November 2017

Today’s Google Doodle honors British horticulturist and garden designer Gertrude Jekyll on her 174th birthday. Considered one of the most well known and influential garden designers in history, Jekyll created over 400 gardens throughout Europe and the United States. Jekyll was born on November 29, 1843 in London, England. She was the fifth of seven children born to Captain Edward Joseph Hill Jekyll and Julia Hammersley. Her brother, Walter, was a friend of author Robert Louis Stevenson. Stevenson would… Read the full story

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are engaged! Did you know that Prince Harry and Megan are also related? Discover how in Geni’s World Family Tree. According to the official announcement, the couple will marry in the spring of next year. They were introduced by a mutual friend and have been together for over a year. While making their debut as an engaged couple outside of Kensington Palace, Prince Harry revealed that he knew she was the one from the moment they met.

We’re sad to hear of the passing of David Cassidy, who died Tuesday at the age of 67. One of the biggest musical and television stars of the 1970s, Cassidy will perhaps be forever remembered as the star of the musical television series, The Partridge Family. Cassidy was born on April 12, 1950 in New York City, New York to singer and actor Jack Cassidy and actress Evelyn Ward. After his parents divorced, his father married actress… Read the full story

In a very special live segment on Good Morning America, a mother and daughter were reunited for the first time in over 30 years thanks to MyHeritage DNA. In 1986, Angie Oracoy placed her daughter, Meribeth, up for adoption. Only 19 years old at the time, the young mother never had the chance to hold her daughter before she was taken away. Angie hoped Meribeth would be adopted by a loving family who could give her daughter the life that she… Read the full story

People magazine recently named country music star Blake Shelton 2017’s Sexiest Man Alive. Are you a fan? Explore his family tree on Geni and discover how you’re related! The Oklahoma native was born Blake Tollison Shelton on June 18, 1976 to Richard Shelton, a used car salesman, and Dorothy Byrd, a beauty salon owner. His father served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War and was a member of the Honor Guard. At 14, he lost… Read the full story

On November 11, the United States celebrates Veterans Day to give thanks, honor, and celebrate the brave men and women who have served in the nation’s armed forces. Originally observed as Armistice Day, which commemorated the end of World War I at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month in 1918, the holiday was renamed Veterans Day in 1954. Not to be confused with Memorial Day, which honors those who died while in… Read the full story

“Dr. Livingstone, I presume?” Those were the first words uttered by journalist and explorer Henry Morton Stanley when he found missing explorer David Livingstone on November 10, 1871 in present-day Tanzania. Born John Rowlands in Denbigh, Denbighshire, Wales, Stanley immigrated to the United States at 18 and changed his name. During the American Civil War, he served in both the Confederate and Union armies. After the war, he became a journalist. In 1871, he was commissioned by The New York… Read the full story

Have you found your connection to royalty? On this day in 1841, King Edward VII was born in Buckingham Palace. The eldest son of Prince Albert and Queen Victoria, Edward VII held the record for the longest serving heir-apparent in British history at 59 years, until he was surpassed by his second great grandson Prince Charles in 2011. He was named Albert Edward after his father and his maternal grandfather, Prince Edward Duke of Kent and Strathearn. He was known… Read the full story

Sometimes when you hit a brick wall in your genealogy research, you may feel like there is no hope in overcoming it. However, there may be a few things to try that you may have overlooked. Here are a few quick tips on how to overcome your brick walls: Review what you have Go back and review what you know about your ancestor. Take some time to to create a timeline during your review to get a better picture of your… Read the full story