November 2013

Do you remember reading The Chronicles of Narnia? Today in 1898, author C.S. Lewis was born in Belfast, Ireland. Known as “Jack” to his friends and family, Lewis went on to teach at Oxford University and become a prolific author. He is remembered around the world as the author of The Chronicles of Narnia fantasy series, which have since been adapted into successful films on the big screen. C.S. Lewis is connected to over 70 million… Read the full story

Happy Thanksgiving! A holiday known just as much for bringing families together as the food everyone partakes in, Thanksgiving holds a special place in the hearts of America. The First Thanksgiving The very first Thanksgiving can be traced to 1621. In 1620, the 102 Pilgrims aboard the Mayflower arrived to the New World. After enduring a harsh winter where only half of the Mayflower‘s original passengers and crew survived, the settlers were aided the next spring… Read the full story

Happy Thanksgiving! While you are gathered with your relatives this holiday, share with them how you’re related to William Bradford, the leader of the early settlers of the Plymouth Colony and organizer of the very first Thanksgiving. A passenger of the Mayflower and a signatory to the Mayflower Compact, Bradford’s journal Of Plymouth Plantation is considered one of the most important historical documents of early American history. Chronicling the early years of the colony’s settlement, his journal… Read the full story

Do you remember watching Bill Nye the Science Guy? On November 27, 1955, the mechanical engineer and science educator was born in Washing D.C. Bill Nye was born to Jacqueline Jenkins, a codebreaker during World War II, and Edwin Darby Nye, a World War II veteran. His PBS science show is frequently used in schools as an education medium, helping to teach young children and teens the wonders of science. Bill Nye is connected to… Read the full story

Do you love the movie Casablanca? On November 26 ,1942, the classic film premiered in New York City.  Staring Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman, the World War II-era film would go on to become one of the most beloved films in history. On December 25, 1899, Bogart was born to a wealthy and prominent New York family. Early in his career, he established himself by portraying “tough-guy” roles. His career was elevated to a new level when… Read the full story

Take a genealogy break with these great articles from the past week! How My Sister Tracked Down a Family for Old Photos Found in a Thrift Store Dresser / Family Tree Magazine The Genealogy Sphere How My Sister Tracked Down a Family for Old Photos Found in a Thrift Store Dresser (Family Tree Magazine blog) – A treasure trove of photos discovered in a dresser is reunited with its family Scattered by storm, mementos find… Read the full story

Are you a baseball fan? On November 25, 1914, legendary baseball player Joe DiMaggio was born in Martinez, California. He was the eighth of nine children born to Italian immigrants Giuseppe and Rosalia DiMaggio. His father had hoped for Joe to follow in his footsteps and become a fisherman like him., however, Joe had other plans for his future. His humble beginnings as the son of a fisherman helped form his image as the embodiment… Read the full story

Today marks the 50th anniversary of President John F. Kennedy’s assassination. On November 22, 1963, President Kennedy was fatally shot by a sniper while traveling with his wife, Jacqueline, in an open motorcade in Dallas, Texas. Celebrated as one of the most beloved Presidents of the United States, his death shocked the entire nation. In honor of his memory, let’s take a look at his life and legacy as we remember him on the anniversary… Read the full story

Today Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip celebrate their 66th wedding anniversary! The couple met when the then Princess Elizabeth was only 13 years old. It was love at first sight for the young princess and throughout her teen years, the pair continuously exchanged letters. In 1946, Prince Philip asked King George VI for his daughter’s hand in marriage. The King granted his request provided any formal engagement was delayed until Elizabeth turned 21 the following April. On November… Read the full story

Today we remember author Leo Tolstoy, who passed away on November 20, 1910 at the age of 82. He was born at his family estate Yasnaya Polyana in the Tula region of Russia to a well-known family of old Russian nobility. Widely considered as one of the world’s greatest novelist, Tolstoy is praised for his gift of describing a character’s unconscious motives. Today his most widely acclaimed novels Anna Karenina and War and Peace are considered to… Read the full story

Check out some great genealogy articles! Image: How fast could you travel across the U.S. in the 1800s? / Mnn.com The Genealogy Sphere 5 Genealogy Research Techniques That Have Nothing To Do With Documents (The Ancestor Hunt blog) – Awesome research tips that go beyond documents Youngest WW1 soldier fought in the Somme aged 13 (DailyMail) – Documents reveal the youngest soldier to fight in the trenches was 13. He fought for six weeks before… Read the full story

