November 2011

Today marks American author and humorist Mark Twain‘s 176th birthday! Twain was born Samuel Langhorne Clemens in 1835 in Missouri. He is best remembered for his novels, The Adventures of Tom Sawyer and its sequel, Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, with the latter often referred to as “the Great American Novel.” Mark Twain is connected to over 60 million profiles in Geni’s World Family Tree. How are you related? View Mark Twain’s Geni Profile  

  Linda Ronstadt Linda Ronstadt is a popular American recording artist and is recognized as one of the most versatile and commercially successful female singers in U.S. history. Once dubbed the Queen of Rock, Ronstadt has earned 11 Grammy Awards, an Emmy Award and a Tony Award nomination. Ronstadt was born on July 15, 1946 in Tuscon, Arizona to Gilbert Ronstadt, a prosperous machinery merchant, and Ruth Copeman. Her father was descended from a pioneering… Read the full story

Today we remember actress Natalie Wood, who died on November 29, 1981 at the age of 43. She first began working in film as a young child, playing one of her most memorable roles at the age of 9 in Miracle on 34th Street. She continued to have a successful career as an adult, including roles in Rebel Without a Cause and West Side Story. The L.A. County Sheriff’s Department recently announced that the investigation into her… Read the full story

Hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving holiday! In case you missed it, here are some interesting links in the world of genealogy from this past week. The Genealogy Sphere Holiday dinner table great genealogical resource (SCnow.com) – Genealogy tips for Thanksgiving Archives.com Partners with Family Tree DNA to Offer DNA Testing (SF Gate) – Archives.com announces DNA testing with Family Tree DNA Getting the Most From Genealogy Conferences (The Root) – Ways conferences can help… Read the full story

Do you know someone, living or deceased, that has made a significant impact in your life? Now’s your chance to honor those you love with a tribute video. The Tribute Network is hosting its 1st annual Tribute Video & Film Festival and you can participate! Create and upload your tribute video to a person or pet (alive or in spirit) who has and/or is making a contribution to your life’s journey. Your video can be… Read the full story

On November 28, 1908, French anthropologist Claude Lévi-Strauss was born. He has been called the “father of modern anthropology” and argued that the “savage” mind had the same structures as the “civilized” mind and that human characteristics are the same everywhere. Claude Lévi-Strauss is connected to over 60 million profiles in Geni’s World Family Tree. How are you related?   View Claude Lévi-Strauss’s Geni Profile  

It’s turkey time! This Thursday, November 24, is Thanksgiving in the U.S. Traditionally, families and friends gather to enjoy a Thanksgiving feast together. While we all gather around to stuff ourselves with yummy goodness and give thanks, the holiday also poses the opportune time for some genealogical data collection! Here are five ways you can get gather some information from your family during the holiday: 1. Ask your relatives questions Best place to start is… Read the full story

This Thursday, the U.S. celebrates Thanksgiving. One of the most significant figures of this national holiday is William Bradford, an English leader of the settlers of the Plymouth Colony in Massachusetts who served as its governor for over 30 years. In November 1621 after the Pilgrim’s first successful harvest, Bradford organized a celebratory feast and invited the colony’s Native American allies to join. The celebration is remembered today as the first Thanksgiving. William Bradford is… Read the full story

November is Native American Heritage month in the U.S. Last week we shared some great Native American genealogy projects on Geni. Today, lets take a look at some notable figures who descend from Native American heritage. Cowboy and world famous actor Will Rogers was born to a prominent Cherokee Nation family in Indian Territory (now Oklahoma). His father was a Cherokee judge, Confederate veteran and served several terms in the Cherokee Senate. Rogers County in Oklahoma… Read the full story

This Thursday, the U.S. celebrates Thanksgiving. When the Pilgrims first settled at Plymouth, the settlers suffered through a brutal winter. Massasoit, the leader of the Wampanoag tribe, forged an alliance with the Pilgrims and helped prevent the failure of the Plymouth Colony. To celebrate the  Pilgrim’s first successful harvest, the settlers held a celebratory feast and invited their Native American allies to join, including Massasoit. Today, the celebration is remembered as the first Thanksgiving. View… Read the full story

Check out some links from the world of genealogy from this past week. Enjoy! The Genealogy Sphere Man Unearths Historic Cemetery in French Quarter Backyard (WDSU) – A historic discovery with deep roots in New Orleans history. U.S. Social Security Death Index to be changed (Examiner.com) – It was announced that state death records would no longer be used to add records to the SSDI database. Genealogist help pastor find his Indian roots (Plant City… Read the full story

