Author: Amanda

Are you related to a Founding Father of the United States? On this day in 1743, Thomas Jefferson was born at his family home in Virginia. Image: Thomas Jefferson / Wikimedia Commons The third of ten children, Jefferson was born into one of the most prominent families in Virginia. His father, Peter Jefferson, was a successful planter and surveyor. He died when Jefferson was just 14. One of America’s Founding Fathers, Jefferson was the principal author… Read the full story

On this day in 1916, beloved author Beverly Cleary was born. Image: Beverly Cleary / Washington State Archives, Wikimedia Commons Clearly was born Beverly Atlee Bunn on April 12, 1916 in McMinville, Oregon. An only child, Cleary spent the early years of her life on her family’s farm before moving to Portland, Oregon at the age of 6. A passionate reader, Cleary had aspirations to become a children’s librarian after graduating high school. Cleary began writing… Read the full story

On this day in 1918, former First Lady and activist Betty Ford was born. Image: Betty Ford / Library of Congress She was born Elizabeth Anne Bloomer on April 8, 1918 in Chicago Illinois to Hortense Neahr and William Stephenson Bloomer, a traveling salesman. As a young girl, she studied dance and worked as a model at a department store to help pay for her lessons. In 1948, she married Gerald Ford, who at the… Read the full story

Do you enjoy a bowl of corn flakes for breakfast? On this day in 1860, Will Keith Kellogg, breakfast cereal inventor and founder of the Kellogg Company, was born in Battle Creek, Michigan. Image: Kellogg’s corn flakes / State Library and Archives of Florida, Flickr Kellogg began his career selling brooms before joining his older brother, John Harvey Kellogg, to help run the Battle Creek Sanitarium. His brother was a doctor and together, the brothers worked… Read the full story

Happy birthday to Paul Rudd! Today the actor turns 53. Image: Paul Rudd / Gage Skidmore, Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 2.0) Rudd was born on April 6, 1969 in Passaic, New Jersey to British parents, Michael Rudd and Gloria Irene Granville. His parents were second cousins and were descendants from Ashkenazi Jewish immigrants who moved to England from Poland and Russia. His paternal grandfather changed the family surname from Rudnitsky to Rudd. Rudd made his… Read the full story

Do you remember watching To Kill a Mockingbird? On this day in 1916, star Gregory Peck was born. Considered one of Hollywood’s most beloved stars, Peck is fondly remembered for his iconic portrayal of characters with unwavering strength and integrity. Image: Gregory Peck / Wikimedia Commons Peck was born Eldred Gregory Peck on April 5, 1916 in La Jolla, California to Gregory Peck, a chemist, and Bernice Ayres. Before pursing a career as an actor, Peck studied at the University of California,… Read the full story

On this day in 1802, activist and social reformer Dorothea Dix was born in Hampden, Maine. Image: Dorothea Dix / Library of Congress The first of 3 children born to Joseph Dix and Mary Bigelow, Dix left home to live with her wealthy grandmother in Boston at the age of 12. By the age of 14, she became a school teacher and began her own school. She continued to teach for many years, but her health often forced her… Read the full story

The 1950 U.S. census is finally here! The images are available for FREE on MyHeritage now and in the coming days and weeks, MyHeritage will be indexes the images, state by state, so you can start searching the 1950 U.S. census by name. As the records are indexed, you will gradually start receiving Record Matches to the census on your Geni profiles. Until then, you may want to check out MyHeritage’s newly released Census Helper™…. Read the full story

Today we remember actress Debbie Reynolds on what would have been her 90th birthday. Image: Debbie Reynolds / Allan Warren, Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0) Reynolds was born on April 1, 1932 in El Paso, Texas to Maxine “Minnie” Harman and Raymond Francis Reynolds. Her father was a carpenter and worked for the Southern Pacific Railroad. In 1939, her family moved to Burbank, California and at the age of 16, she won the Miss Burbank beauty… Read the full story

The wait is almost over! On April 1, 2022, the 1950 U.S. census will finally be released to the public. This new collection offers a treasure trove of information that sheds new light on the lives of our relatives who lived in the United States during the mid-20th century. In anticipation for the release of this new collection of records, we’re taking a look at what information you can find in the census and introduce… Read the full story

