January 2013

Happy birthday, Justin Timberlake! Today the versatile artist turns 32. It was announced yesterday that Timberlake would be performing at the 55th Annual Grammy Awards. A couple of weeks ago, he released his first song, “Suit & Tie,” from his new album. It’s been over six years since he first took a break from music to pursue his acting career. Are you excited to see JT heading back to his musical roots? Justin Timberlake is… Read the full story

Today marks the 135th birthday of Estonian writer Anton Hansen Tammsaare. Born on January 30, 1878 in Albu, Estonia, Tammsaare came from a poor farming background and became one of the most important figures in Estonian literature. His most famous publication, Truth and Justice, a pentalogy chronicling the evolution of Estonian society during the late 19th and early 20th centuries, is considered to be one of the major works of Estonian literature. Today, many refer… Read the full story

Silas Wright Titus, known as “The Water Wizard”, was an engineer who discovered and patented deep water pumping technology. He also discovered early water supplies for New York City and other towns and cities in the United States in the late nineteenth century. Silas Wright Titus was born on January 18, 1849 in Syracuse, New York to Colonel Silas Titus and Eliza McCarthy. Titus was named for a friend of his father’s, Silas Wright, a… Read the full story

Today we remember poet Robert Frost, who passed away January 29, 1963 in Boston, Massachusetts. Frost frequently depicted New England rural life in his work, using the early twentieth century setting to examine complex and philosophical themes. Considered one of the most popular and critically respected American poets of his generation, Frost was honored with four Pulitzer Prizes for Poetry. Robert Frost is connected to over 67 million people in Geni’s World Family Tree. How… Read the full story

Check out some interesting genealogy articles from the past week! The Genealogy Sphere Cpt Edward Doherty – the man who tracked down an assassin (The Sligo Champion) – Interesting article about the man who lead the hunt and capture of John Wilkes Booth My Grandmother’s Writings Part Two: File Cabinets and Beer Boxes (nocategories.net) – Tip on keeping things organized when repacking collections of materials O death! Thy name is woman (The Legal Genealogist blog)… Read the full story

On January 28, 1754, writer and playwright Ludvig Holberg died at the age of 69. Best remembered for his comedic and satirical poetry, Holberg is considered the founder of modern Norwegian and Danish literature. He also played an important role as a historian and philosophical essayist. His works about natural and common law were widely read by many Danish law students for over two hundred years. Ludvig Holberg is connected to over 67 million people in Geni’s World Family Tree…. Read the full story

Genealogists know that passenger lists and travel documentation can hold a great deal of genealogical information. Here’s an interesting one that I thought I’d share. Recently, I came across this immigration form for legendary director Alfred Hitchcock. Check out the title of the document: Information Sheet (concerning passenger arriving on aircraft). I have to say this is the first time I’ve seen an immigration form for a passenger arriving via airplane! When you take a… Read the full story

On January 25, 1927, Brazilian musician Tom Jobim was born in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Considered one of the most important songwriters of the 20th century, many of the most famous jazz singers, such as Ella Fitzgerald, prominently featured Jobim’s songs on their albums. Today he is remembered as the primary force behind the creation of the bossa nova style of music. Tom Jobim is connected to over 67 million people in Geni’s World Family… Read the full story

On January 24, 1917, actor Ernest Borgnine was born in Hamden, Connecticut. His parents had immigrated to the United Sates from Italy and changed their name from Borgnino to Borgnine. Borgnine’s career in film and television spanned over six decades. In 1955, he won the Academy Award for Marty and at the age of 92, Borgnine earned an Emmy Award nomination for his work on the television drama ER. Check out Ernest Borgnine’s family tree… Read the full story

On January 23, 1737 (N.S.), John Hancock was born in Quincy, Massachusetts. A proud Patriot of the American Revolution, he was the first to sign the United States’s Declaration of Independence. According to American lore, Hancock signed his name largely and clearly so that King George could read it without his spectacles. John Hancock is connected to over 67 million profiles in Geni’s World Family Tree. How are you related?     View John Hancock’s… Read the full story

