All posts by Marian Pierre-Louis

TGP 62: Paula Stuart-Warren

October 23, 2020CG, Client Researcher, Forensic Genealogy, Minnesota, SpeakerGenealogy by Paula, Paula Stuart-WarrenMarian Pierre-Louis

Featured Guest

Paula Stuart-Warren

Paula Stuart-Warren considers herself fortunate to be an internationally recognized genealogical educator, researcher and consultant focusing on unusual resources, manuscripts, methodology, and analyzing records. She also specializes in Native American research. Paula loves to interact with her clients and audiences. She is a long-time course coordinator and instructor for the Salt Lake Institute of Genealogy and the Genealogical Research Institute of Pittsburgh and an instructor for Ancestry Academy.

Her lecturing experience includes the Federation of Genealogical Societies and National Genealogical Society conferences and seminars in many states and Canada. Paula has served on the Board of Directors of the Federation of Genealogical Societies, the Minnesota Genealogical Society (MGS), and is a former officer of the Association of Professional Genealogists (APG) and is the Past President of the Northland Chapter of APG. She initiated the MGS education committee and classes and was one of the founding members of the MGS Library. She co-chaired the FGS 2001, 2011, and 2013 conferences.

Her ancestors came to the U.S. from eight ancestral countries. She has researched onsite from coast to coast at and has written for, FGS FORUM, NGS Magazine, Family Tree Magazine, New England Ancestors, Minnesota Genealogist, findmypast.com, was editor of the former FGS Conference News Blog and currently has her own educational website and blog at http://genealogybypaula.com.

Contact Links

Website – Genealogy by Paula
Twitter – @PaulaStuartWarr
APG Profile – https://www.apgen.org/users/paula-stuart-warren
BCG Profile – https://bcgcertification.org/directory/stuart-warren-paula-cg/

Thing You were Most Afraid of

“Not being knowledgeable enough to answer everyone’s questions”

Best Advice You Received from Someone Else

“Document, document, document. Document your sources.“

One Action Genealogists Can Take Right Now

“Step back and create a plan.”

Recommended Book

Ancestry’s Red Book. Also, look at things that are on the open shelves.

Advice

“Realize it takes time to build your business and to become known so that other people will hire you for research or speaking.”

News

In News this week – let me tell you where I’ve been since our last episode.

I did a webinar for the Central Georgia Genealogical Society called Verifying Information You Find Online. During the pandemic with all the libraries and archives closed it’s even more important to rely on online information and trees. This talk is full of tips for successfully using online trees, figuring out which ones you can trust and how to resolve conflicting information. It was great fun to be the presenter for their very first online meeting.

I also made an appearance on another podcast. Maureen Taylor celebrated the 100^th episode of the Photo Detective podcast and I had the pleasure of interviewing Maureen on her own podcast to celebrate the occasion. You can find that interview and the podcast on MaureenTaylor.com or where ever you listen to podcasts.

I’ve mentioned recently that you can listen to the Genealogy Professional podcast on Spotify. Well now you can listen to the podcast on Amazon Music as well as Gaana, the largest podcast directory in India.

If you’d like to contribute to supporting the podcast then I would ask that you recommend me as a virtual speaker to your local library, historical or genealogical society. Any money earned from that now goes directly to supporting my podcast. I’m still in the process of creating an updated list of available talks but here are five titles to choose from.

Discovering Online Oral History and Audio Collections to enrich your research
Use Your Genealogy Skills to discover the history of the people who lived in your house
Verifying Information You Find Online
5 Steps to Becoming a Good Ancestor
How to Capture and Preserve Oral History Right Now

More details are available on my speaker page.

The Genealogy Professional podcast is now available on Spotify. Search for either Marian Pierre-Louis or genealogy to find it. Don’t forget to follow!

If you’re a YouTube you can also find all the episodes of the podcast on YouTube. Don’t expect any video. It’s just an audio-only file with a picture but I’ve put it over there because some people are more comfortable with that platform.

Join the TGP Action Group on Facebook! You can find it at https://www.facebook.com/groups/TGPActionGroup/

If you’re not on Facebook, follow the Genealogy Professional on LinkedIn. You can get new episode notices there. Go to Linkedin and search for The Genealogy Professional and hit the follow button.

