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AncestrySeeking Newsletter May 2026
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Welcome to the May Edition of Ancestry Seeking!
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This time of year, has always meant something a little deeper to me. As spring settles in, many of us feel drawn back to the cemeteries where our loved one's rest to clean a headstone, place fresh flowers, or simply stand quietly and remember. For generations, this wasn’t just a seasonal task… it was a way of keeping family history alive, of honoring the lives that came before us.
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With both Mother’s Day and Memorial Day approaching, this season often brings us back to the people and stories that matter most. It’s a time to reflect on the mothers, grandmothers, and caregivers who shaped our families—as well as those who served and sacrificed in ways we may still be discovering.
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And yet, as time passes, I often find myself wondering, how many of those stories are at risk of being forgotten? This month, I want to explore not only how we remember, but how we carry those stories forward, through the discoveries we make, the evidence we gather, and the care we take to preserve them for the generations still to come.
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When DNA Reveals a Hidden Family Story:
What to Do Next
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Sometimes, the stories we uncover don’t come from a headstone or a family memory, but from something we never expected… our DNA. What begins as a simple search for answers can quickly turn into something much deeper—a discovery that changes what we thought we knew about our family. These moments can be surprising, emotional, and sometimes even overwhelming. But they also give us an opportunity… not just to uncover the truth, but to handle it with care, clarity, and respect. In this article, we’ll look at what happens when the evidence comes together—and how to move forward thoughtfully when a hidden family story is revealed.
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How to Build a DNA Proof Argument
(Step by Step for Family Historians)
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After uncovering a surprising DNA discovery, the next step is often the most important and the most overlooked. How do you move from possibility… to proof?
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In this article guide, I walk you through a simple, step-by-step process that helps you organize your evidence, evaluate your matches, and build a conclusion you can feel confident about and explain clearly to others.
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Whether you're working through a new discovery or trying to confirm a long-standing question, this approach will help you move forward with clarity and purpose. I’ll also be releasing a short webinar in the coming days where I walk through this process step by step.
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“Did You Know?”
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In the late 1800s, Memorial Day was often called “Decoration Day,” when families would visit cemeteries to clean graves and decorate them with flowers. These gatherings were not only acts of remembrance but also opportunities to share family stories, helping preserve history long before modern genealogy tools existed.
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How AI Is Changing Genealogy
(and What Every Researcher Should Watch For)
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As new tools and technologies continue to evolve, artificial intelligence is beginning to play a larger role in how we research, analyze, and preserve our family history. From helping interpret records to organizing information more efficiently, AI is opening new possibilities, but it also raises important questions.
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How much should we rely on it? Where should we be cautious? And how can we use these tools responsibly while still maintaining accuracy and trust in our research?
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In this article, I share a practical look at what AI can and cannot, do in genealogy, along with a few key things every researcher should keep in mind as these tools become more common.
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Season 2 of the TIME Capsule Podcast Begins This Month
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I’m excited to begin Season 2 of the TIME Capsule Podcast this May. This new season will continue to focus on helping you organize, preserve, and make sense of your family history along with practical steps you can take along the way.
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Upcoming TIME Capsule Podcasts
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May 4th Starting Your Genealogy Legacy Project: Your Next Right step
May 11th From DNA Clues to Clear Answers: Building a Simple Proof Argument
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May 18th What Matters Most to Save in Your Genealogy, and What can Wait.
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May 25th Saving Your Family History: Paper, Photos, and Digital Files Explained
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Genealogy Tip:
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If you feel stuck, shift your focus to one small question instead of the whole problem, progress in genealogy often comes from solving one piece at a time.
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Honoring Those Who Served:
A Memorial Day Reflection
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As Memorial Day approaches, it’s a time to pause and remember those who served and sacrificed. For many families, that remembrance is deeply personal, woven into the stories, records, and memories we uncover through our research.
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If you have ancestors who served in the military, their experiences are an important part of your family’s history. From draft registrations to service records and pension files, these documents can offer powerful insight into their lives, not just as soldiers, but as individuals.
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This month, I’m sharing a simple article guide to help you understand how Americans served and how you can begin uncovering those stories in your own research.
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This Month's Challenge
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🌿 Follow One Clue Further
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This month, choose one clue from your research, a DNA match, a name, a location, or a record and take it just one step further. Look for one additional piece of evidence that either supports or challenges what you think you know. Sometimes the smallest step leads to the biggest breakthrough.
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Research Tool of the Month:
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If you have ancestors who served in the military, one of the most valuable resources you can explore is Fold3. It’s a specialized database focused on military records, and it often contains documents you won’t find anywhere else.
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From draft registrations to pension files and service records, these documents can add depth and detail to your family history, helping you understand not just when someone served, but what their experience may have been like.
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If you’re not sure where to start, here are a few simple ways to begin exploring.
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In my next newsletter, learn about
"How to Use AI to Build a DNA Proof Argument"
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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
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