July 2017

Today we remember author Ernest Hemingway, who was born on this day in 1899. Ernest Miller Hemingway was bon on July 21, 1899 in Oak Park, Illinois to Clarence Edmonds Hemingway, a physician, and Grace Hall, an opera singer and painter. During World War I, Hemingway enlisted with the Red Cross to become an ambulance driver. While at the Italian front, he was severely injured and spent months recuperating in a hospital in Milan. It was… Read the full story

Forty-eight years ago today, astronaut Neil Armstrong made history by becoming the first person to walk on the moon. On the morning of July 16, 1969, Apollo 11 launched from Cape Kennedy carrying astronauts Neil Armstrong, Michael Collins, and Buzz Aldrin. It would be NASA’s first manned mission to the Moon. On July 20, Armstrong and Aldrin landed the lunar module Eagle on the Moon’s surface. The momentous event was broadcasted on live television to audiences around the world…. Read the full story

We’re excited to be headed to Orlando, Florida for the 37th IAJGS International Conference on Jewish Genealogy! The conference will take place July 23 – 28 at the Walt Disney World Swan Resort. IAJGS is always a lively affair with genealogists from all over the world coming together to see old friends, meet new people and learn more about the world of Jewish genealogy. Come see Geni at the exhibit hall, which is open July 23… Read the full story

Happy birthday, Benedict Cumberbatch! Today the Sherlock star turns 41. Cumberbatch was born on July 19, 1976 in London, England to Timothy Carlton and Wanda Ventham, both well-known television actors. His paternal grandfather, Henry Carlton Cumberbatch, was a submarine officer in the British Royal Navy in both World Wars. His great grandfather, Henry Arnold Cumberbatch, was a British diplomate and served as Queen Victoria’s consul in Turkey, Lebanon, and Romania. The actor launched to stardom as Sherlock Holmes in the… Read the full story

Happy birthday, Patrick Stewart! Today the actor turns 77. The Shakespearean trained actor was born on July 13, 1940 in Mirfield, England. He had a difficult childhood and grew up in a poor, abusive household. His father, Alfred Stewart, was a regimental sergeant major in the British Army and suffered from what was then known as combat fatigue, which is closely related to post-traumatic stress disorder. Stewart found solace in acting and participated in plays throughout… Read the full story

On this day in 1724, Swedish aristocrat and scientist Eva Ekeblad was born. She was known for discovering how to make flour and alcohol from potatoes, which significantly reduce famine for years to come. She was born Eva De la Gardie on July 10, 1724 to Magnus Julius De la Gardie, a statesman, and Hedvig Catharina Lilje, who was known for hosting political salons. When potatoes were first introduced into Sweden in 1658, they were only… Read the full story

On this day in 1865, the Salvation Army was founded by William Booth, a London minister, and his wife Catherine. The couple had first established the Christian Mission, which would later become known as the Salvation Army, to help the poor and destitute in London’s East End. They held meetings open to the poorest and the most in need, including alcoholics, criminals and prostitutes. Run with military efficiency modeled after the British Army, the charitable organization soon… Read the full story

Do you remember reading The Scarlet Letter? On this day in 1804, author Nathaniel Hawthorne was born in Salem, Massachusetts. Hawthorne’s third great grandfather, William Hathorne, was the author’s first American ancestor. He was a prominent member of the Massachusetts Bay Colony and even held the positions of magistrate and judge. Hawthorne’s second great grandfather, John Hathorne, was one of the leading judges during the Salem witch trials. He was the only judge involved to never… Read the full story