The Strange Business of Selling People Their Own Family’s Lost Photos – I mean, I’m glad families are getting their memorabilia back, but I’ve done this for decades for free – and many other genealogists do the same – so I think it’s kind of sad that some are monetizing this.

AI-generated fake historic images are destroying our past, present, and future – I fear this is true – especially since I occasionally spot fellow genealogists sharing these AI-generated photos/stories here on FB.

Photo Credit: irisWphotography under Creative Commons license

The post Genealogy Roundup, August 12 appeared first on Megan Smolenyak.

Genealogy Firm Revises Loan Conditions to Attract Bondholders as Debt Deadlines Loom –

‘I thought, I’ve tried everything else, why not give AI a shot?’: the long-lost family reunited by ChatGPT – They oversell AI’s role in this, but still a cool reunion story.

How Inherited Family Trauma Shapes Who We Are (& How to End the Cycle) – May be of interest to those curious about how inherited family trauma can shape who we are. Interview with Mark Wolynn, author of “It Didn’t Start with You.”

Photo by Sorasak on Unsplash

The post Genealogy Roundup, July 29 appeared first on Megan Smolenyak.

When DNA journeys go badly via Romesh Ranganathan –

Drive and Listen in Edinburgh – OK, not strictly genealogical, but a cool way to journey around the places your ancestors lived. You pick the city (Edinburgh linked here) and a local station and suddenly, you’re taking a drive with the radio on. Adjust the driving speed if you want, and toggle on-off street noise.

6 Family Heirlooms You Should Never Sell (and Stylish Ways to Repurpose Them) – Why not keep ALL the heirlooms?!

Our Story: A Guide to Recording and Sharing Your Family History – Hey, y’all, if you’re planning on doing some family interviews, you might want to check out this new book by Rachel F. Seidman, PhD. She’s a professional oral historian and a curator at the Smithsonian American Women’s History Museum, so you’ll find lots of wisdom packed into its pages!

Image Credit: mcmurryjulie via Pixabay

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

In a Scientific First, Researchers Recovered Ancient DNA That Humans Left Behind on Rock Art and Cave Walls – Whoa! Only 5 of 120 samples, but already able to determine that 3 were female and one was male (other TBD?).

PFC. Richard Walker Young – Welcome home, PFC Richard Walker Young. Honored to have researched your family (in 2001!). #Hero #KoreanWar

Dispute Over Dual Surnames in Kyrgyzstan: Genealogists Oppose the Initiative – When genealogy gets political – in Kyrgyzstan.

Photo Credit: Thumbnail from ýlet na Osturňu 3. mája 2026 video

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

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.

‘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.

The post Genealogy Roundup, March 4 appeared first on Megan Smolenyak.

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

The post Genealogy Roundup, February 25 appeared first on Megan Smolenyak.

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

The post Genealogy Roundup, February 18 appeared first on Megan Smolenyak.

Inside the Surprisingly Intense World of Competitive Steinholding – Have my German & German-American friends been holding out? Why have I never heard of steinholding before?

I’m pleased to say that 215 of the soldiers I’ve researched over the years have been identified. This represents roughly 12% of my cases to date and that percentage is slowly inching upward for a variety of reasons. #nomanleftbehind

Photo: John Klemmer, United States Senate Photographic Studio, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

The post Genealogy Roundup, November 26 appeared first on Megan Smolenyak.

Could your ancestry DNA results unlock citizenship? – Uptick in people using DNA for citizenship

A massive mural honoring NYC immigrants now fills the entrance to St. Patrick’s Cathedral – A massive mural honoring NYC immigrants now fills the entrance to St. Patrick’s Cathedral

Photo by Douglas Lopez on Unsplash

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