If you’ve ever been told, “If there’s a nun in your family, figure out her order,” you’re not alone—and you’re probably also wondering how on earth to do that.

In a recent episode of The Photo Detective Podcast, I sat down with Sunny Morton to talk about her groundbreaking book, Searching for Sisters: A Guide to Researching Catholic Nuns in the United States. What started as a simple conversation turned into a deep dive into one of the most overlooked groups in family history: women who entered religious life.

The Mystery of the “Disappearing Woman”

As genealogists, we’ve all seen it.

A woman appears in childhood records—census entries, maybe a baptism—and then… she vanishes.

No marriage. No death record (at least not where you expect it). No trace.

One possibility? She became a nun.

As Sunny pointed out, these women often “disappear” from traditional family records because they step into an entirely different system—one with its own names, rules, and archives.

And unless you know where to look, they can remain hidden for generations.

My Own Surprise Discovery

Here’s the twist—even for me.

I didn’t think I had any nuns in my family.

But when I dug into newly available newspaper records, I found an obituary for my two-times great-grandmother—and there they were. Two daughters listed as “Sister,” each in a different religious order.

Two nuns. Completely unknown to me.

That’s the moment this topic went from interesting to essential.

Why Identifying the Order Matters

You can’t just search for “nun” and expect results.

Religious women belonged to specific communities—orders, congregations, convents—each with its own records. And those records can be incredibly rich:

• Personal files
• Correspondence
• Entrance records
• Sometimes even photographs

But first, you need to identify the order.

That’s where clues come in.

Clues in Records—and Photographs

Sunny shared one of the most important strategies: start with what you already have.

Obituaries are gold mines. They often list religious names and affiliations.
Census and vital records can help you match birth names to religious identities.
Newspapers may report vow ceremonies or community events.

And for those of us who work with images? Photographs can be key.

The clothing—the habit—is not just attire. It’s an identifier.

Archivists who work with these collections can often recognize an order just by looking at a photograph. As Sunny explained, they can look at an image and say, “That’s not one of ours”—or point you in the right direction.

That’s powerful.

The Archives You Didn’t Know Existed

Here’s something many researchers miss: most religious orders have archives.

These are not always open for walk-in research, but they are often accessible by email—and the archivists are remarkably helpful.

They want to connect people with their history.

And when you reach out clearly—explaining who you’re researching and why—you may receive detailed information you won’t find anywhere else.

A Bigger Story: Visibility and Impact

One of the most striking parts of our conversation was realizing just how significant these women were—and how often they’re overlooked.

In the 19th and early 20th centuries, women religious:

• Built hospital systems
• Ran schools across the country
• Provided social services on a massive scale

At one point, they were responsible for a significant portion of healthcare in the United States.

And yet, in many family trees, they’re invisible.

What This Means for Your Research

If you have a “missing” woman in your family tree, consider this possibility.

Look for:

• Mentions of “Sister” in obituaries
• Gaps in records where a woman disappears
• Catholic family connections
• Newspaper references to convents or religious life

And don’t forget to look at your photographs with fresh eyes.

That unidentified woman in a habit? She may be the key to an entirely new branch of your research.

Final Thoughts

This episode reminded me of something I say all the time:

Every photograph—and every person—has a story.

Sometimes, that story just requires a different set of records to uncover.

Sunny Morton’s work gives us a roadmap to find those stories—and bring these remarkable women back into the family narrative where they belong.

About My Guest

Sunny Jane Morton is a genealogy educator whose expertise includes using U.S. religious denominational records for family history. She is author of the new book, Searching for Sisters: A Guide to Researching Catholic Nuns in the United States. She is co-author of How to Find Your Family History in U.S. Church Records, which received a book award from the National Genealogical Society (NGS). She is Editor of NGS Magazine; a Contributing Editor at Family Tree Magazine; and an Associate member of the Archivists for Congregations of Women Religious.

Save on Sunny’s Books

• Save on both of Sunny’s books with coupon code Church26 at Genealogical.com
• Searching for Sisters
• How to Find Your Family History in US Church Records 

The post Finding Hidden Nuns in Your Family Tree: Researching Catholic Sisters with Sunny Morton appeared first on Maureen Taylor.

