Author: Amanda

On May 6, 1856, Sigmund Freud was born in Freiberg, Austria. Best known as the founder of psychoanalysis, Freud’s contributions significantly impacted the field of psychology. His theories regarding the unconscious mind and mechanisms of repression continue to influence the field today. Sigmund Freud is connected to 69 million people in Geni’s World Family Tree. How are you related?     View Sigmund Freud’s Geni Profile  

On May 3, 1937, Margaret Mitchell won the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction for her epic novel Gone With the Wind. Her book was a phenomenal success and in 1939, it was adapted to film starring Vivien Leigh and Clark Gable. Today her novel and the film continue to have a strong following. Margaret Mitchell is connected to 69 million people in Geni’s World Family Tree. How are you related?     View Margaret Mitchell’s Geni Profile… Read the full story

In just one week, Geni will be at the National Genealogical Society 2013 Family History Conference in Las Vegas, Nevada! Between May 8 – 11, genealogists from around the country will meet in Sin City for a fun-filled genealogy adventure.  The conference is a great opportunity for genealogists and those interested in family history to meet and share ideas on how to advance family research. Will you be at NGS? We love meeting Geni users… Read the full story

On May 2, 1729, Catherine the Great was born. The most renowned and the longest-ruling female leader of Russia, Catherine the Great came to power following a coup that overthrew her husband, Peter III. Her reign is often considered the Golden Age of the Russian Empire, bringing the ideas of the Enlightenment to the country. Catherine the Great is connected to 69 million people in Geni’s World Family Tree. How are you related?    … Read the full story

When we first introduced Record Matches and Smart Matches™ on Geni, we told you that you could look forward to additional collections of historical records in the future. Today, we’re happy to announce that the entire collection of U.S. Federal Censuses are now available to Geni users through Record Matches. This collection is the nation’s largest and most important set of records and includes a huge searchable index and all scanned images of the original census… Read the full story

On May 1, 1829, Brazilian writer José de Alencar was born in Fortaleza, Brazil. Alencar is considered to be one of he most famous and influential Brazilian Romantic novelists of the 19th century. He was a major exponent of the literary tradition known as “Indianism.” José de Alencar is connected to over 69 million people on Geni’s World Family Tree. How are you related?     View José de Alencar’s Geni Profile  

Today the Netherlands celebrate as Willem-Alexander was sworn in as king after his mother, Queen Beatrix, abdicated the throne, ending her rule of 33 years. The queen announced her intention to step down earlier in the year, stating it was time for the country to be led by a new generation. Willem-Alexander is the first Dutch King in more than 120 years. King Willem-Alexander is connected to over 69 million people in Geni’s World Family Tree…. Read the full story

Just last week we launched Record Matches and Smart Matches™ on Geni and already it’s made a huge impact on the quality of the World Family Tree. Many users are finding new and exciting information and relatives that they never knew before. Check out what some Geni users are saying about their latest discoveries: Wendi Newman: “The new matches between Geni and MH are not just Smart, but extremely intelligent and very easy to use. I’m adding… Read the full story

Having fun finding your new Matches? Why not take a short break to check out some of the latest genealogy articles on the web? The Genealogy Sphere Geni.com adds Historical Records to Advance Family Tree Collaboration (Eastman’s Online Genealogy Newsletter) – Dick Eastman shares the good news with the genealogy community Geni.com adds Record Matches and Smart Matches (Geneamusings.com) – Randy Seaver checks out his latest Record Matches on Geni Patricia Ward Kelly on her… Read the full story

On April 29, 1863, American newspaper publisher William Randolph Hearst was born in San Francisco, California. As the leading newspaper publisher of the late 19th century and early 20th century, Hearst exercised enormous political influence over the American public. Today his mansion, Hearst Castle, is now a California State Monument and widely popular tourist attraction. William Randolph Hearst is connected to over 69 million people in Geni’s World Family Tree. How are you related?    … Read the full story

