Author: Amanda

Today is the 14 year anniversary of the death of John F. Kennedy, Jr.  On July 16 ,1999, the light aircraft he was piloting crashed into the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts. His wife, Carolyn and his sister-in-law Lauren Bessette also perished in the crash. John was born 16 days after his father President John F. Kennedy was elected to the presidency, becoming the first ever child born to a president-elect…. Read the full story

Check out some interesting articles from the past week! The Genealogy Sphere A White Father: Direct Evidence (Reclaiming Kin blog) – An incredible find in African-American genealogy research Tips for Researching Performers and Showmen (a3genealogy.com) – Did you have a relative who was a traveling performer? Check out some tips on how to research your on-the-move ancestors. Breakthrough DNA study links B.C. woman and 5,500 year old “grandmother” (The Vancouver Sun) – DNA tests have… Read the full story

Today we celebrate the 407th birthday of Dutch painter Rembrandt van Rijn! On July 15, 1606, Rembrandt van Rijn was born in Leiden, Netherlands to a well-to-do family. Considered on of the greatest painters and printmakers in European history, Rembrandt’s work came to dominate what has since been named the Dutch Golden Age. Over the course of his career, he produced hundreds of paintings and etchings. Are you a fan of Rembrandt’s art work? Check… Read the full story

Did you know that 151 years ago today, the Medal of Honor was created? As the highest military honor in the United States, the Medal of Honor awards individuals for personal acts of valor above and beyond the call of duty. Since its creation in 1862 during the Civil War, the Medal of Honor has been awarded to more than 3,400 men and one woman. Here are some interesting facts about the Medal of Honor:… Read the full story

Happy birthday, Bill Cosby! Today the beloved actor and comedian turns 76. In the 1960s, he helped break down racial barriers on television in the series I Spy, becoming the first African American actor to star in a dramatic role on television. Perhaps his most successful and memorable television role was Cliff Huxtable on the long-running family comedy series The Cosby Show. Do you remember watching the show? Did you know when Cosby was young, he… Read the full story

Happy birthday, E.B. White! On July 11, 1899, the Charlotte’s Web author was born in Mount Vernon, New York.  The notable children’s book author was the youngest child of Smauel Tilly White, the president of a piano firm, and Jessie Hart White, the daughter of painter William Hart. In 1978, White won an honorary Pulitzer Prize for his work. Do you remember reading Charlotte’s Web when you were a child?     View E.B. White’s Geni Profile… Read the full story

Today we celebrate Nikola Tesla‘s 157th birthday. On July 10, 1856, Tesla was born to Serbian parents in the village of Smiljan, Austrian Empire. A prolific inventor, Tesla’s groundbreaking discoveries help give birth to the commercialization of electricity. Sadly, despite his notable discoveries, Tesla was not able to achieve financial success during his lifetime. He died a recluse in his room at the New Yorker Hotel on January 7, 1943. Did you know that Tesla was… Read the full story

On July 9, 1819, American inventor Elias Howe was born in Spencer, Massachusetts. Howe invented the first practical sewing machine, which ultimately revolutionized the manufacturing of garments both commercially and in the home. In 1846, he received his patent for a sewing machine using a lockstitch design. However, he found it difficult to market his new machine to the U.S. public. While Howe struggled, other entrepreneurs found success replicating, improving and selling the sewing machines, most notably… Read the full story

Hope everyone had a happy Fourth of July! Here are some interesting articles you may have missed. The Genealogy Sphere The taxman cometh (The Legal Genealogist) – Judy G. Russell shares why genealogists should love tx records Finding Genealogy Evidence in the Most Unlikely Place (lonetester.com) – Interesting article on finding genealogy material when you least expect it A complicated family history places black Md. woman in DAR’s ranks (The Washington Post) – The story… Read the full story

Congratulations, Andy Murray! This weekend Murray became the first British tennis player to win the Wimbledon Championship in men’s singles in 77 years. In a stunning victory, Murray defeated Novak Djokovic with a final score card of 6-4 7-5 6-4. Did you catch the game? Check out Andy Murray’s family tree and see if you can help connect him to over 70 million people on Geni.     View Andy Murray’s Geni Profile   Image… Read the full story

