BA Ancestral Branch

02/11/2026

Ancestry tip #10

Even though it's rare to find census records of African ancestors, you can still connect with distant cousins who are from Africa. I've spoken with a few of my distant cousins on Ancestry and My heritage.

Send a message to learn more

02/10/2026

Ancestry tip # 9

Just because Ancestry populates census records with your ancestor's name, it doesn't mean it's your ancestor. It could be someone else with the same name. Review all the details and family members living in the household.

02/08/2026

Ancestry tip #8

Send a message to your DNA matches and collaborate with them. If you're not interested in making connections, I suggest that you don't but your real name on the site and state that your only there for results.

02/08/2026

Ancestry tip # 7

Follow your instincts when you're tracing ancestors. Put whatever information in your tree and updated later. Ancestry offers Thru Lines to help people find common ancestors with their DNA matches.

02/06/2026

Ancestry tip #6

If you take an Ancestry DNA test, be prepared to discover family secrets. You may not be related to be you thought you were. If you're not finding your family's surnames in close DNA matches trees, don't be afraid to reach out to them.

02/06/2026

Ancestry tip # 5
If you can't find the parents of your ancestor, try to find your ancestors siblings in the census. Some siblings may have the names of their parents on a death record. I have experienced this a lot.

02/05/2026

Ancestry tip # 4

Reasons you keep hitting a brick wall with your ancestors

1. They changed their last name or remarried
2. Lived in a different state or moved
3.Their name was misspelled by the reporter
4. Records aren't available

02/04/2026

Ancestry tip # 3

Your ancestors were always living next or close to their relatives. Search the names listed above and below them, on census records. Also check to see if your DNA matches have those names in their tree.

Generation of legacy

02/02/2026

Ancestry tip #2

Family search offers free census records of our ancestors.