Research Archives - Megan Smolenyak

Genealogy Roundup, February 11

Megan Smolenyak — Thu, 12 Feb 2026 15:56:15 +0000

CT man connects Black families with long-lost history. ‘The work he does is truly a blessing’ – Just about everything I love about #genealogy can be found in this article. The world needs more people like John Mills!

How an unsolved 1971 homicide led to a surprise DNA connection – This happens a fair bit with my Army cases as well – when you almost accidentally reunite family members along the way.

Searching for Sisters: A Guide to Researching Catholic Nuns in the United States – If your family has ever included any nuns (or even if you happen to be Catholic), you’re going to want to snag this book ASAP for your sleuthing purposes!

Top photo: screenshot from John Mills Lecture at the Stanley-Whitman House in Farmington, CT

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Genealogy Roundup, February 4

Megan Smolenyak — Thu, 05 Feb 2026 12:39:29 +0000

Hawaii digitizes 64 volumes of state records, publishes online with free public search tool – If you have any heritage/relatives in Hawaii, you’re going to want to check this out. #genealogy

Photo by little plant on Unsplash

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Genealogy Roundup, January 28

Megan Smolenyak — Wed, 28 Jan 2026 19:23:19 +0000

Identifying the Mystery Man in My Baby Photo – A mystery that’s tormented me for years finally solved! (shares appreciated!) #Genealogy

Top photo: Aisne-Marne Cemetery caretaker and me as a youngster

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Genealogy Roundup, January 21

Megan Smolenyak — Thu, 22 Jan 2026 15:08:39 +0000

I recently hit a random but timely milestone with my work with the US Army as I’ve now researched 1776 soldiers. That seems fitting given this is our 250th year.

Statue of Liberty Museum Opening – This is a video I put together back in 2019 from the opening of the Statue of Liberty museum, and I find it’s more relevant than ever. If you watch, be sure to check out what Oprah says about our ancestors. And Gloria Estefan’s spontaneous and heartfelt singing at the end. #genealogy #freedom

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Genealogy Roundup, October 29

Megan Smolenyak — Wed, 29 Oct 2025 23:38:26 +0000

Buried in France in 1840, a U.S. president’s daughter comes back home – My kind of quest! I think y’all might enjoy this. #genealogy

Photo by: unattributed by source, appears to be the same portrait attributed to S [Stefano?] Caruson, active 1831-1843 by the Frick Art Library, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

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Genealogy Roundup, July 23

Megan Smolenyak — Wed, 23 Jul 2025 14:45:02 +0000

An Ancestral Tour of Stephen Colbert’s Family – I see that this article I wrote about Stephen Colbert’s roots is making the rounds again, so I guess I’ll share it as well.

Lies, Damn Lies, and…Primary Sources? – Interesting article from an underutilized resource. Also includes a link to an intriguing collection of prison newspapers!

Clan’s American cousins help save historic Borders church – Love it when trans-Atlantic cousins help each other!

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Genealogy Roundup, June 18

Megan Smolenyak — Thu, 19 Jun 2025 00:10:46 +0000

Soldier Accounted For From Vietnam War – Welcome home, Master Sgt. Donald Peter Gervais. Honored to have researched your family.

23andMe’s founder Anne Wojcicki wins bid for bankrupt DNA testing firm – The saga continues!

Photo by Caleb Fisher on Unsplash

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Genealogy Roundup, June 11

Megan Smolenyak — Wed, 11 Jun 2025 23:50:52 +0000

Harrison Ruffin Tyler, grandson of 10th U.S. president and longtime Richmonder, dies at 96 – We all knew this day was coming. President John Tyler’s (1790-1862) grandson has died. Classic example of what can happen when men become dads in their 60s & 70s.

Photo by: George Peter Alexander Healy, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

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Genealogy Roundup, May 28

Megan Smolenyak — Wed, 28 May 2025 19:30:04 +0000

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Genealogy Roundup, September 11

Megan Smolenyak — Wed, 11 Sep 2024 20:44:10 +0000

Did Frank Sinatra Really Perform at My Grandma’s High School? – He doesn’t call it this, but classic genealogical research to try to verify family lore. Leans heavily on online newspapers.

MyHeritage Acquires MesAieux.com – Those with French-Canadian roots will want to know about this.

Charity Commission disqualifies former trustees of genealogy charity and recovers £113,000 – Fortunately, criminal genealogists are rare. Glad they snagged these two.

Photo by Dushawn Jovic on Unsplash

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