Great Sale to learn more about your DNA

Diahan Southard is THE person to teach you about DNA. She is so knowledgeable and is great at making hard things understandable. And she is just a delightful person. So, we've partnered together to give you a great deal on her book for one week only.   

Between September 27th and October 4th
Family ChartMasters' clients and friends can get 20% off 
Your DNA Guide-the Book
Just use the promotional code FALLBOOK when you order here 

The print edition is only $31.99.  You can also get the ebook for the low price of only $16.99 if you would prefer. 

Understanding your DNA test results,  can help you with questions like: “Who is
that DNA match?” or “Who are my birth relatives?” or “Who is my mystery ancestor that I’ve
been trying to find for years?”

Your DNA Guide—the Book guides you through these and other common DNA questions. You
simply pick a question, then follow a clear, step-by-step plan to explore it. Learn key DNA
concepts on a need-to-know basis so you can stay focused on your question. Diahan
Southard’s fun, easy-to-read writing sounds like she’s talking right to you. She is! Your DNA
Guide—the Book empowers you to start making more confident and accurate DNA discoveries.

If you don't believe me, check out a few of these other testimonials:

• [Diahan’s] friendly, familiar tone could convince anyone that they can figure out this whole “DNA thing,” and with Southard’s clear, step-by-step instructions, they can. – -Mary Kircher Roddy, FGS Magazine
• “It’s definitely not a ‘big overview of DNA testing’ book, but instead a ‘let’s get down and dirty and solve a brickwall problem’ book. And we definitely need a book like this.” – Drew Smith, The Genealogy Guys Podcast and Genealogy Connection Podcast
• “Diahan Southard is...funny and down to earth. Her presentations are always filled with color and graphics and explain the sometimes overwhelming topic in a simple and easy way to understand. She’s put her style into her first book on DNA.”
• "This book is unique. My first thought was this is just like the choose your own adventure books I used to read as a kid. It’s almost like having Diahan there to hold your hand while you work your way through your matches and find your family!” – Cheri Hudson Passey, Carolina Girl Genealogy

I'd highly recommend you pick up your copy today.  

The Search Party Course--fill the holes in your family tree.

You should subscribe to our e-newsletter, (if not, you can sign up here)

If you have been receiving our emails, you know that this summer I partnered with two of my good friends, Diahan Southard and Crista Cowan, to create a new method for doing family history research.  It is a breakthrough system that can solve any kind of research problem, but is easy enough for the most basic beginner. 

We tested out the system with several webinars that were wildly popular.  Everyone felt like this new process was really helpful in clarifying and making it easy to find your family.  So now, we've decided to expand your options for learning and using the system.  

We've put together an online course that combines all of our years of experience for your benefit--and makes it really easy to follow along.  There's a series of modules including videos and a workbooks along with a sample problem we tackle together as a class, as well as guided homework so you can try it out on your own family history problems.  That's quite a package! We can't wait for you to join us.  

The course opens for registration on September 28th.  Check out all the details here and watch your email for the time to enroll.

Christmas Deadlines

 

In order to avoid any rush fees, and to get your holiday charts in time for Christmas, you'll need to take note of the following deadlines.

 Custom Charts:

• Submit your final file by November 19th. 
• Complete your order by December 10th.  

Set Style and Fill in the Blank Charts:

• Order by December 15th.

Family History Month Giveaway

Did you that know October is Family History Month?  The U.S. Congress created it by resolution in 2001.  While we think Family History is great year-round, we're happy that we have a month to really celebrate the benefits it brings.  Family History gives us comfort in knowing where you came from and teaches us about the people who left their mark on us and formed our culture.   Some of the benefits of Family History include:

• A sense of identity in the world
• A more secure foundation for healthy relationships
• A knowledge of traits that run in our families--health, emotional, traditional and etc.
  

Understanding our family history is just a better way to have a healthy life. 

