In climbing the branches of Lin-Manuel Miranda's family tree, I found myself following the trail of an early nineteenth century, interracial love story, peppered by war and rebellion, all interwoven with a decades-long struggle to outrun slavery that began in Virginia and ultimately unfolded under a handful of flags even though most of it occurred in one place – Nacogdoches.
Cecilia Chien was told by her father that her family was descended from a king of the 10th century. She began investigating her roots in 2002 and discovered that she is a 38th generation descendant of King Chien (852-932) who founded a prosperous kingdom in the Yangzi delta. Her goal is to write an account, “1,000 Years of a Chinese Family,” an odyssey back to the land of her parents. She will be visiting China this year to further her research. Cecilia requested and received funding to cover half of her round-trip airfare to Shanghai for her fieldwork.
This week's Roundup serves up a look at VP Biden's tri-generational trip to Ireland, a dramatic chapter from the 1830's that continues to send ripples into the present, the demise of cursive, and more.
Becky Shuff, one of the Q2 2016 Seton Shields Genealogy Grant recipients, undertook the role of caretaker for Terry Cemetery in Victor, WV. She was approved by a local correctional facility for the provision of six inmates and one guard to help with the upkeep of this cemetery, with her responsibility being the provision of equipment and meals for the inmates and guard. So for the first time ever, this grant is for a lawnmower.
The goal of The Preservers of the Daughters of Zion Cemetery, one of the Q2 2016 Seton Shields Genealogy Grant recipients, is to restore and preserve a historic African American burial ground. The grant will be used to assist in repairing a damaged grave marker.
Given Vice President Biden's forthcoming trip to Ireland to explore his roots, I thought this would be a good time to re-share an article I'd previously written about his ancestry. Enjoy!
This week, explore a unique town in Ohio founded by a freed slave from Virginia as well as a treasure trove of Civil War photos, get a genealogy lesson from Michelle Obama, and learn what one community did to remember unclaimed persons.
This week, a look at the burial site of George Washington's grandma, some of the individual stories of unclaimed persons in New York City, keeping the memories of loved ones alive, and much, much more!
A few years back, I did some research for Judy Collins about her roots and thought it might be interesting for folks to get a peek into that process and the song that it inspired.
This week, check out history under siege in NYC, 'Roots' remake film preview, treasured family heirlooms returned, a look at Prince's roots, and more!
