Author: Amanda

On November 11, the United States celebrates Veterans Day to give thanks, honor, and celebrate the brave men and women who have served in the nation’s armed forces. Originally observed as Armistice Day, which commemorated the end of World War I at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month in 1918, the holiday was renamed Veterans Day in 1954. Not to be confused with Memorial Day, which honors those who died while in… Read the full story

“Dr. Livingstone, I presume?” Those were the first words uttered by journalist and explorer Henry Morton Stanley when he found missing explorer David Livingstone on November 10, 1871 in present-day Tanzania. Born John Rowlands in Denbigh, Denbighshire, Wales, Stanley immigrated to the United States at 18 and changed his name. During the American Civil War, he served in both the Confederate and Union armies. After the war, he became a journalist. In 1871, he was commissioned by The New York… Read the full story

Have you found your connection to royalty? On this day in 1841, King Edward VII was born in Buckingham Palace. The eldest son of Prince Albert and Queen Victoria, Edward VII held the record for the longest serving heir-apparent in British history at 59 years, until he was surpassed by his second great grandson Prince Charles in 2011. He was named Albert Edward after his father and his maternal grandfather, Prince Edward Duke of Kent and Strathearn. He was known… Read the full story

Sometimes when you hit a brick wall in your genealogy research, you may feel like there is no hope in overcoming it. However, there may be a few things to try that you may have overlooked. Here are a few quick tips on how to overcome your brick walls: Review what you have Go back and review what you know about your ancestor. Take some time to to create a timeline during your review to get a better picture of your… Read the full story

Today “The Fonz,” Henry Winkler, celebrates his 72nd birthday! Winkler was born on October 30, 1945 in Manhattan, New York to Ilse Anna Marie Hadra and Harry Irving Winker, who emigrated from Germany to the United States in 1939. From a young age, Winkler had a passion for acting and earned a MFA from Yale School of Drama in 1967. He caught his big break when he was cast as Arthur “Fonzie” Fonzarelli on the hit television show Happy… Read the full story

On this day in 1881, gunslingers Doc Holliday and Wyatt Earp found themselves involved in the infamous gunfight at the O.K. Corral. On October 26, 1881, the long simmering feud between the outlaw Cowboys, Ike and Billy Clanton, and Tom and Frank McLaury, and town Marshal Virgil Earp, and lawmen Morgan and Wyatt Earp, erupted in a 30-second shootout in Tombstone, Arizona. Holliday was a good friend of Earp’s and was assisting as a temporary policeman at the… Read the full story

Today we remember music legend Fats Domino, who passed away at the age of 89. One of rock and roll’s earliest pioneers, Domino’s unique music style influenced generations of musicians. He was born Antoine Domino, Jr. on February 26, 1928 in New Orleans, Louisiana. The eighth child of Antoine Caliste Domino and Marie-Donatille Gros, he was born in his family’s home with the assistance of his grandmother, who was a midwife. His family was Creole and spoke French Creole… Read the full story

One of the most basic pieces of information a genealogists may search for is an ancestor’s date of death. However, sometimes family history researchers are unable to locate a death certificate for an ancestor. Good thing there are many other options available to locate an ancestor’s death information! If you’re searching for an ancestor’s death information, you may want to consider exploring these valuable resources: 1. Newspapers and obituaries The Harlowton News, October 27, 1911 Search through old newspapers for obituaries and death notices,… Read the full story

On this day in 1469, Isabella I of Castile married Ferdinand II of Aragon. Their marriage brought stability to the kingdoms and paved the way for the unification of Aragon and Castile into the single country of Spain. Isabella was born on April 22, 1451 to John II of Castile and Isabella of Portugal. Isabella and Ferdinand were second cousins, both descending from John I of Castile. Since they were both so closely related, their… Read the full story

Do you remember watching Murder, She Wrote? Today star Angela Lansbury celebrates her 92nd birthday! On October 16, 1925, legendary actress Angela Lansbury was born to an upper middle class family in London, England. She was the daughter of English stage actress Moyna Macgill and Edgar Lansbury, a politician and timber merchant. Her paternal grandfather, George Lansbury, was the leader of the Labor Party. At the age of 9, Lansbury lost her father to stomach cancer. She turned to film… Read the full story

