Every genealogy record provider has a different set of search fields and formats for their collections, and users must consider their strategy for using them effectively. After a review of the major record providers, Randy provides ten tips for getting the most out of your searches on Ancestry, MyHeritage, FamilySearch, and several other providers.

Randy Seaver is a 4th generation native San Diegan, a 1966 graduate of San Diego State University, a retired aerospace engineer (for 38 years), a genealogist since 1988, and a family guy. He and his wife Angel Linda have two daughters (one in the Santa Cruz mountains) and five grandchildren. On his popular blog, Genea-Musings (https:// www.geneamusings.com/) Randy lists his occupation as “Genealogy Evangelist,” and he is celebrating the 18th anniversary of Genea-Musings this year!

Randy has presented at many Southern California genealogical societies and libraries since 1998, and at regional and national conferences. He also taught a 4-week Beginning Genealogy class at OASIS, a senior education center, for many years. He is a member of the New England Historic Genealogical Society, the San Diego Genealogical Society, and the Chula Vista Genealogical Society, where he publishes the CVGS monthly newsletter and moderates two monthly Zoom classes on Research and DNA.