Author: Amanda

On this day in 1792, poet Percy Bysshe Shelley was born in Sussex, England. Regarded as one of the greatest English Romantic poets of the 19th century, Shelley’s work was often characterized as visionary and radical by his peers. Image: Percy Bysshe Shelley / Wikimedia Commons Shelley was the eldest legitimate son born to Sir Timothy Shelley, a member of Parliament, and Elizabeth Pilfold. He grew up learning to fish and hunt in the meadows around… Read the full story

Happy birthday to Tony Bennett! Today the iconic singer turns 96. Image: Tony Bennett / Nationaal Archief, CC0 Bennett was born Anthony Dominick Benedetto on August 3, 1926 in Queens, New York to John Benedetto, a grocer, and Anna Suraci, a seamstress. Growing up, Bennett had a passion for music and the arts. He began singing at the age of 10 and as a teen he worked as a singing waiter in several Italian restaurants…. Read the full story

On this day in 1589, Henry III of France died at the hands of a religious fanatic. Image: Henry III of France / Rijksmuseum, Wikimedia Commons Henry III was born on September 19, 1551 at the royal Château de Fontainebleau. The fourth son of King Henry II and Catherine de Medici, Henry was never expected to become the King of France. He ruled as the King of the Polish-Lithuanian commonwealth before inheriting the French throne… Read the full story

Do you remember watching Bob Hope onscreen? The comedian died on this day in 2003 at the age of 100. Image: Bob Hope / U.S. National Archives and Records Administration He was born Leslie Townes Hope on May 29, 1903 in Eltham, London. He was the fifth of seven sons born to William Henry Hope, a stonemason, and Avis Townes, an amateur opera singer and cleaner. In 1908, the family emigrated to the United States on… Read the full story

Remember reading A Farewell to Arms? On this day in 1899, author Ernest Hemingway was born in Oak Park, Illinois. Image: Ernest Hemingway / U.S. National Archives and Records Administration During World War I, Hemingway enlisted with the Red Cross to become an ambulance driver in Italy. On July 8, 1918, he was seriously wounded by mortar fire and despite his injuries, Hemingway assisted Italian soldiers to safety. He would receive the Italian Silver Medal of Bravery… Read the full story

Today we remember Italian inventor Guglielmo Marconi, who died on this day in 1937. Known for his pioneering work on long-distance radio transmission, Marconi was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics for his contributions to the development of wireless technology. Image: Smithsonian Institution Marconi was born on April 25, 1874 in Bologna, Italy to a wealthy Italian family. His father, Giuseppe Marconi, was an Italian aristocratic landowner, while his mother, Annie Jameson, was the granddaughter… Read the full story

On July 19, 1834, painter and sculptor Edgar Degas was born in Paris, France. Image: Edgar Degas / Wikimedia Commons At the beginning of his career, Degas aspired to become a history painter, which required rigorous academic training. However, he later changed course and turned to capturing moments of modern life. Although he is regarded as one of the founders of Impressionism, Degas rejected the term and preferred to be called a realist. His highly… Read the full story

Today we remember legendary astronaut John Glenn on what would have been his 101st birthday. Image: John Glenn / NASA John Herschel Glenn, Jr. was born on July 18, 1921 to John Herschel Glenn, Sr. and Clara Sproat in Cambridge, Ohio. In 1943, Glenn married his high school sweetheart, Anna Castor. The couple had met when they were just toddlers and remained married for 73 years until his death. An original member of the Mercury… Read the full story

Do you have Dutch ancestry? Dutch artist Rembrandt van Rijn was born on this day in 1606 in Leiden in the Dutch Republic, now known as the Netherlands. Image: Rembrandt van Rijn / Wikimedia Commons The ninth child born to Harmen Gerritszoon van Rijn and Neeltgen Willemsdochter van Zuytbrouck, Rembrandt was put through school in preparation for a career in the government or ministry. However, by the age of 15, he abandoned his studies to pursue… Read the full story

Happy 80th birthday to Harrison Ford! Image: Harrison Ford / Wikimedia Commons, Gage Skidmore (CC BY-SA 2.0) He was born on July 13, 1942 in Chicago, Illinois to Christopher Ford and Dorothy Nidelman. His maternal grandparents, Harrison Nidelman and Annie Lifshitz, were Jewish immigrants from Minsk, Belarus. While his paternal grandparents, John Fitzgerald Ford and Florence Niehaus, were of Irish and German ancestry. Ford was working as a carpenter before he finally found success as… Read the full story