 

So, we're participating with our good friends in a Family History Month Giveaway.  There are some amazing prizes.  Check them out:

• New Search Party Course with Diahan Southard, Janet Hovorka and Crista Cowan ($97 value)
• Family History Coaching Consultation with Kenyatta Berry ($200 value)
• Family ChartMasters Gift Certificate ($200 value)
• Diahan Southard's DNA Guide Mentoring Session ($129 value)
• 5GB storage at Permanent.org
• One year subscription to Memory Web ($99 value)
• Family History Writing Consultation with Michael LeClerc the Genealogy Professor ($175 value)
• Maureen Taylor's Identifying Family Photographs course, ebook handbook, and a copy of Vivid-Pix ($180 value) 

Each prize is awarded separately so you have 8 chances to win.  What a great way to kick off celebrating Family History Month!  

Register at https://maureentaylor.com/family-history-month-giveaway by October 2nd

And join us on October 4th at 2pm EST for a Facebook Live on Maureen Taylor's Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/photodetective

Working Chart Sale: Time to get serious about your research!

From our newsletter (Have you signed up yet? You can on our newsletter sign up page.)

Fall is a great time to work on your family history. The busy vacation season is over, kids are in school and we aren't heading into the holidays just yet. It is time to get organized, call some cousins, and pull some all-nighters getting lost in the internet. (We get you!) Charts are a great way to get organized. And even though they aren't here yet, you might even start thinking about gifts for the holidays. These are sure to inspire a budding genealogists in the family. Or, if you are thinking about creating decorative charts for gifts, a quick working chart right now would help you make sure you have the data right so that you're ready to create the heirloom chart of your dreams.

This is a super quick sale. So you'll want to keep track of two deadlines:

• Send in your final file between now and August 30th. We can't accept any submissions for the offer after this date.
• Order by September 3rd at midnight.

Use the code GETTOWORK to take 30% off any working chart.

A new genealogy research help you should take a look at: Goldie May

We met Richard Miller at the NGS conference in May and this seems like the research tool I would design.  He has lots of really useful tools, you need to especially see the Goldie May Subway Map 

If you like charts, you may like the visual approach to genealogy research provided by Goldie May's Subway Map. The Subway Map is a new timeline tool, showing both the time and place of your ancestor's life events. As timelines go, the Subway Map is a work horse, not a show horse. You can check the consistency of your work, find problem areas, and zero-in on new records. It integrates with your existing FamilySearch or Ancestry tree. 

In the past, the Subway Map was available through Goldie May subscriptions plans, but as of this week, the Subway Map is available to all Goldie May users 5 times per month for free. After choosing 5 individuals to research, you can use the Subway Map all month long with those people. 

But check it out: Goldie May has other free and paid tools that can help you in your research, such as an automatic research log (seriously, it keeps a log as you browse the Internet), project management & tasks, and the ability to save and restore all your browser windows and tabs.

Goldie May is being developed by Richard Miller. He previously worked in technology roles at three genealogy companies, but only recently started doing his own genealogy research. Goldie May is the tool he's building for his own research and hopes it's helpful to others as well.

Visit https://www.goldiemay.com/ to learn more and get started.

Crista Cowan charts

Have you met Crista Cowan?  She is the corporate genealogist at Ancestry and is known online as the "Barefoot Genealogist." She also has a really popular YouTube channel where she teaches about genealogy.  You can catch it at here. She's also a dear friend of mine.  So when she asked me to create a special chart just for her followers, I was super excited to do it for her.  She is an excellent researcher and really knows how to help people up their genealogy skills.  And what better research tool than a good chart?  

The first one she wanted to do was a color coded fan chart.  Crista has a special way of color coding your DNA matches to keep them organized and help you solve more genealogy puzzles.  You can get started and watch how she does it here.  So here's the chart we developed for her that exactly matches the colors and the system she uses:  

Now you can see the big picture while you are figuring out all those DNA puzzles. This chart is 7 generations, 24x36 and is perfect for hanging over your computer or in your office.  It's a beautiful bright representation of your family history.

