2012

Today is the 90th anniversary of the death of Irish revolutionary leader Michael Collins. On August 22, 1922, Collins was shot and killed while fighting for freedom during the Irish Civil War. He was only 31. Although his life was cut short, Collins made significant contributions to the foundation of the modern Irish state. Did you know that Michael Collins has been ranked as one of the top Irish individuals that people would like to discover… Read the full story

Nolan Hemmings is an English stage and film actor. He is most known for his portrayal of Staff Sergeant Charles ‘Chuck’ Grant in the HBO miniseries Band of Brothers. He is an actor in London’s West End Theatre. Nolan is married to actress Nikki Grosse who was one of the hosts on the Globe Trekker travel show. Hemmings was born in 1970 to English actor and director David Hemmings and American actress Gayle Hunnicutt. David… Read the full story

Today we remember legendary comedian Phyllis Diller, who passed away yesterday at the age of 95. As one of the first female stand-up comedians, Diller paved the way for the way for future female comics. Her eccentric persona and self-depreciating jokes captivated audiences for decades. Will you miss her trademark crackle? Phyllis Diller is connected to over 60 million people in Geni’s World Family Tree. How are you related?     View Phyllis Diller’s Geni Profile… Read the full story

Check out some interesting articles from the past week! The Genealogy Sphere Technology links for today’s genealogyst for 17 Aug 2012 (4YourFamilyStory.com) – Caroline Pointer has a great list of must-have apps for those of you attending the FGS Conference this year in Birmingham, Alabama DNA checks done on family trees (ABC News) – Members of the South Australian Genealogy Society use DNA tests to check the accuracy of their family tree data In Andalusia,… Read the full story

Happy birthday, Amy Adams! Today the Enchanted actress turns 38. Adams was born in Vicenza, Italy in 1974. In the film Julie & Julia , Adams portrays a young New Yorker making her way through Julia Child‘s cookbook. Did you know Julia Child is Amy Adams’ 8th cousin twice removed? Next, Adams will be taking on the iconic role of Lois Lane in the upcoming Superman reboot. Amy Adams is connected to over 60 million profiles… Read the full story

On August 17, 1786, American folk hero Davy Crockett was born. Known as the King of the Wild Frontier, Crockett gained fame for his own larger-than-life exploits. In 1826, Crockett was elected to the U.S. Congress. He served two terms before leaving politics to join the Texas Revolution. He arrived at the Alamo in February 1836. Crockett would soon lose his life during the infamous Battle of the Alamo. If your interested in the defenders… Read the full story

On August 16, 1746, Joaquim José da Silva Xavier, also known as Tiradentes, was born. A leader of the Brazilian revolutionary movement, Tiradentes fought to create an independent Brazilian republic free from Portuguese colonial power. However, when his plot to take his protests to the streets was discovered, he was arrested and publicly hanged. Today, Tiradentes is remembered as a national hero of Brazil. Tiradentes is connected to over 60 million profiles in Geni’s World Family… Read the full story

Today India celebrates their Independence Day! On August 15, 1947, India achieved independence from British rule and became a sovereign nation. The country’s road to independence began with the Indian independence movement, which was noted for largely peaceful, nonviolent resistance and civil disobedience led by the Indian National Congress. One of the most enduring symbols of the movement was Mahatma Gandhi, who would go on to inspire movements of non-violence, civil rights and freedom across… Read the full story

Today we celebrate Julia Child‘s 100th birthday! In 1961, Child co-authored the cookbook, Mastering the Art of French Cooking, which quickly turned Child into a culinary sensation. Praised for its precise attention to detail and helpful illustrations, the book made fine French cuisine accessible to the general public. Throughout her career, she continued to write numerous cookbooks and became a regular fixture on television. Today the “French Chef” is remembered as one of America’s most… Read the full story

Anthony Howard “Tony” Goldwyn is an American actor and director. He stars in the ABC drama Scandal, as Fitzgerald Grant III, President of the United States. He played the role of Carl Bruner in Ghost, Colonel  Bagley in The Last Samurai, and the voice of the title character of the Disney animated Tarzan. He is also known for his role of Kendall Dobbs on the comedy series, Designing Women. Goldwyn had a recurring role on… Read the full story

