Free Genealogy Tutorials
Step-by-step tutorials to help you analyse your GEDCOM file, find missing records, detect errors, explore migration patterns, and plan DNA testing - all using GEDminer's free tools.
New to GEDminer? Start here with foundational guides on uploading, setting up, and understanding your GEDCOM file.
4 guides
A step-by-step walkthrough for uploading your GEDCOM file and getting instant insights into your family tree - demographics, errors, migration patterns, and research priorities.
Read guide analyse GEDCOM file, GEDCOM analysis tool, upload GEDCOM online, free GEDCOM viewer, family tree analysisMaster the Overview dashboard to quickly understand your tree's scope, completeness, and key patterns with demographic charts and statistics.
Read guide family tree dashboard, GEDCOM statistics, genealogy demographics, tree overview analysis, family tree metricsSetting a Home Person unlocks relationship labels, prioritised research suggestions, and personalised analysis across every tool in GEDminer.
Read guide home person genealogy, set home person GEDCOM, family tree starting point, relationship labels genealogyExport analysis results, research plans, and findings as CSV spreadsheets and PDF reports for offline use, archive visits, and sharing with fellow researchers.
Read guide export GEDCOM analysis, genealogy CSV export, family tree PDF report, share genealogy research, export family tree dataAdvanced strategies for finding hidden cousins, verifying connections, and solving genealogical puzzles.
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Uncover possible family connections hiding in plain sight by analysing shared surnames, birth locations, and overlapping timeframes across disconnected branches.
Read guide hidden cousins genealogy, find unknown relatives, unlinked family branches, GEDCOM cousin finder, family tree connectionsDiscover which census records your ancestors should appear in but haven't been found yet, and learn strategies for tracking them down.
Read guide missing census records, census gap finder, ancestor census search, genealogy census research, find ancestor in censusLearn how to strategically plan DNA tests to get maximum genealogical value from your family tree research.
Read guide DNA testing strategy genealogy, which relative to DNA test, genealogy DNA planning, DNA test family treeA practical, privacy-conscious guide to finding living relatives - through your existing family tree, DNA matches and the Kinship Explorer. Includes how to make first contact respectfully.
Read guide find living relatives, find living cousins, dna find relativesThe Genealogical Proof Standard (GPS) is the framework that separates serious research from a collection of names. Here's the five-element standard, why each matters, and how to apply it.
Read guide genealogical proof standard, sourcing evidence genealogy, genealogy research methodologyKeep your family tree accurate and well-structured with data validation, cleanup, and structural analysis techniques.
4 guides
A practical guide to detecting impossible dates, missing records, duplicate entries, and other data quality issues in your GEDCOM family tree file.
Read guide fix GEDCOM errors, GEDCOM data quality, genealogy error detection, family tree errors, validate GEDCOM fileLearn what connected components are, why your tree might have isolated individuals, and how to strengthen the structural integrity of your GEDCOM file.
Read guide family tree structure, connected components genealogy, unlinked individuals GEDCOM, tree connectivity analysisOne wrong date, duplicate person, or bad merge can spread through a GEDCOM file and corrupt hundreds of downstream facts. Learn how genealogy errors propagate - and how to audit your tree before importing or sharing.
Read guide gedcom error propagation, gedcom error propagation genealogy, gedcom errors propagation, family tree error cascade, bad gedcom merge, duplicate person genealogy, audit gedcom fileGEDCOM is the universal text-based format for family trees. GEDCOM-X is FamilySearch's modern JSON-based successor. Here's when to use each, what software supports them, and which one to share.
Read guide GEDCOM vs GEDCOM-X, GEDCOM file format, GEDCOM 7Learn to search, browse, and explore individuals, locations, occupations, family relationships, and place name standardisation.
5 guides
Master the People Directory to quickly find any ancestor by name, filter by dates, and explore your tree with powerful search and sorting tools.
Read guide search family tree, find ancestor GEDCOM, people directory genealogy, surname search family tree, browse ancestorsDiscover where your ancestors lived, spot geographic patterns, and explore place hierarchies with the interactive Location Explorer map.
Read guide ancestor locations map, genealogy map, family history geography, GEDCOM places, visualise family tree locationsExplore the working lives of your ancestors - from farmers to factory workers, professionals to tradespeople - and understand the social history of your family.
Read guide ancestor occupations, genealogy occupations, historical jobs family tree, work history ancestors, GEDCOM occupation analysisMaster the Kinship Explorer to calculate relationships, find common ancestors, visualise family paths, and estimate expected shared DNA between relatives.
Read guide kinship calculator, relationship calculator genealogy, cousin calculator, shared DNA estimate, common ancestor finderInconsistent place names cause mapping errors and missed connections. Learn how to identify and fix location formatting issues across your tree.
Read guide standardise locations GEDCOM, fix place names genealogy, location formatting family tree, geocoding genealogy, place name consistencyImprove your tree's data quality with error detection, duplicate finding, vital record sharpening, and connecting unlinked individuals.