Then, to just all around celebrate Crista's brilliant teaching career, we did a circle chart with her Barefoot Genealogist branding.  This chart gives you a a 10 generation view of your ancestry at 36x36--with slots for adding the new people as you find them.  And it is in Crista's beautiful colors.  

So head over to the Family ChartMasters' Set Style Charts page today and get yours ordered.  Since we designed these as some of our Set Style charts, they are super quick and easy.  Just upload your file, place your order and we'll send it right out to you.  Instructions on how to send us your file from Ancestry are included on the order page.

 

Cute new family home charts

We've got something new and exciting to share with you this week! Our FamilyChartmasters designers have just finished creating a great new series of Set Style Charts to help you introduce the children in your life to their ancestors. 

Have you ever wondered how to get your own children, grandchildren, nieces and nephews, youth group or school class interested in learning about their extended family? Have they experienced the fun of discovering the names of their grandparents and great-grandparents and learning about their lives?

Look no further. These adorable five-generation pedigree charts have been designed to help kids see where they fit into their family story. These customizable charts can also help you share their family history with them in a way that is personalized and unique.

We are thrilled to introduce five styles of charts representing different families. And, we can customize any of these charts to fit your needs. Each chart is 24 x 36 inches and can be printed on either Presentation or Professional paper. You will notice on the website that each chart has been named for a unique type of architecture. They are perfect for framing and just right to add a uniquely personal touch to a child's room. 

It has been said that "the single most important thing you can do for your family may be the simplest of all: develop a strong family narrative."  https://www.nytimes.com/2013/03/17/fashion/the-family-stories-that-bind-us-this-life.html  To help you begin that journey with the children in your life, start by checking out all our new children's charts at FamilyChartmasters.com. Scroll down on our home page to "Set Style Charts" to see these and other reasonably priced charts that do not require you to work with a designer. Simply choose the style you love most and upload your information to the website. It's a simple as that. Your chart will be printed and on it's way to you before you know it.

We've named them all after architectural features.  We're excited to show you all five styles.  This is the African American version.  It is called "Portico"
   

And this is the Caucasian version.  It is called "Parapet"

We added a version for a lesbian couple.  It's called "Vestibule."

And this next one is for a family with gay dads.  It's called "Mezzanine."

And look at this one!  You can print the chart and the child can actually color it!  How cool is that!  This is the "Keystone" version.  

Just go to our Set Style Chart page at https://familychartmasters.com/set-style/ to order one for your family today!

Set Style Charts-Filled In Fill-in-the-blank Charts

We often take our fill-in-the-blank charts to genealogy conferences.  And we often get asked, can you fill these in for us?  Well--we could, but they would need to be created and refined by a designer--until now.  We've added some of our most popular fill-in-the-blank charts to our line up of set style charts.  If you are sure your data is good to go, you can now order a set style chart that is easier and cheaper than our full custom charts.  They are still designed by our talented designers.  And they're put through our quality control tests to make sure they don't just come out like a run of the mill automated chart.  So they're beautiful on a budget.  Take a look:

Topeka 20x24 inches, 6 generations

Stockholm 20x24 inches, 5 generations

Mesa 24x36 inches, 8 generations

Denver 24x36 inches, 8 generations

Branson 20x24 inches, 5 generations

 

Boston 20x24 inches. 5 generations

They're all published with a crisp clear, readable font.

You can get yours today at familychartmasters.com/set-style.  Check them out!

Set Style Charts--A family is a growing organism.

That's why a tree is such a perfect symbol.  With branches stretching up into the future, and roots stretching down into the past, the tree is a beautiful image of a family.  When we first started creating family history charts we thought trees were kind of cliche, but now we've grown to love them.  And we have so many beautiful representations we can use on your charts.  You can check some of them out in our gallery at familychartmasters.com/gallery 

So it works well that in design trends right now organic, earthy, nature themed decorating is super popular.  One of our favorite places to have retreats is at the Mountainside Marriott in Park City.  We decided to do a riff off some of the decorating elements found there.  Our talent designer Amy took the tree rings and turned them into a family history work of art.  

