October 2011

In honor of Halloween, today we highlight Vlad the Impaler, Prince of Wallachia, otherwise known as Dracula. Remembered for his cruelty, Vlad the Impaler served as the inspiration for the name of Bram Stoker‘s vampire novel, Dracula. Vlad the Impaler is connected to over 59 million profiles in Geni’s World Family Tree. How are you related? View Vlad the Impaler’s Geni Profile

Actress Pam Grier achieved fame during the 1970’s after starring in a series of successful blaxploitation films. Throughout her career, she appeared in several horror films including Ghost of Mars, Something Wicked This Way Comes and Scream, Blacula, Scream.   View Pam Grier’s Geni Profile

Once you find likely prospects for the family who enslaved your ancestors, you will need to dig deeper to see if there are any documents that might list their names. The easiest documents to find will be wills and deed books, which are kept in both county courthouses and state archives. Most of these documents are on microfilm. They have not yet been digitized. I am sure they will be — eventually.

American author Washington Irving is best known for his short story “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow.” The story tells the tale of Ichabod Crane and his encounter with the Headless Horseman, who haunts the small village of Sleepy Hollow. Washington Irving is connected to over 59 million profiles in Geni’s World Family Tree. How are you related? View Washington Irving’s Geni Profile

Actor Boris Karloff is largely recognized as one of the true icons of horror. He is best remembered for his terrifying portrayal of Frankenstein’s monster in the films Frankenstein, Bride of Frankenstein and Son of Frankenstein. The character of Frankenstein’s monster first appeared in Mary Shelley‘s Gothic  novel, Frankenstein in 1818. View Boris Karloff’s Geni Profile

American architect Frank Lloyd Wright has been largely considered one of the greatest architects of all time. A proponent of organic architecture, Wright designed more than 1,000 projects. Some of his most famous designs include Fallingwater and the Guggenheim Museum. Wright was born on June 8, 1867 in a small farming town in Wisconsin. His father was William Carey Wright, who was an orator, music teacher and minister. His mother was Anna Lloyd Wright, who was a school… Read the full story

Legendary horror film actor Vincent Price was best known for his distinctive voice and menacing screen presence. Dubbed the Master of Horror, Price appeared in several classic horror films, including The House of Wax, The Fly and The House on Haunted Hill. Vincent Price is connected to over 59 million profiles on Geni’s World Family Tree. How are you related? View Vincent Price’s Geni Profile

Best-selling novelist Stephen King is known for blending horror, fantasy and science fiction into a consistently scary mix. Much of his work has been adapted into highly successful horror films, such as Carrie, The Shining, Misery and Salem’s Lot. Stephen King is connected to over 59 million profiles in Geni’s World Family Tree. How are you related? View Stephen King’s Geni Profile

Langston Hughes Langston Hughes was an American poet and activist. Best known for his work during the Harlem Renaissance, Hughes was one of the earliest innovators of jazz poetry. Langston Hughes is connected to over 59 million profiles in Geni’s World Family Tree. How are you related? View Langston Hughes’s Geni Profile

This blog series provides information on how to conduct family research — with a special focus on the challenges that apply for African Americans. Our goal is to help you appreciate history, learn how to research your family and be inspired to join a community – Geni.com – that seeks to unite the entire world into one big family. Join us for an adventure that is sure to last a lifetime! Want to be notified… Read the full story

On October 20, 1964 President Herbert Hoover died at the age of 90. Hoover was the 31st President of the United States. When the Wall Street Crash of 1929 struck less than 8 months after he took office, Hoover sought to combat the ensuing Great Depression with volunteer efforts and public works projects such as the Hoover Dam. Herbert Hoover is connected to over 59 million profiles in Geni’s World Family Tree. How are you… Read the full story

Geni projects are a fantastic tool to collaborate with other genealogists who are working in the same genealogical area. We recently interviewed Geni‘s first Filipino curator Mona Magno-Veluz, who enthusiastically agreed to share with us her experience researching Filipino genealogy and collaborating with others in the Families of the Philippines project. You are the first Filipino curator on Geni, what do you hope to accomplish with the Families of the Philippines project? I have been blogging… Read the full story

On October 19, 1781, British General Charles Cornwallis surrendered at Yorktown, Virginia, signifying the end of the American Revolutionary War. Charles Cornwallis is connected to over 59 million profiles in Geni’s World Family Tree. How are you related? View Charles Cornwallis’s Geni Profile

American actor, director and producer John Wayne epitomized rugged masculinity and became an enduring American icon. His career spanned five decades, leaving his most lasting impression in American Westerns. In 1999, the American Film Institute named him one of the greatest screen legends of all time. He was born Marion Robert Morrison on May 26, 1907 in Winterset, Iowa. His father, Clyde Leonard Morrison, was a pharmacist. In 1906, he married Mary “Molly” Alberta Brown, a… Read the full story

On October 18, 1931, inventor Thomas Edison died at the age of 84. His inventions, such as the electric light bulb, significantly influenced life around the world. Did you know he was one of the first inventors to apply the principles of mass production and team work to the process of invention? As a result, he is often credited with the creation of the first industrial research laboratory. Thomas Edison is connected to over 59… Read the full story

