Author: Amanda

On September 19, 1928, actor Adam West was born. While West is most notable for his lead role in the 1960’s Batman TV series, today he is known for playing eccentric mayor, Adam West, on the animated TV show, Family Guy. How are you related to Adam West? View Adam West’s Geni Profile

On September 16, 1924, actress Lauren Bacall was born. Known for her husky voice and sultry looks, Bacall earned multiple awards for her performances in film and Broadway. How are you related? View Lauren Bacall’s Geni Profile

Today, TelGen announced the release of their new World Family Tree app, which enables you to browse your Geni family tree from your mobile device. Supported platforms include iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad and Android devices.   The app caches your family tree data locally, which will help you access your tree faster once it has downloaded. Now all users can easily browse their family tree in a variety of ways from the convenience of a… Read the full story

Today, September 15, marks Prince Harry’s 27th birthday. As the youngest son of Prince Charles and Princes Diana, he is third in the line of succession to the throne of the United Kingdom and the other Commonwealth Realms. Check out his family tree and see how you’re related! View Prince Harry’s Geni Profile

Today we remember dancer Isadora Duncan, who passed away on September 14, 1927. Dubbed the creator of modern dance, Duncan broke away from convention and developed free, emotional and natural movements. How are you related? View Isadora Duncan’s Geni Profile

In addition to introducing Geni Plus, we have also released bug fixes to the site. Here’s a list of fixes in today’s release. Fixes: Fixed bug causing birth surname to reset when a user edits the location details on a profile Fixed issue where burial location was not displaying on revision compare screen Birthday and anniversary gifts are now working on Internet Explorer 7 Fixed multiple pop-up issue when making a profile public from the… Read the full story

Agatha Christie Agatha Christie is one of the best selling mystery novelists of all time. Over her long and distinguished career, Christie published over 90 books and 17 plays, and has been translated into over 100 different languages. Christie was born on September 15, 1890 in England. She was the daughter of Frederick Alvah Miller, a wealthy American, and Clarissa Boehmer Miller, who was the daughter of Frederick Boemher, a British Army captain. In 1914,… Read the full story

Today, we remember American rapper and actor Tupac Shakur, who died on September 13, 1996. Even after his death, Shakur has become one of the best selling music artists in the world, having sold over 75 million albums worldwide. Check out his Geni profile and perhaps you can help build his family tree! View Tupac Shakur’s Geni Profile

At this Saturday’s 2011 Creative Arts Primetime Emmy Awards, Justin Timberlake took home two Emmys for his work on Saturday Night Live. Check out his family tree and see how you’re related! View Justin Timberlake’s Geni Profile

On September 9, 1960, British actor Hugh Grant was born. Grant achieved international fame in films such as Four Weddings and a Funeral, Bridget Jones’s Diary and Love Actually. Check out how you’re related to Hugh Grant! View Hugh Grant’s Geni Profile

On September 8, 1925, British actor Peter Sellers was born. Sellers gained international fame for playing the inept French police inspector, Jacque Clousau, in The Pink Panther film series. Check out Peter Seller’s family tree on Geni and see how you’re related! View Peter Sellers’s Geni Profile

On September 7, 1533, Elizabeth I was born at Greenwich Palace. She was the second child of Henry VIII of England. Her reign is often referred to as the “Elizabethan Age,” during which England prospered and emerged as the dominant European power in politics, trade and the arts. How are you related? View Elizabeth I’s Geni Profile

F. Scott Fitzgerald is regarded as one of the greatest American authors of the 20th century. Along with writers Ernest Hemingway and T.S. Eliot, he was considered a member of the “Lost Generation,” the 1920s expatriate community in post-war Paris. In 1925, Fitzgerald published his most famous novel, The Great Gatsby, which is still widely read today. Fitzgerald was born on September 24, 1896 in Saint Paul Minnesota. He was named after his famous second cousin… Read the full story