On August 14, 1851, Doc Holliday was born in Griffin, Georgia. A good friend of fellow gunslinger Wyatt Earp, Holliday was known in the American Wild West as a deadly gunfighter and gambler. His involvement in the gunfight at the O.K. Corral cemented Holliday’s status as a folk legend. Did you know Doc Holliday earned a D.D.S. degree in dentistry? Doc Holliday is connected to over 60 million profiles on Geni’s World Family Tree. How… Read the full story

Sad that the Olympics are over? These great genealogy articles should help brighten your day! The Genealogy Sphere How Google Images can help you research your family history like never before (The Sociable) – Great tip on using Google maps in genealogy Beware Colloquialisms (Mocavo Blog) – Good advice to keep aware of colloquialisms while you research Unraveling her father’s Cold War secrets (LA Times) – A women discovers her father’s work on a top-secret… Read the full story

On August 13, 1899, legendary director Alfred Hitchcock was born in London, England. Dubbed the “Master of Suspense,” Hitchcock masterfully used voyeuristic camera movements and carefully framed shots to convey suspenseful and thrilling stories with twist endings. Despite being considered one of the greatest film directors of all time, Hitchcock never won an Academy Award for Best Director in his entire career. What’s your favorite Hitchcock film? Alfred Hitchcock’s family tree is not yet connected to the… Read the full story

The world has been abuzz over NASA’s latest accomplishment – the successful landing of Curiosity on the surface of Mars. NASA’s rover has already started sending images back of the red planet. Considered one of the most ambitious planetary missions in history, scientists hope to investigate whether life ever existed on the planet. However, without the scientific breakthroughs of physicist and inventor Robert Goddard, none of this may have ever been possible. Known as one of the founding… Read the full story

Yesterday, the U.S. Women’s National Soccer team took home their third consecutive Olympic gold medal! Today we highlight team co-captain Abby Wambach, who currently stands as the second highest all-time goal scorer for the U.S. Women’s National Soccer team. The veteran soccer player helped lead Team USA to a 2-1 victory over Japan. Abby Wambach is not yet connected to the world family tree. Perhaps you can help connect her to over 60 million profiles on… Read the full story

South African sprinter Oscar Pistorius made history this year by becoming the first amputee track athlete to compete at the Olympics. Pistorius was born without fibulas and had both legs amputated just below the knee when he was 11 months old. Known as the “Blade Runner,” Pistorius made it to the 400m semifinals, but failed to land a place in the finals. Today, Pistorius will run once more as part of South Africa’s 4x400m relay… Read the full story

We’re excited to bring to you a special guest series by genetic genealogist CeCe Moore. Some of you may recognize her from her popular blog  YourGeneticGenealogist.com. She’ll be providing a great overview about DNA testing for genealogy. Here’s the final installment of her very informative series. Enjoy! We have covered the three types of DNA tests for genealogy over the last few weeks, but there is one more aspect of genetic genealogy that should not be… Read the full story

Today we highlight four time Olympic medal winner Sebastian Coe! Coe won the 1500 m gold metal at the Olympic games in 1980 and 1984. After retiring from athletics, Coe served as a Member of Parliament from 1992-1997. He was the head of the London bid to host the 2012 Olympics and is currently serving as the chairman of the London Organizing Committee for the Olympic Games. Sebastian Coe is connected to over 60 million profiles… Read the full story

Robin Williams is an American actor and comedian. He rose to fame in the late 1970s with his role as Mork, the alien in the TV series Mork & Mindy, and later stand-up comedy work. Williams has performed in many feature films since 1980. He won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his performance in the 1997 film Good Will Hunting. He has also won two Emmy Awards, four Golden Globes, two Screen… Read the full story

Yesterday, Great Britain’s Beth Tweddle won the bronze medal in the Women’s Uneven Bars. The three time world champion won Britain’s first  women’s Olympic gymnastics medal in the history of the sport. As team captain, she also led Team GB to finish sixth in the women’s team finals, their highest placed finish since 1928. Beth Tweddle is not yet connected to the world family tree. Perhaps you can help connect her to over 60 million… Read the full story