Happy birthday, Carol Burnett! Today, the comedy icon turns 80. She was born in San Antonio, Texas to Jodie and Louise Burnett. After her parents divorced, she moved to Hollywood with her grandmother. Best known for her long-running TV variety show, The Carol Burnett Show, Burnett has enjoyed a long and successful career in Hollywood. Today, her star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame is located in front of the Hollywood Pacific Theater, where she… Read the full story

On April 25, 1908, American broadcast journalist Edward R. Murrow was born in North Carolina. Murrow first gained prominence during World War II. Millions of Americans followed his radio broadcasts for the latest news on the war. Considered one of journalism’s greatest figures, Murrow was known for his honesty and integrity in delivering the news. Edward R. Murrow is connected to over 69 million people in Geni’s World Family Tree. How are you related?  … Read the full story

When Geni joined the MyHeritage family in November 2012, our combined teams started working together to bring the best features of MyHeritage to Geni. Today we’re very excited to announce the first fruits of this work – perhaps the most important new feature on Geni since we launched the site in 2007 – MyHeritage’s powerful Record Matching and Smart Matching™ technologies are now available on Geni! Two new technologies for Geni Record Matching automatically finds… Read the full story

The Genealogy Sphere Oldest child doesn’t always ‘know it all’ about family history (Bangor Daily News) – Keep in mind younger siblings may know some stories older siblings may not have heard Long-lost brother reunited for the first time in 80 years after being fostered apart as babies (Daily Mail UK) – Two long lost brothers find each other 80 years after they were separated Fraternal Orders and Your Family History Research (4yourfamilystory.com) – Carline Pointer shares… Read the full story

It’s Earth Day! In honor of the day we’re highlighting Vice President Al Gore, who is perhaps one of the most notable environmental figures today. Credited with re-energizing the environmental movement, Gore’s highly popular and award-winning documentary, An Inconvenient Truth, brought global awareness to the Earth’s changing climate.  In 2007, he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for his tireless environmental activism. Al Gore is connected to over 69 million people in Geni’s World Family Tree. How… Read the full story

Are you planning a family reunion in the near future? Here are some fun activities to get your entire family involved in learning about your family history. 1. Fill in the family tree Here’s a fun game to get some of the younger members of your family interested in their genealogy: make copies of blank family trees for each youngster and have them ask relatives to help them fill out the tree. This is a… Read the full story

On April 19, 1882, Charles Darwin died at his home, the Down House.  In his groundbreaking publication, On the Origin of Species, Darwin introduced his theory of evolution to the world. The book and his future publications would prove to form the foundation of our current understanding of how man evolved through the process of natural selection. Considered on of the most influential figures in history, Darwin is buried in Westminister Abby, near other influential scientists Isaac… Read the full story

Today we remember renowned physicist Albert Einstein, who died April 18, 1955 at the age of 76. Born in Ulm, Germany, Einstein chose to remain in the United States when Adolf Hitler came to power in Germany during his visit to the U.S. in 1933. In 1940, Einstein became an American citizen. One of the most brilliant minds in history, Einstein’s scientific breakthroughs profoundly influenced our understanding of the world today. Albert Einstein is connected… Read the full story

On April 17, 1820, Alexander Cartwright, a volunteer firefighter, was born in New York City. Referred to as a “father of baseball,” it is believed Cartwright is the first person to develop a new set of rules that would form the basis for modern baseball, including the use of a diamond-shaped field. For decades, controversy surrounded the origins of America’s national pastime; its invention wrongly attributed to Civil War hero Abner Doubleday. On June 3,… Read the full story

On April 16, 1889, film icon Charlie Chaplin was born in London, England. One of the biggest stars of the Silent Era, Chaplin is considered a pioneer and one of the most influential figures of the 20th century. In 1919, he founded United Artist film studio with D.W. Griffith, Douglas Fairbanks, and Mary Pickford. Help build Charlie Chaplin’s family tree to see how you’re related!       View Charlie Chaplin’s Geni Profile  

