Author: Amanda

The holidays are always a fun time to share with your family. It’s also the perfect time to share your ancestors stories with your relatives. Check out some crafty ways to spice up your holiday decor with some family history memories. Wrap It Image credit: Sweet Paul Do you have old family photos at home? Scan your photos to create homemade wrapping paper for your relatives. Sweet Paul Magazine offers a quick tutorial to turn… Read the full story

Happy birthday Brad Pitt! Can you believe the star is turning the big 5-0? Pitt was born in Shawnee, Oklahoma and grew up in Springfield, Missouri. He attended the University of Missouri as a journalism major, but felt a love for film that he couldn’t ignore. Just two credits shy of graduating, Pitt left Missouri and headed to Hollywood to become an actor. Today he is one of Hollywood’s most recognizable stars and actively involved… Read the full story

Do you remember Charles Dickens‘ Christmas classic A Christmas Carol? On this day in 1843, Dickens’ novella was published for the first time and since then, the comforting story has never been out of print. Over the years, the story of Ebenezer Scrooge’s transformation after his spiritual visits from the Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present and Yet to Come has been adapted multiple times into a variety of mediums including stage, television and film. The… Read the full story

Start your week with some interesting articles from around the web: What Kids Learn From Hearing Family Stories – The Atlantic (cdnsure/Flickr) The Genealogy Sphere What Kids Learn From Hearing Family Stories (The Atlantic) – Sharing family tales from the past has great education benefits for children Potter’s Field Records and Genealogy Research (a3Genealogy blog) – Tips on how to find Potter’s Field burial records Have We Found the Lost Colony of Roanoke Island? (National… Read the full story

Today we remember Peter O’Toole, who passed away this weekend, at the age of 81. He was born in 1932, with some sources giving his birthplace as Connemara, Ireland while other’s report Leeds, England. Even O’Toole himself wasn’t sure of his birthplace or date, noting that while he accepted August 2 as his birthdate, he had a birth certificate from each country, with the Irish one giving a June 1932 birthdate. One of Hollywood’s most… Read the full story

Since the camera was first invented, people have always desired to capture special moments in time to remember for years to come. Capturing the perfect family photo can often be difficult, especially when you have very young children. Even at the best of times, trying to get a baby to hold still for a photo can be an almost impossible task. But in today’s world, you have the luxury of taking multiple digital photographs until… Read the full story

Are you a fan of Ol’ Blue Eyes? On this day in 1915, Frank Sinatra was born in Hoboken, New Jersey. The only child of Sicilian immigrants, Sinatra knew he wanted to be a singer at a very young age. From his early days crooning in night clubs to his award-winning performances on the big screen, Sinatra became one of the most popular entertainers of the 20th century. The epitome of cool, Sinatra was considered… Read the full story

Researching your Nordic heritage? We’re excited to announce millions of digitized records from Sweden, Norway, Denmark and Finland have been added to MyHeritage’s burgeoning collection of historical records. Spanning from as early as the 1600s, these records are available now through MyHeritage’s SuperSearch™ and will be matched to your Geni profiles using MyHeritage’s powerful Record Matching technology. These collections contain over 90 million names and include birth, death, marriage and baptism records as well as census… Read the full story

This day in 1936, Edward VIII abdicated the English throne in order to marry Wallis Simpson. His relationship with the twice-divorced socialite was controversial from the start and the announcement of the couple’s engagement caused a constitutional crisis only months into his reign. The British government, the Church of England and the public widely condemned his desire to marry Simpson. As the King and the titular head of the Church of England, Edward VIII was… Read the full story

Do you remember using the Dewey Decimal Classification system at the library? 162 years ago today, the mastermind behind the library cataloging system, Melvil Dewey, was born in Adams Center, New York. Dewey’s system forever changed the cataloging of books and library materials, and made it easy for patrons and librarians to find any particular book and return it to its proper place on library shelves. The system is currently used in at least 135… Read the full story

