2023

On December 29, 1800, inventor Charles Goodyear was born in New Haven, Connecticut. He invented and developed a process to vulcanize rubber in 1839. Image: Charles Goodyear / Library of Congress The oldest of six children, Goodyear was a descendant of Stephen Goodyear, one of the founders of the colony of New Haven in 1638. For years, Goodyear experimented with natural rubber, trying to make the material more reliable and stable for industrial use. Despite his crippling… Read the full story

On December 28, 1856, Woodrow Wilson was born. As the 28th President of the United States, Wilson led the country into World War I and was the leading advocate of the League of Nations. Image: Woodrow Wilson / Library of Congress He was born Thomas Woodrow Wilson in Staunton, Virginia to Joseph Ruggles Wilson, a prominent Presbyterian theologian, and Jessie Janet Woodrow. In 1912, Wilson was elected the 28th President of the United States. At… Read the full story

As the new year comes to a close, we are looking back at the highlights of 2023 on Geni. From new enhancements to a return to regular in-person conferences, we had a fun year and reached a new milestone in the World Family Tree with over 180 million profiles connected! We began the year by returning to RootsTech, which was once again in person after two years of virtual conferences. It was amazing to see… Read the full story

On this day in 1571, mathematician and astronomer Johannes Kepler was born in Weil der Stadt in what is now Germany. A key figure of the Scientific Revolution, Kepler is best remembered for discovering the three laws of planetary motion. Image: Johannes Kepler / Wikimedia Commons Kepler’s paternal grandfather was a respected craftsman and served as mayor of the city. However, his parents were poor. His father earned a living as a mercenary and left the family when Kepler… Read the full story

On this day in 1943, author Beatrix Potter died at the age of 77. Although best remembered for her beloved children’s book, The Tale of Peter Rabbit, Potter was also an avid conservationist and sheep farmer. She purchased many pieces of land in an effort to preserve the English countryside. At her death, Potter left nearly all of her vast property to the National Trust and today, the land is now included in the Lake District National Park…. Read the full story

Happy birthday to Samuel L. Jackson! Today the star turns 75. Image: Samuel L. Jackson / Gage Skidmore, Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 2.0) Samuel L. Jackson was born on December 21, 1948 in Washington, D.C. to Roy Jackson and Elizabeth Montgomery. Growing up in Chattanooga, Tennessee, Jackson was mainly raised by his maternal grandparents. While attending Morehouse College in Atlanta, Georgia, he became involved in the black power movement and would serve as an usher at Martin… Read the full story

On this day in 1537, John III, King of Sweden, was born at Stegeborg Castle in Sweden. The Swedish king ruled from 1568 until his death in 1592 and is remembered for his attempts to bridge the gap between the newly established Lutheran Church of Sweden and the Catholic church. Image: John III, King of Sweden / Wikimedia Commons John was the second son of Gustav I and Margareta Leijonhufvud. In 1560, John was named the Duke… Read the full story

Today we remember French singer and actress Édith Piaf, who was born on December 19, 1915 in Paris, France. Image: Édith Piaf / Nationaal Archief, CC0 She was born Édith Giovanna Gassion to Annetta Giovanna Maillard, a cafe singer, and Louis Alphonse Gassion, a street acrobat. Piaf was named after the World War I British nurse Edith Cavell, who was executed for helping soldiers escape from German captivity in Belgium. Piaf first rose to fame after she… Read the full story

Happy birthday to Steven Spielberg! Today the iconic director turns 77. Image: Steven Spielberg / Gage Skidmore, Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 2.0) Born on December 18, 1946 in Cincinnati, Ohio, Spielberg got his start making films at an early age. Throughout his early teens, he made amateur 8mm adventure films with his friends, even earning his first Boy Scout merit badge for a Western film he created. After the successful release of Jaws, Spielberg became… Read the full story

Have you ever visited the Eiffel Tower? On this day in 1832, French architect and engineer Gustave Eiffel was born in Dijon, France. Image: Gustave Eiffel / Library of Congress Eiffel had spent years building bridges before he was contacted by French sculptor Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi for help to devise the structure for the Statue of Liberty. Eiffel had replaced the statue’s initial engineer, who unexpectedly died. With Eiffel’s help, the statue was built and then… Read the full story

