Greetings Fellow Family History Sleuths,

Strange days, eh? Here's hoping this issue finds you and your families comfortably ensconced at home, safe, and healthy. It almost seems strange to be reaching out with my monthly newsletter, but then again, perhaps it will be a welcome distraction for some. So I invite you to get a cup of tea or coffee, curl up in a comfortable place (you know, that favorite corner of yours?), and take a browse. And maybe watch a few videos or apply for a chance at the very last Seton Shields Genealogy Grant I'll be awarding shortly (20 years went by in a flash!).

Until next time, please just STAY SAFE!

A Family Riddle Solved

Just a reminder that if you're self-isolating/social distancing (if so, thanks! you're awesome!) and find yourself a little bored, I've got a bunch of genealogy videos here. To start you off, here's a story about the use of Y-DNA testing to solve a family riddle that winds up with an unexpected ending:

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The Last Grant

I'll be selecting the final grant recipient shortly, so don't delay in applying!

You can apply for a Seton Shields grant here. Be sure to check out the cool projects I’ve had the opportunity to contribute to over the years, plus an article that will give you a behind-the-scenes peek into my grants program (and might help you increase your odds of being selected when you apply).

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Seton Shields Genealogy Grant #219: ChineseExclusionFiles.com

The first quarter of 2020 had two grant recipients and I’m delighted to announce that Trish Hackett Nicola of ChineseExclusionFiles.com was the second. (You can read about the first recipient, BlackProGen LIVE, here.)

This blog works to showcase the variety of genealogical, social and historical information found in Chinese Exclusion Act case files and to give guidance on how to locate information in the files. The focus is on the files at the National Archives-Seattle from Record Group 85 pertaining to Seattle, Port Townsend, and Sumas, Washington, as well as Portland, Oregon. Blog entries summarize individual case files and generally include photos and original documents found in the files. Sometimes, a particular section of the Act is highlighted and an explanation given of how it pertains to an individual case file.

Grant funds will be used to help cover the costs of running the ChineseExclusionFiles website.

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Genealogy Round Up, April 15

Remains of Korean War POW being returned to family in Lima – A little more about PFC William Junior Winchester, one of the soldiers I had the privilege of researching

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Genealogy Round Up, April 8

Joe Exotic’s Family History Could Be Its Own Netflix Series – Looking for something that's educational, scrupulously researched, entertaining, and so-very-of-the-moment? Jennifer Mendelsohn has it for you.

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Genealogy Round Up, April 1

Photo Credit: Arlington National Cemetery | Public Domain

Soldier Accounted For From World War II (McCurley, B.) – Welcome home, PVT Ballard McCurley. Honored to have researched your family.

How to Help Librarians and Archivists From Your Living Room – A few ways to volunteer your time if you're at home and not working

Louise Penny April Newsletter – I know many of my fellow genealogists are Louise Penny fans, so I thought I'd share her newsletter for those who haven't subscribed yet

Haven't asked this question in ages, but I'm curious. What's the most extreme thing you've done in your quest to learn about your roots? For me, it was DNA testing a Rusyn/Slovak village back in 2004 before anyone else was doing geographic projects. What about you??

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Genealogy Round Up, March 25

Photo Credit: The Madill Record | VIRIN

Government suspends search for MIAs globally due to pandemic – I was wondering about this. Still hard at work finding soldier's families, though.

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Upcoming Events

After traveling around and speaking in 40 states and half a dozen countries, I decided to take a breather from the road to tend to some projects. That said, I'm sharing exceptions here. And by the way, you can see if I’ll be in your area any time by checking my Events Calendar.

• July 29, 2020 – FEMA Book Club: "Who Do You Think You Are?"

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