In addition to finding the podcast on Spotify and YouTube you can also now find it in Google Play and all other Google products. For instance, you can search for the Genealogy Professional podcast without an app, just right in the Google search box, and the results will deliver the 3 latest podcast episodes right there in the search results.

Direct link to this post: https://www.thegenealogyprofessional.com/paula-stuart-warren

TGP 61: D. Joshua Taylor – Career Professional

August 14, 2020New YorkD. Joshua Taylor, Genealogy Roadshow, NYG&BMarian Pierre-Louis

Featured Guest

D. Joshua Taylor

For more than 20 years D. Joshua Taylor has been discovering – and sharing – the incredible connections that can be made through genealogy and family history. As host of the popular series Genealogy Roadshow (PBS) he crisscrosses the United States – solving longstanding family history mysteries and uncovering genealogical treasures at every turn. Since February 2016, Joshua has been the President of the New York Genealogical and Biographical Society (NYG&B), America’s second oldest genealogical organization, headquartered in New York City. An avid genealogist, Joshua has traced his own roots from Boston, Massachusetts to Bombay, India (and nearly everywhere in-between). He is also a member of the Association of Professional Genealogists and is past President of the Federation of Genealogical Societies, an organization dedicated to supporting the needs of genealogical organizations throughout the United States. A popular speaker and author, Joshua frequently shares insights relating to family history and genealogy with audiences throughout the world. He believes family history and genealogy should be about more than just names, dates, and documents, but should instead tell the stories of our ancestors and the extraordinary lives they led.

Contact Links

Website – D. Joshua Taylor
Twitter – @DJoshuaTaylor

Mentioned in the Podcast

The New York Genealogical & Biographical Society – https://www.newyorkfamilyhistory.org/

Thing You were Most Afraid of

“Not knowing the answer to something.”

Best Advice You Received from Someone Else

“Listen.“

One Action Genealogists Can Take Right Now

“Sign up for an institute.”

Recommended Book

Professional Genealogy Edited by Elizabeth Shown Mills.

Advice

“Find a focus.”

News

Discovering Online Oral History and Audio Collections to enrich your research
Use Your Genealogy Skills to discover the history of the people who lived in your house
Verifying Information You Find Online
5 Steps to Becoming a Good Ancestor
How to Capture and Preserve Oral History Right Now

More details are available on my speaker page.

The Genealogy Professional podcast is now available on Spotify. Search for either Marian Pierre-Louis or genealogy to find it. Don’t forget to follow!

Join the TGP Action Group on Facebook! You can find it at https://www.facebook.com/groups/TGPActionGroup/

If you’re not on Facebook, follow the Genealogy Professional on LinkedIn. You can get new episode notices there. Go to Linkedin and search for The Genealogy Professional and hit the follow button.

Direct link to this post: https://www.thegenealogyprofessional.com/d-joshua-taylor

hMlncs4fpWDdMv8SYx2M

TGP 60: Nathan Dylan Goodwin – Genealogy Mystery Writer

July 28, 2020Author, EnglandEngland, genealogy, Morton Farrier, mysteries, Nathan Dylan GoodwinMarian Pierre-Louis

Featured Guest

Nathan Dylan Goodwin

Nathan Dylan Goodwin was born and raised in Hastings, East Sussex. Schooled in the town, he then completed a Bachelor of Arts degree in Radio, Film and Television Studies, followed by a Master of Arts degree in Creative Writing at Canterbury Christ Church University. A member of the Society of Authors, he has completed a number of successful local history books about Hastings, as well as several works of fiction, including the acclaimed Forensic Genealogist series. His other interests include theatre, reading, photography, running, skiing, traveling and, of course, genealogy. He is a qualified teacher, member of the Guild of One-Name Studies and the Society of Genealogists, as well as being a member of the Sussex Family History Group, the Norfolk Family History Society, the Kent Family History Society and the Hastings and Rother Family History Society. He lives in Kent with his husband, son and dog.

