September 2012

Better Tree Matches Today we’re excited to announce smarter Tree Matches. When another user adds information to their tree about a relative that you both share we use tree matches to alert you. A sophisticated algorithm based on dates, names, immediate family and more is used to decide whether the profile in the other tree is match to your relative. We’ve spent a lot of time improving this algorithm over the last few months, and… Read the full story

Today we remember astronomer Edwin Hubble, who passed away on September 28, 1953. Considered one of the most important observational cosmologists of the 20th century, Hubble was the first to discover that there are other galaxies in the Universe beyond the Milky Way. He also the first to observe that the universe is expanding at a constant rate. Hubble’s revolutionary findings fundamentally changed the scientific view of the universe. Edwin Hubble is connected to over… Read the full story

On September 27, 1601, Louis XIII, King of France and Navarre, was born. At the age of nine, the Bourbon monarch ascended to the throne after the death of his father, Henry IV. As a child, his mother Marie de Medici, acted as regent. Her mismanagement of the kingdom led Louis XIII to take power in 1617 and exile his mother and execute her followers. During his reign, Louis XIII leaned heavily on his Prime… Read the full story

Today is poet T.S. Eliot‘s birthday! In honor of his 124th birthday, check out T.S. Eliot’s World War I draft registration card. Did you know WWI draft cards hold lots of genealogical intel? Six weeks after the U.S. declared war on Germany, the Selective Service Act of 1917 was passed, which authorized the federal government to raise a national army for the American entry into World War I through conscription. Between 1917 – 1918, every… Read the full story

On September 26, 1774, American folk hero Johnny Appleseed was born in Leominster, Massachusetts. Born Jonathan Chapman, Johnny gained  notoriety as a pioneer nurseryman who introduced apple trees to large parts of Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana and Illinois. His kindness and generosity to others made him a legend in his own lifetime. Johnny Appleseed is connected to over 64 million people in Geni’s World Family Tree. How are you related?     View Johnny Appleseed’s Geni Profile… Read the full story

Jeff Bridges is an American actor, musician and producer. He began his first televised acting in 1958 as a child with his father, Lloyd Bridges, and brother Beau on television’s Sea Hunt. Some of his best-known major motion films include: Tron, Fearless, Iron Man, The Contender, Starman, The Fabulous Baker Boys, Jagged Edge, Against All Odds, The Fisher King, Thunderbolt and Lightfoot, Seabiscuit, Arlington Road, and The Big Lebowski. He won the Academy Award for… Read the full story

On September 25, 1897, author William Faulkner was born in New Albany, Mississippi. Greatly influenced by his Mississippi upbringing, Faulkner is remembered as one of the most important writers of Southern literature in the United States. Over the course of his career, Faulkner would win two Pultzer Prizes for his novels, A Fable and The Reivers, and receive the 1949 Nobel Prize in Literature.  Did you know fellow writer Ernest Hemingway is William Faulkner’s 13th cousin thrice removed?… Read the full story

Happy Monday, everybody! Here are some interesting articles from the past week. Enjoy! The Genealogy Sphere The Aunt I Never Knew (Kindred Spirits blog) – A great family story about a relative Kindred Spirits blogger never had a chance to know A Second Chance to Be a Genetic Pioneer (The Huffington Post) – Megan Smolenyak Smolenyak talks about Geno 2.0 by National Geographic First Ever English Translation of Rare 1895 Czech Resource to be Made Available… Read the full story

Last night, actress Claire Danes won the Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series for her starring role in the Showtime series, Homeland. Danes first gained attention in the cult favorite My So-Called Life for which she received her first Emmy nomination. Did you watch the Emmys last night? Claire Danes is connected to over 64 million people in Geni’s World Family Tree. How are you related?     View Claire Danes’ Geni Profile… Read the full story

This Saturday, September 22, is National Gymnastics Day! Since the Olympics, the Fierce Five have been making their way around the country showcasing their talents on their championship tour. You may have even spotted one of their many television appearances! In fact, it was just announced that two-time Olympic gold medalist Gabby Douglas would be guest starring on the television show The Vampire Diaries. Could you be related to Aly Raisman, Jordyn Wieber, McKayla Maroney, Kyla Ross and… Read the full story