Check out some interesting genealogy related articles from the past week! The Genealogy Sphere Warning! Don’t do THIS (Nutfield Genealogy blog) – A good warning to all genealogists – keep your old paper journals Medial records useful in genealogical research (Examiner.com) – Great explanation on how medical records can be helpful in genealogical research Auschwitz survivor’s social media search for long-lost twin (CNN) – Auschwitz survivor Menachem Bodner looks to Facebook to find his long… Read the full story

On April 15, 1980, French existentialist philosopher and writer Jean-Paul Sartre died in Paris, France. Considered one of the key leading figures of 20th century French philosophy, much of Sartre’s work profoundly influenced a variety of disciplines. In 1964, Sartre was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature, however he turned it down, stating “that a writer’s accepting such an honor would be to associate his personal commitments with the awarding institution, and that, above all,… Read the full story

We recently shared an article on Facebook about how two Norwegian relatives who found each other at a Miami CVS. By chance, these two women struck up a conversation while shopping. Soon they discovered that their families both came from a remote village in Norway and that they were cousins! It’s always interesting to hear these type of stories and several of you had a few to share of your own on Facebook. Here are… Read the full story

On April 12, 1861, the American Civil War began when Confederate forces fired on Fort Sumter. For four years, the war divided the nation. Under the command of Ulysses S. Grant, the Union armies defeated the Confederate armies of the South and brought an end to the war. After the Civil War, Grant would serve two consecutive terms as the 18th President of the United States. Ulysses S. Grant is connected to over 68 million… Read the full story

On April 11, 1869, Norwegian sculptor Gustav Vigeland was born in Mandal, Norway. Considered one of the most important artists in Norwegian history, many of Vigeland’s lifeworks can be found in Norway’s Vigeland Park, the world’s largest sculpture park made by a single artist. Did you know Vigeland was also the designer of the Nobel Peace Prize medal? Check out Gustav Vigeland’s family tree and help connect him to over 68 million people on Geni!… Read the full story

On April 10, 1925, The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald was published. Widely regarded as a “Great American Novel,” the literary classic perfectly captured the essence of the Roaring Twenties. Today, the novel is considered Fitzgerald’s best work. F. Scott Fitzgerald is connected to over 68 million people in Geni’s World Family Tree. How are you related?     View F. Scott Fitzgerald’s Geni Profile  

Yesterday, beloved Mouseketeer Annette Funicello died at the age of 70 after a long battle with multiple sclerosis. As a member of the original Mickey Mouse Club, Funicello quickly gained fame for her versatile talents. Funicello was just 13 when she was personally selected by Walt Disney himself to join the cast of the popular 1950s variety show. Did you remember watching Annette Funicello on The Mickey Mouse Club?     View Annette Funicello’s Geni Profile  

Happy Monday! Here are some interesting genealogy finds from this past week: The Genealogy Sphere Genealogy Today: Knowing family history cuts kids’ stress (Green Valley News and Sun) – A recent study shows children who know about their family history are better at handling stress Asheville Genealogy Column: Avoiding research errors (Citizen-Times.com) – A list of some of the most common mistakes made by researchers. Are you guilty of a few of these? Genealogy in palm… Read the full story

Today we remember Margaret Thatcher, who passed away today at the age of 87. Nicknamed the “Iron Lady,” Thatcher was known for her uncompromising, conservative politics and hard-driving leadership style. She was the longest serving Prime Minister of the United Kingdom and the only woman to have held the post. RIP Margaret Thatcher.     View Margaret Thatcher’s Geni Profile  

Today we remember legendary film critic Roger Ebert, who passed away yesterday after a long battle with cancer. The first film critic to ever with a Pulitzer Prize, Ebert gained national fame with his trademark “thumbs-up and thumbs-down” film reviews on his long-running syndicated televisions series At the Movies with his partner-in-crime, the late Gene Siskel. Just days before his passing, it was announced that Ebert’s cancer had returned. He left a final blog post titled, “Leave… Read the full story

