Over the years, I have found that two enjoyable aspects to researching my family have been meeting distant cousins that are also into genealogy and getting the chance to trade our research. I have often been surprised by how close genealogy can bring two people together, that would otherwise just be considered strangers. My research […]
Today it is almost impossible to find a channel without a show that revolves around the paranormal. Every time we turn around there’s a new series that shadows a paranormal group as they investigate unexplained sights and sounds under the green glow of an infrared camera. Armed with an assortment of gadgets, the investigators claim […]
As with many family histories, there are stories that are handed down through generations; tales that seem to grow toward fact with every passing year. Often times, there is no proof or documents to support the anecdotes, but they are woven as truths just the same. My own family is not immune to this phenomenon, […]
Searching for our ancestors can be just as frustrating as it is rewarding, especially when you hit a dead end. There are times you will be fortunate enough to have the name of your ancestor and still have no luck finding their documents. How can this be? Below is a list of things to consider […]
Summer is typically the time for blockbuster movies to urge us to come in droves to dark, air conditioned theaters for a little escapism. In the spirit of history, I’ve selected three movies from my own vault to review that may help renew your interest in research and genealogy. Who knows, maybe some of your […]
You’ve just spent the day with your extended family at your annual reunion. Full of food and anecdotes, you blithely agree to research a seven times great aunt who supposedly was a seamstress alongside Betsy Ross. Full of inspiration, you begin searching through records on the internet, as well as handwritten notes, letters, pictures, and […]
WWII Golf Rules. Would you have had the guts to continue playing?
Summer is here, and for some it means sun-kissed days, nightlights lit by lighting bugs ( or fireflies, depending on your region of the country), and relaxed schedules. And for many, there are travel plans in the works; a much anticipated trip to get away from routine and to enjoy some different scenery. Summer can […]
While digging through a treasure trove of papers and pictures, I discovered some information that raised my eyebrows. After doing the math, I realized that my paternal grandmother and maternal great-grandmother were both in a family way upon their wedding days. While this is becoming a more socially acceptable situation, a “shotgun wedding” in the […]
This Memorial Day I find myself in Townsville, Australia, thinking about my grandfather, Robert Henry Williams. Like many others who served in the U.S. military during World War II, my grandfather was in Australia before heading off to battle. The Japanese military attack on the Pearl Harbor naval base in Hawaii on Dec. 7, 1941, […]