Does music run in your family? On March 31, 1685 (N.S.), composer Johann Sebastian Bach was born in Eisenach, Germany. Image: Johann Sebastian Bach / Wikimedia Commons Considered one of the greatest composers of all time, Bach had music in his blood. He came from a family of musicians, stretching back generations. Bach’s second great grandfather, Veit Bach, was a baker, miller, and founder of the Bach musical dynasty. He played the cittern and passed on his love for music to… Read the full story

Happy 54th birthday to Celine Dion! Since signing her first recording contract at the age of 12, Dion has has become one of the world’s best-selling artists in history with more than 200 million records sold worldwide. Image: Celine Dion / Georges Biard, Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0) Dion grew up in a very large family. She is the youngest of 14 children born to Thérèse Tanguay and Adhémar Dion in Charlemagne, Quebec, Canada. Music was… Read the full story

On March 29, 1790, John Tyler, the 10th President of the United States, was born in Charles City, Virginia. Image: John Tyler / Library of Congress Born to a prominent and influential Virginia family, Tyler was one of the last presidents to hail from Virginia’s elite aristocracy of planters. Tyler’s time at the White House was unique. In 1840, the newly elected President, William Henry Harrison, died of illness only one month into his presidency. Tyler, who… Read the full story

Today we remember music legend Aretha Franklin on what would have been her 80th birthday. Image: Aretha Franklin / Cecilio Ricardo, U.S. Air Force The Queen of Soul was born on March 25, 1942 in Memphis, Tennessee. The daughter of Barbara and Clarence LaVaughn Franklin, Franklin began singing as a small child in the church choir and by the age of 14, she made her first gospel recordings. After her initial success in gospel music, Franklin… Read the full story

Happy birthday to Jessica Chastain! Today the Oscar nominated actress turns 45. Image: Jessica Chastain / Gage Skidmore, Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 2.0) Chastain was born on March 24, 1977 in Sacramento, California to teen parents Michael Monasterio and Jerri Renee Chastian. She was raised by her mother, and later, her stepfather. Her passion for acting came at a young age after her grandmother took her to see a production of Joseph and the Amazing… Read the full story

Today we remember actress Joan Crawford, who was born on March 23, 1905. Image: Joan Crawford / Wikimedia Commons Crawford was born Lucille Fay LeSueur in San Antonio, Texas to Thomas E. Le Sueur and Anna Bell Johnson. From a young age, Crawford loved to dance and had ambitions to become a dancer. She left school to pursue a dancing career, eventually dancing in the Broadway show Innocent Eyes. She next began appearing on screen for MGM… Read the full story

Happy birthday to actress Reese Witherspoon! Today the star turns 46. Image: Reese Witherspoon / dtstuff9, Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 2.0) She was born Laura Jean Reese Witherspoon on March 22, 1976 in New Orleans, Louisiana. She chose to go by the name “Reese,” which is her mother’s maiden name. Witherspoon briefly studied at Stanford University as an English literature major before leaving to pursue an acting career. Since her breakout roles in Election and Legally Blonde, Witherspoon has found… Read the full story

Happy birthday to Matthew Broderick! Today the star turns 60. Since catapulting to fame with is role in Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, Broderick has earned much acclaim for his work on stage, even winning two Tony Awards for his performances. Image: Matthew Broderick / David Shankbone, Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 3.0) Broderick was born on March 21, 1962 in New York City, New York. The son of playwright Patricia Biow and actor James Broderick, Broderick seemed destined to follow… Read the full story

Are you related to a U.S. President? On March 18, 1837, Grover Cleveland was born in Caldwell, New Jersey. Image: Grover Cleveland / National Portrait Gallery, Smithsonian Institution CC0 Stephen Grover Cleveland was the fifth of nine children born to Ann Neal and Richard Falley Cleveland, a pastor. Known as “Big Steve” by friends because of his size, Cleveland dropped his first name and became known as Grover as an adult. His great grandfather, Richard Falley,… Read the full story

Happy St. Patrick’s Day! On this day in 461, Saint Patrick, a Christian missionary, bishop, and apostle of Ireland, died in Downpatrick, Ireland. Image: Saint Patrick / Library of Congress It’s believed he was born in Britain, probably Scotland, around 387. At the age of 16, he was kidnapped by pirates and taken to Ireland where he was enslaved. He was held captive for six years before escaping and returning home. During his time in captivity,… Read the full story