If you haven’t yet hopped into Geni’s public discussions, then you’re missing out on a valuable resource – the entire Geni community! Public discussions are the perfect place to ask questions, connect with other Geni users and even reach out for help from other members and volunteer curators. Whether it is a question about a profile or a request for help to fix the tree, public discussions are a great way to interact with others online. There are… Read the full story

It’s World Teachers’ Day! The day commemorates the hard work and dedication of teachers all around the world. In celebration of World Teachers’ Day, we’re highlighting some of history’s most notable educators. Read about them below and check out more in the Notable Educators project on Geni! 1. Anne Sullivan Helen Keller & Anne Sullivan / Library of Congress Perhaps one of the most famous American teachers in history, Anne Sullivan was known as Helen Keller’s devoted instructor… Read the full story

This may be a familiar sight to you – you have old photographs of your ancestors but no one is smiling! It’s not often you will find 19th century photographs of a smiling subject. While photographs provide us with a glimpse into who our ancestors were and what they looked like, don’t assume that no one is smiling because they were perpetually unhappy. c.1885 / Library of Congress Long exposure times? During the 19th century,… Read the full story

Happy 33rd birthday to Prince Harry! The second son of Charles, Prince of Wales, and Princess Diana, Harry is currently fifth in line to the throne, behind his nephew, Prince George, and his niece, Princess Charlotte. He will soon be bumped to sixth after the birth of his brother’s third child. Harry was only 12 years old when his mother died tragically in a car crash. Recently, the Prince has spoken publicly about how he struggled to come… Read the full story

We’re excited to announce a new feature to help you create an unconnected family tree branch on Geni. If you want to build the family tree for a person not yet on Geni and you don’t know how the person is related, you can now easily start an unconnected branch of the tree and work towards finding its connection to the World Family Tree. There are many times when you may have information about a person or family, but do not yet know… Read the full story

Love chocolate? On this day in 1857, confectioner Milton S. Hershey, founder of the Hershey Chocolate Company, was born in Derry Township, Pennsylvania. The Hersheys were members of Pennsylvania’s Mennonite community. The future confectioner grew up speaking Pennsylvania Dutch on his family’s small farm and didn’t receive much schooling beyond the 4th grade. By the age of 14, he became an apprentice to a master confectioner with the aim of opening his own candy shop. In… Read the full story

Carole Forsman was born a twin in Omaha, Nebraska on October 7, the anniversary of the hospital. To celebrate, the hospital gifted the all the mothers who gave birth that day no hospital bill. And she even got her picture in the local newspaper! Carole Forman A writer, a board member for the Danish Cemetery in Omaha, Nebraska and a member of the local Danish Club, Carole’s path to genealogy began after she became interested… Read the full story

Happy 50th birthday to Harry Connick, Jr.! The singer and actor was born Joseph Harry Fowler Connick, Jr. on September 11, 1967 in New Orleans, Louisiana. Both of his parents were prominent lawyers in New Orleans. His father, Joseph Harry Fowler Connick, Sr., was the district attorney of Orleans Parish and his mother, Anita Frances Levy, served as a judge in New Orleans and later a Louisiana Supreme Court justice. They encouraged their son’s early… Read the full story

We’re back from the Federation of Genealogical Societies 2017 National Conference in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. From August 30 – September 2, genealogists and family historians from all around the country gathered at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center for a wide variety of sessions held by numerous genealogy experts. The exhibit hall entrance before opening day Many attendees also had the opportunity to visit a wide variety of vendors in the exhibit hall. The Geni booth was the perfect place for… Read the full story

Today we remember Diana, Princess of Wales, on the 20th anniversary of her death. On August 31, 1997, Princess Diana died tragically in a car crash in Paris, France. Known as the “People’s Princess” for her compassion and charitable efforts, Princess Diana was beloved all and the world mourned when news spread of her sudden death. In honor of her memory, we take a look back at her life. Image: Wikimedia Commons 1. Diana Frances Spencer… Read the full story

