I used to think family history was all about the words I used. Then I learned my readers find all those words tiring. So now I add: • Maps • Photos • Family trees • Even AI visuals Images make the story engaging.

Ever written about three Johns and two Marys in the same story? I have. Total chaos. Now I: • Use nicknames • Add “Sr.” or “Jr.” • Explain naming in a note History stays honest. The story is readable.

A good family story isn’t just about facts. It’s about feeling. If someone remembers how it made them feel, they’ll remember the people in it too. So I always ask: Who am I writing for? What will move them? What will they remember?

I used to write family history like I was writing a research log. Now I write like I’m talking to someone I love. Because my goal isn’t to sound smart. It’s to make someone care.

Loved talking with Noel at OGS on the sessions I'm teaching at the Ohio Genealogical Society Conference end of April. Listen to the on the Ohio Roots Podcast anywhere you get your podcasts or here --> ogs.org/podcasts/

I used to think if I didn’t do a proof argument, the reader wouldn’t trust me. I just confused my readers. Now I say: • “Her father” • “My great-grandmother” • “Their uncle” If the proof is tricky, I tuck it in an appendix. The story keeps moving—and the reader stays with me.

Once upon a time, there was a search engine just for us. It didn’t sell DNA. Didn’t lock records behind paywalls. Didn’t pretend generic search worked for family research. It was called Mocavo. And it felt like someone finally understood what we needed. 👇

Preview the sessions I'm teaching at the Ohio Genealogical Society Conference end of April. Hope to see you there! Listen to the on the Ohio Roots Podcast anywhere you get your podcasts or here --> ogs.org/podcasts/

I'm looking for your examples of bad AI writing for family history. I have a few in this post, but I know there are at least dozens more out there. open.substack.com/pu...

RootsTech has hundreds of online sessions I want to watch. Impossible to do. So I’m using AI to: • Generate personalized transcripts • Highlight key insights • Save notes effortlessly with voice mode Now, instead of drowning in info, I end classes with a solid plan. Here's how to do it 👇

Carrier pigeon delivery would be amazing. Hope some mad scientist brings them back.

The best fix I ever made to my writing was choosing a specific reader—like a niece or a cousin—before I wrote a single word. • I pictured them • I wrote for them • I tested my draft with them That one shift made writing 10x easier and better.

Centre County Library's Historical Museum recently shared this image of estate filings in their original file cabinet. These filing cabinets used to line the walls of the Register of Wills who kept the filings for both testate and intestate probates. Amazing piece of history!

Surveyed 350 genealogists, and the top reasons for not writing: • “I need to organize my research first.” • “I’m not a good writer.” • “I don’t have enough details.” • “I don’t know how to start.” • “No one will care about this.”

Sad news this morning of 23&Me’s bankruptcy filing. Genealogists will lose access to yet another database for research. If you don’t want your data sold to whoever shows up to buy it, delete it now. investors.23andme.com/news-release...

If you are looking for Pennsylvania ancestors, I have an online course that walks you through: • Where to find rare records that could answer your exact questions. • How to document every discovery ensuring no lead was missed. • New techniques to interpret and analyze records. DM for details

With family history there are no gatekeepers. You have the power to write and publish anything you want about your ancestors. There’s no need to wait for someone to grant you permission. Just write!

Write your first draft of family history with ease with this week's video

98% of genealogists are not writing their family history. You don't have to be one of them. Here is how you can get unstuck and start writing today.

Surveyed 350 genealogists, and the top reasons for not writing: • “I need to organize my research first.” • “I’m not a good writer.” • “I don’t have enough details.” • “I don’t know how to start.” • “No one will care about this.”

I admit it, I love recognition. This one from @YouTube is so great!

Looking to research your Irish roots? Here are 7 in-depth videos on Irish research for Americans. youtube.com/playlist...

98% of genealogists are not writing their family history. You don't have to be one of them. Here is how you can get unstuck and start writing today.

Preview the sessions I'm teaching at the Ohio Genealogical Society Conference end of April. Hope to see you there! Listen to the on the Ohio Roots Podcast anywhere you get your podcasts or here --> ogs.org/podcasts/

Ohio Genealogical Society has an interview with me on getting started in Pennsylvania research and some teasers on my three presentations I'm giving at the OGS Conference end of April. Listen to it anywhere you get your podcasts or here --> ogs.org/podcasts/

New milestone reached - 2,000 subscribers on YouTube! 🎉 Let's gooooo!

What I'm doing this week to make the most of RootsTech last week

What was your favorite part of RootsTech 2025?

I got to meet @cbgenealogy.ie at RootsTech!!! Forgot to snap a photo so you all will just have to believe me.

Thank you everyone who said they enjoyed my session and feel powered up to start writing family history now.

Wearing two hats at RootsTech this year as a part of the media team and as a speaker. It's been a real blast so far. Definitely gonna share in some videos ASAP.

Who is your Look-a-like? I have film maker Cecil B. DeMille! Just drop your profile into the link below to try it yourself 👇

How many Relatives at RootsTech do you have so far?

Which famous people are you related to? I have Winston Churchill! Link to find your connections is below 👇

Who is your Look-a-like? I have film maker Cecil B. DeMille! Just drop your profile into the link below to try it yourself 👇

Which famous people are you related to? I have Winston Churchill! Link to find your connections is below 👇

Did you do the MyMatch quiz for RootsTech? They told me I'm creative like Jane Austen. Loved hearing that! Dropped the link to it below so you can do it too 👇

Loved catching up with Steve Little and Mark Thompson and getting a preview on their RootsTech sessions. You can find the full interview on YouTube - just search "Denyse Allen" or Steve or Mark's names. We laughed quite a bit!

Catch my full conversation with Steve Little and Mark Thompson on the impact of AI on family history over the past year and a peek at their RootsTech talks in just a few days youtu.be/cR9mZ-8bteE

This was fun conversation with Mark Thompson and Steve Little on the world of AI and genealogy. It looks like all their RootsTech sessions will be live streamed and recorded for you.

Get a preview of the using AI in genealogy sessions with Mark Thompson and Steve Little in my interview with them out now on YouTube! Just go to YouTube and put in "Denyse Allen" or Mark or Steve to find the episode.

Who is your Look-a-like? I have film maker Cecil B. DeMille! Just drop your profile into the link below to try it yourself 👇

“If you would not be forgotten, as soon as you are dead and rotten; either write things worthy of reading, or do things worthy of writing” – Benjamin Franklin

I wanted to write my family history, but struggled with perfectionism. It first showed up when it came to organizing my genealogy files. I show how I finally triumphed over perfectionism in this week's video youtu.be/0Bc_oCTiKQQ

The truth about your family history does not belong to any one website (despite what the fancy commercials tell you). You find the truth through writing about what you find across multiple sources.

This was a super fun episode to record on AI and family history. Interview with Mark Thompson and Steve Little out next Sunday on my YouTube channel🧀

Excited to see my RootsTech session has been moved to Ballroom G! That means I see 400 of you bright and early Saturday morning. Exciting!

First time doing RootsTech? Here is everything you need to know about Relatives in RootsTech in 5 minutes youtu.be/9JSGnRKReG4

I've never said "Gee, I'm glad I didn't take 2 minutes to record the source of that document I found online."