News broke today that celebrated actor Omar Sharif passed away July 10, 2015 at the age of 83. Known for his roles in Doctor Zhivago and Lawrence of Arabia, Sharif was a Hollywood legend. In honor of his memory, here are some things you may not have known about the international star: 1. He was born Michel Demetri Chalhoub in Alexandria, Egypt on April 10, 1932. In 1955, he changed his name after marring his co-star Faten… 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

Today we remember Holocaust hero Nicholas Winton, who passed away yesterday at the age of 106. Nicholas George Wertheim was born on May 19, 1909 in Hampstead, London. Often called the “British Schindler,” Winton was a young stockbroker when he organized the transport of 669 Jewish children out of Nazi-occupied Czechoslovakia to Britain in 1939. His actions saved the lives of hundreds Jewish children who would have been destined for Nazi concentration camps. Shortly before Christmas in 1938, Winton had… Read the full story

A few weeks ago, we shared how you can add documents to your Geni profiles. Today, we will go over how you can add a document as a source to support the information on your family’s Geni profiles. Adding documents and tagging profiles are just one part of documenting your genealogy research on Geni. It’s easy to illustrate how the documents you’ve added support, prove or disprove the facts in your family tree. Let’s discover how by following the example… Read the full story

Did your ancestor die from bad blood? Or a fatty liver? Have you found yourself wondering what jail fever could be? Your ancestors’ cause of death can be found in several different historical records, including death certificates, obituaries and probate records. The names of many diseases vary over time and geographical location, so it’s not at all surprising to come across an unfamiliar cause of death or illness during your research. Image: Miami University Libraries… Read the full story

Do you remember the days of using a typewriter? After the introduction of the first commercially successful typewriter, the mechanical marvel quickly became an indispensable tool, transforming the way the world communicated in both business and the home. 1868 patent drawing for Shole’s typewriter / National Archives (click to view patent) Although various forms of the typewriter had been around for many years, the first practical and commercially successful typewriter was invented by Christopher Latham Sholes, a newspaper publisher… Read the full story

This Sunday the U.S. celebrates Father’s Day in honor of all the fathers, grandfathers and other paternal figures in our lives. Celebrations often include family get-togethers and barbecues. Father’s Day had long been celebrated before it became and official holiday in 1972. The founding of Father’s Day is credited to Sonora Louise Smart of Spokane, Washington. Inspired by Mother’s Day, Sonora sought to establish a day to honor her father’s sacrifices and hard work. Her father… Read the full story

As genealogists, we’re always searching for clues about our ancestors. Some of the first documents we search for are census records, birth and death certificates, obituaries and other commonly used sources. However, there are many, many other places you can search to find clues to help you breakthrough your brick walls. Check out some unexpected places to find clues to your family history: Image: pixagraphic, Flickr 1. Fraternal organizations Have you found acronyms or symbols on your… 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

We had a great time at the Global Family Reunion! The event drew thousands to the New York Hall of Science on Saturday, June 6. Hosted by best-selling author A.J. Jacobs, the Global Family Reunion was an epic event bringing together people from all around the world. Although the morning saw a little rain, the Geni and MyHeritage teams were eager to welcome everyone. Visitors could easily find us by the large Geni and MyHeritage balloons we had… Read the full story