Wet your genealogy appetite with these great stories from around the web: The Soldier Who Just Refused to Give Up / DailyMail UK The Genealogy Sphere The Soldier Who Just Refused to Give Up (DailyMail UK) – The inspiring story of a World War I hero’s loss and struggle for survival Uncovering records that link the slaveholder and enslaved (Examiner.com) – Robin Foster shares what clues you can follow to untangle the link between slaves… Read the full story

Today we celebrate actor Kirk Douglas‘ 97th birthday. He was born Issur Danielovitch to poor, Russian Jewish immigrants in Amsterdam, New York on December 9, 1916. He grew up as Izzy Demsky, a surname the family adopted in the United States, and changed legally changed his name to Kirk Douglas before entering the Navy during World War II. After the war, he pursued a career in acting and discovered work on the stage before finding… Read the full story

Today we remember former South African president and freedom fighter Nelson Mandela, who passed away yesterday at the age of 95. Devoted to ending apartheid, Mandela served as an inspiration to many for his message of reconciliation and forgiveness, and a peaceful end to years of segregation.  “No one is born hating another person because of the color of his skin, or his background, or his religion. People must learn to hate, and if they can… Read the full story

Do you remember the hit song “Oh, Pretty Woman”? Today we remember music legend Roy Orbison, who passed away on December 6, 1988 in Hendersonville, Tennessee. Growing up in Texas in a working-class family, Orbison showed an interest in music early in life. For his sixth birthday, we was given a guitar that would make music a part of his life forever. Considered one of the most influential musicians in history, Orbison was inducted into… Read the full story

Eighty years ago today, Prohibition ended in the United States, lifting the national ban of alcohol throughout the nation. Between 1920 – 1933, the production, sale and transportation of alcoholic beverages was prohibited across the country. Although the motivation to pass the 18th Amendment to the U.S. constitution was to curb the adverse effects of drinking on society, the Prohibition had the unintended consequence of stimulating a rampant underground of organized and widespread criminal activity. The… Read the full story

Happy birthday to The Dude! Today Jeff Bridges turns 64. He was born on December 4, 1949 in Los Angeles, California to a showbiz family. His father was actor Lloyd Bridges and his mother was actor and writer Dorothy Bridges. He began his career as an infant, with parts on both film and television. Bridges has since taken on challenging roles in an array of films, including The Big Lebowski, The Last Picture Show, and… Read the full story

“Stella!” On December 3, 1947, Marlon Brando cried his famous line for the first time in the Broadway debut of Tennessee Williams‘ play A Streetcar Named Desire at the Ethel Barrymore Theatre. Starring a 23-year old Brando as Stanley Kowalski, the drama stunned the audience, who sat in silence once the curtain fell before erupting in applause that lasted 30 minutes. The play turned Brando into a star and he would go on to reprise his role in… Read the full story

We hope everyone had a great holiday weekend! Here’s a quick roundup of some interesting articles you may have missed: Image: Mabel’s War: Diaries of World War I nurse / Daily Mail UK The Genealogy Sphere A life remembered: Ninety years later, marker placed on infant’s grave (Ohio.com) – After ninety years, a gravestone is finally placed on an infant’s grave Mabel’s War: Diaries of World War One nurse reveal lives of horrifically injured soldiers… Read the full story

Happy birthday Britney Spears! Today the pop icon turns 32. Born in Kentwood, Louisiana, Britney showed her talent at a very young age. She got her start on the ’90s revival of The Mickey Mouse Club, which featured many future music and film stars. Her career skyrocketed shortly after when she released her first album …Baby One More Time. Although she has experience her share of controversy in the past few years, today she is… Read the full story

Do you remember reading The Chronicles of Narnia? Today in 1898, author C.S. Lewis was born in Belfast, Ireland. Known as “Jack” to his friends and family, Lewis went on to teach at Oxford University and become a prolific author. He is remembered around the world as the author of The Chronicles of Narnia fantasy series, which have since been adapted into successful films on the big screen. C.S. Lewis is connected to over 70 million… Read the full story

