about me
professional genealogist Jennifer Dondero, author of Essential Skills for the Occasional Genealogist, an Amazon bestseller
About Me
Meet the Author
I'm Jennifer, and I'm an Occasional Genealogist... sort of. For over ten years I've been a professional genealogist. I started researching my own family nearly 30 years ago. Like many of you, I started as an Occasional Genealogist. I had to squeeze research in while in school and while working full-time. Then I got my first genealogy job and for awhile, it was genealogy all the time. Now I have two kids. I do other people's genealogy constantly but my own? Coming up with ways to do great genealogy, despite all the interruptions, is now mandatory.
Learn More About Me

Posts contain affiliate links. See my disclosures page for details.

 


data:post.title
9:10 AM

10 FREE U.S. Record Collections to Search Later

Not all genealogy research can be fast (ok, maybe I should say, most genealogy research is not fast). Even with online searches available, sometimes it just takes time to use online records. Here are 10 FREE online U.S. Record Collections that are worth the time, even if you have to use them lat…
tags
Read more
data:post.title
3:25 PM

Starting Your Family History for Free

Hey! This post has been moved to our sister blog, Genealogy Questions . You can read it, here .
tags
Read more
data:post.title
11:56 AM

The most under-utilized offline source you should try today

Where was he born? Why isn't he in the 1860 census? Is this record for the same man or a different man of the same name? These are the questions every genealogist is constantly trying to answer. Would you spend an hour identifying a record that could answer these questions? Of course you would. After s…
tags
Read more
data:post.title
3:00 AM

Research Planning & Budgeting for Research

Welcome to Part 3 of Budgeting for Genealogy. You can read part 1, here , and part 2, here . My main goal with this post is to provide some real life examples. However, I'm also providing some additional "how-to" for those of you that may need it. As I was preparing to write this post, I kept c…
tags
Read more
data:post.title
7:41 PM

Genealogy Goal Setting Worksheet

I have a project that needs some serious research planning. It's your typical genealogy "project." It involves an entire family which means many branches over many generations. The problem is being in the midst of research and needing to start thinking about this project as several smaller projects---wi…
tags
Read more
data:post.title
5:30 PM

Evernote Form for Census Correlation

This post is a follow-up to my post about using enumerator instructions for census research . Check it out to learn about all the great information you might be missing in census records. A great thing for Occasional Genealogists to do when they don't have a lot of time is correlate or compare census data across…
tags
Read more
data:post.title
10:46 AM

Simple DNA Project Tracking Form for Evernote

As part of my post " Is DNA the 'Magic Bullet' for OGs ," I'm providing another Evernote form for Freebie Friday. This is a super simple form (table) to keep track of a select set of test information. When I say simple, I mean simple. It does not keep track of any DNA information, just identify…
tags
Read more
data:post.title
5:37 PM

Genealogy Research Plan Template: Research Plan with Analysis Template for Evernote

Grease your genealogy research wheels with a plan. If you're tackling a new research problem, this Evernote form, the "Developing Genealogical Research Plan with Analysis," might be just right for you. WAIT! Are you looking for a non-Evernote Planning Template? Check-out this post, instead . All …
tags
Read more
data:post.title
10:38 PM

Genealogy Note Taking Form (printable)

Today's freebie is a real staple. Well, actually, it's a form, a note-taking form. You can absolutely use blank paper for note-taking. However, since you need to record the same kind of details on every page of notes, a form is nice for reminders. This particular form is aimed at new or less experienced ge…
tags
Read more
data:post.title
3:31 PM

Genealogy Research Plan to Notes Form

One of the best ways to do great genealogy (despite the interruptions) is by using a system where you turn your research plan into your notes. The fastest way to do this is to use a digital form (as opposed to a paper/printable form). Using a digital genealogy form allows you to save a copy of just the plan (if y…
tags
Read more
2026 The Occasional Genealogist. All rights reserved. View our Privacy Policy. | Design created with by: Brand & Blogger.