[Genealogy] Process Tracking, Yodeling, Consultations, and More
Michael John Neill
mjnrootdig at gmail.com
Fri Aug 28 15:18:50 CDT 2026
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Genealogy Update
27 August 2026
** The Importance of Process Tracking
** Notebook for Genealogy
** Skinny Yodeler
** Consultations
** Keep Getting the Update
-------------------------
The Importance of Process Tracking
------------------------
Solutions manuals to math text books have the answers and sometimes the
correct work to get that answer. That’s all fine and good if one has a
reasonable idea of what one is doing.
It is not so good when one is struggling with process and does not know
what to do when, does not know why certain processes are preferred over
others, and does not know what to do when things don’t work the way they
are supposed to. Neatly written up examples with the correct answer do not
explain insight nor do they show how the solver of the problem struggled
with wrong process and incorrect assumptions.
That’s when teachers, in one form or another, are helpful. That’s also
where it is helpful for the student to see not just the complete, neat, and
written-up answer, but also the process, the mistakes, and the reasons
behind what was done. They need to see the messy process that lead to the
answer–assuming that there is an answer.
The same is true in genealogical research.
I can read all the neatly written up case studies that I want. I can see
conclusions made clearly, logically, and concisely. But sometimes that
still does not tell me:
- how did you find that?
- how did you know to look for that?
- why did you try that first?
- what did you try that did not work?
Some case studies explain those things. Many do not. Those details are
frequently edited out in the interest of space and “staying on point.”
That’s a mistake for two reasons.
The first is that the reader benefits from seeing process written in a
clear and understanding way. The second is that readers who are analyzing
the argument made by the writer can better judge the writer’s research
process and methodology if they at least know how the writer looked for
things. This is especially true when databases and indexes are queried for
individuals. Did those searches cover all reasonable variants? Were all
reasonable locations checked for certain records and what were the records
that were searched? It is great to say one has found things and what those
things contain and to analyze that information, but
if the reader knows nothing about the search process, then the reader
cannot determine the perceived efficacy and exhaustiveness of that process.
Saying “Peter Bieger could not be located in the 1850 census” does not tell
me anything. How was that search conducted? Were database queries used and,
if so, what search terms were used? After all, I don’t know if the author
searched for Peter Bieger as that name exactly or if their search included
constructs that would locate spellings such as Peter Pickert unless they
tell me. Was a manual search of places where Peter Bieger is reasonably
believed to have lived conducted in addition to database queries?
Statements (particularly ones where something cannot be found) cannot be
evaluated without knowing something about the research process.
Researchers who have no intention of publishing need to track their own
process as well for two main reasons:
- it allows you later to re-evaluate your process and determine if that
process was flawed
- it allows you to conduct the search over to see if there were results
that you overlooked
Citations are important, but they get at what we’ve found and who created
it. Process gets at how we got to that information we needed to cite. And
that process matters as well.
-----------------------------
*All events are given in US Central Time--some messages had other time
zones stated.*
*Registration is ending*
Notebook for Genealogy–A Four Session Pick Your Own Problem Course
With Michael John Neill
Our focus is on being practical, exhibiting sound genealogy methodology,
and demonstrating responsible use of Notebook (Google’s suite of AI tools)
in genealogy research. This course is for those who would like guidance and
suggestions in how to use Notebook and have a place to get feedback and
additional direction.
*What is Notebook?*
NotebookLM (often simply Notebook) is Google’s suite of AI-driven tools to
analyze data from files and information you provide it. .
Notebook uses sources of your choosing, not what it found online. You
upload your own materials—including PDF files, text files, Google Docs,
slides, or web links—and the AI creates a private workspace built
exclusively around that data. You can upload any genealogy information to
it tht you wish , but it is recommended that only deceased people be
included and that you not upload DNA information on living people.
Capabilities
-
Answers with Citations: When you ask questions or search your uploaded
files, every response includes citations to your uploaded documents,
allowing you to double-check sources.
-
Synthesis & Content Creation: Notebook automatically generates concise
summaries, outlines main themes, and identifies connections or conflicts
across dozens of sources at once. You do need to validate its summaries and
conclusions.
-
Audio-visual Outputs: Beyond text answers, Notebook can create study
guides, briefing documents, timeline charts, slide decks, podcast
interviews, and videos based on your content. Even if you never share the
created materials, just viewing them and interacting with them may give you
some insight into your genealogical problem.
Course Prerequisites & Required Materials You should have digital records
for one ancestor or a father-mother-children family, including every extant
record available.
-
Format: PDF or JPG for images; PDF, Word, or raw text for transcriptions.
-
Preparation: Be familiar with the specific ancestral research problem
you plan to work on to get the most from Notebook LM and AI concepts.
Gather all materials between registration and the start of class.
Course Format & Zoom Sessions
-
Pre-Recorded Lectures: Students will view two hours of presentations
before group sessions begin.
-
Live Zoom Sessions: Held on Sunday nights (and recorded for later
viewing). Sessions combine live demonstrations by Michael working through a
set of family records alongside group discussions where students share
prompts, results, challenges, and questions.
Class Focus & Weekly Assignments
-
Weekly Assignments: One assignment per week focused on Notebook's media
outputs using your own research problem.
-
Scope: The course focuses on mastering the tools and capabilities of
Notebook rather than providing individual research advice, making it
accessible to participants working on problems from any region.
Community Discussion & Communication
-
Private Google Group: Used for asynchronous discussion, peer
interaction, Q&A, and prompt sharing outside of live sessions.