Happy Thanksgiving! A holiday known just as much for bringing families together as the food everyone partakes in, Thanksgiving holds a special place in the hearts of America. The First Thanksgiving The very first Thanksgiving can be traced to 1621. In 1620, the 102 Pilgrims aboard the Mayflower arrived to the New World. After enduring a harsh winter where only half of the Mayflower‘s original passengers and crew survived, the settlers were aided the next spring… Read the full story

Happy Thanksgiving! While you are gathered with your relatives this holiday, share with them how you’re related to William Bradford, the leader of the early settlers of the Plymouth Colony and organizer of the very first Thanksgiving. A passenger of the Mayflower and a signatory to the Mayflower Compact, Bradford’s journal Of Plymouth Plantation is considered one of the most important historical documents of early American history. Chronicling the early years of the colony’s settlement, his journal… Read the full story

Do you remember watching Bill Nye the Science Guy? On November 27, 1955, the mechanical engineer and science educator was born in Washing D.C. Bill Nye was born to Jacqueline Jenkins, a codebreaker during World War II, and Edwin Darby Nye, a World War II veteran. His PBS science show is frequently used in schools as an education medium, helping to teach young children and teens the wonders of science. Bill Nye is connected to… Read the full story

Do you love the movie Casablanca? On November 26 ,1942, the classic film premiered in New York City.  Staring Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman, the World War II-era film would go on to become one of the most beloved films in history. On December 25, 1899, Bogart was born to a wealthy and prominent New York family. Early in his career, he established himself by portraying “tough-guy” roles. His career was elevated to a new level when… Read the full story

Take a genealogy break with these great articles from the past week! How My Sister Tracked Down a Family for Old Photos Found in a Thrift Store Dresser / Family Tree Magazine The Genealogy Sphere How My Sister Tracked Down a Family for Old Photos Found in a Thrift Store Dresser (Family Tree Magazine blog) – A treasure trove of photos discovered in a dresser is reunited with its family Scattered by storm, mementos find… Read the full story

Are you a baseball fan? On November 25, 1914, legendary baseball player Joe DiMaggio was born in Martinez, California. He was the eighth of nine children born to Italian immigrants Giuseppe and Rosalia DiMaggio. His father had hoped for Joe to follow in his footsteps and become a fisherman like him., however, Joe had other plans for his future. His humble beginnings as the son of a fisherman helped form his image as the embodiment… Read the full story

Today marks the 50th anniversary of President John F. Kennedy’s assassination. On November 22, 1963, President Kennedy was fatally shot by a sniper while traveling with his wife, Jacqueline, in an open motorcade in Dallas, Texas. Celebrated as one of the most beloved Presidents of the United States, his death shocked the entire nation. In honor of his memory, let’s take a look at his life and legacy as we remember him on the anniversary… Read the full story

Today Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip celebrate their 66th wedding anniversary! The couple met when the then Princess Elizabeth was only 13 years old. It was love at first sight for the young princess and throughout her teen years, the pair continuously exchanged letters. In 1946, Prince Philip asked King George VI for his daughter’s hand in marriage. The King granted his request provided any formal engagement was delayed until Elizabeth turned 21 the following April. On November… Read the full story

Today we remember author Leo Tolstoy, who passed away on November 20, 1910 at the age of 82. He was born at his family estate Yasnaya Polyana in the Tula region of Russia to a well-known family of old Russian nobility. Widely considered as one of the world’s greatest novelist, Tolstoy is praised for his gift of describing a character’s unconscious motives. Today his most widely acclaimed novels Anna Karenina and War and Peace are considered to… Read the full story

Check out some great genealogy articles! Image: How fast could you travel across the U.S. in the 1800s? / Mnn.com The Genealogy Sphere 5 Genealogy Research Techniques That Have Nothing To Do With Documents (The Ancestor Hunt blog) – Awesome research tips that go beyond documents Youngest WW1 soldier fought in the Somme aged 13 (DailyMail) – Documents reveal the youngest soldier to fight in the trenches was 13. He fought for six weeks before… Read the full story

One of the most important records in genealogy is an individual’s death certificate. Bursting with vital information, death certificates can be that key document to unlocking your family’s long standing mysteries and brick walls. Let’s discover what information can be found in death certificate by taking a close look at the death certificate of Little House on the Prairie author Laura Ingalls Wilder. Laura Ingalls Wilder Laura Ingalls Wilder was born February 7, 1867 in… Read the full story

