Artificial intelligence is everywhere right now. It writes emails, summarizes articles, answers questions, and even helps search old records. So naturally, genealogists are asking a fair question: Can AI help with family history research? The answer is yes. But only …
Ancestry ThruLines can be a useful tool for exploring DNA connections, but its effectiveness depends heavily on the underlying tree data. In my experience, ThruLines is most responsive when there is little or no established consensus—and least useful when incorrect …
In most cases, a professional genealogist is asked not for an opinion, but for a conclusion that can be proved to an accepted standard. This case was somewhat unusual in that the client specifically requested a professional opinion regarding the …
Genealogists are often taught to look first for direct evidence—records that plainly state relationships, dates, or events. A birth record naming parents. A will naming heirs. A marriage record identifying spouses. But many researchers eventually confront a harder reality: not …
As Family History Month draws to a close, it’s the perfect time to reflect on your discoveries—and even your surprises. Perhaps you confirmed a family story that had been passed down for generations, or maybe you discovered that something you …
As we mark the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution, there is no better time to look back at the foundations of our nation — and at the foundations of modern genealogy itself. This week, we honor Donald Lines Jacobus …
This project began with a client’s question: Was Abner Bishop really the father of Allen Bishop of Decatur County, Georgia? The very first step was to review all the evidence already gathered on both Allen and Abner—census entries, tax digests, …
I began writing a blog on Sunday, December 22, from a hotel in southern Georgia as I prepared to testify in a court case the next day. However, since the judge’s ruling was not the final adjudication and I’m under …
Again, I have gotten behind with blogs trying to get caught up with society & client work. I am sorry about that. Today is 8 May 2023, marking the 78th Anniversary of Germany’s surrender to the Allied Forces, under the command …
Larry W. Thomas is a professional genealogist specializing in evidence-based research and proof argument methodology, helping clients solve complex family history problems, document lineage, and support heirship determinations with confidence.
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