Fun with Genealogy

Today marks the birthday of author and illustrator Beatrix Potter. Many people grow up reading her beloved stories featuring the mischievous Peter Rabbit. Helen Beatrix Potter was born on July 28, 1866 in Kensington, London, England. She first published The Tale of Peter Rabbit in 1902 and found instant success. Since the book’s initial publication, it has become one of the best selling books of all time. Today readers around the world continue to enjoy her story and iconic… Read the full story

When relatives pass away, we may be lucky enough to inherit family heirlooms that have been passed on through generations. Some common family heirlooms include family Bibles, jewelry or furniture. However, sometimes we end up inheriting something that’s a little more unusual. (Image: U.S. National Archives) The Franklin D. Roosevelt Library holds an unusual family heirloom of President Franklin D. Roosevelt. The image above is the Roosevelt Family Hairwork Bouquet, which was made from the hair… Read the full story

Summer is finally here! It’s the perfect time to get outdoors for some fun genealogy activities with your family. With longer days, you and your family can spend even more quality time together while also learning about your family’s heritage. Make the most of these long summer days with these family history activities: Photograph gravestones Now that the days are filled with sun, take your family on a trip to visit the graves of your ancestors or… Read the full story

Do you have royal blood? On this day in 1819, Queen Victoria was born in Kensington Palace in London. One of the longest reigning monarchs in British history, Victoria’s strategic marriage of her nine children to royal and noble families across Europe earned her the nickname, “the Grandmother of Europe.” Image: Library of Congress In honor of her birthday, here are some interesting facts about Queen Victoria: 1. She was the daughter of Prince Edward, Duke… Read the full story

Have you found any funny or unusual names during your genealogy research? Naming trends change and evolve over time, so what may seem odd-sounding to us today, may not have been so strange at the time. Nevertheless, we still get a good chuckle when we come across one of these names as we think to ourselves, “what were they thinking?” Check out some funny and unusual names we found in Geni’s World Family Tree! 1. Experience Bliss 2. Fanny Rash 3. Honest… Read the full story

Do you have immigrant ancestors? Here’s an interesting video from Metrocosm depicting immigration to the United States from 1820 to 2013. Watch the changing immigration patterns in the U.S. over a period of nearly two centuries. The data comes from the Department of Homeland Security’s Immigration Office. In this colorful animation, the country’s brightness corresponds to its total migration to the U.S. at any given time, while each dot represents 10,000 individuals. It’s interesting to see how immigration patterns have… Read the full story

While the world celebrated the 400th anniversary of William Shakespeare’s death on April 23, today marks the day the Bard was baptized. Image: Wikimedia Commons Although the exact date of William Shakespeare’s birth is unknown, we do know the day he was baptized thanks to his baptism records. He was baptized at the Holy Trinity Church in Stratford-on-Avon on April 26, 1564. Since a child’s baptism generally takes place just a few days after birth, it is… Read the full story

We were shocked to hear of the sudden padding of legendary musician Prince today. A musical genius and innovator, Prince was one of the most significant figures in the music industry. A pioneer of Minneapolis sound, Prince combined multiple genres – rock, R&B, jazz, funk, pop, disco, soul, hip hop, and psychedelia – to create his unique sound. Image: Penner, Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0)  In honor of his memory, we look back on some interesting… Read the full story

It’s St. Patrick’s Day! In celebration of the holiday, we take a look at some famous faces in Geni’s World Family Tree with surprising Irish ancestry. Barack and Michelle Obama Image: Peta Souza / White House The Obamas each have surprisingly deep Irish connections. The President’s Irish ancestry can be traced through his maternal lineage. His third great grandfather, Fulmoth Kearney, was born in Offaly, Ireland in 1830. He would later immigrate to the United States along with… Read the full story

Today we celebrate International Women’s Day, which recognizes the past and present achievements of women all around the world. In honor of the the day, here are some of the remarkable women throughout history found in Geni’s World Family Tree: Ada Lovelace (1815-1852) Image: Wikimedia Commons A gifted mathematician, Ada Lovelace wrote the world’s first computer program nearly a century before the first computers were built. Lovelace envisioned a day when a single machine could be programed for… Read the full story

Today is Leap Day! Why do we have leap days? Because it actually takes about 365¼ days for the Earth to orbit the sun. To account for this, an extra day is added every four years to the Gregorian calendar. This occurs every year divisible by four, with the exception of century years, unless it is divisible by 400. Here are some interesting facts about leap day: 1. You can thank Julius Caesar for leap year. The… Read the full story

