Catch up on some genealogy articles from the past week! The Genealogy Sphere A Baby Boy! (Family Stories) – Caroline Pointer talks about receiving the baptism record of her ancestor Some basic principles of genealogy (Genealogy’s Star) – James Tanner goes over some genealogy basics to keep in mind Google Puts Twentieth Century Italian History Online (Eastman’s Online Genealogy Newsletter) – Dick Eastman reports that Google has partnered with the Italian government to post 30,000… Read the full story

Earlier this week, we showed  you how Reese Witherspoon was related to one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence, John Witherspoon. Now lets take a look at how some other famous faces are related to the people who signed the Declaration on July 4, 1776! Matt Damon grew up in Cambridge, Massachusetts and attended Harvard University. Did you know he is related to fellow Massachusetts resident John Adams? He is Matt Damon’s fourth cousin… Read the full story

Happy Independence Day, everyone! Today the U.S. celebrates the adoption of the Declaration of Independence. Drafted by Thomas Jefferson, the document declared the 13 American colonies’s freedom and independence from the British Empire. Did you know that the original July 4 United States Declaration of Independence manuscript was lost? Most people will have today off to celebrate with family, barbeque, and watch fireworks. Will you get together with your family this holiday? Be sure to take… Read the full story

Reese Witherspoon is an American actress, film producer, and television producer. Her first feature role as the female lead was in 1991 in the film The Man in the Moon. Witherspoon’s career turning point was her role as Elle Woods in the box office hit Legally Blonde in 2001. She then starred in Sweet Home Alabama in 2002 and returned as lead actress and executive producer of Legally Blonde 2: Red, White & Blonde in… Read the full story

This July 4th, the U.S. will celebrate its 236th Independence Day! On July 2, 1776, the Continental Congress voted in favor of independence. Two days later on July 4, its delegates adopted the Declaration of Independence, drafted by Thomas Jefferson, and declared the 13 American colonies independent states and no longer a part of the British Empire. Check out our infographic for some fun facts to help mark the holiday! How will you be celebrating this Fourth of July?

Here are some interesting genealogy articles from the past week! Enjoy! The Genealogy Sphere Honesty & The Ethics of Genealogy (Geder Genealogy) – Blogger George Geder discusses the importance of honesty in genealogy. Genealogy Research Just Got a Whole Lot Easier — and Closer (SF Weekly) – The Alien Files (A-Files) are now available in California’s Bay Area Old African American Cemetery to be Restored (wctv.com) – The Munree Cemetery, the burial place for African… Read the full story

This week Mark Wahlberg shows off his comedic chops in his new movie, Ted. Written and directed by Family Guy creator Seth MacFarlane, Wahlberg plays a man whose childhood wish for his teddy bear to come to life comes true. MacFarlane also lends his voice as the titular teddy bear and best friend. Did you know the pair are also distantly related? Seth MacFarlane is Mark Wahlberg’s 13th cousin thrice removed!* Read on to see which other… Read the full story

Ezra Cornell was a founder of Western Union and a co-founder of Cornell University. He also served as President of the New York Agriculture Society and as a state Senator. He was born in Westchester county, NY to Elijah Cornell and Eunice Barnard. He was a cousin of Paul Cornell, the founder of Chicago’s Hyde Park neighborhood. Cornell is also a distant relative of William Cornell, who was an early settler of Scarborough, Ontario and named… Read the full story

Check out some interesting articles from the world of genealogy! The Genealogy Sphere Mitt Romney’s Mormon roots in northern England (BBC) – Mitt Romney’s ancestry traced to northern England Treasures in City Directories (About.com) – Kimberly Powell offers some great tips about using city directories in your genealogy research A War of 1812 Pension and 1940 Census Mashup! (FGS Voice) – The last widow of a War of 1812 veteran found in the 1940 census… Read the full story

This week, the film Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter opens nationwide. Based on the fictional novel by Seth Grahame-Smith, the story follows the life of President Abraham Lincoln but with a twist – he was secretly a vampire hunter! In honor of the movie’s release, check out how these five famous faces are related to the real Abraham Lincoln. 1. Starring as the vampire hunting President is actor Benjamin Walker, who’s married to Mamie Gummer, daughter of actress Meryl… Read the full story