On September 6, 1860, American social reformer and author Jane Addams was born. As a prominent leader of the Progressive Era and woman’s suffrage, Addams helped bring to the nation’s attention towards issues of public health and world peace. In 1931, she became the first American woman to be awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. Check out her family tree on Geni! View Jane Addams’s Geni Profile

On September 2, 1964 actor Keanu Reeves was born in Beirut, Lebanon. He is perhaps best known for his roles in Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure, Speed and The Matrix trilogy. Check out Keanue Reeves’s family tree and see how you’re related! View Keanu Reeves’s Geni Profile

It was recently announced that the remains of Australian folk hero Ned Kelly has been identified using DNA analysis. Scientists compared the remains with the DNA samples from the great grandson of Kelly’s sister, Ellen, which confirmed that the bones belonged to Kelly. In the late 19th century, Kelly led a gang of bank robbers in Australia and became a symbol of the Irish working class’s resistance against the oppression of the British ruling class in Australia. Check… Read the full story

On August 31, 1949, actor and activist Richard Gere was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Gere has starred in several highly successful films, including An Officer and a Gentleman, Pretty Woman, and Chicago. Did you know Gere is a descendant of Mayflower Pilgrims Francis Eaton, John Billington, George Soule, Richard Warren, Degory Priest and Francis Cooke? How are you related? View Richard Gere’s Geni Profile

Last night it was announced that Chaz Bono, transgender advocate, writer and only child of Cher and Sonny Bono, would be joining the cast of Dancing With the Stars. Chaz will be the first openly transgender contestant in the history of the show. Are you excited to watch the dancing competition’s 13th season? View Chaz Bono’s Geni Profile

Yesterday at the MTV Video Music Awards, Beyoncé Knowles announced that she and husband Jay-Z are expecting their first child. Congratulations to the happy couple! Check out Beyoncé’s growing family tree and see how you’re related! View Beyoncé Knowles’s Geni Profile

American actress Loretta Young began her career as a child actor in silent films. Throughout her long and varied career, Young earned accolades for her acting, winning an Academy Award for best actress in 1948 for her role in the film The Farmer’s Daughter. How are you related? View Loretta Young’s Geni Profile

Yesterday, August 24, Apple co-founder Steve Jobs announced he would be stepping down as the company’s CEO. Born in San Francisco, California, Jobs was adopted by Paul and Clara Jobs. In the late 1970s, he co-founded Apple with Steve Wozniak and through Jobs’s leadership, transformed the company into one of the largest and most profitable companies in the world. Check out his family tree on Geni! View Steve Jobs’s Geni Profile

On August 24, 1899, Argentine writer and poet Jorge Luis Borges was born. Considered one of Latin America’s greatest writers, Borges’s works significantly contributed to the science fiction genre and focused on the “magic of realism.” His most famous works of fiction include Ficciones and The Aleph. How are you related? View Jorge Luis Borges’s Geni Profile

Today we remember writer and theatrical producer Oscar Hammerstein II, who passed away on August 23, 1960. Noted as one of the most influential lyricists in American theater, Hammerstein won eight Tony awards and two Oscars for “Best Original Song.” Along with his partner Richard Rodgers, Hammerstein brought to life some of the most memorable Broadway musicals, including Oklahoma!, The King and I, and The Sound of Music. View Oscar Hammerstein II’s Geni Profile

On August 19, 1883, French fashion designer Coco Chanel was born. Chanel believed that “luxery must be comfortable, otherwise it is not luxury.” Her classic designs, including the Chanel suit and the “little black dress,” are still highly popular today. How are you related? View Coco Chanel’s Geni Profile

On August 18, 1952 actor Patrick Swayze was born in Houston, Texas. Today, he is fondly remembered as the romantic lead in the films Dirty Dancing and Ghost. Sadly, Swayze lost his battle with cancer on September 14, 2009. How are you related? View Patrick Swayze’s Geni Profile

On August 17, 1943, actor and director Robert De Niro was born. Considered one of the greatest actors of his generation, De Niro has played many memorable roles in such films as Taxi Driver, Goodfellas and The Godfather Part II, for which he won an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor. Check out his family tree on Geni! View Robert De Niro’s Geni Profile

