2013

As we prepare to welcome in the new year, we thought it would be fun to reflect on some of the amazing things we have accomplished in the last 12 months. We’re proud of the many exciting new features we introduced this year to help you research your family history. While we all work together to build the largest and most accurate family tree of the world, genealogy research on Geni has never been faster or… Read the full story

Today we remember John Denver, who was born December 31, 1943 in Roswell, New Mexico. The folk musician was born Henry John Deutschendorf, Jr. to Erma Louise and Lt. Col. Henry John, Sr., an Air Force officer who set three speed records in the B-58 Hustler bomber and earned a place in the Air Force Hall of Fame. An avid environmental activist, Denver spent much of the later years of his life focused on humanitarian… Read the full story

We hope everyone had a very happy holiday! Before we start the new year, check out some interesting articles from around the web: Image: O’Connor Family Photo/Masslive.com The Genealogy Sphere Family Tree: Memories of Christmases past help document genealogy (Masslive.com) – Sharing a lifetime of Christmas memories Century-old cremains create Modesto mystery (Modbee.com) – A corner tries to find the family of a woman who died in 1906 Trove of Information From the 1930s, Animated by… Read the full story

Today we remember President Harry S. Truman, who died on December 26, 1972 at the age of 88. Truman was born in Larmar, Missouri and spent most of the early years of his life on a farm. He succeeded to the presidency on April 12, 1945, when President Franklin D. Roosevelt died after months of declining health. Under Truman, the U.S. successfully concluded World War II. President Truman is connected to over 70 million people in Geni’s… Read the full story

Do you remember writing letters to Santa Claus? As a child, many of us believed in the jolly man from the North Pole. If we were good children, Santa would bring us presents on Christmas day. But there were always those who would shed doubts in our belief. One of the most famous editorials ever to be published is the story of a young Virginia O’Hanion and her quest to know if there really was… Read the full story

Do you remember watching a young Natalie Wood in Miracle on 34th Street? At the tender age of eight, Natalie won the hearts of audiences as Susan Walker, the little girl who comes to believe in Santa Claus. Within a few months of the film’s release, she became so popular that Macy’s invited her to appear in the store’s annual Thanksgiving Day parade. Today the film is still a Christmas favorite. Does the movie make… Read the full story

Get into the holiday spirit with these great articles from around the web! Image: BBC The Genealogy Sphere Bristol Airport lost teddy bear family is identified (BBC News) – The family of a lost teddy bear found in Bristol Airport with a photograph dated 1918 has been identified 5 Fun Ways to Record Family Memories (ParentInformer.com) – Great tips on how to record your family memories Why Was My Black Ancestor Listed as a Slave Owner?… Read the full story

Ranked as one of the best Christmas songs of all time, Bing Crosby’s “White Christmas” is a holiday staple for most families. According to the Guinness Book of World Records, Bing’s version is the best-selling single in history, with an estimated 100 million copies sold worldwide. He first performed the song live Christmas Day in 1941. The single was later featured in the 1954 classic White Christmas, starring Bing Crosby, Danny Kaye, Rosemary Clooney and… Read the full story

What’s your favorite holiday film? On this day 67 years ago, the Christmas classic It’s a Wonderful Life premiered in New York City. Starring James Stewart as George Bailey, the film has become a must-see event for many every Christmas. Did you know the movie was Stewart’s first starring vehicle after returning from World War II? He would earn his third Academy Award nomination for what many consider one of the defining roles of his career…. Read the full story

Today we remember author Emily Brontë, who died December 19, 1848. The fifth child of Reverend Patric Brontë and his wife, Maria Branwell, Emily was not the only creative one in the family. Her two sisters, Charlotte and Anne, enjoyed literary success as well. She published her defining work Wuthering Heights under the pseudonym Ellis Bell in 1847. It would be her first and only published novel. She died a year later of tuberculosis at the… Read the full story

