Published Nov 30, 2007 Episode 35 Show Notes  Genealogy Gems News Blog "What's in a Name?"   "Like" The Genealogy Gems Facebook page. Check out the genealogy quizzes at FunTrivia.com  YAHOOOOO - there's a genealogy gal on the Genealogy Gems Listener page!  Beth Green answered my call on Episode 30 and emailed a Simpsonized Version of herself.   GEM:  A Little Help From Your FriendsMy Top Three Tips for Tapping into the Strengths of Others:  Tip #1  Swap brick walls Try swapping brick walls with another researcher and look them over with a fresh pair of eyes.  I like to think of it as being a cold case detective.   Someone who pulls out an old file and goes over it with a fine tooth comb to see if anything's been missed.  Tip #2 - Assess your weaknessesLook honestly at your office and your research and make a list of areas where you could improve.  Then set out to find someone in your local genealogical society who has a strength in that area.  Tip # 3 - Two heads are better than oneTry working alongside a fellow genealogist.  Two heads are always better than one, and having someone that you can share the journey with is a wonderful thing.  There are over 500 genealogy groups on Facebook alone! Or try one of the new genealogy social networking sites that have been popping up lately.  GEM: The Library of Congress Webcasts:Jewish Washington: Scrapbook of an American CommunityPresented by Laura Cohen Appelbaum and Wendy Turman of the Jewish Historical Society of Greater Washington.    Library's Map Treasures are Highlighted in "Cartographia a book and presentation by Vincent Virga GEM: Genealogy through the Looking Glass  I've enjoyed using children's books for many years to become acquainted with new and sometimes complex subjects.  They are little gems just waiting to help you take on a new area of genealogical research. For instance, does the subject of DNA still seem a bit foggy to you?   Try "Genes & DNA" by Richard Walker, and "DNA is Here to Stay" by Fran Balkwill.   "Coming to Canada: Building a new life in a new land" by Susan Hughes  is a great first timers introduction to the subject.   The Irish Potato Famine: Irish Immigrants Come to America (1845-1850) by Jeremy Thornton .  "Feed the Children First: Irish memories of the Great Hunger" edited by Mary E. Lyons.  (Disclosure: As an Amazon affiliate I earn from qualifying purchases. Thank you for supporting the free Genealogy Gems Podcast) Juvenile Books can also be a great quick resource for the history of states and countries that you are unfamiliar with and have just discovered your ancestors spent time in.  So when you stumble into new territory, try taking a child's eye view and perhaps a child's curiousity as you approach the situation.  GEM:  Now for a little Pixie DustUpdate: iGoogle has been discontinued. Free monthly Genealogy Gems Newsletter