We named each of them after a species of birch tree:

 

Grandulosa Birch

Mountain Birch

River Birch

 

Sweet Birch 

 

And a super cool looking font.

 

You can order yours at familychartmasters.com/set-style.  They'll be a beautiful representation of your family and a beautiful piece of art for your walls. 

 

 

Memorial Day Sale--Working Charts 25% off

Hey Everyone.  We have an opportunity for you to get ready early for your family reunion this year and save money in the process!

We've only done a few working chart sales in our whole 18 year existence so this is a great opportunity you shouldn't miss. You might need a quick draft copy of research you are working on, or you may be looking for something to hang up at this year's family reunion to let people write on and add information. Either way, be sure to take advantage of this sale. Two deadlines to keep in mind: Send in your final file between now and May 20th. We can't accept any additions for this offer after this date. Order by May 30th at midnight. Use the code FAMILYMEMORIAL to take 25% off any working chart. Start with sending your information in for a free consultation at familychartmasters.com/consult.   Please collect all of the information you want on your chart before sending it to us.  While we are able to make minor corrections on charts, we can no longer start chart development or give quotes until all of the necessary family information is gathered.

Good, Better, Even Better and Best

Now with the Set Style charts we have so many options for design, size, information, we're sure to have something that fits your need for a chart and your budget.  You can think of them as Good, Better, Even Better and Best.  Take a look:

Our GOOD charts are fill in the blank charts.  Generally in about the $30 range, depending on the paper you choose, these charts have blanks for you to fill in your family information.  They are great when you are still researching, or if you want to work on a family project together or preserve a grandmother's handwriting.  With 41 designer styles, ranging from 4 to 15 generations, you're sure to find something that fits your needs. 

Our BETTER charts are our working charts.  These are basic black and white or color coded charts that we print from your genealogy data.  With no online preview, and no extra design work, these are generally considered draft copies.  They are perfect for hanging up on the wall in your genealogy cave or taking to the family reunion and writing on.  These charts can go as far as  you want.  So far our record is 30,000 people which took 800 feet of charts.  If you have more than that we'd love to give it a try.

Our EVEN BETTER charts are our new Set Style charts.  These charts have a predesignated design.  You just choose the design, send in your information and we send you out the chart with your information.  These are more artistic, designer charts but without the process of working with a designer.  If you want a quick, inexpensive but beautiful chart to hang on your wall, these are perfect.  Initial copies start at $64 or $89 depending on the paper you choose, so extra copies come down to as low as $32.

Finally we have our BEST charts.  These are our fully custom designer charts with our online preview service.  If you are looking for something unique, with an amazing customer service experience, this is it.  Just send in your information for a free consultation and we'll assign you a designer that will work with you and send you mock ups until everything is perfect and you tell us to print.  Typically in the $300 to $400 range with extra copies at 1/2 price, these charts are amazing heirlooms that your family will enjoy for years to come. 

 

With all of our charts, you can just get started by going to familychartmasters.com.  Send us your information and we'll send you out the perfect chart for your family.  We're honored to be able to help you print and display your family history in a beautiful, engaging way. 

Set Style Charts--All the colors of the rainbow

 When our designers came up with these rainbow charts, we were so excited.  They're super contemporary and modern looking and we knew they'd be perfect for so many settings.  So we introduced them in all of the colors of the rainbow.  

 We named each of them after the word rainbow in different languages.  Take a look:  

Arcus (Latin)

 

Bogha Frois (Scots Gaelic)

Regenbogen (German)

 

Sateenkaari (Finnish)

 

Arcobaleno (Italian)

 

Tecsa (Polish)

 

 

And look at the super cute font!

