Substack for Genealogy: What, Who and Why?
- Lex Knowlton
- Jan 15
- 4 min read
Substack is attracting a small but growing number of genealogists and family history enthusiasts, all eager to share tips, resources, family biographies, and more. So, is Substack the new hotspot for making meaningful genealogical connections?
What is Substack?
Founded in 2017, Substack started with a big idea: what if writers could publish directly to their audience—and get paid for it? At first, this seemed audacious, but soon writers and readers flocked to the platform for many reasons. The main draw? People were tired of intrusive advertising, wanted to escape social media echo chambers, and hoped to bypass traditional publishing gatekeepers. Substack seamlessly combines the best aspects of blogging and social media. With blogging, you drive your own traffic; with social media, it’s easy to feel lost in the crowd. Substack connects readers and writers by algorithmically matching shared interests, empowering real discovery.
Why do Genealogists love it?
Genealogists are drawn by its clean, ad-free interface and a strong emphasis on storytelling, which is at the heart of family history writing. The newsletter format keeps readers engaged, delivering regular updates right to their inboxes. Plus, with the notes feature, restacks, and recommendations, it’s possible to reach a wider audience—even without a huge subscriber base.
Beyond its tech features, Substack cultivates genuine community—a must for anyone passionate about family history. We thrive on building networks, sharing resources, and bonding over the excitement of uncovering documents tied to a reclusive (and stubbornly paperless) great-great-grand-uncle.
How to begin building connections here?
One standout example of community building on Substack is Projectkin. If you’re not subscribed yet, heed Arnold Schwarzenegger’s advice: “Do it… Do it NOW!”
and while you’re there, give Barbara at Projectkin a follow:
ProjectKin helps families explore, capture, and preserve their histories—hosting live Q&A’s, sharing resources, and launching creative projects. The group is warm and welcoming, especially to newcomers.
Under the ProjectKin umbrella, Mission: Genealogy serves as a digital clubhouse for genealogists, offering robust support as we navigate this online world.
You’ll also discover fun, collaborative projects. I’ve especially enjoyed the Bicentennial Memory Project, which collects everyday Americans’ memories from the 1976 Bicentennial celebrations.
Practical Uses for Genealogists
Substack’s biggest advantage for genealogists is publishing ancestor biographies and research discoveries to a wider audience. Personally, my Substack posts reach far more viewers than my blog ever does. The more visibility you have, the greater the chance you have of catching one of those elusive 2nd or 3rd or 6th cousins who have a photograph of your great-great-grandparents on their wedding day.
It’s also an ideal space to promote local history events or society meetings. I’ve shared events I attended with the Society of Australian Genealogists and discovered webinars thanks to recommendations from other Substackers. Finally, for those interested, there is scope for monetisation.
Tip for Success
Many bloggers emphasise SEO, but on Substack, engagement matters more. Interact with fellow Substackers: comment, restack, recommend, and—if you love someone’s writing—consider a paid subscription. Substack is all about community, so be an active, positive participant.
Some of my Favourites
Here are some fantastic Genealogy and Family History Substackers I follow (there are many more, so apologies if I missed anyone!). Each brings something special: community building, great stories, useful tips, and so much more:
Challenges and Limitations
While Substack offers community, discoverability, and an ad-free experience, it’s not without its downsides for genealogists. Finding niche communities can still be hard—there are no hashtags or easy group search features, so connecting with hyper-specific interests is mostly word of mouth. Substack’s push to have all users become “writers” (often nudging you toward paid subscriptions) may overwhelm those who prefer to stay readers or casual sharers. The platform also lacks robust discussion tools or the archival features of traditional genealogy forums, which can make long-term information sharing and collaboration less structured.
And like all social media platforms, Substack seems to reward more controversial, politically charged creators, which can drown out smaller niche voices. But it certainly is not nearly as bad as the mainstream platforms.
Customisation is limited compared to dedicated genealogy websites or personal blogs, so branding, formatting, and archival control may be less flexible. If you’re migrating from other platforms, it may take time to learn how to maximise Substack’s strengths.
Conclusion
Despite these limitations, Substack’s simplicity and active recommendation engine have ushered in a new way for genealogists to connect—whether by sharing stories, building collaborative projects, or growing an audience. It’s quickly becoming a meeting place for enthusiasts interested in both the craft of writing and the spirit of family history. For genealogists seeking a fresh, supportive, and increasingly lively online community, Substack offers a promising (and fun) new digital home.
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