Author: Amanda

On this day in 1865, President Abraham Lincoln was shot by John Wilkes Booth while watching a play at the Ford’s Theater in Washington, D.C. Image: Abraham Lincoln / U.S. National Archives and Records Administration Just five days earlier, Confederate General Robert E. Lee surrendered to General Ulysses S. Grant at Appomattox Court House in Virginia, signaling the end of the American Civil War. The President had gone for an evening out with his wife to… 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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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 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

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

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

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

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

Did you love reading the stories of Winnie the Pooh growing up? On this day in 1882, author and creator A.A. Milne was born in London, England. Image: A.A. Milne / Library of Congress Alan Alexander Milne was the youngest of three sons born to school teachers, Sarah Marie Heginbotham and John Vine Milne. During World War I, Milne served in the British Army and was injured at the Battle of the Somme. After recovering… Read the full story

Today we remember beloved actress Betty White on what would have been her birthday. White’s career spanned over eight decades and left a lasting mark on television history both in front and behind the camera. After making the transition from radio to television, she became a staple on American game shows. She also starred in several memorable sitcoms including The Mary Tyler Moore Show, The Golden Girls, and Hot in Cleveland. A cultural icon, White… Read the full story

Today the United States celebrates Martin Luther King, Jr. Day! On this day, the nation observes the birthday of the great Civil Rights leader. Image: Martin Luther King, Jr. / Library of Congress Martin Luther King, Jr. was born on January 15, 1929 in Atlanta, Georgia to Reverend Martin Luther King, Sr. and Alberta Williams. A pastor, humanitarian and activist, King played a pivotal role in the advancement of civil rights using nonviolent civil disobedience. His inspiring work… Read the full story

Remember reading Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland? On this day in 1898, author Lewis Carroll died at the age of 65. Image: Lewis Carroll / Library of Congress The famous author was born Charles Lutwidge Dodgson on January 27, 1832 in Daresbury, Cheshire, England. He was the third of eleven children born to Charles Dodgsen, a clergyman, and Frances Jane Lutwidge. Growing up, Carroll was an avid reader and suffered from a stutter that would last most of… Read the full story

On this day in 1628, French author Charles Perrault was born in Paris, France. Often described as the “father of the fairytale,” Perrault was known for penning some of the most beloved and recognizable stories, including Little Red Riding Hood, Cinderella, and The Sleeping Beauty. He derived many of his stories from pre-existing folktales and created the foundations of a new literary genre, the fairytale. Image: Charles Perrault / Rijksmuseum, Wikimedia Commons He was born on January 12,… Read the full story

Today we remember comedian Bob Saget, who passed away yesterday at the age of 65. Image: Bob Saget / Library of Congress Saget was born on May 17, 1956 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to Benjamin Saget and Rosalyn “Dolly” Comer. After graduating from Temple University, Saget briefly attended the University of Southern California to study film. He dropped out after a few days and decided to pursue a career as a stand-up comic. In 1987, he… Read the full story

Trailblazing actor Sidney Poitier has passed away at the age of 94. The icon broke racial barriers in Hollywood and became the first black man to win an Academy Award for Best Actor. Image: Sidney Poitier / Wikimedia Commons Poitier was born on February 20, 1927 in Miami, Florida to Bahamian parents, Reginald Poitier and Evelyn Outen. Born two months premature while his parents were in Miami, the family remained in the country for the… Read the full story

Happy 76th birthday to Diane Keaton! The actress was born Diane Hall on January 5, 1946 in Los Angeles, California. Image: Diane Keaton / Firooz Zahedi, Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0) Her mother, Dorothy Keaton, was a homemaker and once won the “Mrs. Los Angeles” pageant. Her father, John Newton Ignatius “Jack” Hall, was a real estate broker and civil engineer. After deciding to pursue a career in acting, she took on her mother’s maiden name “Keaton” to avoid… Read the full story

What was your favorite fairy tale growing up? On this day in 1785, Jacob Grimm was born in Hanau, Hesse-Kassel. As one half of the Brothers Grimm, Jacob and his brother, Wilhelm, collected and recorded German folklore, which they would later publish as Grimm’s Fairy Tales. Image: Jacob Grimm / Wikimedia Commons In 1808, Jacob served as royal librarian for Napoleon Bonaparte’s brother, Jérôme, King of Westphalia. Influenced by the growing German Romantic movement, Jacob and… Read the full story

On this day in 1793, abolitionist and women’s rights activist Lucretia Mott was born. A pioneering social reformer, Mott was a central figure of the abolitionist and suffragist movements until her death in 1880. Image: Lucretia Mott / Library of Congress Mott was born Lucretia Coffin on January 3, 1793 in Nantucket, Massachusetts. Her fourth great grandfather, Peter Folger, was one of the first settlers of Nantucket and the maternal grandfather of Benjamin Franklin. This makes Mott and… Read the full story

