March 2012

This week we’re happy to present a post written by guest blogger Smadar Belkind Gerson of Past-Present-Future. Smadar graciously shared with us her story about how she made a family connection through Geni.  This is the story of HOW I MET THE BLOOMFIELDS. This story may not become a hit sitcom like How I Met your Mother, but if Geni.com decides to create a reality genealogy series, maybe the Bloomfields can star in an episode…. Read the full story

Tonight’s episode of Who Do You Think You Are? features actress Rita Wilson and her quest to discover her family history. Watch tonight as she journeys to Greece and Bulgaria to trace her paternal ancestry. Rita Wilson’s tree is still pretty small. Perhaps after tonight’s episode, you can help expand her family tree.   View Rita Wilson’s Geni Profile  

Today, March 28, is Lady Gaga‘s 26th birthday! Lady Gaga was born Stefani Germanotta in New York.  Are you a fan of the “Born This Way” singer? The song became her third number one single on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. Lady Gaga’s family tree is still pretty small. Perhaps you can help build her tree and connect her to over 60 million profiles in Geni’s World Family Tree. View Lady Gaga’s Geni Profile

Today we released some minor changes to Family Group and a few bug fixes. Take a look at our full release notes below: Enhancements: Your Family Group now only consists of Geni users. What this means is: Your Family List will only show people who have joined Geni Your Calendar will only show relatives who have joined Geni and your living close relatives Other enhancements: You can now see your family’s birthdays and anniversaries for the entire year in your Calendar. Simply… Read the full story

On March 27, 1899, actress Gloria Swanson was born. Considered one of the biggest stars of the silent era, Swanson made the successful transition to “talkies” with her turn in the 1950’s film Sunset Blvd. She earned her third Academy Award nomination for her portrayal of Norma Desmond, a faded silent movie star. Did you know that she has two stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for her contributions to film and television? Gloria… Read the full story

Check out some interesting genealogy articles from the past week! The Genealogy Sphere Family Tree’s Startling Roots (New York Times) – Henry Louis Gates, Jr. discovers that comedian Wanda Syke has the longest continuously documented family tree of any African American he has researched. Woman traces family back to Revolutionary War (Shelby Star) – A woman traces her genealogy to the Revolutionary War beginning at an overgrown cemetery. 1800s couple’s portraits reunited with help of… Read the full story

Last night Henry Louis Gates, Jr.’s newest PBS series Finding Your Roots premiered with a look into singer and actor Harry Connick, Jr.‘s genealogy. In the episode, Harry learned that one of his ancestors was a privateer who fought for the colonists during the American Revolutionary War. Did you catch this latest genealogy show? Harry Connick, Jr. is connected to over 60 million profiles in Geni’s World Family Tree. How are you related? View Harry Connick,… Read the full story

Tonight’s new episode of Who Do You Think You Are? features actress Helen Hunt as she traces her paternal ancestry. Her search leads her to San Francisco, where she discovers her family’s connection to the formation of the banking institution, Wells Fargo. Will you be watching tonight? Helen Hunt is connected to over 60 million profiles on Geni’s World Family Tree. How are you related?   View Helen Hunt’s Geni Profile  

On March 22, 1923, acclaimed French actor and mime Marcel Maceau was born in Strasbourg, France. Marceau gained international fame for his silent performances as Bip, the white-faced character he brought to life on the stage and screen. Marcel Marceau’s family tree is still pretty small. Perhaps you can help build his tree and connect him to over 60 million profiles in Geni’s World Family Tree. View Marcel Marceau’s Geni Profile  

The release of the 1940 U.S. census records is less than two weeks away! Are you excited to get your hands on these documents and upload them to your family’s Geni profiles? Let’s take a look at what you can expect to find in the 1940 census records. Standard information from census records: Name Age Gender Marital status Race Education Occupation Place of birth Citizenship Place of residence Home owned or rented? Value of the home?… Read the full story

On on March 21, 1871, journalist Henry Morton Stanley began his famous search through Africa for the missing British explorer Dr. David Livingstone. Livingstone had set out for a two year expedition into Africa in 1865 to find the source of the Nile River. However, six years after his expedition began, little was heard of Livingstone. The New York Herald sent Stanley on a highly publicized search to find him. Upon their meeting in 1871, Stanley… Read the full story

Today we are rolling out the latest enhancements to Geni Projects. Now there are even more picture and video options for projects! Read more about these changes below. Add More Pictures and Videos You can now add multiple pictures and videos to projects. Click on Photos & Documents to view all the photos, documents and videos tagged to a project.   Here you can easily view all the photos, documents and videos that have been… Read the full story

Catch up on some genealogy articles by checking out the links below. The Genealogy Sphere BBC reporter Mark Simpson learns of Titanic relative (BBC News) – Mark Simpson, a reporter for the BBC, discovers he is related to a passenger of the Titanic Titanic letter returning to Belfast (BBC News) – A litter written aboard the Titanic is brought back to Belfast for an exhibition Family Photo Preservation (Save Photo blog) – Tips on how… Read the full story