One of the most important records in genealogy is an individual’s death certificate. Bursting with vital information, death certificates can be that key document to unlocking your family’s long standing mysteries and brick walls. Let’s discover what information can be found in death certificate by taking a close look at the death certificate of Little House on the Prairie author Laura Ingalls Wilder. Laura Ingalls Wilder Laura Ingalls Wilder was born February 7, 1867 in… Read the full story

On November 15, 1887, American painter Georgia O’Keeffe was born in Sun Prairie, Wisconsin. Considered a major figure in American art since the 1920s, O’Keeffe is best remembered for her striking flower paintings and abstract works. After the death of her husband, she moved to to New Mexico, where she was inspired by the landscape and produced some of her most well-known paintings. Georgia O’Keeffe is connected to over 70 million people in Geni’s World… Read the full story

Today we remember legendary icon Grace Kelly on what would have been her 84th birthday. She was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to John B. Kelly, a three-time Olympic gold champion sculler, and Margaret Majer, the first coach of women’s athletic teams at the University of Pennsylvania. After catapulting to stardom during the 1950s, Kelly soon became one of Hollywood’s favorite leading ladies. She starred in many of Alfred Hitchcock‘s classic films, including Dial M for… Read the full story

It’s Veterans Day in the U.S. Spend a few minutes this holiday by checking out these great articles! The Genealogy Blog Manhattan’s Forgotten Graveyards, Under Public Parks, Famous Hotels and Supermarkets (The Huffington Post) – He’s a chilling thought, while visiting one of New York’s many parks and squares, it’s likely you’re standing on land that was once a cemetery Mugshots from the 1920s are Significantly Cooler Thank Mugshots from Today (ThePhoblographer.com) – See some fascinating… Read the full story

Were you frightened by the story of Dracula as a child? This day in 1847, author Bram Stoker was born in Dublin, Ireland. He was the third of seven children and was bedridden with an unknown illness until the age of seven. In 1897, Stoker published his most famous work, the Gothic horror novel Dracula. Although Stoker did not invent the vampire, he defined its modern form. To this day, his story continues to inspire… Read the full story

Do you have veterans in your family? Military records are an excellent source of genealogical information. Let’s discover what information discharge papers can offer by taking a closer look at the report of separation for Gone With the Wind star Clark Gable, including an interesting piece of trivia. During World War II, Gable felt compelled to join the war effort. However, it wasn’t until after the death of his wife, Carole Lombard, in a plane crash did… Read the full story

Happy 70th birthday Joni Mitchell! On this day in 1943, the iconic musician was born Roberta Joan Anderson in Alberta, Canada. She broke out in the music scene during the 1960s with her unique sound and poetic lyrics. Dubbed one of the greatest songwriters in the last century, Mitchell was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1997. What’s your favorite song? Did you know Joni Mitchell’s paternal ancestry stems from Norway?… Read the full story

On November 6, 1946, actress Sally Field was born in Pasadena, California. Her father, Richard Dryden Field, was an Army officer, and her mother Margaret Field (née Morlan) was an actress. From her early start in television on the classics Gidget and The Flying Nun, Sally was destined to become a star. She successfully transitioned to film, tackling diverse roles and earning an Oscar for her starring turn in Norma Rae. What’s your favorite Sally Field… Read the full story

Today we celebrate the 100th birthday of actress Vivien Leigh. Vivien was born Vivian Mary Hartley on November 5, 1913 in Darjeeling, India. Did you know that as a child, Vivien attended school with future Tarzan actress Maureen O’Sullivan? At a young age, Vivien knew exactly what she wanted and declared to her friend that she would one day become a great actress. He breakout performance as Scarlett O’Hara in the classic film Gone With… Read the full story

Start your week off with some great genealogy related articles! The Genealogy Sphere Unveiling the Halloween Monster DNA in Everyone (National Geographic) – The Genographic Project explores our creepier ancestors in honor of Halloween Where Did You Come From? This Map Shows You America’s Complete Ancestry (Polcymic.com) – Interesting map showing the melting pot of the U.S. Park Haven tombstone is a case of mistaken identity (StarBeacon.com) – Recently discovered tombstone of a Civil War soldier leads to… Read the full story