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Episode Summary: Is AI a genealogy best friend or a "hallucinating" hazard? This week, we explore how AI tools are helping professional researchers and hobbyists alike process data at lightning speed. From transcribing messy records to identifying migration patterns that used to take weeks to uncover, Lisa and Kristin share their "boots on the ground" experience with the latest technology. Key Topics Discussed: The AI Revolution: Why the jump from 2023 to 2025 felt like 100 miles per hour. Tool Talk: A comparison of ChatGPT, Google Gemini, Claude, and Grok. Prompting Skills: The importance of "Role Play" (e.g., "Act as a professional genealogist with 40 years of experience") and why clear expectations yield better data. NotebookLM: Using Google’s new tool to interact with your own PDFs and research books. Ethics & Privacy: Why you should never assume privacy when chatting with an AI and how to disclose AI use in your final reports. Guest Resources: Genealogy Gems Website: lisalouisecooke.com YouTube: @GenealogyGems Facebook: Genealogy Gems Instagram: @genealogygemspodcast Connect with Legacy Tree: Visit us at legacytree.com to learn how we can help you discover your family’s legacy.

In this episode of The Legacy Tree Podcast, we’re joined by Richard Hill from DNA Favorites, who sits down with Sarah, an advanced researcher on Legacy Tree Genealogists’ DNA team, to explore the powerful — and sometimes unexpected — stories hidden in our DNA. Together, Richard and Sarah discuss Richard’s personal DNA journey and the discoveries that reshaped how he understands his own family history. They talk through what DNA can reveal beyond names and dates, how genetic genealogy can open new paths when traditional records fall short, and why DNA discoveries often carry deep emotional weight alongside the answers. This conversation isn’t about formulas or test comparisons — it’s about identity, connection, and the truths that can emerge when DNA fills in the gaps of the past. Learn more about Richard Hill and his work: 👉 https://linktr.ee/RichardHill Explore professional genealogy research with Legacy Tree Genealogists: 👉 https://legacytree.com

When you get your DNA test results, there's a good chance your DNA matches aren't as straight-forward as you had hoped, and there's a lot of room for misinterpretation. In this week's episode we share helpful things to consider as you begin your journey into the world of genetic genealogy!   Resources: How to Determine Genetically Equivalent Relationships DNA Painter Shared cM Project Learn more about pedigree collapse or endogamy   Do you need help with your genealogy research or interpreting your DNA Test Results?   The experts at Legacy Tree Genealogists are here to help.   Contact Legacy Tree Genealogists by visiting https://www.legacytree.com to request a free quote and learn more about what it's like to work with a professional genealogy firm.   May your week be full of discoveries.    

Have you gotten your DNA tested? Have you ever wondered what happens after your saliva or cheek swab sample is shipped off to a testing company until the day you get your results? Wonder no longer.    In this week's episode we cover the five steps of DNA genetic genealogy testing so you have complete visibility into the process. Prepare for the insider view. If you like to read along, you can visit https://www.legacytree.com/blog/from-spit-to-screen-the-journey-of-a-dna-sample for the full transcript of this episode.    Do you need help with your genealogy research? The experts at Legacy Tree Genealogists are here to help. Contact Legacy Tree Genealogists by visiting https://www.legacytree.com to request a free quote and learn more about what it's like to work with a professional genealogy firm. May your week be full of discoveries.

Story telling is a way to pass on memories and preserve these for generations to come. When your relatives and ancestors tell stories, they are sharing a piece of themselves and their history. Are you ready to capture these stories?   In this week's episode we share 9 tips for interviewing family members to ensure you don't miss out on that priceless retelling of a classic family experience.    In honor of Family History Month, celebrate by joining The Family History Month Challenge. Get your challenge roadmap here.    Do you need help with your genealogy research? The experts at Legacy Tree Genealogists are here to help. Contact Legacy Tree Genealogists by visiting https://www.legacytree.com to request a free quote and learn more about what it's like to work with a professional genealogy firm. May your week be full of discoveries.  

Newspapers hold a treasure trove of information on your family history! Not only can you find obituaries, but you can often find birth, marriage, and divorce notices; passenger lists; arrests and information on crimes; war heroes and casualties; tragedies and triumphs; historical context, and more.   In this week's episode we discover the hidden treasures to be discovered within newspapers.    Resources for newspaper research: Wikipedia List of Online Newspapers (international)  Library of Congress Chronicling America  Google Search for Newspapers GenealogyBank Newspapers.com Newspaperarchive.com LTG Google Search Newspaper Cheat Sheet   Do you need help with your genealogy research? The experts at Legacy Tree Genealogists are here to help. Contact Legacy Tree Genealogists by visiting https://www.legacytree.com to request a free quote and learn more about what it's like to work with a professional genealogy firm. May your week be full of discoveries.  