On July 5 ,1810, P.T. Barnum was born in Bethel, Connecticut. An immensely successful promoter, Barnum is best remembered for founding the circus that came to be known as the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus. Dubbed the “Greatest Show on Earth,” Barnum brought together a strange menagerie of curiosities, from the Feejee mermaid to General Tom Thumb, “the Smallest Person that ever Walked Alone.” P.T. Barnum is connected to over 70 million people in Geni’s… Read the full story

Happy Independence Day! Today the U.S. commemorates the adoption of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776. The document declared the 13 American colonies’s freedom and independence from the British Empire. It’s principle author was Thomas Jefferson, who served in the Continental Congress at the beginning of the American Revolution. The Founding Father would later serve as the third President of the United States. Did you know that in a remarkable coincidence, both John… Read the full story

This week commemorates the 150th anniversary of the Battle of Gettysburg. Lasting from July 1 to July 3, 1863, it was one of the bloodiest battles of the American Civil War. Often described as the turning point of the war, Union Maj. General George Gordon Meade successfully defeated attacks by Confederate General Robert E. Lee, thus ending Lee’s invasion of the North. The Battle of Gettysburg After his success at Chancellorsville, Virginia in May 1863,… Read the full story

Today we celebrate author Franz Kafka‘s 130th birthday! Born on July 3, 1906 in Prague, Austria-Hungry, Kafka is regarded by many as one of the most influential authors of the 20th century. His works explored themes of alienation, physical and psychological brutality, and mystical transformations. His literary legacy continues to influence today’s culture as the term “Kafkaesque” has penetrated the English lexicon to describe surreal situations like those in his writings. Are you a fan… Read the full story

Have a hankering for some genealogy news? Check out some of these articles fromt the past week: The Genealogy Sphere Copyright and grandmother’s writings (The Legal Genealogist blog) – Judy G. Russell helps clarify some concerns about your family writings and copyrights 20 Powerful Black-And-White Photographs of Regular Americans From History (BuzzFeed) – Check photos of the untold faces of our country JFK mania descends on ancestral town as Kennedy clan enjoys ‘homecoming’ (Independent.ie) –… Read the full story

Today we remember Princess Diana on what would have been her 52nd birthday. On this day in 1961, Princess Diana was born in Sandringham, England. Dubbed the “People’s Princess,” she is fondly remembered for her compassion and charitable efforts around the world. Now the world eagerly anticipates the impending birth of her eldest son Prince William‘s first child. Princess Diana is connected to over 70 million people in Geni’s World Family Tree. How are you… Read the full story

On this day in 1491, Henry VIII, King of England was born. Although historically known for his role in initiating the English Reformation with the separation of the Church of England from the Roman Catholic Church, Henry VIII is perhaps best remembered in popular culture for his six marriages and beheading two of his wives. Henry VIII is connected to over 70 million people in Geni’s World Family Tree. How are you related?     View… Read the full story

Today marks the 50th anniversary of President John F. Kennedy‘s historic “Ich bin ein Berliner” speech. On this day in 1963, shortly after the Soviet-controlled East Germany erected the Berlin Wall, President Kennedy made a historic visit to the city to expressed his solidarity with the citizens of West Germany. In what proved to be a significant moment of the Cold War, his speech brought the people of the divided city hope and emphasized the United States’… Read the full story

On June 25, 1903, author George Orwell was born in Motihari, India. Best known for his novels Animal Farm and 1984, Orwell frequently included themes of social injustice and addressed the major political movements of his times in his works. His writings continue to influence popular and political culture as the term “Orwellian,” descriptive of totalitarian social practices, and several of his neologisms, such as “Big Brother,” have become apart of today’s vernacular. George Orwell is… Read the full story

Here are some interesting genealogy articles from the past week. The Genealogy Sphere Uncovering genealogy can lead to fascinating insights (ReadingEagle.com) – A genealogist discovers the story behind her great grandfather Thomas Armitage, a Civil War veteran who died in a Confederate prison in 1864 Obama’s Irish ancestry highlighted during first family’s visit to Trinity (Irish Times) – President Obama and his family learn about their genealogy while visiting Ireland 33 Reasons You Should Be… Read the full story