On April 4, 1932, actor Anthony Perkins was born in New York City. The son of film actor Osgood Perkins and Janet Esslestyn, Perkins is a direct descendant of Mayflower passenger John Howland, his 7th great grandfather. He is best remembered for playing Norman Bates in the Alfred Hitchcock film Psycho. Have you caught the newest television re-imagining of Hitchock’s Psycho with British actor Freddie Highmore in Perkins’ iconic role of Norman Bates? Anthony Perkins is connected to… Read the full story

Today is the anniversary of the first successful Pony Express run. On April 3, 1860, the very first Pony Express mail delivery service ran from Saint Joseph, Missouri to Sacramento, California by horseback, using a series of relay stations. During its short lifespan, the Pony Express was the West’s most direct means of east-west communication. Perhaps the most notable rider was Buffalo Bill, whose adventures as a young Pony Express rider have come to epitomizes… Read the full story

On April 2, 1805, beloved fairytales author Hans Christian Andersen was born in Odense, Denmark. During his lifetime, Andersen won critical appraise worldwide for his innovated stories, which often presented lessons of virtue and resilience in the face of adversity.  Each year, his birthday is celebrated as International Children’s Book Day around the world. What’s your favorite childhood story? Hans Christian Andersen’s family tree on Geni is still very small. Perhaps you can help expand… Read the full story

Check out some interesting articles from the past week. The Genealogy Sphere A Land Patent is Just the Beginning (Genealogy Tip of the Day) – Don’t stop at the land patent. Check out this tip on where land patents can lead. Social media breaking down family history barriers (Standard-Examiner) – Thomas MacEntee talks about how social media has made genealogy more accessible Family Tree Talk: Researcher shares her genealogy adventure (Sentinel-Standard.com) – A genealogist follows… Read the full story

Happy April Fools’ Day! What better way to celebrate this funny day than with the family tree of iconic sitcom star Lucille Ball. Ball’s Lucy Ricardo could always be counted on to come up with some crazy plan to get what she wanted. While her antics always ended up causing trouble for her and everyone around her, no one could help but love Lucy. Lucille Ball is connected to over 68 million people on Geni’s… Read the full story

On March 29, 1867, baseball player Cy Young was born in Gilmore, Ohio. During his 22-year career in baseball, Young pitched for five different teams. He established numerous pitching records, some of which have stood for a century. In 1937, he was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame. Are you a baseball fan? Check out Cy Young’s family tree and see how you’re related!     View Cy Young’s Geni Profile  

Today we remember writer Virginia Woolf, who passed away on March 28, 1941. She was born into a privileged English household in 1882. Considered one of the foremost modernists of the twentieth century, Woolf was a central figure in London literary society. Her most famous works include Mrs. Dalloway and Orlando. Although she was a remarkably gifted writer, Woolf battled bouts of deep depression. In 1941, she took her own life at the age of 59. Virginia… Read the full story

On March 27, 1883, Estonian poet Marie Under was born in Tallinn, Estonia. Considered one of the greatest Estonian poets of the 20th century, Under was nominated by the Estonian PEN club several times as a candidate for the Nobel Prize for literature. The daughter of a schoolteacher, Under learned to read at the age of 4 and began writing poems at the age of 14. In 1944, during the U.S.S.R.’s occupation of Estonia, Under… Read the full story

We had an amazing time at RootsTech in Salt Lake City, Utah. Over 6,700 people came out to the conference, drawing an even larger crowd than last year. The first day was a whirlwind as the booth was crowded with people interested in learning more about MyHeritage and Geni. This was the first time we attended as a part of the MyHeritage family and we had an amazing team manning the booth. It was a… Read the full story

Today we remember poet Walt Whitman, who passed away on March 26, 1892 at the age of 72. One of the most influential poets in the American canon, Whitman was often called the “father of free verse.” Whitman worked various jobs throughout his life, including a career as a journalist, a teacher, a government clerk and he was even a volunteer nurse during the American Civil War. Walt Whitman is connected to over 68 million… Read the full story