Contact Links

Website – Nathan Dylan Goodwin.com
Facebook Page – Nathan Dylan Goodwin
Twitter – @NathanDGoodwin

Mentioned in the Podcast

CreateSpace (Amazon Self Publishing Platform) – https://www.createspace.com/

Wix (create websites) – https://www.wix.com/

Thing You were Most Afraid of

“Not having enough [money] to pay the mortgage”

Best Advice You Received from Someone Else

“Get on and write it.“

One Action Genealogists Can Take Right Now

“Take baby steps toward your writing goal. Just start.”

Recommended Book

The Family Tree Guide to DNA testing and Genetic Genealogy by Blaine Bettinger.

Advice

“Write about something you’re passionate about and take that first step.”

News

Discovering Online Oral History and Audio Collections to enrich your research
Use Your Genealogy Skills to discover the history of the people who lived in your house
Verifying Information You Find Online
5 Steps to Becoming a Good Ancestor
How to Capture and Preserve Oral History Right Now

More details are available on my speaker page.

The Genealogy Professional podcast is now available on Spotify. Search for either Marian Pierre-Louis or genealogy to find it. Don’t forget to follow!

Join the TGP Action Group on Facebook! You can find it at https://www.facebook.com/groups/TGPActionGroup/

If you’re not on Facebook, follow the Genealogy Professional on LinkedIn. You can get new episode notices there. Go to Linkedin and search for The Genealogy Professional and hit the follow button.

Direct link to this post: https://www.thegenealogyprofessional.com/nathan-dylan-goodwin

TGP 59: Jessica Taylor – Business Owner

July 2, 2020Business Owner, UtahGenealogy Business Alliance, Jessica Taylor, Legacy Tree GenealogistsMarian Pierre-Louis

Featured Guest

Jessica Taylor

Jessica Taylor has served as President of Legacy Tree Genealogists since 2004 and has helped thousands of clients across the globe discover more about their heritage through professional genealogy research. With a bachelor’s degree in Family History – Genealogy, Spanish language proficiency, years of residence in China and Brazil, and a love of history and mystery, Jessica brings an upbeat global view to the genealogy business industry.

Contact Links

Website – Legacy Tree Genealogists
Facebook Page – Legacy Tree Genealogists
Facebook – Genealogy Business Alliance Discussion Group
LinkedIn – Jessica M. Taylor

Mentioned in the Podcast

SCORE (small business help) – score.org

SBA (Small Business Administration) – https://www.sba.gov/

SBDC (Small Business Development Center) – https://americassbdc.org/

10,000 Small Businesses Goldman Sachs – https://www.goldmansachs.com/citizenship/10000-small-businesses/US/

Thing You were Most Afraid of

“Afraid of running out of money. And afraid of being viewed as too young.”

Best Advice You Received from Someone Else

“Work on your business rather than in it.“

One Action Genealogists Can Take Right Now

“Start practicing genetic genealogy.”

Recommended Book

Managing by the Numbers by Chuck Kremer, John Case and Ron Rizzuto

Advice

“Don’t be afraid to get help. And when you hire help try to be clear about your expectations and then be generous with your appreciation for that help.”

News

Discovering Online Oral History and Audio Collections to enrich your research
Use Your Genealogy Skills to discover the history of the people who lived in your house
Verifying Information You Find Online
5 Steps to Becoming a Good Ancestor
How to Capture and Preserve Oral History Right Now

More details are available on my speaker page.

The Genealogy Professional podcast is now available on Spotify. Search for either Marian Pierre-Louis or genealogy to find it. Don’t forget to follow!

Join the TGP Action Group on Facebook! You can find it at https://www.facebook.com/groups/TGPActionGroup/

If you’re not on Facebook, follow the Genealogy Professional on LinkedIn. You can get new episode notices there. Go to Linkedin and search for The Genealogy Professional and hit the follow button.

Direct link to this post: https://www.thegenealogyprofessional.com/jessica-taylor

TGP 58: Brian Sheffey – Author

June 22, 2020Author, Blogger, MarylandBrian Sheffey, Genealogy AdventuresMarian Pierre-Louis

Featured Guest

Brian Sheffey

An engaging and thought-provoking public speaker, Brian Sheffey has expertise in genetic genealogy and mid-Atlantic & Southern research – with an emphasis on the intersection of white, black, and Native American genealogy. He has used his knowledge to solve cases of unknown parentage from Colonial America to the present day utilizing DNA and paper trail evidence.

