Need help with a Family Tree research project or understanding your DNA results? We have loads of e
11/20/2025
IGHR 2026 starts off with a bang on March 14th with Genetics for Genealogists: Fundamentals of DNA! Coordinated by Patti Lee Hobbs, this course will set your feet firmly on the path to DNA success. It meets once a week each Saturday from March 14, 2026, through May 2, 2026 (7 weeks total, skipping April 4). Registration opens this Saturday, November 22, at noon ET and runs through February 14, 2026. Find out more at: https://ighr.gagensociety.org/dna/. Click on the green registration button on that page and enter your email address to receive a reminder email.)
11/20/2025
🕵️‍♂️✨ The 1890 Census may be lost… but your ancestors don’t have to be! Discover the newest 2025 tools and record sets helping genealogists rebuild this missing chapter of U.S. history. 🔗 LINK IN COMMENTS Dive into the mystery!
11/20/2025
Discover your Newfoundland and Labrador ancestors! Our newest Portable Genealogist explores the province’s unique records, resources, and research tips to help you trace your ancestors’ stories. Learn more: https://hubs.ly/Q03RprKk0
11/20/2025
162 YEARS AGO
Gettysburg Address
November 19, 1863
During a past trip to Gettysburg, I saw these incredible pages from an unknown disbound autograph album. As part of a special exhibit, they were on display at the Gettysburg National Military Park Museum & Visitor Center.
Abraham Lincoln signed this page on the day he delivered his address at the dedication of the Soldiers' National Cemetery. Among those that signed the album along with the President were: Simon Cameron - Lincoln's first Secretary of War, William H. Seward - the Secretary of State, Andrew G. Curtin - the Governor of Pennsylvania, John M. Hay — one of Lincoln's personal secretaries, Major General Abner Doubleday — a veteran of the battle, Augustus W. Bradford - the Governor of Maryland, John G. Nicolay — one of Lincoln's personal secretaries, and others.
The owner of the original album was obviously well-positioned during the ceremony, as many of these men were with Lincoln on or near the speaker's platform. The fourth page, showing the signature of Major General George Sykes, was signed by Sykes at some other point. He was not at Gettysburg in November 1863 but had commanded the Army of the Potomac's Fifth Corps during the battle.
11/12/2025
Finding Your Ancestor’s Neighbors - and How They Can Help Break Genealogy Brick Walls (NEW Quicksheet)
When your ancestor disappears from the records, don’t look for a stranger — look next door. Neighbors appear again and again in censuses, deeds, newspapers, and probate files. They often migrated together, intermarried, and served as witnesses or executors. Tracking the families around your ancestor builds a community map that can expose hidden kinship links and untangle confusing records.
A family with their dog enjoying a ride in their early automobile at home in Lafayette County, Missouri, circa 1910.
11/12/2025
What was revealed when this cross was freed of 1,000 years of grime? https://bit.ly/42EMska
📸: National Museums Scotland
11/12/2025
https://genealogybargains.com/fmp-us-evergreen Trace the Heroes in Your Family Tree 🌟 Who in your family wore the uniform? This Veterans Day, Findmypast invites you to search millions of military records for free (Nov 7–13). Uncover stories of service and sacrifice. Findmypast
11/12/2025
Finding Ancestors in the U.S. Census:
Ancestry Academy has quite a few short, helpful videos on doing family history research. One of them is How to Find Your Ancestor in the U.S. Census (https://www.ancestryacademy.com/videos/how-to-find-your-ancestor-in-the-u-s-census), hosted by Anne Mitchell. In the video, she guides you through examples of searching various Ancestry collections, including county censuses, to locate your ancestors.
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DavisDNA & Family Research is a traditional and genetic genealogy research service based in Tampa Bay, Florida. I am an experienced professional genealogist with a successful 28-year track record in genetic genealogy, traditional family research, speaking and writing.
Genetic genealogy has quickly become an essential part of the family history toolkit, but it’s important to understand what it can – and can’t - do. When coupled with traditional genealogical experience, DNA testing can be used to help provide proof of ancestral connections, connect you with living cousins and guide your research toward promising possibilities and away from dead ends. It is not a silver bullet – its value is limited without the concurrent use of traditional family research methods to evaluate and document a paper trail that can be substantiated by DNA evidence.
I have particular expertise in the following areas:
Effective use of DNA testing for genealogical purposes, including solving puzzles involving adoptions and unknown parentage
Confirming family histories and expanding family trees
Working with teams to identify DNA markers leading to identification of unknown persons
Deep knowledge and effective use of large genealogical databases to support forensic projects by law enforcement and other agencies in solving cold cases
I have a BA in Business from Marymount College of Fordham University and an MS from Morsani College of Medicine of the University of South Florida. I am an RN with ANCC board certification in Clinical Informatics. I am a member of the International Society of Genetic Genealogy (ISOGG), Association of Professional Genealogists (APG) and the National Genealogical Society (NGS) and adhere to their codes of ethics. You can follow me on Twitter @DavisDNAdotcom, where I publish a daily #DNATip and a new blog which will make its online debut soon. I participate actively in a number of Facebook DNA groups which have a particular focus on Genetic Genealogy and Irish DNA research, and provide pro bono Search Angel services in the DNA Detectives Facebook group and elsewhere. I work closely with a network of skilled genealogists with expertise in various niche areas who are available to provide assistance for our projects.
I am happy to provide a free consultation to discuss a project you’d like to commission and can provide solutions for any budget. Email me at ckd@davisdna.com. Thanks for visiting!
