Blog Content
-
Historical Photos
Jul 14
A web site named Historic Map Works is not just maps but rather a large collection of numerous items to assist someone with their family history. One section is 'historical photos' and can be useful to the researcher. There are approximately 556,900 drawings, photographs and historical notes covering some 38,600 different American buildings, indust...
-
Words Used During the American Civil War
Jul 12
With the 150th anniversary of the American Civil War and renewed interest in our ancestors who either fought or were affected by this destructive war, it is a good opportunity to learn as much as possible relating to this time period. One aspect you may or will come across is the terminology used by people 150 years ago. You may have letters from a...
-
Historical Event that Changed Your Ancestor’s Life & Yours
Jul 10
So much unknown and yet there is a great deal a family historian can piece together about their ancestors. After gathering vital records, documents, journals; a researcher really needs to take some time to see if any patterns of behavior emerge and if such actions can be directly traced to a historical event. Examples of how historical events c...
-
Confederate Veteran
Jul 8
Confederate Veteran Magazine was published monthly between 1893 and 1932; nearly 40 years of articles. It was geared to those who fought with the Confederate (Rebel) Army of the southern states during the American Civil War; offering information and stories they could relate to from their war experience. Groups such as United Confederate Veterans, ...
-
Alternative Family History Images
Jul 6
As you put together the family tree, a family newsletter, or even the entire family history in book form, the greatest challenge will be finding illustrations or photos of your family. Some individuals are very fortunate to have a massive collection of images handed down through the generations, others have little or nothing to view. Or you might h...
-
Stereoscopic Images at Library of Congress
Jul 4
An early form of 3D images were called 'stereoscopic photos'. Using two images next to each other and then viewed through lens in a special stereoscopic viewer, you see the photo with great depth, almost as if you were right there in person. These stereoscopic photos became very popular in the 1850s and through the 1910s. They served as a great m...
-
Names of Early Occupations
Jul 2
Our ancestors had a few unusual jobs, most which were very manual laborers. Of course the name for some of those jobs are even stranger. The following are some of names or titles of positions, many of which no longer exist in most of the developed nations of the world today. For instance there was a Lardner' an official in charge of pig food. T...
-
July 1863 – The Battle of Gettysburg & Ancestor Capt Groff
Jul 1
Joseph Groff of Frederick, MD, at age 40 enlisted on August 20, 1861 as a 1st Lt. of Co. "B" 1st Potomac Home Brigade of the Maryland Infantry Regiment of Union volunteers. After serving at Harper's Ferry, by February 10, 1863 he was given the rank of captain. End of June 1863 -- The First Regiment Potomac Home Brigade of Maryland lead by Colone...
-
Poses in Photos of the 1800s
Jun 30
The type of pose our ancestors did in our treasured photographs of them, can be an indication of the period of that photo. With some of the earliest photos done during the 1840s there is a variety of poses, from sitting in a sitting in a chair to standing. The person having a photo made would have to hold still for several minutes so they needed so...
-
Finland and World War II Photos
Jun 28
Looking over World War II history and our ancestors, many people would think of Germany, Italy, Japan, USA, England and France. However, being a 'world war' there were many other nations involved. One such was the nation of Finland, a Scandinavian country near Sweden and Norway. For this country of Finland they actual divided that war period into t...
-
Women’s Occupations by Another Name
Jun 26
Our mothers, grandmothers, great aunts have come a long way in the number and types of occupations available to women over the decades. However, even in 2013 there are still some positions very limited in numbers due to them still being male dominated - example being professional horse racing jockeys. To better know some of the types of occupati...
-
Genealogy Roadshow in July
Jun 24
This summer, beginning in July, a new genealogical show will be filmed which combines the popular Antiques Roadshow shown on PBS with the growing interest in family history research. The new television show, starting during the fall lineup, also to be shown on PBS, is named 'Genealogy Roadshow'. The show producers will be filming in Detroit, Michig...
-
Michigan Death Index-Certificates
Jun 22
The numerous Michigan genealogical societies have worked for years putting together the microfilmed death ledgers for the state of Michigan, made them digital and placed them online. They started with the years 1867-1884 creating some 170,000 records. Then the years 1885-1897 were added. You can research the index for any Michigan death record usi...
-
Family History Books & Family Trees
Jun 20
Someone may have researched and written a family tree and / or history in the 1800s or early 1900s. How would you ever locate such a tree or family book? The FamilySearch.org has some 40,000 written publications of family history books in digital form online at their site. If you have not reviewed the listing in awhile, you will need to see what i...
-
Old-Time Terms for Illnesses / Diseases
Jun 18
The medical profession has changed greatly over the last 200 years. Doctors' knowledge of the human body and diseases has increased and that includes changes to the names for certain medical conditions and diseases. So when you see a term for an illness an ancestor suffered or died from, you do need some explanation of what that old-time term might...
Search Blog
Search Surnames
More Resources
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 »
