RLP 398: FamilySearch Wiki with Virginia Pratt

This episode features Virginia Pratt, who brings decades of expertise to the discussion, including five years on the FamilySearch Research Wiki Team and a bachelor's degree in Family History from BYU. Virginia joins Nicole and Diana to discuss the essential, free online genealogical resource: the FamilySearch Research Wiki. Nicole asks Virginia to explain the Wiki's purpose, access methods, and how to navigate the main page, noting that it should be used for finding information on localities and record types, not individuals. Diana then asks Virginia to explain locality pages, where Virginia details what researchers can find at the country, state, and county levels regarding record keeping and jurisdictions.

The conversation transitions to topic pages, where Virginia explains how they help genealogists find background information on records for specific areas, including online resources, historical context, and language-specific terms. Finally, Nicole asks Virginia to walk listeners through a practical example of using the Wiki for research in the John J. Hoover case study, demonstrating how to find information about records available in Henry County, Indiana, and Otero County, Colorado. Listeners will learn how to use the FamilySearch Research Wiki to find explanations of record types, develop effective research strategies, and successfully locate records for their ancestors worldwide.

This summary was generated by Google Gemini.

Links

Research Like a Pro Institute Courses including Merging and Separating Identities - https://familylocket.com/product-category/institute-course/

Virginia's four-part series on the Wiki at Family Locket:

1. Using the FamilySearch Research Wiki – Part 1: Getting Startedhttps://familylocket.com/using-the-familysearch-research-wiki-part-1-getting-started/
2. Using the FamilySearch Research Wiki – Part 2: Understanding Locality Pageshttps://familylocket.com/using-the-familysearch-research-wiki-part-2-understanding-locality-pages/
3. Using the FamilySearch Research Wiki – Part 3: Understanding Topic Pageshttps://familylocket.com/using-the-familysearch-research-wiki-part-3-understanding-topic-pages/
4. Understanding the FamilySearch Research Wiki – Part 4: Case Studyhttps://familylocket.com/understanding-the-familysearch-research-wiki-part-4-case-study/

Sponsor – Newspapers.com

For listeners of this podcast, Newspapers.com is offering new subscribers 20% off a Publisher Extra subscription so you can start exploring today. Just use the code "FamilyLocket" at checkout.

Research Like a Pro Resources

Airtable Universe - Nicole's Airtable Templates - https://www.airtable.com/universe/creator/usrsBSDhwHyLNnP4O/nicole-dyer

Airtable Research Logs Quick Reference - by Nicole Dyer - https://familylocket.com/product-tag/airtable/

Research Like a Pro: A Genealogist's Guide book by Diana Elder with Nicole Dyer on Amazon.com - https://amzn.to/2x0ku3d

14-Day Research Like a Pro Challenge Workbook - digital - https://familylocket.com/product/14-day-research-like-a-pro-challenge-workbook-digital-only/ and spiral bound - https://familylocket.com/product/14-day-research-like-a-pro-challenge-workbook-spiral-bound/

Research Like a Pro Webinar Series - monthly case study webinars including documentary evidence and many with DNA evidence - https://familylocket.com/product-category/webinars/

Research Like a Pro eCourse - independent study course - https://familylocket.com/product/research-like-a-pro-e-course/

RLP Study Group - upcoming group and email notification list - https://familylocket.com/services/research-like-a-pro-study-group/

Research Like a Pro with DNA Resources

Research Like a Pro with DNA: A Genealogist's Guide to Finding and Confirming Ancestors with DNA Evidence book by Diana Elder, Nicole Dyer, and Robin Wirthlin - https://amzn.to/3gn0hKx

Research Like a Pro with DNA eCourse - independent study course - https://familylocket.com/product/research-like-a-pro-with-dna-ecourse/

RLP with DNA Study Group - upcoming group and email notification list - https://familylocket.com/services/research-like-a-pro-with-dna-study-group/

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