On November 21, 1694, French Enlightenment writer Voltaire was born. He remembered for his advocacy of civil liberties and social reform. His witty essays, poems and historical works were a great influence on the thinkers of both the American and French Revolutions. Voltaire is connected to over 60 million profiles in Geni’s World Family Tree. How are you related? View Voltaire’s Geni Profile

When actress Margot Kidder was recently connected to the world family tree, we wondered, “Great! Now, how is she related to Superman?” It turns out, the former Lois Lane star is Christopher Reeve’s 15th cousin once removed! Take a look at how Christopher Reeve is related to other famous figures. The World Family Tree has over 60 million connected profiles. Have you found any interesting relationship paths? Let us know how you’re related! Justin Timberlake is… Read the full story

Colin Powell, an American statesman and retired-four-star general of the U.S. Army, was the first African American to serve as the U.S. Secretary of State. He was also the first, and so far the only, African American to serve on the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Colin Powell is connected to over 60 million profiles in Geni’s World Family Tree. How are you related? View Colin Powell’s Geni Profile

When I was a child, many of my friends were recent arrivals from the South whose families came north during “The Great Migration.” Those of us who were born in Chicago sometimes laughed at their funny accents and country ways. There were also many children who disappeared every summer. When school let out for vacation, their parents sent them south to experience country life with their grandparents.

I was not one of those children. Although I have undeniable roots in Alabama and Mississippi, I was not born there nor did I have grandparents in those locations to spend my summers with. I didn’t visit the South until I was a married woman with a child of my own. I have been making pilgrimages back at almost every opportunity since.

On November 17, 2003, Austrian-born actor and former body builder Arnold Schwarzenegger was sworn in as the 38th governor of California. Dubbed “The Governator,” Schwarzenegger served as governor until 2011. Arnold Schwarzenegger is connected to over 60 million profiles in Geni’s World Family Tree. How are you related?   View Arnold Schwarzenegger’s Geni Profile  

November is Native American Heritage Month in the U.S. The month is dedicated to the celebration and recognition of Native American achievements and contributions to the country’s heritage. Did you know there are quite a few Native American projects on Geni? If you are of Native American descent or interested in the study of Native American genealogy, check out some of these Geni projects dedicated to Native American history and collaborate with other Geni users!… Read the full story

Chief Sitting Bull Chief Sitting Bull was a Hunkpapa Lakota Sioux chief and holy man. Through his leadership, he united his people in resistance to the U.S. government’s expansion into their lands and way of life. Today, he is remembered as one of the greatest Native American leaders, a brave warrior and symbol of Native American resistance movements.   View Chief Sitting Bull’s Geni Profile

Here’s a recap of what’s happened in the past week in genealogy: The Genealogy Sphere Better GEDCOM Statement (Dear Myrtle) – Dear Myrtle announces she is stepping down as moderator of the Better GEDCOM project The Big Genealogy Blog Book (We Tree) – Amy Coffin announces the release of The Big Genealogy Blog Book Researching American Indian Genealogy (Family Tree Magazine) – Family Tree Magazine has complied a list of helpful articles about researching Native… Read the full story

On November 14, 1948, Charles, Prince of Wales, was born in Buckingham Palace. He is the eldest son of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip and heir apparent to the throne. Today he celebrates his 63rd birthday. Prince Charles is connected to over 60 million profiles in Geni’s World Family Tree. How are you related? View Prince Charles’s Geni Profile

Today, November 11, is Veterans Day in the U.S. It is also observed as Remembrance Day in other parts of the world. Let’s take a moment to reflect and honor the men and women who have served their country in the armed forces. Originally, Veteran’s Day was proclaimed Armistice Day by U.S. President Woodrow Wilson on November 11, 1919, which marked the signing of the Armistice that ended World War I. After World War II,… 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 researchers, we’ve seen tremendous growth in our World Family Tree, with over 10 million profiles connected in the past year. We’re thrilled to announce that Geni’s World Family Tree now has over 60 million connected profiles and counting. Take a look at the World Family Tree page for automatic updates and other… Read the full story

It was recently announced by the Hollywood Foreign Press Association that five-time Oscar nominated actor Morgan Freeman will be the recipient of the Cecil B. DeMille Award at the 69th annual Golden Globes ceremony. Freeman is to be honored for the contributions he has made to the world of entertainment. Check out his family tree on Geni! View Morgan Freeman’s Geni Profile

 Even though I have done my best to cover the basics of family research, there is still so much more.