Next week Geni will be heading to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania for the Federation of Genealogical Societies 2017 Conference. The conference will take place August 30 – September 2 at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center. Hosted by the Western Pennsylvania Genealogical Society, this year’s them is “Building Bridges to the Past.” The conference will have a wide variety of sessions available for all skill levels. Geni will be at booth 123 eager to meet attendees, help answer… Read the full story

On this day in 1485, Richard III of England was killed during the Battle of Bosworth Field, bringing an end to the Plantagenet dynasty. Although Richard III would be king for only 2 years, his short reign would prove to be a turning point in history. He came to power after seizing the throne from his 12-year-old nephew, Edward V. After his brother’s marriage was declared invalid, his children were considered illegitimate, thus making the young Edward… Read the full story

Forty years ago today, Elvis Presley, the King of Rock and Roll, died at the age of 42. The music legend was born on January 8, 1935 in Tupelo, Mississippi in a two-room shotgun house built by his grandfather. His twin brother, Jesse, died during childbirth. Although he grew up poor, by the time of his death, Presley had become one of the most successful musicians in history. After exploding into the spotlight with his… Read the full story

Do you love to cook? On this day in 1912, beloved chef Julia Child was born. Julia Carolyn McWilliams was born on August 15, 1912 in Pasadena, California to John McWilliams, Jr., a land manager, and Julia Weston. Her maternal grandfather, Byron Weston, was the founder of the Weston Paper Company and served as the 32nd Lieutenant Governor of Massachusetts. The host of the popular cooking show, The French Chef, Child didn’t learn to cook until she… Read the full story

We’re excited to announce some recent enhancements to our DNA features on Geni. These new improvements will make it easier for you to find your connection to relatives based on your shared DNA. Shared DNA Matches   Your DNA matches will now display shared DNA matches between you and your match. By seeing the DNA matches you have in common, you can start narrowing down your connection in the family tree. For example, if your… Read the full story

Happy birthday to Barack Obama! Today he turns 56. On August 4, 1961, Barack Hussein Obama was born in Honolulu, Hawaii to Ann Dunham and Barack Hussein Obama, Sr. His mother was born in Wichita, Kansas and his father was born in Nyanza Province, Kenya. His parents had met while attending the University of Hawaii at Manoa and married just six months before he was born. Growing up, Obama was not close to his father. His… Read the full story

Happy birthday, Martin Sheen! Today the actor turns 77. He was born Ramón Antonio Gerardo Estévez on August 3, 1940 in Dayton, Ohio to immigrant parents. His father, Francisco Estévez, was born in Spain, while his mother, Mary-Ann Phelan, was born in Ireland. As one of ten children, Sheen grew up in a large family. When his mother died when he was 11 years old, the family faced the possibility of separation, either into foster homes… Read the full story

We’re back from Orlando, Florida, where the Geni team attended the 37th IAJGS International Conference on Jewish Genealogy. It was a great opportunity to meet new people and chat with many excited Geni users. The Geni booth before the doors opened The Geni booth was a popular stop during the conference. To our surprise, we ran out of Geni water bottles faster than any other conference! Randy Schoenberg giving his Geni.com World Family Tree lecture On the first… Read the full story

Forty-eight years ago today, astronaut Neil Armstrong made history by becoming the first person to walk on the moon. On the morning of July 16, 1969, Apollo 11 launched from Cape Kennedy carrying astronauts Neil Armstrong, Michael Collins, and Buzz Aldrin. It would be NASA’s first manned mission to the Moon. On July 20, Armstrong and Aldrin landed the lunar module Eagle on the Moon’s surface. The momentous event was broadcasted on live television to audiences around the world…. Read the full story

We’re excited to be headed to Orlando, Florida for the 37th IAJGS International Conference on Jewish Genealogy! The conference will take place July 23 – 28 at the Walt Disney World Swan Resort. IAJGS is always a lively affair with genealogists from all over the world coming together to see old friends, meet new people and learn more about the world of Jewish genealogy. Come see Geni at the exhibit hall, which is open July 23… Read the full story