Happy birthday, Prince William! Today the Duke of Cambridge turns 31. The eldest son of Princess Diana and Prince Charles of Wales, Prince William is the second inline to the British throne. He was born at St. Mary’s Hospital in London and was the first royal heir to be born in a hospital. Prince William will soon be a proud papa himself as he and his wife, Kate Middleton, await the impending birth of their first… Read the full story

Today we remember actor James Gandolfini, who passed away yesterday at the age of 51. Born in Westwood, New Jersey, James developed a strong connection to his Italian heritage. His mother, a high school lunch lady, was born in the U.S. but raised in Naples, Italy and his father, a custodian, was a native of Borgotaro, Italy. He shot to fame as mafia boss Tony Soprano on HBO’s award-winning show The Sopranos, for which he… Read the full story

On this day in 1846, the first officially recorded, organized baseball game was played under Alexander Cartwright‘s rules in Hoboken, New Jersey. Dubbed the “father of baseball,” Cartwright played the role of umpire for the game. And it was on this day 57 years later that American baseball legend Lou Gehrig was born in Yorkville, New York. Nicknamed “The Iron Horse,” Gehrig set several major league records, including the most career grand slams. He was… Read the full story

On June 18, 1901, Anastasia, daughter of the last Russian tsar, Nicholas II, was born in Petrodvorets, Russia. She was killed along with her family by members of the Bolshevik secret police, but the location of her body remained unknown until 2008. Rumors of her escape widely circulated after her death, with many women claiming to be the real Anastasia. The most notorious Anastasia impostor was Anna Anderson, who surfaced publicly during the 1920s. She… Read the full story

Here are some interesting genealogy articles in the past week. Have you read a great family history article you would like to share? Tell us in the comments below. The Genealogy Sphere The chilling pictures of suitcases left in a New York insane asylum by patients who were locked away for the rest of their lives (Daily Mail UK) – Fascinating images documenting the suitcases left behind by patients at the Willard Asylum for the… Read the full story

On June 17, 1882, Russian composer Igor Stravinsky was born in Oranienbaum, Russia. Considered one of the most important and influential composers of the 20th century, Stravinsky was noted for his stylistic diversity and revolutionary compositions. Over the course of his career, he wrote more than 100 pieces, including ballets, symphonies and operas. Igor Stravinsky is connected to over 70 million people in Geni’s World Family Tree. How are you related?     View Igor… Read the full story

It’s Flag Day in the U.S.! On June 14, 1777, the Continental Congress adopted the Stars and Stripes as the national flag. According to legend, during the American Revolution, George Washington commissioned Betsy Ross to design and sew the flag for the new nation. Although historians have been unable to prove the legend true, the story made Ross a patriotic icon during the late 19th century. Betsy Ross is connected to over 70 million people… Read the full story

This Sunday, the U.S. and many other parts of the world will celebrate Father’s Day. Observed on the third Sunday of June every year, Father’s Day is the perfect summer celebration for outdoor festivities and family gatherings in honor of our father’s, grandfather’s and paternal figures in our lives. Did you know Father’s Day was well celebrated long before it was officially recognized as a national holiday in 1972? The day was founded in Spokane,… Read the full story

On June 13, 1863, Lady Lucy Duff Gordon was born in London, England. As the first English designer to achieve international recognition, she was a widely acknowledged innovator in couture styles and originated the “mannequin parade,” a precursor to the modern fashion show. Gordon is perhaps best remembered as a surviving passenger of the Titanic disaster. She and her husband escaped in Lifeboat 1. Although built to hold about 63 people, the boat was lowered with less than… Read the full story

On June 12, 1929, Anne Frank was born in Frankfurt am Main, Germany. It was this day on her 13th birthday that Anne received her famous diary in which she would sort all her emotions, despairs and desires, while in hiding during World War II. After two years of hiding, the family was discovered and taken to a Nazi concentration camp. Her father, Otto Frank, was the only one of the group to survive. He… Read the full story

