Episode 110: Joshua Taylor, How Genealogists Research

by Liz CovartNovember 29, 2016

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History tells us who we are and how we came to be who we are.

Like history, genealogy studies people. It’s a field of study that can tell us who we are in a more exact sense by showing us how our ancestral lines connect from one generation to the next.

In this episode of the “Doing History: How Historians Work” seres, we investigate the world of genealogical research with Joshua Taylor, President of the New York Genealogical and Biographical Society and a professional genealogist.

About the Series

“Doing History” episodes will introduce you to historians who will tell you what they know about the past and reveal how they came to their knowledge.

Each episode will air on the last Tuesday of each month in 2016.

This series is part of a partnership between Ben Franklin’s World and the Omohundro Institute of Early American History and Culture.

About the Show

Ben Franklin’s World is a podcast about early American history.

It is a show for people who love history and for those who want to know more about the historical people and events that have impacted and shaped our present-day world.

Each episode features a conversation with a historian who helps us shed light on important people and events in early American history.

Episode Summary

In this episode of the “Doing History: How Historians Work” series, we investigate the world of genealogical research with Joshua Taylor, President of the New York Genealogical and Biographical Society and a professional genealogist.

During our investigation, Josh reveals information about professional genealogists and their research process; Where genealogists look for information and the digital resources they use; And, the role DNA plays in genealogical research.

What You’ll Discover

New-York Genealogical and Biographical Society
Overview of professional genealogy
Where genealogists start their research projects
How far back you can expect to trace your family tree
Differences in access to records between the United States and European countries
The role questions play in genealogical research
Genealogists’ research process
Where genealogists look for information
Digital resources for genealogical research
Types of historical sources genealogists use
How genealogists research people who left little-to-no written record
How genealogists use the work of other genealogists
How to know if the family tree constructed by another genealogist is accurate
The role of DNA in genealogical research
Objectivity in genealogical research
The final products of genealogical research
Strategies for becoming “unstuck” in your genealogical research
The role historical context plays in genealogical research
Researching in U.S. census records
Tips and tricks for conducting genealogical research
Local genealogical societies

Links to People, Places, and Publications

Episode Supplement PDF

Genealogy Resources

Complementary Episodes

Time Warp Question

In your opinion, what will the future of genealogical research look like? What types of records are we creating today will prove useful to future researchers? What types of tools or access to records do you think we can look forward to as we continue to advance in our digital age?