Blog Content
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Changing County and State Boundaries
Nov 19
It can be a challenge if you have ancestors dating back a couple of hundred years. Not just to learn their names and other information but also where did they live. Even if you thought they remained in the same county of the same state for decades … you will quickly see that county and state borders changed quite a bit over the years even...
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Ancestry Expands Reference Panel for More Precise Results and New Regions
Nov 19
Ancestry announced that their team of scientists have increased the AncestryDNA reference panel to more than double its previous size with samples from more places around the world, resulting in the latest update to AncestryDNA ethnicity estimates. Over the next several months, AncestryDNA customers may receive updated ethnicity estimates, ...
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Telephone Directories – Library of Congress
Nov 17
A very nice addition to the Library of Congress digital collection – Vintage Telephone Directories. At the site there are state and city directories for; Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Iowa, Maryland, Pennsylvania, and the city of Chicago....
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Inspiration Needed to Write a Family History Story
Nov 15
Yes, it sounds difficult to start writing down family stories, but sometimes all you need is a concept or theme to kick-start the process. So here are a couple of ideas to get started. You may have or someone else in the family one or two family heirlooms. It could be jewelry, furniture, wall hangings, clothing, anything is possible – ...
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Experts Warn Not to Make Health Decisions Based on Genetic Tests
Nov 14
Not every direct-to-consumer genetic test offers health information. Some of them do, and the results can be confusing to people. Experts warn not to make health decisions based on the results of genetic testing. Research was done by a team from the University of Southampton. That research as published in the British Medical Journal. Profes...
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Planning the Family History Thanksgiving
Nov 13
Of course, there is plenty to get down the days and weeks leading to Thanksgiving Day. However, dividing up the necessary chores can help a great deal. Yet, one very important activity that really needs to be prepared and done when the whole family is together for Thanksgiving, is to gather some of the family memories. Just like ...
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Genotype Extraction and False Relative Attacks
Nov 12
A group of researchers at the University of Washington found that GEDmatch is vulnerable to multiple kinds of security risks. The research team discovered that a malicious person could extract someone else's genetic markers and use them to create a fake genetic profile to impersonate someone's relative. The research paper is titled: “Geno...
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Your Ancestors – Veterans Day
Nov 11
Veterans Day is a well-known American holiday, but there are also a few misconceptions about it — like how it’s spelled or whom exactly it celebrates. Some people think it is spelled: “Veteran’s Day” or “Veterans’ Day,” but they’re wrong. The holiday is not a day that “belongs” to one veteran or multiple veterans, whi...
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Inventory Family Artifacts
Nov 9
Artifacts of a family refer to anything that reminds other family members of a specific ancestor. It could be a sports trophy or military medals, pictures, a favorite book, a favorite toy from when they were little, jewelry, clothing, sports equipment, family Bible, treasured family furniture pieces, a recipe book, a vase, a scrapbook, a journal ...
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Using Ancestry.com Surname Message Board
Nov 7
Nothing better than communicating with other family researchers who are also looking into the same family surnames you are. True, just because there is a similar surname on a family tree doesn't mean you share ancestors. However, using Ancestry.com Message Board for Surnames, you just might come across someone who is actively seeking some ...
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MyHeritage Added 18.6 Million Records
Nov 7
MyHeritage announced that it added that it added 18.6 million new records in October of 2019, in seven new collections including Australia, Spain, the former Soviet Union, Latvia, the United States, Germany, and Denmark. Australian Death Notices 1860-2019: This collection of over 7 million records contains death notices, and obituaries fro...
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Common Irish Surnames
Nov 5
If you have Irish heritage and especially an Irish surname you will want to learn more about that Irish name. Here are the top five names. Starting with the most common and popular Irish surnames, there is Murphy – the most common last name in Ireland, especially in County Cork. This surname, which means “sea battler,” translates t...
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Ancestry Debuts World’s Largest Searchable Online Obituary Collection
Nov 5
Ancestry announced the launch of their Newspapers.com Obituary Collection, as well as an upgrade to Ancestry's U.S. Obituary Collection, adding to what is now the world's largest, searchable digital archive of over 262 million worldwide obituaries and death announcements, containing almost 1 billion searchable family members. Obituaries can...
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Unique 1890 Census
Nov 3
Herman Hollerith patented the system of punch cards in 1889, used it for his PhD at Columbia and used it for the Census Bureau in 1890. His company, through a series of mergers, became IBM. A plaque to him was erected by IBM on the C&O Canal at 31st Street, NW, in Georgetown, D.C. True, much of the original 1890 US Federal Census ...
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Ancestors’ Given Names
Nov 1
If you have gotten even a little into your family tree research, one of the more interesting aspects is ancestors' given names. There can be good and bad points in such research. If the ancestor had an unusual first and or middle name it can help narrow down your search. But not always. I had an ancestor with my husband's family I sear...
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Genealogy 101
The study of birth, marriage and death records to discover family relatives. more »
Genealogy Dictionary
Definitions for the most common terms and expressions for the field of Genealogy. more »
Genealogy Site Reviews
Reviews of top genealogy and family tree sites, with feature comparisons. more »
