Here’s a nice little update: y’all can subscribe to a weekly newsletter I’ll be sending out! In it, I’m going to shout out a few blog posts from the week and also any cool ancestry/genealogy news that may come up. “Cool ancestry/genealogy news? Nice oxymoron, Tony.” Hey! It’s cool to Continue Reading
Ancestry doesn’t have a playbook…but it needs one
One really frustrating aspect about getting involved in ancestry and genealogy is the fact that it doesn’t come with a guide on how to do things — especially for a case as specific as mine. It’s not like other hobbies either. Like improv. If you want to learn improv, there’s hundreds Continue Reading
I (only) see dead people: Where are the living on Ancestry.com family trees?
The world’s oldest and lamest movie reference aside, I’m starting to realize why I can’t find anyone living on Ancestry.com. In my search to find my grandfather, I’m noticing a bunch of reoccurring themes when it comes to researching family trees: Every census taker ever failed handwriting class in elementary Continue Reading
Texas950 messaged back!
The previously elusive Ancestry.com cousin Texas950 messaged me back. Readers will recognize her as the Ancestry.com user who is also my mother’s alleged 1st-2nd cousin. After initially reaching out to her in January, I did not get a reply back for a few months. Here’s that original message. No big. I Continue Reading
[Recap] Ancestry Research 10-Hour Extravaganza
A quick recap on what we learned, what we questioned, and what’s still keeping me up at night from the ancestry research extravaganza. So a few weeks ago, I resolved to head out into the suburbs to devote myself to a Saturday of pure ancestry research — and we got Continue Reading
Ancestry Research 10-Hour Extravaganza
This weekend, I’m headed to La Fox, Illinois get some quality ancestry research done. What a week. First, my mom’s AncestryDNA test comes in. Then I find out we have a second cousin. And THEN I find out that second cousin has a family tree. On top of all that, a Continue Reading
Mom’s SHOCKING AncestryDNA test results
The AncestryDNA results are in . . . and they’re CRAZY (not really). After Mẹ took her AncestryDNA test at the beginning of January, the results finally came back from the lab — and it actually didn’t take long! The email came in from Ancestry.com yesterday, which I appreciated because Continue Reading
New Year, New Blog
I finally got around to updating the blog! Saigon to Sioux city has gotten a face lift — and a much needed one too. I decided to change website hosts so I could have more control over how the blog looks. I’ll be honest: it’s probably gonna change a ton more Continue Reading
An Idiot’s Guide to: DNA Basics
A light introduction into the wacky world of biological genetics. Warning: this is going to be a boring post. “More boring than your other posts, Tony?” Shut up, dear reader. And pull up a desk, because school’s back in session. The lesson today: DNA. You know, that twisted ladder thing Continue Reading
I Have Two Family Trees—And So Do YOU!
Everyone has two family trees. Yes, even those of you who aren’t living a double-life and have another set of wife and kids. I’m not trained in this. I went to college for English and spent most of high school biology class talking with my friend Ivan about video games instead of Continue Reading