Miles Meyer
- Family History Research
- Speaking / Presenting
- Family History Research
- Family History Research
- Methodology & Resources
- Technology
- Available for in-person events
- Available for virtual events
- Event / Reunion / Travel Planning
Comment from RootsTech 2025 - "Amazing! I will be going to any classes he presents in the future."
Comment from RootsTech 2025 - "Excellent presenter. So much detailed information and presented in an easy to understand manner. Great examples in slides of what he is talking about. One of the best I've seen."
Comment from Nick R. research client - "Wow. I just cannot get over how amazing this is and how amazing YOU are!!! Thank you SO much!!! I’m honestly in your debt. You have cracked the case I’ve been on for 20 years. Incredible!"
Logic for Family History Research: From Clues to Conclusions - Logic in Genealogy empowers researchers to distinguish truth from tradition using structured thinking. Understanding logical validity (how conclusions follow from premises) vs truth (what reflects reality) is key. Deductive reasoning applies general principles to specific cases; inductive reasoning builds generalizations from data. Common fallacies—like confirmation bias or post hoc reasoning—can skew genealogical analysis. Clear logic helps write responsible, credible reports and builds stronger ancestral narratives. This presentation will look at the various ways logic and fallacies can influence your genealogical research.
Location, Location, Location - Tracking family history through land records - Land records are an important but under-utilized record set in your genealogy research. In many regions, land stayed in the family for generations, passing from father to child. Sometimes it was sold, other times it was inherited. Adjacent property ownership may help resolve questions about marriages or other relatives. This presentation will cover topics such as plat maps, deeds, and property transfers to piece together families, relations, and their movements. The presentation will also address federal land versus state land states, bounty lands, homesteads, deeds, probate records, agricultural schedules, maps, and other relevant records. Examples of how these can be used to discover lost family details will be discussed. (This presentation will be given at RootsTech 2026 in Salt Lake City.)
Who's Leo? Solving Family Mysteries with the FAN Method and Census Clues - an unknown relative, census records, and the FAN method - If you have been researching genealogy for a while you may have heard of the FAN method. FAN stands for Friends, Acquaintances and Neighbors. This technique looks at those living nearby on the census, investigating associated people on various records, and who is listed on other records. This presentation traces the research of an unknown family member through various records demonstrating how the information in census records may be misleading, why it is necessary to fully evaluate information in multiple record types, and why it is important to look at nearby families to resolve family mysteries. It will focus on one individual and how a detailed investigation of the information led to multiple discoveries resolving how that person was related to the family in question. Problems that will be discussed include detailed census evaluation, poor enumeration data, poor indexing, the FAN method, multiple marriages, cemetery and newspaper research, and resolving the missing 1890 census. (This presentation will be given at RootsTech 2026 in Salt Lake City.) https://ourancestories.blogspot.com/2016/05/leo-herman-kohnen-1888-1976.html?m=1
Discovering German Church Records - Nearly 20% of all Americans claim German ancestry. It is one of the largest ethnicities across the Midwest, Plains, and Pacific Northwest states. For these people, German records are an important part of researching their family history. Many of these records are available online making them easily accessible. This presentation will cover the different online repositories for German church records including site such as Matricula, Archion, various archives, and the major genealogy websites. The most used records include baptism, marriage, and burial records but there are additional records available. Some of these records provide much more information than you would expect. For example, baptism records may also include marriage and death dates, indicate the number of the child in order of the family, and provide immigration details. Examples of various records from the 18th and 19th centuries will be discussed along with the importance of knowing certain German words. Learning even the basics of reading these records can open a new door into your German family history research. (This presentation will be given at RootsTech 2026 in Salt Lake City.)
Unlocking the Past: How AI Transforms Genealogy Research - Are you fascinated by family history? Discover how AI is revolutionizing genealogy in our upcoming presentation, "Unlocking the Past: How AI Transforms Genealogy Research." Join us to learn how artificial intelligence is making family history research more exciting and accessible than ever before. This presentation covers the basics of AI and how it is currently being used by companies such as FamilySearch, Ancestry, and MyHeritage.
