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Josh Taylor

D. Joshua Taylor

D. Joshua Taylor is a professional genealogist and co-host of the popular PBS series Genealogy Roadshow. A frequent speaker on topics related to family history, he is the current president of the Federation of Genealogical Societies, a non-profit organization linking millions of genealogists across the globe. Joshua holds an MA (History) and MLS (Archival Management) and has been a featured expert on Who Do You Think You Are? (NBC and TLC).

Sister Irene and children at New York Foundling orphanage

"Children at New York Foundling cph.3a23917" by Jacob Riis - This image is available from the United States Library of Congress's Prints and Photographs division under the digital ID cph.3a23917. Licensed under Public Domain via <a href="https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Children_at_New_York_Foundling_cph.3a23917.jpg#/media/File:Children_at_New_York_Foundling_cph.3a23917.jpg" target="_blank">Wikimedia Commons</a>

Tracing Orphans in Your Ancestry

Modern-day DNA research is beginning to unlock longstanding mysteries regarding orphans.
"Lincoln debating Douglas" by Cool10191. Licensed under Public Domain via <a href="https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Lincoln_debating_douglas.jpg#/media/File:Lincoln_debating_douglas.jpg" target="_blank">Wikimedia Commons</a>

Unlocking Your Ancestor’s Political Leanings

Ethnicity and job occupation are but a few factors in tracing the political leanings of your ancestors.
"Sprit of '76.2". Licensed under Public Domain via Wikimedia Commons

The American Revolution and Genealogy Research

The history of loyalists and rebels in the American Revolution and genealogy research.
"Western College Commencement procession 1932 (3195482392)" by Snyder, Frank R.Flickr: Miami U. Libraries - Digital Collections - https://www.flickr.com/photos/muohio_digital_collections/3195482392/. Via Wikimedia Commons

The History of Graduation Ceremonies and Other School Rituals

Graduation ceremonies and traditions have certainly changed over the past 100 years.
paper files

Population Studies for the Genealogist

Estimating the accuracy and depth of the records is just one insight genealogist's gain from population studies.
Three generations of men on family farm

Our Farming Ancestors

While fewer farming family can be found today than many years ago, they still remain an important concept for any genealogist to understand.
Courtesy of D. Joshua Taylor

The Influenza Epidemic of 1918 and Your Ancestors

The Influenza Epidemic of 1918 was a global catastrophe that is estimated to have killed between 40 and 50 million people.
gravestone

The Genealogy Factor: Graveyards & Gravestones

This is the first in a series of columns by Genealogy Roadshow host Josh Taylor about doing genealogical research on JSTOR.