Author: Amanda

What did your ancestors do for a living? In the mid-19th century, occupational portraits were a common portrait style that illustrated an individual’s trade or profession. If you are lucky to have an occupational portrait of an ancestor, you may see that they often include tools or props to help illustrate their profession or skills. They may be dressed in their work attire and in some cases, they may even pretend to be working. These… Read the full story

Today we celebrate social activist Jane Addams, who was born on this day in 1860. Image: Jane Addams / Library of Congress Addams was born on September 6, 1860 in Cedarville, Illinois to John H. Adams and Sarah Weber. Her father was a prominent political figure in Illinois and a friend of President Abraham Lincoln. As a child, she became interested in helping the poor after reading the works of Charles Dickens. She studied medicine… Read the full story

On this day in 1883, Polish biologist Rudolf Weigl was born. Weigl is remembered for producing the first effective vaccine for epidemic typhus and saving thousands of Jewish lives during World War II. Image: Rudolf Weigl / Narodowe Archiwum Cyfrowe Weigl was born on September 2, 1883 in the city of Prerau in what was then part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. When he was a child, his father died in a bicycle accident. His mother… Read the full story

Have you found your connection to Dutch royalty? On this day in 1880, Wilhelmina of the Netherlands was born. Image: Wilhelmina of the Netherlands / Wikimedia Commons Wilhelmina Helena Pauline Maria was born on August 31, 1880 at Noordeinde Palace in The Hague, Netherlands. The only surviving child of King Willem III and his second wife, Emma of Waldeck and Pyrmont, Wilhelmina became queen at the age of 10 after her father’s death in 1890…. Read the full story

Today we remember Ed Asner, who passed away yesterday at the age of 91. Image: Ed Asner / Department of Defense, William D Moss Asner was born on November 15, 1929 in Kansas City, Missouri to Morris David Asner and Elizabeth Seliger. the youngest of five children, Asner was raised in an Orthodox Jewish family. After high school, he was accepted at the University of Chicago and studied journalism before dropping out. He worked a… Read the full story

On August 24, 1899, Argentine writer and poet Jorge Luis Borges was born. Explore his family tree on Geni.

Today marks the 235th birthday of American folk hero Davy Crockett. Image: Davy Crockett / Library of Congress David “Davy” Crockett was born on August 17, 1786 in what is present day Tennessee. During the Creek War, Crockett joined the state militia as a scout and spent much of his time hunting wild game for the soldiers. He later served as third sergeant in the War of 1812, but saw little action. After returning home, he served… Read the full story

On this day in 2018, legendary singer Aretha Franklin died at the age of 76. Image: Aretha Franklin / U.S. National Archives and Records Administration Franklin was born on March 25, 1942 in Memphis, Tennessee to C.L. Franklin, a Baptist minister, and Barbara Siggers, an accomplished pianist and vocalist. Franklin’s musical talent was apparent at an early age and she was encouraged to sing in front of her father’s congregation. By 14, she was traveling… Read the full story

The Tokyo 2020 Olympic games has seen a number of exciting, history making performances this year. On August 3, Norwegian hurdler Karsten Warholm not only won gold in the men’s 400-meter hurdles, but also set a new world record! Image: Karsten Warholm / Yann Caradec, Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 2.0) In what has been called one of the greatest races in Olympics history, Warholm won at 45.94 seconds, crushing his own world record by .76…. Read the full story

After being postponed for a year, the Tokyo 2020 Olympics are now in full swing. Although this year’s games are different due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it is still full of history making celebrations from some amazing female athletes. Weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz made history for winning the Philippines’s first Olympic gold medal. Japan’s Momiji Nishiya became the first gold medalist in the women’s street skateboarding event at just 13 years old. She is also Japan’s… Read the full story

Today we remember beloved game show host Alex Trebek on what would have been his 81st birthday. Image: Alex Trebek / Nestor Cruz, U.S. Air Force He was born George Alexander Trebek on July 22, 1940 in Sudbury, Ontario to George Edward Trebek (born Terebeychuk) and Lucille Marie Lagacé. His father emigrated from the Ukraine as a child and became a chef. His mother was French Canadian and so Trebek grew up speaking both French… Read the full story

