Greetings Fellow Family History Sleuths,

Just got back from a walk on a gorgeous day and am delighted fall is finally here! Also recently back from another fun TMG cruise (thanks, Wholly Genes and fellow travelers!). Rough life, eh?

I remember when genealogy used to be seasonal for me, and there's something about cool weather that still makes me want to buckle down and get a little more serious about my research. On the chance that that applies to some of you as well, here's wishing you plenty of autumnal discoveries!

Take care,

Celebrating a Milestone Birthday at a Funeral

Megan spent her 50th birthday attending the funeral of a beloved relative. Even though "First Class Andy" was her husband's uncle, he touched her life years before she met her husband.

Read A Funeral on My 50th to see why Megan feels that this was a most appropriate way for her to spend this milestone birthday.

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Genealogy Round Up, September 23

Just a few for this week - enjoy!

Thanks, Roger!
Megan is Catching the Wave - Megan Smolenyak | WMGS

I wish!
Gene for nearsightedness found; treatment could eliminate need to eyeglasses, contact lense

Og and I thank you!!
52 Weeks to Better #Genealogy - Challenge 37 - Roots Television | GeneaBloggers

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Genealogy Round Up, September 30

Pleased to read - one of my Army cases: "WWII MIA soldier's remains identified after being found in Germany"
World War II MIA soldier's remains identified after being found in Germany | Nation | NewJerseyNewsr

Brilliant! Totally captures my experience with genetic genealogy
This is a news article about a scientific finding

My view - and a touch of weirdness
British Baby Names: Choices With Charm and Class

This interview is so me.
Get Hooked on Your Family History - TeacherVision.com

When it comes to genetics, we want to know as much as we can: DNA Heritage mtDNA poll results (BTW, DNA Heritage now offers full sequence mtDNA testing)
DNA Heritage blog >> Home

BBC News - 'Lost' letters show strain between DNA pioneers
Letters show strain in DNA team

okaaaay . . .
Eastman's Online Genealogy Newsletter: Press Your Cremated Ashes Into A Vinyl Record

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Family History for the Whole Family

TeacherVision.com and FamilyEducation.com recently spoke with Megan about why she emphasizes genealogy as a worthwhile family activity, and how you can cultivate your kids' interest in the study of ancestry.

Read the full article to learn how a sixth-grade family history project hooked Megan into the world of genealogy, tips to get your research started today, and how to involve your whole family in your research.

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Don and Roger Talk About the 2010 Seminar

Who do you think you are? More and more people are asking this question. On November 5-6, Megan is covering this topic at the Western Michigan Genealogical Society's Annual Seminar in Grand Rapids.

Watch Don and Roger's recent interview on eightWest for tips getting started in genealogy and an overview of the topics Megan will present during the event.

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Honoring Our Ancestors Grants

Congrats to our recent grant recipient! Don't forget that you can apply here.

August 2010
The Macon County Historical Society maintains the genealogical library and website for Macon County, NC. The Society is currently working to digitize the Lawrence Wood Collection, an expansive collection of local genealogical research conducted by Mr. Wood, a native of Macon County and an avid and well-respected genealogist. The grant award will fund the purchase of a multi-feed scanner so the Society can digitize the family group sheets, documents, newspaper articles and oral histories collected by Mr. Woods for use by other local researchers.

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Upcoming Events

If you plan to be near any of the events where I'll be speaking, I would love to meet you. It's always a kick for me when folks mention that they read this newsletter, my blog, Huffington Post or whatever, so don't be shy about introducing yourself!

For more information on these events, please see my Events Calendar. And if you're interested in scheduling me, just click here.

• October 15, 2010 - Louisville, KY - Kentucky Center for African American Heritage - "Michelle Obama's Roots"
• October 16, 2010 - Louisville, KY - Louisville Genealogical Society - "Trace Your Roots With DNA," "Beyond Y-DNA: Your Genetic Genealogy Options," "Reverse Genealogy: Techniques for Finding Your Lost Loved Ones" and "Find that Obituary: Online Newspaper Resources"
• October 23, 2010 - Providence, RI - Providence Public Library - "Cases that Made My Brain Hurt"
• October 26, 2010 - Waterloo, IA (delivered live via Skype) - Waterloo Public Library - "Reverse Genealogy: Techniques for Finding Your Lost Loved Ones" and "Find That Obituary! Online Newspaper Research"
• November 6, 2010 - Grand Rapids, MI - Western Michigan Genealogical Society - "Michelle Obama's Roots," "Reverse Genealogy," "Tracing Your Roots with DNA," "Right Annie, Wrong Annie" and "Cases That Made My Brain Hurt"
• February 12, 2011 - Largo, FL - Pinellas Genealogy Society - "Trace Your Roots with DNA," "Reverse Genealogy: Techniques for Finding Your Lost Loved Ones," "Find The Obituary! Online Newspaper Research" and "Cold Cases: Genealogists, Coroners and the FBI"
• March 16, 2011 - New York, NY - 92YTribeca - "Who Do You Think You Are?" Book Signing
• April 9, 2011 - Lakeland, FL - Imperial Polk Genealogical Society -"Reverse Genealogy Techniques for Finding Your Lost Loved Ones," "Neglected History," "Trace Your Roots with DNA" and "Cases That Made My Brain Hurt"
• April 29-May 1, 2011 - Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada - Saskatchewan Genealogical Society -"Remembering Our Ancestors," "Trace Your Roots with DNA," "Reverse Genealogy: Techniques for Finding Your Lost Loved Ones" and "Cases That Made My Brain Hurt"
• October 22-27, 2011 - "Exploring Your Roots" Bermuda Cruise, Royal Caribbean Explorer of the Seas - "Who Do You Think You Are?: Behind the Scene on TV Shows," "Cold Cases: Genealogists, Coroners and the FBI" and "Remembering Our Ancestors"
  

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