On November 15, 1887, American painter Georgia O’Keeffe was born in Sun Prairie, Wisconsin. Considered a major figure in American art since the 1920s, O’Keeffe is best remembered for her striking flower paintings and abstract works. After the death of her husband, she moved to to New Mexico, where she was inspired by the landscape and produced some of her most well-known paintings. Georgia O’Keeffe is connected to over 70 million people in Geni’s World… Read the full story

Today we remember legendary icon Grace Kelly on what would have been her 84th birthday. She was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to John B. Kelly, a three-time Olympic gold champion sculler, and Margaret Majer, the first coach of women’s athletic teams at the University of Pennsylvania. After catapulting to stardom during the 1950s, Kelly soon became one of Hollywood’s favorite leading ladies. She starred in many of Alfred Hitchcock‘s classic films, including Dial M for… Read the full story

It’s Veterans Day in the U.S. Spend a few minutes this holiday by checking out these great articles! The Genealogy Blog Manhattan’s Forgotten Graveyards, Under Public Parks, Famous Hotels and Supermarkets (The Huffington Post) – He’s a chilling thought, while visiting one of New York’s many parks and squares, it’s likely you’re standing on land that was once a cemetery Mugshots from the 1920s are Significantly Cooler Thank Mugshots from Today (ThePhoblographer.com) – See some fascinating… Read the full story

Were you frightened by the story of Dracula as a child? This day in 1847, author Bram Stoker was born in Dublin, Ireland. He was the third of seven children and was bedridden with an unknown illness until the age of seven. In 1897, Stoker published his most famous work, the Gothic horror novel Dracula. Although Stoker did not invent the vampire, he defined its modern form. To this day, his story continues to inspire… Read the full story

Do you have veterans in your family? Military records are an excellent source of genealogical information. Let’s discover what information discharge papers can offer by taking a closer look at the report of separation for Gone With the Wind star Clark Gable, including an interesting piece of trivia. During World War II, Gable felt compelled to join the war effort. However, it wasn’t until after the death of his wife, Carole Lombard, in a plane crash did… Read the full story

Happy 70th birthday Joni Mitchell! On this day in 1943, the iconic musician was born Roberta Joan Anderson in Alberta, Canada. She broke out in the music scene during the 1960s with her unique sound and poetic lyrics. Dubbed one of the greatest songwriters in the last century, Mitchell was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1997. What’s your favorite song? Did you know Joni Mitchell’s paternal ancestry stems from Norway?… Read the full story

On November 6, 1946, actress Sally Field was born in Pasadena, California. Her father, Richard Dryden Field, was an Army officer, and her mother Margaret Field (née Morlan) was an actress. From her early start in television on the classics Gidget and The Flying Nun, Sally was destined to become a star. She successfully transitioned to film, tackling diverse roles and earning an Oscar for her starring turn in Norma Rae. What’s your favorite Sally Field… Read the full story

Today we celebrate the 100th birthday of actress Vivien Leigh. Vivien was born Vivian Mary Hartley on November 5, 1913 in Darjeeling, India. Did you know that as a child, Vivien attended school with future Tarzan actress Maureen O’Sullivan? At a young age, Vivien knew exactly what she wanted and declared to her friend that she would one day become a great actress. He breakout performance as Scarlett O’Hara in the classic film Gone With… Read the full story

Start your week off with some great genealogy related articles! The Genealogy Sphere Unveiling the Halloween Monster DNA in Everyone (National Geographic) – The Genographic Project explores our creepier ancestors in honor of Halloween Where Did You Come From? This Map Shows You America’s Complete Ancestry (Polcymic.com) – Interesting map showing the melting pot of the U.S. Park Haven tombstone is a case of mistaken identity (StarBeacon.com) – Recently discovered tombstone of a Civil War soldier leads to… Read the full story