Today we remember actor Robin Williams on what would have been his 70th birthday. Image: Robin Williams / Eva Rinaldi, Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 2.0) He was born Robin McLaurin Williams on July 21, 1951 in Chicago, Illinois. A quiet child growing up, Williams joined the drama department at school to help overcome his shyness. As a student at Julliard, he became friends with fellow actor Christopher Reeve. The pair shared a close friendship until Reeve’s… Read the full story

On this day in 1862, investigative journalist, educator, and civil rights activist Ida B. Wells was born. Image: Ida B. Wells / National Portrait Gallery, Smithsonian Institution Wells was born into slavery on July 16, 1862 in Holly Springs, Mississippi to James Maddison Wells and Elizabeth “Lizzie” Warrenton. After emancipation, her father was a trustee of Shaw College (today Rust College), a school for the newly freed enslaved people. Wells attended the school until she… Read the full story

On this day in 1862, geologist and educator Florence Bascom was born. A pioneer of her field, Bascom is considered to be the first female geologist in America. Image: Florence Bascom / Smithsonian Institution, Flickr Bascom was born on July 14, 1862 in Williamstown, Massachusetts. She was the youngest surviving child of John Bascom, a professor at Williams College, and Emma Curtiss, a teacher and women’s right’s activist. Both of her parents were strong supporters… Read the full story

Happy birthday to Patrick Stewart! A veteran of the stage and screen, Stewart’s versatile career has spanned from the works of Shakespeare to some of popular culture’s most iconic franchises. Image: Patrick Stewart / Gage Skidmore, Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0) Stewart was born on July 13, 1940 in Mirfield, England to Gladys Barrowclaugh, a textile worker, and Alfred Stewart, a Regimental Sergeant Major in the British Army. Growing up in a poor and abusive household,… Read the full story

On this day in 1854, American inventor and philanthropist George Eastman was born. Image: George Eastman / Library of Congress Eastman was born on July 12, 1854 in Waterville, New York and was the youngest of three children born to George Washington Eastman and Maria Kilbourn. His father started a small business school, Eastman Commercial College, in Rochester, New York. When Eastman was 8, his father died suddenly and by 14, he left school to… Read the full story

On this day in 1861, American geneticist Nettie Stevens was born. A pioneer of her field, Stevens is credited with discovering sex chromosomes. Image: Nettie Stevens / Wikimedia Commons Stevens was born on July 7, 1961 in Cavendish, Vermont to Julia Adams and Ephraim Stevens. An excellent student, Stevens was near the top of her class. She and her sister, Emma, were two of three women to graduate from Westford Academy, a private high school,… Read the full story

On July 4 the United States celebrates Independence Day, which commemorates the adoption of the Declaration of Independence. In July 1776, the Continental Congress declared that the thirteen American colonies were no longer subject to British rule under King George III and were now free, independent states. In celebration of the holiday, we take a look at a few of the 56 signers of the Declaration of Independence and how they are related to each… Read the full story

Today we remember one of the most iconic actresses in Hollywood, Katharine Hepburn, who died on June 29, 2003 at the age of 96. Image: Katharine Hepburn / Wikimedia Commons Considered one of the greatest actresses in film history, Hepburn garnered multiple awards and nominations for her breathtaking performances. Her career spanned over 60 years, making her last on screen appearance at the age of 87. Katharine Houghton Hepburn was born on May 12, 1907… Read the full story

This Father’s Day we asked you to send a photo of your dad or a father-figure in your life and tell us what makes him special to you. One lucky person would be chosen at random and receive a free 1-year subscription of Geni Pro. We received some lovely stories from the community and today we’re excited to announce the winner of our Father’s Day giveaway – Līga Saleme! Līga shared the following about her… Read the full story

Happy birthday to Prince William! Today the Duke of Cambridge turns 39. Image: Prince William, Duke of Cambridge / USAID/Vietnam As the eldest son of Prince Charles and Princess Diana, the Duke of Cambridge is the second in line to the British throne. Prince William was born on June 21, 1982 at St. Mary’s Hospital in London, which is also the same hospital where his younger brother, Prince Harry, and Prince William’s three children were born. After completing his… Read the full story

