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AncestrySeeking Newsletter June 2026
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Welcome to the June Edition of Ancestry Seeking!
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As family historians, we often focus on gathering names, dates, records, and photographs — but some of the most meaningful parts of our legacy can quietly disappear over time. The stories behind the photographs, the memories connected to the people we research, and the lessons learned along the way are just as important as the records themselves. In this month’s newsletter, we’ll explore ways to preserve not only your family history, but also the meaning behind it. In honor of Father’s Day, we’ll reflect on the fathers and father figures who shaped our families, explore how AI can assist with DNA proof arguments, discuss common genealogy mistakes that create brick walls, and introduce this month’s Research Tool of the Month — the new Scribe AI tool from MyHeritage.
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Before It's Too Late: Preserving the Stories
Along with Your Family Photos
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There is something deeply emotional about walking through an antique shop and coming across old family photographs for sale.
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Recently, while antiquing with my husband, I found myself stopping again and again to look through boxes of old photographs. There were wedding portraits, baby pictures, family gatherings, and snapshots of people clearly enjoying moments that once mattered deeply to someone.
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Yet most of the photographs had one thing in common:
there were no names written on them.
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“Did You Know?”
Did you know that many genealogy “brick walls” are not caused by missing records at all — but by overlooked clues hiding in records we already have? A witness on a marriage record, a neighbor on a census page, a military draft card, or even the order of names in a probate file can sometimes reveal the key to solving a difficult family mystery. Sometimes the breakthrough isn’t finding a new record — it’s looking at an old one in a new way.
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Father's Day: Honoring Our Fathers,
Preserving Their Stories
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Every June, Father’s Day reminds us to pause and reflect on the fathers, grandfathers, and father figures who helped shape our families and our lives. But beyond the cards, cookouts, and celebrations, Father’s Day also offers genealogists a meaningful opportunity to preserve the stories, memories, and legacies of the men who came before us
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How to Use AI to Build a DNA Proof Argument (Without Losing Control of Your Research)
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At some point in DNA research, many of us reach a familiar place…
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You have the matches, you have the trees, and You have the clue,
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but bringing it all together into a clear, confident conclusion can feel overwhelming.
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In a recent article, we walked through a simple 5-step process for building a DNA proof argument. That process gives structure and clarity.
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But now there’s a new question many researchers are asking:
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Can AI help with this process?
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Featured on YouTube
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Be sure to visit and subscribe to the AncestrySeeking YouTube Channel for genealogy tips, preservation ideas, AI tutorials, and family history inspiration.
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This month’s featured video: “How to Use AI to Build a DNA Proof Argument” — exploring how artificial intelligence can assist genealogists while still maintaining careful research standards and control over conclusions.
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Upcoming TIME Capsule Podcasts
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June 1st, The Biggest Mistakes Genealogists Make and How to Avoid Them.
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June 8th, Saving Your Family History, Paper, Photo, and Digital Files Explained.
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June 15th, First Cousin Once Removed? Understanding Family Relationships: Without the Confusion.
June 22nd, You Don't Have to Be an Expert to Start Your Family History.
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June 29th, Why Family Stories Disappear and How to Save Them.
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Genealogy Tip:
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When working on a difficult ancestor, create a simple timeline using every record you can find — including census records, land records, military records, city directories, newspaper mentions, and family events. Seeing information in chronological order often helps reveal gaps, migration patterns, naming changes, and clues that may not be obvious when records are viewed separately.
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5 Mistakes That Create Genealogy Brick Walls
and How to Avoid Them
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Have you ever reached a point in your genealogy research where everything just… stops?
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You’ve searched the records.
You’ve checked the databases.
You’ve followed every lead you can find.
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And yet, your ancestor seems to disappear.
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This is what genealogists call a brick wall.
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But here’s something important to understand:
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This Month's Challenge
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🌿Try using an AI tool to help transcribe, summarize, or organize one historical document, but compare the results carefully against the original record and note anything that needs verification.
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Small preservation steps taken today can become priceless family history treasures tomorrow. 🌿
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Research Tool of the Month:
MyHeritage Introduces Scribe AI:
A New AI Assistant for Genealogists
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Artificial intelligence continues to expand into the genealogy world, and one of the newest tools attracting attention is Scribe AI from MyHeritage. Designed to help family historians work more efficiently with historical records and research materials, this new feature reflects the growing role AI is beginning to play in genealogy research and preservation.
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What Is Scribe AI?
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In my next newsletter, learn about
The Photo You Almost Ignored: Why Small Clues Change Big Stories
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Thank you for being part of this journey!
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Always remember: our family stories remind us that we’re part of something much bigger than ourselves.
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Warmly, Barbara Beauregard
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4Ancestorseeking@gmail.com
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Join Me!
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Want More Resources
Visit Ancestryseeking.com
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