A Revolutionary War soldier’s DNA links him to living relatives – I know many have already seen this, but wanted to share for those who might not have tripped across it yet. Very cool! #GeneticGenealogy #genealogy

O Horizon – Official Trailer – Well, that didn’t take long. There’s already a movie about a young woman who brings her deceased dad back in her life through “new technology” (has to be AI), and how that plays out for her. Reminds me of the bring-back-your-ancestors offering I shared no so long ago. #genealogy

Photo by Suraj Tomer on Unsplash

The post Genealogy Roundup, June 24 appeared first on Megan Smolenyak.

Radio programme tells the story of French couple who were left fearing they were half-siblings because of DNA test ban – I’ve long been curious about the state of #geneticgenealogy in France given its ban. Interesting read or listen.

Photo by John Maldonado on Unsplash

The post Genealogy Roundup, June 10 appeared first on Megan Smolenyak.

Understanding Reclaim the Records – An Interview with Brooke Schreier-Ganz and Alec Ferretti – Podcast for those who want to learn more about Reclaim the Records, a #genealogy hero!

Honored to have researched 1776 heroes’ families as of the 250th anniversary of America, the country they gave their lives to defend. These are the men who have been identified since last Memorial Day. #NoManLeftBehind

Photo Credits: rychlepozicky.com under Creative Commons license and University of Michigan SEAS under Creative Commons license

The post Genealogy Roundup, May 27 appeared first on Megan Smolenyak.

Ancient DNA and 23andMe Are Rewriting the Story of Some of America’s Earliest Colonists – cool application of genetic genealogy

Why Rob McElhenney Changed His Name to ‘Rob Mac’ – Wrexham Owner’s Decision Explained – Oh, no! Wrexham partners with Ancestry and Rob McElhenney (aka Rob Mac) is still spreading the name-changed-at-Ellis-Island myth. Mind you, I love Wrexham, but c’mon!

Photo by Stephen Walker on Unsplash

The post Genealogy Roundup, May 20 appeared first on Megan Smolenyak.

Henry Johnson (World War I soldier) – So frustrating! I researched (William) Henry Johnson, a WWI hero, for his posthumous Medal of Honor award in 2015. Someone emailed today saying Ancestry told them they were a cousin. I checked. There are 25 trees for this man on Ancestry and ALL of them are wrong. ALL have an incorrect spouse and parents.

Marleka Identity Labs – I can’t believe that what I’m about to share is a thing, but there’s now a company focused specifically on analyzing *Rusyn* DNA! Yes, really!

Here’s a portion of my Dad’s results (and FYI – he’s got pan-Rusyn roots that include villages in present-day Slovakia, Ukraine and Poland).

They have an excellent website that explains everything you need to know (and will even offer some Rusyn merch soon ).

Photo by: PhilipRomanoPhoto, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

The post Genealogy Roundup, May 6 appeared first on Megan Smolenyak.

Airman Accounted For From World War II (Akers, L.) – Welcome home, Private Lowell Craig Akers. Honored to have researched your family

A Guide to the 1926 Census of Ireland – handy article for those anticipating the release of the 1926 Irish census

Photo by Mark Rasmuson on Unsplash

The post Genealogy Roundup, April 8 appeared first on Megan Smolenyak.

How an unsolved 1971 homicide led to a surprise DNA connection – This happens a fair bit with my Army cases as well – when you almost accidentally reunite family members along the way.

Searching for Sisters: A Guide to Researching Catholic Nuns in the United States – If your family has ever included any nuns (or even if you happen to be Catholic), you’re going to want to snag this book ASAP for your sleuthing purposes!

Top photo: screenshot from John Mills Lecture at the Stanley-Whitman House in Farmington, CT

The post Genealogy Roundup, February 11 appeared first on Megan Smolenyak.

NGS Culture Conversation with Michael O’Malley – This upcoming NGS talk caused me to run out and snag the book.

Photo Credit: Caroline Davis2 under Creative Commons license

The post Genealogy Roundup, October 15 appeared first on Megan Smolenyak.

We Assist Slovak-Americans & Rusyn-Americans to Reconnect with Their Roots – For my fellow Rusyn- and/or Slovak-Americans! If you need help in Slovakia with genealogy research (in archives or on-site in your villages of origin), finding your cousins, with translations, getting photos/videos of your family homestead, tombstones, etc., I can HIGHLY recommend Martin Hyross!

He’s a recently retired business executive who has been SO helpful with my efforts in Slovakia, especially on the two occasions when we brought 40 Americans who had roots in Osturňa over there. He worked side by side with me on the world’s first geographical genetic genealogy project, serving as an actual translator, but more to the point, a cultural translator. He also helped with all the troubleshooting that comes along with large group travel in a foreign country (this person missing their flight, that car accident, this person going in the hospital, etc.).

I promise that if you’ve been thinking of hiring someone on the ground in Slovakia, you’ll be more than happy if you choose to work with Martin!

Weird Relative At Family Reunion Knows How Everyone Related To Each Other – #Genealogy

PFC Vincent A. Vega – For reasons alluded to in this obituary, this family was daunting to find. Welcome home, PFC Vincent Angelo Vega. #KoreanWar #Hero

Photo by Barefoot Beach Designs on Unsplash

The post Genealogy Roundup, October 8 appeared first on Megan Smolenyak.

Blackstone weighs options for Ancestry.com, including sale or IPO, sources say – Here we go again? #genealogy

The Do’s and Don’ts of Find a Grave – I know a lot of us have strong opinions about this!

Ancestry.com tries to access millions of Scots’ family records – NAGL, Ancestry (not a good look), #genealogy

The post Genealogy Roundup, October 1 appeared first on Megan Smolenyak.