Each year Father’s Day is celebrated to honor fathers and father-figures in our lives. With the special day just around the corner, we thought it would be fun to hear about your dad and what makes him special to you. Share your stories with us and you can win a free 1-year subscription of Geni Pro! From important life lessons to teaching us new skills such as riding a bike, our dads have made long… Read the full story

Today we remember famous oceanographer and explorer Jacques Cousteau, who was born on this day in 1910. A pioneer of marine conservation, Cousteau studied all forms of life in the water and documented his extensive investigations in books and films. Image: Jacques Causteau / Nationaal Archief, CC0 Jacques-Yves Causteau was born on June 11, 1910 in Saint-André-de-Cubzac, France to Daniel Cousteau and Elizabeth Duranthon. In 1930, he entered the French naval academy and graduated as a gunnery… Read the full story

A few months ago, we released some major enhancements to sources on Geni. Today we are happy to announce new improvements to sources to make your citation experience on your mobile device even better.  Sources can now be added from the family tree interface quickly on your phone, making it even easier to document your ancestry while you are on the go. While visiting your local archive, courthouse, or library, you can use your mobile… Read the full story

Today actress Angelina Jolie celebrates her 46th birthday! Image: Angelina Jolie / Gage Skidmore, Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 2.0) Jolie was born on June 4, 1975 in Los Angeles, California to actors John Voight and Marcheline Betrand. After her parents separated, Jolie and her brother were largely raised by their mother. Jolie began acting at a young age, studying at the Lee Strasberg Theater Institute as a teen. Her breakthrough performance in the 1998 television… Read the full story

Could we BE anymore excited!? After 17 years off the air, the entire cast of the hit television show Friends came together in a highly anticipated reunion special. Friends: The Reunion, also dubbed “The One Where They Get Back Together,” was released on May 27 after being delayed for a year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. All six of the main cast, Jennifer Aniston, Courtney Cox, Lisa Kudrow, Matt LeBlanc, Matthew Perry, and David Schwimmer,… Read the full story

Happy birthday to Bob Dylan! Today the iconic musician turns 80. A gifted songwriter, Dylan is often considered  to be one of the most influential musicians in the world. Image: Bob Dylan / Library of Congress Dylan was born Robert Allen Zimmerman on May 24, 1941 in Duluth, Minnesota. When Dylan first began performing in college he took on the name “Bob Dylan” after the poet Dylan Thomas. During the 1960s, Dylan became known as… Read the full story

In celebration of Mother’s Day, we asked you to tell us the best piece of advice or words of wisdom you have received from your mom or from a mother-figure in your life. One lucky winner would receive a free year of Geni Pro. Today we are excited to announce the winner of our Mother’s Day Giveaway – Coyal M. Gorman! Coyal shared how her grandmother, Coyal Maxey, instilled the importance of family: “About 30… Read the full story

On this day in 1804, Meriwether Lewis and William Clark departed St. Louis, Missouri to begin their mission of exploring the American Northwest. After the Louisiana Purchase in 1803, President Thomas Jefferson wanted to get an accurate assessment of the new land and its resources. He enlisted Lewis to command the expedition, who recruited his close friend William Clark as his Second Lieutenant in command. The journey to the Pacific coast lasted two years. During this… Read the full story

On this day in 1840, famous Russian composer Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky was born in Vyatka, Russia. Considered one of the most popular Russian composers in history, Tchaikovsky’s works included symphonies, concertos, operas, and ballets. Image: Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky / Library of Congress Tchaikovsky began taking piano lessons at the age of five and showed an adept talent for music. Despite his passion, Tchaikovsky was educated for a career as a civil servant. He spent a short tenure as… Read the full story

Happy birthday to George Clooney! Today the actor turns 60. Image: George Clooney / U.S. National Archives and Records Administration Clooney was born on May 6, 1961 in Lexington, Kentucky to Nick Clooney, a former anchorman and television host, and Nina Warren, a former city councilwoman. His aunt, Rosemary Clooney, was a famous singer and actress. With his family’s background in show business, it was not a surprise when Clooney decided to move to Los… Read the full story