On March 19, 1947, actress Glenn Close was born in Greenwich, Connecticut. This year she was nominated for Best Actress at the Academy Awards for her role in the film Albert Nobbs. She lost the coveted award to Meryl Streep, her 15th cousin once removed. Glenn Close is connected to over 60 million profiles in Geni’s World Family Tree. How are you related?   View Glenn Close’s Geni Profile  

Tomorrow, people all around the world will be celebrating St. Patrick’s Day. Millions of Irish people have emigrated abroad and it is estimated that 80 million people worldwide claim some Irish descent. Did you know that over 34.7 million people in the U.S. claim Irish ancestry? That’s more than seven times the population of Ireland! Do you claim any Irish roots? Join some of Geni’s great Irish genealogy projects to collaborate with people from all… Read the full story

Tomorrow, March 17, is St. Patrick’s Day! In honor of the festive Irish holiday, we are highlighting St. Patrick‘s profile on Geni! St. Patrick is the patron saint of Ireland and one of Christianity’s most widely known figures. Do you have any Irish ancestry? Let us know you will be celebrating St. Patrick’s Day in the comments below! St. Patrick is connected to over 60 million profiles in Geni’s World Family Tree. How are you… Read the full story

On this day in 44 BC, Julius Caesar was stabbed to death in the Roman Senate by Marcus Junius Brutus and a group of approximately 60 Roman senators. Although the Senate passed an amnesty on the assassins, the uproar among the population caused Brutus and the conspirators to leave Rome. A series of civil wars ultimately followed, ending with the victory of Caesar’s adopted heir, Octavian and the formation of the Roman Empire. Octavian would become… Read the full story

Today is Pi Day! Pi Day commemorates the mathematical constant π (pi) each year on March 14, or 3/14, which are the first three digits of π (3.14). π is a mathematical constant that measures the ratio of any circle’s circumference to its diameter. Because π is an irrational number, it cannot be expressed as a fraction. Its decimal representation never ends and is never repeated. In honor of Pi Day, we thought it would be fun to highlight… Read the full story

On March 14, 1879, German physicist Albert Einstein was born. Regarded as the “father of modern physics” and one of the most prolific intellects in history, Einstein’s name has become synonymous with genius. He is perhaps best remembered for his theory of relativity and his mass-energy equivalence formula E = mc². In 1921, Einstein received the Nobel Prize in Physics for his revolutionary contributions to the field. Albert Einstein is connected to over 60 million… Read the full story

On March 13, 1855, mathematician and astronomer Percival Lowell was born. Lowell is best known for fueling speculation that there were canals on Mars. He also formed the beginning of the effort that led to the discovery of Pluto. In fact, the naming of Pluto was influenced by Percival Lowell’s initials “PL.” Percival Lowell is connected to over 60 million profiles in Geni’s World Family Tree. How are you related?   View Percival Lowell’s Geni… Read the full story

Check out some interesting articles from the world of genealogy! The Genealogy Sphere Handwritten journals from Lizzie Borden lawyer donated to FRHS (The Herald News) – Hand written letters from Lizzie Borden’s lawyer were recently donated to the Fall River Historical Society Behind the Scenes of the Milstein Suspense Trailer (New York Public Library) – A behind the scenes look at the cool movie trailer-style promo video for the Milstein Division of the U.S. History, Local… Read the full story

In honor of the 100th anniversary of the Girl Scouts, we’re happy to present a post by guest blogger Angela Kraft of Leaves of Heritage Genealogy, who gives us a few things to ponder about Girl Scouts founder Juliette Gordon Low. Thank you for allowing me to be a guest blogger! My name is Angela Kraft, and I am the owner of Leaves of Heritage Genealogy.  In honor of the 100th anniversary of Girl Scouts, I… Read the full story

On March 12, 1947, GOP candidate Mitt Romney was born in Detroit, Michigan. The race to win the Republican presidential nomination has intensified with Rick Santorum on the heels of the former Massachusetts governor. Will front-runner Romney be able to clinch the nomination? Mitt Romney is connected to over 60 million profiles in Geni’s World Family Tree. How are you related?   View Mitt Romney’s Geni Profile  

Happy Middle Name Pride Day! Today everyone is encouraged to celebrate their middle names. Middle names are an interesting thing in genealogy. Some people may choose to hide their middle name, while others choose to embrace them. Either way, it’s likely that you have encountered a few unusual middle names in your genealogy research. As you find them, it might be fun to try to understand their origins. Middle Names and Family Connections   Some… Read the full story

Did you miss the live stream of Noah Tutak’s presentation at RootsTech? No problem! The video for his entire presentation is now available. Click the video below to watch “Privacy in a Collaborative Environment.” Description: When we work together on genealogy, we’re no longer are constrained to “My tree” or “Your tree.” Suddenly, we’re all working on “Our tree.” In this presentation, Noah Tutak, CEO of Geni.com, will explain how to properly handle private and public… Read the full story