On this day in 1895, George VI was born at York Cottage on the Sandringham Estate in Norfolk during the reign of his great grandmother, Queen Victoria. His birth date fell on the 34th anniversary of the death of his great grandfather, Prince Albert, and so, the new royal was named Albert in his honor. Image: George VI / Library of Congress As the second son of King George V, it was not expected for George to become king. However, this… Read the full story

Today American singer and songwriter Taylor Swift turns 34! Swift has had a monumental year thanks to her record-breaking Eras Tour, the release of two re-recorded albums, and she was just named Time Magazine’s Person of the Year. Image: Taylor Swift / David Shankbone, Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 3.0), cropped Swift was born on December 13, 1989 in West Reading, Pennsylvania to Scott Kinglsey Swift and Andrea Gardner Finlay. She was named after singer-songwriter James… Read the full story

On this day in 1863, Norwegian painter Edvard Munch was born in Løten, Norway. He is perhaps best known for his 1893 painting, The Scream, which is often considered one of the most recognizable works of art in modern history. Image: Edvard Munch / National Library of Norway, Flickr Munch was the second of five children born to Christian Munch and Laura Catherine Bjølstad. In 1868, his mother died of tuberculosis and a few years later, his sister died of… Read the full story

On this day in 1863, astronomer Annie Jump Cannon was born. Nicknamed the “Census Taker of the Sky,” Cannon was instrumental in the development of the current system of stellar classification. Image: Annie Jump Cannon / Smithsonian Institution Cannon was born on December 11, 1863 in Dover, Delaware to Wilson Cannon, a shipbuilder and state senator, and Mary Jump. Cannon’s mother was the first to teach her about the constellations and encouraged her to pursue her passion in astronomy in her studies. She… Read the full story

On this day in 1925, legendary singer and actor Sammy Davis, Jr. was born in Harlem, New York. He is perhaps best remembered as a member of the famous Rat Pack, along with his friends, Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin. Image: Sammy Davis Jr. / Nationaal Archief, CC0 Davis got his start as a small child in his father’s vaudeville act. He learned to dance and soon became a part of the Will Mastin Trio with his father… Read the full story

Do you have pioneer ancestors? American author Willa Cather was born on this day in 1873. She is best remembered for capturing pioneer life on the Great Plains in her novels. Image: Willa Cather / Library of Congress Wilella Sibert Cather was born on December 7, 1873 on her maternal grandmother’s farm in the Back Creek Valley near Winchester, Virginia. Her father’s family had lived in the area for six generations. Within a year after her birth,… Read the full story

Do you know who was the first U.S. President to be born a United States citizen? Martin Van Buren, the 8th President of the United States, was born December 5, 1782 in Kinderhook, New York. Before President Van Buren, all previous presidents were born in the British colonies before the American Revolution, and therefore were British subjects. Image: Martin Van Buren / National Portrait Gallery, Smithsonian Institution CC0 Van Buren’s third great grandfather, Cornelis Maessen… Read the full story

Happy birthday to Jeff Bridges! Today the actor turns 74. Image: Jeff Bridges / Gage Skidmore, Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0) Born into a Hollywood family, Bridges got his start on film as an infant in the movie, The Company She Keeps. His father, Lloyd Bridges, was a prolific actor best known for starring in the television series Sea Hunt. Growing up, Jeff was very close to his older brother, Beau, who often acted as a surrogate father when their… Read the full story

Happy birthday to Bette Midler! Today the iconic singer and actress turns 78. Image: Bette Midler / Nationaal Archief Midler was born on December 1, 1945 in Honolulu, Hawaii to Ruth Schindel and Fred Midler. The third of four children, Midler was named after actress Bette Davis, although she pronounces her name as one syllable. After graduating as valedictorian of her high school, Midler went on to study drama at the University of Hawaii. However,… Read the full story

What’s your favorite Mark Twain book? On this day in 1835, the author and humorist was born in Florida, Missouri. Today he is still considered to be one of the most popular and beloved writers in American literature. Image: Mark Twain / Library of Congress Samuel Langhorne Clemens was the sixth child born to John Marshal Clemens and Jane Lampton. He later adopted the pen name Mark Twain, which was derived from the riverboat term “mark twain.” By the fifth… Read the full story