On March 25, 1965, actress Sarah Jessica Parker was born in Nelsonville, Ohio. When featured on the first season of Who Do You Think You Are?, Parker discovered a family connection to the California Gold Rush. Her fourth great grandfather, John S. Hodge, headed off to California in 1850 in search of gold. Sarah Jessica Parker is connected to over 68 million people in Geni’s World Family Tree. How are you related?     View Sarah… Read the full story

We had a great first day at RootsTech and we wanted to share a few pictures from the day with you. Within minutes of the expo hall opening, we had swarms of people at the booth. It’s estimated that there are over 6,800 people registered – that’s over 2,000 people than last year! This year was especially exciting as it was the first time we attended RootsTech as a part of the MyHeritage family. Check… Read the full story

On March 19, 1889, Manuel II of Portugal was born. The last King of Portugal, Manuel II ascended to the throne after the assassination of his father, King Carlos I of Portugal, and his older brother, Luis Felipe, Prince Royal of Portugal. His reign ended with the dissolution of the monarchy in the 1910 revolution, and he thusly lived the remainder of his life in exile. Manuel II of Portugal is connected to over 68… Read the full story

What are some interesting genealogy articles you’ve read lately? Check out a few we’ve found! The Genealogy Sphere Rail dig may have found London’s lost ‘Black Death’ graves (NBC News) – Archaeologists discover a lost burial ground in London The Stories That Bind Us (New York Times) – Creating a strong family narrative to reinforce your family relationships The puzzling probate (The Legal Genealogist blog) – Judy G. Russell works through a troublesome probate record… Read the full story

On March 18, 1837, Grover Cleveland was born in Caldwell, New Jersey. Did you know Cleveland is the only person to serve two non-consecutive Presidential terms? He was both the 22nd and the 24th President of the United States. Grover Cleveland is connected to over 68 million people in Geni’s World Family Tree. How are you related?     View Grover Cleveland’s Geni Profile  

On March 15, 1767, Andrew Jackson was born in Waxhaw, South Carolina. The 7th President of the United States, Jackson earned the nickname “Old Hickory” because of his toughness and agressive personality. As president, Jackson was known for his support of individual liberty and the creation of the Democratic Party. Although dubbed the “people’s president,” historians have criticize his support of slavery and his role in the forceful removal of Native Americans from their lands…. Read the full story

RootsTech 2013, one of the biggest genealogy events of the year, is just around the corner. Between March 21 – 23, the Geni team will be at the RootsTech 2013 conference in Salt Lake City, Utah. Unlike any other conference, RootsTech provides you with the unique opportunity to connect with industry experts and discover the latest tools and techniques for researching your family history. From genealogists to developers, RootsTech offers hands-on workshops, presentations and more… Read the full story

On March 14, 1820, Victor Emmanuel II, King of Italy, was born in Torino, Italy. King of Sardinia from 1849 to 1861, he became the first king of a united Italy since the 6th century and held the title until his death in 1878. The people gave him the epithet Padre della Patria, “Father of the Fatherland.” Victor Emmanuel II is connected to over 68 million people in Geni’s World Family Tree. How are you… Read the full story

Happy birthday Liza Minnelli! Today, the iconic singer and actress turns 67. She was born in 1946 in Los Angeles, California. The daughter of legendary actress Judy Garland and director Vincente Minnelli, Liza was destined for stardom. The multi-award winning performer will soon be seen reprising her role as Lucille Austero in the highly anticipated return of Arrested Development. Liza Minnelli is connected to over 68 million people on Geni’s World Family Tree. How are you… Read the full story

Read any good genealogy articles lately? Check out a few we’ve found below! The Genealogy Sphere Howard Stern digs up some family history (Nj.com) – Howard Stern discusses his family history One Piece of Paper is Not Proof (Genealogy Tip of the Day) – A great tip to remember! Celebrating Women’s History Month – Wedding Day Stories: A Tricky Elopement (Carolina Girl Genealogy blog) – Cheri Hudson Passey shares a great story about her great… Read the full story