Beloved film actress Audrey Hepburn is perhaps one of the world’s most famous actors of all time. As a film and fashion icon, Hepburn has continued to influence the industry well after her passing. She remains one of the few entertainers to have won an Emmy, a Grammy, an Oscar and a Tony. Her most memorable movies include Breakfast at Tiffany’s, Roman Holiday and Sabrina. In addition to her work in television and film, Hepburn… Read the full story

On August 16, 1948 Major League baseball player Babe Ruth died at the age of 53. One of the first players to be inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame, Ruth is widely regarded as one of the greatest sports heroes in history. Check out Babe Ruth’s family tree on Geni! Perhaps you can help connect him to our World Family Tree! View Babe Ruth’s Geni Profile

Today, India celebrates its Independence Day. On August 15, 1947, India officially elected Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru as its first Prime Minister. During the Indian independence movement, Mahatma Gandhi lead the campaign for independence through non-violent protest. His leadership has inspired civil rights movements throughout the world. Check out his profile on Geni! View Mahatma Gandhi’s Geni Profile

On August 12, 1881, award-winning director Cecil B. DeMille was born. DeMille was as a pioneering film director of both silent and sound films and a dominant force in Hollywood throughout his career. His best known films include The Ten Commandments, Cleopatra, and The Greatest Show on Earth. Check out his family tree and see how you’re related! View Cecil B. DeMille’s Geni Profile

In addition to our changes to Pro, today we are excited to release a cleaner, simpler header to make navigating on Geni even easier. You can now go directly to your tree with just one click! We’ve also consolidated all of your notifications to one place. Simply click on the icon to the right of the search bar to view your inbox messages, requests, tree matches and discussion notifications. You can read more about these… Read the full story

Today we remember Eunice Kennedy Shriver, who passed away on August 11, 2009 at the age of 88. Shriver was the sister of President John F. Kennedy and a passionate advocate for children’s health and disability issues. She founded the Special Olympics, the world’s largest sports organization for children and adults with intellectual disabilities. Check out her family tree and see how you’re related! View Eunice Kennedy Shriver’s Geni Profile

On August 10, 1846, the Smithsonian Institution, the world’s largest museum complex, was established by the bequest of James Smithson, an English scientist. Smithson stated in his will that his estate be given to the U.S. government to create an “establishment for the increase and diffusion of knowledge among men.” How are you related to James Smithson? View James Smithson’s Geni Profile

On August 9, 1854, author Henry David Thoreau‘s most famous novel, Walden, was published. In addition to his work as an author, Thoreau was an accomplished philosopher and abolitionist. As a leading figure of the Transcendentalist movement, Thoreau’s writings inspired many political leaders and reformers including Mahatma Ghandi, President John F. Kennedy and Martin Luther King, Jr. Thoreau was born in Concord, Massachusetts on July 12, 1817. His father, John Thoreau, was a pencil maker and… Read the full story

Recently, a team of archaeologists discovered what they believe to be privateer Henry Morgan‘s flagship,”Satisfaction,” on the coast of Panama. Remembered as one of the most notorious and successful privateers of all time, Morgan lost five ships, including “Satisfaction,” in rough seas while sacking a fort on the coast of Panama in 1670. How are you related? View Henry Morgan’s Geni Profile

Yesterday, August 7, South African actress Charlize Theron celebrated her 36th birthday. In 2004, Theron won an Academy Award for her portrayal of serial killer Aileen Wuornos in the film Monster, thus becoming the first South African to win an Oscar in a major acting category. Check out her family tree and see how you’re related! View Charlize Theron’s Geni Profile

Today marks the 49th anniversary of Marilyn Monroe‘s death. Marilyn was an acclaimed actress, model and singer, who died tragically at the age of 36. To this day, she is still viewed as cultural icon and an American sex symbol. Check out her family tree on Geni! View Marilyn Monroe’s Geni Profile