Do you have Scottish ancestors? We sat down to learn more about finding Scottish ancestors with one of our professional genealogists, Jamie Kay. In this episode, we share 5 keys to finding Scottish ancestors.    Resources and Websites for Scottish Research: Scotland's People  FamilySearch FindMyPast Ancestry   If you have Scottish ancestors you need help finding, Legacy Tree Genealogists are here to assist. Reach out for a free quote for your specific project.  Learn more at https://www.legacytree.com/.

Finding biological parents is one of the most challenging, and rewards projects we get to work on at Legacy Tree Genealogists.    In this week's episode, we hear from a Legacy Tree client as she shares her story about searching for her family in Puerto Rico.    Listen in to see how her story took a few turns along to way but ended with her fully discovering her past.    If you have biological family members you need help finding, Legacy Tree Genealogists are here to assist. Reach out for a free quote for your specific project.    Learn more at https://www.legacytree.com/.      

  As genealogists, finding ancestors is a daily practice in joy, gratitude, and patience. The month of September in the United States is National Hispanic Heritage Month and in this week's episode we share four pro-tips to help you find your Mexican ancestors and accurately fill in your family tree.   If you are ready to learn more about finding your ancestors in Mexico, or other countries around the world, Legacy Tree Genealogists and our team of researchers are here to assist you in that journey. Request your free quote today!   Visit Legacy Tree Genealogists to learn more about hiring a professional genealogy researcher. 

What untold immigration stories are waiting to be discovered in your family history? In today's episode we share the story of Japanese immigrant, Seito Saibara, and his impact on the Texas landscape. The history of America is an interlacing web of immigration stories from all over the world, many still untold. Every pioneer, either celebrated in life or silent to the grave, has a story worth telling—you just need to know how to go about telling it! Enjoy Seito's story of perseverance, economic opportunity, and determination. It just might remind you of a story from your own family tree.  How did your ancestor contribute to the development of their community? Let Legacy Tree Genealogists and our team of researchers develop that story. No story is too small, and all ancestors mattered. Request your free quote today!   Visit Legacy Tree Genealogists to learn more about hiring a professional genealogy researcher.   

We get asked this question often and the answer is a bit more complicated than a simple yes or no.    In this week's podcast we explain what a coat of arms is, and share eight tips for your heraldic research for your coat of arms.    For more information, see: England, Wales, Northern Ireland, Australia, and New Zealand Court of the Lord Lyon (Scotland) Republic of Ireland France U.S. Heraldic Registry Arthur Charles Fox-Davies, A Complete Guide to Heraldry (1909)   Need help finding a coat of arms in your ancestry?    The experts at Legacy Tree Genealogists are here to help.   Contact Legacy Tree Genealogists by visiting https://www.legacytree.com to request a free quote and learn more about what it's like to work with a professional genealogy firm.   May your week be full of discoveries.

If you have ancestors who served in WWII, you might have found yourself at a loss due to a fire in the 1970's that destroyed 80% of records.  But with creativity you may be able to discover more information than you thought possible.  In this weeks episode we share a story that started with a photograph and ended with gathering enough information to file a Form 180 (Request Pertaining to Military Records). Listen for tips that may help you in finding your military ancestors.    Do you have your own family mysteries to discover and need some help?   The experts at Legacy Tree Genealogists are here to help.   Contact Legacy Tree Genealogists by visiting https://www.legacytree.com to request a free quote and learn more about what it's like to work with a professional genealogy firm.   May your week be full of discoveries.  

Have you ever found out something shocking about your family? Something that was kept secret for decades? In this weeks episode we share a story of murder and intrigue discovered in the history one of our own researchers family trees. And you won't believe the plot twist.  Do you have your own family mysteries to discover and need some help?   The experts at Legacy Tree Genealogists are here to help.   Contact Legacy Tree Genealogists by visiting https://www.legacytree.com to request a free quote and learn more about what it's like to work with a professional genealogy firm.   May your week be full of discoveries.

Have you ever needed a professional genealogist to help you with your family history research? Or do you wonder what it would be like to work with a professional? How do you choose a professional genealogist and what certifications and experience should they have? In this episode we discuss how to hire a genealogist as well as what to expect when working with a professional. We cover the different types of accreditations and what your role is in providing information about your family to the researcher.  If you need help with your research, the experts at Legacy Tree Genealogists are here to help. Contact Legacy Tree Genealogists by visiting https://www.legacytree.com to request a free quote and learn more about what it's like to work with a professional genealogy firm. May your week be full of discoveries.

Are you part of the large group of Americans who trace their ancestry across the pond? In this episode we help you understand the geography of the area and key records and sources to help search on your mission to discover your English ancestors.  Resources: Free BMD FamilySearch MyHeritage FindMyPast Ancestry If you have English ancestors and need help gathering documentation and vital records, the experts at Legacy Tree Genealogists are here to help. Want to learn more about hiring a professional genealogist to assist with your family history research? Contact Legacy Tree Genealogists by visiting https://www.legacytree.com to request a free quote and learn more about what it's like to work with a professional genealogy firm.   May your week be full of discoveries.