Happy birthday, Benedict Cumberbatch! Today the Sherlock star turns 41. Cumberbatch was born on July 19, 1976 in London, England to Timothy Carlton and Wanda Ventham, both well-known television actors. His paternal grandfather, Henry Carlton Cumberbatch, was a submarine officer in the British Royal Navy in both World Wars. His great grandfather, Henry Arnold Cumberbatch, was a British diplomate and served as Queen Victoria’s consul in Turkey, Lebanon, and Romania. The actor launched to stardom as Sherlock Holmes in the… Read the full story

Happy birthday, Patrick Stewart! Today the actor turns 77. The Shakespearean trained actor was born on July 13, 1940 in Mirfield, England. He had a difficult childhood and grew up in a poor, abusive household. His father, Alfred Stewart, was a regimental sergeant major in the British Army and suffered from what was then known as combat fatigue, which is closely related to post-traumatic stress disorder. Stewart found solace in acting and participated in plays throughout… Read the full story

On this day in 1724, Swedish aristocrat and scientist Eva Ekeblad was born. She was known for discovering how to make flour and alcohol from potatoes, which significantly reduce famine for years to come. She was born Eva De la Gardie on July 10, 1724 to Magnus Julius De la Gardie, a statesman, and Hedvig Catharina Lilje, who was known for hosting political salons. When potatoes were first introduced into Sweden in 1658, they were only… Read the full story

On this day in 1865, the Salvation Army was founded by William Booth, a London minister, and his wife Catherine. The couple had first established the Christian Mission, which would later become known as the Salvation Army, to help the poor and destitute in London’s East End. They held meetings open to the poorest and the most in need, including alcoholics, criminals and prostitutes. Run with military efficiency modeled after the British Army, the charitable organization soon… Read the full story

Do you remember reading The Scarlet Letter? On this day in 1804, author Nathaniel Hawthorne was born in Salem, Massachusetts. Hawthorne’s third great grandfather, William Hathorne, was the author’s first American ancestor. He was a prominent member of the Massachusetts Bay Colony and even held the positions of magistrate and judge. Hawthorne’s second great grandfather, John Hathorne, was one of the leading judges during the Salem witch trials. He was the only judge involved to never… Read the full story

On this day 155 years ago, Victor Hugo published the final chapter of his epic novel Les Misérables. Victor Marie Hugo was born on February 26, 1802 in Besançon, France. His father, Joseph Léopold Sigisbert Hugo, was a French general and served during the Napoleonic wars. Considered one of the greatest French writers in history, Hugo is best remembered for his novels The Hunchback of Notre-Dame and Les Misérables. A well regarded writer during his lifetime, Hugo was a key… Read the full story

Do you know where your ancestors are buried? As many genealogists would know, you can find a lot of genealogical information on a gravestone. That is if you know where to look. If you have yet to find where your ancestor is buried, check out these tips to help you locate your ancestor’s final resting place. 1. Obituaries Obituaries hold a wealth of genealogical information. Often you may find vital information such as birth or death dates, the names… Read the full story

Today we remember Judy Garland, who passed away on this day in 1969. The legendary actress was born Francis Ethel Gumm on June 10, 1922 in Grand Rapids, Minnesota. She was the youngest child of Ethel Marion and Francis Avent Gumm, who had settled in Grand Rapids to run a theater featuring vaudeville acts. As the daughter of former vaudeville actors, Garland got her start on stage at an early age. She made her first public performance at… Read the full story

Geni’s World Family Tree aims to connect people from all parts of the world. With an international user base, we love to hear the diverse stories from our users as they research their family histories. Sharmalan (right) with his mother Elaveni, his grandmother Visalatchy, his wife Vasuge and his daughter Vaishnavi Sharmalan Thevar was born in 1984 in Malaysia. A colorful nation made up of many different cultures and ethnicities, it’s not surprising for Malaysians… Read the full story

Happy 35th birthday to Prince William! On June 21, 1982, Prince William Arthur Phillip Louis was born at St. Mary’s Hospital in London. Three decades later, his children, George and Charlotte, would be born in the same hospital. As a child, he had the opportunity to have wider experiences than what is typical for most royal children. His mother, Princess Diana, took the future king and his brother Harry to places such as Walt Disney… Read the full story