Today marks writer Henry David Thoreau’s 205th birthday! Image: Henry David Thoreau / Wikimedia Commons He was born David Henry Thoreau on July 12, 1817 in Concord, Massachusetts to John Thoreau, a pencil maker, and Cynthia Dunbar. His maternal grandfather, Asa Dunbar, had led Harvard’s 1766 “Butter Rebellion,” the first recorded student protest in the colonies. Thoreau was a leading transcendentalist and naturalist and often wrote about nature and the environment. He is best remembered for… Read the full story

Today we remember artist Frida Kahlo, who was born on this day 115 years ago. Magdalena Carmen Frida Kahlo y Calderón was born on July 6, 1907 in Coyoacán, a village outside of Mexico City, Mexico. Her father, Guillermo Kahlo, was a photographer born in Germany and immigrated to Mexico in 1891. At the age of 6, Kahlo contracted polio, which left her right leg shorter than her left. Kahlo first began painting after she was… Read the full story

Today we remember legendary actress Katharine Hepburn, who passed away on this day in 2003. Remembered as one of Hollywood’s most celebrated actresses in film history, Hepburn earned a record 4 Academy Awards for Best Actress, more than any other performer and still holds the record to this day. Image: Katharine Hepburn / Wikimedia Commons Hepburn was born on May 12, 1907 to a very progressive family. Her father, Thomas Norval Hepburn, was a urologist who helped establish… Read the full story

On June 28, 1491, Henry VIII was born at Greenwich. The second son of Henry VII and Elizabeth of York, Henry was not expected to become king. However, the sudden death of his brother, Arthur, in 1502 made Henry the heir-apparent. Image: Henry VIII of England / Paul Hermans, Wikimedia Commons Still intent on securing an alliance between England and Spain, Henry VII offered Henry in marriage to Arthur’s widow, Catherine of Aragon, the youngest surviving child of… Read the full story

“The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched – they must be felt with the heart.” – Helen Keller Image: Helen Keller / Library of Congress On this day in 1880, inspirational author and activist Helen Keller was born in Tuscumbia, Alabama. Her father, Arthur Keller, was a captain for the Confederate Army and a second cousin to General Robert E. Lee. She was not blind and deaf at birth. At 19… Read the full story

For this Father’s Day, we asked the community to share the best advice they had ever received from their dad or father-figure in their life. One lucky winner would be chosen at random to receive a free 1-year subscription of Geni Pro. Today we are excited to announce the winner of our Father’s Day giveaway is Paula Wertheim! Paula shared a lovely story about her husband’s late stepfather, John P. Walther. My husband’s late stepfather… Read the full story

On this day in 1895, boxing legend Jack Dempsey was born. Nicknamed “The Manassa Mauler,” Dempsey’s  powerful punch made him one of the most popular boxers in history. Image: Jack Dempsey / Library of Congress He was born William Harrison Dempsey in Manassa, Colorado to Mary Celia Smoot and Hiram Dempsey. Dempsey grew up in a poor family. By the age of 8, he had landed his first job as a crop picker. After working a… Read the full story

On this day in 1929, country singer June Carter Cash was born. Image: Johnny Cash and June Carter Cash / Wikimedia Commons She was born Valerie June Carter on June 23, 1929 in Maces Spring, Virginia and grew up in a famous musical family. Her mother, Maybelle Addington, was a part of the original Carter Family singing group, which was also one of the first commercial rural country music groups. Her father, Ezra Carter, managed the… Read the full story

Happy birthday to Meryl Streep! Today the star turns 73. Image: Meryl Streep / Wikimedia Commons Mary Louise Streep was born on June 22, 1949 in Summit, New Jersey to Mary Wilkinson Streep, a commercial artist and art editor, and Harry William Streep, a pharmaceutical executive. A graduate of Yale Drama School, Streep began her career on the stage. Before long, she lit up the big screen opposite Robert De Niro in The Deer Hunter and earned… Read the full story

Today Prince William celebrates his 40th birthday! Born June 21, 1982, the Duke of Cambridge was the first child of Prince Charles and Princess Diana and the second in the line of succession to the British throne. Image: Prince William, Duke of Cambridge / USAID/Vietnam He was born at St. Mary’s Hospital in London, making him the first direct heir of the British throne to be born in a hospital. Since then, all three of… Read the full story