Do you remember reading Little Women? On this day in 1832, author Louisa May Alcott was born in Germantown, Pennsylvania. Image: Louisa May Alcott / Library of Congress The second daughter of Amos Bronson Alcott and Abby May, Alcott was born on her father’s 33rd birthday. Amos Alcott was a transcendentalist and established an experimental school in Boston. She grew up around family friends Henry David Thoreau and Ralph Waldo Emerson, who were a part of the Transcendental… Read the full story

Remember reading the short story “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow”? On this day in 1859, author Washington Irving died in his home at the age of 76. Image: Washington Irving / U.S. National Archives and Records Administration Irving was the youngest of eleven children born to William Irving, Sr. and Sarah Sanders. He was born just as the American Revolution came to its end and was named after the hero of the revolution, George Washington. At… Read the full story

Are you a fan of martial arts movies? On this day in 1940, actor and martial arts legend Bruce Lee was born in San Francisco, California. Considered one of the most influential martial artists of all time, Lee is often credited with helping to change the way Asians are depicted in American films. Image: Bruce Lee / Wikimedia Commons His father was a leading Hong Kong Cantonese opera singer and film actor. At the time of… Read the full story

On this day in 1784, Zachary Taylor was born. Taylor served as the 12th President of the United States until his death in 1850. Image: Zachary Taylor / Library of Congress Taylor was born on November 24, 1784 in Orange County, Virginia to a prominent family of plantation owners. His father, Richard Taylor, served in the Continental Army during the American Revolution. Taylor was related to a number of prominent figures in history. He was… Read the full story

Happy birthday to Jamie Lee Curtis! Today the actress turns 65. Image: Jamie Lee Curtis / Gage Skidmore, Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 2.0) The daughter of actors Tony Curtis and Janet Leigh, Curtis followed in her parents footsteps and became an actress. In 1978, she made her film debut as the star of the horror film Halloween and subsequently went on to star in several more horror films, garnering her the title, “Scream Queen.” Her career… Read the full story

Happy birthday to Goldie Hawn! Today the actress turns 78. Image: Goldie Hawn / photo by Alan Light, Wikimedia Commons CC BY 2.0 She was born Goldie Jeanne Hawn on November 21, 1945 in Washington D.C. to Laura Steinhoff, a jewelry shop/dance school owner, and Edward Rutledge Hawn, a band musician. Goldie got her big break as a regular cast member on the sketch comedy show Laugh-In. Her Laugh-In persona let her easily segue into several popular film appearances, including Cactus… Read the full story

Today we remember Robert F. Kennedy, who was born on this day in 1925. Image: Robert F. Kennedy / Nationaal Archief, CC0 Born in Brookline, Massachusetts, Robert was the seventh child of Joseph Kennedy, Sr. and Rose Fitzgerald. After successfully managing his older brother’s presidential campaign, John F. Kennedy appointed him Attorney General. Robert would become one of President Kennedy’s closest advisors during his administration. A year after his brother’s assassination, Robert won a seat… Read the full story

On this day in 1558, Mary I of England died at the age of 42. With no children of her own, her half-sister succeeded to the throne and ruled as Elizabeth I. Image: Mary I of England / Wikimedia Commons The only child of Henry VIII and his first wife, Catherine of Aragon, Mary I ascended to the English throne after the death of her Protestant half-brother, Edward VI. She was the fourth crowned monarch… Read the full story

The Consistency Checker has played an important role to help improve the accuracy of the World Family Tree. Today we are excited to share that you will now receive a weekly email notification to alert you of inconsistencies found in the family tree on Geni. In the email notification, you will see a list of the most important issues discovered on profiles you manage. The Consistency Checker automatically checks 28 different types of inconsistencies and… Read the full story

Today we remember legendary actor Clark Gable, who died on this day in 1960 at the age of 59. Known as the “King of Hollywood,” Gable starred in more than 60 films, but is perhaps best remembered as Rhett Butler in the Civil War epic Gone With the Wind. Image: Clark Gable / Wikimedia Commons Born William Clark Gable on February 1, 1901 in Cadiz, Ohio, Gable had early aspirations to become an actor. After… Read the full story

