Soul Centered Genealogy Blog
Articles, Case Studies, and Resources

This space is dedicated to articles about genealogy, genetic genealogy, and research notes from family history projects I've worked on.

As genealogical research is ever-evolving, these articles are often updated with newly discovered information. The posts are displayed with the most recently modified articles first.

The Enslaved Listed In the Will of Rev. Adam Jones

Enslaved Americans Listed in the Will of Reverend Adam Jones

Enslaved North Americans listed by name in the will of Reverend Adam Jones: Bill, Candace, Peter, Frank, Hannah, Charity, Celia, William, and Frank.

Topics:

African American History, American Slaveowners, Enslaved Americans, Genealogy Articles, Genealogy Research Resources, Georgia Genealogy, My Family Lines, Research Tips, Souls Discovered While Researching, They Have a Name

Enslaved People Documented in the Estate Records of James L. McDavid Sr.

This article documents the names and approximate birthdates of people enslaved by James McDavid Sr. and Nancy (Clayton) McDavid’s estate from the 1840s through Emancipation in 1865.

Topics:

African American History, Alabama Genealogy, American Slaveowners, Enslaved Americans, Genealogy Articles, Mississippi Genealogy, My Family Lines, Souls Discovered While Researching, They Have a Name, Using DNA to Find Enslaved Ancestors

The Genealogies of People Enslaved by the Estate of James McDavid Sr.

This the 3rd in a series of articles that compile genealogical data extracted from wills and probate records from the estate of James L. McDavid Sr. (b. 1795 in South Carolina – d. 1842 in Alabama).

Topics:

African American History, Alabama Genealogy, American Slaveowners, Discovering Enslaved Ancestors, Enslaved Americans, Finding Family, Genealogy Articles, Mississippi Genealogy, My Family Lines, Research Case Studies, Souls Discovered While Researching, They Have a Name, Using DNA to Find Enslaved Ancestors

Genealogy Case Study: Discovering Cornelia McDavid Taylor

Discovering My Grandmother, Cornelia McDavid Taylor

Cornelia McDavid was born into slavery in Madison County, Alabama around the year of 1851. This is the story of how I discovered our genetic connection and our familial ties to the American Slave Trade.

Topics:

African American History, Alabama Genealogy, American Slave Auctions, American Slaveowners, DNA Research, DNA Research Tips and Resources, Enslaved Americans, Finding Family, Genealogy Articles, Genetic Genealogy, Mississippi Genealogy, My Family Lines, Research Case Studies, They Have a Name

Discovering Mary Farrar and Alexander Thomas Douglass

This is the story of how I discovered my 2nd Great Grandmother, Mary Farrar and our genetic connection to Alexander Thomas Douglass through genetic genealogy.

Topics:

African American History, American Slaveowners, DNA Research, Enslaved Americans, Finding Family, Genealogy Articles, Genetic Genealogy, Missouri Genealogy, Research Case Studies, They Have a Name

What Genealogical DNA Tests Reveal About You

DNA evidence is essential if you truly want to know the people who’ve come together throughout time to create you. Knowing how genealogical DNA tests work and how to interpret data they provide opens you to infinite facets of the biological story that’s led to your Earthly existence.

Topics:

DNA Research, DNA Research Tips and Resources, Genealogy Articles, Genealogy Research Resources, Genetic Genealogy, Research Tips

How Your Family Tree Brings Your DNA to Life

If you’ve received your DNA results from a genealogy DNA website, but have little or no genealogical research experience, this article provides guidance about how to discover what and who your DNA matches are revealing to you.

Topics:

Cousins, DNA Research, DNA Research Tips and Resources, Family Trees, Finding Family, Genealogy Articles, Genealogy Research Resources, Genetic Genealogy, Grandparents, Research Tips

How to Leverage DNA Matches Without Family Trees

If DNA matches without family trees seem to be posing obstacles in your research, read on for tips on how to leverage DNA mystery matches to open new discoveries on your genetic genealogical journey.

Topics:

DNA Research, DNA Research Tips and Resources, Family Trees, Finding Family, Genealogy Articles, Genealogy Research Resources, Research Tips

How many grandparents have you discovered?

Why You’ll Never Know How Many Grandparents You Have

None of us actually know how many grandparents we have due to a phenomenon called pedigree collapse. This article explains what pedigree collapse is and how it affects your family history.

Topics:

Consanguinity, Cousins, Degrees of Kinship, DNA Research, Genealogy Articles, Genealogy Research Resources, Genetic Genealogy, Grandparents, Illinois Genealogy, My Family Lines, Research Case Studies, Research Tips

Exactly How You’re Related to Your Cousins

This article explains how you’re related to your ‘distant’ and not so distant cousins and explores the value of interviewing cousins as part of your DNA and genealogy research.