With Mother’s Day just around the corner, we thought it would be fun to celebrate the moms or mother-figures in our lives with a chance to win a free 1-year subscription of Geni Pro! Throughout our lives, we’ve heard countless pieces of advice or words of encouragement from our mothers. For this Mother’s Day giveaway, we want to hear about the best piece of advice you have received from your mom or mother-figure in your… Read the full story

Today we remember beloved child star Shirley Temple on what would have been her 93rd birthday. Image: Eleanor Roosevelt and Shirley Temple / U.S. National Archives and Records Administration Shirley Temple was born on April 23, 1928 in Santa Monica, California. She began her film career at the age of 3 with a role in Baby Burlesks, a series of short films satirizing recent film and political events, using pre-school children in every role. In 1934, she… Read the full story

It’s Earth Day! Earth Day is observed worldwide in 192 countries in appreciation of the Earth’s natural environment and to increase public awareness of environmental issues. In celebration of Earth Day, here’s a look at some notable environmentalists in Geni’s World Family Tree! Explore their family trees and see how you’re connected to these influential environmental figures! Rachel Carson Image: Smithsonian Institution, Flickr Rachel Carson was a marine biologists, conservationist, and author of Silent Spring…. Read the full story

Today Queen Elizabeth II turns 95. The longest-reigning monarch in British history, the Queen’s birthday comes just days after the funeral of her husband, Prince Philip. Image: Queen Elizabeth / Wikimedia Commons, NASA Born on April 21, 1926, Elizabeth is the eldest child born to Prince Albert, Duke of York (later King George VI) and Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon. As the daughter of King George V’s second son, Elizabeth was not expected to become queen. However when… Read the full story

Have you visited the Lincoln Memorial? On this day in 1850, sculptor Daniel Chester French was born. Image: Daniel Chester French / Wikimedia Commons, Library of Congress French was the son of Anna Richardson and Henry Flagg French, a lawyer and the first president of the Massachusetts Agricultural College (now the University of Massachusetts Amherst). In 1867, the French family moved to Concord, Massachusetts, where they became neighbors and friends of poet Ralph Waldo Emerson and… Read the full story

On this day in 1906, French physicist Pierre Curie died at the age of 46. Known for his groundbreaking work in radioactivity alongside his wife, renowned physicist Marie Curie, Curie is often regarded as one of the founding fathers of modern physics. Curie was born on May 15, 1859 in Paris, France to Eugene Curie and Sophie-Claire Depouilly. His father was a physician and taught Curie science and mathematics at an early age. In 1903, Pierre… Read the full story

Happy National Scrabble Day! Scrabble Day is observed each year on the birthday of Scrabble inventor Alfred Mosher Butts, who was born on April 13, 1899 in Poughkeepsi, New York. During the Great Depression, Butts lost his job as an architect and struggled to support himself. He found some work writing for magazines and even tried his hand at art, but had little success. During this time, Butts decided to try developing a board game that… Read the full story

We’re sad to hear of the passing of Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh at the age of 99. The longest-serving consort of a British monarch, Prince Philip was married to Queen Elizabeth II for 73 years. Image: Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh / Nationaal Archief The Duke of Edinburg was born on June 10, 1921 on the Greek island of Corfu. He was the fifth child born to Prince Andrew of Greece and Denmark and… Read the full story

Does your family tree have an adventurous streak? On this day in 1909, explorers Matthew Henson and Robert Peary became the first men to reach the North Pole. Image: Matthew Henson / Library of Congress Matthew Henson was born on August 8, 1866 to freeborn black sharecroppers on a farm in Nanjemoy, Maryland. In 1887, Henson met Peary and was recruited to join Peary’s surveying expedition to Nicaragua. Soon Henson became Peary’s “first man” on… Read the full story