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Discover how GEDminer analyses your tree to suggest the most valuable research opportunities, helping you prioritise where to focus your efforts.
Read guide genealogy research suggestions, what to research next, family tree priorities, GEDCOM analysis recommendationsThe Vital Sharpener helps you identify estimated, incomplete, or missing vital records and prioritise which ones to research first for maximum impact.
Read guide vital records genealogy, improve GEDCOM dates, sharpen family tree data, estimated dates genealogy, date precisionFind potential duplicate individuals in your tree using smart matching, compare their records side-by-side, and learn best practices for merging them.
Read guide duplicate individuals GEDCOM, merge duplicates genealogy, find duplicates family tree, GEDCOM cleanupDiscover individuals in your tree who aren't connected to any family. Learn why they're isolated and strategies for reconnecting them.
Read guide unlinked individuals GEDCOM, isolated people family tree, disconnected branches, connect family tree, orphan records genealogyUncover research opportunities with migration analysis, passenger list searches, census gaps, DNA planning, and automated research plans.
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Discover where your ancestors came from and where they went. Visualise migration flows, identify patterns, and understand the historical context of family movements.
Read guide ancestor migration patterns, genealogy migration map, family immigration history, GEDCOM migration analysis, trace ancestor movementsDiscover undocumented periods in your ancestors' lives where records might exist. The Gap Detector highlights timeline gaps and suggests what to search for.
Read guide genealogy timeline gaps, missing family records, ancestor research gaps, GEDCOM gap analysis, find missing recordsLet GEDminer analyse your tree and generate a structured research plan. Get prioritised tasks, focused searches, and a clear roadmap for your genealogy work.
Read guide genealogy research plan, what to research next, family tree priorities, GEDCOM research suggestions, genealogy workflowIdentify ancestors who likely arrived by ship, estimate migration windows, and learn proven strategies for finding passenger lists and immigration records.
Read guide passenger list search, ship manifest ancestors, immigration records genealogy, find ancestor ship, passenger list candidates, emigration recordsUnderstand your tree at a glance with the dashboard, data quality scoring, and daily family event discoveries.
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See which family events - births, marriages, and deaths - happened on today's date in history, connecting you to your ancestors in a personal way.
Read guide on this day genealogy, family history today, ancestor events today, daily genealogy, family anniversaryLearn how GEDminer evaluates your tree's data quality, what the health score means, and practical steps to improve your tree's completeness and accuracy.
Read guide tree health score, data quality genealogy, GEDCOM quality check, family tree completeness, genealogy data scoreEssential knowledge for genealogists - from understanding GEDCOM files and census records to DNA matching, BMD records, and protecting your family data.
10 guides
Everything you need to know about the GEDCOM file format - its history, structure, how to create one, and what you can do with it using modern analysis tools.
Read guide what is GEDCOM, GEDCOM file format, .ged file, genealogy file format, GEDCOM explained, GEDCOM historyNew to genealogy? This beginner-friendly guide walks you through starting your family tree research, from interviewing relatives to using online databases and free analysis tools.
Read guide how to start family tree, beginner genealogy, family history research, genealogy for beginners, trace ancestryCensus records are essential for genealogy research. Learn how to locate ancestors in census returns, interpret the columns and abbreviations, and use census data to extend your family tree.
Read guide census records genealogy, how to read census, census research, US census genealogy, UK census genealogy, census abbreviationsDNA testing has revolutionised genealogy. Learn how to interpret centiMorgan values, understand relationship predictions, and use genetic genealogy to confirm or extend your family tree.
Read guide DNA matches genealogy, centiMorgan explained, genetic genealogy, DNA testing family tree, autosomal DNA, shared DNAEven experienced researchers make these mistakes. Learn the 10 most common genealogy errors - from unsourced facts to name assumptions - and how GEDminer helps you catch them.
Read guide common genealogy mistakes, genealogy errors, family tree mistakes, genealogy best practices, inaccurate family treeYou don't need expensive subscriptions to research your family tree. Here are the best free genealogy tools, databases, and resources available in 2026.
Read guide free genealogy tools, free family tree, free genealogy resources, free GEDCOM viewer, free genealogy websitesBirth, marriage, and death records are the backbone of genealogy research. Learn how to find BMD records, what they contain, and how to use them to build and verify your family tree.
Read guide BMD records, birth records genealogy, marriage records, death records, civil registration, genealogy certificatesYour family tree contains sensitive personal information. Learn about genealogy data privacy risks, how to protect your research, and why GEDminer's local-first approach keeps your data safe.
Read guide genealogy privacy, family tree security, GEDCOM privacy, genealogy data protection, family tree data safetyA plain-English glossary of every genealogy term you're likely to meet - from Ahnentafel and BMD to Sosa numbers, endogamy, GEDCOM, kinship and Y-DNA. Bookmark and reference as you research.
Read guide genealogy glossary, genealogy terms, family history terminology, ahnentafel definitionA neutral overview of the modern genealogy software landscape: desktop tree programs and specialised analysis tools, and how they fit together.