On this day in 1925, World War II hero Audie Murphy was born in Kingston, Texas. One of the most decorated American combat soldiers of World War II, Murphy received every military combat award for valor available from the U.S. Army. After the war, he enjoyed a successful acting career and became one of Hollywood’s most popular stars. Image: Audie Murphy / Wikimedia Commons Murphy was the seventh of twelve children born to Emmett Berry… Read the full story

On this day in 1882, Russian composer Igor Stravinsky was born. Today Stravinsky is remembered as one of the most important and influential composers of the 20th century. Image: Igor Stravinsky / Library of Congress Stravinsky was born on June 17, 1882 in Oranienbaum, St. Petersburg, Russia. He was the son of Fyodor Ignatievich Stravinsky, a notable bass singer, and Anna Kholodovskaa, an accomplished pianist. From a young age, Stravinsky studied the piano and music theory, however,… Read the full story

Happy Bloomsday! The day celebrates the work of Irish writer James Joyce, whose most famous novel, Ulysses, takes place entirely on June 16, 1904. Image: James Joyce / Wikimedia Commons Bloomsday is observed annually on June 16 in Dublin, Ireland and other places throughout the world. The day is celebrated with a variety of events from public readings of Ulysses to pub crawls. Avid readers will often dress in Edwardian costumes and retrace Ulysses protagonist Leopold Bloom’s route around Dublin. The… Read the full story

Image: Harriet Beecher Stowe / U.S. National Archives and Records Administration “So you are the little woman who wrote the book that started this great war.” According to legend, these are the words President Abraham Lincoln said upon meeting Harriet Beecher Stowe, author of the popular anti-slavery novel Uncle Tom’s Cabin, shortly after the start of the American Civil War. The novel’s vivid depiction of the realities of slavery is often credited with helping to change the public’s… Read the full story

Do you have ancestors who were on the Titanic? On this day in 1863, famous Titanic passenger Lady Lucy Duff-Gordon was born in London, England. Image: Lady Lucy Duff-Gordon / Library of Congress She was born Lucy Christiana Sutherland to Douglas Sutherland, a civil engineer, and Elinor Saunders. Lady Duff-Gordon was known one of England’s leading fashion designers and an innovator in couture styles. She originated the “mannequin parade,” which was the precursor to the modern fashion… Read the full story

With Father’s Day coming up soon, we want to hear from you the best advice you have received from your dad or a father-figure in your life. Share their words of wisdom with us, along with a picture of your father, and you can win a free year of Geni Pro! Over the years, our dads have given us lots of advice. From small tips to bigger life lessons, a father’s wise words can leave… Read the full story

155 years ago today, iconic architect Frank Lloyd Wright was born in Richland Center, Wisconsin. Image: Frank Lloyd Wright / Library of Congress Wright was born on June 8, 1867 to William Cary Wright, a minister and occasional lawyer, and Anna Lloyd Jones, a country school teacher. During her pregnancy, Wright’s mother had proclaimed that her child would come to build beautiful buildings and thus, decorated Wright’s nursery with engravings of English cathedrals to encourage… Read the full story

Do you have a favorite Prince song? On this day in 1958, the iconic musician was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Image: Scott Penner, Flickr (CC BY-SA 3.0) He was born Prince Rogers Nelson to John Lewis Nelson, a jazz musician, and Mattie Della Shaw. He was named after his father, who used the stage name Prince Rogers when performing. Throughout his life, Prince’s father was a significant influence on his music. He wrote his first song… Read the full story

Do you have American Revolutionary War ancestors? On this day in 1756, artist John Trumbull was born. Trumbull is often referred to as “The Painter of the Revolution” for his iconic historical paintings and portraits. Image: John Trumbull / Yale University Art Gallery, Wikimedia Commons Trumbull was born in Lebanon in colonial Connecticut on June 6, 1756 to Jonathan Trumbull and Faith Robinson. His father served as the Governor of Connecticut Colony, and then after the American… Read the full story

Happy birthday to Marilyn Monroe! Today we remember the legendary film icon on what would have been her 96th birthday. Image: Marilyn Monroe / Wikimedia Commons Marilyn Monroe was born Norma Jean Mortenson on June 1, 1926 in Los Angeles California to Gladys Pearl Baker. Soon after her birth, Marilyn’s surname was changed to Baker. With her mother unable to care for her, Marilyn spent much of her childhood in foster homes. At 16, she married her… Read the full story