Brian has deep family roots in the colonial Virginia and the Carolinas, the Powhatan, Choctaw, and Creek tribes, and the colonial Quaker guarantees in the mid-Atlantic region. He combines years of experience in marketing research and academia with a passion for genealogical research – and a unique ability to solve seemingly impossible cases. His primary research interests include cases of unknown parentage, such as identifying the white progenitors of mulatto family lines; and triangulating answers to tough genealogical questions using traditional records and genetic evidence.

Behind his passion for research lies the belief that genealogy is an opportunity to connect with Americans from different backgrounds to enable them to connect with each other – and make connections around the globe.

Contact Links

Website – Genealogy Adventures
Facebook Page – Genealogy Adventures
Twitter – Genealogy Adventures
YouTube – Genealogy Adventures

Brian Sheffey’s Books:
Practical Genealogy: 50 Simple Steps to Research Your Diverse Family History
Family Tree Workbook: 30+ Step-by-Step Worksheets to Build Your Family History

Mentioned in the Podcast

Callisto Publishers – https://www.callisto-publishers.com/

American Colonies: The Settling of North America by Alan Taylor

The Naked Quaker by Diane Rapaport

Thing You were Most Afraid of

“Why would anyone listen to something that I have to say?”

Best Advice You Received from Someone Else

“If you use any material from another genealogist or researcher make sure you credit them.“

Recommended Book

UNVEILED – The Twenty & Odd: Documenting the First Africans in England’s America 1619-1625 and Beyond by K. I. Knight

Advice

“Do not do genealogy unless you are fully prepared to be able to handle the truth.”

News

Discovering Online Oral History and Audio Collections to enrich your research
Use Your Genealogy Skills to discover the history of the people who lived in your house
Verifying Information You Find Online
5 Steps to Becoming a Good Ancestor
How to Capture and Preserve Oral History Right Now

More details are available on my speaker page.

The Genealogy Professional podcast is now available on Spotify. Search for either Marian Pierre-Louis or genealogy to find it. Don’t forget to follow!

Join the TGP Action Group on Facebook! You can find it at https://www.facebook.com/groups/TGPActionGroup/

If you’re not on Facebook, follow the Genealogy Professional on LinkedIn. You can get new episode notices there. Go to Linkedin and search for The Genealogy Professional and hit the follow button.

Direct link to this post: https://www.thegenealogyprofessional.com/brian-sheffey

TGP 57: Marcel Elias – Central Europe Genealogy

May 25, 2020Client Researcher, Germany, Heir ResearchAvis Genealogy, Marcel EliasMarian Pierre-Louis

Featured Guest

Marcel Elias

Marcel Elias, the owner of Avis Genealogy, was born in Slovakia and studied at universities in Czech Republic and Germany. He majored in Medieval History and has lived in Germany since 2008. He works as an on-site genealogist for Bavaria, Germany, the Czech Republic and Slovakia since 2012. He performs genealogical research for those looking for their Central European ancestors as well as heir research. He has also catalogued WWII graves in Nuremberg and answers request regarding those graves from descendants.

Contact Links

Facebook Page – Avis Genealogy

Links Mentioned

Genealogy Bavaria Facebook Group – https://www.facebook.com/groups/412807372178231/

Thing You were Most Afraid of

“If I will be good enough.”

Best Advice You Received from Someone Else

“To continue and to learn.“

Recommended Book

The Family Tree Guide to DNA Testing and Genetic Genealogy by Bettinger

Professional Genealogy edited by Elizabeth Shown Mills

Why the West Rules for Now by Ian Morris

Sapience: A Brief History of Humankind by Yuval Noah Harari

Homo Deus: A Brief History of Tomorrow by Yuval Noah Harari

Advice

“No matter what you are doing, do it with your heart. You will learn every day. Whether you fail or you succeed, you will learn.”

