Author: Amanda

Today Eight is Enough star Dick Van Patten passed away at the age of 86. He was born Richard Vincent Van Patten on December 9, 1928 in New York City and began his career in show business as a child actor on Broadway. In 1977, he landed what would be his most beloved role on the hit television show Eight is Enough. Van Patten played family patriarch Tom Bradford, father to a brood of eight children. The show… Read the full story

This Sunday the U.S. celebrates Father’s Day in honor of all the fathers, grandfathers and other paternal figures in our lives. Celebrations often include family get-togethers and barbecues. Father’s Day had long been celebrated before it became and official holiday in 1972. The founding of Father’s Day is credited to Sonora Louise Smart of Spokane, Washington. Inspired by Mother’s Day, Sonora sought to establish a day to honor her father’s sacrifices and hard work. Her father… Read the full story

Do you have Russian ancestry? On this day in 1901, Anastasia, daughter of the last Russian tsar, Nicholas II, was born in Petrodvorets, Russia. After Anastasia and her family were killed by the Bolshevik secret police in 1918, the location of her body remained unknown. Rumors circulated that Anastasia had escaped. Many woman claimed to be the real Anastasia. The most notorious imposter was Anna Anderson, who surfaced during the 1920s. Though she fought for… Read the full story

As genealogists, we’re always searching for clues about our ancestors. Some of the first documents we search for are census records, birth and death certificates, obituaries and other commonly used sources. However, there are many, many other places you can search to find clues to help you breakthrough your brick walls. Check out some unexpected places to find clues to your family history: Image: pixagraphic, Flickr 1. Fraternal organizations Have you found acronyms or symbols on your… Read the full story

Do you have Native American ancestry? On this day in 1829, legendary Apache leader Geronimo was born in what is today Arizona. Goyathlay was born to the Bedonkohe band of the Apache. His grandfather, Mahko, had been chief of the Bedonkohe Apache. In 1851, a band of Mexican soldiers attacked his camp, killing his wife and three small children. From that day forward, he held a hatred for Mexican soldiers. The origins of the name “Geronimo”… Read the full story

Today marks the 800th anniversary of the signing of the Magna Carta, one of the most important documents in the history of democracy. On June 15, 1215, King John of England placed his seal on the “Great Charter” after consenting to a group of rebel barons who opposed the King’s tyrannical rule and demanded laws to protect their rights and property. The Magna Carta marked the first time in history that significant limits were placed on the power of… Read the full story

Are you planning your next family reunion? Lots of work goes into organizing a large family gathering, from finding a venue, deciding on the food and organizing the entertainment. If you’re having either a large or small family reunion, you’ll want to have activities that will not only bring lots of interaction, but also shed light on your genealogy. Here are ten family reunion activity ideas that will keep your family entertained and, hopefully, teach them a little… Read the full story

It was announced today that actor Christopher Lee passed away on June 7 at the age of 93. A prolific actor, Lee was best known for playing villains in some of cinema’s most iconic franchises, including Count Dracula in a sequence of Hammer Horror films, Saruman in The Lord of the Rings trilogy and Count Dooku in two Star Wars prequels. Lee was born Christopher Frank Carandini Lee on May 27, 1922 in London, England. His father was a… Read the full story

We had a great time at the Global Family Reunion! The event drew thousands to the New York Hall of Science on Saturday, June 6. Hosted by best-selling author A.J. Jacobs, the Global Family Reunion was an epic event bringing together people from all around the world. Although the morning saw a little rain, the Geni and MyHeritage teams were eager to welcome everyone. Visitors could easily find us by the large Geni and MyHeritage balloons we had… Read the full story

Happy birthday, Johnny Depp! The megastar was born John Christopher Depp, II in Owensboro, Kentucky to John and Betty Sue Depp. Growing up in Florida, Depp spent much of his youth playing guitar in various garage bands. In 1987, he got his big break as the star of the television series 21 Jump Street. The series turned Depp into a teen idol. Since being thrust into the spotlight, Depp has carefully shaped his highly successful career with numerous challenging… Read the full story