On October 17, 1918, legendary Hollywood actress Rita Hayworth was born. Over her long career, Hayworth appeared in over 61 films and is named one of the American Film Institute’s Greatest Stars of All Time. Rita Hayworth is connected to over 59 million profiles in Geni’s World Family Tree. How are you related? View Rita Hayworth’s Geni Profile

Today we highlight American guitarist and singer-songwriter Jimi Hendrix. One of the most influential musicians in musical history, Hendrix synthesized many different styles into his own unique sound. In 1992, he was posthumously inducted into the U.S. Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Jimi Hendrix is connected to over 59 million profiles in Geni’s World Family Tree. How are you related? View Jimi Hendrix’s Geni Profile

This blog series provides information on how to conduct family research — with a special focus on the challenges that apply for African Americans. Our goal is to help you appreciate history, learn how to research your family and be inspired to join a community – Geni.com – that seeks to unite the entire world into one big family. Join us for an adventure that is sure to last a lifetime! Want to be notified… Read the full story

Management Options We’ve simplified profile management by combining all manager related functions into a single management options window. Look for “Manager Options” under the Actions menu on profiles. In addition to adding managers and requesting to be added as a manager, you can also remove unrelated managers from your close relatives. Geni Public Access Geni Public Access was started in August for public libraries and genealogical societies to provide their visitors with free Geni Pro… Read the full story

On October 13, 1925 former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher was born. In 1979, she became the first woman to be elected Prime Minister of the UK. Margaret Thatcher is connected to over 59 million profiles in Geni’s World Family Tree. How are you related?   View Margaret Thatcher’s Geni Profile

On October 12, 1870, General Robert E. Lee died at the age of 63. During the American Civil War, Lee commanded the Confederate Army of Northern Virginia. After the war, Lee became a Southern hero of the war, and today, remains an iconic American military figure. Robert E. Lee is connected to over 59 million profiles in Geni’s World Family Tree. How are you related? View Robert E. Lee’s Geni Profile

The Marx Brothers were an American family comedy act that enjoyed success in vaudeville and film during the early 20th century. While there were five brothers in total, the act mainly consisted of eldest brothers, Chico,  Harpo and Groucho. The comedy trio gained enormous fame for their films and were inducted to the Motion Picture Hall of Fame in 1977. Their parents were Simon “Frenchie” Marx and Minnie Marx. Simon was born in Alsace, France… Read the full story

Today, the United States celebrates Columbus Day in honor of Christopher Columbus‘s discovery of the New World in 1492. A Spanish explorer, Columbus completed four voyages across the Atlantic to the American continents. His expeditions played a significant role in Spain’s colonization of the New World. Christopher Columbus is connected to over 59 million profiles in Geni’s World Family Tree. How are you related? View Christopher Columbus’s Geni Profile

Today we highlight Michelle Obama, the first African-American First Lady of the United States. As First Lady, she has focused her attention on current social issues, including education, supporting military families and promoting healthy eating for families across the country. Michelle Obama is connected to over 59 million profiles in Geni’s World Family Tree. How are you related? View Michelle Obama’s Geni Profile

Family stories are incredibly powerful because they put flesh on the bones of our long dead ancestors, telling us a great deal about who these people were; how they survived and what they felt. And this is where every family historian starts — recording the stories of everyone in your family who has memories to share. You will find factual stories repeated from generation to generation as well as “tall tales” embellished with personal details. Even when stories are not factually correct, almost every one of them has a basis in truth. It will be up to you as the researcher to ferret out the fact from fiction.

Yesterday, October 5, Apple co-founder Steve Jobs died at the age of 56. Considered one of the world’s greatest innovators and visionaries, Jobs revolutionized technology and changed the way the world communicates and interacts. Check out his profile on Geni. View Steve Jobs’s Geni Profile

On October 5, 1882 physicist and inventor Robert H. Goddard was born. Known as the father of modern rocketry, Goddard is credited with creating and building the world’s first liquid-fueled rocket. Robert Goddard is connected to over 59 million profiles in Geni’s World Family Tree. How are you related? View Robert H. Goddard’s Geni Profile

The Northern California Family History Expo is being held on October 7-8 in San Mateo, California. In additon to being one of the sponsors of the event, Geni will be giving two presentations, one each day, about the benefits of collaborative genealogy. Join us for a demonstration of Geni’s exciting features and learn about what you can gain through collaborative genealogy. Here’s a look at our speaking schedule below: Friday October 7, 2011 6:30pm: Don’t… Read the full story

On October 4, 1895 silent film actor Buster Keaton was born. Keaton was known as “The Great Stone Face” for getting big laughs for his physical comedy with a consistently stoic, deadpan expression. Buster Keaton is connected to over 59 million profiles in Geni’s World Family Tree. How are you related? View Buster Keaton’s Geni Profile

On October 3, 1925, American author, playwright and activist Gore Vidal was born. Praised for his highly provocative works, Vidal’s writing career has spanned over six decades. His most well known and controversial book is The City and the Pillar, which was one of the first major American novels to feature unambiguous homosexuality. Gore Vidal is connected to over 59 million profiles in Geni’s World Family Tree. How are you related? View Gore Vidal’s Geni Profile