December 2012

Now is that time of year when we look back and reflect at what we have accomplished in the last 12 months. Here’s a little trip down memory lane as we remember a few highlights from 2012. We started 2012 with an amazing experience at Rootstech 2012. We had a great audience for all of our sessions where we were able to enthusiastically share power of collaboration in genealogy. It was also exciting to see new and… Read the full story

We hope everyone had a great Christmas holiday! Here’s our last recap for 2012. We’re looking forward to more genealogy fun in 2013! The Genealogy Sphere Should Genealogist Spill Family Secrets? (Past-Present-Future) – Smadar Belkind Gerson asks whether genealogists should reveal family secrets. What do you think? Ireland XO uses ‘reverse genealogy’ to link descendants to the Emerald Isle (Ottawa Citizen) – A new genealogy project aims to link people with Irish backgrounds with their… Read the full story

Happy New Year’s Eve! Today we highlight popular bandleader Guy Lombardo‘s family tree. For almost half a century, audiences joined Lombardo as he ushered in the New Year on American radio and television. For many, it was a time honored tradition to gather with family and friends on New Year’s Eve and listen to Lombardo and his orchestra perform their signature rendition of “Auld Lang Syne.” How will you be ringing in the New Year? Guy… Read the full story

On December 28, 1694, Mary II of England died after five years of joint rule with her husband, William of Orange. Following the Glorious Revolution, William and Mary assumed the English throne after the deposition of Mary’s father King James II. Did you know William was also Mary’s first cousin? Mary II of England is connected to over 66 million people in Geni’s World Family Tree. How are you related?     View Mary II… Read the full story

Have you come across ration books in your genealogy research? Perhaps your relatives received ration books during World War II. Did you know that these books could hold significant clues into your ancestry? During World War II, ration books were distributed to families by the Office of Price Administration (OPA) to help regulate food shortages as a result of the war. Between 1942 – 1947, the government issued four different series of ration books. Each… Read the full story

On December 26, 1799, Henry Lee III famously eulogized George Washington as “first in war, first in peace and first in the hearts of his countrymen.” During the American Revolution, Lee served as a cavalry officer in the Continental Army and earned the nickname “Light-Horse Harry.” Did you know that he is the father of Robert E. Lee? Henry Lee III is connected to over 66 million people in Geni’s World Family Tree. How are you related?… Read the full story

Christmas is almost here! Are you ready for Santa and his sleigh? In anticipation of the holiday, today we highlight Robert Peary, the American explorer who claimed to have discovered the North Pole in 1909. Although widely credited with the discovery through most of the 20th century, recently Peary’s claim has come under criticism. Robert Peary is connected to over 66 million people in Geni’s World Family Tree. How are you related?     View… Read the full story

Shmuel, Yuval, Gilad, Noah, Yigal, Daniel and Raziel This week, Noah Tutak paid a visit to MyHeritage headquarters in Israel and took the opportunity to spend some time with local Geni Curators. All of the Geni Curators in Israel were invited to MyHeritage HQ for a visit and a chance to sit down with MyHeritage founder and CEO Gilad Japhet, EVP of R&D & Operations Yuval Ben-Galim, Chief Genealogist Daniel Horowitz and Noah, General Manager,… Read the full story

On December 20, 1946, the classic Christmas film It’s a Wonderful Life was first released in New York City. The film was James Stewart‘s first starring vehicle after taking a break from Hollywood to serve in the U.S. Air Force. Today, the film is considered one of the greatest movies of all time and a must-see during the holidays. What’s your favorite holiday film? James Stewart is connected to over 66 million people in Geni’s World Family Tree. How… Read the full story

On December 19, 1848, novelist Emily Brontë died of tuberculosis at the age of 30. The second youngest of the famous Brontë siblings, Emily published her work under the pen name Ellis Bell. In 1847, she published her only novel, Wuthering Heights. Although almost unknown during her lifetime, today Emily’s work is considered a classic of English literature. Emily Brontë is connected to over 66 million people in Geni’s World Family Tree. How are you related?     View… Read the full story

On December 18, 1863, Archduke Franz Ferdinand was born. Ferdinand became the heir presumptive to the Austro-Hungarian thone after his cousin, Crown Prince Rudolf committed suicide and his father, Archduke Karl Ludwig, renounced the throne shortly after. Ferdinand’s assassination in 1914 sparked the outbreak of World War I. Archduke Franz Ferdinand is connected to over 66 million people in Geni’s World Family Tree. How are you related?       View Archduke Franz Ferdinand’s Geni… Read the full story

Ready for the holidays? Check out some interesting genealogy articles from the past week! The Genealogy Sphere Brick Wall Comes Down! (Past-Present-Future blog) – Smadar Belkind Gerson shares how collaboration  on Geni helped her break through a brick wall! Wearing the family tree (Alltop) – A creative way to carry your family tree with you Coming to Terms with Slave-Owning Ancestors (Family Tree University) – A researcher has mixed feelings after discovering her ancestors own… Read the full story

On December 17, 1903, Orville and Wilbur Wright made the first successful man-powered airplane flight near Kitty Hawk, North Carolina. The Wright brothers grew up in Dayton, Ohio and showed an interest in flying at an early age. With Orville as the pilot, the brothers’ aircraft remained in the air in a controlled and sustained flight for 12 seconds. Orville Wright is connected to over 66 million people in Geni’s World Family Tree. How are… Read the full story

The holidays are just around the corner! Celebrate this holiday season with some fun activities for the entire family! Check out some ways you can share your family heritage with the ones you love. Swap Stories   With your entire family gathered in one place, it’s the perfect time to share family stories from the past. Ask an older relative to share a special holiday memory from their childhood or a memory of a passed… Read the full story