One of the greatest things about being connected to Geni’s World Family Tree is the ability to see how you are related to other people connected to the tree, including your favorite celebrities and historical figures. It’s always fun to discover that George Clooney is an 8th cousin or that Elvis Presley is your 9th cousin once removed. But what if you wanted to know how George Clooney is related to Elvis Presley? On Geni you can do that easily! Let’s… Read the full story

Happy birthday Angelina Jolie! Today the actress turns 40. Angelina was born in Los Angeles, California to actors Jon Voight and Marcheline Bertrand. The daughter of an Academy Award winning actor, Angelina began acting and modeling at a young age. After her star-making performance in Gia, she went on to tackle the role of a sociopathic mental patient in Girl, Interrupted for which she won her first Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress. Since her breakthrough performance, Angelina… Read the full story

Are you having some trouble dating your old family photos? Often genealogists have to look for clues within the photos to try to decipher when a photo was taken. Clothing, decor and hairstyles are just some of the many clues you can pick up while examining an old photograph. Knowing popular fashion trends throughout history will go a long way in helping you date your old photographs. Do the women have a 1920s bob? Or the men a 1950s… Read the full story

Happy 107th birthday to author Ian Fleming! The James Bond author was born on May 28, 1908 in Mayfair, London to a wealthy family. His father, Valentine Fleming, was a Member of Parliament and died in the trenches during World War I. Winston Churchill, a friend and fellow Parliament member, wrote Valentine’s obituary in The Times. During World War II, Ian was recruited to work as a British Naval intelligence officer. His experience in the world of espionage inspired him to… Read the full story

On this day in 1937, the Golden Gate Bridge opened to the public. Do you have any relatives who worked on the bridge? Or maybe relatives who were present on opening day? Today the bridge is one of the most internationally recognized symbols of San Francisco, California and the United States. Check out some fun facts you may not know about one of the most photographed bridges in the world: Image: Golden Gate Bridge / Wikimedia Commons… Read the full story

Do you have a favorite John Wayne film? On this day in 1907, the Western star was born in Winterset, Iowa. John Wayne was born Marion Robert Morrison to Clyde Leonard Morrison and Mary “Molly” Alberta Brown. His middle name was soon changed to Mitchell after his parents decided to name their next son Robert. While growing up in Glendale, California, he acquired the nickname “Duke” which followed him the rest of his life. After spending nearly… Read the full story

It’s Memorial Day in the U.S.! On this day, the country honors the men and women who have given their lives while serving in the U.S. military. Typically, the day is celebrated by visiting cemeteries, attending parades and family gatherings and barbecues. Memorial Day was first introduced after the end of the Civil War. The day was expanded to encompass all American soldiers who died in service after the devastation of World War I. In honor of their… Read the full story

Today we remember legendary actor Laurence Olivier on his 108th birthday. The son of a clergyman, Olivier was encouraged to pursue a career as an actor despite his family’s long history of holding prominent positions in the Church. A great interpreter of Shakespeare’s words, Olivier brought many of the bard’s work to life on stage and film, including the film version of Hamlet, for which he directed and starred. The film would become the first non-American… Read the full story

As any genealogist will tell you, documenting your genealogy is incredibly important. While working on the World Family Tree, it is vital to add documents to ensure the information is as accurate as possible. It also allows others to see and verify where the profile’s information came from. Adding documents to profiles is easy on Geni. Follow the steps below to learn how: Documents can be added directly to the profiles in your family tree. Simply navigate to the profile… Read the full story

On this day in 1881, the American Red Cross was founded by pioneering nurse Clara Barton in Washington, D.C. Born Clarissa Harlowe Barton on Christmas Day in 1821, Clara spent most of her life helping others. During the American Civil War, she became known as the “Angel of the Battlefield” for her tireless work helping the sick and wounded. She operated the Missing Soldiers Office after the war and by the time the office closed in 1867,… Read the full story

