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 […]
family tree
Our Ancestors and The Spiritualist Movement
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 […]
What’s in a Name: Full Names, Nicknames & Initials
Movies That (Re) Make History
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 […]
How To…Stay Motivated When Your Branches Won’t Fork
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 […]
For Your Reading Pleasure…
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 […]
Secrets, Lies, and Alibis: When History is Hurtful
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 […]
The Ghost of Aaron Young
Over the last six years I have taken part in hundreds of paranormal investigations and, as many of you know by now, I have been obsessed with genealogy since I was in the fourth grade. That said, I am often surprised by how different genealogy and the paranormal are viewed considering the strong similarities between […]
The Importance of Knowing Your Family’s Medical History
Painted with the Same Brush
From a very young age it was not uncommon to find me with my head buried in a coloring book surrounded by crayons. As I got older, I traded my coloring books and crayons for sketchpads, canvas, colored pencils, pastels, paints and an assortment of other mediums. Art was something I loved and, in many […]