Author: Amanda

Today we remember country music icon Loretta Lynn, who has passed away at the age of 90. Image: Loretta Lynn / Scott Schram, Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 2.0) Lynn was born Loretta Webb on April 14, 1932 in Butcher Hollow, Kentucky. She was the second child and eldest daughter born to Melvin “Ted” Webb and Clara Marie “Clary” Ramey. Named after actress Loretta Young, Lynn grew up in a poor Appalachian mining town. At the… Read the full story

Today we remember Holocaust survivor, human rights activist, and Nobel Peace-prize winner Elie Wiesel, who was born on this day in 1928. Image: Elie Wiesel / Library of Congress Wiesel was born on September 30, 1928 in Sighet, Romania and grew up in a close-knit Jewish community. At the age of 15, Wiesel and his family were sent to Auschwitz, where his mother and sister were killed. He and his father were later sent to… Read the full story

Do you have Spanish ancestors? Today in 1547, author Miguel de Cervantes was born in Alacalá de Henares, Spain. Image: Miguel de Cervantes / New York Public Library He was the fourth of seven children born to Rodrigo Cervantes Torreblanca, a barber-surgeon, and Leonor de Cortinas, the daughter of a nobleman. His paternal grandfather, Juan de Cervantes, was a prominent and influential lawyer, while his uncle, Andrés de Cervantes, served as mayor of the city of Cabra…. Read the full story

Do you remember watching The Ed Sullivan Show? On this day in 1901, Ed Sullivan was born. Image: Ed Sullivan / Library of Congress Edward Vincent Sullivan was born on September 28, 1901 in Harlem, New York City, New York to Peter Arthur Sullivan and Elizabeth Smith. He was born a twin, but his brother Danny died a few months after birth. Growing up, Sullivan excelled in sports and wrote for his school newspaper. After graduating, he landed… Read the full story

Today we remember Ray Charles on what would have been his 92nd birthday. Image: Ray Charles / Nationaal Archief, CC0 Ray Charles Robinson was born on September 23, 1930 in Albany, Georgia. He was the son of Bailey Robinson, a mechanic, and Aretha Williams, a laundress. Around the age of four or five, Charles began to lose his sight and by the age of seven, he was completely blind. Although the family had little money,… Read the full story

On this day in 1791, English physicist Michael Faraday was born in Surrey, England. Faraday is remembered for his groundbreaking discoveries in electromagnetism. Image: Michael Faraday / Science History Institute Faraday was the third child born to James Faraday and Margaret Hastwell. His family was not well off and could only afford him a basic education. At the age of 14, he began an apprenticeship with a local bookseller and educated himself by reading a wide… Read the full story

On this day in 1866, The Time Machine author H.G. Wells was born in Bromley, Kent, England. Image: H.G. Wells / LSE Library, Flickr Wells was the fourth child born to Joseph Wells and Sarah Neal, both shopkeepers. The family struggled financially and by the age of 14, Wells became an apprentice to a draper. After finishing school, Wells became a science teacher. In 1891, he married his cousin, Isabel Mary Wells, however, the marriage did not… Read the full story

Happy birthday to Sophia Loren! Today the Italian actress turns 88. Image: Sophia Loren / Wikimedia Commons She was born Sofia Villani Scicolone on September 20, 1934 in Rome, Italy to Romilda Villani and Riccardo Scicolone. Raised in poverty, Loren would become one of Italy’s most renowned and honored actresses. Loren began her path to international stardom after entering a beauty pageant at the age of 15. In 1957, she starred in her first Hollywood film, The… Read the full story

Today we remember screen legend Lauren Bacall on what would have been her 98th birthday. Image: Lauren Bacall / Wikimedia Commons Actress Lauren Bacall was born Betty Joan Perske on September 16, 1924 in New York City, New York. She was the only child of William Perske and Natalie Weinstein, who later legally changed her surname to Bacal. After her parents divorced, Bacall was raised by her mother. Bacall began her career as a model before catching the… Read the full story

On the morning after the Battle of Baltimore, lawyer and poet Francis Scott Key was inspired to write the poem “Defence of Fort McHenry,” which would become the lyrics to “The Star-Spangled Banner.” Image: Francis Scott Key / Library of Congress During the War of 1812, Key accompanied Colonel John Stuart Skinner aboard the British ship HMS Tonnant to negotiate the release of prisoners. During the negotiations, the British attacked Fort McHenry, leaving Key and Skinner powerless… Read the full story

Happy Roald Dahl Day! On this day in 1916, author Roald Dahl was born in Llandaff, Wales. Image: Roald Dahl / Library of Congress Dahl was the son of Norwegian parents, Harald Dahl and and Sofie Hesselberg. Dahl’s father was a wealthy shipbuilder and had emigrated from Sarpsborg, Norway and settled in Cardiff, Wales in the 1880s. His mother later immigrated to the UK and married his father in 1911. During World War I, Dahl… Read the full story