Rita Moreno Rita Moreno is a Puerto Rican actor, singer and dancer. Best known for her role in the musical West Side Story, Moreno has earned critical acclaim across a variety of mediums. She is the only Hispanic to have won all four major entertainment awards, the Emmy, Grammy, Oscar and Tony. View Rita Moreno’s Geni Profile

With many areas of the U.S. experiencing a sweltering heat wave, we thought it would be fitting to highlight Willis Carrier‘s Geni profile. Willis Carrier was an American engineer and inventor of modern air conditioning. In 1906, Carrier was granted a U.S. patent for his invention, an “Apparatus for Treating Air,” the world’s first spray-type air conditioning equipment. Check out his profile and see how you’re related! View Willis Carrier’s Geni Profile

On August 2, 1876, James “Wild Bill” Hickok, one of the greatest gunfighters of the American Wild West, was shot from the back while playing a game of poker. His hand at the time of his death, a pair of black aces and eights, became known as the “dead man’s hand.” How are you related?

Today is Colorado Day, which officially marks the anniversary of Colorado’s statehood. In honor of this celebration, we’re highlighting John Evans’s Geni profile. Evans was one of the earliest governors of Colorado and one of the state’s most prominent figures. He is also known for being one of the founders of Northwestern University and University of Denver. To learn more about John Evans, check out his Geni profile and see how you’re related! View John… Read the full story

We are proud to announce some improvements to the way the name fields work on Geni.com. These changes will provide a clearer and more consistent method of inputting names.  The “Nicknames” field is now located on the Basics tab and has been renamed to “Also Known As.” “Maiden Name” has been renamed to “Birth Name.” Lastly, male profiles will now have the ability to be listed with a “Birth Name” just as female profiles can.    … Read the full story

This week we highlight the Prominent Historians and Philosophers project. This project houses a collection of Geni profiles for those notable thinkers who have made major contributions to our understandings of the world. Interested in learning more about the genealogy of influential historians and philosophers? Want to help research and build their family trees? Check out this project and become a collaborator today! Perhaps you may discover that you’re related to an influential thinker of the past! Take a look… Read the full story

On July 29, 1890 artist Vincent van Gogh died in Auvers-sur-Ouse in northern France after shooting himself in the chest two days earlier.

While researching your genealogy, voter registration records may not be the first resource that springs to mind. However, you’d be surprised how this often overlooked resource can help supplement your research and provide you with clues in new directions. As you build your family tree on Geni, you may want to take time to look into what you can find about your ancestor’s voting history. Important things to keep in mind:   In the United… Read the full story

On July 28, 1866, English author Beatrix Potter was born. Although she is best remembered for writing and illustrating The Tale of Peter Rabbit, Potter was also a passionate conservationist. How are you related?

On July 27, 1882, pioneer aviator and aircraft engineer Sir Geoffrey de Havilland was born. In 1920, he founded the de Havilland Aircraft Company. De Havilland and his company designed many innovative aircrafts, a large number of which were used during the First World War. Check out de Havilland’s profile in the Great Aviators project and see how you’re related!

We are always listening to feedback from our users and regularly make improvements and bug fixes to the site. While some of the improvements may not be noticeable while interacting with Geni, we want to give our users a better idea of what is included in each release. You may notice that many of these enhancements and fixes came directly from requests posted to Geni Help and our public discussions. An archive of our previous… Read the full story

English naturalist Charles Darwin laid the foundation for evolution in his book On the Origin of Species. Published in 1859, Darwin introduced the theory that populations evolved overtime through the process of natural selection. His revolutionary theory has become a fundamental tenet in the life sciences and in explaining the diversity of life. Today, Darwin is considered one of the most influential figures in human history. Born in 1809, Darwin was the fifth of six children of Robert… Read the full story

On July 26, 1928, director Stanley Kubrick was born. Widely regarded as one of the most accomplished and influential filmmakers in the history of cinema, Kubrick was known for often directing unique and controversial films, such as the highly acclaimed film, A Clockwork Orange. Check out his family tree and see how you’re related! View Stanley Kubrick’s Geni Profile