Genealogy Roundup, July 27
This week's Roundup brings us pictures from a unique and memorable honeymoon, a matching grant challenge to preserve WWI memorials, and an interview with Australian comedian, Nick Cody.
Genealogy Roundup, July 20
In this week's Roundup, read about a 90-year-old man who's digitized over a million records at FamilySearch -- what a great help to people looking to explore their family history! Also this week, explore an island with a dark past, check out the new Ellis Island artwork gracing a building in Tribeca, find out the "latest" in baby names, and more.
5 Things You Didn’t Know about Melissa McCarthy’s Family Tree
Easily one of the most popular and reliable box office performers today, actress, comedian, producer, and now fashion designer Melissa McCarthy has a lot to be proud of. Following a string of hits, she’s now part of the long-anticipated Ghostbusters dream team of Leslie Jones, Kate McKinnon, and Kristen Wiig. While they’re all ghostbusting, I thought I’d do a little ghost-searching – that is, for the ancestors who populate McCarthy’s family tree – and here’s what I learned.
Genealogy Roundup, July 13
This week we rounded up an analysis of and tribute to Lin-Manuel Miranda, incredible trompe l’oeil facades in France, an 86-year-old grandmother celebrating her birthday with her 86th great-grandchild, and much more . . .
Genealogy Roundup, June 29
In this week's Roundup, check out the story of a "quiet and self-effacing" Marine who chose to stay silent about his role in the 1945 flag raising on Iwo Jima, quirky and interesting stories about microfilm and time capsule homes, more on VP Biden's visit to Ireland, and more . . .
Lin-Manuel Miranda’s Revolutionary Ancestors
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.
Q2 2016 Seton Shields Genealogy Grant: Terry Cemetery Fund, Victor, WV
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.
Genealogy Roundup, June 15
This week: Explore a mystery mansion for sale in London, watch a suspense trailer for the New York Public Library (somebody had fun making this and it's fun to watch, too!), TLC announces that Who Do You Think You Are? will return for a ninth season, and much more . . .
Joey From Scranton – Vice President Biden’s Irish Roots
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!
Genealogy Roundup, June 8
This week, we've rounded up an interview on unclaimed persons, a mystery surrounding photo booth portraits, a look at Victorian-era memento mori photographs, multitasking genes, and more!