Today we remember rock and roll legend Buddy Holly, who was born on this day in 1936. Image: Buddy Holly / Wikimedia Commons Charles Hardin Holley was born on September 7, 1936 in Lubbock, Texas. He was the fourth child born to Lawrence Odell “L.O.” Holley and Ella Pauline Drake and nicknamed “Buddy” by his mother. Growing up, Buddy wasn’t the only member of the family interested in music. His older brothers performed in local talent shows and… Read the full story

Have you read the story of Frankenstein? On this day in 1797, author Mary Shelley was born. Image: Mary Shelley / Wikimedia Commons She was born Mary Wollstonecraft Godwin on August 30, 1797 in London, England. She was the daughter of philosopher and novelist William Godwin and Mary Wollstonecraft, a writer and women’s rights advocate. Shortly after her birth, Shelley’s mother died, leaving her father to raise her and her older half sister, Fanny Imlay. At the age… Read the full story

On this day in 1930, actor Sean Connery was born. Image: Sean Connery / Nationaal Archief, CC0 The James Bond star was born Thomas Sean Connery on August 25, 1930 in Edinburgh, Scotland. He was named after his paternal grandfather, Thomas Connery, and was called “Tommy” throughout his childhood. Connery quit school at a young age and got his first job working as a milkman before joining the Royal Navy. After he was discharged for… Read the full story

On this day in 1754, Louis XVI of France was born at the Palace of Versailles. The French monarch was the last King of France before the fall of the monarchy during the French Revolution. Image: Louis XVI of France / New York Public Library Louis-Auguste was the second son of Louis, the Dauphin of France, and Marie-Josèphe of Saxony, the daughter of Augustus III, the King of Poland. Louis became the Dauphin at the age of… Read the full story

On this day in 1920, author Ray Bradbury was born. Image: Ray Bradbury / Alan Light, Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 2.0) Bradbury was born on August 22, 1920 in Waukegan, Illinois to Esther Moberg, a Swedish immigrant, and Leonard Spaulding Bradbury, a power and telephone lineman of English descent. Bradbury began writing his own stories as a child. During the Great Depression, he would sometimes use butcher paper to compose his works. It was his… Read the full story

September is just around the corner and that means it’s almost time for Webtember, Legacy Family Tree Webinars’ third annual free, month-long online genealogy conference! Every Friday for the entire month of September, Legacy Family Tree Webinars will host live and pre-recorded webinars. Join live each Friday to learn how you can take your genealogy skills to the next level. If you can’t make the live sessions, you can enjoy all 31 recordings at your… Read the full story

Are you a fan of Star Trek? Today we celebrate the birthday of Star Trek creator Gene Roddenberry, who was born on this day in 1921. Image: Gene Roddenberry / NASA Before finding success as a screenwriter and producer, Roddenberry served in the United States Army Air Force. During World War II, he flew 89 combat missions and was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross and Air Medal. After the war, he continued to work as a commercial pilot… Read the full story

On this day in 1786, American frontiersman and folk hero Davy Crockett was born. Image: Davy Crockett / National Portrait Gallery, Smithsonian Institution CC0 David Crockett was born to John Wesley Crockett and Rebecca Hawkins in what is today Tennessee. He was named after his paternal grandfather, who was killed in a Cherokee raid at the onset of the Cherokee-American wars. Crockett gained fame for his many larger-than-life exploits. A skilled woodsman, an excellent hunter, and gifted storyteller, Crockett developed… Read the full story

Today we remember the King of Rock and Roll, Elvis Presley, who passed away on August 16, 1977 at the age of 42. Image: Elvis Presley / Wikimedia Commons Elvis was born on January 8, 1935 in Tupelo, Mississippi to Vernon and Gladys Presley. From very humble beginnings, Elvis would go on to be one of the most successful musicians in history. In 1956, he scored his first number one hit, “Heartbreak Hotel.” Shortly after, he made his big… Read the full story

Do you have royal blood? On this day in 1762, George IV of the United Kingdom was born. Image: George IV / Wikimedia Commons, Rijksmuseum The first child of King George III and Queen Charlotte, George became Prince Regent in 1811 during his father’s mental illnesses and ascended to the throne following his death in 1820. George enjoyed living an extravagant lifestyle and at the age of 23, secretly and illegally married Maria Fitzherbert, a twice-widowed commoner and a Roman… Read the full story

On this day in 1782, Vicente Guerrero, a leading general of the Mexican War of Independence and later President of Mexico, was born. A champion of the common people, Guerrero is remembered as one of the most influential leaders in Mexican history. Image: Vicente Guerrero / Wikimedia Commons Guerrero was born on August 10, 1782 in Tixtia, a small town in what is today his namesake state of Guerrero in Mexico. He was of Afro-mestizo descent and… Read the full story

On this day in 1908, space pioneer Mary G. Ross was born in Park Hill, Oklahoma. Remembered for being the first Native American female engineer, Ross’s contributions would become crucial to the development of the American space program. Image: Mary G. Ross / San Diego Air and Space Museum Ross was the second of five children born to William Ross and Mary Henrietta Moore. Her second great grandfather was John Ross, who was the longest serving Chief of… 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

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

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