Understanding Reclaim the Records – An Interview with Brooke Schreier-Ganz and Alec Ferretti – Podcast for those who want to learn more about Reclaim the Records, a #genealogy hero!

Honored to have researched 1776 heroes’ families as of the 250th anniversary of America, the country they gave their lives to defend. These are the men who have been identified since last Memorial Day. #NoManLeftBehind

Photo Credits: rychlepozicky.com under Creative Commons license and University of Michigan SEAS under Creative Commons license

The post Genealogy Roundup, May 27 appeared first on Megan Smolenyak.

WWII soldier missing since Bataan Death March identified, finally returning home – Local news piece about one the soldiers I researched who’s been identified. While I appreciate that they told this story, it sort of insinuates that the family couldn’t be found or wasn’t all that involved, and I can tell you that they definitely were and are. My guess is that they couldn’t get one of them to interview so took this fellow-veteran approach, and while that’s fine, I wish they had mentioned that James McKinley Walker’s family is very much in the mix. In fact, they were the ones who decided to bury him there. #genealogy

Reclaim The Records Year in Review 2025 – Worth taking a few minutes to see all that Reclaim the Records has done for us just in 2025! #genealogy

Photo by Thomas Kinto on Unsplash

The post Genealogy Roundup, January 7 appeared first on Megan Smolenyak.

About the Author Megan Smolenyak – Seasonal reminder that “The Quest for Annie Moore of Ellis Island” and “In Search of Our Ancestors” make great gifts for genealogists and history buffs! And while you can snag the eBook version in all the usual places (maybe for yourself?!), both the print and digital versions are available directly from BookBaby and you’ll get the paperback more swiftly. Thanks you!

The post Genealogy Roundup, December 3 appeared first on Megan Smolenyak.

No time to talk. Off on another genealogy adventure!

Top Image Credit: EpicTop10.com under Creative Commons license

The post Genealogy Roundup, November 29 appeared first on Megan Smolenyak.

New York City Municipal Archives has launched a brand new website with online scans of ALL of their historical New York City vital records. – Who’s excited?!?!?!

The NYC Historical Vital Records Project – It’s certainly temperamental with all the traffic, and some of the current gaps are frustrating, but when it works …

If you want to understand the backstory in Ukraine better, I highly recommend this book. Plus, you’ll be helping Ukrainian charities.
From the author: “For those who asked: My book ‘Red Famine’ is back in stock, on Amazon and everywhere else. It offers background to the current conflict, and starts with a chapter on the longer history of Ukraine. All 2022 royalties go to Ukrainian charities.”

Top Photo (taken in Lviv, Ukraine) Credit: bartolomeo koczenasz under Creative Commons license

The post Genealogy Roundup, March 16 appeared first on Megan Smolenyak.

Introducing the New Jersey Geographic Birth Index, 1901-1929 – Hey, y’all, this is a BIG deal for those with New Jersey roots (like yours truly)! If you can, please consider making a donation to Reclaim the Records to support this kind of genealogical magic!

Top Photo Credit: Public Domain

The post Genealogy Roundup, December 1 appeared first on Megan Smolenyak.

Reclaim The Records Wins Our Freedom of Information Fight for 19th + 20th Century Birth and Death Records from Yonkers, New York – If you’ve got Yonkers roots, you now know what you’re doing for the next week!

A Tribute to Anthony Bourdain and His Wild, Vagabond Roots – In honor of Bourdain Day, I’m sharing this peek into his past. Miss his wild spirit in our midst.

When the obit mentions the deceased’s daughter Debbie and his other daughter Debbie.

Here’s Colonial Williamsburg.

The post Genealogy Roundup, July 8 appeared first on Megan Smolenyak.

DNA Stories: A Tale of Two Fathers – For my fellow genies at home with a little time on their hands, thought I’d share this Y-DNA story (VIDEO). The outcome might not be what you’re expecting!

The Evolution of the American Census – Fascinating look at how U.S. census questions have changed over time!

Soldier Accounted For From Korean War (Crosby, L.) – Welcome home, PFC Louis “Nelson” Crosby. Honored to have researched your family. (2004)

Pysanka Museum, the world’s only museum dedicated to the Ukrainian Easter egg – Pysanka Museum?!

Total Legal Victory in Missouri for Genealogy and Open Records!

Trailer—The Unforgettable Augustus Post – Hey, y’all, this is airing on a number of PBS channels today. You might want to check it out as it’s semi-genealogical and this fellow had quite a life! (thanks to Kat Kulkoski for the heads up!)

Image Credit: Dona N.

The post Genealogy Roundup, April 23 appeared first on Megan Smolenyak.

Bring Back Handwriting: It’s Good for Your Brain – Guessing many of my fellow genealogists would agree with this

After nearly 70 years, a Pennsylvania farm boy killed in Korea will be coming home – Welcome home, Cpl. Earl Henry Markle. Honored to have researched your family. (2004)

Tribal Elder Hears Grandfather’s Voice in Archived Songs –

The Nebraska Death Index: Free, searchable database, presenting by Reclaim The Records – !!!

A Massive New Database Will Connect Billions of Historic Records to Tell the Full Story of American Slavery – Not quite sure about “billions,” but this sounds like a promising resource.

Annie Moore of Ellis Island Memorial – Annie Moore of Ireland was the first to arrive at Ellis Island on Jan 1, 1892. In 1924, she was buried at Calvary Cemetery in a plot that holds 11 people (including several of her children), but had no tombstone. This is video of the 2008 memorial dedication for her.

FYI – I neglect to mention my YouTube channel, but you’ll find plenty of other genealogy-themed videos here as well!

Photo Credit: Artful Ashes

The post Genealogy Roundup, January 2 appeared first on Megan Smolenyak.

From National Geographic: Important Update for Genographic Project Customers – Genographic joining the ranks of deCODEme, SMGF, and so many other genetic entities that have come and gone (darndest thing – Oxford Ancestors is still out there).

Don’t Hold Our History Hostage – Fellow genealogists, historians, immigration activists, FOIA users, and friends of open records, please check out this important site re: proposed USCIS price hikes. $625 for a single file???

Reclaim The Records Publishes the Mississippi Death Index (1912-1943) – I’m a little uncomfortable asking folks to donate to “my” causes.

All that said, Reclaim the Records has done so much for all of us – not least of which are these freshly launched Mississippi death indexes – so if you are planning to donate in support of special causes this season, please consider Reclaim The Records!

P.S. Full disclosure: I’m on the board, but can’t take credit for the magic this organization works. But yeah, I *am* biased.

Always fun to trip across something charming when you’re researching something less so! This 3-generation family tradition (pictured below) fits the bill.

Top Photo Credit: The U.S. Army under Creative Commons license

The post Genealogy Roundup, December 4 appeared first on Megan Smolenyak.