cousin to Cynthia. The project then pivots to Phase 5, based on a new record that places Cynthia's husband, Thomas B. Royston, in Cass County, Georgia, around the likely time of their marriage. This new location in Cass County, where early records were destroyed by fire, provides a new research objective: to discover a Dillard candidate residing there in the 1830s. Listeners learn how to methodically work through a complex brick wall by testing and eliminating both documentary and DNA hypotheses in a focused, systematic process. This summary was generated by Google Gemini. Links Revisiting the Father of Cynthia (Dillard) Royston: Part 1 Objective - https://familylocket.com/revisiting-the-father-of-cynthia-dillard-royston-part-1-objective/ 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 Research Like a Pro Genealogy Podcast

    RLP 386: Disappearing Act: John Royston Apprentice (1750 – after 1814)

    01/12/2025 | 37 mins.

    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/

  • The Research Like a Pro Genealogy Podcast

    RLP 385: Women and the Law of Property in Early America

    24/11/2025 | 33 mins.

    Diana and Nicole open the episode by sharing a listener spotlight that details a compelling 1867 divorce case and its complications regarding a wife's dower rights. Diana then introduces Marylynn Salmon's book, Women and the Law of Property in Early America, which serves as an excellent guide for genealogists researching female ancestors in the colonial and early national eras. They discuss how understanding the law behind our ancestors' actions in deeds, probate, and court records is essential. The book, covering 1750 to 1830, traces a gradual extension of wives' ability to own and control property after the Revolution, highlighting that both ideological and economic considerations were forces of change. The hosts explore the book's structure and its focus on how law functioned in practice across key jurisdictions, including Connecticut, Massachusetts, New York, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, and South Carolina. They discuss crucial legal concepts such as a married woman's status as a feme covert, who generally could not sell property or enter into contracts. This led to statutes like the feme sole trader act in Pennsylvania and varying regional approaches to Conveyances and Divorce and Separation. They also examine Separate Estates, which were handled by Chancery Courts in some colonies but opposed by Puritan ideals in New England, and Provision for Widows (dower rights). Listeners learn that they can gain new insights into their female ancestors' property records by applying the information from this book, even recommending that if their ancestor's jurisdiction is not mentioned, they should look at a neighboring state's section to find the governing laws. This summary was generated by Google Gemini. Links RLP Institute Course - Merging and Separating Identities - https://familylocket.com/product/merging-and-separating-identities/ Review of Women and the Law of Property in Early America by Marylynn Salmon -  https://familylocket.com/review-of-women-and-the-law-of-property-in-early-america-by-marylynn-salmon/ Women and the Law of Property in Early America by Marylynn Salmon - https://amzn.to/4i0remA (Affiliate link to Amazon) 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/

  • The Research Like a Pro Genealogy Podcast

    RLP 384 : In the News - William Beddoes (1838-1920)

    17/11/2025 | 29 mins.

    In this episode of the Research Like a Pro Genealogy podcast, Diana and Nicole discuss "In the News: William Beddoes (1838-1920)." Nicole shares her work on the Sally (Keaton) Reeves phase 3 research plan in Fulton and Izard Counties, Arkansas, and then Diana introduces the topic of researching ancestors in newspapers to gain insight into their community, family, and work ethic. She highlights her second great-grandfather, William Beddoes, and his pivotal role in establishing Salem, Utah. Nicole then provides a life summary of William Beddoes, including his birth in England, emigration to Utah, family, and involvement in establishing the town of Salem, based on his obituary. Diana then discusses the history of the Salem Canal, its construction, and the Salem Irrigation and Canal Company. She also explains what a "2x4 scantling, grooved, and into which water is poured to secure the level" is, providing historical and cultural context for this primitive leveling device. Diana then connects William Beddoes to the Salem Canal, evaluating the accuracy of his obituary's claims by referencing Lyman Curtis's role and census records. Finally, Nicole outlines future research possibilities, including the "Salem Irrigation and Canal Company Records" collection at Brigham Young University. Listeners will learn about researching ancestors through newspapers, the history of the Salem Canal, and how to evaluate historical claims using various records and resources. This summary was generated by Google Gemini. Links In the News: William Beddoes (1838-1920) by Diana Elder - https://familylocket.com/in-the-news-william-beddoes-1838-1920/ 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/

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About The Research Like a Pro Genealogy Podcast

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.
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