August 2013

On August 30, 1797, Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley was born in London, England. Her father was the political philosopher William Godwin and her mother was the philosopher and feminist Mary Wollstonecraft. In 1816, she married poet Percy Shelley. Best known for her Gothic novel Frankenstein, Shelley infused elements of the Romantic movement, creating what is considered to be one of the earliest examples of science fiction. Initially published anonymously, the book proved to be a huge… Read the full story

On August 29, 1632, English philosopher John Locke was born in Somerset, England. His father was a country lawyer and clerk to the Justices of the Peace in Chew Magna. Both of his parents were Puritans. Widely considered on of the most influential Enlightenment thinkers, Locke’s work had a significant impact on the development of epistemology and political philosophy. Locke postulated that the mind was a blank slate or tabula rasa and that knowledge is determined… Read the full story

“I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: ‘We hold these truths to be self-evident: that all men are created equal.’” On August 28, 1963, over 200,000 people marched to Washington, D.C. to participate in a peaceful civil rights rally known as the March on Washington. From the steps of the Lincoln Memorial, Martin Luther King, Jr. delivered his iconic “I Have a… Read the full story

Happy birthday, Shania Twain! Today the country singer turns 48. Shania was born Eilleen Regina Edwards in Ontario, Canada. Did you know she has Irish, French-Canadian and English ancestry? She is even part Cree through her biological father’s line. Sometimes referred to as “The Queen of Country Pop”, Shania has sold more than 75 million albums world wide and has won 5 Grammy Awards. Shania Twain is connected to over 70 million people in Geni’s World… Read the full story

Oliver Winchester was an American businessman and politician. He was known for manufacturing and marketing the Winchester repeating rifle. He discovered that a division of Smith & Wesson firearms was failing financially with one of their newly patented arms during the time he was a clothing manufacturer. Winchester took the opportunity and acquired the Smith & Wesson division (known as the Volcanic Repeating Arms Company) with other stockholders in 1850. The name of the company… Read the full story

On tonight’s episode of Who Do You Think You Are? former supermodel Cindy Crawford travels across the U.S. and to the U.K. in search of her family’s origins. Along the way she finds connections to the English Civil War and possible links to European royalty. Will you be watching tonight’s episode? Before the show, check out her family tree on Geni and see how you’re related!       View Cindy Crawford’s Geni Profile   Image… Read the full story

Want a quick genealogy fix? Check out a few related articles below! The Genealogy Sphere The Three Critical C’s of Collaboration: Concern, Care, and Comfort (The Huffington Post) – Scott Phillips shares what he believes are the great hallmarks of the genealogy community The Largest Ancestry Groups In The United States (Business Insider) – Interesting to see the break down of the country’s largest ancestry groups based on census data More Amazing Genealogical Myths (Genealogy’s… Read the full story

On August 26, 1740, Joseph-Michel Montgolfier was born in Annonay, France. Joseph-Michel was the inventor of the hot air balloon, along with his brother, Jacques-Étienne. In June 1783, the brothers successfully demonstrated publicly the first manned ascent, carrying Étienne to the sky. In recognition of their achievement, their father Pierre was elevated to the nobility and the hereditary appellation of de Montgolfier by King Louis XVI of France.   Have you ridden in a hot air balloon?… Read the full story

Happy birthday Barbara Eden! The I Dream of Jeannie star was born Barbara Jean Morehead in Tucson, Arizona. After her parents divorced, she moved to San Francisco with her mother at the age of three. Her mother later re-married, however the family was hit hard by the Great Depression. Unable to afford many luxuries, Barbara’s mother entertained the children by singing songs. Her early exposure to music left a lasting impression and inspired her to pursue… Read the full story

While researching your family history, it is not uncommon to find your ancestors moving from place to place. As genealogists, it is important to know what historical events may have occurred to better understand the factors that may be behind a family’s decision to move afar. During the late nineteenth century, the United States government passed a series of laws that gave an applicant ownership of land at little or no cost. Known as the Homestead… Read the full story

RIP Elmore Leonard. Yesterday, the American novelist and screenwriter died at the age of 87. Considered one of the most influential crime writers, Leonard was known for his gritty realism and strong dialogue. Among his best-known works are Get Shorty, Out of Sight and Rum Punch. A few his short stories have made it to the big and small screens including the film 3:10 to Yuma and the current television series Justified. Were you a fan… Read the full story