Recently, actress Jennifer Lawrence and comedian Amy Schumer made headlines with their newfound friendship. The new pals made a splash at the Golden Globes, where they were both up for Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy. Lawrence took home the coveted prize for her performance as the titular character in Joy. But there’s no love lost between the two friends. The duo are reportedly co-writing a screenplay along with Schumer’s sister, where the two actresses will… Read the full story

Can you believe it’s been nearly 40 years since George Lucas first introduced Star Wars to the world? First released on May 25, 1977, few would have expected the film to become a worldwide phenomenon. Today, it would be hard to find someone who has not heard of the movies. This week, the iconic film franchise returns to the big screen to the great anticipation and delight of young and older generations with the latest installment, Star Wars: The Force Awakens. Taking the helm from… Read the full story

The holidays are fast approaching and many may still be scrambling to find last minute gifts for relatives and friends. Here are some gift ideas for the genealogist or family historian in your family: 1. DNA Test Give the gift of a genealogy DNA test to members of your family or friends. A DNA test is the perfect gift for relatives who may have hit a brick wall or simply want to know more about their origins…. Read the full story

December 12, 2015 marks Frank Sinatra’s 100th birthday. Known for his smooth voice and charm, Sinatra is remembered as one of the most popular and influential artists of the 20th century. Frank Sinatra, 1947 / Library of Congress In honor of the centennial of his birth, here are 10 interesting facts about Ol’ Blue Eyes: 1. His birth left him with lifelong scars. Francis Albert Sinatra was born on December 12, 1915 in an upstairs tenement… Read the full story

Have you read the works of author Mark Twain? Lauded as the “greatest American humorist of his age,” Twain’s works have continued to live on long after his death. His novels, The Adventures of Tom Sawyer and its sequel, Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, are still considered to be some of the greatest works of American literature. Mark Twain / Library of Congress In honor of Twain’s birthday, here are some interesting facts about the great American author: 1…. Read the full story

Boy, has fashion changed in the last 100 years! In a video created by Mode.com, you can see 100 years of women’s fashion fly by in just two and a half minutes. Knowing how fashions have change over time is valuable when you are trying to date an old family photograph. From the flapper look of the Roaring Twenties to the grunge style of the 90s, the video demonstrates the typical style of each decade in the last century…. Read the full story

It’s Veterans Day! Today we celebrate the men and women who have served in the armed forces. Do you have military veterans in your family? Check out these famous folks who have served their country: Audie Murphy Image: Wikimedia Commons Audie Murphy was one of the most decorated American soldiers of World War II. He had always wanted to be a solider and tried to enlist shorty after the attack on Pearl Harbor. However, he was denied by the Army,… Read the full story

Do you believe in the paranormal? During the late 19th and early 20th centuries, spirit photography became incredibly popular. Many came to believe that spirit photographers could capture images of a deceased loved one’s ghost or spirit within a photograph. Taken by William H. Mumler, c.1871 / Wikimedia Commons In the aftermath of the American Civil War, many people were still grieving the loss of family and friends. Seeing an opportunity for profit, spiritualists and mediums sprang… Read the full story

Have you used wills as a resource in your family history research? When a person dies, they will often leave their possessions and money to their family and thereby, giving you more clues about other relatives in your family tree. Occasionally, you may come across a few odd requests made by the deceased. Here are some notable, unusual last requests: 1. Harry Houdini Image: Library of Congress In the 1920s, legendary illusionist Harry Houdini spent much… Read the full story

Recently, the story of a woman who became the 11th bride to wear a 120-year-old heirloom wedding dress made headlines. Now a new video created by Mode.com shows how wedding dress fashions have changed over the last 100 years. It’s amazing watching how styles have changed over the last ten decades. Perhaps the video may even help you date some old wedding pictures! Watch the video below: Do these wedding gown fashion trends resemble the wedding dresses in your… Read the full story

October is Family History Month! What better time to introduce your children to your family’s heritage than the month dedicated to it? Take some time to spark your children’s interest in your family’s history and they will love it and appreciate it as they get older. Here are some fun activities to get your budding genealogists active in learning about your family’s roots: Become a Family Detective Image: Anna, Wikimedia Commons Have a little Sherlock Holmes or Nancy Drew on your hands?… Read the full story

Today Queen Elizabeth II achieves a new milestone – not only is she the United Kingdom’s longest lived monarch, but she now holds the distinction of being the longest reigning monarch in British history. She surpasses Queen Victoria’s record of 63 years, seven months and two days on the throne. Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, June 1953 / Library and Archives Canada Just like her second great grandmother, Queen Victoria, Elizabeth II was never… Read the full story

