Tuesday Tips #23 Heritage Vs. Culture
We use these words a lot. But I feel like we use them interchangeably thus merging their meaning when we hear them and sometimes use them as synonyms for one another. In reality these words have a nuanced adjacent relationship to one another. ...
My Name and me
Whether you love or loathe it, there's a lot in a name. Centuries of trials and tribulations cumulate in a set of circumstances that gives you YOUR name. It is your name and you should wear it with pride. Take mine, for example, George Mason Hall, what is the meaning...
Tuesday Tips #22
Hello! Today’s Tuesday Tip is from our blog writer, Tyler, and is about writing dates/information on the backs of photographics. It goes without saying, it can be somewhat annoying and frustrating to discover an old photo in a family album yet to have no clue who the...
My Ancestry: Mom’s Side
As of about a year ago I thought my family history story started with my great grandparents on my mom’s side. Because that was all I was ever told and that’s all my family knew. But recently through my own research and research done by an older cousin, I...
Tuesday Tips #21
Hi, I'm Sophie and this is my first post for The Hidden Branch. Today’s Tuesday Tips is about how to make the most of your DNA after you’ve tested. Many people are driven to do DNA testing through the desire to find out more about their ethnicity estimate. The type of...
Discussing Family Secrets with Children
Your child is beginning to learn their family history. There are some parts of family history that are not easy to talk about. But it is important to share to prevent generational trauma and ending the cycle. Here are some ways to navigate those...
Tuesday Tips #20
Have you ever had trouble finding an ancestor becouse of their surname? I have! Here's a few tips for how to find your ancestors Use * or ? when searching for letters that could be easily misread or swapped. When I search for the Lastname Pyska I will search for ysk...
Cáit Fraher: A Hidden Figure
One thing I don't really do very often is actually tell the story of my ancestors. But this one I found quite interesting was the story of my great grandmother. (NOTE: Cáit is the Irish for Kate which is a version of Catherine) So let's start as the very beginning (as...
Tuesday Tips #19
As you go along your family history journey you will discover more and more about the lives of those who came before you. A part of that is learning where they lived. To gain a better connection and understanding of their lives, some may visit the area and maybe even...