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Are You My Cousin? Newsletter

Hi there! I'm Lisa Lisson, and I'm passionate about helping people like you discover their ancestors and expand their family tree without feeling overwhelmed or uncertain about the next steps.

Vintage Halloween girl with witch hat holding jack-o-latern
Featured Post

🎃 Ghoul-ology! Scary Good Genealogy Awaits

Welcome to the Are You My Cousin? newsletter! Each week, I share actionable genealogy research advice to help you grow a healthy - and accurate - family tree. Did someone forward this to you? Subscribe so you never miss an issue. Hi Reader, Happy Halloween! 🎃 This week we are looking into the fascinating world of family stories and the hidden treasures that lie within your family photos. We’ll explore how these images can serve as key genealogical records, helping you piece together your...

Woman holding oak tree in hand

Welcome to the Are You My Cousin? newsletter! Each week, I share actionable genealogy research advice to help you grow a healthy - and accurate - family tree. Did someone forward this to you? Subscribe so you never miss an issue. Hi Reader, Remember that New Year's resolution to finally clean up your family tree! Because face it - you know there are mistakes recorded in its leaves. How's that going? Now there is no judgement here! I know I have some mistakes in my own family tree, and I have...

Find the right ancestor

Welcome to the Are You My Cousin? newsletter! Each week, I share actionable genealogy research advice to help you grow a healthy - and accurate - family tree. Did someone forward this to you? Subscribe so you never miss an issue. Hi Reader, We are halfway through October, and a quick look out my office window leaves no doubt that it's Halloween season. My neighbors love to decorate and it's all pumpkins and skeletons on this street! The fall season is a great time to reflect on our genealogy...

Woman with quizzical look. White text on green background reading Find Family Photos

Welcome to the Are You My Cousin? newsletter! Each week, I share actionable genealogy research advice to help you grow a healthy - and accurate - family tree. Did someone forward this to you? Subscribe so you never miss an issue. Hi Reader, Some of you know, I’m a big fan of running and head out most mornings to the park. This time of year, the trees are full of big spiders weaving their beautiful webs—lovely to admire, but not so great to run into! Eeek! This week’s newsletter is packed with...

Woman with "eek" expression  and text reading Avoidable Genealogy Mistakes

Welcome to the Are You My Cousin? newsletter! Each week, I share actionable genealogy research advice to help you grow a healthy - and accurate - family tree. Did someone forward this to you? Subscribe so you never miss an issue. Hi Reader, We recently got my daughter's wedding pictures back! As you can imagine, we have loved reliving her special day through all the photos. There are literally 1000 of them! Anyone who has planned a wedding knows just how long that planning takes! And while...

Woman smiling . White text on green background reading Unlock more clues.

Welcome to the Are You My Cousin? newsletter! Each week, I share actionable genealogy research advice to help you grow a healthy - and accurate - family tree. Did someone forward this to you? Subscribe so you never miss an issue. Hi Reader, This is my favorite time of the year! 🍂 With the cooler temperatures, I'm loving being outside more. In fact, as you read this, I'm taking a brief break from chasing the ancestors and enjoying hiking in the mountains. Okay...I *might* stop to explore an...

Missed Clues in genealogy research?

Welcome to the Are You My Cousin? newsletter! Each week, I share actionable genealogy research advice to help you grow a healthy - and accurate - family tree. Did someone forward this to you? Subscribe so you never miss an issue. Hi Reader, As the leaves change color and the days grow shorter, it's the perfect time to reflect on your genealogy progress and set new research goals for the fall season. The kids and grandkids are back in school, the family vacation is behind you, and pumpkin...

AI for genealogy with a light bulb

Welcome to the Are You My Cousin? newsletter! Each week, I share actionable genealogy research advice to help you grow a healthy - and accurate - family tree. Did someone forward this to you? Subscribe so you never miss an issue. Hi Reader, Schools are back in session, and I have an educational challenge for you. In the next 24 hours, I want you to learn something new. Anything at all. It could be watching a webinar (or a Youtube video 😉) to learn a new genealogy research skill, trying out a...

Smiling woman with a google sheet and the text reading Watch Me

Welcome to the Are You My Cousin? newsletter! Each week, I share actionable genealogy research advice to help you grow a healthy - and accurate - family tree. Did someone forward this to you? Subscribe so you never miss an issue. Hi Reader, Back-to-school season upon us, and it’s the perfect time to brush up on some new skills and dive into a bit of learning—genealogy style! While the kids (or grandkids!) are heading off with their backpacks and books, why not grab your magnifying glass and...

Frustrated woman in blue shirt with white text on green background reading Changed his name?

Welcome to the Are You My Cousin? newsletter! Each week, I share actionable genealogy research advice to help you grow a healthy - and accurate - family tree. Did someone forward this to you? Subscribe so you never miss an issue. Hi Reader, With the August sun overhead, we find ourselves in the heart of summer. I was so excited for a brief respite from the intense heat and humidity last week to enjoy a bit more time outside. Being outside clears the cobwebs and I frequently have a research...