Author: Amanda

Jesse James was an infamous American outlaw of the Wild West. He is portrayed in American folklore as a Robin Hood-like figure, stealing from the rich and giving to the poor. During the Civil War, Jesse and his brother Frank fought as Confederate guerrilla soldiers. After the war, they joined up with Cole Younger and his brothers to form the James-Younger Gang. The gang carried out a string of robberies, robbing banks, stagecoaches and trains…. Read the full story

Profile of the Day: John James Audubon http://www.geni.com/people/John-James-Audubon/6000000012366233513

Profile of the Day: William Shakespeare http://www.geni.com/people/William-Shakespeare/6000000003051311313

Yesterday we gave you tips on using fraternal organization records in genealogy. Today we highlight the Freemasons in America project. The Freemasons have played an integral part in the early history of America. Some of the most prominent members of this fraternal organization include U.S. presidents, CEOs and actors.  If you’re interested in learning more about Freemasons in America, check out this project. Perhaps you may want to join the project’s contributers and add more… Read the full story

Profile of the Day: Al Gore http://www.geni.com/people/Albert-A-Gore-Jr-45th-Vice-President-of-the-USA/6000000003626809721

While researching your family history, you wonder what an acronym in your ancestors’ records or a symbol on their tombstone signifies. It’s possible that your ancestor was a member of a fraternal organization. While the practices and ceremonies of these types of organizations are secretive, you will find that many people will identify themselves in some way that they are a member of an exclusive organization. These membership organizations have been around throughout history and… Read the full story

Profile of the Day: Queen Elizabeth II http://www.geni.com/people/Queen-Elizabeth-II/6000000003075071669

Profile of Day: Marie Curie http://www.geni.com/people/Maria-Sk%C5%82odowska-Curie/4754071530090030120

Anthony Perkins (1932-1992) was an American actor best known for his role as Norman Bates in Alfred Hitchcock’s Psycho. In 1957, Perkins received an Academy Award nomination for best supporting actor for is role in the film, Friendly Persuasion. In recognition of his contributions to the film industry, Perkins received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Perkins was born in New York City to Janet Esselstyn Rane and Osgood Perkins. His father was a prominent American… Read the full story

Profile of the Day: Grace Kelly http://www.geni.com/people/Grace-Kelly/5163142858250067644

Profile of the Day: Paul Revere http://www.geni.com/people/Paul-Revere/6000000003938177401

Today we feature the Great Aviators project. In this project are some of the most notable aviators in history. There are currently 36 profiles included. Perhaps you may want to add more great aviators to Geni! Here’s a look at a few of the profiles included: Howard Hughes – He was an American aviator, engineer, film producer, philanthropist and one of the wealthiest people in the world. He set multiple world air-speed records and built… Read the full story

Profile of the Day: Jackie Robinson http://www.geni.com/people/Jackie-Robinson/6000000012255474287

City directories are one of the most often overlooked resources in genealogy. However, this resource is actually filled with very useful information for your genealogy research. Since city directories were published annually, they are an excellent way to track down the location of your ancestors in between census records. Here’s a quick look at how city directories can help you in your family tree research: What can I find in city directories? Your ancestors’ surname… Read the full story

Profile of the Day: John Steinbeck http://www.geni.com/people/John-Ernst-Steinbeck/6000000002814086158

Profile of the Day: Tiger Woods http://www.geni.com/people/Tiger-Woods/6000000010281654792

On April 12, 1861, South Carolina used force remove the U.S. army from their facilities in Charleston. Known as the Battle of Fort Sumter, it marked the beginning of the American Civil War.  Two days after the battle, President Abraham Lincoln called for thousands of volunteers to crush the Southern rebellion.  Four years later, the Confederate forces were defeated by the Union army. Through his leadership and resolve, Lincoln successfully preserved the Union and brought an… Read the full story

Profile of the Day: Harry S. Truman http://www.geni.com/people/Harry-S-Truman-33rd-President-of-the-USA/6000000000264958780

Profile of the Day: Winston Churchill http://www.geni.com/people/Sir-Winston-Churchill-Prime-Minister-of-the-United-Kingdom/6000000003222187286

This week we feature the New and Modern Masters project. This project is comprised of the great painters from the mid 19th century to the present. (For great painters from the mid 13th to mid 19th century, check out the Old Masters project). If you’re interested, you may want to join the project’s collaborators and add more notable modern painters to Geni! Here’s a look at a few of the profiles included: Andy Warhol –… Read the full story

Profile of the Day: Ashley Judd http://www.geni.com/people/Ashley-Judd/6000000002447366540

Probate records are an excellent source of genealogical information. Today, let’s take a closer look at probate records and how they can help enrich your genealogy research. What are probate records? Probate records are documents compiled by a court after someone has died regarding the division of their estate. Among some of the documents you may find in your ancestor’s probate records are: A death certificate Will Guardian ship petitions for minor children List of heirs… Read the full story

Profile of the Day: Ulysses S. Grant http://www.geni.com/people/Ulysses-S-Grant-18th-President-of-the-USA/6000000010349137529

Profile of the Day: Isaac Asimov http://www.geni.com/people/Isaac-Asimov/6000000010837269793

Henry Ford was an American industrialist and founder of the Ford Motor Company. By implementing the assembly line technique of mass production, Ford revolutionized the automobile industry. This new business technique was called “Fordism,” the mass production of inexpensive goods in conjunction with high wages for workers. Ford would become one of the richest men in the world. Ford was born on July 30, 1863 on a family farm in Michigan to William Ford and Mary Litogot and… Read the full story

