Fellow Family History Sleuths,

I'd like to extend a warm welcome to my new 181 (last I checked) subscribers! To those who have been along for the ride for a while, first off, thank you! And second, by way of explanation, I did something I should probably do more often than, say, once a decade. I posted about this newsletter on social media, so we have lots of new genie friends. 😊

For everyone, this issue is much like most with a feature article – this time about Jon Stewart's heritage since he's going back to his The Daily Show roots – and then a glorious genealogical mishmash – WWII identifications, my 85-year-old, accidental pen pal, manatee genealogy, the great cousin decline (bet it's happening in your family), my girl Annie Moore of Ellis Island, and an article I strongly encourage you to read about a mystery woman buried in a pet cemetery. I promise, it'll be worth it.

Incidentally, I try my best to include gift links when possible, and I subscribe to The New York Times, The Washington Post, and The Guardian, among others, so while I can't guarantee access, please know that I do my darndest to help you avoid bumping into paywalls.

Until next time, stay warm and happy sleuthing!

8 Things You Didn’t Know about Jon Stewart’s Roots

Jon Stewart and his great-granduncle

Since he's coming back to The Daily Show on February 12th, I thought now might be a good time to re-share the research I did on Jon Stewart's roots:

Until a few years ago, Jon Stewart came into our living rooms four nights a week to both educate and entertain us. Now he uses his celebrity sparingly to support select causes such as keeping our commitments to and 9/11 first responders, but otherwise keeps a low profile. He didn’t, for instance, join Twitter until January of 2021. So he remains something of an enigma to most.

As a genealogist, I was curious about the ancestors who produced a descendant of such intellect and principle, so here’s a bit of information about his heritage — including an unexpected Mongolian and Chinese connection.

Click here to continue reading.

Back to top^

Genealogy Roundup, January 24

Photo Credit: Beverly & Pack under Creative Commons license

Pilot Accounted for from WWII (Willhite, T.) – Welcome home, Major Theodore "Ted" Willhite. Honored to have researched your family.

Who Was the Mysterious Woman Buried Alone at the Pet Cemetery? – Loved this story.

How many books did you read in 2023? Are you in the top 1 percent? – Surprised to learn that the 62 books I read last year put me at 99%. Also, I have this cart!

Europe's island that swaps nationalities – I've always found these shared-nationality places so fascinating.

Back to top^

Genealogy Roundup, January 17

Photo Credit: Joshua Woroniecki under Creative Commons license

What Happens When a Baby Is Born on a Plane? – I know I was wondering.

Thicker Than Water: A Brief History of Family Violence in Appalachian Kentucky – I hate how common events like this were, but it still gets my attention. "The daughter of Mary Jane was my great grandmother, Susan Bishop, who was given in marriage at age fourteen to seventy-four-year-old Henry Hazelwood in exchange for an apple orchard."

Manatee specialist marks over 40 years of research, genealogical records – A different kind of genealogy.

The Merry Cemetery – Yeah, I’d be that woman who wanted a picture of herself walking through the cemetery.

Captured in Time: The Immigrant Lillicrap Family upon Arrival in America in 1890 – In April 2022, I wrote an article about a photo of an immigrant family who arrived in NY in 1890 and tracing their family to learn what happened to them (tragic tale) and find their descendants. Well, the daughter/granddaughter I found - 83 years old at the time - and I have become pen pals of a sort! I see I'm getting another letter from her today! 😊

For those who saw my post about my accidental pen pal, I'm happy to tell you that Mary Louise has given me permission to share this story from her local MS newspaper about the dramatic rescue of her cat, Fluffy. It was literally front page news, but everyone's safe now.

Back to top^

Genealogy Roundup, January 10

The genealogist who found the real Annie Moore, the first immigrant processed at Ellis Island – My post on Annie Moore went a bit viral & Martha Brennan of the "Irish Star" reached out.

The Clifden Station House Hotel are still waiting for the people to claim their lost luggage from 100 years ago! There is so much history in this place. – Oh, to trace the descendants of the original owners!

Amateur Family Genealogists Researching Their Family History: A Scoping Review of Motivations and Psychosocial Impacts – Want to know what makes genealogists tick? Check this out for the latest study results.

A Montana Visit to Find My Great-Great-Grandfather’s Grave – I think this is the kind of tale many genealogists can relate to.

Back to top^

Genealogy Roundup, January 3

Photo Credit: Chun Yip So under Creative Commons license

Since 1954, Veselka has been serving up Ukrainian food from the same location in the heart of the East Village – Happy 70th to Veselka! So fun to read the family history! 🇺🇦🌈

UPDATED: Owner of Pageturners sells mysterious 318-year-old Bible to local collector – Fingers crossed that the new owner bought it to do the sleuthing to return it to the family of origin. 🤞

The Great Cousin Decline – Food for thought!

132 years ago, 17 year-old Annie Moore of Ireland was the first immigrant to arrive at Ellis Island. It took 4 years of research, but I finally managed to pluck her out of obscurity back in 2006. Seen here with her brothers on Jan. 1, 1892.

The Low Down on the Greatest Dictionary Collection in the World – I wish I had known Madeline Kripke.

Soldier Accounted for from WWII (Hurst, R.) – Welcome home, Pvt. Robert Lee A. Hurst. Honored to have researched your family.

Back to top^