Tonight’s episode of Who Do You Think You Are? features retired NFL player Jerome Bettis on his journey to learn about his family history. Follow Bettis as he travels to the fields his ancestors worked on as slaves. Jerome Bettis’s family tree is not yet connected to the world family tree. Perhaps after tonight’s episode you can help connect him to over 60 million profiles on Geni!   View Jerome Bettis’s Geni Profile  

Today is Purim! Beginning yesterday at sundown, Purim commemorates the deliverance of the Jewish people in the ancient Persian Empire from destruction in the wake of a plot by Haman, the royal vizier to the king. Haman had plotted to kill Mordechai and all of the Jews in ancient Persia. However, Queen Esther, who was a Jew, and Mordechai discovered and foiled the plot. Haman was hanged from the gallows, which had originally been built… Read the full story

On March 8, 1702, Queen Anne ascended to the thrones of England, Scotland and Ireland after the death of William III. In 1707, Queen Anne united the kingdoms of England and Scotland into a single sovereign state, the Kingdom of Great Britain. Despite multiple pregnancies, Anne died without an heir, and thus was the last monarch of the House of Stuart. She was succeeded by George I of the House of Hanover. Queen Anne is connected… Read the full story

On this day in 1876, inventor Alexander Graham Bell received a patent for the telephone. Credited with creating the first practical telephone, his invention would revolutionize the way people communicate for years to come. Bell’s research on hearing and speech were profoundly influenced by his mother and wife, who were both deaf. This work led to his experimentation with hearing devices. He was inspired to improve upon the telegraph and sought to develop a mechanism… Read the full story

On March 7, 2010, director Kathryn Bigelow made Oscar history by becoming the first woman to win the Academy Award for Best Director for the film, The Hurt Locker. Did you know that Bigelow was once married to fellow nominee James Cameron? The Hurt Locker would also ultimately claim Best Picture over Cameron’s Avatar.   View Kathryn Bigelow’s Geni Profile

On March 6, 1927, Colombian novelist Gabriel García Márquez was born. Considered one of the most significant Latin American authors of the 20th century, Márquez was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1982. He is perhaps best known for his novels, One Hundred Years of Solitude and Love in the Time of Cholera. Gabriel García Márquez is connected to over 60 million profiles in Geni’s World Family Tree. How are you related?     View… Read the full story

Check out some interesting articles in the world of genealogy from the past week! The Genealogy Sphere Frankie Meyer: Use Google as a resource for hard-to-find books (The Joblin Globe) – Columnist Frankie Meyer gives tips on how to use Google Books in genealogy Female Ancestors: After the Marriage (RootDig.com) – Having trouble tracking down your female ancestors? This article provides some great tips. Tracing Ship Movements and Genealogy (a3Genealogy) – Genealogist Kathleen Brandt provides… Read the full story

On March 5, 1887, Brazillian composer Heitor Villa-Lobos was born in Rio de Janeiro. Described as “the single most significant figure in 20th-century Brazillian art music,” Villa-Lobos has become one of the best known Latin American composers in history. He is best known for composing Bachianas Brasileiras, which combines Brazilian folk music with European classical music styles. Heitor Villa-Lobos is connected to over 60 million profiles in Geni’s World Family Tree. How are you related?  … Read the full story

Tonight’s episode of Who Do You Think You Are? features country singer Reba McEntire. Watch her journey as she discovers how her family came to America. Reba McEntire is connected to over 60 million profiles in Geni’s World Family Tree. How are you related?   View Reba McEntire’s Geni Profile  

Update March 2014: For current membership offers and subscription pricing, please visit the Geni Help Center. Today we’re announcing some great enhancements for our basic (free) members that will make Geni better for the whole family. Free Gifts for All Birthday and anniversary gifts are now free for everyone! Help your family celebrate their special day by sending them a birthday or anniversary greeting accompanied by a special gift that will make your message truly standout. Add… Read the full story

Happy Saint David’s Day! Saint David’s Day is a Welsh national holiday in honor of Saint David, Wales’s patron saint. Are you searching for your Welsh ancestors? The Geni community could use your help! Check out some great Geni projects and collaborate with other Geni users in discovering your common ancestry. UK Portal – Wales   This project encourages everyone researching their links to Wales to join. Communicate with other Geni members and contribute what… Read the full story

Today, Wales celebrates Saint David’s Day in remembrance of the death of Saint David. Across the country, festivities and parades are occurring in celebration of the holiday. Saint David is the patron saint of Wales. He was a Welsh Bishop during the 6th century. Regarded as a renowned teacher, Saint David founded a monastery at Glyn Rhosyn (The Vale of Roses), which is where St. David’s Cathedral stands today. His foundation at Glyn Rhosyn became… Read the full story