Action Item

Here’s a simple action item for you today. Find a group on Facebook that focuses on one of your areas of expertise. Join the group and be sure to read the group rules before participating. I would even go so far as to check who the group admin is – and determine whether they are a fellow professional. Regardless respect the rules and remember it’s their group not yours. Then spend some time over the coming weeks participating in the group, giving freely of your knowledge without expecting anything in return and without dropping the name of your company. Focus on sharing your expertise and building your recognition and reputation.

News

The Genealogy Professional podcast is now available on Spotify. Search for either Marian Pierre-Louis or genealogy to find it. Don’t forget to follow!

Join the TGP Action Group on Facebook! You can find it at https://www.facebook.com/groups/TGPActionGroup/

If you’re not on Facebook, follow the Genealogy Professional on LinkedIn. You can get new episode notices there. Go to Linkedin and search for The Genealogy Professional and hit the follow button.

Direct link to this post: https://www.thegenealogyprofessional.com/marcel-elias

TGP 56: Elissa Scalise Powell – Genealogy Educator

May 10, 2020Client Researcher, Institutes, Pennsylvania, Speaker, WriterElissa Scalise Powell, GRIP, GRIPitt, Powell Genealogical ServicesMarian Pierre-Louis

Featured Guest

Elissa Scalise Powell

Elissa Scalise Powell, CG, CGL, a western Pennsylvania researcher for over 30 years, is the co-director of the Genealogical Research Institute of Pittsburgh (GRIP), and Genealogy as a Profession course coordinator at the Institute of Genealogy and Historical Research (IGHR). She was an instructor and module creator for Boston University’s Genealogical Research Certificate program (2008-2016). She was the mentor for ProGen Study’s first and 25th groups and author of two chapters in the 2018 Professional Genealogy: Preparation, Practice and Standards book. She was the course co-coordinator of the AG/CG Preparation Course at the 2010 and 2013 Salt Lake Institute of Genealogy (SLIG). She won the Association of Professional Genealogists 2017 Professional Achievement Award. She was honored in 2010 with the NGS President’s Citation in recognition of outstanding, continuing, or unusual contributions to the field of genealogy. She is a regional and national speaker on such topics as Pennsylvania records, methodology, professional development, and society management.

She was a Trustee for the Board for Certification of Genealogists for nine years, their President (2012-2014), and past Outreach Committee Chairperson for eleven years. She was a Director for the Association of Professional Genealogists for six years; taught genealogy courses at the local community college for fourteen years; co-edited a cemetery book series, appeared on the PBS-TV show Ancestors2 cemetery episode and on the Travel Channel’s Dead Files in the 2015 “The Instigator” and the 2019 “Devil’s Advocate” episodes. She is a past-President of two local Pittsburgh area societies and a contributing author to many publications including the NGS Quarterly and the APG Quarterly.

An NSDAR member, she is also a lifetime member of the Ohio Genealogical Society; the Medina County Chapter, OGS; and the Baltzer Meyer Historical Society (Greensburg, PA) which was named for her ancestor.

Contact Links

Website – Powell Genealogical Services

Facebook Page – Powell Genealogical Services

Genealogical Research Institute of Pittsburgh (GRIP) – https//www.gripitt.org

Links Mentioned

The Association of Professional Genealogists (APG) – https://www.apgen.org

Institute of Genealogy and Historical Research – https://ighr.gagensociety.org/

Western Pennsylvania Genealogy Society – https://wpgs.org/

North Hills Genealogists (Pittsburgh) – https://northhillsgenealogists.org/

The BCG Standards Manual – https://bcgcertification.org/product/genealogy-standards-2d-edition/

Thing You were Most Afraid of

“I wasn’t afraid of anything. I just went ahead and never looked back.”

Best Advice You Received from Someone Else

“Create a demand and then supply it.” –Elizabeth Shown Mills

One Action Genealogists Can Take Right Now

“Create an education plan. Picture where you want to be and assess where you are now. Then fill in the gaps.”

Recommended Book

Only a Few Bones by John Phillip Colletta

The Tipping Point by Malcolm Gladwell

Advice

“We are all on this earth to teach, to learn and to love. Think about how you will do that.”

Action Item

Your action item today comes straight from Elissa. Create an education plan. Picture where you want to be and assess where you are now. And then fill in the gaps. No matter what your niche is in genealogy this is a good exercise to do.