On November 15, 1887, American artist Georgia O’Keeffe was born. Image: Georgia O’Keeffe / Library of Congress O’Keeffe was born in a farmhouse in Sun Prairie, Wisconsin to Francis Calyxtus O’Keeffe and Ida Totto, who were both dairy farmers. The second of seven children, O’Keeffe knew she wanted to become an artist from a young age. She studied at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago and then the Art Students League of New… Read the full story

On November 14, 1840, French impressionist painter Claude Monet was born. Image: Claude Monet / Wikimedia Commons The French painter is remembered as the founder of the French Impressionist movement. In fact, the movement’s name was derived from Monet’s painting Impression, Sunrise. Monet’s artistic style sought to capture the movement of light and its changing qualities. His work often illustrated ordinary subject matters and nature, such as his famous series of paintings depicting haystacks and water… Read the full story

Do you remember reading Treasure Island or Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde? On this day in 1850, author Robert Louis Stevenson was born. Image: Robert Louis Stevenson / Library of Congress Stevenson was born in Edinburgh, Scotland to Thomas Stevenson, a leading lighthouse engineer, and Margaret Balfour. As a child, Stevenson was prone to illnesses, often coughs and fevers, which persisted into adulthood. He was expected to follow in his family’s profession in lighthouse engineering, however, he… Read the full story

On this day in 1925, Welsh actor Richard Burton was born in Pontrhydyfen, Wales. Image: Richard Burton / Wikimedia Commons Born Richard Walter Jenkins, Jr., he was the twelfth child of parents Richard Walter Jenkins, Sr. and Edith Maude Thomas. His father was a coal miner and his mother worked as a bartender. At the age of two, he lost his mother shortly after she gave birth to the family’s thirteenth child. He was then taken… Read the full story

What’s the most surprising thing you’ve learned about an ancestor? On this day in 1914, actress Hedy Lamarr was born in Vienna, Austria-Hungry. Although Lamarr was best known as an actress during MGM’s “Golden Age,” you may be surprised to learn about her background as an inventor and the role she played in the creation of wireless communication. Image: Hedy Lamarr / Wikimedia Commons During the 1940s, Lamarr starred in several successful films. But as… Read the full story

On this day in 1847, Bram Stoker, author of Dracula, was born in Dublin, Ireland. Image: Bram Stoker / Wikimedia Commons Abraham Stoker was the third of seven children born to Abraham Stoker and Charlotte Mathilda Blake Thornley. As a child, Stoker suffered from an illness that left him bedridden until he started school at the age of seven. After studying mathematics at Trinity College, Stoker worked as a civil servant at Dublin Castle and as… Read the full story

“Nothing in life is to be feared, it is only to be understood.” – Marie Curie Image: Marie Curie / Nationaal Archief, Flickr Today we celebrate the life of renowned physicist Marie Curie, who was born on November 7, 1867 in Warsaw, Poland. A pioneer in radiation research, Curie was the first woman to win a Nobel Prize and the first person (and only woman) to win twice in different fields. She was born Maria Salomea… Read the full story

On this day in 1814, Adolphe Sax, inventor of the saxophone, was born in Dinant, in what is today Belgium. Image: Adolphe Sax / Bibliothèque Nationale de France, Wikimedia Commons Sax was born Antoine-Joseph Sax to Marie-Joseph Masson and Charles-Joseph Sax, a maker of wind and brass instruments. As a young child, Sax faced many near-death experiences. He was struck in the head by a brick, swallowed a needle, fell onto a burning stove, survived a fall from… Read the full story

Do you have Italian ancestry? On this day in 1801, operatic composer Vincenzo Bellini was born in Catania, Sicily. Image: Vincenzo Bellini / Rijksmuseum Bellini was born to a highly musical family and showed signs of his musical talent at an early age. Although not much is known about his early life, some stories say that he learned to sing at 18 months and play the piano at the age of 3. His grandfather and his… Read the full story

Marie Antoinette, the last Queen of France, was born on this day in 1755 in Vienna, Austria. Image: Marie Antoinette / Wikimedia Commons Marie Antoinette was born on November 2, 1755 and was the youngest daughter of Holy Roman Emperor Francis I and Empress Maria Theresa. By the age of 15, her marriage to the future King of France, Louis XVI, had been arranged in order to cement an alliance between the French and Hapsburg… Read the full story