Before catching the newest episode of Who Do You Think You Are?, check out actor Chris O’Donnell‘s family tree on Geni. Known for starring on the hit show NCIS: Los Angeles, tonight O’Donnell visits St. Louis, Missouri to investigate his paternal ancestry. Along the way, he discovers his family’s patriotic legacy and the role they played in early American history. Chris O’Donnell is connected to over 70 million people in Geni’s World Family Tree. How are… Read the full story

Check out some interesting articles from the past week! The Genealogy Sphere Sibling similarities (Daily Mail UK) – Photographer splices pictures of brothers and sisters together showing how alike two people who share the same gene pool can be Mapping a Century of Change in the City of Boston (The Atlantic Cities) – An interesting comparison of Boston then and now Thousands of bodies under Bath Abbey threaten its stability (BBC News) – Since the… Read the full story

On August 19, 1883, fashion designer Coco Chanel was born in Saumur, France. After the death of her mother, Coco’s father sent her to live in an orphanage where she learned to sew, a trade that would make her one of the most influential fashion pioneers of the twentieth century. Her perfumes, handbags and trademark suits and little black dresses are still highly popular today. Coco Chanel is connected to over 70 million people in… Read the full story

On August 15, 1769, Napoleon Bonaparte was born in Ajaccio, France. In 1804, he became the first emperor of France and established hegemony over most of continental Europe. In what would be called the Napoleonic Wars, Napoleon’s drive for military expansion changed the world. After being forced into exile on the island of Elba, Napoleon was able to regain power of France temporarily before suffering a crushing defeat at Waterloo. Although he would live the… Read the full story

Happy birthday, Steve Martin! Today he turns 68. In 1945, the “wild and crazy” comedian was born in Waco, Texas and moved to southern California as a young child. Martin got his start entertaining audiences during his teens, performing magic tricks and banjo music at Disneyland. Since then, he’s not only become one of the most successful comedic actors but also an author, playwright and musician. Did you know that he won a Grammy Award… Read the full story

Lucy Stone was an orator, abolitionist and a vocal advocate and organizer promoting rights for women. She helped initiate the first National Women’s Rights Convention, she assisted in establishing the Woman’s National Loyal League to help pass the Thirteenth Amendment, and she then helped form the American Woman Suffrage Association. Stone influenced Susan B. Anthony to take up the cause of women’s suffrage and Elizabeth Cady Stanton wrote that “Lucy Stone was the first person… Read the full story

In tonight’s episode of Who Do You Think You Are? Zooey Deschanel  investigates tales of abolitionists in her father’s Quaker ancestry. Are you excited to see what mysteries she will uncover? Before the show, check out Zooey Deschanel’s family tree on Geni and see how you’re related!       View Zooey Deschanel’s Geni Profile  

Here are some great articles from the past week that you may have missed: The Genealogy Sphere WWI tourism: Looking for your family hero (BBC News) – As the 100th anniversary of WWI approaches, brothers visit the battlefield where their great grandfather fought World War One from the OTHER side (Daily Mail) – Photos of the German Army during WWI Tips to Researching WWI War Brides (a3Genealogy blog) – Tips on tracing your WWI veteran’s… Read the full story

On August 12, 1964, author Ian Fleming died at the age of 56. Fleming was best known for bringing suave British Secret Intelligence Service agent James Bond to life in his series of spy novels. Inspired by his own experience working for British Naval Intelligence during World War II, Fleming published his first Bond novel, Casino Royal, in 1953. Following the book’s success, 11 Bond novels and short-story collections would be published between 1953 and… Read the full story

August 9 is the United Nations’ International Day of the World’s Indigenous People! First pronounced by the General Assembly of the United Nations in 1994, the day is observed to promote and protect the rights of the world’s indigenous population. Each year this day is celebrated in recognition of the achievements and contributions that indigenous people make to improve world issues. In honor of the day, here are some of genealogy projects on Geni from all… Read the full story