Here’s our recap of some great genealogy articles from the past week! The Genealogy Sphere Beware of Colloquialisms (Mocavo blog) – Good advice about being mindful of colloquial location names Obama Slave-Ancestry Report Misses Mark (The Root) – Two scholars take issue with the recent findings  about Obama’s ancestry Is there an Olympian in your Family Tree? (Nutfield Genealogy blog) – Heather Rojo shares her family connection to an Olympian 101 Best Genealogy Websites for… Read the full story

Today we highlight Estonian discus thrower Gerd Kanter. Kanter has been named one of Estonia’s strongest medal hopefuls. In the 2008 Summer Olympics, Kanter won the gold medal in the men’s discus throw. Will he be able to defend his title and earn his second gold medal in the event? Gerd Kanter is connected to over 60 million profiles in Geni’s World Family Tree. How are you related?   View Gerd Kanter’s Geni Profile  

Today, the Olympic track and field events begin. To welcome the start of these events, we’re highlighting track and field legend Carl Lewis. Over his long and highly successful athletic career, Lewis won 10 Olympic medals, 9 of which were gold. In the process, he set numerous world records and is considered by many to be the greatest track and field athlete of all time. Carl Lewis is not yet connected to the World Family… Read the full story

Today we’re releasing enhancements to merge requests and projects that’ll make collaboration a little easier. Read below for the details. Approving Merges We’re making it a little easier to grow your family tree by expanding permissions for approving merges to everyone. For a limited time, all users will be able to approve a merge for free. This means that Basic and Plus users will be able to complete merge requests for private profiles and unconnected… Read the full story

Today U.S. gymnast Aly Raisman competes for her second Olympic medal in the Women’s Individual All-Around. In one of the biggest surprises of the Olympics, Raisman scored the second highest qualifying score, knocking out her teammate and reigning world champion Jordyn Wieber from the finals. Just a few days later, the team captain of the U.S. women’s gymnastic team led the “Fab Five” to win their first Olympic gold medal. Aly Raisman is connected to over 60 million profiles in Geni’s World… Read the full story

We’re excited to bring to you a special guest series by genetic genealogist CeCe Moore. Some of you may recognize her from her blog YourGeneticGenealogist.com. For the next few weeks, she’ll be providing a great overview about DNA testing for genealogy. Enjoy! This week we are finally going to discuss my favorite type of genetic testing for genealogy – autosomal DNA. For the past two weeks we have covered DNA tests that are solely informative of one… Read the full story

U.S. swimmer Michael Phelps made Olympic history yesterday by becoming the most decorated Olympian. Phelps set a new record after winning his 19th medal as part of the U.S. men’s 4×200 meter freestyle relay team. His latest gold medal win breaks Soviet gymnast Larisa Latynina’s record of 18. After four Olympic games, his medal count now stands at 15 gold, 2 silver and 2 bronze. With more races left to go, Phelps is likely to… Read the full story

Jordana Brewster is a Brazilian-American actress. She began her acting career in 1995 with a one-episode role in the soap opera All My Children. She then appeared in As the World Turns in the recurring role as Nikki Munson for which she was nominated for Outstanding Teen Performer at the 1997 Soap Opera Digest Award. Brewster’s first feature film was in Robert Rodriguez’s 1998 The Faculty playing the role of Delilah Profitt, one of the… Read the full story

Today we highlight Italian fencer Edoardo Mangiarotti, the most decorated fencer in the history of the sport. Mangiarotti made his first Olympic appearance at the age of 17 during the 1936 games in Berlin. Over a span of 24 years, Mangiarottie won a record of 13 Olympic medals (six gold, five silver, two bronze). Did you know fencing is one of the original sports of the modern Olympic games? Edoardo Mangiarotti is not yet connected… Read the full story

Take a break from the Olympics with some great genealogy articles from the past week! The Genealogy Sphere Three Tips for Genealogy Road Trips! (Past-Present-Future blog) – Smadar Belkind Gerson listed some great tips about genealogical travels! Fifty-Five Years Later, a Rising Senio’s Vacation Souvenirs Tell a Terrific Story about New York and the Value of Scrapbook Ephemera (Bees First Appearance blog) – A great look at the historic value of keeping scrapbooks How did… Read the full story