The holidays are always a fun time to share with your family. It’s also the perfect time to share your ancestors stories with your relatives. Check out some crafty ways to spice up your holiday decor with some family history memories. Wrap It Image credit: Sweet Paul Do you have old family photos at home? Scan your photos to create homemade wrapping paper for your relatives. Sweet Paul Magazine offers a quick tutorial to turn… Read the full story

Happy birthday Brad Pitt! Can you believe the star is turning the big 5-0? Pitt was born in Shawnee, Oklahoma and grew up in Springfield, Missouri. He attended the University of Missouri as a journalism major, but felt a love for film that he couldn’t ignore. Just two credits shy of graduating, Pitt left Missouri and headed to Hollywood to become an actor. Today he is one of Hollywood’s most recognizable stars and actively involved… Read the full story

Do you remember Charles Dickens‘ Christmas classic A Christmas Carol? On this day in 1843, Dickens’ novella was published for the first time and since then, the comforting story has never been out of print. Over the years, the story of Ebenezer Scrooge’s transformation after his spiritual visits from the Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present and Yet to Come has been adapted multiple times into a variety of mediums including stage, television and film. The… Read the full story

Start your week with some interesting articles from around the web: What Kids Learn From Hearing Family Stories – The Atlantic (cdnsure/Flickr) The Genealogy Sphere What Kids Learn From Hearing Family Stories (The Atlantic) – Sharing family tales from the past has great education benefits for children Potter’s Field Records and Genealogy Research (a3Genealogy blog) – Tips on how to find Potter’s Field burial records Have We Found the Lost Colony of Roanoke Island? (National… Read the full story

Today we remember Peter O’Toole, who passed away this weekend, at the age of 81. He was born in 1932, with some sources giving his birthplace as Connemara, Ireland while other’s report Leeds, England. Even O’Toole himself wasn’t sure of his birthplace or date, noting that while he accepted August 2 as his birthdate, he had a birth certificate from each country, with the Irish one giving a June 1932 birthdate. One of Hollywood’s most… Read the full story

Since the camera was first invented, people have always desired to capture special moments in time to remember for years to come. Capturing the perfect family photo can often be difficult, especially when you have very young children. Even at the best of times, trying to get a baby to hold still for a photo can be an almost impossible task. But in today’s world, you have the luxury of taking multiple digital photographs until… Read the full story

Are you a fan of Ol’ Blue Eyes? On this day in 1915, Frank Sinatra was born in Hoboken, New Jersey. The only child of Sicilian immigrants, Sinatra knew he wanted to be a singer at a very young age. From his early days crooning in night clubs to his award-winning performances on the big screen, Sinatra became one of the most popular entertainers of the 20th century. The epitome of cool, Sinatra was considered… Read the full story

Researching your Nordic heritage? We’re excited to announce millions of digitized records from Sweden, Norway, Denmark and Finland have been added to MyHeritage’s burgeoning collection of historical records. Spanning from as early as the 1600s, these records are available now through MyHeritage’s SuperSearch™ and will be matched to your Geni profiles using MyHeritage’s powerful Record Matching technology. These collections contain over 90 million names and include birth, death, marriage and baptism records as well as census… Read the full story

This day in 1936, Edward VIII abdicated the English throne in order to marry Wallis Simpson. His relationship with the twice-divorced socialite was controversial from the start and the announcement of the couple’s engagement caused a constitutional crisis only months into his reign. The British government, the Church of England and the public widely condemned his desire to marry Simpson. As the King and the titular head of the Church of England, Edward VIII was… Read the full story

Do you remember using the Dewey Decimal Classification system at the library? 162 years ago today, the mastermind behind the library cataloging system, Melvil Dewey, was born in Adams Center, New York. Dewey’s system forever changed the cataloging of books and library materials, and made it easy for patrons and librarians to find any particular book and return it to its proper place on library shelves. The system is currently used in at least 135… Read the full story

Wet your genealogy appetite with these great stories from around the web: The Soldier Who Just Refused to Give Up / DailyMail UK The Genealogy Sphere The Soldier Who Just Refused to Give Up (DailyMail UK) – The inspiring story of a World War I hero’s loss and struggle for survival Uncovering records that link the slaveholder and enslaved (Examiner.com) – Robin Foster shares what clues you can follow to untangle the link between slaves… Read the full story

