May 2015

Today we remember President John F. Kennedy on what would have been his 98th birthday. John Fitzgerald Kennedy was born on May 29, 1917 in Brookline, Massachusetts. The second of nine children born to Joseph “Joe” Kennedy and Rose Elizabeth Fitzgerald, John was frequently ill as a child. His older brother, Joe, had been pegged to be the family’s political standard-bearer and was expected by his father to seek the Presidency. After Joe’s death in World War… Read the full story

Happy 107th birthday to author Ian Fleming! The James Bond author was born on May 28, 1908 in Mayfair, London to a wealthy family. His father, Valentine Fleming, was a Member of Parliament and died in the trenches during World War I. Winston Churchill, a friend and fellow Parliament member, wrote Valentine’s obituary in The Times. During World War II, Ian was recruited to work as a British Naval intelligence officer. His experience in the world of espionage inspired him to… Read the full story

On this day in 1937, the Golden Gate Bridge opened to the public. Do you have any relatives who worked on the bridge? Or maybe relatives who were present on opening day? Today the bridge is one of the most internationally recognized symbols of San Francisco, California and the United States. Check out some fun facts you may not know about one of the most photographed bridges in the world: Image: Golden Gate Bridge / Wikimedia Commons… Read the full story

Do you have a favorite John Wayne film? On this day in 1907, the Western star was born in Winterset, Iowa. John Wayne was born Marion Robert Morrison to Clyde Leonard Morrison and Mary “Molly” Alberta Brown. His middle name was soon changed to Mitchell after his parents decided to name their next son Robert. While growing up in Glendale, California, he acquired the nickname “Duke” which followed him the rest of his life. After spending nearly… Read the full story

It’s Memorial Day in the U.S.! On this day, the country honors the men and women who have given their lives while serving in the U.S. military. Typically, the day is celebrated by visiting cemeteries, attending parades and family gatherings and barbecues. Memorial Day was first introduced after the end of the Civil War. The day was expanded to encompass all American soldiers who died in service after the devastation of World War I. In honor of their… Read the full story

Today we remember legendary actor Laurence Olivier on his 108th birthday. The son of a clergyman, Olivier was encouraged to pursue a career as an actor despite his family’s long history of holding prominent positions in the Church. A great interpreter of Shakespeare’s words, Olivier brought many of the bard’s work to life on stage and film, including the film version of Hamlet, for which he directed and starred. The film would become the first non-American… Read the full story

As any genealogist will tell you, documenting your genealogy is incredibly important. While working on the World Family Tree, it is vital to add documents to ensure the information is as accurate as possible. It also allows others to see and verify where the profile’s information came from. Adding documents to profiles is easy on Geni. Follow the steps below to learn how: Documents can be added directly to the profiles in your family tree. Simply navigate to the profile… Read the full story

On this day in 1881, the American Red Cross was founded by pioneering nurse Clara Barton in Washington, D.C. Born Clarissa Harlowe Barton on Christmas Day in 1821, Clara spent most of her life helping others. During the American Civil War, she became known as the “Angel of the Battlefield” for her tireless work helping the sick and wounded. She operated the Missing Soldiers Office after the war and by the time the office closed in 1867,… Read the full story

Today we remember British World War I hero Lawrence of Arabia on the 80th anniversary of his death. He was born Thomas Edward Lawrence on August 16, 1888 in Tremadoc, Wales. After studying architecture and archaeology in school, Lawrence spent several years excavating in the Middle East. At the outbreak of war between Britain and the Ottoman Empire, Lawrence enlisted in the British military. Due to his expertise in Middle Eastern affairs, he was assigned as an… Read the full story

The Global Family Reunion is only a few weeks away! Today we’re excited to share that Geni users will receive a special discount on Global Family Reunion tickets – 25% off! Best-selling author A.J. Jacobs is hosting the largest family reunion event in history and you’re invited! The Global Family Reunion has been dubbed an “ancestry Lollapalooza” by The New York Times. It will feature over 50 speakers and more than 400 activities and exhibits. As the home of… Read the full story

Today we honor blues legend B.B. King, who passed away at the age of 89. Riley B. King was born on September 16, 1925 on a cotton plantation near the town of Itta Bena, Mississippi. He was exposed to music at a young age as a member of his church’s gospel choir. He was first introduced to the blues by his great aunt at the age of 7 and by 12, he had purchased his first guitar. His mother’s first cousin,… Read the full story

Happy 127th birthday to pioneering seismologist Inge Lehmann! Today’s Google Doodle honors the Danish scientist, who discovered the Earth’s inner core. Here are five things to know about Inge Lehmann: 1. Lehmann was born on May 13, 1888 in Copenhagen, Denmark. Her father, Alfred Georg Ludvik Lehmann, was an experimental psychologist and one of the most significant influences for her intellectual development. 2. She studied mathematics at the University of Copenhagen and the University of… Read the full story

Are you searching for baby names? The U.S. Social Security Administration has released the top 10 names for 2014! At the top of the list this year are Noah for boys and Emma for girls. This is the second year in a row that Noah has claimed the top spot. Emma has been among the top three baby names since 2003. A popular name during the early 1900s, the name fell out of fashion in… Read the full story

Today we celebrate the 70th anniversary of Victory in Europe Day! On May 8, 1945, millions of people throughout Western Europe took to the streets to celebrate the unconditional surrender of Nazi Germany and the end of World War II in Europe. Image: City of Toronto Archives Once the announcement was made of Germany’s surrender, jubilant celebrations erupted throughout the streets of Europe. Millions danced, waved flags, threw streamers and even kissed strangers. This important day had… Read the full story

This weekend, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge welcomed their second child! The new little princess has been named Charlotte Elizabeth Diana. Kate gave birth to her daughter on Saturday, May 2 at 8:34am London time, less than three hours after she checked into St. Mary’s Hospital. The princess weighed 8 pounds and 3 ounces. Now that her name has been officially released, here are some things to know about the newest addition to the… Read the full story