William E. Dodge, Sr. was a founding member of the Young Men’s Christian Association (YMCA) and represented New York’s 8th congressional district in the United States Congress for a portion of the 39th United States Congress in 1866-1867. He was a noted abolitionist and Native American rights activist, and served as the president of the National Temperance Society from 1865-1883. He was born on September 4, 1805 in Hartford, Connecticut to David Low Dodge and Sarah Cleveland…. Read the full story

On January 22, 1875, pioneering silent film director D.W. Griffith was born in LaGrange, Kentucky. Dubbed by some as “the man who invented Hollywood,” Griffith’s groundbreaking work laid the foundations for many of the basic techniques for film making.  He founded United Artist together with Charlie Chaplin, Mary Pickford and Douglas Fairbanks. D.W. Griffith is connected to over 66 million people in Geni’s World Family Tree. How are you related?     View D.W. Griffith’s… Read the full story

Have you made any interesting discoveries recently? Check out some interesting articles from the past week. The Genealogy Sphere “Grandma Did What?” Digging Up the Roots of Family Lore (Wall Street Journal) – Megan Smolenyak Smolenyak gives a brief summary of some common misperceptions passed down by families Address book is a family history, bound by tradition (MPR News) – Do you still have a physical address book? A great article to remind us that these… Read the full story

On January 21, 1793, King Louis XVI of France was executed for treason by guillotine. Louis XVI ascended to the throne in 1774, and was the last Bourbon King of France. Scientists recently discovered an old gourd believed to contain the blood of Louis XVI. Written on the gourd were the words “On January 21, Maximilien Bourdaloue dipped his handkerchief in the blood of Louis XVI after his decapitation”. Apparently, after his execution, spectators dipped… Read the full story

On January 18, 1955, actor and director Kevin Costner was born in Lynwood, California. It’s been a good week for the multi-talented star. On January 14, he won the best actor Golden Globe award for his performance in the History Channel miniseries Hatfields & McCoys. Did you know Costner’s ancestors first immigrated to the States from Germany in the 1700’s? Kevin Costner is connected to over 66 million people in Geni’s World Family Tree. How are you… Read the full story

Today, boxing champion Muhammad Ali turns 71! Born Cassius Marcellus Clay, Jr. in Louisville, Kentucky, he changed his name after converting to Islam. Ali learned to box at an early age and by 22, he won his first heavy weight championship. He would go on to become the first and only three-time lineal World Heavyweight Champion and he will be remembered as one of the greatest boxing legends in history. Muhammad Ali is connected to… Read the full story

On January 16, 2001, Theodore Roosevelt was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for his charge up the San Juan Hill, Cuba during the Spanish-American War. Did you know that the Roosevelts are one of only two father-son pairs to receive the Medal of Honor? In 1944, his son, Theodore Roosevelt, Jr. received the Medal of Honor for heroism in the Battle of Normandy. Theodore Roosevelt is connected to over 66 million people in Geni’s… Read the full story

Mariana Victoria of Spain was born on March 31, 1718 in Spain and died on January 15, 1781 in Portugal. She was the eldest daughter of Felipe V of Spain and Elisabetta Farnese. At the age of seven Mariana Victoria of Spain was engaged to the young Louis XV of France, but was rejected due to her age. At the time of her birth, Mariana Victoria was fifth in line to the throne of Spain. In… Read the full story

Have you read any interesting genealogy articles this week? Check out a few more below! The Genealogy Sphere How my Grandmother risked her life in the dockyards during World War Two (Whaley Bridge Writer blog) – Blogger Gillian Mawson shares an amazing story about her grandmother MyHeritage mobile app version 2.0 released today! (MyHeritage blog) – Have you checked out MyHeritage’s new mobile app? Who belongs on the Family Tree? (The Professional Descendant blog) –… Read the full story

Did you watch Amy Poehler and Tina Fey host the 70th Annual Golden Globe Awards last night? In addition to hosting duties, the two stars were also nominated for Best Actress in a TV series. Although they went home empty handed, the funny duo kept the audience in stitches throughout the night. Amy Poehler is connected to over 66 million people in Geni’s World Family Tree. How are you related?     View Amy Poehler’s… Read the full story