Profile of the Day: Pocahontas http://www.geni.com/people/Matoaka-Powhatan/6000000005385138952

Profile of the Day: Francis Drake http://www.geni.com/people/Vice-Admiral-Sir-Francis-Drake/6000000006086120867

Interested in researching notable scientists in history? Check out this week’s featured project, Prominent Scientists: (ii) Medicine & Life Sciences. This project aims to organize and build the family trees for the scientists who have made major contributions to the fields of medicine and other life sciences. Perhaps you may want to join the project’s collaborators and add more profiles to the project! Are you related to any of the profiles included? Here’s a peek… Read the full story

Profile of the Day: Gwyneth Paltrow http://www.geni.com/people/Gwyneth-Paltrow/6000000010554089036

If you are researching your Chinese heritage in the U.S. and your ancestors had immigrated to the country in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, a great place to look is the Chinese Exclusion Act case files. In 1882, the United States passed the Chinese Exclusion Acts to limit the number of Chinese immigrants coming into the country. Ten years later, the Act was modified to require all Chinese residents to obtain a certificate… Read the full story

Profile of the Day: Rene Descartes http://www.geni.com/people/Ren%C3%A9-Descartes/6000000010647044004

Profile of the Day: Ronald Reagan http://www.geni.com/people/Ronald-W-Reagan-40th-President-of-the-USA/6000000010283870415

On March 29, 1961 Nelson Mandela was acquitted of treason charges after a four year trial, known as the Treason Trial. Actively involved in the anti-apartheid movement in South Africa, Mandela was arrested again in 1962 and imprisoned for 27 years. During his imprisonment, Mandela built his reputation as one of the most significant leaders in South Africa. He was finally released from prison on February 11, 1990. After his release, Nelson Mandela continued to… Read the full story

Profile of the Day: Claude Monet http://www.geni.com/people/Claude-Monet/6000000009747798919

Profile of the Day: Mary Pickford http://www.geni.com/people/Mary-Pickford/6000000006884191734

Today’s featured project aims to identify and trace the genealogy of Pirates and Privateers on Geni. We’ve all heard tales of dreadful pirates and heroic privateers, but what actually distinguishes a pirate from a privateer? Acts of piracy are categorized as war-like acts committed by private parties that engage in acts of robbery and/or violence at sea. Privateers practice similar methods, however, the most important distinction is that they are authorized by governments to attack… Read the full story

Profile of the Day: Steve Buscemi http://www.geni.com/people/Steve-Buscemi/6000000011524319905

If you have ancestors who fought in the American Civil War (1861-1865), finding their military records may provide you with valuable genealogical information.  Let’s take a look at how military records can help further your genealogy research as you build your family tree: Service Records Finding your ancestor’s service records can provide you with some helpful information, however, they can be a bit limited. You will likely find your ancestor’s name, their rank and unit,… Read the full story

Profile of the Day: Harry Houdini http://www.geni.com/people/Harry-Houdini/6000000010801549516

Profile of the Day: Elizabeth Taylor http://www.geni.com/people/Elizabeth-Taylor/6000000007315737362

Ralph Waldo Emerson was an American philosopher, essayist and poet, who was instrumental in leading the Transcendentalist movement of the mid-19th century. Emerson believed in individualism and the need for harmony between man and nature. A staunch supporter of the abolitionist movement, Emerson gave a number of lectures calling for the abolition of slavery. Emerson was born on May 25, 1803 to Ruth Haskins and Reverend William Emerson in Boston, Massachusetts.  His father was one… Read the full story

Profile of the Day: George Grenville http://www.geni.com/people/Rt-Hon-George-Grenville-Prime-Minister-of-Great-Britain/6000000006999611048

Profile of the Day: Charles Dickens http://www.geni.com/people/Charles-Dickens/4850927350690030004

This week’s featured project highlights Nobel Prize Winners on Geni. Since 1901, the Nobel Prize has been awarded annually for achievements in physics, chemistry, medicine, literature and peace. In his will, Swedish chemist Alfred Nobel requested that his vast fortune be used to create a series of prizes for those who’s achievements provide the greatest benefit to mankind. As of 2010, there has been a total of 813 individuals who have been awarded the Nobel… Read the full story

Profile of the Day: Wyatt Earp http://www.geni.com/people/Wyatt-Earp/6000000003579770707

Due to Ireland’s tumultuous history, many vital historical records have been destroyed. Although researching your Irish heritage may prove to be very difficult, take heart in that it’s not as hopeless as you might think. Here are a few general tips on how to get started in your research: Start with your living relatives Begin your research with your close family members and work your way back generation by generation. A large number of Irish… Read the full story

Profile of the Day: Saint Patrick http://www.geni.com/people/Patrick-o-%C3%89ireann/6000000008173864486

Profile of the Day: Robert F. Kennedy http://www.geni.com/people/Robert-F-Kennedy-U-S-Attorney-General/6000000003098455001

Three time Oscar winning actress Ingrid Bergman was born in Stockholm, Sweden on August 29, 1915. Bergman first began her career appearing in Swedish and European films and made a successful transition to American cinema. Considered one of the greatest actresses of all time, Bergman would be best remembered for her role opposite Humphrey Bogart in the classic 1942 film, Casablanca. In addition to her three Academy Awards, she earned throughout her career two Emmys… Read the full story

Profile of the Day: Julius Caesar http://www.geni.com/people/Gaius-Julius-Caesar-IV-the-Great-100-44BC-Caesar-General-Consul-and-Dictator-of-the-Roman-Empire/6000000001336610897