Advanced AI Applications for Genealogy Research – This presentation covers more advanced uses of AI in genealogy research. Learn how the five major AI engine can be used in your research and how to develop prompts. Understand how to establish roles for the AI and specific tasks so AI becomes your own personal research assistant.
Introduction to DNA - This presentation provides an overview of DNA, explaining its role as the genetic blueprint and detailing how humans inherit genetic material from their parents, grandparents, and earlier ancestors. It covers the different types of DNA testing—Y-chromosome, mitochondrial, X chromosome, and autosomal—highlighting how each test traces specific ancestral lines and who can take them. The presentation also reviews major DNA testing companies and their offerings, such as Family Tree DNA, Living DNA, 23andMe, My Heritage, and Ancestry. Throughout, it uses real-world examples to illustrate how DNA testing can reveal ancestry, family relationships, and genetic traits, making the science of DNA both practical and engaging for genealogy enthusiasts.
A Deep Dive into the US Census Records - The US Census has changed greatly since the first one was performed in 1790. This presentation will discuss how the census has changed from 1790 to 1950, provide an explanation of the data that is available in the various census records, and how to develop that into a timeline to discover the details for your family. Prior to 1850, the US Census was a list of names and tick marks. From 1850 to 1950, six basic questions asked in each census remained the same: name, age, gender, race, occupation, and place of birth. Relationships to head of household were asked from 1880 to 1950, and the citizenship status of each foreign-born person was asked from 1890 to 1950. The information from each census alone gives you a snapshot of the family but by combining several census years together, you can begin to see patterns in occupations, residences, and many other characteristics that can help you discover the story of your ancestors. (This presentation was given at RootsTech 2025 in Salt Lake City.)
The Ayes Have It - Discovering Your Ancestors Through Voting Records - In 1870, 150 years ago, the 15th Amendment was passed prohibiting the exclusion of citizens from voting based on race, color, or previous condition of servitude. In 1920, just 100 years ago, the 19th Amendment was passed granting women the right to vote. And, in 1965, 55 years ago, the Voting Rights Act was passed prohibiting racial discrimination in voting. Each of these pieces of legislation increased the opportunity of US citizens to exercise their right to vote. Voting records are not one of the record sets that you generally think of going to for your genealogy research, but they could be a great resource if you are able to find them. Voting records are collected on a regular schedule and can be used as replacements for the 1890 US Census. They may contain a great variety of information and can help you discover naturalization, land, migration, and death records. They may contain information on family relationships and property ownership or may even provide evidence of criminal convictions or mental states for your ancestors. Join me in this discussion and discover the rich resource that voter records can be. (This presentation was given at RootsTech 2025 in Salt Lake City.)
Adding Social History to Your Family History - Social history can play an important role in your family history. Social history focuses on the lives of ordinary people and ties history to your ancestors. This presentation will provide information on how to research social history and how it helps us understand how our ancestor’s lives and decisions were affected by events of their times. (This presentation was given at RootsTech 2024 in Salt Lake City.)
Using Census, Maps and Newspapers to Enhance Your Research - Combining census, maps and newspapers can help you with your research. This presentation will discuss the clues from each type of document that will lead you to more information. For example, the census may provide an address and occupation which could lead you to specific businesses and newspaper articles. (This presentation was given at RootsTech 2024 in Salt Lake City.)
Tour of Online European Archives -- Europe is leading the way by putting many of their archives online. These archives provide an important resource for those researching their European ancestry. This class will discuss how to find various regional and national archives and the steps needed to find those records that are most important to your research. The focus will be on central European archives (France, Germany, etc.) and the larger multi-national archives such as the Europeana website. (This presentation was given at RootsTech 2019 in Salt Lake City and RootsTech 2019 in London, England.)
