Megan Smolenyak, Author at Megan Smolenyak

Genealogy Roundup, November 16

By Megan Smolenyak|2016-11-16T10:20:58-05:00November 16th, 2016|Genealogy Roundup, Human Interest, Military, Research|

In this week's Roundup: See how librarians came to the rescue of books and records damaged in a fire started by a 19 year-old Naval Reservist who feared being sent to war in Korea and thought that “a little fire” would gain him probationary status, check out how the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources is commemorating the upcoming 100th anniversary of the United States entry into World War I, discover a unique museum in Venice, and more . . .

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Genealogy Roundup, November 9

By Megan Smolenyak|2016-11-09T10:57:41-05:00November 9th, 2016|Family History, Genealogy Roundup, Human Interest|

Lots of history covered in this week's Roundup, from a treasure trove of Civil War artifacts to a former Navy/NSA base now town-for-sale in WV.

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Genealogy Roundup, November 2
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Genealogy Roundup, November 2

DNA / Genetic Genealogy, Family History, Genealogy Roundup, Human Interest, Orphan Heirlooms

Genealogy Roundup, November 2

By Megan Smolenyak|2016-11-02T11:32:22-04:00November 2nd, 2016|DNA / Genetic Genealogy, Family History, Genealogy Roundup, Human Interest, Orphan Heirlooms|

This week: The oldest existing Ellis Island ferry to be sold at auction, two formerly missing soldiers laid to rest, an adoption mystery solved, and more...

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Genealogy Roundup, October 26

By Megan Smolenyak|2016-10-26T11:36:40-04:00October 26th, 2016|Celebrities, DNA / Genetic Genealogy, Family History, Genealogy Roundup|

Get ready to time-travel this week: past, present, and future! To start, cemeteries face special challenges in densely-populated urban areas. Check out the fascinating history of a Hong Kong cemetery where lie diplomats, missionaries, opium smugglers, soldiers, revolutionaries and local Christian converts and then concept art for a light-filled potential cemetery in New York City. Next, enjoy a story in which DNA plays a role in introducing two half-siblings to each other. Round off this week's exploration with more on the 2016 Ellis Island Family Heritage Awards.

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Genealogy Roundup, October 19
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Genealogy Roundup, October 19

Celebrities, Genealogy Roundup, Human Interest, Immigration

Genealogy Roundup, October 19

By Megan Smolenyak|2016-10-19T11:29:24-04:00October 19th, 2016|Celebrities, Genealogy Roundup, Human Interest, Immigration|

In this week's Roundup: an ancient cemetery, an in-depth conversation with Bruce Springsteen, and the Ellis Island Family Heritage Awards.

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Genealogy Roundup, October 12
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Genealogy Roundup, October 12

DNA / Genetic Genealogy, Family History, Genealogy Roundup

Genealogy Roundup, October 12

By Megan Smolenyak|2016-10-12T10:44:22-04:00October 12th, 2016|DNA / Genetic Genealogy, Family History, Genealogy Roundup|

In this week's Roundup, explore the long-vacant custodian's apartment at the Fort Washington branch of the New York Public Library (including the "death chute"!) and read about a sad motivation for DNA testing (fortunately the exception, rather than the norm).

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Genealogy Roundup, October 5

By Megan Smolenyak|2016-10-05T13:24:37-04:00October 5th, 2016|Family History, Genealogy Roundup, Human Interest, Immigration|

This week: old wedding photos recreated, preserving the smell of history, raise a glass at 10 of the remotest bars on the planet, the cave where Nat Turner hid, and more.

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Genealogy Roundup, September 21
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Genealogy Roundup, September 21

Books, Celebrities, Family History, Genealogy Roundup, Human Interest

Genealogy Roundup, September 21

By Megan Smolenyak|2016-09-21T11:05:08-04:00September 21st, 2016|Books, Celebrities, Family History, Genealogy Roundup, Human Interest|

Lots of inspiration this week! Start with a look at a memorial which had as its genesis this thought: "The character of a nation as a people of great deeds is one, it appears to me, that should never be lost sight of." Explore the story of Lucy Lee Shirley, a woman who transcended the shadows of slavery and domestic abuse and who, among other things, was able to educate herself and her family and leave her children more than $23,000 in today’s money; check out the update on the DNA of long-lived Italians which was previously reported as stolen, and more.

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Genealogy Roundup, September 14
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Genealogy Roundup, September 14

Celebrities, DNA / Genetic Genealogy, Family History, Genealogy Roundup, Human Interest

Genealogy Roundup, September 14

By Megan Smolenyak|2016-09-14T11:11:24-04:00September 14th, 2016|Celebrities, DNA / Genetic Genealogy, Family History, Genealogy Roundup, Human Interest|

Lots of goodies in this week's Roundup! British celebrities highlight their "refugenes" in an effort to help refugees. We also have two stories around DNA, two stories in which blacksmiths play a part -- one forging awards from pieces of the Statue of Liberty and the other performing marriage ceremonies(!) -- two stories about segregation in cemeteries, and more.

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Q3 2016 Seton Shields Genealogy Grant
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Q3 2016 Seton Shields Genealogy Grant

Family History, Grants

Q3 2016 Seton Shields Genealogy Grant

By Megan Smolenyak|2016-09-12T10:25:40-04:00September 12th, 2016|Family History, Grants|

This quarter, I'm awarding a grant to Mac Titmus and his co-volunteers of Long Island Genealogy. Long Island research can actually be quite challenging, so I'm really happy to support a resource I've found to be so helpful. Since they never charge for information, the group would like to file for not-for-profit status, which has a number of costs associated with it. The post explains how you can join me in supporting them.

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