Greetings Fellow Family History Sleuths,

It strikes me that I sort of specialize in genealogical randomness. Yes, my content is heavy on Army cases and DNA, but beyond that, I often surprise even myself. This issue is no exception. You'll find everything from George Jetson's birth to a house built of tombstones to why I'm going to be an annoying ancestor. As a bonus, there's a cluster of fun, new search tools!

Here's hoping you find some bits and pieces of interest as you wind down your summer days.

Until next time,

Before "It's a Wonderful Life"

Photo Credit: Sean Kirst

I've shared both of these articles before, but they're best read together as the second is a special fresh chapter to the first. If you're familiar with "It's a Wonderful Life" (and really, who isn't?), I know you'll enjoy the real life story that inspired the movie, as well as the reunion of descendants of those involved. Also, Sean Kirst is an old school journo who tells the best stories in the most captivating way, so especially if you find yourself in need of a lift, please spare a few minutes to read this pair of articles. I think you'll be happy you did.

In Seneca Falls, a desperate leap and real-life angel tie in to ‘It’s a Wonderful Life'

‘From death comes life, and that’s Easter’: For West Falls woman, emotional meeting on bridge

Back to top^

Genealogy Roundup, August 17

Photo Credit: Mani Babbar Photography under Creative Commons license

Old age isn’t a modern phenomenon – many people lived long enough to grow old in the olden days, too – Familiar territory for genealogists: "What some people don't realize is that low life expectancy at birth for any population usually reflects very high rates of infant mortality."

The Tombstone House – I mean, at least they left the top halves. 😬

The Awkward 17th-Century Dating Practice That Saw Teens Get Bundled Into Bags – People tend to think of our ancestors as being prudish, but really, they were a lot like us. "one in 10 of every first child born in colonial America was born eight months after marriage"

Happy Little Search Tools – Playing with cool search toys developed by Tara Calishain and wanted to share with my fellow genies! For instance, I used "Time-Sliced News Search" to see how topics ranging from homework (folks have been griping about it since 1909😆) to genetic genealogy have been viewed over time.

Would love it if y'all would experiment with them and share interesting applications & results

Back to top^

Genealogy Roundup, August 10

Photo Credit: MIKI Yoshihito under Creative Commons license

Stanford's new 5-hour DNA sequencing technique lands Guinness World Record – 5-hour DNA!

Back to top^

Genealogy Roundup, August 3

Photo Credit: Public Domain

Soldier Accounted For From World War II (Barrett, A.) – Welcome home, Pfc. Arthur C. Barrett. Honored to have researched your family.

I don't mean to alarm anyone, but someone just gave birth to George Jetson – Time to get that family tree going!

I’m going to be that annoying ancestor who wouldn't stay put. Born in France, married in New Zealand, and assuming the most likely case - that I'll die in the US - I’ll have left my BMD on 3 continents. 🙃

Back to top^

Genealogy Roundup, July 27

Photo Credit: SonnyandSandy under Creative Commons license

Hatfield-McCoy Family Reunion postponed – Hatfield-McCoy family reunion postponed until 2023 (yes, those Hatfields & McCoys)

Who Do You Think You Are? Allison Janney Review

Police Are Using Newborn Genetic Screening to Search for Suspects, Threatening Privacy and Public Health – This is disturbing. 🧬

Back to top^