On this day in 1780, American General Benedict Arnold committed treason when he handed over secret war plans to the British Army. As general of the American Continental Army during the American Revolutionary War, Arnold won glory at the Battles of Ticonderoga and Saratoga. However, despite these victories, he was passed over for promotion by the Continental Congress. Bitter and severely in debt, Arnold defected to the British Army. Today, his name is still synonymous with… Read the full story

Today is International Talk Like a Pirate Day! In honor of this holiday, we’re highlighting eighteenth century pirate Samuel “Black Sam” Bellamy. Although his term as a pirate was short lived, Black Sam Bellamy and his crew captured over 50 ships before his death at 28. He became known as the “Prince of Pirates” for his mercy and generosity towards those captured on his raids. Samuel “Black Sam” Bellamy is connected to over 64 million… Read the full story

Dick Van Dyke is an American actor, comedian, writer, and producer. He starred in the films Bye Bye Birdie, Mary Poppins and Chitty Chitty Bang Bang and in the TV series The Dick Van Dyke Show and Diagnosis: Murder. He has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame located at 7021 Hollywood Boulevard. He will be receiving the Screen Actors Guild’s highest honor: The Life Achievement Award at the annual Screen Actors Guild Awards ceremony in January 2013…. Read the full story

Today we highlight musician Brandon Flowers of the American rock band, The Killers. Their fourth studio album Battle Born hits stores today! The highly successful band has already sold more than 16 million records worldwide. Did you know Brandon Flowers shares a rather close connection to Governor Mitt Romney? Brandon Flowers is Mitt Romney’s great grandfather’s wife’s third great nephew! Brandon Flowers is connected to over 64 million profiles in Geni’s World Family Tree. How are you… Read the full story

Check out some interesting genealogy articles from the past week! The Genealogy Sphere Curious Cousins (Ancestors Live Here blog) – Interesting blog post from Leslie Ann about some interesting relationship paths in her family tree A drunken dandy. A Spitfire hero fuelled by Spam. And a colonel pickled in rum. The very fruity secrets I found in my family tree (Daily Mail) – A UK reporter looks into his family history Woman working to return… Read the full story

Today we remember beloved actor and comedian John Ritter, who was born on September 17, 1948 in Burbank, CA. Ritter shot to fame as Jack Tripper on the hit sitcom Three’s Company and became one of television’s most beloved stars. Sadly, Ritter died on September 11, 2003 after falling ill on the set of his new sitcom 8 Simple Rules for Dating My Teenage Daughter. John Ritter is connected to over 64 million people in Geni’s World… Read the full story

Did you know that you can find very valuable information in U.S. passport application records? Passport applications hold a large amount of genealogical data that can be incredibly useful to your family tree research. Information such as birth date, place of birth, current residence, parental information, photo and signature are almost always found in passport applications. Let’s take a look at a real life example below! Here is a copy of Walt Disney‘s passport application submitted August… Read the full story

On this day in 1814, Francis Scott Key penned the poem “Defence of Fort McHenry” after witnessing the bombardment of Fort McHenry by British forces during the War of 1812. After it was published, the words were set to music and renamed “The Star-Spangled Banner.” In 1931, the song was officially named the national anthem of the United States. Francis Scott Key is connected to over 64 million profiles in Geni’s World Family Tree. How are you related?  … Read the full story

On September 13, 1775, Canadian folk hero Laura Ingersoll Secord was born. Dubbed the Canadian heroine of the War of 1812, Secord is known for warning British forces of an impeding American attack, which led the British to victory at the Battle of Beaver Dams. Today, Secord has become a part of Canadian mythology – her story even inspired a folk song! Laura Secord is connected to over 64 million profiles in Geni’s World Family Tree…. Read the full story