On this day in 1822, French artist Rosa Bonheur was born. Considered one of the most important female artists of her time, Bonheur’s successful career inspired future generations of women in the arts. Image: Rosa Bonheur / The J. Paul Getty Museum, Los Angeles Bonheur was born on March 16, 1822 in Bordeaux, France and was the oldest child in a family of artists. Her mother, Sophie Marquis, was a piano teacher and her father,… Read the full story

Beware of the Ides of March. On this day in 44 BC, Julius Caesar was assassinated by a group of Roman senators led by Marcus Junius Brutus and Gaius Cassius Longinus. The group called themselves the “Liberatores.” Image: Wikimedia Commons Hailed for his successful military campaigns, Caesar transformed the Roman Empire with many social and governmental reforms. Shortly before his death, Caesar was declared dictator perpetuo (“dictator in perpetuity”) by the Senate. Caesar’s death sparked a series of civil… Read the full story

Happy birthday to Albert Einstein! Today marks the 143rd birthday of the brilliant physicist. Image: Albert Einstein / Library of Congress Albert Abraham Einstein was born on March 14, 1879 in Ulm, Germany. His parents were Pauline Koch and Herman Einstein, a salesman and engineer. In 1880, the family moved to Munich where his father and his uncle Jakob founded Elektrotechnische Fabrik J. Einstein & Cie, a company that manufactured electrical equipment based on direct current. In 1905, Einstein… Read the full story

Today we remember Harriet Tubman, who died on this day in 1913. After escaping from slavery herself, Tubman helped lead hundreds of others to freedom along the Underground Railroad. Image: Harriet Tubman / Library of Congress Tubman was born into slavery around 1822 and was one of nine children born to Harriet Green and Ben Ross. Her parents named her Araminta and gave her the nickname “Minty.” She later changed her name to Harriet in… Read the full story

Florentine navigator and explorer Amerigo Vespucci was born on this day in 1451 (some scholars say 1454). Image: Amerigo Vespucci Vespucci was born to Nastagio Vespucci, a notary, and Lisabetta di Giovanni Mini in what is today Florence, Italy. His family was friends with the wealthy and powerful Medici family. As a child, Vespucci received his education from his uncle, Giorgio Antonio Vespucci. He later moved to Seville, Spain where he worked in the banking… Read the full story

Do you have royal connections? On this day in 1702, Queen Anne, sister of Mary II, became Queen regnant of England, Scotland, and Ireland. Image: Queen Anne / New York Public Library Anne was the second daughter born to James II and VII and his first wife, Anne Hyde. When Anne’s father was deposed in the Glorious Revolution, her brother-in-law, William III, and her sister, Mary II, became joint monarchs. Although the sisters had been… Read the full story

On this day in 1781, Jewish American educator and philanthropist Rebecca Gratz was born. Image: Rebecca Gratz / Princeton University Art Museum, Wikimedia Commons Gratz was born on March 4, 1781 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and was the seventh of twelve children born to Michael Gratz and Miriam Simon. Her father immigrated to America in 1752 from Germany and was descended from a long line of respected rabbis. Her maternal grandfather was Joseph Simon, a merchant… Read the full story

Do you have inventors in your family tree? On this day in 1847, inventor and engineer Alexander Graham Bell was born in Edinburgh, Scotland. Image: Alexander Graham Bell / Library of Congress As the inventor of the first practical telephone, Bell’s work was heavily influenced by his life at home. Both his mother and his wife were deaf, while his father, grandfather and brother concentrated their work on elocution and speech. In 1876, Bell received… Read the full story

Happy birthday, Dr. Seuss! Today in 1904, beloved children’s book author Theodor Seuss Geisel was born. Image: Theodor Seuss Geisel / Library of Congress Geisel was boron on March 2, 1904 in Springfield, Massachusetts to Theodor Robert Geisel, a brewmaster, and Henrietta Seuss. After the family brewery closed because of Prohibition, Geisel’s father was appointed as superintendent of the Springfield public park system. Much of Geisel’s writing was inspired by his life growing up in Springfield. When… Read the full story

RootsTech 2022 is coming up fast! In just one week, the world’s largest genealogy conference will be here once again. Last year, the conference was completely virtual for the first time and was more accessible than ever, with over 1 million attendees from around the world. This year RootsTech will once again be 100% virtual and 100% free! The conference will take place March 3-5, 2022 and will feature live and pre-recorded events, inspiring keynote… Read the full story

