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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Statue of Liberty Museum Opening – 135 years ago today, the Statue of Liberty arrived in New York from France. Last year, a museum dedicated to telling her story opened. These are highlights including words of wisdom from Oprah.

“Freedom is what our ancestors died for and it’s also what they lived for. And it’s what we must fight to preserve. Because the dream is up to us.”

That feeling when a bunch of trees on Ancestry have a woman married to her brother just because they share a tombstone on FindaGrave.

Top Photo Credit: justgrimes

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P.S. The kids singing at the beginning of the video? Either my sister or I are among them as it’s a recording done at one of the elementary schools we went to. I just can’t remember which one of us was in the grade that sang this particular song!

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Beer Is Just One Reason Everyone Gets Along At Sugar Creek’s Annual Slavic Festival – OK, look. I’m happy to see them wearing kroje. But HELL TO THE NO, AN ELLIS ISLAND OFFICIAL DID NOT ADD THE O’ IN FRONT OF YOUR SLAVIC SURNAME!!!

*This has been a public service announcement from a fed up genealogist.*

NatGeo Discontinues Genographic Ancestry Kit Sales, Will Shutter Service by End of 2020 – RIP, NatGeo Genographic.

Woman Uncovers Family History At Lansdale Vintage Store  – Thank goodness she held on to these treasures.

Spanish-American War medal uncovered in Sarasota by man’s metal detector  – Another cool reunion tale.

Oprah’s Keynote at Statue of Liberty Museum Opening  – Oprah speaks at the opening of the Statue of Liberty Museum on May 15, 2019. Her initial comments pertain to Diane von Furstenberg (DVF) who spearheaded the efforts to raise funds for the museum.

She remarks on Lady Liberty’s long-held association with immigration and the American dream, but also addresses the myth vs. the reality – citing the fact that women couldn’t vote, the Chinese Exclusion Act, and Jim Crow. “Make no mistake,” she says, “Lady Liberty’s spirit of inclusion did not extend to people of color.”

Speaking of America’s path, she states, “The wheel is still in spin.” Her speech is ultimately a call to action reminding us that the quest for freedom and the American dream are up to us: “Freedom is what our ancestors died for, and it’s what they lived for, and what we must fight to preserve.”

Photo Credit: Mississippi State Penitentiary Photo Collections

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Below: An evening shot of the Statue of Liberty Museum. Note the torch in the windows area near the center. Off to the right is NYC. They’ve done an amazing job with the new Statue of Liberty Museum, so please visit when you can. You won’t be disappointed, I promise!

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Statue of Liberty Museum Founders – Early crowd-funding for the best possible reason

A new museum for Lady Liberty

Our national memory is endangered – “America is losing its memory. The National Archives and Records Administration is in a budget crisis. More than a resource for historians or museum of founding documents, NARA stands at the heart of American democracy.”

Ant and Dec go for helicopter ride around New York City while filming new family history TV show – One-off genealogy show coming to UK.

On Mother’s Day, gratitude for image, memory thought not to exist –

Donn Devine, lawyer, civil rights marcher, city planner, co-writer of state song, dies at 90 – And even this doesn’t tell the half of it. RIP, Donn Devine.

Tim Conway Of ‘The Carol Burnett Show’ Dead At 85 – NOOOOOO…

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Korean War POW Will Finally Be Buried in Arlington National Cemetery – This soldier’s case was so complicated that I remember it well even though I did it back in 2003. Welcome home, 1st Lt. Herman Louis Falk.

How They Do It: Megan Smolenyak – So Organize Your Family History picked my brain about a few things (thanks, Janine!). Check out what I did with my dad’s slides!

Sean Kirst: After 75 years, lost airman who longed for Buffalo comes home – This wasn’t my case, but I was happy to track down the family of his fiance. Better yet, they were delighted to be found!

The Statue of Liberty Museum set to open with original torch, ‘soaring’ theater space –

Photo Credit: Hong Chang Bum under Creative Commons license

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You can apply for a Seton Shields grant here. Don’t miss checking out the cool projects I’ve had the opportunity to contribute to over the years, plus an article that will give you a behind-the-scenes peek into my grants program (and might help you increase your odds of being selected when you apply)!

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I’ve long taken a special interest in Annie Moore, the first immigrant to ever arrive at Ellis Island, and as January 1st of this year marked the 125th anniversary of both Ellis Island and her arrival there, supporting the construction of this new museum seemed a fitting tribute.

If you have Ellis Island ancestors and/or would simply like to join me in supporting this project, there’s information about how you can contribute here.

To apply for a Seton Shields grant, fill out and submit the form here. You can see examples of past grant awards here.

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