News

The Genealogy Professional podcast is now available on Spotify. Search for either Marian Pierre-Louis or genealogy to find it. Don’t forget to follow!

Join the TGP Action Group on Facebook! You can find it at https://www.facebook.com/groups/TGPActionGroup/

If you’re not on Facebook, follow the Genealogy Professional on LinkedIn. You can get new episode notices there. Go to Linkedin and search for The Genealogy Professional and hit the follow button.

I’m continuing in my effort to get back on a bi-weekly schedule for the podcast. Eventually I’ll settle on an exact release date twice a month. But in the meantime you can expect a new podcast generally every two weeks.

Direct link to this post: https://www.thegenealogyprofessional.com/elissa-powell

TGP 55: Fiona Brooker – New Zealand Genealogy

April 20, 2020Client Researcher, New Zealand, SpeakerFiona Brooker, Memories in TimeMarian Pierre-Louis

Featured Guest

Fiona Brooker

Fiona Brooker is a professional genealogist (Memories In Time) who has been actively researching her family history for over 30 years, inspired by two marriage certificates and a collection of family letters written from New Zealand back to her immigrant ancestor’s family in Devon, England. Whilst living and researching in the UK, she studied and gained a Higher Certificate in Genealogy from the Institute of Heraldic and Genealogical Studies. Fiona has served as both President and Treasurer of the New Zealand Society of Genealogists (NZSG). She is currently part of a ProGen study group.

Contact Links

Website – Memories in Time

Facebook Page – Memories in Time

Pinterest – Memories in Time

Links Mentioned

Institute of Heraldic and Genealogical Studies – https://www.ihgs.ac.uk/

The New Zealand Society of Genealogists – https://www.genealogy.org.nz/

Talking Family History (Facebook) – https://www.facebook.com/talkingfamilyhistory/

Plan to Publish (Facebook) – https://www.facebook.com/groups/PlantoPublishYourFamilyHistory/

The Association of Professional Genealogists (APG) – https://www.apgen.org

ProGen Study Group – https://www.progenstudy.org/

Thing You were most afraid of

“Finding people who are actually going to pay you to do what you really love doing.”

Best Advice You Received from Someone Else

“Action not perfection. Don’t let the need for perfection stand in your way of just doing what needs to be done.”

One Action Genealogists Can Take Right Now

“Go out and look for what opportunities are out there. You just don’t know what you can do until you see what others are doing as well. Get involved with projects in your local community.”

Recommended Book

Bringing Your Family History to Life through Social History by Katherine Scott Sturdevant

Advice

“You reap what you sow. Get out there and be involved in groups and do things like transcribing.”

Action Item

Today’s action item comes straight from Fiona’s lightning round suggestion. If you are looking for opportunities look right in your local community. What opportunities are there that you can get involved with? Are any local groups doing projects that could use your research expertise? Perhaps research into soldiers of past wars. Or perhaps researching the town founders in the local cemetery. Use these opportunities to build networks and to spread the word about your services and expertise.

News

The Genealogy Professional podcast is now available on Spotify. Search for either Marian Pierre-Louis or genealogy to find it. Don’t forget to follow!

Join the TGP Action Group on Facebook! You can find it at https://www.facebook.com/groups/TGPActionGroup/

If you’re not on Facebook, follow the Genealogy Professional on LinkedIn. You can get new episode notices there. Go to Linkedin and search for The Genealogy Professional and hit the follow button.

Direct link to this post: https://www.thegenealogyprofessional.com/fiona-brooker

TGP 54: Lisa Lisson – Genealogy Blog Business

April 6, 2020Blogger, North Carolina, YouTuberAre You My Cousin?, Lisa LissonMarian Pierre-Louis

Featured Guest

Lisa Lisson

As a genealogy researcher and creator of the Are You My Cousin? blog, Lisa Lisson takes the overwhelm out of genealogy research and keeps researchers moving forward finding their ancestors. Whether researching ancestors alongside clients or writing how-to articles and books, Lisa uses her 12 years of research experience to help others build a solid research plan, find the needed genealogy records, and get the most out of those resources. When not working with clients or writing genealogy articles, Lisa can be found pursuing her passion for running, traveling with her husband or simply enjoying time with her two adult children.