On this day in 1943, musician George Harrison was born. Known as “the quiet Beatle,” Harrison became internationally famous as the lead guitarist of the Beatles. Image: George Harrison / Gerald R. Ford Library and Museum, Wikimedia Commons Harrison was born on February 25, 1943 in Liverpool, England to Harold Harrison and Louise French. The youngest of four children, Harrison grew up with a strong love for music. He first met Paul McCartney while riding the bus… Read the full story

Today we remember actor Don Knotts, who passed away on this day in 2006. Knotts was perhaps best known for his memorable portrayal of Deputy Barney Fife on the hit sitcom The Andy Griffith Show, which earned him five Emmy Awards. Image: Don Knotts / State Library and Archives of Florida Jesse Donald Knotts was born in Morgantown, West Virginia on July 21, 1924. After graduating from high school, Knotts joined the U.S. Army and spent most of… Read the full story

On this day in 1931, author Toni Morrison was born. Known for her rich story telling of the Black experience in America, Morrison was the first African American woman to be awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature. Image: Toni Morrison / Library of Congress Morrison was born Chloe Ardelia Wofford on February 18, 1931 in Lorain, Ohio. She was the second of four children born to George Wofford and Ella Ramah Willis. At the age… Read the full story

On this day in 1781, French physician René Laennec, inventor of the stethoscope, was born in Quimper, France. Image: René Laennec / Wikimedia Commons Considered one of the greatest physicians in history, Laennec made many significant contributions to the world of medicine. In 1816, he invented the stethoscope and pioneered its use in diagnosing various chest conditions. The inspiration for the groundbreaking device came from Laennec’s observation of school children who played with long hallow sticks to amplify… Read the full story

On this day in 1923, archaeologist Howard Carter unsealed the burial chamber of Egyptian pharaoh Tutankhamun. The tomb of the boy king is considered to be one of the best preserved and most intact pharaonic tombs ever found in the Valley of the Kings. Image: Howard Carter beside the coffin of King Tutankhamen / Library of Congress Carter had spent many years excavating in the Valley of the Kings in search of the undiscovered tomb of the… Read the full story

On this day in 1820, suffragist Susan B. Anthony was born in Adams, Massachusetts. Image: Susan B. Anthony / Library of Congress Born into a Quaker family, Anthony grew up in a politically active household. Her family was active in the anti-slavery movement, and by the age of 17, Anthony was already collecting anti-slavery petitions. Encouraged to pursue her education, Anthony became a teacher while continuing to fight for social reforms that would bring equality to all. In 1851, Anthony… Read the full story

Abolitionist leader Frederick Douglass was born into slavery around February 1817 in Talbot County, Maryland. Although the exact date of his birth is unknown, Douglass later chose to celebrate his birthday on February 14. Image: Frederick Douglass / U.S. National Archives and Records Administration As a child, Douglass was sent to live with a ship carpenter named Hugh Auld. During this time, Auld’s wife began teaching Douglass how to read. Douglass would continue to teach himself… Read the full story

Today we remember acting legend Burt Reynolds on what would have been his 86th birthday. Image: Burt Reynolds / Alan Light, Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 2.0) Reynolds was born on February 11, 1936 in Lansing, Michigan to Harrietta Fernette Miller and Burton Milo Reynolds. His father served in the U.S. army during World War II and landed on the beaches of Normandy on D-Day. Early in his career, Reynolds landed several guest starring roles on… Read the full story

Do you love watching old Shirley Temple movies? Today we remember the beloved child actor, who passed away on this day in 2014 at the age of 85. Image: Shirley Temple / National Portrait Gallery, Smithsonian Institution, CC0 Temple was born on April 23, 1928 in Santa Monica, California. She was first discovered in a dancing class at the age of 3 and was cast in Baby Burlesks, a series of short films that satirized recent film… Read the full story

Today we remember author Jules Verne, who was born on this day in 1828. Image: Jules Verne / Bibliothèque nationale de France, Wikimedia Commons Verne was born on February 8, 1828 in Nantes, France to Pierre Verne, a lawyer, and Sophie Allote de la Fuye. Although he was expected to follow his father’s footsteps into law, Verne developed a strong passion for literature and theater. He frequented Paris’s famous literary salons, where he befriended French writer Alexandre Dumas and… Read the full story