On May 31, 1819, Walt Whitman, one of America’s most influential poets, was born in West Hills, New York. Image: Walt Whitman / Library of Congress The second of nine children, Whitman was nicknamed “Walt” to distinguish him from his father, Walter Whitman, Sr. His parents held great admiration for their country, even naming three of Whitman’s brothers after American leaders: Andrew Jackson, George Washington and Thomas Jefferson. Whitman stopped his formal schooling at the age… Read the full story

Today we remember astronaut Sally Ride, who was born on this day in 1951. In 1983, Ride became the first American woman in space when she flew into orbit aboard the space shuttle Challenger. Image: Sally Ride / NASA Born in Los Angeles, California, Ride held a keen interest in science from a young age. As she was finishing her Ph.D. in physics at Stanford University, Ride saw an article in the school’s newspaper advertising that NASA… Read the full story

Today we are thrilled to announce that Family Tree Charts are back on Geni! The previous version was temporarily unavailable as we were working towards moving the chart feature off of Flash. With the Family Tree Chart, you can create your own custom, high-quality version of your family tree for downloading or printing.  The Family Tree Chart includes five generations of relatives, your family’s names, dates, and photos. You can customize the look of the… Read the full story

American essayist and poet Ralph Waldo Emerson was born on this day in 1803. Image: Ralph Waldo Emerson / Library of Congress Emerson was born on May 25, 1803 in Boston, Massachusetts to Ruth Haskins and William Emerson, a Unitarian minister. At the age of 8, Emerson’s father died, leaving his mother to care for the young family with the aid of his aunt, Mary Moody Emerson. He formed a close bond with his aunt… Read the full story

Next week Geni will be at the 44th National Genealogical Society Family History Conference in Sacramento, California. This year, NGS 2022 will be both in-person and virtual, so if you can’t be there in Sacramento, you can still join the fun online from the comfort of your own home. We are extra excited because we’ve greatly missed seeing everyone in person. The conference will take place on May 24-28 at the SAFE Credit Union Convention… Read the full story

Happy birthday to Cher! Today the music legend turns 76. Image: Cher / Nationaal Archief, Wikimedia Commons Cher was born Cherilyn Sarkisian in El Centro, California on May 20, 1946. Her father, John Sarkisian, was truck driver, and her mother, Georgia Holt, was a former model and actress. When she was ten months old, her parents divorced. In the 1960s, Cher rose to stardom as part of a singing act with her husband, Sonny Bono…. Read the full story

On this day in 1897, director Frank Capra was born. One of the most prominent and influential filmmakers of the 1930s, Capra won three Academy Awards for Best Director. Image: Frank Capra / Library of Congress Capra was born Francesco Rosario Capra in the village of Bisacquino, near Palermo, Sicily, Italy. He was the youngest of seven children born to Salvatore Capra, a fruit grower, and Rosaria Sarah Nicolosi. When he was five, the family… Read the full story

On this day in 1911, actress Maureen O’Sullivan was born in Boyle, County Roscommon, Ireland. Image: Maureen O’Sullivan / Wikimedia Commons She was the daughter of Mary Eva Frazer and Charles Joseph O’Sullivan, an officer in the Connaught Rangers who served in World War I. As a child, O’Sullivan attended a convent school in Dublin where future Academy Award-winning actress Vivien Leigh was a classmate. Discovered by Hollywood filmmaker Frank Borzage at a horse show… Read the full story

Remember watching Henry Fonda on the big screen? On this day in 1905, the Hollywood legend was born in Grand Island, Nebraska. Image: Henry Fonda / Wikimedia Commons Henry Jaynes Fonda was the son of William Brace Fonda and Elma Jaynes. His Fonda ancestors were among the first Dutch people to settle in what is now upstate New York. The small village of Fonda was named after Douw Fonda, a prominent settler who was killed in 1780 during a… Read the full story

This Mother’s Day we asked you to tell us three words that best describe your mother or mother-figure in your life. Many of you sent in your answers and photos, but only one lucky winner would receive a free 1-year subscription of Geni Pro. Today we are excited to announce the winner of our giveaway is Debra Richards! Debra emailed the above family photo and shared the three words that best describe her mom: Three… Read the full story