The point to remember is that every human being has left a paper trail of some sort. Your job is to find it and put the puzzle pieces family relationship together. Depending on how deep you want to go, there is no end to where you can look and what you might find.

The 12th Annual Latin Grammy Awards will be held tonight, November 10, in Las Vegas’ Mandalay Bay. Two-time Grammy Award winner, Shakira was named the Latin Recording Academy Person of the Year for her contributions to the Latin music industry. Tonight she is nominated for three more awards, including Album of the Year. Let’s take a look at other past Latin Grammy winners on Geni: Ricky Martin – In 2006, Puerto Rican singer Ricky Martin… Read the full story

Tonight is the 12th annual Latin Grammy Awards. Colombian singer Shakira was named the Latin Recording Academy Person of the Year for her artistic achievement in the Latin music industry and her dedication to philanthropy. She is up for three Grammy awards tonight, including Album of the Year.   View Shakira’s Geni Profile

Recently, we introduced Record Matches to make it faster and easier for Geni users to find records about their relatives on their family tree. Today, we’re excited to announce the addition of Find A Grave to Geni’s growing number of record partners. Find A Grave is a free grave registration site with millions of records containing photos, biographies and dates. To see the record matches for a profile, click on the Record Matches button and… Read the full story

On November 9, 1970, Charles de Gaulle died at the age of 79. de Gaulle was a French general and statesman who led the Free French Forces during World War II. In 1958, he founded the French Fifth Republic and served as its first President. Charles de Gaulle is connected to over 60 million profiles in Geni’s World Family Tree. How are you related? View Charles de Gaulle’s Geni Profile

Today, November 8, is the 355th anniversary of English astronomer Edmond Halley‘s birthday. He is best known for computing the orbit of Halley’s comet, which is the only short-period comment that is visible to the naked eye from Earth every 75-76 years. Edmond Halley is connected to over 60 million profiles in Geni’s World Family Tree. How are you related? View Edmond Halley’s Geni Profile

On November 4, American journalist and 60 Minutes commentator Andy Rooney died at the age of 92. Before joining 60 Minutes, Rooney covered World War II and was one of the first American journalists to visit the Nazi concentration camps. Just one month ago, Rooney stepped down from his post on 60 Minutes, ending his 33 year run on the program.   View Andy Rooney’s Geni Profile

Tomorrow, November 5, the U.K. celebrates Guy Fawkes Day. In 1605, Guy Fawkes conspired to blow up Parliament on November 5. However, the plot, famously known as the “Gunpowder Plot,” failed, and Fawkes was captured and executed for treason. Guy Fawkes is connected to over 59 million profiles in Geni’s World Family Tree. How are you related? View Guy Fawkes’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

Geni projects are a fantastic tool to collaborate with other genealogists who are working in the same genealogical area. We recently interviewed Annemarie Healy, a Geni user since 2009, who recently created the Irish Portal project. The project is the perfect place to collaborate, find advice and assistance when researching your Irish ancestry. Can you give us a brief overview of the Irish Portal project and what goals you hope to accomplish? Overview in brief: The Irish… Read the full story

Australian actor Russell Crowe has achieved both box office success and critical acclaim throughout his career. In 2001, Crowe won the Academy Award for Best Actor for his role in the film Gladiator.   View Russell Crowe’s Geni Profile

Membership Tiers Geni has always offered a free Basic account to our members. This is a great way to give Geni a try and see how quickly your family tree can grow. As your tree grows and you want to take advantage of advanced features, such as profile matches and tree merging, you can choose from two subscription levels, Plus and Pro. We’ve made two changes to these membership tiers to make them easier to… Read the full story

On November 2, 1755, Marie Antoinette was born. As the queen consort of King Louis XVI of France, she helped provoke the popular unrest that led to the French Revolution and overthrow of the monarchy. Marie Antoinette was convicted of treason and executed by guillotine nine months after her husband’s execution. Marie Antoinette is connected to over 59 million profiles in Geni’s World Family Tree. How are you related?   View Marie Antoinette’s Geni Profile  

In celebration of the Day of the Dead, or Día de los Muertos, we thought it would be fun to take a look at how this holiday is celebrated around the world and share with you some interesting facts from Geni about each country. Enjoy!

Diego Rivera Diego Rivera was a prominent Mexican painter and muralist, whose art reflected the lives of working class people of Mexico. Do you have info about Diego Rivera’s genealogy? Help build his tree in Geni’s World Family Tree to see how you’re related!   View Diego Rivera’s Geni Profile