May 2020

On this day in 1953, New Zealand mountaineer and explorer Edmund Hillary and Nepalese Sherpa Tenzing Norgay became the first climbers known to reach the summit of Mount Everest. Image: The Windsor Daily Star, July 3, 1953 / MyHeritage SuperSearch The duo reached the summit at 11:30am and spent 15 minutes atop the highest point on Earth. Hillary and Tenzing were a part of the ninth British expedition to Everest, led by John Hunt. Upon their… Read the full story

Do you have any gun-slingers in your family tree? On this day in 1837, legendary gunfighter Wild Bill Hickok was born in Troy Grove, Illinois. Born James Butler Hickok, “Wild Bill” was an excellent marksman from a very young age. His adventurous life was ripe for legendary status. During the American Civil War, he served as a civilian scout for the Union Army. Although no records exist, some believe he may have even served as a Union spy in… Read the full story

As we enter Memorial Day weekend, we take the time to remember the men and women who have died while serving in the country’s armed forces. Originally called Decoration Day, the tradition of the holiday was born after the Civil War. On Decoration Day, the graves of Civil War soldiers were decorated with flowers. However, after the devastation of World War I, the holiday was expanded to honor all soldiers who died during military service. Although several… Read the full story

Are you a fan of Sherlock Holmes? On this day in 1859, author Sir Arthur Conan Doyle was born in Edinburgh, Scotland. Image: Sir Arthur Conan Doyle / Library of Congress Supported by wealthy uncles, Doyle was sent to the Roman Catholic Jesuit preparatory school, Hodder Place, Stonyhurst, at the age of 9. He studied medicine at the University of Ediniburgh Medical School and it was there that he began writing short stories. In 1887,… Read the full story

On May 21, 1881, Clara Barton founded the American Red Cross in Washington, D.C. Image: Clara Barton / Library of Congress Barton became known as the “Angel of the Battlefield” during the American Civil War for her tireless work with the sick and wounded. She often risked her life to bring supplies and aid to soldiers in the field. At the end of the war, she ran the Office of Missing Soldiers to identify and… Read the full story

On this day in 1868, Nicholas II of Russia was born. Image: Nicholas II of Russia / Library of Congress Born Nikolai Alekasndrovich Romanov, Nicholas II was the eldest son Alexander III and Maria Feodorovna of Russia. He was related to several monarchs in Europe, including his first cousin King George V. In 1894, Nicholas II ascended to the Russian throne after the death of his father. During his reign, the Russian Empire fell from… Read the full story

On this day in 1856, author L. Frank Baum was born. The noted children’s book writer is perhaps best remembered as the author of The Wonderful Wizard of Oz and its sequels. Image: L. Frank Baum / Library of Congress Baum was born on May 15, 1856 in Chittenango, New York. He was the seventh of nine children born to Cynthia Ann Stanton and Benjamin Ward Baum. Named after his uncle, Lyman, Baum preferred to… Read the full story

Happy birthday to George Lucas! Today the filmmaker turns 76. Image: George Lucas / Nicolas Genin, Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 2.0) Lucas was born on May 14, 1944 in Modesto, California to Dorothy Ellinore Bomberger and George Walton Lucas, Sr., a stationary store owner. In his youth, Lucas dreamed of becoming a race car driver. However, just days before his high school graduation, Lucas was involved in a near-fatal accident and quickly changed his mind…. Read the full story

To celebrate Mother’s Day, we asked the community to share their favorite memories of their mother or a mother-figure in their lives. From the submitted entries, one lucky winner would receive a free 1-year Geni Pro subscription. Today, we’re excited to congratulate Lynn Grieder, the winner of our Mother’s Day giveaway! Lynn shared this special memory she has of her mother, Ethel Martin neé Hukkala: In 2002 we took my Mom on a “roots” trip… Read the full story

Today marks the 200th anniversary of the birth of Florence Nightingale, a social reformer and the founder of modern nursing. A pioneer of her field, Nightingale’s work to improve sanitation, reform health care, and formalize nursing education helped pave the way for the important role of nurses in health care today. Image: Florence Nightingale / Library of Congress Nightingale was born on May 12, 1820 in Florence, Italy to an affluent family. From a young… Read the full story

On this day in 1884, Harry S. Truman, the 33rd President of the United States, was born. Image: Harry S. Truman / Library of Congress Truman was the eldest of three children born to John Anderson Truman and Martha Ellen Young. He was given the middle name “S” to honor both of his grandfathers, Anderson Shipp Truman and Solomon Young. After the death of President Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1945, Truman was sworn into office… Read the full story

Poet and playwright Robert Browning was born on May 7, 1812 in Camberwell, England. Widely recognized as a master of dramatic monologue, Browning is considered to be one of the foremost poets of the Victorian age. Image: Robert Browning / Library of Congress Browning was the only son of Sara Anna Wiedermann, an accomplished pianist, and Robert Browning, a clerk for the Bank of England. Browning grew up surrounded by books. His father had amassed… Read the full story

On this day in 1915, Orson Welles was born. An actor, writer, director, and producer, Welles is remembered as one of the most influential filmmakers in history. Image: Orson Welles / Library of Congress Welles was born on May 6, 1915 in Kenosha, Wisconsin to Beatrice Ives, a pianist, and Richard Head Welles, an inventor of a popular bicycle lamp. After his father’s death in 1930, Welles traveled to Ireland, where he made his acting debut… Read the full story

Mother’s Day is just around the corner. Celebrate your mother or a mother-figure in your life by sharing with us your favorite memory that you have together. Send in your stories to us and you can win a free 1-year Geni Pro subscription! If it’s a day trip to the beach or a special dress your mother made for you, we want to hear your stories! And if you have a photo, feel free to… Read the full story