Do you have inventors in your family tree? On this day in 1800, inventor and chemist Charles Goodyear was born in New Haven, Connecticut. Goodyear invented the process of vulcanization, which revolutionized the rubber industry. Image: Charles Goodyear / Library of Congress Goodyear was the eldest of six children born to Amasa Goodyear and Cynthia Bateman. His third great grandfather, Stephen Goodyear, was one of the founders of the colony of New Haven in 1638. After his… Read the full story

As the year comes to a close, we’re looking back at 2021 on Geni. We’re proud of the many new enhancements to Sources introduced to Geni and along the way, hit a new milestone in the World Family Tree. Although we are still in the midst of the pandemic, we are grateful that we were still able to connect with the genealogical community through virtual conferences throughout the year. Here’s a look back at our… Read the full story

Today we remember Walt Disney, who died on this day in 1966 at the age of 65. Image: Walt Disney / NASA He was born Walter Elias Disney on December 5, 1901 in Chicago, Illinois to Elias Charles Disney and Flora Call Disney. At 16, he tried to join the U.S. army during World War I, but was rejected for being underage. Undeterred, he joined the American Red Cross and worked as an ambulance driver… Read the full story

Happy birthday to Dick Van Dyke! Today the star turns 96. Image: Dick Van Dyke / Gage Skidmore, Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 2.0) Richard Wayne Van Dyke was born on December 13, 1925 in West Plains, Missouri to Hazel Victoria McCord, a stenographer, and Loren Wayne Van Dyke, a salesman. During World War II, Van Dyke enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Corps and eventually served as a radio announcer before transferring to the Special… Read the full story

On this day in 1830, American poet Emily Dickinson was born. A prolific writer, Dickinson wrote over 1800 poems, however less than a dozen were published during her lifetime. It was not until after her death that a cache of her poetry was discovered and published. Image: Emily Dickinson / Wikimedia Commons Dickinson was born in Amherst, Massachusetts on December 10, 1830 to a prominent New England family. Her paternal grandfather, Samuel Fowler Dickinson, was a founder… Read the full story

Happy birthday to Donny Osmond! Today the singer and former teen idol turns 64. Image: Donny Osmond / Nationaal Archief, CC0 Osmond was born on December 9, 1957 in Ogden, Utah and was the seventh son born to George Osmond and Olive Davis. A natural performer, Osmond began singing at a very young age alongside his older brothers as part of the musical group The Osmonds. His talent made him a standout performer and he… Read the full story

Today we remember famous Rat Pack performer Sammy Davis, Jr., who was born on this day in 1925. Image: Sammy Davis, Jr. / Nationaal Archief, Wikimedia Commons CCO Samuel George Davis, Jr. was born in Harlem, New York to Sammy Davis, Sr., an African-American entertainer, and Elvera Sanchez, a tap dancer of Afro-Cuban descent. Davis began his career in show business as a small child dancing in his father’s vaudeville act. During World War II, he… Read the full story

Do you have pioneer ancestors? On this day in 1873, author Willa Cather was born in Winchester, Virginia. Cather is perhaps best remembered for her vivid portrayal of frontier life on the Great Plains in her novels, O Pioneers! and My Ántonia. Image: Willa Cather / Library of Congress Wilella Sibert Cather was born on her maternal grandmother’s farm in the Back Creek Valley near Winchester, Virginia. Although most may think of her as a Nebraskan,… Read the full story

Do you have Dutch ancestry? On this day in 1792, William II, King of the Netherlands, was born. He was the eldest son of William I, the first King of the Netherlands, and Wilhelmine of Prussia, the daughter of King Frederick William II of Prussia and William I’s first cousin. Image: William II of the Netherlands / Wikimedia Commons In 1816, he married Grand Duchess Anna Pavlovna of Russia, the youngest sister of Alexander I of Russia. Following his father’s… Read the full story

On November 24, 1784, Zachary Taylor, the 12th President of the United States, was born. Image: Zachary Taylor / National Portrait Gallery, Smithsonian Institution Taylor was born on a plantation in Orange County, Virginia to a prominent family of planters. Before his presidency, Taylor was a career officer in the United States Army and a national hero for his victories during the Mexican-American War. In 1848, he was elected the 12th President of the United States, becoming… Read the full story

It was recently announced that MyHeritage and Expedia have partnered to help you plan the ultimate heritage tour. Together, MyHeritage and Expedia have launched the Heritage Travel Hub to make it easy for you to plan an incredible journey to the land of your ancestors. The site is housed on Expedia and features rich content that bridges family history research with planning a memorable, heritage-oriented trip. The Heritage Travel Hub will help you map an… Read the full story