Every family has them — the stories that have been told for generations around the dinner table, passed down with a wink and a “Well, that’s what Grandma always said.”
But how much of those tales are true?
That’s what inspired my Family Myth Monday video series on YouTube — a weekly look at the myths, legends, and tall tales that show up in our family trees and what happens when we actually investigate them.
🧬 Why Family Myths Matter in Genealogy
Family myths are often where the best stories begin.
They’re the spark that gets us digging — whether it’s a rumor about a royal connection, a long-lost ancestor, or the mysterious recipe no one can replicate quite right.
But genealogists know that behind every myth is usually a kernel of truth — something that got a little mixed up, misheard, or romanticized along the way.
The goal isn’t to disprove family stories; it’s to discover the real story and make sure it’s recorded correctly for future generations.
📺 My Family Myth Monday Episodes
Over the past few weeks, I’ve explored several myths that pop up again and again in family research:
🧩 Myth Monday: Solving Family Myths (Step-by-Step)
In this episode, I share the exact process genealogists use to evaluate and prove family legends. You’ll learn how to:
- Define the myth as a clear research question
- Gather and evaluate sources
- Use DNA evidence thoughtfully
- Correlate findings and document your conclusion
👉 Watch the episode: Family Myth Monday – Solving Family Myths
💾 Download the companion worksheet HERE
🧬 Family Myth Monday: If You Don’t Share DNA, We’re Not Related
This one’s a big one (but a short one) — and one of the most misunderstood parts of genetic genealogy.
In this video, I explain why not sharing DNA doesn’t necessarily mean you’re not related.
You’ll learn how inheritance patterns work, why you don’t share DNA with every cousin, and how to use shared matches and clusters to confirm relationships instead.
👉 Watch the episode: Family Myth Monday – If You Don’t Share DNA We’re Not Related
🥧 Family Myth Monday: “Family Recipes Never Change”
This myth takes us into the kitchen — and into the past.
In this episode, I explore how family recipes evolve over time, how ingredients and methods shift with the generations, and how food becomes one of the most meaningful links to our ancestors.
It’s proof that even when the ingredients change, the story behind the recipe remains constant.
👉 Watch the episode: Family Myth Monday: “Family Recipes Never Change”
📸 Read more about my Cooking Through Generations: The Blue Ribbon Recipe Books That Shaped My Family’s Meals
🕵️♀️ The Truth Is Part of the Story
As genealogists, we’re detectives, historians, and storytellers all rolled into one.
When we explore family myths, we’re doing more than fact-checking — we’re honoring our ancestors by giving their stories the full attention they deserve.
Sometimes the truth is even more interesting than the myth itself.
💬 What’s Your Family Myth?
I’d love to hear from you!
What family legend have you always wondered about?
Leave a comment on my latest Myth Monday video, or leave a comment — your story might even inspire a future episode!
🐾 Until next time, keep digging into your stories… one myth at a time.
#Genealogy #FamilyHistory #MythMonday #DNA #GenealogyTips #TheFamilyHistoryHound
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What a great idea for a video series! None of the links seemed to work (for each video), but I was able to get to them through the link at the top of your blog, Family Myth Monday. Very informational and fun bite sized pieces. 🙂
Thanks I’m looking forward to exploring so many myths.. some of my own and some from my followers. Thanks for checking it out.
oh and I’ve updated the links. Thanks for letting me know.
Some great myths and great myth busting!
Thanks Marian. We all have myths in the family. One of mine was “Great grandmother was suppose to be on the Titanic” at least that’s what my aunt said. But I interviewed great grandmother, Alice and she never mentioned that. But I did figure out that she travelled seven weeks after the Titanic had sunk. Missing the Titanic makes for a more interesting story than travelling on the Empress of Ireland. But 1012 people died on the Empress of Ireland on a returned voyage through the Saint Lawrence River. One family that perished was the Scott Family who my great grandmother met on her voyage and she told me about them. The family came to Canada but decided it wasn’t for them and they were returning home. They never made it.