Author: Amanda

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

Profile of the Day: Eli Whitney http://www.geni.com/people/Eli-Whitney/4225067167990045366

Today we feature the RMS Titanic project. The goal of this project is to identify the survivors and casualties of the sinking of the RMS Titanic on Geni. On April 10, 1912 the RMS Titanic, the largest passenger ship in the world, set sail on her maiden voyage from Southhampton, England to New York City. Four days into her journey, the ship struck an iceberg and tragically sank to the depths of the ocean the following… Read the full story

Profile of the Day: Sigmund Freud http://www.geni.com/people/Sigmund-Freud/315773591250001676

The Social Security Death Index (SSDI) is a wonderful resource to locate the genealogical information of your ancestors. This enormous database holds records for over 77 million people. In 1935, the United States passed the Social Security Act, which would provide federal assistance to the elderly, the unemployed and widows. The deaths recorded in the SSDI are those reported by relatives to either request survivor benefits or to stop benefits to the deceased. While you… Read the full story

Profile of the Day: Agatha Christie http://www.geni.com/people/Agatha-Christie/368026093200007369

Profile of the Day: Judy Garland http://www.geni.com/people/Judy-Garland/6000000002098941023

Today is the 100th anniversary of International Women’s Day, a global celebration of the achievements of women. First celebrated in Germany in 1911, the holiday is now recognized on March 8 of each year by over 100 different countries.  The holiday observes women’s struggle for equality and empowerment throughout history. In honor of the holiday, today’s Family Tree Tuesday highlights Susan B. Anthony, one of the most prominent figures of the women’s rights movement in… Read the full story

Profile of the Day: Aldous Huxley http://www.geni.com/people/Aldous-Leonard-Huxley/6000000010799521427

Profile of the Day: Alexander Graham Bell http://www.geni.com/people/Alexander-Bell/6000000011624971392

This week we highlight the Great Composers of Classical Music project. This project includes some of the most renowned classical composers whose music has left a significant mark in history. Today, their compositions are performed and enjoyed throughout the world. Here’s a look at a few of the profiles included: Ludwig van Beethoven – He is considered one of the most famous and influential composers of all time. Even after he became completely deaf, Beethoven… Read the full story

Profile of the Day: Lionel Richie http://www.geni.com/people/Lionel-Richie/6000000007008689102

While court records may be a little more difficult to research, they may yield some unique information you may not find anywhere else. Before you jump into these documents, you will first need to have an idea about what type of court records you are looking for and in what location. This is key to knowing which archives to search. Remember, county, state and federal cases are archived at different levels. Here are a few of… Read the full story

Profile of the Day: Francis Scott Key http://www.geni.com/people/Francis-Scott-Key/6000000001180341043

Profile of the Day: Dr. Seuss http://www.geni.com/people/Theodor-Geisel/5529202663300088565

Oscar winning actor and director George Clooney is best known for his roles on the television show ER and movies such as Ocean’s Eleven, Syriana and Good Night, and Good Luck which he co-wrote and directed. Clooney has also devoted much of his time to his humanitarian work, raising awareness for the conflict in Darfur and raising funds for several recent natural disasters throughout the world. Clooney was born on May 6, 1961 to parents Nick and… Read the full story

Profile of the Day: Johnny Cash http://www.geni.com/people/Johnny-Cash/6000000000315787220

Profile of the Day: Natalie Portman http://www.geni.com/people/Natalie-Portman/6000000009677719251

Today we feature the Authors of Great Literature project. From the times of ancient Greece to the 20th century, the works of these authors have withstood the test of time and continue to be read by new generations today. Is your favorite author included? Check out the Authors of Great Literature project and help contribute more great authors to Geni! Here’s a look at a few of the 127 profiles already included in this project:… Read the full story

Profile of the Day: Kim Cattrall http://www.geni.com/people/Kim-Cattrall/6000000011348794972

The purchase and sale of land is one of the most well documented sources you may find in your genealogy research. In the U.S., the sale of public land can be traced back to the beginnings of westward expansion and the passage of the Homestead Act. In many cases, you can even trace the ownership of land back to when America was first colonized and land grants were distributed to early settlers. After the American Revolutionary War, the… Read the full story

Profile of the Day: Ella Fitzgerald http://www.geni.com/people/Ella-Fitzgerald/6000000004569848355

Profile of the Day: Coretta Scott King http://www.geni.com/people/Coretta-King/6000000004024016334

J. Paul Getty was an American industrialist and founder of the Getty Oil Company. Getty’s father, George, was a lawyer and successful oilman, amassing a great fortune at the time of his death. After taking over the family business, J. Paul Getty’s successes in the oil industry made him one of the richest men in the world. An avid collector of arts and antiquities, Getty founded the J. Paul Getty Museum, which holds an impressive… Read the full story

Profile of the Day: George Washington http://www.geni.com/people/George-Washington-1st-President-of-the-USA/6000000008211776777

This coming Monday is Presidents Day in the U.S. Also known as Washington’s Birthday, the holiday has evolved overtime to not only honor George Washington‘s birthday (February 22, 1732), but also Abraham Lincoln‘s birthday (February 12, 1809) and the legacies of all U.S. presidents. Today we highlight the U.S. Presidents and Vice Presidents project in honor of  the upcoming holiday. In this project you can find the master profiles of all 44 U.S. presidents and their vice… Read the full story

Profile of the Day: Rosie O’Donnell http://www.geni.com/people/Rosie-O-Donnell/6000000011112054103

Although church records may not have been kept with genealogy in mind, these records can provide genealogists with vital information to help fill the gaps in their research. Even if your ancestor was not a regular attendant, you may find detailed information on births, baptisms, marriages, deaths and burials. How do you go about obtaining these records? If you’re lucky enough to have access to your family Bible, you may be able to gather enough… Read the full story

Profile of the Day: Halle Berry http://www.geni.com/people/Halle-Berry/6000000008470524294

Profile of the Day: Spike Lee http://www.geni.com/people/Shelton-Lee/6000000007578022502

During his career, legendary actor John Barrymore was hailed as one of the greatest performers on the screen and stage. He is remembered for his highly lauded interpretations of Shakespeare’s Richard III and Hamlet. For his contributions to the motion picture industry, Barrymore was posthumously given a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Barrymore was born on February 15, 1882 into a theatrical family. His parents were Broadway stage actors Maurice Barrymore and Georgiana Drew…. Read the full story