Happy birthday to George Clooney! Today the actor turns 61. Image: George Clooney / U.S. National Archives and Records Administration George Timothy Clooney was born in Lexington, Kentucky on May 6, 1961 to Nina Bruce, a city councilwoman, and Nick Clooney, a former anchorman and game show host. His aunt was singer and actress Rosemary Clooney. Clooney first rose to fame on the hit television show ER. His work on the series earned him two… Read the full story

We’re celebrating Mother’s Day with a chance to win a 1-year Geni Pro subscription! On this special day, we honor and celebrate the mothers and mother-figures in our lives for their hard work, dedication, and care. This Mother’s Day, we want to learn more about your moms and mother-figures in your life. Send us a photo and answer the question, “What are three words that best describe your mom or mother-figure in your life?” and… Read the full story

Do you have a favorite Audrey Hepburn movie? On this day in 1929, the iconic actress was born in Brussels, Belgium. Image: Audrey Hepburn / Wikimedia Commons She was born Audrey Kathleen Ruston to Joseph Victor Anthony Ruston and Baroness Ella van Heemstra, a Dutch aristocrat and the daughter of Baron Aarnoud van Heemstra. Hepburn took up ballet at a young age, and by 1944 was a very proficient dancer. During World War II, she would secretly… Read the full story

Do you have a favorite Bing Crosby film? On this day in 1903, the legendary actor was born. Image: Bing Crosby / U.S National Archives and Records Administration Crosby was born Harry Lillis Crosby, Jr. on May 3, 1903 in Tacoma, Washington in a house built by his father. The fourth of seven children, Crosby acquired the nickname “Bing” at a young age from a comic strip called “The Bingville Bugle.” After finding success on… Read the full story

Happy birthday to Dwayne Johnson! Today the actor and former professional wrestler turns 50. Image: Dwayne Johnson / Eva Rinaldi, Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 2.0) Johnson was born on May 2, 1972 in Hayward, California to Ata Maivia and Rocky Johnson, a former professional wrestler. His maternal grandfather, Peter Maivia, was also a professional wrester and a member of the famous Anoa’i family of wrestlers. A standout athlete, Johnson attended the University of Miami on… Read the full story

Happy 89th birthday to Willie Nelson! Image: Willie Nelson / Library of Congress Nelson was born on April 29, 1933 in Abbott, Texas to Myrle Marie Greenhaw and Ira Doyle Nelson. Raised by his paternal grandparents, Nelson developed a love for music at an early age. At the age of 6, his grandfather bought him his first guitar and by 7, he had written his first song. Throughout his childhood, Nelson earned money by performing… Read the full story

Do you remember reading To Kill a Mocking Bird? On April 28, 1926, author Harper Lee was born. Image: Harper Lee / Wikimedia Commons Nelle Harper Lee was born in Monroeville, Alabama and was the youngest child of Francis Cunningham Finch and Amasa Coleman Lee. Growing up, Lee was close childhood friends with author Truman Capote. In 1959, Lee helped serve as Capote’s research assistant for an article he was writing for The New Yorker…. Read the full story

On this day in 1791, inventor Samuel F.B. Morse was born. Morse revolutionized long distance communication with his invention of the single-wire telegraph and the development of Morse code, a code using pulses and pauses to deliver messages quickly over vast distances.  Image: Samuel F.B. Morse / Library of Congress Samuel Finley Breese Morse was born in Charlestown, Massachusetts on April 27, 1791. He was the first child of Jedediah Morse and Elizabeth Ann Finley Breese…. Read the full story

Happy 96th birthday to Queen Elizabeth II! Image: Queen Elizabeth II / Wikimedia Commons, NASA The Queen was born Princess Elizabeth Alexandra Mary on April 21, 1926, in London. At the time of her birth, no one would have predicted that she would someday become queen. Her father, Prince Albert, succeeded to the throne after his brother, King Edward VIII, abdicated the throne six months into his reign. Queen Elizabeth II is the longest-lived and… Read the full story

On this day in 1452, Renaissance man Leonardo da Vinci was born in the Republic of Florence. Image: Leonardo da Vinci / Library of Congress Little is known about Da Vinci’s early life. He was born on April 15, 1452 and was the illegitimate son of Piero da Vinci, a well-to-do notary, and Catarina, a peasant who later married an artisan. Growing up, da Vinci received an informal education and by the age of 14, became an… Read the full story