Discovering Online German Archives -- This presentation will discuss how to find and access the various archives within Germany as well as exploring archives outside Germany, in countries such as Poland, France, and Denmark. We will explore the differences in appearance and accessibility of the various archives and also provide some tips on reading these records to gather the valuable genealogy information contained within them. (This presentation was given at RootsTech Connect 2022.)
Discovering Online French Archives -- This presentation will discuss how to find and access the various archives within France as well as exploring archives outside the country which may have useful records. We will explore the differences in appearance and accessibility of the various archives and also provide some tips on reading these records to gather the valuable genealogy information contained within them. (This presentation was given at RootsTech Connect 2022.)
Discovering Online Dutch Archives -- This presentation will discuss how to find and access the various Dutch archives and how to find useful records. We will explore the differences in appearance and accessibility of the various archives and also provide some tips on reading these records to gather the valuable genealogy information contained within them. (This presentation was given at RootsTech Connect 2022.)
Technology Trends in Family History – Technology is changing at an ever-increasing pace. This presentation takes a look at the past, present and future of genealogy research with an emphasis on mobility, digitization, and artificial intelligence. The future of family history research might include interactivity in ways that we have never before seen. (This presentation was given at The Genealogy Show Winter 2022 in England.)
Mapping Your Roots - Adding Maps to Your Analysis - This presentation will discuss some of the sources for historic maps as well as the tools that can be used to build your own maps for your communities. Learn how to find historic maps online and how to build your own maps by importing map images (pdf, jpg, etc.) into Google Earth so you can overlay historic information on current satellite imagery. Additionally, discover how spreadsheets can be used to import information from records, such as the census, into Google Maps. Timelines can be used to map the movements of your ancestors within a town or across the globe. And your photos can be added to Google StreetView to produce mosaics of the historic community. These projects can add context to your research that increases interest and provides inspiration. (This presentation was given at The Genealogy Show Spring 2022 in England and RootsTech Connect 2021.)
Building the Story by Adding Newspapers - Newspapers provide a daily glimpse into our ancestors' lives. Most small communities and all major cities had their own newspapers which documented the lives of the people in the area. These newspapers often had detailed marriage and death information as well as other society news that help to build the story around your ancestors. Was your ancestor a businessman? Maybe ads for his company can be found. Was your ancestor infamous? What might you find about their exploits? Exciting and compelling stories and the context of their lives can be gathered by digging a little deeper into the newspaper stories. (This talk was presented at The Genealogy Show Summer 2022 in England.)
Navigating the Past: Uncovering Your Ancestral Journey through Ship Manifests and Immigration Records - This presentation will reveal the secrets hidden within ship manifests and immigration records, empowering you to trace your ancestors' footsteps as they embarked on their new lives in a new land. You will discover how to decode and utilize historical ship manifests, passenger lists, and immigration records to unlock the stories of your ancestors. Miles will guide you through the process, teaching you how to identify key details such as names, dates, places of origin, and immigration destinations. You will learn to piece together the puzzle of your family's migration history, making connections between the past and the present. Whether you're a seasoned genealogist or a beginner, "Navigating the Past" offers valuable insights and practical tips for unearthing your ancestral roots. Take a voyage back in time, as we explore the rich history and personal narratives that lie within the pages of these invaluable historical documents. Your family's history is waiting to be discovered, and this presentation will provide you with the tools and knowledge to embark on this exciting journey of self-discovery.
Using Technology to Organize Your Research – Technology continues to move ahead at a fast pace. Back when I started using computers, we had 10 Mb hard drives and wondered how we would ever use so much storage. Today we struggle with 1 TB drives because they are not large enough for all of our data. This presentation will focus on ways to use today’s technology to organize your genealogy information to ensure that it is easy to find and makes your research productive. We will talk about research logs, photo and record storage, cloud storage, facial recognition and other current technologies that can help you be more organized.
