In this episode of the Family Tree Magazine podcast, Andrew Koch and Lisa Louise Cooke look back on all that has happened in the world of genealogy in 2025.

Feature: 2025 – The Genealogy Year in Review

As we close out the year, we’re taking a look back at the moments that shaped our pursuit of genealogy in 2025. Lisa Louise Cooke’s guest is Andrew Koch, editor of Family Tree Magazine. 

He’s here to share his expert perspective on the biggest genealogy news stories of the year and what they mean for you, the family historian, moving forward. 

Mentioned in this episode:

New/significantly updated websites for several important genealogy resources include FamilySearch Catalog, Chronicling America, the Atlas of Historical County Boundaries, WikiTree, and the Irish National Archives.

FamilySearch Full-Text Search moved out of beta and into main part of the site. Records are continually being added so it’s worth checking regularly.

MyHeritage finishes Name and Stories Indexes added French-language papers from Canada.Elephind.com has been relaunched. It’s a great resource for searching multiple disparate newspaper collections at once. Watch Lisa Louise Cooke’s interview with the founder of Elephind.com for the story behind the relaunch and recommended search strategies.

Visit Our Sponsor:

Newspapers.com

Use promo code ‘FamilyTreeMagazine’ for a 20% discount on your subscription. Sign up today at Newspapers.com and embark on a journey of discovery!

Stay in the Know

Sign up now for our FREE daily newsletter and get:

• Expert tips and tricks to accelerate your research
• In-depth articles on a variety of genealogical topics
• Exclusive offers on new tools and resources

Plus, find Family Tree Magazine on your favorite social channels!

Your Host

Listen to Lisa Louise Cooke’s Genealogy Gems podcast available at her website and all major podcasting services, or download the Genealogy Gems Podcast app.