In this solo episode of Ask Maureen, I’ll address a common genealogist’s dilemma: managing and organizing digital photos, including handling duplicates. Whether you’re a seasoned genealogist or a beginner, mastering photo organizers and duplicate detection tools can simplify your work and enhance your family history projects.

Key Topics

• Importance of photo organizers for genealogists
• Key features to look for in photo organizing software
• Popular photo organizing tools and their benefits
• Strategies for effective photo organization and duplicate detection
• Tips for maintaining an organized digital photo collection

Related Episodes:

Episode 234: Transforming Photo Organization: Insights from Mylios Founder David Vascovich

Episode 221: Permanent Digital Storage Solutions with Tammy Kirby of Forever.com

Links:

• Ask Maureen
• Sign up for my newsletter.
• Watch my YouTube Channel.
• Like the Photo Detective Facebook Page so you get notified of my Facebook Live videos.
• Need help organizing your photos? Check out the Essential Photo Organizing Video Course.
• Need help identifying family photos? Check out the Identifying Family Photographs Online Course.
• Have a photo you need help identifying? Sign up for photo consultation.

About Maureen Taylor:

Maureen Taylor, The Photo Detective^Òhelps clients with photo-related genealogical problems. Her pioneering work in historic photo research has earned her the title “the nation’s foremost historical photo detective” by The Wall Street Journal and appearances on The View, The Today Show, Pawn Stars, and others.   Learn more at Maureentaylor.com

Did you enjoy this episode? Please leave a review on Apple Podcasts.

The post Episode 236: How to Manage and Remove Duplicate Photos for Genealogy Projects appeared first on Maureen Taylor.

In this third solo podcast episode on organization and documentation, listeners shared tips to improve genealogy research.

• Weekly Paper Organization: Ann Marie recommends setting aside one hour each week, similar to Cindy Ingle’s “Filing Friday”.
• Note-taking Advice: Stress on thorough documentation to avoid forgetting crucial sources during intense research.
• Initial Organizational Plan: Barbara underscores the importance of a solid plan from the start to manage growing family documents.
• Using Genealogy Software: Highlighting the benefits of integrating digital tools for data management.
• Documenting and Citing Sources: Various speakers, including Beverly and Donna, emphasize the necessity to immediately record sources.
• Labeling Photographs: Kathy and other guests discuss the importance of labeling photos and using metadata for future reference.
• Digital Tools for Storytelling: Suggestions to use modern technology to record and transcribe family stories.
• Physical Albums and Photos: Advice on creating tangible family albums for easier sharing and storytelling.
• Genealogy Research Tips: Various speakers share personal anecdotes and tips for efficient genealogy research.

Related Episodes:

Episode 224: Tracing Your Roots: Key Strategies for New Genealogists

Episode 230: Unlocking Family Secrets: Expert Tips for Interviewing Relatives 

Links:

• Sign up for my newsletter.
• Watch my YouTube Channel.
• Like the Photo Detective Facebook Page so you get notified of my Facebook Live videos.
• Need help organizing your photos? Check out the Essential Photo Organizing Video Course.
• Need help identifying family photos? Check out the Identifying Family Photographs Online Course.
• Have a photo you need help identifying? Sign up for photo consultation.

About Maureen Taylor:

Maureen Taylor, The Photo Detective^Òhelps clients with photo related genealogical problems. Her pioneering work in historic photo research has earned her the title “the nation’s foremost historical photo detective” by The Wall Street Journal and appearances on The View, The Today Show, Pawn Stars, and others.   Learn more at Maureentaylor.com

Did you enjoy this episode? Please leave a review on Apple Podcasts.

The post Episode 233:Essential Genealogy Organization Tips: Listener Advice appeared first on Maureen Taylor.

Elizabeth Swanay O’Neal discusses the popular Relatives at Rootstech feature, which allows conference registrants to connect with family. It’s free to sign up, easy to participate in, and only available until March 31, 2024. Elizabeth shares her strategies for using it.  

• Register for RootsTech to access recorded content and participate in “Relatives at RootsTech” for family tree connections.

