Sep 22
Genealogy and genetics are connected. Genealogists take DNA tests to learn more about their heritage and their health. They create medical family trees to discover what “runs in the family” due to genetics. The results of a DNA test can be interesting. Sometimes, though, it is difficult to understand how genetics work. An video game called...
Sep 21
A few of the different US Federal Censuses that started back in 1790 do have a few very interesting questions that could provide previously unknown information on your ancestors. Looking closely at the US Federal 1820 census at column # 12 it states 'Foreigners Not Naturalized'. So this would give you a clue if someone in that household (again jus...
Sep 20
Genealogists often visit cemeteries in search of information about their ancestors. Taking a photo of the headstone is a good way to make a note of details like dates and surnames. Many people find it comforting to visit the grave of a relative who has passed away. The expectation is that those graves will always be there. This might not be tru...
Sep 19
The Porter-Phelps-Huntington House Museum is located in Hadley, Massachusetts. It is a unique historical resource that goes beyond the well-preserved eighteenth century architecture of the house itself. It offers visitors special events, tours, and rotating art installations. Tours of the Porter-Phelps-Huntington house are open to the public f...
Sep 19
September 19, 1893 is a day of note, on this date New Zealand, off the southeast coast of Australia, became the first self-governing country to grant women the right to vote. In the United States back in 1869, the Territory of Wyoming did grant women in the territory the right to vote. In the Isle of Man, off the coast between Ireland and the Unit...
Sep 17
Anyone can overlook certain items in their family history research which could be classified as 'mistakes'. If you are aware of such particulars it is easier to avoid them or correct them. A common one that needs to be avoided is mistakes relating to an ancestor's given names or surname. Whoever wrote down the information for a document is not inf...
Sep 17
The Open Parks Network was formed thanks to a collaboration between Clemson University and the National Park Service. They started working together on this project in 2010. The result is a wealth of information that genealogists may find useful. Open Parks Network is an Institute of Museum and Library Services funded project that has resulted in...
Sep 16
The Mayflower ship departed from England, bound for America with 102 passengers and a small crew of 30. The ship weathered dangerous Atlantic storms for 65 days and reached Cape Cod peninsula on November 21st. While still on the Mayflower ship, 41 men agreed to join together in a “civil body politic.” This document, Mayflower Compact, would bec...
Sep 16
Genealogy research takes time. Many people feel like they can't work on their genealogy until they have several hours of free time all in a row. How often does that kind of free time happen, though? It is entirely possible to get genealogy work done by setting small goals. Move along piece by piece instead of all at once. Google an Ancestor...
Sep 15
Sometimes you need some help in setting up and writing the family stories. Enter the online site titled 'LifePosts' whose mission is to help individuals create lasting and shareable written memories of a family branch, an individual, a milestone in a person's life or a family event. Starting with a simple family event such as a wedding, a birth, a...
Sep 15
The Smithsonian Natural Museum of African American History & Culture held a photo contest in the summer of 2016. The purpose was to help the museum select photos for its display celebrating the opening of the National Museum of African American History & Culture. The museum has collections that tell stories through the African American l...
Sep 14
Genealogy and genetics have become very connected to each other. Consider, for example, the various DNA test kits that a genealogist can take to learn more about their heritage or health. The results are based on what is found in the person's DNA. This could leave some people with an important question. How does DNA work? DNA stands for deo...
Sep 13
Those who spend hours doing genealogy research typically find it to be fun and fascinating. Genealogists understand how all those pieces of information form a picture of an ancestor's life. Children, however, may not be old enough to grasp that concept. Older kids might see your research as a lot of “homework”. There are some ways to get kids i...
Sep 13
That can be a hard question to answer and it will vary from family to family. It becomes very important to know what is worth saving if you are part of the group sorting and clearing out a family estate. I recall a situation in a family where a relative was going through boxes of papers they held from earlier generations and she figured now-a-days ...
Sep 12
[caption id="attachment_15852" align="alignleft" width="300"] Irish Cottage[/caption] The Irish immigrants make up a large percentage of people's heritage in America. Usually, people may have at least one ancestor on their tree who originated in Ireland. The IrishGenealogy IE web site has now made available, online and free, a searchable data...