Today we remember British World War I hero Lawrence of Arabia on the 80th anniversary of his death. He was born Thomas Edward Lawrence on August 16, 1888 in Tremadoc, Wales. After studying architecture and archaeology in school, Lawrence spent several years excavating in the Middle East. At the outbreak of war between Britain and the Ottoman Empire, Lawrence enlisted in the British military. Due to his expertise in Middle Eastern affairs, he was assigned as an… Read the full story

The Global Family Reunion is only a few weeks away! Today we’re excited to share that Geni users will receive a special discount on Global Family Reunion tickets – 25% off! Best-selling author A.J. Jacobs is hosting the largest family reunion event in history and you’re invited! The Global Family Reunion has been dubbed an “ancestry Lollapalooza” by The New York Times. It will feature over 50 speakers and more than 400 activities and exhibits. As the home of… Read the full story

Today we honor blues legend B.B. King, who passed away at the age of 89. Riley B. King was born on September 16, 1925 on a cotton plantation near the town of Itta Bena, Mississippi. He was exposed to music at a young age as a member of his church’s gospel choir. He was first introduced to the blues by his great aunt at the age of 7 and by 12, he had purchased his first guitar. His mother’s first cousin,… Read the full story

Happy 127th birthday to pioneering seismologist Inge Lehmann! Today’s Google Doodle honors the Danish scientist, who discovered the Earth’s inner core. Here are five things to know about Inge Lehmann: 1. Lehmann was born on May 13, 1888 in Copenhagen, Denmark. Her father, Alfred Georg Ludvik Lehmann, was an experimental psychologist and one of the most significant influences for her intellectual development. 2. She studied mathematics at the University of Copenhagen and the University of… Read the full story

Are you searching for baby names? The U.S. Social Security Administration has released the top 10 names for 2014! At the top of the list this year are Noah for boys and Emma for girls. This is the second year in a row that Noah has claimed the top spot. Emma has been among the top three baby names since 2003. A popular name during the early 1900s, the name fell out of fashion in… Read the full story

Today we celebrate the 70th anniversary of Victory in Europe Day! On May 8, 1945, millions of people throughout Western Europe took to the streets to celebrate the unconditional surrender of Nazi Germany and the end of World War II in Europe. Image: City of Toronto Archives Once the announcement was made of Germany’s surrender, jubilant celebrations erupted throughout the streets of Europe. Millions danced, waved flags, threw streamers and even kissed strangers. This important day had… Read the full story

This weekend, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge welcomed their second child! The new little princess has been named Charlotte Elizabeth Diana. Kate gave birth to her daughter on Saturday, May 2 at 8:34am London time, less than three hours after she checked into St. Mary’s Hospital. The princess weighed 8 pounds and 3 ounces. Now that her name has been officially released, here are some things to know about the newest addition to the… Read the full story

From the beginning of the 1880s, cigarette manufacturers issued trade cards with every cigarette package to help stiffen the packaging and advertise cigarette brands. It didn’t take long for the cards to become sought-after collectables, and even children would ask smokers for their cards to play their games. Manufacturing of the cards stopped during World War II to save paper and, after the war, they were never fully reintroduced. Although it may seem unusual now, these cards typically depicted… Read the full story

Happy birthday to Jerry Seinfeld! Today the actor turns 61. After getting his start in stand-up comedy, Jerry starred in the hit sitcom Seinfeld for nine seasons. He developed the series alongside comedian Larry David and together, created a show that broke all the conventions of mainstream television. Famously described as “a show about nothing,” Seinfeld ended its run as one of the most popular and successful shows in television history. These days, Jerry still performs stand-up and hosts… Read the full story

Do you remember watching Viva Las Vegas? Today star Ann-Margret celebrates her 74th birthday. She was born Ann-Margret Olsson to Anna Regina and Carl Gustav Olsson in Valsjöbyn, Sweden, a small fishing village near the Arctic Circle. In 1946, her family moved to the United States where she began taking her first dance lessons. Her career blossomed in the early 1960s with a starring role opposite Dick Van Dyke in the film Bye Bye Birdie and the release of… Read the full story