On June 11, 1864, German composer Richard Strauss was born in Munich, Germany. The leading German classical composer of the late Romantic and early modern eras, Strauss is known for his operas, Der Rosenkavalier and Salome, based on the play by Oscar Wilde. Richard Strauss is connected to over 70 million people in Geni’s World Family Tree. How are you related?     View Richard Strauss’s Geni Profile  

This weekend we had the pleasure of attending the 44th Annual Southern California Genealogy Jamboree in Burbank, California. It was a blast meeting Geni users and seeing familiar faces, old friends and first timers. This year we had a much larger space as part of the MyHeritage family with a lovely day-in-the-park theme and green “grass” to complete the look. We even had new Geni banners to show off! Below is a picture of Mark Olsen,… Read the full story

Did everyone have a great weekend? Check out some interesting articles from the past week! The Genealogy Sphere Lost Love Letter Turns Up After Nearly 70 Years (ABC News) – A 70 year old love letter finally reaches its destination Mystery Letter Reunites Couple After 63 Years Apart (Yahoo! Shine) – A couple reunited after six decades Mirfield star Patrick Stewart delves into family history (Dewsbury Reporter) – Actor Patrick Stewart was recently featured on… Read the full story

On June 10, 1928, beloved children’s book writer Maurice Sendak was born in Brooklyn, New York. Known for his critically acclaimed book, Where the Wild Things Are, Sendak gained international fame for the book’s dark story and somewhat grotesque illustrations. Do you remember reading Where the Wild Things Are as a child? Maurice Sendak’s family tree is not yet connected to the World Family Tree. Perhaps you can help expand his tree and connect him to… Read the full story

Chad Woodburn is descended from a long line of pioneers. From his nine ancestors who were on the Mayflower to his father, who came to California in a covered wagon, it’s no wonder Chad became interested in his family history at a young age. Chad Woodburn His interest was first peeked upon reading handwritten family genealogy tables that went back a few hundred years. As a child, he would listen to his parents and grandparents… Read the full story

Our goal at Geni has always been to create the world’s largest, most comprehensive world family tree. Through the collaboration of millions of genealogists, we’ve seen tremendous growth in our World Family Tree, with millions of profiles added and merged in the past year. We’re thrilled to announce that Geni’s World Family Tree now has over 70,000,000 profiles connected! In the last few months, we’ve brought some amazing features to Geni to help make your research… Read the full story

Tomorrow comedian Joan Rivers celebrates her 80th birthday! Born in Brooklyn, New York, Rivers is the daughter of Russian Jewish immigrants. Her big break came in 1965 when she was invited to perform her stand up routine on The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson. Combined with her appearances on The Ed Sullivan Show, Rivers quickly became a household name. Joan Rivers is connected to over 70 million people in Geni’s World Family Tree. How are… Read the full story

On June 6, 1875, German novelist Thomas Mann was born in Lübeck, Germany. He is best remembered for his series of highly symbolic and ironic epic novels, most notably the epic Buddenbrooks and The Magic Mountain. In 1929, Mann was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature. Thomas Mann is connected to 70 million people in Geni’s World Family Tree. How are you related?     View Thomas Mann’s Geni Profile  

Forty-five years ago today, Robert F. Kennedy was shot in a hail of gunfire in the Ambassador Hotel in Los Angeles. He died from his wounds the next day. The younger brother of President John F. Kennedy, Robert served as the 64th U.S. Attorney General from 1961 – 1964. He was a seminal figure of the 1960s and a strong advocate for the American Civil Rights Movement. Do you remember when Robert F. Kennedy was… Read the full story

Happy birthday, Angelina Jolie! Today the popular actress turns 38. Recently, Jolie bravely revealed that she had undergone a preventative double mastectomy to minimize her risk of breast cancer after learning that she carries the BRCA1 gene mutation. She had lost her mother and most recently, her aunt to cancer. Angelina Jolie is connected to over 70 million people in Geni’s World Family Tree. How are you related?     View Angelina Jolie’s Geni Profile  … Read the full story

