Asking Better Questions = Building Better Community

Genealogy starts with questions: Who were they? Where did they live? Why did they move? But some of the most powerful moments I’ve had as a researcher didn’t come from digging through records. They came from asking the right questions to the right people.

The right question can open a door you didn’t know existed. It can turn a quiet moment at a family gathering into a storytelling session. It can spark a DM from a cousin you didn’t even know you had. Online, it can shift your post from a static share to a meaningful conversation.

One of my favorite questions to ask is simple: “What ancestor are you working on this week?” It’s open-ended, personal, and invites people to reflect. I’ve had others within the genealogy community help me when I share what ancestor I'm working on and also connected with a couple cousins because of that one question—some sharing their research, others connecting dots I’d missed in my research.

Asking better questions helps us build better community. It moves us beyond broadcasting and into true connection. Whether you’re talking to a grandparent, responding to a comment, or writing a caption, a thoughtful question makes your presence more inviting.

❓ What’s one question that’s brought surprising results in your research or online posts?

💬 Try this today: Post or message someone and ask, “What ancestor are you working on this week?” You never know where that one question might lead.