Are you related to Dutch royalty? Today King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands celebrates his 48th birthday! He was born Willem-Alexander Claus George Ferdinand on April 27, 1967 in Utrecht, Netherlands. The oldest son of then Princess Beatrix and Prince Claus, and the first grandchild of Queen Juliana and Prince Bernhard, Willem-Alexander had the distinction of being the first immediate male heir born to the Dutch Royal family in 116 years. On April 30, 2013, Willem-Alexander was sworn in… Read the full story

This year marks the 100th anniversary of Anzac Day, a national holiday of remembrance in Australia and New Zealand commemorating all Australians and New Zealanders who served and died in all wars, conflicts and peacekeeping operations. Image: State Library of New South Wales Observed on April 25 of each year, the holiday was originally created to honor the members of the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (ANZAC) who bravely fought at Gallipoli against the… Read the full story

We love hearing from our users, especially when they are as passionate and enthusiastic for the World Family Tree as Theresa Renée Eléna Delgado-Tossas, also known as the artist, Renée Walker. Theresa Renée was born in Berlin, Germany on an Air Force instillation where her parents were stationed. An artist and performer, she splits her time between Arecibo, Puerto Rico and the Mannheim/Heidelberg areas of Germany. Several events sparked her quest into her family’s genealogy,… Read the full story

Are you related to a Spanish conquistador? On this day in 1519, explorer Hernán Cortés established a settlement at Veracruz, Mexico. Born around 1485 in Medellín, Spain to a family of nobility, Cortés chose to pursue a livelihood in the New World. In 1519, Cortés led an expedition to Mexico against the orders of Hispaniola Governor Diego Velázquez de Cuéllar. By April of that year, he had settled Veracruz and set his sights on conquering the… Read the full story

Happy birthday to Queen Elizabeth II! Today the British monarch turns 89. The Queen was born on April 21, 1926 in London to Prince Albert and Lady Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon. At the time of her birth, no one would have predicted that she would someday be queen. However, after her uncle, King Edward VIII, abdicated the throne, her father succeeded as King George VI and made Elizabeth the heir presumptive. This year will be a big year… Read the full story

As we are perusing newspapers and other old periodicals in our family history research, it can be great fun to take a moment to read the advertisements of the day. These vintage ads are a great glimpse into life in the past and can provide insights into popular fashions, products and trends of the time. Check out these advertisements throughout history: Image: Library Company of Philidelphia In this 1849 advertisement, Dr. George Stuart’s botanical syrup and vegetable pills are said… Read the full story

Remember watching Bewitched? 82 years ago today, star Elizabeth Montgomery was born in Los Angeles, California. Elizabeth made her screen debut with a role on her father’s television show Robert Montgomery Presents. After several successful appearances on television, including an Emmy-nominated role in The Untouchables, Elizabeth landed the role as the lovable witch Samantha Stephens on the classic comedy Bewitched. The show instantly became a ratings success and lasted for eight seasons. It also earned Elizabeth five more Emmy nominations…. Read the full story

Did your ancestors receive mail via the Pony Express? Today we celebrate the 155th anniversary of the history-making mail delivery service. The Pony Express was first launched on April 3, 1860 with two relay teams of horses and riders. The teams were dispatched from St. Joseph, Missouri and Sacramento, California and made their way across the country simultaneously. Mail with a Pony Express stamp On April 14, the first westbound delivery arrived to its destination in San Francisco, California… Read the full story

Happy birthday, Loretta Lynn! Today the country music legend turns 83. She was born Loretta Webb on April 14, 1932 to Theodore Melvin “Ted” Webb, a coal miner, and Clara Marie “Clary” Ramey in Butcher Hollow, Kentucky. Shortly before she turned 16, she married Oliver “Doolittle” Lynn and their life together inspired many of her songs. She was encouraged by her husband to pursue a career in music, and by 1960, she released her first… Read the full story