Today we remember Danish author Hans Christian Andersen, who was born on this day in 1805. Popular across the globe, Andersen’s fairytales have been translated into over 125 languages and have been adapted into numerous animated films, plays, and ballets. Image: Hans Christian Andersen / Bergen Public Library, Flickr Andersen was born on April 2, 1805 in Odense, Denmark. Although his family was poor, Andersen received a boarding school education often reserved for the privileged…. Read the full story

On this day in 1927, American labor leader and civil rights activist Cesar Chavez was born. Image: Cesar Chavez / Library of Congress He was born on March 31, 1927 in Yuma, Arizona and was named after his paternal grandfather, Cesario Chavez. During the Great Depression, his family lost their farm and moved to California to become migrant farmers. He would leave school after the 8th grade to work full time as a farm laborer…. Read the full story

Are you a baseball fan? On this day in 1867, legendary baseball player Cy Young was born. During his 22-season career, Young pitched for five different teams and established numerous pitching records, some of which he still holds today. Image: Cy Young / Wikimedia Commons He was born Denton True Young on March 29, 1867 in Gilmore, Ohio to McKinzie Young, Jr. and Nancy Miller. Growing up in a small farming community, Young stopped going to school after the… Read the full story

Have you tried Deep Nostalgia™, MyHeritage’s amazing new photo feature? Deep Nostalgia™ brings your old family photos to life by animating the faces on any photo. This incredible feature has brought many to tears by producing a realistic depiction of how a person may have smiled and moved if they were captured on video. The technology for animating photos was licensed from D-ID, which specializes in video reenactment using deep learning. MyHeritage has integrated this… Read the full story

Today we remember actor Leonard Nimoy on what would have been his 90th birthday. Image: Leonard Nimoy / Gage Skidmore, Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0) Nimoy was born on March 26, 1931 in Boston, Massachusetts to Orthodox Jewish immigrants from Izaislav, Ukraine. Coming from a Yiddish-speaking household, Nimoy learned Yiddish as his first language. He began acting in a neighborhood theater at the age of 8 and with the encouragement of his grandfather, decided to pursue a career as an actor…. Read the full story

Happy birthday to Elton John! Today the music legend turns 74. Image: Elton John / Nationaal Archief, CC0 He was born Reginald Kenneth Dwight on March 25, 1947 in Pinner, England to Stanley Dwight and Sheila Eileen Harris. Elton began playing the piano at the age of 3 and showed an amazing aptitude in music. In 1967, he changed his name to Elton Hercules John after Blues legends Elton Dean and Long John Baldry and… Read the full story

Happy birthday to Glenn Close! Today the versatile actress turns 74. Image: Glenn Close / Georges Biard (CC BY-SA 3.0) Close was born on March 19, 1947 in Greenwich, Connecticut to an upper class family with a long history in the United States. She is a descendant of the Taliaferro family, one of the earliest families to settle in Virginia in the 17th century. The surname is believed to trace back to Bartholomew Taliaferro, a native of Venice… Read the full story

Today we remember French writer Madame de La Fayette, whose novel, La Princesse de Clèves, is considered to be France’s first historical novel and one of the earliest novels in literature. Image: Madame de La Fayette La Fayette was born Marie-Madeleine Pioche de La Vergne in March 1634. According to baptism records, she was baptized on March 18, 1634 in the Church of Saint-Sulpice in Paris, France. She was the eldest daughter of Marc Pioche,… Read the full story

Do you have Irish ancestry? With millions of Irish people who have emigrated abroad, it is estimated that 70-80 million people worldwide claim some Irish descent. If you are trying to learn more about your Irish ancestors, Irish genealogy projects on Geni are a fantastic way to collaborate and connect with others who are also researching their Irish roots. These genealogy projects are the perfect place to seek advice, meet others researching their Irish ancestors, and work together towards the common… Read the full story

Today singer and actress Liza Minnelli turns 75! A powerhouse on the stage and screen, Minnelli has won numerous awards across the entertainment industry, including an Emmy, a Grammy, an Oscar, and a Tony. Image: Liza Minnelli / Wikimedia Commons Minnelli was born on March 12, 1946 in Los Angeles, California. The daughter of film legend Judy Garland and director Vincent Minnelli, it seemed Minnelli was destined to become a star. She made her film… Read the full story