Perfect for gifts and super simple, they're inexpensive enough to send to all of the grandchildren.  Order yours today at https://familychartmasters.com/set-style

Announcing a Whole New Chart Concept--Set Style Charts

If you follow our newsletter (and you should--just sign up on the front page of our website at familychartmasters.com) or if you follow us on social media (instagram, facebook or twitter) You will have heard about our new product.  We're trying a whole new approach to charts, and it is going to save you money!  That's always good right? 

With our custom charts, you work with one of our designers and we send previews and make sure everything is exactly the way you want it.   With this service, we can create any kind of chart you can dream up and make any corrections you need, but the online approval process isn't instant, and working with a designer can be a little more costly even though we've tried to keep the costs reasonable. You can see some samples of the amazing charts our designers have created in the decorative chart section of our gallery.

With our working charts, we dispense with the online preview and the design work, but we can't offer anything but the basic chart because we won't be showing you the preview so it is kind of hard to imagine what a more decorative chart is going to look like.  So we keep these simple draft copies and they're inexpensive but not decorative at all.  You can see some samples in the working chart section of our gallery.

Well we've finally come up with a middle solution that we know will appeal to lots of our clients. 

We're excited announce a new product line: 

Family ChartMasters Set Style Charts

Check them out at https://familychartmasters.com/set-style

Maybe you:

• Want a beautiful chart but you're still researching and aren't quite ready for a custom chart.
• Like the designs you see here and know that your information is clean so you don't need to see the online preview.
• Want a prettier working chart where you can add information and still show it off to your family.
• Want to purchase copies for all of your family members but don't want to spend alot of money.
• Just need something quick, beautiful and inexpensive but professional looking.
  

With set style charts, since there isn't the online preview process, we're able to offer these charts at much lower prices, but still keep the decorative designer look.  So now you can have a beautiful chart up on your wall, professionally printed with your genealogy information, inexpensively and quickly.  

Take a look at some of these beautiful designs. 

 

6 cute rainbow charts perfect for a child's bedroom or a more trendy setting.

 

 

Four organic tree ring charts where art meets the eye before the genealogy data.

 

  

Our most popular fill in the blank designs--filled in for you

You can just submit any kind of genealogy database file, or the page also includes instructions on how to send us your file from MyHeritage and Ancestry.com.  If you're looking for a chart printed from FamilySearch data, give us a call at 801-872-4278 and we're happy to help you with that over the phone. 

And watch for more designs coming soon.  We're excited to help you with this new option for chart printing--professionally designed charts by the world's leading family chart printing company.  

Check out the charts at https://familychartmasters.com/set-style

Annual Favorites 2022--And Even More Favorites

 As always, we've done some really beautiful charts this year.  And some of them just don't fit into a particular category--like the previous posts.  Here are a few more we wanted to share with you. 

This beautiful chart included the artwork of one of the descendants as the background for the tree.  What an incredible present and a great way to preserve and share the talents in your family!

This chart color coded several different sections of the family.  Our talented designers were able to fit all of this complicated family--which usually would have been a very wide chart--into a reasonable, frameable size.  But the information is still easy to follow because of the help that the color gives in understandability. 

This beautiful chart shows all of the children and ancestors of the main couple.  It includes crests for the two of the main family lines.  It utilizes the extra space where the ancestors are unknown to give the chart a title and some explanation.  The group photo on the bottom left completes the family story.

This family was able to obtain all of the photos for the current generation except one so we fit a silhouette in to complete the picture. 

This family didn't have any pictures to add to the chart but the silhouettes give it a classic feel anyway.  The grey tones are very popular right now and look modern but classic in any decor. 

We've already used this popular background again and again.  It is a great way to give it some color and a rich outdoorsy tree feel but it isn't too busy for a few pictures to be added for more interest.  Let us know if you want to try out this background too.  You're welcome to send in your information for a free consultation at http://familychartmasters.com/consult and we can create a beautiful masterpiece for your family as well.