Eli Lilly was an American soldier, pharmaceutical chemist, industrialist, entrepreneur, and founder of the Eli Lilly and Company Pharmaceutical Corporation. During the American Civil War, Lilly enlisted in the Union Army recruiting a company of men to serve with him in an artillery battery, he was later promoted to colonel, and was given command of a cavalry unit. He was captured near the end of the war and held as a prisoner of war until… Read the full story

On September 11, 2001, nearly 3,000 people lost their lives in the terrorist attacks. In memory of the lives lost on that fateful day, Geni users have created the September 11 Memorial project. The project is dedicated to preserving the stories and memories of all 9/11 victims and those who risked their lives to save them. Was your family touched by the tragedy? Perhaps you would like join this project to share their story with… Read the full story

Lots of great articles in this week’s recap! Check them out below! The Genealogy Sphere Judyanne Bowling reunited with her family after 66 years of searching(Adelaide Now) – A woman is reunited with her family through Geni after finding each other on Geni! Relationship with Lizzie Borden (Ancestors Live Here) – Blogger Leslie Ann is related to Lizzie Borden! Are you? Wanted! Family History in Wanted Posters (About.com) – Kimberly Powell discusses family history information… Read the full story

Today we remember actress Jane Wyman, who passed away on September 10, 2007. Wyman began her film career in the 1930s and received her first Oscar in 1948 for the film Johnny Belinda. She was once married to Ronald Reagan and the couple had three children before divorcing in 1948. Later in her career, Wyman achieved success with a leading role in the popular television show Falcon Crest.   View Jane Wyman’s Geni Profile  

Happy Independence Day, Brazil! On September 7, 1822, Pedro I, Prince of Brazil, declared Brazil’s independence, ending 322 years of Portugal’s colonial dominance over the country. Nicknamed “The Liberator,” Pedro I served as the first ruler of the Empire of Brazil. Today, his remains are interred in the Ipiranga Monument, which is located near the historic site where Pedro I proclaimed Brazil’s independence. Pedro I is connected to over 64 million profiles on Geni’s World Family… Read the full story

Happy Birthday, Pippa! Today Pippa Middleton turns 29. As the younger sister of Kate Middleton, she served as the maid of honor at her sister’s wedding to Prince William. Lately, Pippa has made a name for herself as a trend-setting fashionista and socialite. Pippa Middleton is connected to over 64 million profiles in Geni’s World Family Tree. How are you related?     View Pippa Middleton’s Geni Profile  

Plaque in front of the Israeli athletes’ quarters commemorating the victims (photo by Highcontrast) Today marks the 40th anniversary of the 1972 Munich Olympics Massacre in Munich, West Germany. On September 5, 1972, members of the Israeli Olympic team were taken hostage by the Palestinian terrorist group Black September. By the end of the crisis, 11 Israeli Olympic athletes and coaches were killed. In remembrance of this tragic event, several Geni users created The Munich Massacre project… Read the full story

Today we celebrate the 100th birthday of prolific avant-garde composer John Cage! Along with his long-time partner and dancer Merce Cunningham, Cage was instrumental in the development of modern dance. His unorthodox ideas and inventive compositions had a profound influence on mid-20th century music. John Cage is connected to over 64 million people in Geni’s World Family Tree. How are you related?     View John Cage’s Geni Profile  

We’re back from Birmingham, Alabama, where we attended FGS 2012 Conference. We had a great time meeting Geni users and chatting with librarians and genealogy society members about Geni’s Public Access program. We arrived a couple of days early to set up the Geni booth. The expo hall was a good size, with lots of vendors. It was great to see some familiar faces and new products making their conference debut. We had fun chatting… Read the full story

Elizabeth Montgomery was an American film and television actress, best known as Samantha Stephens in Bewitched. Bewitched was a rating success and at the time was the highest rated series ever for the ABC network. Montgomery played the lovable witch Samantha Stevens for eight years (1964-1972). The show had been renewed for a ninth season (1972-1973), but Montgomery wanted to move on and backed out. She received five Emmy and four Golden Globe nominations for her role on Bewitched,… Read the full story