Today we remember civil rights icon Rosa Parks, who was born on this day in 1913. Image: Rosa Parks / Library of Congress Parks was born Rosa Louise McCauley on February 4, 1913 in Tuskegee, Alabama to Leona Edwards, a teacher, and James McCauley, a carpenter. After her parents separated, Parks and her family moved to Pine Level, Alabama to live with her maternal grandparents. At 19, she married Raymond Parks, a barber and member… Read the full story

On this day in 1821, Elizabeth Blackwell, the first female doctor in the United States, was born in Bristol, England. Image: Elizabeth Blackwell / National Library of Medicine, Wikimedia Commons Blackwell was raised in a liberal household with a strong emphasis on education. In 1832, her father, Samuel Blackwell, moved the family to United States. When he died in 1838, he left the family in great debt. To help make ends meet, Blackwell, her older sisters, and her… Read the full story

Do you remember watching Charlie’s Angels? On this day in 1947, star Farrah Fawcett was born in Corpus Christi, Texas. Image: Farrah Fawcett / Wikimedia Commons She was the youngest of two daughters born to Pauline Alice Fawcett and James William Fawcett. Upon arriving to Hollywood in 1968, Fawcett appeared in commercials and made numerous guest spots on television. In 1976, she made her debut as policewoman Jill Monroe on the TV series Charlie’s Angels. However, it… Read the full story

Poet and author Langston Hughes was born on February 1, 1902 in Joplin, Missouri. A leader of the Harlem Renaissance in New York City, Hughes’s writing depicted the life, experiences, and culture of African Americans in the U.S and addressed the racial issues in society. Image: Langston Hughes / Library of Congress Hughes was the son of James Nathaniel Hughes and Caroline Mercer Langston. His parents separated shortly after he was born and he was… Read the full story

Happy birthday to Alan Alda! Today the star turns 86. Image: Alan Alda / Library of Congress He was born Alphonso Joseph D’Abruzzo on January 28, 1936 in New York City, New York to Robert Alda and Joan Browne. The son of an actor, it was only a matter of time before Alda decided to pursue a career in show business. In 1972, he took on his most memorable role as Hawkeye Pierce on the… Read the full story

Today we celebrate the birthday of legendary composer Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. Image: Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart / Wikimedia Commons Mozart was born on January 27, 1756 in Salzburg, Austria to Leopold Mozart and Anna Maria Pertl. A child prodigy, Mozart began composing music and performing before royalty at the age of 5. During his childhood, his father took Mozart and his sister, Maria Anna, on a grand European tour to perform at the courts of Munich,… Read the full story

On this day in 1882, English author Virginia Woolf was born in Kensington, England. Image: Virginia Woolf / Harvard Theater Collection, Houghton Library, Harvard University She was born Adeline Virginia Stephen to well-educated and well-connected parents. Her father, Sir Leslie Stephen, was a notable historian, author, and mountaineer. Her mother, Julia Prinsep Jackson, was best known for being a model for Pre-Raphaelite painters and for her famous photographer aunt, Julia Margaret Cameron. Considered one of… Read the full story

American writer Edith Wharton was born on January 24, 1862 in New York City, New York. Image: Edith Wharton / National Portrait Gallery, Smithsonian Institution CC0 The youngest child of George Frederic Jones and Lucretia Stevens Rhinelander, Wharton began writing poetry and fictional stories as a young girl. Although she had a thirst for knowledge and desired a greater education, women of her social stature were discouraged from intellectual pursuits. She would pursue her own education… Read the full story

On this day in 1845, Norwegian painter Harriet Backer was born. A pioneer for female artists, Backer became one of the most prominent Norwegian artists during her lifetime. Image: Harriet Backer / National Library of Norway, Flickr Backer was born on January 21, 1845 in Holmstrand, Vestfold, Norway and was one of four daughters born to Nils Backer and Sofie Smith Petersen. Her mother had come from a wealthy family, which allowed Backer and her sisters the… Read the full story

Happy birthday to Buzz Aldrin! Today the legendary astronaut turns 92. Image: Buzz Aldrin / NASA The famous astronaut was born Edwin Eugene Aldrin, Jr. on January 20, 1930 in Montclair, New Jersey. Nicknamed “Buzz” by his sister during his childhood, Aldrin would legally change his first name in 1988. During the Korean War, Aldrin served a jet fighter pilot. He later earned a Ph.D. in astronautics at MIT and wrote his thesis on Manned Orbital… Read the full story