May 2020

On this day in 1953, New Zealand mountaineer and explorer Edmund Hillary and Nepalese Sherpa Tenzing Norgay became the first climbers known to reach the summit of Mount Everest. Image: The Windsor Daily Star, July 3, 1953 / MyHeritage SuperSearch The duo reached the summit at 11:30am and spent 15 minutes atop the highest point on Earth. Hillary and Tenzing were a part of the ninth British expedition to Everest, led by John Hunt. Upon their… Read the full story

Do you have any gun-slingers in your family tree? On this day in 1837, legendary gunfighter Wild Bill Hickok was born in Troy Grove, Illinois. Born James Butler Hickok, “Wild Bill” was an excellent marksman from a very young age. His adventurous life was ripe for legendary status. During the American Civil War, he served as a civilian scout for the Union Army. Although no records exist, some believe he may have even served as a Union spy in… Read the full story

As we enter Memorial Day weekend, we take the time to remember the men and women who have died while serving in the country’s armed forces. Originally called Decoration Day, the tradition of the holiday was born after the Civil War. On Decoration Day, the graves of Civil War soldiers were decorated with flowers. However, after the devastation of World War I, the holiday was expanded to honor all soldiers who died during military service. Although several… Read the full story

Are you a fan of Sherlock Holmes? On this day in 1859, author Sir Arthur Conan Doyle was born in Edinburgh, Scotland. Image: Sir Arthur Conan Doyle / Library of Congress Supported by wealthy uncles, Doyle was sent to the Roman Catholic Jesuit preparatory school, Hodder Place, Stonyhurst, at the age of 9. He studied medicine at the University of Ediniburgh Medical School and it was there that he began writing short stories. In 1887,… Read the full story

On May 21, 1881, Clara Barton founded the American Red Cross in Washington, D.C. Image: Clara Barton / Library of Congress Barton became known as the “Angel of the Battlefield” during the American Civil War for her tireless work with the sick and wounded. She often risked her life to bring supplies and aid to soldiers in the field. At the end of the war, she ran the Office of Missing Soldiers to identify and… Read the full story

On this day in 1868, Nicholas II of Russia was born. Image: Nicholas II of Russia / Library of Congress Born Nikolai Alekasndrovich Romanov, Nicholas II was the eldest son Alexander III and Maria Feodorovna of Russia. He was related to several monarchs in Europe, including his first cousin King George V. In 1894, Nicholas II ascended to the Russian throne after the death of his father. During his reign, the Russian Empire fell from… Read the full story

To celebrate Mother’s Day, we asked the community to share their favorite memories of their mother or a mother-figure in their lives. From the submitted entries, one lucky winner would receive a free 1-year Geni Pro subscription. Today, we’re excited to congratulate Lynn Grieder, the winner of our Mother’s Day giveaway! Lynn shared this special memory she has of her mother, Ethel Martin neé Hukkala: In 2002 we took my Mom on a “roots” trip… Read the full story

Today marks the 200th anniversary of the birth of Florence Nightingale, a social reformer and the founder of modern nursing. A pioneer of her field, Nightingale’s work to improve sanitation, reform health care, and formalize nursing education helped pave the way for the important role of nurses in health care today. Image: Florence Nightingale / Library of Congress Nightingale was born on May 12, 1820 in Florence, Italy to an affluent family. From a young… Read the full story

Mother’s Day is just around the corner. Celebrate your mother or a mother-figure in your life by sharing with us your favorite memory that you have together. Send in your stories to us and you can win a free 1-year Geni Pro subscription! If it’s a day trip to the beach or a special dress your mother made for you, we want to hear your stories! And if you have a photo, feel free to… Read the full story