Disaster Proofing Your Genealogy - Disasters, both natural and manmade, can have a significant impact on our genealogy research. Many of the items in our personal genealogy collections are one-of-a-kind and irreplaceable. How would you handle a disaster? This presentation will discuss preventative measures as well as restorative measures that you can take to reduce the potential for damage to your precious heirlooms. We will discuss ways to disaster proof your records, planning ahead for the event, protecting your records from everyday disasters at home, and salvaging the items that may be impacted by a disaster.
Beyond the Search – Google as a Research Tool – Most of us use Google on a regular basis to search for information. However, Google is much more than just an internet search engine. The parts of Google that many researchers may not have considered during their research, such as Google Books, Google Scholar, Google Patents, Google Newspaper Archives, Google Maps, Google Docs and Google Images, can provide a source of information that may just get you that next piece that you are looking for. This presentation will discuss these lesser-known parts of Google and demonstrate step by step ways to use them in your research.
The Family History Guide - The Family History Guide is a website focused on enhancing your skills in genealogical research. This site provides step by step tutorials on using FamilySearch, Ancestry, MyHeritage, and FindMyPast as well as helpful hints on researching different types of records. The Family History Guide also provides training on how to research locations from the country level all the way down to individual counties. You can track your progress as you go through each lesson and take quizzes to see if you are retaining the information presented and, if you need to review a topic again, it is as easy as going back to that lesson and following the steps provided.
Thinking Outside the Box – Learn about sites you may not have considered for genealogy research. This class discusses the opportunity to search outside the standard genealogy sites during your research. Those sites that many researchers may not have considered during their research can provide a wealth of information found nowhere else. Sites such as Google Books, Google Scholar, Google Patents and Google Images can provide a source of information that you may not have considered in the past. eBay and other auction sites may provide access to family memorabilia that has been lost. There are many other sites that are not normally considered by researchers. Think outside the box and find some new and interesting sources.
FamilySearch Apps – FamilySearch provides an open-source platform for many developers to work with. There are now well over 100 apps that work with FamilySearch data. This talk will cover the official FamilySearch apps as well as affiliate apps and demonstrate how you can work efficiently from your mobile device when doing family history research.
FamilySearch Unveiled – FamilySearch.org is one of the largest FREE online genealogy databases. During this live demonstration we will discuss the benefits and pitfalls of the FS FamilyTree, how to discover records using hints, how to find unindexed digital records, how sourcing works and why it is important, how to use the Wiki, and many other topics. Come learn how to use one of the most important genealogy sites on the internet.
Google Mapping Tools - Google provides a variety of tools to help visualize our ancestor’s lives. Many of us use Google Maps to find locations, directions, and see street views of areas where our ancestors may have lived, but there are many more functions that we probably haven't used. Google Earth is a more powerful mapping tool which brings layers and imagery into our maps. Google Tour Builder is a multimedia platform that helps us build story maps through text, imagery, and maps. Each of these platforms serves a specific purpose in our research. I will discuss how to use the platforms along with Google Sheets to map your ancestor's stories and how to make the most of each platform in your research.
Mapping Your Roots -- This discussion will delve into some of the mapping tools that you can find online and help you understand how they can be used to provide context to your genealogy research. Maps are useful tools to place your ancestors in context with their surroundings, understand what was happening during their lives, locate other family members, and visualize immigration patterns. There are a variety of online maps available to aid in your research. Using historical maps can help you determine boundary changes and where a set of records may be found. Plat maps can help you understand how property is transferred within a family. Current maps can provide insight on geographical features that may have been important to your ancestors.
Using German Maps and Gazetteers – This talk is similar to Mapping Your Roots but focuses specifically on German mapping resources. These resources include historical and current maps which illustrate how boundaries and place names have changed over time. We will also talk about ways to find your ancestors’ hometowns on these maps.
Tracking Your German American Cousins - This presentation discusses ways that researchers can look for their German-America cousins and discover what happened to those branches of their family tree. I will discuss how to use Auswander (emigration) records and other German records that may have emigration notes to discover your German ancestors. US records that show immigration information will also be discussed.