Have you read The Red Badge of Courage? On November 1, 1871, author Stephen Crane was born in Newark, New Jersey. Image: Stephen Crane / Wikimedia Commons Recognized as one of the most innovative writers of his generation, Crane began writing at the age of 4 and had published several articles by the age of 16. In 1895, Crane published what would become his most acclaimed novel, The Red Badge of Courage. Taking place during the American… Read the full story

On this day in 1795, English Romantic poet John Keats was born in London, England. Image: John Keats / Wikimedia Commons The son of Thomas Keats and Frances Jennings, Keats was the eldest of the couple’s four surviving children. Keats lost both of his parents while he was still young. His father died when Keats was 8 after falling from a horse. When he was 14, his mother died of tuberculosis. During this time, Keats found… Read the full story

We are saddened to hear about the death of actor Matthew Perry on October 28, 2023 at the age of 54. Image: Matthew Perry / National Archives and Records Administration Perry was born Matthew Langford Perry on August 19, 1969 in Williamstown, Massachusetts. His mother, Suzanne Marie Langford, was a Canadian journalist and former press secretary to Canadian Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau. His father, John Bennett Perry, was an actor. His parents separated when he… Read the full story

On this day in 1858, Theodore Roosevelt, the 26th President of the United States, was born in New York City, New York. Image: Theodore Roosevelt / Library of Congress He was the second of four children born to Theodore Roosevelt, Sr., a glass businessman and philanthropist, and Martha Stewart “Mittie” Bulloch, a socialite and southern belle thought to be one of the inspirations for the character Scarlett O’Hara in Gone With the Wind. Nicknamed “Teedie,” Roosevelt… Read the full story

Are you a fan of The Princess Bride? On this day in 1962, star Cary Elwes was born in Westminster, London, England. Image: Cary Elwes / Gage Skidmore, Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0) Elwes was born Ivan Simon Cary Elwes on October 26, 1962 to Dominic Elwes, a portrait painter, and Tessa Kennedy, an interior designer. His paternal grandfather, Simon Elwes, was a prominent portrait painter who counted presidents and members of the British Royal… Read the full story

On this day in 1400, poet Geoffrey Chaucer died in London, England. Known as the Father of English literature, Chaucer is often considered to be the greatest English poet of the Middle Ages. Image: Geoffrey Chaucer / The National Library of Wales, Wikimedia Commons Chaucer was born around 1343 to a family of wine merchants. His father worked as a deputy to the King’s butler and his position helped Chaucer acquire his own positions early in… Read the full story

Do you have any daredevils in your family? On this day in 1901, Annie Edson Taylor became the first person to survive a trip over Niagara Falls in a barrel. She was also celebrating her 63rd birthday. Image: Annie Edson Taylor / Library of Congress Taylor was born on October 24, 1838 in Auburn, New York. She studied to become a school teacher, and at the age of 17, married David Taylor. After her husband died in… Read the full story

Do you remember watching The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson? Today we celebrate what would have been host Johnny Carson’s 98th birthday. Image: Johnny Carson / State Library and Archives of Florida John William Carson was born on October 23, 1925 in Corning, Iowa to Homer Homer Lloyd “Kit” Carson and Ruth Hook. As a child, Carson developed his entertainment skills by performing magic for his family and friends. He called himself “The Great Carsoni” and… Read the full story

Do you like scary movies? On this day in 1882, horror film legend Bela Lugosi was born. Image: Bela Lugosi / Wikimedia Commons He was born Béla Ferenc Dezső Blaskó on October 20, 1882 to Paula de Vojnich and István Blaskó, a banker, in Lugos, Hungary. Around the age of 11, he left home and took on odd jobs to support himself in his travels. It was during this time that he began acting on stage and… Read the full story

Did your ancestors fight in the American Revolutionary War? On this day in 1781, British General Charles Cornwallis surrendered at Yorktown, Virginia, effectively bringing an end to the American Revolution. Image: Wikimedia Commons During his early days in the war, Cornwallis had successfully driven George Washington’s troops out of New Jersey. In 1779, Cornwallis became a leading figure in the British “southern strategy” to gain control of the southern colonies. Although Cornwallis had generally been successful in his battles, including… Read the full story