Lene Kottal Professional Genealogy

05/09/2025

We’re delighted to close out our Snapshot Interview series for 2025 with Dr Sophie Kay. From solving unknown parentage cases through DNA to uncovering forgotten histories in the archives, Sophie blends scientific rigour with a passion for storytelling. Known from Time Team, Family Tree Magazine, and her blog The Parchment Rustler, she’s one of genealogy’s most engaging voices.

This event is free for all SnapShot subscribers. If you’re not yet subscribed, sign up on our website to receive the registration link. Go to: https://www.familyhistoryacademy.com.au/snapshot-interviews/

If you’re already on the list, watch your email — your link will be arriving soon.

19/08/2025

𝐌𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐜𝐥𝐚𝐬𝐬 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐓𝐡𝐨𝐦𝐚𝐬 𝐖. 𝐉𝐨𝐧𝐞𝐬: 𝘈𝘥𝘷𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘦𝘥 𝘎𝘦𝘯𝘦𝘢𝘭𝘰𝘨𝘪𝘤𝘢𝘭 𝘞𝘳𝘪𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘚𝘬𝘪𝘭𝘭𝘴 𝘶𝘴𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘔𝘪𝘤𝘳𝘰𝘴𝘰𝘧𝘵 𝘞𝘰𝘳𝘥

Take your genealogical writing to another level with one of the profession’s most respected educators.

Many genealogists use Microsoft Word daily, yet only scratch the surface of what it can do. In this nine-part masterclass, Dr Thomas W. Jones will show you how to harness Word’s advanced features to create clear, polished, professional genealogical documents.

Each 1.5-hour session (there are 9 sessions) combines instruction with hands-on application:

Week 1: Learn and practise a specific feature of Word.

Week 2: Apply it to your own writing and receive personalised feedback from Tom.

Across the course, you’ll gain practical strategies for improving document setup, tables, citations, layout, and overall styling—ensuring your work is not only accurate but presented to the highest standard. (Plus there are handouts for each session!)

👉 Starts soon—secure your place today: https://www.familyhistoryacademy.com.au/masterclass-with-tom-jones/

15/08/2025

When researching parish registers (aka church books) at the website of the Danish National Archives, you may encounter this image which covers the last column of some parish registers.

The remarks that may be written in the last column have been redacted to protect the privacy of living persons. For technical reasons the redaction was applied to all imaged parish registers beginning in or after 1892.

If the record you need is more than 100 years old, you can often find the full image at Ancestry in the collection "Denmark, Church Records, 1812-1924." You do not need a subscription to see the images in that collection.

13/08/2025

This is one Snapshot Interview you won’t want to miss!
The Legal Genealogist, Judy G. Russell, is in the hot seat next week. In this candid conversation, Judy will share insights on the intersection of law and family history, what AI might mean for our research future, and perhaps a few personal stories about her two beautiful ragdoll cats (they may even make an appearance). Judy’s mix of expertise and dry wit makes this one to remember – so bring your questions!

This Snapshot Interview is free, but you do need to subscribe. Join here: https://www.familyhistoryacademy.com.au/snapshot-interviews/

Already subscribed? Keep an eye on your inbox – your join link and password will be sent later this week.

18/07/2025

🧬 Using DNA to Solve Unknown Parentage Mysteries with Michelle Leonard of Genes and Genealogy.

Knowing where we come from is something most of us take for granted. But for those with unknown parentage (mother, father or both parents)—whether through adoption, donor conception, or a long-held family secret—the search for answers can sometimes feel overwhelming.

This two-part course with DNA detective Michelle Leonard offers a clear, compassionate, and practical approach to solving those mysteries. You’ll learn the exact techniques Michelle uses in real-life casework to uncover missing parents and grandparents, including how to analyse DNA results and build targeted family trees.

Whether you’re searching for your own answers or helping someone else find theirs, this course will guide you step by step.

📅 Starts 14/15 August | 💻 via Zoom + recorded

Find out more and book your place:
https://www.familyhistoryacademy.com.au/using-dna-to.../

09/07/2025

Here's a chance to learn from one of the best genealogists!

🔍 New Course: Locating Ancestors in Time and Place
Starts 5 August 2025 – 3 sessions – Live on Zoom

Hitting dead ends in your research? Vital record missing? Census won’t cooperate?

This August, join Annette Burke Lyttle for a practical, hands-on workshop series focused on placing your ancestors—exactly where and when they lived.

Over three live sessions, you’ll learn how to:
✅ Find and analyse vital records (and substitutes)
✅ Use census and non-population schedules like a pro
✅ Tap into directories, church records, and local histories

This isn’t just theory—it’s a working course filled with tools, exercises, and strategies you can apply right away.

📅 Tuesdays: 5, 12, 19 August
🕖 7pm Eastern US
💻 Live + 14-day replay
🎟️ Book now: https://www.familyhistoryacademy.com.au/education-store/locating-ancestors-in-time-and-place/

02/07/2025

Sources provide information, from which we identify evidence for analysis. A conclusion drawn from sound analysis may then stand as proof. In these two sentences, Elizabeth Shown Mills defines the proper use of sources to come to valid conclusions in historical research. Your Stripped Bare Guide, Mr...

23/06/2025

Tonight! Join us and speaker Diana Crisman Smith to discover all the best ways in planning a research trip to Denmark. The event begins at 6:30 Central Time. Find the Zoom link and more information here: https://danishgenealogy.org/events

15/06/2025

Are you considering writing genealogical fiction? Or simply interested in the process?

Then this free snapshot interview might be something for you.

🎤 Coming next week: A Snapshot Interview with Nathan Dylan Goodwin!

From uncovering long-buried secrets to solving crimes through records and DNA, Nathan has redefined genealogical fiction. In this exclusive conversation, we’ll explore how he blends real research with gripping storytelling—and what inspires characters like Morton Farrier and the Venator Cold Case team.

📚 Whether you’re hooked on his novels or curious about how genealogy and mystery intertwine, don’t miss this behind-the-scenes look at one of the genre’s leading voices.

Remember, all SnapShot Interviews are free to attend but you do need to register and subscribe. You can find out more at: https://www.familyhistoryacademy.com.au/snapshot-interviews/

🗓️ 16 June @ 3PM Eastern US

09/06/2025

🎤 Coming next week: A Snapshot Interview with Nathan Dylan Goodwin!

From uncovering long-buried secrets to solving crimes through records and DNA, Nathan has redefined genealogical fiction. In this exclusive conversation, we’ll explore how he blends real research with gripping storytelling—and what inspires characters like Morton Farrier and the Venator Cold Case team.

📚 Whether you’re hooked on his novels or curious about how genealogy and mystery intertwine, don’t miss this behind-the-scenes look at one of the genre’s leading voices.

Remember, all SnapShot Interviews are free to attend but you do need to register and subscribe. You can find out more at: https://www.familyhistoryacademy.com.au/snapshot-interviews/

🗓️ 16 June @ 3PM Eastern US

30/05/2025

Many thanks to Fiona Brooker and Andrew Redfern for delivering an outstanding workshop on "Transforming Your Research with AI"!

Attendees especially loved the hands-on approach and left brimming with ideas and practical tips to explore.

05/05/2025

This course provides hands-on practice with artificial intelligence (AI) tools to help you streamline content creation, analyse and display data, and make your research accessible to a wide range of audiences.