This year marks the 100th birthday of legendary actress Ingrid Bergman. From humble beginnings, Bergman would go on to become one of the most famous actresses in Hollywood history. In honor of the 100th anniversary of her birth, we take a look back on the life of the Hollywood legend. The only surviving child of Justus Bergman and Frieda Adler, Bergman was born on August 29, 1915 in Stockholm, Sweden. She was named “Ingrid” after Princess… Read the full story

Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton may be on opposing sides of the 2016 U.S. Presidential Election, but perhaps a new familial connection may help bring them a little closer. Yep, that’s right – the current leading GOP candidate, Donald Trump, is related to Democratic front-runner Hillary Clinton! As revealed today on Extra TV, Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton are 19th cousins! The unexpected relationship was found through Geni’s World Family Tree, the definitive family tree of… Read the full story

As anyone delving into their family history will tell you, genealogy can be addictive! Check out the list below to see if you show signs of a genealogy addiction. You might be addicted to genealogy if… You’re more interested in what happened in 1815 than 2015 Your calendar includes the birthdays of your ancestors You talk more to dead relatives than you do the living ones You spend your vacations visiting cemeteries, courthouses and archives You’ve called in… Read the full story

On July 4, the United States celebrates Independence Day! On this day, the entire country celebrates the adoption of one of the most important documents the history of the nation, the Declaration of Independence. Drafted by Thomas Jefferson, the document declared the 13 American colonies freedom and independence from the British Empire. As we prepare to celebrate with fireworks, parades and barbecues, check out these fun facts about the holiday: 1. John Hancock, the President of… Read the full story

Are you planning your next family reunion? Lots of work goes into organizing a large family gathering, from finding a venue, deciding on the food and organizing the entertainment. If you’re having either a large or small family reunion, you’ll want to have activities that will not only bring lots of interaction, but also shed light on your genealogy. Here are ten family reunion activity ideas that will keep your family entertained and, hopefully, teach them a little… 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

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

From the beginning of the 1880s, cigarette manufacturers issued trade cards with every cigarette package to help stiffen the packaging and advertise cigarette brands. It didn’t take long for the cards to become sought-after collectables, and even children would ask smokers for their cards to play their games. Manufacturing of the cards stopped during World War II to save paper and, after the war, they were never fully reintroduced. Although it may seem unusual now, these cards typically depicted… Read the full story

As we are perusing newspapers and other old periodicals in our family history research, it can be great fun to take a moment to read the advertisements of the day. These vintage ads are a great glimpse into life in the past and can provide insights into popular fashions, products and trends of the time. Check out these advertisements throughout history: Image: Library Company of Philidelphia In this 1849 advertisement, Dr. George Stuart’s botanical syrup and vegetable pills are said… Read the full story

As British Prime Minister David Cameron begins his re-election campaign, he’s made an interesting revelation about his family history. In an interview with Heat, Cameron confirmed that he and Kim Kardashian are 13th cousins! How did he come to this revelation? Why Geni’s World Family Tree of course! This relationship was originally reported in two articles in the Daily Mail, following research done by AJ Jacobs, who’s been using Geni’s World Family Tree for his Global… Read the full story

Many countries around the world have their own set of laws or customs for naming children. The reasons behind these policies varies widely from country to country. Image: Nationaal Archief, flickr Check out these interesting naming laws from around the world: ICELAND Parents in Iceland may only choose names approved by the Icelandic Naming Committee. The Personal Names Register includes about 1,800 approved Icelandic names for each gender. Girls should be given female names and… Read the full story

If you have taken a stroll through a cemetery, you may notice a few graves that are not quite like the others. Many families choose unique markers that are reflective of who the person was when they were alive, while others offer grand tributes to the deceased. Have you come across one? Check out these unique gravestones: 1. Goff Memorial at Rock Creek Cemetery in Washington D.C. Image: Sarah Stierch, Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 2.0) 2. Holding… Read the full story

From time to time, family history researchers may find an odd request in an ancestors will. These can range from requests for large sums of money to be given to the deceased’s pet to a unique request of being buried in a glass box. Charles Vance Millar was a successful Canadian lawyer and financier, who loved jokes and pranks which played on people’s greed. On October 31, 1926, Millar died a bachelor at the age… Read the full story

Do you have old postcards in your collection of family history mementos? Before email and texts, postcards were a perfect way to send short messages to family and friends. Because of this, postcards often hold wonderful anecdotes of family memories written in the hand of your relative. Whether your relative was traveling or just sending well wishes during the holidays, postcards bring us an intimate connection with your family’s past. With Halloween season upon us, check out… Read the full story