On December 14, 1799, George Washington died in Mount Vernon, Virginia. Washington served as the commander-in-chief of the Continental Army during the American Revolutionary War and presided over the drafting of the American Constitution. Widely regarded as the “father of the country,” Washington also served as the first president of the United States. After retiring from the presidency, he returned to his home in Mount Vernon to attend to his plantation. Upon his death, Washington… Read the full story

On December 13, 1818, Mary Todd Lincoln was born in Lexington, Kentucky. Mary staunchly supported her husband Abraham throughout his presidency and sadly, witnessed his fatal shooting at the Ford’s Theater. Yesterday, actress Sally Field received a Screen Actors Guild Award nomination for her portrayal of the former First Lady in the film, Lincoln. Did you know the two woman are also distantly related? Sally Field is Mary Todd Lincoln’s 22nd cousin! Mary Todd Lincoln… Read the full story

On December 12, 1731, Erasmus Darwin was born. Considered one of the key thinkers of the Enlightenment, Darwin conducted groundbreaking research in botany and was a great advocate of biological evolution. His grandson, Charles Darwin, drew much from his research when developing his own groundbreaking theory of evolution. Erasmus Darwin is connected to over 66 million people in Geni’s World Family Tree. How are you related?     View Erasmus Darwin’s Geni Profile  

George Mason IV was an American Patriot, statesman and a delegate from Virginia to the U.S. Constitutional Convention. He is considered as one of the “Founding Fathers” of the United States as he is called the “Father of the United States Bill of Rights” along with James Madison. The Bill of Rights were based on the earlier Virginia Declaration of Rights, which Mason had drafted in 1776. George Mason IV was born on December 11,… Read the full story

On December 11, 1936, Edward VIII became the first English monarch to voluntarily abdicate the throne. After only a few months on the throne, Edward caused a constitutional crisis when he proposed marriage to Wallis Simpson, a divorced American socialite. In a radio broadcast to the Empire, Edward explained his decision to abdicate, “I have found it impossible to carry the heavy burden of responsibility and to discharge my duties as king as I would… Read the full story

Have you read any interesting genealogy articles recently? Check out a few we’ve found below! The Genealogy Sphere The importance of online family trees often lies in their uncertainty (The Guardian) – Using online family trees to preserve the memories of your relatives The Genealogy Icebreaker (BayToday.ca) – Breaking the ice – talking to others about their family history James Wesley Blacketer’s Story Continues…(Your Family Story blog) – Caroline Pointer shares the stories of her… Read the full story

On December 7, 1941, the U.S. naval base at Pearl Harbor was attacked by Japanese bombers. Over 2,400 Americans were killed during the surprise attack. The next day, President Franklin D. Roosevelt declared, “Yesterday, December 7, 1941 – a date which will live in infamy – the United States of America was suddenly and deliberately attacked by naval and air forces of the Empire of Japan.” After his forceful speech, he swiftly called on Congress to… Read the full story

In December 1877, Thomas Edison successfully made one of the earliest recordings of a human voice using his new tinfoil cylinder phonograph. When Edison recited the children’s nursery rhyme “Mary Had a Little Lamb” and played it back, he was astonished to hear his voice. His invention quickly made him famous, and he was dubbed by the press as “The Wizard of Menlo Park.” Considered one of the most prolific inventors in history, many of… Read the full story

Yesterday, we shared with you a few charts illustrating the amazing response we’ve received from users since announcing that Geni is joining the MyHeritage family. Today, we’re thrilled to announce that Geni’s World Family Tree now has 66 million people connected! Reaching this milestone would not be possible without the collaborative effort of millions of genealogists around the world. Congratulations to all of our users for your hard work! Check out the World Family Tree page to… Read the full story

On December 5, 1839, General George Custer was born in New Rumly, Ohio. Although he developed a strong reputation during the American Civil War, much of his achievements have been overshadowed by this disastrous final battle in 1876. At the Battle of Little Bighorn, Custer led 210 of his men into battle against a coalition of Native American tribes. He and all of his men lost their lives in what became known as “Custer’s Last Stand.”… Read the full story

What an exciting week! Since we announced that Geni is Joining the MyHeritage Family! we’ve been overwhelmed by the warm congratulations we’ve received from the genealogy community. Even more exciting is the response that we’ve seen from Geni users; a surge of users have visited the site to add and invite new relatives and merge their trees. We wanted to share a few metrics with you to give you an idea of how great the response… Read the full story

On December 4, 1214, William I, also known as William the Lion, died in Sterling, Scotland. Between 1165 – 1214, William reigned as King of the Scots, making his reign the second longest in Scottish history.  Did you know he was not known William the Lion during his lifetime? The name was attached to him because of his standard, a red lion rampant on a yellow background, and the chronicler John of Fordun, who called… Read the full story

It’s been a very exciting week! We’re ecstatic to be a part of the MyHeritage family! Check out some coverage of the announcement below and enjoy other interesting genealogy articles from the past week! The Genealogy Sphere MyHeritage acquires Geni.com (MyHeritage blog) – Read MyHeritage’s blog announcement MyHeritage Raises $25 Million, Acquires Geni (The Wall Street Journal) – Read The Wall Street Journal’s exclusive interview with MyHeritage CEO Gilad Japhet MyHeritage buys Geni (SF Gate) –… Read the full story

On December 3, 1857, Polish author Joseph Conrad was born in Berdychiv, Ukraine. Considered on of the greatest writers of the English language, Conrad drew inspiration from his own exotic travels at sea. His rich prose and vivid descriptions of adventure and nautical travels continue to captivate modern audiences. Joseph Conrad is not yet connected to the World Family Tree. Perhaps you can help connect him to over 65 million people on Geni!     View… Read the full story