WWII Archives - Megan Smolenyak

Genealogy Roundup, April 8

Megan Smolenyak — Wed, 08 Apr 2026 17:54:17 +0000

How DNA forensics is transforming studies of ancient manuscripts – “But this book is deeply weird.” (couldn’t read all of this, but enough to find it extremely interesting!)

Airman Accounted For From World War II (Akers, L.) – Welcome home, Private Lowell Craig Akers. Honored to have researched your family

A Guide to the 1926 Census of Ireland – handy article for those anticipating the release of the 1926 Irish census

Photo by Mark Rasmuson on Unsplash

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Genealogy Roundup, January 7

Megan Smolenyak — Thu, 08 Jan 2026 01:06:55 +0000

New Jersey State Archives – Good news for New Jersey genealogists!

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

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Genealogy Roundup, December 17

Megan Smolenyak — Thu, 18 Dec 2025 01:17:54 +0000

Hadn’t looked at reviews for “The Quest for Annie Moore of Ellis Island“ for a while, and was delighted to read this! Thanks so much, Christina Ray Stanton! So glad you enjoyed it!

Airman Accounted For From World War II – Welcome home, Tech. Sgt. Donald Arthur Dorman. Honored to have researched your family. #hero #WWII

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Genealogy Roundup, August 13

Megan Smolenyak — Wed, 13 Aug 2025 14:20:57 +0000

The Quest for Annie Moore of Ellis Island – It’s been a while, so I hope y’all won’t mind if mention my book about Annie Moore of Ellis Island. Please consider giving it a read if you haven’t or telling your friends if you have. Word of mouth is so important! Thanks!

Soldier Accounted For From World War II – Welcome home, Pvt. Henry J Smith. Honored to have researched your family. #hero #WWII

Walking Europe’s Last Wilderness: A Journey through the Carpathian Mountains by Nick Thorpe – I find the author’s attitude to Rusyns almost flippant, but if you’re able to set that aside, this book is still an intriguing exploration of the Carpathians. #Rusyn

Ellis Island Photo Credit: New York Public Library/Public Domain

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Genealogy Roundup, July 30

Megan Smolenyak — Wed, 30 Jul 2025 15:17:34 +0000

Why 18th-Century Americans Were Just as Obsessed With Their Genealogy as We Are Today – I’ve been a professional genealogist for more than 25 years, but never truly appreciated how integral genealogy has been in the shaping of America. Using copious examples – entertaining and sometimes startling – unearthed from countless sources, Karin Wulf methodically builds an eye-opening case. After reading “Lineage,” you will never look at genealogy – or our history – the same way. Seriously!

Hart Island – The Bronx – I’ve always found Hart Island tragic, but fascinating. Think of all the literally buried stories.

Airman Accounted For From WWII – Welcome home Cpl. Bruce Hamilton Penny. Honored to have researched your family.

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Genealogy Roundup, June 25

Megan Smolenyak — Wed, 25 Jun 2025 16:11:21 +0000

Ellis Island by The Corrs – I’ve got several favorite songs about immigration – Ellis Island in particular – and this is one of them. I love that they give Annie Moore a shout-out (“Annie, be my guide”), and genealogists will appreciate other specifics (“six minute medical, leaving no chalk on me”). If you’ve got a few minutes, please consider treating yourself to a listen.

Soldier Accounted For From World War II – Welcome home, Staff Sgt. Junior “Jez” J Shelton. Honored to have researched your family. P.S. This was a daunting case, so I’m even more pleased than usual that he’s coming home to his family.

Trump administration resumes layoffs, targeting National Archives staff – Oh, no! More cuts at NARA.

Close as twins, one lost at war, bond of North Side brothers deserves honor from their city – Love this kind of profile that reminds us of the fascinating history residing in our own neighborhoods! I hope Sam Spadaro’s family passes this article down through the generations.

Photo by Bernd Dittrich on Unsplash

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Genealogy Roundup, May 21

Megan Smolenyak — Wed, 21 May 2025 20:54:40 +0000

A pope with direct family ties to kindness of Father Baker – I’m loving all the 6-degrees-of-the-Pope tales I’m tripping across, and this one by Sean Kirst is one of the most special.

Regeneron to buy bankrupt 23andMe, vows ethical use of customer DNA data – So now we know the new owner of 23andMe. #GeneticGenealogy

Soldier Accounted For From WWII – Welcome home, CPL George “Jud” F Sepsey. Honored to have researched your family. #WWII #Hero

Pope Leo’s European Grandparents: The Mystery Solved – The other half of the Pope’s family tree

Photo by Coronel G on Unsplash

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Genealogy Roundup, May 14

Megan Smolenyak — Wed, 14 May 2025 18:05:27 +0000

A New AI Tool Can Recreate Your Face Using Nothing But Your DNA –

Soldier Accounted For From WWII – Welcome home, CPL James McKinley Walker. Honored to have researched your family. #WWII #Hero

White smoke, Black pope? Pope Leo XIV, first American pontiff, has African roots – Well, that didn’t take long. And yes, I’ve poked around enough to see that Pope Leo XIV has got some serious Louisiana roots, so this rings true.

Photo Credit: Caroline Davis2 under Creative Commons license

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Genealogy Roundup, April 23

Megan Smolenyak — Wed, 23 Apr 2025 20:25:56 +0000

Genealogy Classic: SSDI Blues – I thought I’d share another one of my “genealogy classics” – articles that were well received when first published. This one is from 2006, but it describes an experience many genealogists – then and now – can relate to. #genealogy

WW2 lovers were separated after a blind date cut short, so she drew a map of where to find her – I love seeing grandkids appreciate how remarkable their grandparents were. #genealogy

Top photo: Megan’s Mom, Seton Shields, in her office.

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Genealogy Roundup, April 16

Megan Smolenyak — Wed, 16 Apr 2025 22:52:31 +0000

Boonville World War II soldier who died as a POW is finally coming home – Welcome home, Pvt Harland J Hennessey. Honored to have researched your family. #hero #WWII

Two women have sent each other the same weathered birthday card for 81 years – So these friends have been sending each other the same silly birthday card for 81 years!

AR-2 Forms and the Flexoline Index – In case anyone’s curious, I’m still able to get WWII-era alien registrations from NARA!

Photo by Suraj Tomer on Unsplash

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