Summer is typically a time to relax and rewind. Daily life slows down as the heat index rises.
While many genealogical societies go on hiatus during the summer and online webinars slow down dramatically, your genealogical education doesn’t have to shut down until fall either.
There is noting better than sitting down – in the air conditioned house or by the pool – with a good book, so here are a few of my suggestions.
With the Semiquincentennial of the United States in full swing and Independence Day less than a month away, I’m delving into The Painter’s Fire: A Forgotten History of the Artists Who Championed the American Revolution by Zara Anishanslin (Kindle $18.12) which shares the stories of three artists who supported liberty at the time of the American Revolution. It’s not directly related to genealogy, but it’s an interesting read about the founding of the U.S.A.
Do you have American military women in your family tree? This book’s more of a reference, but necessary reading for those who have women who served. American Women and the U.S. Armed Forces: A Guide to the Records of Military Agencies in the National Archives Relating to American Women ($8.98, hardcover, used) by Charlotte Palmer Seeley, purdy and Gruber and published in 1992 provides 355 pages of information related to women and the American military.
Want to learn more about Artificial Intelligence (AI)? I’d recommend Co-Intelligence: Living and Working with AI by Ethan Mollick, published in 2024 (Kindle $14.99). It doesn’t cover genealogy uses, but it’s an easy reading overview of AI and its predicted future.
Ancestoring: Understanding Records, Family, and Ourselves: Understanding Records, Family, and Ourselves: Understanding Records, Families, and Ourselves by Darcie Hind Posz, published in January 2026 (Paperback $34.95), provides a really unique way of looking at our ancestors’ lives, stepping back and taking the point of view of objects and events first. I recently reviewed this book and, for disclosure purposes, I received a complimentary copy for review purposes. If you are a serious researcher and caretaker of your family stories, if you buy only one book this year, I’d recommend this one!
A final book suggestion is The Foundling: The True Story of a Kidnapping, a Family Secret, and My Search for the Real Me by Paul Joseph Fronczak (Kindle $9.99).
If you’re looking for something self-paced and more genealogy hands-on, check out Thomas MacEntee’s Genealogy Do Over Workbook, 2026 edition (Kindle $9.99 or Paperback $16.99). Thomas has included AI Assist features in this edition.
Another self-paced program I would recommend is Family Locket’s Research Like a Pro with AI, 2nd edition ($40.99). It is a bit expensive, but if you want to sharpen your genealogy research and writing skills with AI, this is the workbook you’ll want. There is a link to a Facebook support group provided when you buy the book, which is downloadable. I printed mine out, punched holes and put it is a soft cover binder for easy reference.
My last recommendations for summer genealogy education are FREE!
Podcasts are, for the most part, easy listening and there are some excellent genealogy podcasters out there.
Genealogy Gems with Lisa Louise Cooke
The Family Tree Magazine Genealogy Podcasts, also hosted by Lisa Louise Cooke
The Genealogy Guys Podcast with George G. Morgan and Drew Smith
The Family History AI Show with Mark Thompson and Steve Little
Legacy Family Tree Webinars does NOT take a summer break and their 2026 line up is fabulous. You must be a member to access recordings and handouts, but if you register and attend the live session, you can listen in for free.
Here is a sample of upcoming webinars in the next ten days:
As you can see, I’m into Canadian research at the moment as I delve into my Loyalist collateral lines.
Have you already made plans for your summer genealogy education? Leave a comment and share!