Read guide genealogy software comparison, family tree software, genealogy analysis tools5 guides
Combining two family trees is one of the most error-prone tasks in genealogy. This guide walks through a safe merge workflow using GEDminer to spot duplicates, conflicting dates, and overlapping branches before you commit.
Read guide merge GEDCOM files, combine family trees, merge two GEDCOM, GEDCOM merge tool, combine GEDCOM without duplicates, merge family tree filesIf accented characters, apostrophes, or non-Latin scripts look broken in your family tree, the problem is almost always character encoding. Here is how to diagnose and fix it.
Read guide GEDCOM character encoding, GEDCOM UTF-8, ANSEL GEDCOM, garbled names genealogy, fix GEDCOM accents, GEDCOM special characters, Windows-1252 GEDCOMA GEDCOM that won’t load can feel catastrophic. Most "corrupted" files are actually salvageable with a few targeted fixes. Here is the diagnostic workflow.
Read guide corrupted GEDCOM, repair GEDCOM file, broken GEDCOM, GEDCOM won’t open, fix GEDCOM syntax, recover family tree, GEDCOM validation, salvage GEDCOMEvery genealogist hits a brick wall. The difference between solving one and giving up is method. Here is a repeatable workflow for cracking even the most stubborn ancestor.
Read guide genealogy brick wall, break down brick wall, brick wall ancestor, find missing ancestor, genealogy brick wall solutions, stuck on ancestor, brick wall research methodTracing women in historical records is genealogy on hard mode. Surnames change, legal records ignore them, and parish registers reduce them to "wife of". Here is how to find them anyway.
Read guide tracing female ancestors, find maiden name, female ancestors genealogy, women in genealogy, find ancestor mother, maternal line research, women family history2 guides
A surname is rarely just one name - spellings drift, branches scatter, and patterns emerge only when you map the whole picture. Here is how to use surname distribution analysis to drive deeper research.
Read guide surname distribution, one-name study, surname frequency genealogy, surname variants, surname geographic distribution, surname mapping, family name researchAI can transcribe handwriting, translate Latin baptisms, and brainstorm research strategies - but it will also confidently invent ancestors that never existed. Here is how to use it well.
Read guide AI genealogy, ChatGPT genealogy, AI family tree, AI for ancestors, ChatGPT GEDCOM, large language model genealogy, AI handwriting transcription, AI translation genealogy3 guides
Irish genealogy lost much of its civil and parish records in 1922, but more survives than most people think. Here is a practical workflow for Irish family trees.
Read guide Irish ancestors genealogy, trace Irish ancestry, Irish family history, Ireland genealogy records, Irish Catholic records, Griffith’s Valuation, 1901 1911 census Ireland, Irish brick wallsScotland has some of the richest genealogical records in the world - if you know where to look. This guide covers the OPRs, statutory records, censuses, and how to plan Scottish research.
Read guide Scottish ancestor research, ScotlandsPeople, Old Parish Registers, OPR Scotland, Scottish genealogy, statutory records Scotland, Scottish census records, kirk session recordsResearching German ancestors means navigating shifting borders, two main religions, and Gothic handwriting. This guide explains the key records and how to use GEDminer to organise them.
Read guide German ancestor research, German genealogy, Kirchenbücher, Auswandererlisten, Prussian ancestors, German church records, Central European genealogy, Gothic German handwriting3 guides
An undated photograph can be placed within a 5-10 year window using clothing styles, mount type, and photographer details. Here is how to date your family photos systematically.
Read guide date old photographs, Victorian photo dating, Edwardian photographs, cabinet card dates, carte de visite, identify old family photos, photographer datingGenealogy generates hundreds of files, screenshots, and notes. A simple organisation system - plus regular GEDCOM analysis - keeps your research efficient and shareable.
Read guide organise genealogy research, genealogy file naming, research log, family tree organisation, genealogy filing system, genealogy workflowSource citations turn a family tree into evidence. Learn the standard format, how to record citations efficiently, and how GEDminer measures your sourcing.
Read guide genealogy source citation, Evidence Explained, citing genealogy sources, source citation format, genealogy footnotes, sourcing family treeWhether you're just starting your family history journey or you're an experienced genealogist, these guides will help you get more from your GEDCOM file. Each tutorial is designed to be practical and actionable, showing you exactly how to use GEDminer's free analysis tools.
For beginners: Start with our Getting Started guides to learn how to upload your GEDCOM file and understand the Overview dashboard. Then explore the Directory Tools to search and browse your ancestors.
For intermediate researchers: Use the Integrity Tools guides to improve your data quality - find errors, sharpen vital records, and identify duplicates. The Discovery Tools guides will help you find new research opportunities.
For advanced genealogists: Our guides on DNA testing strategy, hidden cousin detection, and migration analysis will help you break through brick walls and make new discoveries in your family tree.
Upload your GEDCOM file and start using the tools covered in these guides.