Ancestry Aimee

03/01/2026

Join me on my journey to Rootstech, a fun family history conference in Salt Lake City. I’ll keep you posted each day and you can see what it’s all about.

02/28/2026

Breaking a brick wall in genealogy can feel impossible, especially when your ancestor was born before birth records existed. In my newest video, I walk you through the real research process I used to identify the parents of Carding Jackson, born in 1789, using cluster research, substitute records, and careful evidence analysis, plus a few mistakes along the way. If you’re working on a pre-1800 ancestor, this one is for you. Watch now and tell me in the comments: what’s your toughest genealogy brick wall?

Finding an ancestor’s parents can be one of the hardest challenges in genealogy—especially when that ancestor was born before birth records existed.In this v...

02/25/2026

RootsTech is only ONE week away, and if you’re anything like me, the excitement (and the planning!) is already starting. I created a FREE 7-page guide, “10 Tips for a Better RootsTech Experience,” to help you feel prepared, less overwhelmed, and ready to truly enjoy the conference whether you’re attending in person or virtually. Grab your free copy now so you can walk into RootsTech with a plan and make this your best experience yet. https://ancestryaimee.com/rootstech_giveaway_handout?

02/23/2026

Old home movies, slides, VHS tapes, and photos are priceless pieces of your family story. But what if you could preserve them without spending hundreds of dollars?

In this video, I’m sharing a FREE option to help you transfer your media and protect those memories for future generations.

If you’re heading to RootsTech this year, this is definitely something to consider. Just be sure to make an appointment ahead of time because spots fill up quickly.

02/21/2026

Death certificates are one of the most powerful records in family history research, but many people only use them to confirm a date.

In this video, I walk you through what information is typically included in a death certificate, the clues you should be looking for, and where you can actually find these records for your ancestors.

If you’ve ever wondered where to start or how to use death certificates to make real progress in your research, this is a great place to begin.

Watch now and let me know in the comments: Have death records helped you break through a brick wall?

What is included in a death certificate? What information will they provide you. And WHERE can you find death certificates for your deceased relatives.❤️ Yo...

02/18/2026

If you’ve ever ordered a death certificate just to confirm a date, you might be missing one of the most powerful clues in your family history.

Death certificates are far more than a record of someone’s passing. They are packed with details that can unlock entire branches of your family tree.

In one document, you can often find age, place of birth, occupation, marital status, residence, and even how long a person lived in a community. You may see the names of parents, including a mother’s maiden name, the name of a spouse, and sometimes where those individuals were born. These small details can lead you to new locations, new records, and new generations.

The medical section can also tell a story. It may reveal whether someone suffered from a long illness, died suddenly, or experienced an accident. This can point you toward newspaper articles, hospital records, or other unexpected sources. It also helps you understand patterns in family health history.

Look closely at every line. The funeral home can lead you to additional records. The cemetery or burial location can help you locate relatives nearby. The occupation can open doors to employment records or local history. Even the informant’s name may reveal a close relative or trusted friend you did not know about.

And just as important, pay attention to what is missing. Gaps in information often become your next research question.

The next time you find a death certificate, don’t stop after the date. Read it like a story. It may be the key that connects the past to the present in ways you never expected.

What is the most surprising clue you’ve discovered on a death certificate? Share in the comments.

02/16/2026

Have you ever stared at a death certificate and felt like something was missing?

I remember the first time I noticed it. There, tucked quietly next to the cause of death, was a small number. No explanation. No label. Just a code.

At first, I ignored it. But curiosity won.

That tiny number turned out to be an ICD code—part of an international system used to classify causes of death. These codes were created to standardize death records so doctors, governments, and researchers could track patterns of illness over time.

And here’s the part that changed everything for me as a genealogist.

Those little codes can unlock clues that handwriting and outdated medical terms sometimes hide. If you can’t read the cause of death… the code can tell you. If the medical language feels confusing… the code can translate it. They can even help you trace patterns of illness in your family across generations.

Suddenly, that one small number became a doorway.

A doorway to understanding why an ancestor died.
A doorway to recognizing inherited health risks.
A doorway to telling their story with more clarity and compassion.

So next time you find a death certificate, don’t stop at the written cause of death. Look for the code. It might be the clue that brings your ancestor’s story into focus.

Want to learn how to find and use these codes in your research? Let me know in the comments and I’ll share more.

02/14/2026

What if the most powerful clue in your ancestor’s record is hiding in plain sight?

Street addresses are more than just locations. They can reveal neighbors, migration patterns, occupations, and even family connections you might otherwise miss.

In my newest video, I’ll show you why addresses matter and how to use them to track exactly where your ancestors lived so you can build a more accurate and meaningful family tree.

Watch now and start seeing your research in a whole new way.

The hidden clue in genealogy records: addresses. Learn why street addresses matter and how to track down where your ancestors lived. It's a powerful way to r...

02/13/2026

Love is in the air… and so are DNA test sales. 💘

If you’ve been waiting for the perfect moment to surprise someone (or yourself) with a deeper look into your roots, this might be it.

Here’s what’s on sale this weekend:
23andMe basic ancestry test is 20% off until 2/14
FamilyTreeDNA tests are 50% off through 2/16
AncestryDNA tests are 60% off through 2/17

Nothing says “I love you” like discovering you’re third cousins with the neighbor.

Who’s adding a DNA test to their Valentine’s plans?

02/12/2026

Want FREE genealogy handouts, behind-the-scenes access, and live Q&A with me? Join Aimee’s Crew on my YouTube channel.

As a member you’ll get:
A FREE monthly handout that pairs with that month’s video
Exclusive access to our members-only monthly livestream, plus all past replays
A front-row seat to my own family tree research. Your questions guide the journey

There are two membership levels. Be sure to select Aimee’s Crew when you join.

Sign up here: https://tinyurl.com/AimeesCrew

Come be part of the Crew and take your genealogy journey even further.

02/10/2026

Census records don’t tell the whole story , especially in big cities.
City directories can show exactly where your ancestor lived, year by year, plus occupations, spouses, and even deaths.

If someone disappears from the census, a directory might be the reason you find them again. Have you had success using city directories in your family history research?

02/08/2026

Going to Rootstech next month? It's FREE virtually. Get this guide for a better experience whether you're in person on virtual. Be sure to check the box if you'll be there - we're having a meetup! Visit: https://ancestryaimee.com/rootstech_giveaway_handout.