Today we celebrate actor Kirk Douglas‘ 97th birthday. He was born Issur Danielovitch to poor, Russian Jewish immigrants in Amsterdam, New York on December 9, 1916. He grew up as Izzy Demsky, a surname the family adopted in the United States, and changed legally changed his name to Kirk Douglas before entering the Navy during World War II. After the war, he pursued a career in acting and discovered work on the stage before finding… Read the full story

Today we remember former South African president and freedom fighter Nelson Mandela, who passed away yesterday at the age of 95. Devoted to ending apartheid, Mandela served as an inspiration to many for his message of reconciliation and forgiveness, and a peaceful end to years of segregation.  “No one is born hating another person because of the color of his skin, or his background, or his religion. People must learn to hate, and if they can… Read the full story

Do you remember the hit song “Oh, Pretty Woman”? Today we remember music legend Roy Orbison, who passed away on December 6, 1988 in Hendersonville, Tennessee. Growing up in Texas in a working-class family, Orbison showed an interest in music early in life. For his sixth birthday, we was given a guitar that would make music a part of his life forever. Considered one of the most influential musicians in history, Orbison was inducted into… Read the full story

Eighty years ago today, Prohibition ended in the United States, lifting the national ban of alcohol throughout the nation. Between 1920 – 1933, the production, sale and transportation of alcoholic beverages was prohibited across the country. Although the motivation to pass the 18th Amendment to the U.S. constitution was to curb the adverse effects of drinking on society, the Prohibition had the unintended consequence of stimulating a rampant underground of organized and widespread criminal activity. The… Read the full story

Happy birthday to The Dude! Today Jeff Bridges turns 64. He was born on December 4, 1949 in Los Angeles, California to a showbiz family. His father was actor Lloyd Bridges and his mother was actor and writer Dorothy Bridges. He began his career as an infant, with parts on both film and television. Bridges has since taken on challenging roles in an array of films, including The Big Lebowski, The Last Picture Show, and… Read the full story

“Stella!” On December 3, 1947, Marlon Brando cried his famous line for the first time in the Broadway debut of Tennessee Williams‘ play A Streetcar Named Desire at the Ethel Barrymore Theatre. Starring a 23-year old Brando as Stanley Kowalski, the drama stunned the audience, who sat in silence once the curtain fell before erupting in applause that lasted 30 minutes. The play turned Brando into a star and he would go on to reprise his role in… Read the full story

We hope everyone had a great holiday weekend! Here’s a quick roundup of some interesting articles you may have missed: Image: Mabel’s War: Diaries of World War I nurse / Daily Mail UK The Genealogy Sphere A life remembered: Ninety years later, marker placed on infant’s grave (Ohio.com) – After ninety years, a gravestone is finally placed on an infant’s grave Mabel’s War: Diaries of World War One nurse reveal lives of horrifically injured soldiers… Read the full story

Happy birthday Britney Spears! Today the pop icon turns 32. Born in Kentwood, Louisiana, Britney showed her talent at a very young age. She got her start on the ’90s revival of The Mickey Mouse Club, which featured many future music and film stars. Her career skyrocketed shortly after when she released her first album …Baby One More Time. Although she has experience her share of controversy in the past few years, today she is… Read the full story

Do you remember reading The Chronicles of Narnia? Today in 1898, author C.S. Lewis was born in Belfast, Ireland. Known as “Jack” to his friends and family, Lewis went on to teach at Oxford University and become a prolific author. He is remembered around the world as the author of The Chronicles of Narnia fantasy series, which have since been adapted into successful films on the big screen. C.S. Lewis is connected to over 70 million… Read the full story

Happy Thanksgiving! A holiday known just as much for bringing families together as the food everyone partakes in, Thanksgiving holds a special place in the hearts of America. The First Thanksgiving The very first Thanksgiving can be traced to 1621. In 1620, the 102 Pilgrims aboard the Mayflower arrived to the New World. After enduring a harsh winter where only half of the Mayflower‘s original passengers and crew survived, the settlers were aided the next spring… Read the full story