Check out some interesting genealogy articles from around the web! The Genealogy Sphere Gen Y: The Top Lessons Learned From Genealogy (The Huffington Post) – Joshua Taylor discusses today’s Mellennials as they discover their roots From Appearance to Identity: How Census Data Collection Changed Race in America (Pacific Standard Magazine) – A fascinating look at race and the U.S. census The bankrupt (The Legal Genealogist blog) – Judy G. Russell explains the history of bankruptcy… Read the full story

Today we remember Jean Stapleton, who died in her New York City home at the age of 90. Despite a lifetime career in acting, Stapleton didn’t gain fame until late in life for her iconic portral of Edith Bunker in the 1970s groundbreaking comedy All in the Family. Do you remember watching her on television? Jean Stapleton is connected to over 70 million people in Geni’s World Family Tree. How are you related?     View… Read the full story

On May 31, 1930, Clint Eastwood was born in San Francisco, California. Eastwood got his big break in the TV series Rawhide and achieved immense popularity in a string of western hits. He cemented his role as a cultural icon as Harry Callahan in Dirty Harry. Today he has ten Academy Award nominations with four wins under his belt. What’s your favorite Clint Eastwood movie? Clint Eastwood is connected to over 69 million people in… Read the full story

We’re excited to attend the 44th Annual Southern California Genealogy Jamboree next week! From June 7 – 9, genealogists and family history enthusiasts will gather at the Los Angeles Marriott Burbank Airport Hotel for one of the funnest genealogy events of the year. And with the conference so close to home, you can expect several folks from the Geni office to stop by throughout the weekend.  We’ll be there along side MyHeritage, with a huge space… Read the full story

On May 28, 1888, athlete Jim Thorpe was born in Prague, Oklahoma. Considered one of the most versatile athletes of modern sports, Thorpe won Olympic gold medals for the 1912 decathlon and pentathlon, played American football and professional baseball and basketball. He was a mix of European and Native American ancestry and raised in the Sac and Fox nation in Oklahoma. His native name was Wa-Tho-Huk, which translates as “path lighted by great flash of lightening.”   Jim… Read the full story

Happy birthday, Bob Dylan! Today the iconic musician turns 72. In 1941, Dylan was born Robert Allen Zimmerman in Duluth, Minnesota. While performing in college, he began taking the name “Bob Dylan,” after the poet Dylan Thomas. It was during this time in the 1960s that his career really took off. He became known as the songwriter of the 60s protest movement, penning and performing many songs about the polarizing social issues of the time. What’s your… Read the full story

This Monday, May 27, the U.S. will celebrate Memorial Day in remembrance of the men and women who lost their lives while serving in the U.S. military. In honor of the holiday, MyHeritage is providing free access to their most popular collections of U.S. military records. Journey back in time to some of the most important conflicts in world history that not only impacted families in the U.S., but millions of families worldwide. From now… Read the full story

On May 23, 1883, silent film star Douglas Fairbanks was born in Denver, Colorado. Dubbed the “King of Hollywood” during the 1920’s, Fairbanks was known as one of the leading stars of the silent film era. He won audiences over for his swashbuckling roles as Robin Hood and Zoro and also proved to be an astute businessman, launching the film studio United Artist in 1919 in partnership with Charlie Chaplin, Mary Pickford and D.W. Griffith. Douglas… Read the full story

On May 22, 1859, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle was born in Edinburgh, Scotland. A prolific writer, Doyle wrote 60 mystery stories featuring the iconic detective Sherlock Holms and his loyal assistant Watson. With several recent film and television adaptations, Sherlock Holms continues to remain immensely popular today. Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s family tree is still a bit small. Perhaps you can help expand his tree and connect him to the World Family Tree on Geni…. Read the full story

On May 21, 1881, Clara Barton founded the American Red Cross in Washington, D.C. After learning of the Red Cross in Europe, she returned to the U.S. and campaigned for the establishment of an American Red Cross organization to provide emergency response in the event of crisis from war or natural disasters. She served as the organizations first president and led it for 23 years. Clara Barton is connected to over 69 million people in Geni’s… Read the full story