August 2025

I've spent the summer creating content over on Substack.   You can find that content here:

Kyla's Rootsquad Roundup newsletter

You don't have to subscribe; you can click on "No thanks" and then just read my content for a while.  I do hope that you subscribe though - its free OR paid, your choice.  And if you subscribe, you will get my new posts directly into your inbox.

What I've found there is a wonderful community of genealogists and writers that are so supportive and just plain fun.

However, since it isn't good (for the ratings and bots) to post the same articles on a blog like here, and then again on Substack.  I can manage it there on a mobile version, and I love the flexibility of scheduling and more visibility of that community.   And the interaction with some really really great folks is just phenomenal.

I'll still post here occasionally, and definitely will refer to my posts here too, so I'm not abandoning this blog and you readers here!   But, I would totally love for you to join me there, too!

Have fun roundin' up your ancestors!

A few things going on in my little Texas corner of the genealogy world.  

I am working on creating a Rootsquad blog and newsletter over on Substack.  I really like that platform, it will help me because all my content will live in one area, but be easily shared over all the other platforms.

It also has greater newsletter-type functionality, which I have found to be easier for most genealogists.  So many in our realm are not on any social media site, and quite frankly, are tired of technology.  Plus, who has time to read alot ABOUT genealogy when we want to be busy doing it, right?  

And I can add things there, like a premium content area and genealogy merch.  I've been wanting to branch out into creating fun products for those of us who want to advertise that we're doing genealogy.  Yes, I want to create merch for myself!

Today, February 9, 2025

What I'm Watching

A couple of weeks ago, Allen County Public Library posted a video on their YouTube channel called, "Ancestry.com - Beyond the Basics" by speaker Susan Kim.   Fantastic talk, great information, check it out!   We can always count on very quality content from ACPL.  This is the first time I have heard Susan speak; she was excellent and I learned alot that I can't wait to put into my regular process for searching on ancestry.

What I'm Reading

Just completed a fabulous book written by a friend of mine, Rhonda Lauritzen called "A Child in Berlin".  Here is my very brief Amazon review:

"I could not put this book down! Beautifully crafted, with such wonderful descriptions and stories. Every scene with such vivid accuracy that I felt like I was there, and enough explanations to draw in this modern day American and make me realize that Heidi’s memory is fantastic. I truly was not ready for it to end. What an amazing life. What a fabulous gift this author has given to the world by capturing this sweet lady’s experiences."

What I had a hard time verbalizing was that I was totally immersed in this story.   Great details, great storytelling, great research to add information when necessary, and above all, a highly recommend.

The crazy thing is, Rhonda has ANOTHER book that came out at exactly the same time.  I haven't read it yet, but I will keep you posted.  What an amazing author and lovely, fantastic lady.

What I'm Working On

RELATIVES AT ROOTSTECH IS LIVE !!!

That's what I'm working on - sorting, contacting and saving down all those relatives as fast as I can!

My plan is to try to meet as many in person this year as possible.  I also plan to create family groups on FamilySearch for each 'branch' and try to stay in touch this year.  I'll keep you posted on how that goes!

Have you signed up for RootsTech yet?  If not, DO IT NOW!  Its free!

And check if we're related!