Ancestry Aimee

12/31/2025

One of the simplest ways to move your genealogy forward is to stop collecting records and start asking better questions.

Before your next search, pause and write down exactly what you’re trying to prove. A clear research question turns scattered documents into meaningful evidence and saves you time in the long run.

What question are you working on right now?

12/30/2025

Online research is great but it doesn’t replace browsing the shelves.
Every time I visit the Family History Library, I find county and state resources I would have missed online, including materials that aren’t digitized. Check out your local genealogy section or nearby family history library, you might uncover something that changes your research.

12/29/2025

Setting genealogy goals is easy. Knowing how to reach them is the hard part.
What’s one research goal you’re setting for 2026?
Drop it below, I’d love to help you turn that goal into a real plan!

12/26/2025

A high tree score can give you a false sense of security.
If your Ancestry Tree Rating is above a nine or a FamilySearch Profile Quality Score looks solid, it’s easy to assume your tree is correct, but that’s often not true. A strong score doesn’t guarantee the right parents, the right spouse, or the right children, and that’s why so many trees end up needing serious cleanup later.

In my latest YouTube video, I explain why Ancestry Tree Ratings and FamilySearch Profile Quality Scores don’t equal a correct tree and what you should be evaluating instead.

Watch the video to make sure your research is solid, not just well-scored. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z1nM14U9zeg

12/24/2025

As the year winds down and families gather in their own ways, I wish you a season filled with connection, reflection, and stories worth remembering. This time of year often invites us to look both backward and forward, honoring the people who came before us while creating moments that future generations may one day treasure. However you mark the holidays, may they bring warmth, meaning, and a renewed sense of belonging.

12/22/2025

Ever felt confident about your tree because it has a high rating, only to discover later it’s built on the wrong records?
In this video, I explain why Ancestry Tree Ratings and FamilySearch Quality Scores can give a false sense of security, and how they can quietly hide serious mistakes.
If you want a tree that’s accurate, not just “well-scored,” this one’s for you.

Is your family tree solid? Beware of errors that a good tree rating or quality score cover up. These do NOT equal good trees! Learn the good, the bad, and th...

12/20/2025

Struggling to tell which immigration record is actually your ancestor’s?
This quick, practical guide shows you how to choose the right record—and includes a time-saving passenger list download hack.

Perfect companion to Wednesday’s video and an easy digital gift for just $5.99.
Instant PDF download. https://www.etsy.com/listing/4418027352/finding-the-right-immigration-records

12/17/2025

Immigration records can be tricky and grabbing the wrong one can send your research down the wrong path fast.

In this new video, I break down a common immigration mistake genealogists make, share a simple record-sorting hack, and walk you through the clues that help you tell your ancestor apart from someone with the same name.

If you want to build your family tree accurately and attach the right records with confidence, this one’s for you.

Watch now on YouTube and save yourself hours of backtracking.

Don't make a common MISTAKE and grab the wrong immigration record, plus check out this immigration record HACK which will help you work with the records and ...

12/15/2025

Do you remember how slowly time passed when you were a child, waiting for the holidays? Now it feels like the season arrives in a blink and suddenly we’re all searching for meaningful gifts.

If you’re still looking, consider giving the gift of family. A genealogy coaching session or research project is a thoughtful, personal gift for anyone who wants to learn more about their family tree or finally tackle a long-standing research question. It’s meaningful at any age and fits perfectly with what the holidays are really about: family and connection.

Gift certificates are available, and I’m happy to help you decide what option works best. And if you need to drop a hint to a spouse or loved one, feel free to share my email (aimee@m.ancestryaimee.com) consider it a public service.

Wishing you a holiday season filled with family, laughter, gratitude, and joy.

12/13/2025

Join me next Saturday, Dec. 20th (in person or via Zoom) for the VCGS meeting. I’m speaking about Ancestry search tricks plus latest developments in the industry.

12/12/2025

If you missed the video I posted Wednesday on Colonial Family History, now’s the perfect time to catch up.

Researching colonial ancestors can feel overwhelming — records were kept by individual colonies and towns, families moved often, and early vital records aren’t always there. But with the right approach, you can narrow your search.

Start with the earliest census clues, pinpoint the towns your ancestors lived in, and then dig into alternative records like probate, deeds, and early town histories.

In the video, I walk you through why American Ancestors is one of the most powerful tools for colonial research and how to use it to uncover those early American stories.

Watch the replay and give your colonial research a real boost. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dm8wz1jG9EU

12/10/2025

If you’re researching early American or colonial ancestors, you’re missing a major piece of the puzzle if you’re not using American Ancestors.

In this new video, Colonial Family History, I walk you through how to get the most out of their website and what to look for if you’re lucky enough to visit their library in person.

Whether you’re just beginning your tree or deep into 17th–18th century lines, this resource can level up your research in ways you didn’t know you needed.

Watch now and start uncovering the stories your colonial ancestors left behind.

You're missing out if you don't research your ancestors at American Ancestors. Get the details about using their website to the fullest and some hints if you...