Happy Thanksgiving! While you are gathered with your relatives this holiday, share with them how you’re related to William Bradford, the leader of the early settlers of the Plymouth Colony and organizer of the very first Thanksgiving. A passenger of the Mayflower and a signatory to the Mayflower Compact, Bradford’s journal Of Plymouth Plantation is considered one of the most important historical documents of early American history. Chronicling the early years of the colony’s settlement, his journal… Read the full story

Do you remember watching Bill Nye the Science Guy? On November 27, 1955, the mechanical engineer and science educator was born in Washing D.C. Bill Nye was born to Jacqueline Jenkins, a codebreaker during World War II, and Edwin Darby Nye, a World War II veteran. His PBS science show is frequently used in schools as an education medium, helping to teach young children and teens the wonders of science. Bill Nye is connected to… Read the full story

Do you love the movie Casablanca? On November 26 ,1942, the classic film premiered in New York City.  Staring Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman, the World War II-era film would go on to become one of the most beloved films in history. On December 25, 1899, Bogart was born to a wealthy and prominent New York family. Early in his career, he established himself by portraying “tough-guy” roles. His career was elevated to a new level when… Read the full story

Take a genealogy break with these great articles from the past week! How My Sister Tracked Down a Family for Old Photos Found in a Thrift Store Dresser / Family Tree Magazine The Genealogy Sphere How My Sister Tracked Down a Family for Old Photos Found in a Thrift Store Dresser (Family Tree Magazine blog) – A treasure trove of photos discovered in a dresser is reunited with its family Scattered by storm, mementos find… Read the full story

Are you a baseball fan? On November 25, 1914, legendary baseball player Joe DiMaggio was born in Martinez, California. He was the eighth of nine children born to Italian immigrants Giuseppe and Rosalia DiMaggio. His father had hoped for Joe to follow in his footsteps and become a fisherman like him., however, Joe had other plans for his future. His humble beginnings as the son of a fisherman helped form his image as the embodiment… Read the full story

Today marks the 50th anniversary of President John F. Kennedy’s assassination. On November 22, 1963, President Kennedy was fatally shot by a sniper while traveling with his wife, Jacqueline, in an open motorcade in Dallas, Texas. Celebrated as one of the most beloved Presidents of the United States, his death shocked the entire nation. In honor of his memory, let’s take a look at his life and legacy as we remember him on the anniversary… Read the full story

Today Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip celebrate their 66th wedding anniversary! The couple met when the then Princess Elizabeth was only 13 years old. It was love at first sight for the young princess and throughout her teen years, the pair continuously exchanged letters. In 1946, Prince Philip asked King George VI for his daughter’s hand in marriage. The King granted his request provided any formal engagement was delayed until Elizabeth turned 21 the following April. On November… Read the full story

Today we remember author Leo Tolstoy, who passed away on November 20, 1910 at the age of 82. He was born at his family estate Yasnaya Polyana in the Tula region of Russia to a well-known family of old Russian nobility. Widely considered as one of the world’s greatest novelist, Tolstoy is praised for his gift of describing a character’s unconscious motives. Today his most widely acclaimed novels Anna Karenina and War and Peace are considered to… Read the full story

Check out some great genealogy articles! Image: How fast could you travel across the U.S. in the 1800s? / Mnn.com The Genealogy Sphere 5 Genealogy Research Techniques That Have Nothing To Do With Documents (The Ancestor Hunt blog) – Awesome research tips that go beyond documents Youngest WW1 soldier fought in the Somme aged 13 (DailyMail) – Documents reveal the youngest soldier to fight in the trenches was 13. He fought for six weeks before… Read the full story