This weekend, Zara Phillips, granddaughter of Queen Elizabeth II, made her Olympic equestrian debut. With several members of the royal family in attendance to cheer her on, she is now one of the favorites for a medal. Did you know that both of her parents were also Olympic athletes? Her father, Captain Mark Phillips won Olympic gold in 1972 and silver in 1988. Her mother, Princess Anne, competed in the 1976 Olympics in Montreal and serves… Read the full story

Are you excited for the start of the 2012 London Olympics? If you’re looking to merge your love of international athletic competition with your love of genealogy, you’ll definitely want to check out the London 2012 Summer Olympics project. A dedicated group of users are working diligently to build and connect the family trees of past and present Olympians. Join this international effort to help connect these athletes to more than 60 million people in Geni’s World… Read the full story

Today is the 2012 London Olympics opening ceremony! Are you excited to watch the celebration? In honor of the official opening of the Games, we’re highlighting Pierre de Coubertin, the father of the modern-day Olympics. In 1894, Coubertin created the International Olympic Committee, which has since become the governing body of the Olympic Movement. During the late 19th century, Coubertin’s advocacy for the Games centered on a number of ideals about sport. Coubertin saw value in encouraging competition among… Read the full story

Happy Birthday, Sandra Bullock! Today, the lovable star turns 48. In 2009, Bullock won the Academy Award for Best Actress for her performance in the film, The Blind Side. Did you know she is the only actor to have been named both “Best” and “Worst” performer for the same year? She also took home 2009’s “Worst Actress of the Year” Razzie award for her performance in All About Steve just a day before winning her… Read the full story

We’re excited to bring to you part 2 of  YourGeneticGenealogist.com blogger CeCe Moore’s DNA Testing for Genealogy series. For the next few weeks, she’ll be providing a great overview about DNA testing for genealogy. Enjoy! Last week we discussed the Y-DNA test that only traces your direct paternal line back in time, but there’s good news for you women who felt left out. Did you know that there is also a DNA test that traces your direct… Read the full story

Today we remember Sally Ride, who passed away earlier this week from pancreatic cancer. In 1983, Ride became the first American woman in space when she flew into orbit aboard the Space Shuttle Challenger. Not only will she be remembered as a pioneering astronaut and a passionate advocate of female advancement in the sciences, but as an inspiration for women for generations to come. Sally Ride is connected to over 60 million profiles in Geni’s… Read the full story

Alexandra “Ali” Wentworth is an American comedienne, actress, and author who starred in the comedy Head Case on the Starz TV network. She has made many appearances on television, including being a cast member on In Living Color and appearances on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno. In 1995, she was in the famous “Soup Nazi” episode of Seinfield playing Jerry’s girlfriend Sheila (“Schmoopie”). In 1997, Wentworth appeared as the love interest in the television film… Read the full story

On July 24, 1783, Venezuelan military and political leader Simón Bolívar was born. Together with José de San Martín, Bolivar played an instrumental role in the South American fight for independence from the Spanish empire. In 1825, the Republic of Bolivia was created and named after the inspirational leader, hailed by many as El Liberator (The Liberator). Simón Bolívar is connected to over 60 million profiles in Geni’s World Family Tree. How are you related?   View Simón Bolívar’s Geni… Read the full story

Check out some interesting articles from the world of genealogy below! The Genealogy Sphere Last Revolutionary War Widow Receives Final Pension – in 1906 (GenealogyBank) – Mary Harrell-Sesniak finds the obituary of the last widow of the Revolutionary War Britain’s first black community in Elizabethan London (BBC News) – The beginnings of Britain’s first black community Coping with Conflicting Census Data (Sifting Through the Past blog) – What to do when you find errors in the census… Read the full story

Today we remember singer Amy Winehouse, who died on July 23, 2011 at the age of 27. She was known for her powerful vocals and her eclectic mix of musical genres including R&B, soul and jazz. In 2006, Winehouse became the first female British artist to win five Grammys. Sadly, her talents were often overshadowed by her battle with drugs and alcohol. Amy Winehouse is not yet connected to the World Family Tree. Perhaps you… Read the full story

