Cpl. Robert C. Pierce – Welcome home, CPL Robert Clark Pierce. Honored to have researched your family (2017). Closest relatives were 1C1R! #Hero #WWII

From America to Israel and Back Again – Way back in the day, I wrote a column for Ancestry Magazine called “Found,” and I thought it would be fun to share some of them again – partly because it can be interesting to see how genealogical research was done in the not-too-distant past and partly because there still may be some resources and techniques that could come in handy today. I hope you’ll enjoy the first of these below – one which originally appeared in May-June 2006.

My family’s oldest photograph has been preserved by our National Archives for 137 years. Now the building that holds them is being emptied. – I am beyond worried about this.

Photo by National Cancer Institute on Unsplash

The post Genealogy Roundup, July 22 appeared first on Megan Smolenyak.

A Revolutionary War soldier’s DNA links him to living relatives – I know many have already seen this, but wanted to share for those who might not have tripped across it yet. Very cool! #GeneticGenealogy #genealogy

O Horizon – Official Trailer – Well, that didn’t take long. There’s already a movie about a young woman who brings her deceased dad back in her life through “new technology” (has to be AI), and how that plays out for her. Reminds me of the bring-back-your-ancestors offering I shared no so long ago. #genealogy

Photo by Suraj Tomer on Unsplash

The post Genealogy Roundup, June 24 appeared first on Megan Smolenyak.

Radio programme tells the story of French couple who were left fearing they were half-siblings because of DNA test ban – I’ve long been curious about the state of #geneticgenealogy in France given its ban. Interesting read or listen.

Photo by John Maldonado on Unsplash

The post Genealogy Roundup, June 10 appeared first on Megan Smolenyak.

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

The post Genealogy Roundup, April 8 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.

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

The post Genealogy Roundup, December 17 appeared first on Megan Smolenyak.

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

The post Genealogy Roundup, August 13 appeared first on Megan Smolenyak.

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.

The post Genealogy Roundup, July 30 appeared first on Megan Smolenyak.

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

The post Genealogy Roundup, June 25 appeared first on Megan Smolenyak.

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

The post Genealogy Roundup, May 21 appeared first on Megan Smolenyak.