On January 11, 1928, English novelist and poet Thomas Hardy died at the age of 87. At the time of publication, some of Hardy’s greatest novels, including Far From the Madding Crowd, Tess of the d’Ubervilles and Jude the Obscure, were met with strong negative outcries from the Victorian public for his frank treatment of sex. Although his work was heavily criticized, Hardy became widely famous in English literature. Are you a fan of Thomas Hardy’s work?… Read the full story

Today we remember Swedish botanist Carl Linnaeus, who died on January 10, 1778. Linnaeus was born in the village of Råshult in Småland, Sweden to Nils Ingemarsson Linnaeus and Christina Brodersonia. His father was an avid gardener and introduced Linnaeus to the world of botany at an early age. Dubbed the “Father of Modern Taxonomy,” Linnaeus developed a system for naming and classifying organisms that is still widely used today. Carl Linnaeus is connected to over 66 million people… Read the full story

Happy birthday, Kate Middleton! Today, the Duchess of Cambridge turns 30! On April 29, 2011, Kate married Prince William in Westminster Abbey while millions of people watched around the world. Just last month, the couple announced that the Duchess was pregnant with their first child. Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge is connected to over 66 million people in Geni’s World Family Tree. How are you related?       View Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge’s Geni Profile… Read the full story

Nicholas Biddle was an American financier who served as the President of the Second Bank of the United States. His ancestors were Quakers who emigrated from England to America in 1681 in part to avoid religious persecution. The Biddle family of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania produced numerous and diverse people of interest. Biddle was born on January 8, 1786 to Charles and Hannah Biddle. Charles Biddle served as Vice-President of Pennsylvania (now known as the office of… Read the full story

On January 8, 1825, inventor Eli Whitney died of prostate cancer just one month after his 59th birthday. Considered one of the key inventions of the Industrial Revolution, Whitney’s cotton gin revolutionized the way cotton was harvested. His invention reinvigorated slavery and profoundly impacted the economy of the Antebellum South. Eli Whitney is connected to over 66 million people in Geni’s World Family Tree. how are you related?     View Eli Whitney’s Geni Profile… Read the full story

Here are some interesting genealogy articles to start off the New Year! The Genealogy Sphere Haddonfield genealogist helped Army identify remains of airman killed in 1946 (Philly.com) – Megan Smolenyak helps the Army ID the remains of a soldier Blood o f Louis XVI ‘found in gourd container’ (BBC News) – A team of scientists say they believe they’ve found the blood of Louis XVI Let Google help you on your genealogy research (NJ.com) –… Read the full story

On January 7, 1536, Catherine of Aragon died at the age of 50. She was the first wife of King Henry VIII of England and the mother of Mary I of England, who succeeded to the throne after the death of her half-brother Edward VI. In 1533, unhappy that their marriage had produced no surviving male heir, Henry VIII sought to have their marriage annulled. When the pope refused, Henry VIII broke free from the Roman… Read the full story

On January 5, 1757, Louis XV of France survived an assassination attempt by Robert-François Damiens. Damiens would eventually be the last person to be executed in France by drawing and quartering, the traditional form of capital punishment used for regicides. Louis XV had succeeded his great-grandfather, Louis XIV, at the age of five. Usually depicted as the weakest of the Bourbon monarchs, some scholars believe that his decisions during his reign may have led to the… Read the full story

Now that it’s the start of a new year, we’re putting together a helpful list of genealogy conferences for 2013! Check out the list of upcoming conferences below and we’ll continue to update it as more dates become available. If you know of a conference that’s not on the list, please let us know in the comments below. Which conferences will you be attending? January Salt Lake Institute of Genealogy (Salt Lake City, Utah) January 14… Read the full story

On January 3, 1959, Alaska was admitted as the 49th U.S. state. To commemorate the occasion, we’re highlighting explorer Vitus Bering‘s family tree. Credited with the discovery of present day Alaska and the Aleutian Islands, Bering’s explorations of North America led the way to Russia’s foothold on the continent. Today, the Bering Strait, the Bering Sea, Bering Island, Bering Glacier and the Bering Land Bridge have all been named in his honor. Vitus Bering is connected… Read the full story