On July 20, 1969, astronaut Neil Armstrong became the first person to walk on the moon. Millions around the world were glued to their television sets as Armstrong took his first steps on the lunar surface and spoke his famous words, “That’s one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind.” Neil Armstrong is connected to over 60 million profiles in Geni’s World Family Tree. How are you related?   View Neil Armstrong’s Geni… Read the full story

Early this morning, the nominees for the 64th Primetime Emmys were announced. Were you surprised by any of the nods? While taking a look at this year’s nominees in comedy, we noticed that many of them had family trees connected to Geni’s World Family Tree. If you’re connected to the world family tree, you may very well find your relationship path to some of this year’s Emmy hopefuls! Here’s a look at how some of… Read the full story

We’re excited to bring to you a special guest blog post by genetic genealogist CeCe Moore. Some of you may recognize her from her blog YourGeneticGenealogist.com. For the next few weeks, she’ll be providing a great overview about DNA testing for genealogy. So without further ado, here’s part 1! Enjoy! Interest in DNA testing for genealogy has reached an all-time high thanks to its increasing sophistication and the resulting visibility in the media. We hear about… Read the full story

On July 18, 1867, first class Titanic passenger and philanthropist Margaret “Molly” Brown was born in Hannibal, Missouri. Dubbed “The Unsinkable Molly Brown” by historians, Brown became famous for surviving the Titanic disaster. Her acts of heroism made her the subject of many Titanic legends. She famously took on an oar herself in her lifeboat and protested for the crew of Lifeboat No. 6 to return to look for survivors. Later in life, she used… Read the full story

Uma Thurman is an American actress and model. She has been nominated for an Academy Award and has won a Golden Globe Award for Best Actress in a TV Mini-series in Hysterical Blindness, a series for which she also served as executive producer. Her most notable roles include Mia Wallace in Pulp Fiction (1994), Debby Miller in Hysterical Blindness (2002), and Beatrix Kiddo in the Kill Bill films (2003/2004). Cosmetics company Lancôme selected her as their spokeswoman,… Read the full story

On July 17, 1947, Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall was born in London. Her relationship with Prince Charles was highly controversial not only becase of their affair while he was married to Princess Diana, but also due to her status as a divorcee. However, with the consent of Queen Elizabeth II, Parlaiment and the Church of England, the couple were able to wed in 2005. Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall is connected to over 60 million profiles in… Read the full story

Here’s our recap of genealogy articles from this past week! The Genealogy Sphere Lesson Learned: Be Careful Making Assumptions (Roots and Rambles) – Great advice to avoid making assumptions Carroll’s Yesteryears: Photography collection is a local gem (Carroll County Times) – A local museum holds a treasure trove of photographs of local relatives from 1900-1920s How do I document my immigrant ancestor? (Examiner.com) – Robin Foster offers tips on how to document your immigrant ancestors… Read the full story

On July 16, 1872, Norwegian explorer Roald Amundsen was born. In 1911, Amundsen led the Antarctic expedition to discover the South Pole, beating his British rival Robert Falcon Scott. He was also the first explorer to reach both the North and South Poles and the first person to traverse the Northwest Passage. Amundsen disappeared in 1928 while taking part in a rescue mission. Along with fellow explorers Scott and Ernest Shackleton, Amundsen is remembered as… Read the full story

Between 1861 – 2006, Western Union delivered telegrams all over the U.S. They reached their peak in popularity during the 1920s and 1930s, when sending a telegram was cheaper than placing a long distance call. Telegrams in genealogy are great because it gives you a glimpse into the lives of your ancestors, albeit in very short statements. Despite their length, many carried some valuable genealogical information. Often, relatives used them to alert family members of a death… Read the full story

Happy Birthday, Harrison Ford! Today, the movie star turns 70! His career has spanned decades and includes some of the most iconic roles in film history, from Star War‘s Han Solo to Indiana Jones. His other memorable films include Blade Runner, Air Force One and The Fugitive. Five of his films have been inducted into the National Film Registry. Did you know Ford is also a licensed pilot? What’s your favorite Harrison Ford film? Harrison Ford’s family tree is… Read the full story