Blogging Your Ancestors – This program discusses the basics of blogging. Blogging has become an important communication tool. There are many types of blogs, but genealogy has become a major topic for bloggers. We will talk about potential topics, interests and themes as well as finding a place to host your blog. Tips on building timelines, mind mapping and story boarding will be presented as well as ways to publicize your blog to build viewership.
Digging Up Your Ancestors – Online cemetery databases have grown over the last couple decades and are now an important tool in researching your family history. We will discuss the major databases including FindAGrave, BillionGraves and Intermnent.net as well as some other sites that you may not be as familiar with which have burial records.
Locating Hometown Newspapers – Most small communities and all major cities had their own newspapers which documented the lives of the people in the area. These newspapers often had marriage and death information as well as other society news that help to build the story around your ancestors. This presentation talks about the various major as well as minor newspaper databases. We will also discuss how to use the information found in these stories to add context to your ancestors.
German Genealogy Research – A large number of Americans have roots in Germany. For many communities in the late 1800s and early 1900s, German was the dominant language, meaning that many documents and newspapers were written in German. This presentation will discuss the major resources available to research your German roots, including translator tools, handwriting tips, surname mapping and gazetteers. We will discuss using the US Census to find clues on your immigrant ancestors and finding emigration and immigration records. Since Germans were generally very active in church, many of their records will be found in church records. We will also talk about using social media and wikis to find the clues you need to research your families.
Social Media for Genealogists – Social media has become one of the fastest growing ways to communicate. But many people are concerned with the negative impact of social media. This presentation will talk about the ways social media can be used to improve your genealogy research. We will talk about various groups where volunteers help you with your questions. Some of these groups do photo restoration, others will do minor translations, while still others will do look-ups for you. I will also discuss how you can build your own social media presence and bring in new cousins that you never knew before.
Finding Your Family in the Second-Hand Store – We all have some idea on how to do our research in archives, libraries and online but have you considered the use of alternatives, such as eBay, online auctions, garage sales and second-hand stores, in your research. Sometimes there are gems, such as photos, bibles, journals, letters, memorabilia, etc., in these locations that we just don't realize until we take a look. This class discusses how you can find these items and use online groups that try to reunite these items with their families.
Mining the Census Records to Write Your Family Story – The US Census has changed greatly since the first one was performed in 1790. This presentation will discuss how the census has changed from 1790 to 1950, provide an explanation of the data that is available in the various census records, and how to develop that into a timeline that can be used to write a narrative for a family.
Using Technology for Today’s Genealogists - In the old days (15-20 or more years ago) many researchers kept boxes and file cabinets of paper and photographs to document their research. We took road trips to archives and libraries with rolls of quarters for the copy machine. We carried along notepads and extra pencils and pens to record information. We used atlases and folded maps to find directions to where we were going. Those more advanced researchers may have carried along a 10-pound laptop, tape recorder, camera, video camera, and a suitcase full of other items to assist them in their research. Today we are able to shrink all of this down to a bag the size of a large purse and have more than enough technology available to do our research. This class will discuss some of the technological advancements that have been made over the last few years and how that makes it easier for us to successfully perform our research. We will talk about Smartphones/iPhones, tablets/iPads, digital cameras, portable scanners, cloud storage, software/apps, and much more.
They All Have a Story - Your ancestors all have a story to tell and it is your duty to find it. This presentation will step you through the process of finding the information, compiling it and then using that information to tell the story of their lives. Records such as Census, birth, marriage, and death can help you provide the skeleton of the story but there is more to them that just that. We will discuss timelines, storyboarding, and filling in the gaps during this presentation.
- 21st Century
- 20th Century
- 19th Century
International Institute of Genealogical Studies - Methodology, Analysis & Skills (14 class program) - graduated with distinction
International Institute of Genealogical Studies - American Records (10 class program) - graduated with distinction
The Family History Guide - Education Director