On August 9, 1902, Edward VII was crowned the King of the United Kingdom and Ireland after the death of his mother Queen Victoria. Before his ascension to the throne, he served as heir apparent and held the title of Prince of Wales longer than any of his predecessors. He was recently surpassed by his great-great grandson Prince Charles as the longest-serving heir apparent in British history. Edward VII is connected to over 70 million… Read the full story

On this day in 1863, following his defeat at Gettysburg, General Robert E. Lee sent his letter of resignation as commander of the Army of Northern Virginia to Confederate President Jefferson Davis. Taking the defeat personally, Lee seriously questioned his ability to lead the confederate army into battle. Upon receiving the letter, Davis promptly refused his resignation. Robert E. Lee is connected to over 70 million people on Geni’s World Family Tree. How are you… Read the full story

Happy birthday, Charlize Theron! Today the Academy Award winning actress turns 38. Born in South Africa, Charlize moved to the U.S. in her teens to pursue a career in modeling. Did you know her second great uncle Daniel Theron was a captain during the Second Boer War? He is best known as the driving force behind the formation of a military bicycle corps used by the Boer Army for scouting and relaying messages. Check out her family… Read the full story

Jacob Perkins was an American inventor, mechanical engineer and physicist. He is known to have been the father of the refrigerator. He is credited with the first patent for the vapor-compression refrigeration cycle titled “Apparatus and means for producing ice, and in cooling fluids” assigned on August 14, 1835.  He had 21 American patents and 19 English patents. Perkins had created machines for cutting and heading nails at the age of 24 in 1790 and… Read the full story

In tonight’s episode of Who Do You Think You Are? comedian Chelsea Handler learns more about her grandfather Karl Stoecker and his past as a German soldier during World War II. Are you eager to see what surprises will be revealed? Chelsea Handler is not yet connected to World Family Tree. Check out her family tree and help connect her to over 70 million people on Geni.     View Chelsea Handler’s Geni Profile  

Start the week of with some interesting genealogy articles! The Genealogy Sphere Rare Bible rescued from trash provides missing family history (Desertnews.com) – A rare 1815 Bible rescued from the garbage 40 years ago reveals provides missing family history Okinawa Battle Flag Returned to Owner’s Family (ABC News) – A tattered Japanese flag found by an American soldier during WWII is returned to its owners family A matter of consideration (The Legal Genealogist blog) –… Read the full story

Today we remember Marilyn Monroe, who passed away on this day in 1962. She overcame a very difficult childhood to become one of the world’s biggest and most influential cultural icons. Her widely successful career was cut short when she died at the age of 36 from a drug overdose. What’s your favorite Marilyn Monroe film? Marilyn Monroe is connected to over 70 million people in Geni’s World Family Tree. How are you related?  … Read the full story

How do you usually spend quality time with your family? If you were the Steinlauf family, you would probably all go out for a nice bike ride…on the same bike. In 1939, Charles Steinlauf invented the “Goofybike,” a two-story bicycle contraption to carry the entire family. Here’s a photo of Charles pedaling up top to help guide the bike, while his son pedals down below. His wife sits below him with the fully operational sewing… Read the full story

Today in 1876, frontiersman Wild Bill Hickcok was shot in the back and killed while playing poker at the Nuttal & Mann’s Saloon in Deadwood, located in the southern Dakota Territory. The legend of Wild Bill was known throughout the American West. During his lifetime, he was one of the first Pony Express riders, fought for the Union Army during the American Civil War, and became a lawman on the frontier. Considered one of the… Read the full story

Six Geni Curators from around the world – Adam Brown, Randy Schoenberg, Pam Karp, Kevin Hanit, Malka Mysels and Hatte Blejer – will fly to Boston this weekend to represent Geni at the 33rd IAJGS International Conference on Jewish Genealogy. Located at Boston’s Park Plaza Hotel, the conference will run from Sunday, August 4th through Friday, August 9th. The Curators will staff the official Geni exhibit all week as well as a table sponsored by… Read the full story

On August 1, 1819, author Herman Melville was born in New York City. Although he experienced success early in his literary career, by the time of his death, his popularity had severely declined. It wasn’t until the “Melville Revival” in the early 20th century that his work won recognition, especially Moby-Dick which was hailed as one of the literary masterpieces of literature. Do you remember reading Moby-Dick? Herman Melville is connected to over 70 million people… Read the full story