December 2016

As we come to the end of the year, we take a look back at what we have accomplished in 2016. We are proud the milestones we’ve hit as well as the fantastic new features we’ve introduced this year to make Geni’s World Family Tree even better. Here are our highlights from 2016 on Geni: Geni hit a huge milestone in January when the World Family Tree surpassed 100 million profiles. Thanks to the collaborative efforts of the… Read the full story

Only one day after the death of her daughter, Carrie Fisher, legendary actress Debbie Reynolds passed away on December 28, 2016 at the age of 84. Reynolds launched to fame during the 1950s with a string of musicals, most notably starring in the classic film Singin’ in the Rain alongside Gene Kelly. Only 19 when she shot the film, Reynolds had never danced professionally before. She was born Mary Frances Reynolds on April 1, 1932 in El… Read the full story

On the morning of December 27, 2016, Star Wars icon Carrie Fisher passed away after suffering a heart attack on a flight from London to Los Angeles just four days earlier. Image: Gage Skidmore / Wikimedia Commons  An accomplished author, screenwriter and actress, Fisher was well known for her quick wit and candor. She held memorable parts in When Harry Met Sally and Hannah and Her Sisters, but she will perhaps forever be remembered for her iconic… Read the full story

On this day, actor Kiefer Sutherland was born. Kiefer William Frederick Dempsey George Rufus Sutherland was born on December 21, 1966 in London, England to actors Donald Sutherland and Shirley Douglas. He was named after writer-director Warren Kiefer, who had directed Donald Sutherland in his first featured film, Castle of the Living Dead. His maternal grandfather was Thomas “Tommy” Douglas, a Scottish-born Canadian politician and the seventh Premier of Saskatchewan from 1944 to 1961. Sutherland’s first… Read the full story

Do you remember writing letters to Santa Claus? What did you ask for? Every year, children all around the world take a moment to ask Santa for gifts for being good during the year. The Mountainair Independent, December 21, 1916 / MyHeritage SuperSearch Have you ever wondered what your ancestors may have asked for 100 years ago? Newspapers often printed children’s letters to Santa. Common gift requests included dolls, firecrackers, candy, and fruits, particularly apples and… Read the full story

Today we remember actor Alan Thicke, who passed away at the age of 69. Thicke was best remembered as the beloved dad, Jason Seaver, on the 80’s sitcom, Growing Pains. He was born Alan Willis Jeffrey on March 1, 1947 in Kirkland Lake, Ontario to Shirley Isobel Marie Greer, a nurse, and William Jeffrey, a stockbroker. He began his career on Canadian television before moving on to American TV. Although best known for his work in front… Read the full story

Looking for a great gift for the holidays? Whether you are looking for a gift for the family historian or genealogist in your circle of friends and family or just looking to share your love of family history with your relatives, here are some nifty gift ideas for this holiday season. For something nostalgic…   Poster of your family tree A family tree poster is an excellent gift to to give to your family. You can… Read the full story

On December 8, legendary astronaut John Glenn died at the age of 95. A hero of the space age and the last of the original Mercury 7, Glenn inspired generations of scientists and explorers. Image: NASA Remembered best as the first American to orbit Earth, Glenn was also a national war hero and former U.S. Senator. In honor of his memory, here are some interesting facts about the life of the American icon. 1. He grew up… Read the full story

Today marks the 75th anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor. On the morning of December 7, 1941, the Imperial Japanese Navy struck the U.S. navel base at Pearl Harbor in a surprise military attack. The attack lasted a couple of hours and left more than 1,000 wounded and 2,400 people dead. Image: U.S. Navy The attack was intended as a preventative action to keep the U.S. Pacific Fleet from interfering with the planned military actions of… Read the full story

We love hearing of stories from users who have discovered a new piece of their family on Geni. Today we share a story from Jens Petter Kleven, who grew up knowing very little about his father’s family. What he found on Geni would open up an entirely new world to him. Jens was born in September 1950 in Oslo, Norway. He describes his childhood as difficult from day one.  His mother had denied his father… Read the full story