Fellow Family History Sleuths,

I hope you're interested in the intersection of genealogy and AI because this month's issue is definitely AI-heavy. That said, no worries if you don't find it all that interesting because you can also browse through Meg Ryan's Irish roots, feel-good orphan heirloom rescues, a museum heist, thoughtful essays about genealogy and our ancestors, a couple of WWII soldier identifications, and the history of pockets. Yup, pockets.

Until next time, I wish you an enjoyable entry into the holiday season!

Meg Ryan’s Irish Heritage

Photo Credit: David Shankbone under Creative Commons License

It’s been a while, but Meg Ryan, America’s rom-com queen, anointed through her memorable roles in When Harry Met Sally, Sleepless in Seattle, and You’ve Got Mail, is re-emerging with What Happens Later, a movie she co-wrote, directed, and stars in. I’m among the many looking forward to getting snowed in at the airport with both Ryan and her co-star, David Duchovny, but in the interim, decided to climb her family tree.

Born Margaret Mary Emily Anne Hyra, she assumed her maternal grandmother’s maiden name of Ryan when she became an actress, and those with Irish ancestry will recognize Meg (as well as Peg and Peggy) as a nickname for Margaret. As I researched, it slowly dawned on me that her original name reflects three generations of her direct maternal line since her grandmother was named Margaret Mary, her great-grandmother Emily, and her great-great-grandmother Ann. What a lovely tribute.

After some digging, I arrived at the following roots recipe for Meg Ryan:

Click here to continue reading.

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Genealogy Roundup, November 15

Photo Credit: Sean Biehle under Creative Commons license

Halloween: A Chance To Revive Our Dead Ancestors – The title might make you think this is about Halloween, but there's so much more to it.

He thought his parents’ wedding rings were lost forever. Then, he got a message. – Could read stories like this all day long.☺️

So if I use this for my holiday greeting card to fellow genealogists, what should it say on the inside?

Sean Kirst: 75 years ago, life-or-death struggle overshadowed Buffalo high school game with 50,988 fans – Another moving story from my friend, Sean Kirst.

Longing to Belong Led Me to Genealogy – I had the opportunity to do something similar to this with a 96-year-old woman last week, and it's very special. This tale is heartbreaking at times, but ultimately heartening.

The lack of pockets in women's clothing has always been a pet peeve of mine, so it was a no-brainer that I was going to read this! And yeah, I'm one of those who enjoys one-topic history - salt, walls, disease, etc.

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Genealogy Roundup, November 8

Image Credit: Google DeepMind under Creative Commons license

How the National Archives is using AI to make records more accessible in the digital age – When genealogy and AI meet at NARA. (h/t Dick Eastman)

B.C. man files 23andMe data breach class action suit – Here we go...

How an Academic Uncovered One of the Biggest Museum Heists of All Time – Love the persistence of Gradel. And all the doubters who discounted him is an all-too-familiar story.

This genie's ready for the weekend! (and yes, I've been playing with AI again)

President Biden Issues Executive Order on Safe, Secure, and Trustworthy Artificial Intelligence – Just watched the White House briefing on this and liked what I heard. Appreciated Dr. Arati Prabhakar's comment that AI had already come into our lives in ways that are both "delightful and troubling." I've been having fun with AI, but agree that there's reason for some kind of guard rails. This EO has been under development for about a year and I'm glad to hear of early days of international buy-in as well.

Funeral Procession Route Set For WWII Pilot Who Was MIA For 80 Years – Welcome home, 1st Lt. Edward Timothy McGuire. Honored to have researched your family.

We Are Not Merely Photographers, We Are Historians As Well – This will resonate with my fellow genies.

Gonna tell everyone these were my great-grandparents.

The A.I. Dilemma – This video about AI is long, but worth a watch. A few phrases that caught my attention:

"Your dreams are no longer safe."
"What we think is no longer hidden from the outside world."
"race to intimacy" 😬

New genetic genealogy database for solved crimes reveals startling trends – Interesting patterns already starting to emerge.

The Secret Cemetery – Hart Island has long fascinated me (as well as probably most who care about NYC history), so this article both interested and heartened me.

So I'm one of the many authors whose work was appropriated to train AI.

Unopened 18th-century love letters to French sailors read for first time – Adore stories like this. We can all hope, right?

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Genealogy Roundup, October 25

Photo Credit: Quinn Dombrowski under Creative Commons license

Why Do Archivists Get Rid Of Things (And Enjoy It)? – Food for thought

Texas WWII veteran to buried in Belton, 80 years after his death – Welcome home, Tech. Sgt. Turner Yearwood Johnston. Honored to have researched your family.

Ancestry Launches Parental Traits Inheritance; Bringing a deeper understanding of which parent's DNA has the most influence on their offspring's unique DNA makeup – Interesting, but I already know I'm a spice-loving, risk-taking, eat/drink-anything, boogie-down, non-sneezing introvert - and with the exception of the hothead trait (self-induced ), I know exactly which came from Mom, from Dad, and from both!

AI Is About to Photoshop Your Memories – I know we genealogists have been thinking about this.

These identical twins dress alike daily. They are 84 years old. – These two are getting serious mileage out of their twindom! 😆

Don't ever change, AI:

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