Recent Blog Posts
Genealogy Roundup, March 11
In this week’s roundup, Korean War hero identified, heart-breaking cemetery records, and more!
Genealogy Roundup, March 4
In this week’s roundup, a book for Irish American Heritage and Women’s History Month, a touching reunion story about inherited traits, and more!
Genealogy Roundup, February 25
In this week’s roundup, discover a fun geography game, the identification of a WWII hero, and more!
Genealogy Roundup, February 18
In this week’s roundup, an ode to puzzles, a powerful story of a family tree decades in the making, a creative opportunity connected to a popular cemetery, and more!
Megan Smolenyak2
Megan Smolenyak2 is a real life history detective who loves to solve mysteries. You might have spotted Megan or her handiwork on Top Chef, Who Do You Think You Are?, Finding Your Roots, Faces of America, Good Morning America, the Today Show, The Early Show, CNN, PBS and NPR.
Her news-making discoveries include uncovering Michelle Obama’s family tree, revealing the true story of Annie Moore, the first immigrant through Ellis Island, and tracing Barack Obama’s roots to Moneygall, Ireland. Formerly Chief Family Historian for Ancestry.com, she also founded Unclaimed Persons.
Megan is the author of 6 books, including Hey, America, Your Roots Are Showing and Who Do You Think You Are? (companion to the TV series), and conducts forensic research for the Army, BIA, coroners, NCIS and the FBI.
Hey, America, Your Roots Are Showing!
Featured
Genetic Genealogy’s First Decade: The Pioneering Days of 1999–2009
collecting DNA samples in Slovakia in 2004: AI-imagined (left) versus reality (right) Genetic genealogist Diahan Southard recently asked a number of people involved in this field over the last 25 years to write about their [...]
Taylor Swift’s Formidable Female Forebears
When it comes to genealogy, I prefer fresh territory, which is why I usually avoid the mega-famous. If someone is universally renowned, it’s a given that hundreds, if not thousands, have already poked around the [...]
Solving the Mystery of Arne Pettersen, the Last to Leave Ellis Island
What became of Arne Pettersen, the last man to depart from Ellis Island?
6 Things You Didn’t Know about Hannah Waddingham’s Roots
It was all but inevitable that I would take a genealogical dive to learn more about the family that has given us Ms. Waddingham, and it didn’t disappoint.