Genealogy Pants

04/17/2026

Think your "just a farmer" ancestors didn’t leave a paper trail? Think again! 🔍

Join us June 22-26 at GRIP for a deep dive into agricultural records—from account books to "side hustles." Build a full research profile and bring their stories to life!

Registration: https://grip.ngsgenealogy.org

GRIP Genealogy Institute is coming up fast! I am coordinating our “Not Just Farmer’s” course along with Cyndi Ingle and Paula Stuart-Warren. The virtual courses, which this course…

03/24/2026

The EE4 (Evidence Explained 4th Edition) study group will be starting up soon. Click below for all the details.

https://genealogypants.com/studygroups/ee/

03/18/2026

There are seats remaining in the "Not Just Farmers" course I put together along with my colleagues Cyndi Ingle and Paula Stuart-Warren. We had a lot of fun preparing the course and teaching it two years ago for GRIP. You can read the full course details here: https://grip.ngsgenealogy.org/courses/not-just-farmers-records-relationships-and-the-reality-of-their-lives/

I also did a video interview about the course that you can view here: https://youtu.be/wcBkeLQWTPU I had a fun time chatting with Jeanette Sheliga about our course!

I've seen and heard so many misconceptions about researching our farmers. "They were not interesting so they aren't in records." "They worked hard their whole lives and so there isn't much information out there about them." "Since they were 'just' farmers, they aren't in the records that are easy to find." And more... most of these misconceptions have to do with a researcher's mindset, what the researcher considers interesting, and about how much tenacity a researcher brings to their genealogical problems.

The course was well-received last time and we hope to share techniques for learning more about our farming ancestors and to put to rest some of these misconceptions. We hope you will join us!

02/11/2026

I am teaching in two courses at IGHR this Spring! The registration deadlines are tomorrow and Saturday. Check the links for full details:

Genetics for Genealogists: https://ighr.gagensociety.org/dna/

Repository Research: https://ighr.gagensociety.org/repositories/

01/13/2026

Registration is now open for two study groups: Mastering Genealogical Proof (MGP) and Evidence Explained 4 (EE4). All the details can be found here: https://genealogypants.com/studygroups/

MGP begins on February 11, so register soon if you are interested.

(Scroll down to see all class offerings.) Evidence Explained 4th Edition Study Group This five-week study group will cover the first three chapters of Evidence Explained 4th Ed. by Elizabeth Shown …

01/08/2026

Excited to listen to this presentation tonight by my colleague and friend, Paula Stuart-Warren, hosted by the Georgia Genealogical Society. Click here for more information and to register:

12/04/2025

Looking to boost your genealogy skills in 2026? 📚✨
Study groups, an Arizona seminar, IGHR, and GRIP Virtual are all on the calendar—some already open for registration. Take a peek at what’s coming and join me for a year of learning!

As 2025 winds down, I want to let you know about some of my plans in 2026. The study groups that Cyndi Ingle and I lead are planned for 2026 and the schedules are posted on this website here: The o…

11/25/2025

Would you like financial assistance to attend IGHR? Check out this scholarship opportunity. To apply: bit.ly/43T9wM8
Also, more details can be found here: https://ighr.gagensociety.org/scholarships/birdie-monk-holsclaw/

11/22/2025

Get your 2026 genealogical education plans started!

Registration for IGHR 2026 is OPEN! Choose from six courses during IGHR Week (July 27-31) and six once-a-week courses throughout the year. Subjects include genealogy methodology, DNA, land records, and Scottish, African American, New York, South Carolina and Southern cessions/territories research. There’s something for everyone and every level! Check out the course list and register at https://ighr.gagensociety.org/ighr-courses/.

11/18/2025

Registration is now open for our 2026 NGSQ Study Groups. Click this link to learn more.

Analyzing NGSQ articles with MGP Principles Study Group This is a monthly study group that runs January through November each year, and will examine one National Genealogical Society Quarterly (NGS…

09/05/2025

Cyndi and I have decided on the 2026 schedule of study groups. Information is posted on the site here: https://genealogypants.com/studygroups/

We don't have registration open yet for 2026 but you can sign up on the waitlist to be notified when it does open.

And there are still seats open for the upcoming Mastering Genealogical Documentation study group starting soon. See the link for details.

(Scroll down to see all class offerings.) Evidence Explained 4th Edition Study Group This five-week study group will cover the first three chapters of Evidence Explained 4th Ed. by Elizabeth Shown …

08/15/2025

I’m excited to be offering our Not “Just” Farmers course again!