Vicki Tobias

Have you ever wondered what your ancestor’s neighborhood actually looked like? Their house, their neighbors, the businesses down the street? Sanborn Fire Insurance maps can bring that world into focus!

A good genealogy research plan doesn’t have to be complicated, but it does need to be intentional. It gives your work structure, helps you use your time effectively, and makes it far more likely that you’ll actually answer your research question.

Tax records are one of the most overlooked and most useful sources in genealogy. Created regularly, often every year, they allow you to track ancestors between census decades and build a clearer picture of their lives over time.