Lisa Stokes Heritage Research

10/30/2025

This Halloween, Don't Let Your Cemetery Research Rest in Peace 🪦

There's something haunting about walking through old cemeteries---rows of weathered stones, names carved in granite, stories waiting to be told.

However, when you can't visit in person, cemetery websites become your virtual tour of the graveyard. Whether it's a local historical society site or a municipal cemetery database, these online resources are goldmines for genealogists.

Here's what you need to know: a cemetery website citation is different from a gravestone index or a photograph. You're citing the website itself---the information it provides, who maintains it, and where it lives online.

Keep your ancestors from becoming lost souls in your research and cite the cemetery website in your research log.

Ready to stop guessing and start citing like a pro? My course, "Genealogy Source Citations Simplified," walks you through templates for every source type---from the straightforward to the spooky complex.

Learn more: https://genealogysimplified.teachable.com/p/genealogy-source-citations-simplified

10/22/2025

Your Ancestors Are Waiting to Be Cited Properly 👻

Halloween isn't just about ghosts and goblins---it's prime time to remember those who came before us. And if you've been searching cemetery indexes for your ancestors, you know how quickly those findagrave.com and billiongraves.com links pile up.

But here's the thing: a cemetery index isn't the same as a gravestone photograph. The index is a database entry---someone else's transcription. And that means your citation needs to reflect what you're actually looking at.

Don't let your ancestor's memory fade into the fog. Cite that gravestone index correctly so future researchers (and future you) can retrace your steps.

Want more citation templates to keep your research from haunting you later? Join my course, Genealogy Source Citations Simplified, and learn to cite any source with confidence.

Learn more: https://genealogysimplified.teachable.com/p/genealogy-source-citations-simplified

10/17/2025

As of October 15th, the price of Genealogy Source Citations Simplified has officially increased to $225. This change reflects the rising costs of the tools and resources that keep the course high-quality and up-to-date.

If you didn’t enroll before the increase, don’t worry. There’s something to look forward to! The final sale of the year is in a few weeks, so keep an eye on my socials for updates!

What’s one thing you wish you understood better about genealogy citations? I'd love to hear from you!

10/13/2025

Your Gravestone Photos Deserve More Than to Haunt Your Hard Drive 📸🪦

You made the pilgrimage. You walked through the cemetery, found your ancestor's stone, and snapped that perfect photo as the autumn leaves fell around you. Now what?

That photograph sitting on your computer isn't just a pretty picture---it's a privately held source that documents your ancestor's final resting place. And it needs a citation that preserves when you took it, where the stone is located, and who holds the image.

Without a proper citation, that gravestone photo becomes just another mystery file in your research folder. Don't let your hard work vanish into the digital graveyard.

Want to master citations for all your family sources---photos, letters, heirlooms, and more?

Check out my free Family Sources citation template bank and printable guide to help you cite a photograph in your possession: https://lisa-stokes-heritage-research.kit.com/rootstech-2025.

10/09/2025

📢 Important Update for Genealogy Researchers!

Keeping Genealogy Source Citations Simplified running at the high quality you expect requires ongoing tools, resources, and updates. These costs have gone up recently, and I want to make sure I can continue providing the best materials and support for your research.

Because of this, the price of the course will increase from $150 to $225 on October 15th.

I still want you to get the best deal, so if you’ve been thinking about joining, now’s the perfect time to grab access to the course at $150.

Inside the course, you’ll:

✅ Learn citation principles without the headache
✅ Save time with step-by-step guidance
✅ Feel confident documenting your sources
✅ Enjoy continued access to my template bank, available even after your course expires.

Enroll before October 15th to lock in today’s price:
https://genealogysimplified.teachable.com/p/genealogy-source-citations-simplified

What part of citations trips you up the most? Drop a comment below! 👇

09/26/2025

Whether you’re just getting started or looking to refine your research, my YouTube channel provides clear, step-by-step guidance on genealogy topics. From crafting accurate citations to organizing research and analyzing evidence.

Each video is designed to help you:

✅ Build confidence in documenting sources
✅ Improve the clarity and accuracy of your research
✅ Learn practical strategies you can apply immediately

Start watching here: https://www.youtube.com/

What genealogy topic would you like to see covered in an upcoming video? Comment below—I read every suggestion!