Family History Month is here again! Each year, the month of October is devoted entirely to genealogy. There’s no better time to celebrate your family heritage, reconnect with your roots and share what you have discovered with the ones you love. We’ve compiled this handy list of ways you can make the most of this Family History Month! 1. Review your family tree on Geni Take a look at your family tree on Geni and see if there are any… Read the full story

One of the most exciting parts of researching your family history is getting the opportunity to share it with others. And part of the fun is coming up with unique and clever ideas to display your family tree, whether it’s a mural on the wall of your home or a shadowbox showcasing your family history. Here are few creative ways to display your family tree: Family Tree Cutout This is a really beautiful family tree showcasing family… Read the full story

Do you have royal ancestors in your family tree? You may be familiar with some of the epithets that follow their names. An epithet is an adjective or descriptive phrase expressing a quality characteristic of the person or thing mentioned. Many figures throughout history are remembered and referred to by their epithets, long after they are deceased. A familiar one from history may be Richard the Lionheart, who earned his nickname because of his reputation… Read the full story

Nothing brings a genealogist more joy than the discovery of old family photographs. These pictures give us faces to the names on our family trees and bring with them stories that help enhance our understanding of how our relatives once lived. Today, we can instantly preserve and share memories with anyone around the world with just a click of a button. However, while it’s hard to imagine now, it hasn’t always been so easy to snap a… Read the full story

The United States Census Bureau has created this amazing map that details the movement of the country’s mean center of population over the last 220 years. The data is from the U.S. census records from 1790 – 2010. What is the mean center of population? According the the U.S. Census Bureau, the mean center of population is “the point at which an imaginary, flat weightless, and rigid map of the United States would balance if… Read the full story

On this day in 1885, the Statue of Liberty, America’s iconic symbol of freedom and independence, arrived in New York Harbor in Manhattan, New York after a long voyage across the Atlantic. Over two hundred thousand people lined the docks and boarded hundreds of boats to welcome the French steamer Isère and catch a glimpse of the copper and iron statue. The statue was shipped disassembled in over 300 individual pieces and packed in over 200… Read the full story

This year marks the 100th anniversary of Mother’s Day in the U.S. Variations of Mother’s Day have been celebrated at different times throughout history all over the world. The official celebration of Mother’s Day in the U.S. began in the early 20th century thanks to the efforts of a woman named Anna Jarvis. A few years after the death of her mother, Anna was inspired to organize a day to not only honor her mother, but… Read the full story

Did you watch the 86th Annual Academy Awards? The star-studded award show was hosted for the second time by comedian Ellen DeGeneres, who took over the reigns from the previous year’s host Seth MacFarlane. Funny must run in the genes because the Family Guy creator also happens to be Ellen’s 10th cousin. Did you enjoy watching Ellen bring her friendly charm to the Oscar stage? It turns out this year’s race was a family affair, with… Read the full story

Today we celebrate the birth of the King of Rock and Roll, Elvis Presley. Considered one of the most celebrated and successful musicians of all time, Elvis not only transformed the field of popular music, but was the catalyst for the cultural revolution that was rock and roll. On January 8, 1935, Elvis Aron Presley was born in Tupelo, Mississippi to Vernon Elvis Presley and Gladys Love Smith. Elvis was born at home in his family’s two-room shot-gun house built… Read the full story

Do you remember writing letters to Santa Claus? As a child, many of us believed in the jolly man from the North Pole. If we were good children, Santa would bring us presents on Christmas day. But there were always those who would shed doubts in our belief. One of the most famous editorials ever to be published is the story of a young Virginia O’Hanion and her quest to know if there really was… Read the full story

The holidays are always a fun time to share with your family. It’s also the perfect time to share your ancestors stories with your relatives. Check out some crafty ways to spice up your holiday decor with some family history memories. Wrap It Image credit: Sweet Paul Do you have old family photos at home? Scan your photos to create homemade wrapping paper for your relatives. Sweet Paul Magazine offers a quick tutorial to turn… Read the full story

Happy Thanksgiving! A holiday known just as much for bringing families together as the food everyone partakes in, Thanksgiving holds a special place in the hearts of America. The First Thanksgiving The very first Thanksgiving can be traced to 1621. In 1620, the 102 Pilgrims aboard the Mayflower arrived to the New World. After enduring a harsh winter where only half of the Mayflower‘s original passengers and crew survived, the settlers were aided the next spring… Read the full story

Have you wondered about what creative ideas are out there to get your kids more excited to learn about their family history? In honor of Family History Month, here’s a sample of DIY games that’s loads of fun for the entire family. Guess Who? Family Edition Image credit: Mads Memories blog Here’s a clever idea from the Mads Memories blog. Take the classic game Guess Who? and make it your own. Replace the game’s photos with those… Read the full story