Genealogy Roundup Archives - Megan Smolenyak

Genealogy Roundup, April 22

Megan Smolenyak — Wed, 22 Apr 2026 22:45:04 +0000

7 Things You Didn’t Know about Prince’s Roots – Though I first wrote about this in 2013, it remains one of my popular pieces.

Searching for Sisters: A Guide to Researching Catholic Nuns in the United States – All genealogists with any Catholic heritage will want to swallow this book as soon as possible. In “Searching for Sisters,” Sunny McClellan Morton unlocks the key to the long-neglected treasure trove of records pertaining to sisters and nuns. You’ll learn how to find and request them, what to expect, and how to use what you’ve discovered to both tell their stories and push your family’s research forward. A handful of case studies walk you through the process and reveal the kind of gems that can be uncovered. Add it to your library today!

80 million people globally claim Irish ancestry – why the release of 1926 Irish census records is so momentous – Countdown!

Photo Credit: Public Domain

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Genealogy Roundup, April 15

Megan Smolenyak — Wed, 15 Apr 2026 18:26:28 +0000

Ellis Island Database Launch via CNN – If you want a peek at how much has changed in the world of genealogy this century, check out this now 25-year-old video about the launch of the Ellis Island database. Those of us who have been around for a while remember how incredible this seemed at the time and how difficult it was to access the site because it kept crashing. And BTW, the man and woman you see a few times at a computer? That’s me and my husband.

How Artemis 2 commander Reid Wiseman saved the mission’s moon mascot: ‘It’s hard not to love this little guy. I can’t let Rise out of my sight’ – This has nothing to do with #genealogy, but I can’t resist sharing it.

Glencastle Irish Dancers performing Annie Moore – Could not love this more! Look what Annie Moore of Ellis Island inspired! And how talented are these young dancers?!

Virtual Reading Room at the Library of Virginia – Very cool!

Idris Elba thought he knew who he was… – Idris Elba reacts to his DNA test results.

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Genealogy Roundup, April 8

Megan Smolenyak — Wed, 08 Apr 2026 17:54:17 +0000

How DNA forensics is transforming studies of ancient manuscripts – “But this book is deeply weird.” (couldn’t read all of this, but enough to find it extremely interesting!)

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

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Genealogy Roundup, April 1

Megan Smolenyak — Thu, 02 Apr 2026 18:17:11 +0000

Why The $3B Genealogy Market Is About To Be Disrupted By AI – I’m not a luddite, but have qualms about this. For one thing, some of what he mentions already exists. For another, he has an obvious bias as he owns a company that intends to charge $79/month(!) for creating AI “digital twins” for your ancestors. Thoughts?

The Quest for Annie Moore of Ellis Island – As this is the last day of March which is both Women’s History Month and Irish-American Heritage Month, I’m sharing links for my book about Annie Moore, the Irish teenager who was the first to arrive at Ellis Island. If you enjoy sleuthing for pockets of history, I think this might appeal to you!

The Woman Who Refuses to Let History Disappear – Whoa! So grateful for this lovely profile by Christina Stanton! Henceforce, please refer to me as “the woman who refuses to let history disappear”!

Photo by Nahrizul Kadri on Unsplash

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Genealogy Roundup, March 11

Megan Smolenyak — Wed, 11 Mar 2026 23:50:27 +0000

After newer forensic tests fail, old photo helps identify remains of U.S. soldier who died in Korean War – This is a soldier I researched back in 2012. I’m delighted that he’s been identified, but will admit to some wariness about the method that was used – particularly due to this sentence in the article:
“Attempts to find a familial DNA match failed.”

This case was tough because the soldier was both an immigrant and foster child, but I did indeed find relatives from his birth family who could provide DNA reference samples, so I think there’s probably more to the story than is shared here.

Regardless, welcome home Sgt. Roger Laurent Raoul Duquesne. Honored to have researched your family. #hero #KoreanWar

Photo by Joe Richmond on Unsplash

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Genealogy Roundup, March 4

Megan Smolenyak — Wed, 04 Mar 2026 22:39:24 +0000

The Quest for Annie Moore of Ellis Island – Since March is both Irish American Heritage Month and Women’s History Month, you won’t be surprised that I’d like to suggest that you consider snagging a copy of The Quest for Annie Moore of Ellis Island – either for yourself or perhaps a friend. Reviews have been kind, so I think you’ll enjoy it! (Shares appreciated!)

‘Meeting my dad was a D:Ream’ – pop star’s 50-year search for his birth father – If you’re one of those who believes non-physical traits are also passed on, you’ll enjoy this one.

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Genealogy Roundup, February 25

Megan Smolenyak — Thu, 26 Feb 2026 00:28:21 +0000

Globle – In my experience, most genealogists are into geography, too. If that’s you, you might enjoy this globle game.

Soldier Accounted For From World War II – Welcome home, Pvt. Donald Roger Lichty. Honored to have researched your family. #hero #WWII

Photo by Kyle Glenn on Unsplash

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Genealogy Roundup, February 18

Megan Smolenyak — Wed, 18 Feb 2026 19:25:02 +0000

The Case of the Disassembled Lady – So this isn’t exactly genealogical, but I know a lot of us do jigsaw puzzles, and this is an appreciation for them. If you read it, I suspect you’ll recognize some of your own attributes or experiences.

After 70 years overseas, he returns to complete the genealogy – Way back on the first TV show I ever worked on, I got to tackle a story involving a Chinese woman who had a family tree that went back 4000 years! This is an article about finding the *recent* missing piece of the puzzle! Fun video, too.

Green-Wood Merchandise Design Contest – If you’ve got some artistic flair, here’s a chance to design for Green-Wood, an amazing cemetery!

Photo by Alyssa Coulter on Unsplash

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Genealogy Roundup, February 11

Megan Smolenyak — Thu, 12 Feb 2026 15:56:15 +0000

CT man connects Black families with long-lost history. ‘The work he does is truly a blessing’ – Just about everything I love about #genealogy can be found in this article. The world needs more people like John Mills!

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

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Genealogy Roundup, February 4

Megan Smolenyak — Thu, 05 Feb 2026 12:39:29 +0000

Hawaii digitizes 64 volumes of state records, publishes online with free public search tool – If you have any heritage/relatives in Hawaii, you’re going to want to check this out. #genealogy

Photo by little plant on Unsplash

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