09/20/2025

Creating reports to document your work is key in genealogy. My FREE Research Report Template ensures you record your objectives, findings, evidence analysis, conclusions, and next steps in a professional and consistent way. Perfect for both new and experienced researchers.

Download your template here: https://lisa-stokes-heritage-research.kit.com/research-report-template

Do you prefer digital templates or handwritten notes for genealogy research? Let me know!

09/13/2025

In genealogical documentation, three types of citations serve important roles:

• Full Reference Note – This type, commonly referred to as a “source citation” or a “footnote citation,” uses a footnote or endnote format to specifically cite the source and information addressed in the report.

• Subsequent Reference Note – A shortened subsequent footnote citation is only used after the full reference note has been previously used in the report.

• Source List Entry – A bibliography at the end of a report uses a different format to briefly cite the overall source.

Understanding when—and how—to use each type strengthens the credibility and clarity of your research. It also saves valuable time when writing reports.

Watch my video The Main Citation Types to learn more. https://youtu.be/z1lNAFj_jWU

Get your free copy of my Master Citation Template Starter Kit to start simplifying source citations today. Download it here: https://lisa-stokes-heritage-research.kit.com/master-citation-template

09/06/2025

When I began the accreditation process, writing professional-quality citations felt daunting. My reference note took over an hour to create, and I wondered whether I’d ever work efficiently without anxiety.

But step-by-step, I transformed my process. Now, crafting a clear, consistent citation is both quick and purposeful.

That transformation inspired my eCourse, Genealogy Source Citations Simplified, designed so that you can replace frustration with confidence.

In your citation journey, what’s been your biggest breakthrough or biggest frustration?

08/05/2025

Ready to take your genealogical skills to the next level?

ICAPGen Study Groups provide essential support for genealogists preparing for accreditation. In my blog post this month, I share my personal experience and outline how today’s study groups are structured to help participants succeed through personalized feedback, experienced mentors, and targeted assignments.

Whether you're refining your Four Generation Project or prepping for the Written Exams, ICAPGen offers two focused study groups to guide your journey.

➡️Read my blog post, Accreditation Preparation Through ICAPGen Study Groups to discover how to apply and why these study groups might be the game-changer you’ve been looking for.

https://lisastokesheritageresearch.com/accreditation-preparation-through-icapgen-study-groups/

07/22/2025

You might wonder, “Why take a course when I can find citation examples online, in books, or even ask AI to create a citation?”

Here’s why Genealogy Source Citations Simplified is different and worth your time:

Simplified Approach: Learn a simplified approach and gain confidence without getting bogged down. Learn a helpful color-coding system and a simplified master template.

Step-by-Step Learning: Lessons build on each other, allowing you to progress at your own pace. Video tutorials walk you through key concepts in an engaging and easy-to-follow way.

Learn Citation Punctuation & Principles: Gain confidence in your citation skills by learning to implement citation punctuation guidelines and key citation principles from the Humanities Style found in the Chicago Manual of Style. You’ll learn the how and why behind genealogy citations, improving your citation skills and enabling you to make smart citation decisions quickly and easily.

GSCS Template Bank: Access my bank of templates that provide a solid starting point for creating clear and consistent source citations. All current and past students have continual access to my up-to-date template bank.

One-Year Access: Enjoy one-year access to the course materials, with the flexibility to revisit whenever needed. Download syllabi, guides, and templates that you can use after your course access expires.

Office Hours: Attend GSCS Office Hours, during which I answer student questions and cover student examples from various genealogy sources.

Get started with simple citations and a community to help you along the way. Purchase the course here:

Do you feel dread when you hear the mention of genealogy source citations? Does crafting solid genealogy reference notes overwhelm you? If so, join me to simplify and clarify the process of crafting clear and consistent source citations!

07/15/2025

Ever feel like your citation is missing… something?

Before you hit “save” on that source, pause and analyze.

Ask: Who created this record? When and where was it created? How reliable is it?

These aren’t just technicalities—they’re the foundation of credible conclusions and confident citations.

This week's blog post guides you through the key questions to ask, ensuring your citations are on solid ground.

▶️ Read my blog post Solid Citations Start with Better Analysis here: https://lisastokesheritageresearch.com/solid-citations-start-with-better-analysis/