Contact Links

Website –LisaLisson.com

Facebook Page – Are You My Cousin?

Facebook Group – Are You My Cousin?

YouTube – Are You My Cousin?

Twitter – Are You My Cousin?

Links Mentioned

MediaVine – www.mediavine.com

ConvertKit – convertkit.com

Jessica Stansberry – Hey Jessica – heyjessica.com

Melissa Culbertson – Blog Clarity – blogclarity.com

Amy Lynn Andrews – amylynnandrews.com

Thing You were most afraid of

“That nobody would read my blog.”

One Action Genealogists Can Take Right Now

“They need to start their email list.”

Recommended Book

Stories that Stick by Kindra Hall

Advice

“Don’t be afraid to look outside the genealogy world whether it’s starting a genealogy business or whether it’s in your own personal research. Don’t be afraid to look for the sources outside of the genealogy world.”

Action Item

For your action item today I want you to focus on your education. Lisa saw specific items that she needed to learn in order to make her blog function as a business. What do you need to do to function as a business? Do you need a website to attract clients or readers? Do you need a mailing list to communicate with your clients? Do you need time tracking software or a bookkeeping program? Think about what tool would take your business to the next level and then do some research to determine how to find classes and to make that happen.

News

The Genealogy Professional podcast is now available on Spotify. Search for either Marian Pierre-Louis or genealogy to find it. Don’t forget to follow!

Join the TGP Action Group on Facebook! You can find it at https://www.facebook.com/groups/TGPActionGroup/

Direct link to this post: https://www.thegenealogyprofessional.com/lisa-lisso n

TGP 53: Melissa Barker – The Archive Lady

March 24, 2020Archivist, Speaker, Tennessee, WriterMelissa Barker, The Archive LadyMarian Pierre-Louis

Featured Guest

Melissa Barker

Melissa Barker is a Certified Archives Manager and Public Historian currently working at the Houston County, Tennessee Archives. She lectures, teaches and writes about the genealogy research process, researching in archives and records preservation. She conducts virtual webinar presentations across the United States for genealogical and historical societies. She writes a popular blog entitled A Genealogist in the Archives and is a well known book Reviews Editor for the FGS Magazine FORUM and Utah Genealogical Association Magazine Crossroads. She writes a bi-weekly advice column entitled The Archive Lady published at Abundant Genealogy. She writes history pieces for her local newspaper The Houston County Herald called From the Archives. Her Professional Genealogy expertise is in Tennessee records and she is currently taking research clients. She has been researching her own family history for the past 30 years.

Contact Links

Website – A Genealogist in the Archives

Facebook – The Archive Lady

Twitter – Melissa Barker

Best Advice Ever Received

“Find out what you love to do and figure our how to make an income at it.”

One Action Genealogists Can Take Right Now

“Watch webinars. They are a great educational tool which you can access right now from your home.”

Recommended Book

Organize Your Genealogy: Strategies and Solutions for Every Researcher by Drew Smith

Advice

“Always remember that not everything is online. You need to contact or visit an archive.”

Action Item

One thing that really struck me was how Melissa created a niche, that worked within her constraints, by promoting herself as a webinar-only speaker. I like the way she bucked convention by not following the traditional speaker path.

ACTION:

For your action item this week I want you to think out of the box the same way Melissa did. In her case, she chose to do webinars-only instead of in-person speaking events. Is there a path you’re not following because of constraints due to a full-time job, family responsibilities, location, cost or something else? Try to think of a way around the problem. You don’t need to stick to traditional rules with your business. Make it your own and push yourself out of your comfort zone to make it happen.

If you like, head to the TGP Action Group on Facebook and share your obstacles and we’ll see if we can come up with solutions.

News

The Genealogy Professional podcast is now available on Spotify. Search for either Marian Pierre-Louis or genealogy to find it. Don’t forget to follow!

I’m trying to get on a bi-weekly schedule for the podcast. Eventually I’ll settle on an exact release date twice a month. But in the meantime you can expect a new podcast generally every two weeks.

Direct link to this post: https://www.thegenealogyprofessional.com/melissa-barker