On this day in 1840, inventor Samuel Morse received the patent for the telegraph. Samuel Finley Breese Morse revolutionized communication when he invented the single-wire telegraph system. The telegraph transmitted electric pulses over wires, enabling people to send messages over vast distances. Morse developed a code known as Morse code, which used pulses and pauses to communicate along his telegraph system. Morse was inspired to develop a faster means of communication after the death of his… Read the full story

On this day in 1215, King John of England put his royal seal on the Magna Carta, which established that everyone, including the king and the government, were not above the law. Not only is the Great Charter one of the most famous documents in the world, it is also one of the most important documents in the history of democracy. At the time, King John was facing a political crisis. Rebel barons were opposed to the King’s… Read the full story

We had a great time at the 48th Annual Southern California Genealogy Jamboree! It’s always a delight to see old friends and meet new users right here in Burbank, California. The Geni computers were often occupied throughout the conference Our booth was packed much of the time with many people eager to ask questions about how they can be a part of Geni’s World Family Tree of 114 million people. Jamboree attendees got to take advantage… Read the full story

Today marks the anniversary of the Allied invasion of Normandy. The D-Day landings was the largest seaborne invasion in history. Image: Naval History and Heritage Command In the early morning of June 6, 1944, Allied forces stormed the beaches of Normandy, France with over 160,000 troops and 13,000 paratroopers along a 50-mile stretch of France’s coastline. Over 5,000 ships and 11,000 planes had crossed the English Channel during the night in preparation to drive Nazi forces back to Berlin…. Read the full story

We’re excited for the 48th Annual Southern California Genealogy Jamboree next week in Burbank, California. The conference will take place June 8-11 at the Los Angeles Marriott Burbank Airport Hotel. The theme of this year’s Jamboree is “Hunting Your Heritage.” Jamboree will hold DNA Day on June 8, which will provide attendees with an excellent opportunity to learn more about DNA and genealogy from experts in the field. The exhibit hall will be open June 9-11 and it… Read the full story

Happy birthday, Clint Eastwood! Today the actor turns 87. He was born on May 31, 1930 in San Francisco, California to Clinton Eastwood, Sr. and Ruth Runner. A hefty baby at birth, Eastwood weighed 11 lb 6 oz and was nicknamed “Samson” by the nurses at the hospital. His family had been in North America for many generations. In fact, Eastwood is a direct descendant of Mayflower passenger William Bradford, who is his 10th great grandfather…. Read the full story

Today marks what would have been John F. Kennedy’s birthday! The 35th President of the United States was born on May 29, 1917 in Brookline, Massachusetts to Joseph “Joe” Kennedy and Rose Elizabeth Fitzgerald. Image: John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum In celebration of John F. Kennedy’s birthday, here are 10 interesting things you may not know about the beloved U.S. President: 1. He was named after his maternal grandfather. John Fitzgerald Kennedy was named… Read the full story

Today marks the 40th anniversary of Star Wars! Created by George Lucas, the epic story set in a galaxy far, far away would become a worldwide phenomenon and be beloved by audiences across generations. Since its initial release, the series has expanded into one of the largest franchises of all time. George Lucas was born and raised in Modesto, California to Dorthy Ellinore Bomberger and George Walton Lucas, Sr. He developed a passion for film and cinematography… Read the full story

Have you had trouble making heads-or-tails of an old, handwritten document? Poor penmanship is a common issue you may encounter while doing your genealogy research. But with a little patience, you may be able to figure out just what was written on the page all those years ago. Here are 10 tips to help you decipher hard-to-read handwriting: 1. Read the entire document Try reading through the document a few times to see if what you can… Read the full story

After a short battle with cancer, James Bond star Roger Moore has died at the age of 89. Moore was born on October 14, 1927 in Stockwell, London, England. He was only child of Lillian “Lily” Pope and George Alfred Moore, a policeman. At the end of World War II, Moore was conscripted for national service with the Royal Army Service Corps at the age of 18. Before taking on the role of 007, Moore found fame… Read the full story