One of the most important records in genealogy is an individual’s death certificate. Bursting with vital information, death certificates can be that key document to unlocking your family’s long standing mysteries and brick walls. Let’s discover what information can be found in death certificate by taking a close look at the death certificate of Little House on the Prairie author Laura Ingalls Wilder. Laura Ingalls Wilder Laura Ingalls Wilder was born February 7, 1867 in… Read the full story

On November 15, 1887, American painter Georgia O’Keeffe was born in Sun Prairie, Wisconsin. Considered a major figure in American art since the 1920s, O’Keeffe is best remembered for her striking flower paintings and abstract works. After the death of her husband, she moved to to New Mexico, where she was inspired by the landscape and produced some of her most well-known paintings. Georgia O’Keeffe is connected to over 70 million people in Geni’s World… Read the full story

Today we remember legendary icon Grace Kelly on what would have been her 84th birthday. She was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to John B. Kelly, a three-time Olympic gold champion sculler, and Margaret Majer, the first coach of women’s athletic teams at the University of Pennsylvania. After catapulting to stardom during the 1950s, Kelly soon became one of Hollywood’s favorite leading ladies. She starred in many of Alfred Hitchcock‘s classic films, including Dial M for… Read the full story

It’s Veterans Day in the U.S. Spend a few minutes this holiday by checking out these great articles! The Genealogy Blog Manhattan’s Forgotten Graveyards, Under Public Parks, Famous Hotels and Supermarkets (The Huffington Post) – He’s a chilling thought, while visiting one of New York’s many parks and squares, it’s likely you’re standing on land that was once a cemetery Mugshots from the 1920s are Significantly Cooler Thank Mugshots from Today (ThePhoblographer.com) – See some fascinating… Read the full story

Were you frightened by the story of Dracula as a child? This day in 1847, author Bram Stoker was born in Dublin, Ireland. He was the third of seven children and was bedridden with an unknown illness until the age of seven. In 1897, Stoker published his most famous work, the Gothic horror novel Dracula. Although Stoker did not invent the vampire, he defined its modern form. To this day, his story continues to inspire… Read the full story

Do you have veterans in your family? Military records are an excellent source of genealogical information. Let’s discover what information discharge papers can offer by taking a closer look at the report of separation for Gone With the Wind star Clark Gable, including an interesting piece of trivia. During World War II, Gable felt compelled to join the war effort. However, it wasn’t until after the death of his wife, Carole Lombard, in a plane crash did… Read the full story

Happy 70th birthday Joni Mitchell! On this day in 1943, the iconic musician was born Roberta Joan Anderson in Alberta, Canada. She broke out in the music scene during the 1960s with her unique sound and poetic lyrics. Dubbed one of the greatest songwriters in the last century, Mitchell was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1997. What’s your favorite song? Did you know Joni Mitchell’s paternal ancestry stems from Norway?… Read the full story

On November 6, 1946, actress Sally Field was born in Pasadena, California. Her father, Richard Dryden Field, was an Army officer, and her mother Margaret Field (née Morlan) was an actress. From her early start in television on the classics Gidget and The Flying Nun, Sally was destined to become a star. She successfully transitioned to film, tackling diverse roles and earning an Oscar for her starring turn in Norma Rae. What’s your favorite Sally Field… Read the full story

Today we celebrate the 100th birthday of actress Vivien Leigh. Vivien was born Vivian Mary Hartley on November 5, 1913 in Darjeeling, India. Did you know that as a child, Vivien attended school with future Tarzan actress Maureen O’Sullivan? At a young age, Vivien knew exactly what she wanted and declared to her friend that she would one day become a great actress. He breakout performance as Scarlett O’Hara in the classic film Gone With… Read the full story

Start your week off with some great genealogy related articles! The Genealogy Sphere Unveiling the Halloween Monster DNA in Everyone (National Geographic) – The Genographic Project explores our creepier ancestors in honor of Halloween Where Did You Come From? This Map Shows You America’s Complete Ancestry (Polcymic.com) – Interesting map showing the melting pot of the U.S. Park Haven tombstone is a case of mistaken identity (StarBeacon.com) – Recently discovered tombstone of a Civil War soldier leads to… Read the full story