Do you have any siblings? Today is National Siblings Day! Even when your siblings annoy you to no end, there’s always that special bond of unconditional love and support. National Siblings Day was founded by Claudia A. Evart to honor the memory of her brother and sister, both of whom had died at early ages. This special day is celebrated every year on April 10, the birthday of Evart’s sister, Lisette. Although the day is not federally recognized,… Read the full story

While researching your family history, it’s not uncommon to find some “kissing cousins,” close cousins who have married each other. History is filled with many of these cousin marriages, including the marriages of Charles Darwin, Queen Victoria, and Martin Van Buren. How do you show these cousin marriages in your family tree on Geni? If you have two people who are related in multiple ways within the same tree, you can create a “Cycle” on Geni to display… Read the full story

Happy birthday, Patricia Arquette! Today the Oscar-winning actress turns 47. Born into a showbiz family, Patricia seemed destined to be a performer. Her great grandfather, Charles Augustus Arquette, was a vaudeville performer and her paternal grandfather, Cliff, was an actor and comedian. Not only did both of her parents also work in the industry, but so do her four siblings, who have each found their own path to stardom. Throughout her career, she has starred in a wide variety… Read the full story

Happy birthday, Russell Crowe! Today the actor turns 51. He was born in Wellington, New Zealand to Jocelyn Yvonne and John Alexander Crowe. His maternal grandfather, Stanley Wemyss, was a cinematographer who was named an MBE for filming footage of World War II. When he was four, Crowe and his family moved to Sydney, Australia to pursue careers as set caterers. Crowe was six when he was cast in his first role on television. Crowe gained… Read the full story

The Great Depression was hard for many people. With little money at their disposal, families had to learn ways to improvise and cook cheaply. Some families have cookbooks passed down from this era detailing some of the dishes many families had to create. Others may have had living family who were willing to teach them some Great Depression recipes. Clara Cannucciari grew up during the Great Depression and remembered her mother’s Depression era dishes with… Read the full story

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Happy 83rd birthday to Debbie Reynolds! She was born Mary Frances Reynolds on April 1, 1932 in El Paso, Texas. The second child of Maxine and Raymond Francis Reynolds, Debbie and her family moved to Burbank, California in 1939. By the age of 16, she had won the Miss Burbank beauty contest and landed a contract with Warner Brothers. Her most memorable turn was opposite Gene Kelly and Donald O’Connor in the classic musical Singin’ in the… Read the full story

As British Prime Minister David Cameron begins his re-election campaign, he’s made an interesting revelation about his family history. In an interview with Heat, Cameron confirmed that he and Kim Kardashian are 13th cousins! How did he come to this revelation? Why Geni’s World Family Tree of course! This relationship was originally reported in two articles in the Daily Mail, following research done by AJ Jacobs, who’s been using Geni’s World Family Tree for his Global… Read the full story

Today is the 126th anniversary of the public opening of the Eiffel Tower. Have you ever visited the iconic structure? Designed by architect and engineer Gustave Eiffel, the famous tower was originally built for the 1889 Universal Exposition in Paris, France. Critics were initially skeptical about the tower in the early days of its construction. Remarkably, the tower was completed under budget in just two years and with only one fatality during construction. On March 31,… Read the full story

Judith (Judi) Elaine Mckee Burns was born in Bloomington, Indiana. Retired, she spends much of her time these days working on preserving her family history. She first became interested in family history after the movie Roots had come out. “My parents had never talked of the family – but when we would go ‘home’ as they called it [Lyons, Green County, Indiana] there were people always around that seemed to be tightly connected to each… Read the full story

On this day in 1513, Spanish explorer Juan Ponce de León sighted present-day Florida. The famous explore was the first to lead a European expedition to the peninsula. According to legend, Ponce de León was on a quest for the Fountain of Youth, the mythical water source said to bring eternal youth to those who drank from it. Ponce de León was born in the village of Santervás de Campos, Spain in 1460. Born to a noble family, he sought fame and… Read the full story