• Opt-in to participate in “Relatives at RootsTech” and ensure you have an updated family tree on FamilySearch.

• Use the FamilySearch family tree mobile app to find relatives and actively engage with the genealogical community.

• Experience sharing reveals the potential to connect with distant relatives and gain new insights into family history.

• New features like saving contacts on RootsTech improve long-term communication possibilities with newfound relatives.

Related Episodes:

Episode 205: Numbers to Names: A Holocaust Photo Database 

Episode 24: Civil War Photo Sleuth

Links:

• 5 Things to Do With Relatives at Rootstech
• Heart of the Family 
• Sign up for my newsletter.
• Watch my YouTube Channel.
• Like the Photo Detective Facebook Page so you get notified of my Facebook Live videos.
• Need help organizing your photos? Check out the Essential Photo Organizing Video Course.
• Need help identifying family photos? Check out the Identifying Family Photographs Online Course.
• Have a photo you need help identifying? Sign up for photo consultation.

About My Guest:

Elizabeth Swanay O’Neal is a professional genealogist, writer, educator, and national genealogical speaker. She is the author of the family history lifestyle website, Heart of the Family where her mission is to help others make the past part of their present.

About Maureen Taylor:

Maureen Taylor, The Photo Detective^Òhelps clients with photo related genealogical problems. Her pioneering work in historic photo research has earned her the title “the nation’s foremost historical photo detective” by The Wall Street Journal and appearances on The View, The Today Show, Pawn Stars, and others.   Learn more at Maureentaylor.com

Did you enjoy this episode? Please leave a review on Apple Podcasts.

The post Episode 223: The Power of Relatives at RootsTech with Elizabeth Swanay O’Neal appeared first on Maureen Taylor.

Welcome to another captivating episode of our podcast! In today’s show, we’re joined by the remarkable Howlin Davis, a genealogy enthusiast with an extraordinary story to share. After tuning into one of our newsletters, Howlin revealed his unique tale of rediscovery. His journey began with an unexpected phone call that led him to a treasure trove of lost family memories captured in old film reels.

Approximately 11 months ago, Howlin received a mysterious call asking if he was related to someone involved with the New York Stock Exchange. This call was the key to unlocking a series of family films dating back to the 1940s. These films, mistakenly believed to be related to the Stock Exchange, were actually personal family movies, showcasing scenes of New York City, Boston, and upstate New York.

In this episode, Howlin takes us through the emotional journey of discovering these films. He explains his meticulous process of documenting each frame, revealing not just images but stories of his ancestors – his young parents, grandparents, and even family friends. This collection offers a rare glimpse into their lives, capturing their personalities and their era.

Related Episodes:

Bonus Episode: Lost History Discovered (in the Recycling) 

Episode 65: Lost Films Need Your Help!  With Elil Savada

Links:

• Sign up for my newsletter.
• Watch my YouTube Channel.
• Like the Photo Detective Facebook Page so you get notified of my Facebook Live videos.
• Need help organizing your photos? Check out the Essential Photo Organizing Video Course.
• Need help identifying family photos? Check out the Identifying Family Photographs Online Course.
• Have a photo you need help identifying? Sign up for photo consultation.

About My Guest:

In 1973, Howland’s mother-in-law wanted to update her father’s descendency information (Neher/Near) which she published by hand (printing press & type).  He had the book scanned so that they could work on it together. The updated book was republished in 1997. His mother then asked him to update her father’s family history (Fabyan), which was dated 1925 and was on a sheet of paper 40 inches wide by 30 inches high. He used that to make a book with that information in October 2002.  He is now working on the fifth edition. 

About Maureen Taylor:

Maureen Taylor, The Photo Detective^Òhelps clients with photo-related genealogical problems. Her pioneering work in historic photo research has earned her the title “the nation’s foremost historical photo detective” by The Wall Street Journal and appearances on The View, The Today Show, Pawn Stars, and others.   Learn more at Maureentaylor.com

Did you enjoy this episode? Please leave a review on Apple Podcasts.

The post Episode 227:Rediscovered Memories: The Unexpected Return of Family Movies appeared first on Maureen Taylor.