Have you ever found an old photo that appears to have a ghostly presence amongst the individuals pictured? You may have stumbled upon a “spirit” photograph. During the late 19th century, spirit photography sprang into popularity. The practice attempted to capture images of a passed loved one’s ghost or spirit within a photograph. With Halloween upon us, let’s take a closer look at the history behind these spooky photos. In the 1860s, photographer William H. Mumler discovered… Read the full story

Today the United States celebrates the scariest night of the year, Halloween! In honor of this night of horror, we’re highlighting Vlad the Impaler, Prince of Wallachia. Born in 1431, he was known by his patronymic name Dracula before he was posthumously dubbed Vlad the Impaler due to his reputation for excessive cruelty. The tales were so famous that he became the inspiration for one of the most well known horror figures in history, Bram… Read the full story

Here’s some excellent news to add to your Halloween festivities – millions of gravestone records and obituaries are now available to Geni users through Record Matches and MyHeritage’s SuperSearch™! This new addition includes 5.5 million gravestone records from BillionGraves and 3.5 million obituaries from Tributes.com. Using MyHeritage’s powerful matching technologies, Geni users will receive Record Matches whenever these new records match your family tree. These records will also be accessible directly through your relatives’ Geni… Read the full story

Seventy-five years ago today, Orson Welles broadcasted his radio play of H.G. Wells‘s The War of the Worlds, causing severe anxiety to many audiences across the United States. Presented as a series of news bulletins, many listeners mistakenly believed that Welles’ show was an actual live broadcast of an alien invasion. The widespread panic created by the program and media attention thereafter skyrocketed Welles’s notoriety and became one of the most famous radio broadcasts in… Read the full story

Have a great weekend? Check out some interesting articles you may have missed in the passed week! The Genealogy Sphere Map: Six Decades of the Most Popular Names for Girls, State-by-State (Jezebel.com) – Fascinating maps of the most popular girl names. Do any of these pop up in your family tree? Eerie Cemeteries Left to Nature (PHOTOS) – Haunting images of nature reclaiming old cemeteries Blended families, blended names (CBC.ca) – Modern couples opting for… Read the full story

Happy birthday, Julia Roberts! Today the Oscar-winning actress turns 46. Did you know Julia has a fascinating story about her birth? She was born in 1967 in Atlanta, Georgia to Betty Lou Bredemus and Walter Grady Roberts. The one time actors and playwrights  were co-founders of the Atlanta Actors and Writers Workshop in Georgia. While Betty Lou was pregnant with Julia, the couple ran an acting school for children. Among their students were the children of… Read the full story

On October 25, 1760, George III became the King of Great Britain and Ireland. His long reign was marked by a series of conflicts, including the American Revolutionary War in which Britain would lose its colonies in the Americas. He would become one of the longest living and reigning monarchs before his granddaughter Queen Victoria‘s reign. In the later part of his life, George III suffered from bouts of mental illness that earned him the… Read the full story

On October 24, 1926, legendary illusionist Harry Houdini made his last performance at the Garrick Theater in Detroit, Michigan. Although suffering from appendicitis, Houdini proceeded to complete his performance for the theater’s audience despite being in constant pain. A few days later he died of peritonitis caused by a ruptured appendix. Celebrated as one of the greatest illusionists of all time, Houdini had a remarkable ability to escape from handcuffs, chains, ropes and straitjackets. He also detested… Read the full story

On October 23, 1715, Peter II of Russia was born in St. Petersburg, Russia. He was the only son of Tsarevich Alexie Petrovich, who was the son of Peter the Great. Peter II’s father was accused of treason by Peter the Great and died in prison. From a young age, Peter II was kept in seclusion, with little attention paid towards his education. It wasn’t until the reign of Catherine the Great that it became… Read the full story

On October 22, 1966, The Supremes became the first all-female music group to have a number 1 selling album on the Billboard charts. The album The Supremes A’ Go-Go sold over 1 million copies in the U.S. and 3.5 million copies worldwide. In honor of this anniversary, we’re highlighting founding member and lead singer Diana Ross‘ family tree. As a part of The Supremes, Ross’s popularity skyrocketed and she eventually left the group to embark on… Read the full story