-
Email Requirement: A Gmail account is strongly recommended. Accounts
with AOL, Yahoo, or Hotmail frequently experience delivery issues with
group emails.
Take the class live on Sunday Night or Tuesday Mornings!
*Tuesday Sessions--10 AM Eastern Time--still available*
*Important Dates*
- *1 September:* Pre-recorded lectures become available for download,
and the private Google Group opens.
- *Live Zoom Discussions (Tuesdays at 10:00 AM Central US time):* 15
September, 22 September, 29 September, and 13 October. Time: 10 am US
Central Daylight Time.
*Registration & Tuition*-
- *Fee:* $70–register now to save your spot
<https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=T8YR5W34FDC4L>
.
- *Availability:* Registration is limited.
- Register for Sunday Night Sessions
<https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=T8YR5W34FDC4L>
Current offerings:
-
Notebook AI–four week class
<https://genealogytipoftheday.com/index.php/2026/08/12/notebook-for-genealogy-four-week-class/>
-
Metes and Bounds AI–one hour webinar
<https://genealogytipoftheday.com/index.php/2026/08/16/using-ai-for-metes-and-bounds-deed-analysis/>
Upcoming Trips:
-
Midwest Genealogy Center–Independence, Missouri
<https://genealogytipoftheday.com/index.php/mid-continent-genealogy-library-october-2025-research-trip/>--October
2026
-
Library of Virginia
<https://genealogytipoftheday.com/index.php/2025-library-of-virginia-research-trip-richmond-virginia/>--March
2027--make deposit and pay balance later
Ready-to-Go Webinars–download immediate:
-
Creating Children’s Stories from Genealogy Events
<https://genealogytipoftheday.com/index.php/creating-childrens-stories-from-genealogy-information/>
-
Creating Families from pre-1850 Census Records
<https://genealogytipoftheday.com/index.php/creating-families-from-pre-1850-census-records/>
-
DeedMapper webinars
<https://genealogytipoftheday.com/index.php/deedmapper-intro-and-more-deedmapper-webinars/>
-
Farming Ancestor webinars–landowner and non-landowner versions
<https://genealogytipoftheday.com/index.php/rooting-around-for-farmers-and-tenants-and-laborers/>
-----------------------------
Skinny Yodeler
-----------------------------
Some families are simply known for being long-winded.
According to family tradition printed in a privately published 1950-era
family history, John Michael Trautvetter went from Illinois to California
during the great Gold Rush. Fortune did not smile on John Michael in
California. He found no gold and became frustrated. He decided that panning
for gold simply was not worth it. After all, the majority of the time
goldseekers came up emptyhanded.
Frustrated with his lack of success in California, John Michael decided to
return to Illinois by ship. This required that he sail around the tip of
South America. He was headed to New Orleans so that he could continue north
on the Mississippi until he reached Hancock County, Illinois.
The ship ran out of water and was forced to land. John Michael and several
other young men were sent ashore in search of water and were subsequently
captured by cannibals. All hope seemed lost and the former goldseekers
thought they would meet their end on the tip of South America, thousands of
miles from home. It was not to be. John Michael was a musician and his
yodeling scared the natives and they decided he was too skinny to eat
anyway.
They were freed and returned to the boat.
Skinny yodelers simply are not appetizing.
Genealogy Consultations with Michael John Neill
What is a consultation?
It’s a chance to discuss your specific problem with a professional
genealogist, one who can look at your problem family with a fresh set of
eyes. It can help you get started if you are just getting started with your
research or continue if you’ve reached a point where you do not know what
to do. It’s like having a problem-solving class devoted to your family.
We’ll look at see if there any additional clues or leads in the records you
have already located and discuss what the next steps are in your genealogy
journey on your family of interest. It’s also a time for you to ask
specific questions about the materials you have found.
People—problem will revolve around one ancestor, a couple, or a couple and
their children.
Places—problem will be US based, including people who were immigrants to
the United States.
Time period—problem will focus on individuals born before 1900.
Consultee will submit documents on ancestor in an electronic format as
either an email attachment or via Dropbox. *Submission should be no more
than fifteen pages of records and one additional page of questions about
those records*. Submission should include materials located and materials
searched negatively. Submission should include research goal.
Fee is $140–we are having a 2025 holiday sale of $100
<https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=N9T7VCB8DTJ7C>
(number
of consultations at reduced price is limited). Michael will review
materials submitted and schedule a Zoom meeting for a discussion of the
problem. Consultees are encouraged to have a list of questions
About Michael
- Michael has nearly forty years of research experience in courthouses,
libraries, archives, and online.
- Michael has led research trips to the FamilySearch Library and the
Allen County Public Library where he helped participants on a regular basis.
- Michael has worked on families in a variety of areas in the United
States—including rural and urban areas.
- Michael can help you evaluate and interpret sources for perceived
reliability.
- Michael can help you create a to-do list based on your
problem—including materials to access and skills and methodologies that
could be helpful generally.
- Michael will let you ask questions as a part of the consultation
process.
What you’ll get:
- Michael’s notes (typed) on your problem that were used in preparation
for the Zoom meeting—including a section of where to go next.
- The Zoom meeting with Michael.
Zoom meetings are scheduled at a mutually agreed upon time based on the
schedule of Michael and the consultee.
Register for a consultation today
<https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=N9T7VCB8DTJ7C>
($100
sale price–save $40!).
-----------------------
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------------------------------------
Michael John Neill
Genealogy Tip of the Day
PO Box 17, Henderson, IL 61439
http://www.genealogytipoftheday.com
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