Honoring Our Ancestors Newsletter
March 22, 2010
By Megan Smolenyak Smolenyak
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Greetings Fellow Family History Sleuths,
Busy month! My new book, Who Do You Think You Are?: The Essential Guide to Tracing Your Family History (WDYTYA) was released along with the NBC series of the same name -- and when it was just a week old, an excerpt appeared on Oprah.com! That's definitely a first for me! I also launched a "fan" page on Facebook because I was getting too many "friends" too rapidly, so thanks to the (as of this moment) 1,423 of you who have joined me at my new Facebook home. For those who haven't yet, I hope to see you soon! And I hope you're all enjoying WDYTYA. Let's hope it brings in lots of fresh recruits – including exactly those distant cousins you've been looking for!
Megan
In this newsletter. . .
- Who Do You Think You Are? Book Release
- Who Do You Think You Are? Excerpt on Oprah.com
- Genealogical Round Up, February 4
- Genealogical Round Up, February 11
- Genealogical Round Up, February 18
- Genealogical Round Up, February 25
- Honoring Our Ancestors Grants
- Upcoming Events
Who Do You Think You Are? Book Release
I am thrilled to announce that my new book, Who Do You Think You Are?: The Essential Guide to Tracing Your Family History has been released! The book is a companion piece to NBC's ground-breaking new genealogy series, Who Do You Think You Are?.
Since the show is the first of its kind on primetime TV, I'd love to hear the thoughts of those in the trenches of the genealogy community - you! Be sure to share your comments on the show (and the book) with me on Facebook and Twitter -- and please spread the word!
Who Do You Think You Are? Excerpt on Oprah.com
It's been an exciting time for me with the launch of my new book, Who Do You Think You Are?: The Essential Guide to Tracing Your Family History, and the premier of the primetime TV show on NBC. One of the most exciting happenings was having an excerpt from the book shared on Oprah.com. Click here to get a peek at the excerpt. How's that for cool??
Genealogical Round Up, February 4
Darwin's R1b and K
DNA tests reveal origins of Charles Darwin - NatGeo News Watch
Please help!
Irish Echo Online - News
New photo of Annie Moore of Ellis Island! Please help with identification of possible 3rd photo that would be historic, if confirmed! Please also share this with others and spread the word. You can comment here, on the original post, Twitter it or whatever, but please help! I'd like to solve this mystery once and for all!
Megan Smolenyak: Historical Photo? Is This Annie Moore Arriving at Ellis Island?
Could a man who died in the 1600s unlock YOUR health secrets? | Mail Online
Unknown WWI soldier buried as mass graves give up secrets - CNN.com
Check out this terrific preview video for WDYTYA!!!
Seven Stories
Hmmm . . . not good news, though I understand.
U.S. rebuffs N.Korean overture on U.S. MIA remains | Reuters
Skip Gates on "Good Morning America" today (see Famous Faces Trace their Genealogy video). Nice segment, but definitely stretching it with the DNA stuff. Suspect many don't understand the difference between haplotype and haplogroup.
Good Morning America on ABC News - ABC News
Genealogical Round Up, February 11
Haven't listened yet myself, but folks are making kind remarks, so I'm hoping it's good!
How big is genealogy? | Marketplace From American Public Media
Interesting to see what non-genealogists think of "Who Do You Think You Are?" in these comments to Ellen:
Celebs find out they aren't who they think they are | AfterEllen.com
Love the Genealogue!
The Genealogue: Annie Information Would Be Appreciated
Thanks, Kimberly
Is this Annie Moore?
Maureen Taylor weighs in with her analysis of the Annie Moore of Ellis Island photos. Please share with others!
The Photo Detective
Genealogical Round Up, February 18
Has this ever happened to you? "Longtime friends discover they're cousins"
The Beach Reporter
An interview I did with Steven Fabian of Channel One News re: Michelle Obama's roots. Maybe some of your kids or grandkids will see it in school.
Video - Channel One News
Not giving up on this history mystery. Am becoming more and more convinced the photo is Annie with her brothers at Ellis Island.
www.tribune.ie
The quest continues!
Irish Echo Online - News
Genealogical Round Up, February 25
"Ancestry.com and NBC Team Up to Introduce New 'Who Do You Think You Are?' Series
Ancestry.com and NBC Team Up to Introduce New 'Who Do You Think You Are?' Series -- PROVO, Utah, Feb
My latest post -- this one with a bit more about Michelle Obama's roots. Megan Smolenyak: Michelle Obama's Roots: "Colored Persons Cohabiting ... on 27th February, 1866"
Thanks, Paula! Hope to see lots of you at the Jamboree!
Southern California Genealogy Jamboree: "Who Do You Think You Are" Book to be Released March 4
Seriously bummed about Library of Michigan. Seems our history is becoming a lower and lower priority these days. Deja vu aspect about it all as well.
mimgc.org
Sounds like fun: Last chance in history to collect everyone with a personal genome
sequence on one stage.
GET :: Genomes Environments Traits
Congrats to our recent grant recipient! Don't forget that you can apply here.
February 2010
The Tri-State Genealogical & Historical Society is a non-profit organization dedicated to preserving the history of the tri-state area of Ohio, Pennsylvania and West Virginia. The grant award will help fund book shelves to house their massive collection of books and family history resources, and enable the society to purchase additional books to continue to build their archive.
If you plan to be near any of the events where I'll be speaking, I would love to meet you. It's always a kick for me when folks mention that they read this newsletter, my blog, Ancestry Daily News or whatever, so don't be shy about introducing yourself!
For more information on these events, please see my Events Calendar. And if you're interested in scheduling me, just click here.
- March 31, 2010 - New York, NY - NYG&B Society - Registration Required - "Who Do You Think You Are? The Essential Guide to Tracing Your Family History
- April 5, 2010 - Waterloo, IA (delivered live via Skype) - Waterloo Public Library - "Trace Your Roots with DNA"
- April 10, 2010 - Fort Lauderdale, FL - Nova Southeastern University - "Michelle Obama's Roots," "Cold Cases: Genealogists, Coroners and the FBI," "Right Annie, Wrong Annie" and "Remembering Our Ancestors"
- April 13, 2010 - New York, NY - The New York Public Library - "Trace Your Roots with DNA"
- April 14, 2010 - Washington, DC - U.S. National Archives - "Who Do You Think You Are? The Essential Guide to Tracing Your Family History"
- April 24-25, 2010 - Los Angeles, CA - Los Angeles Times Festival of Books - "Who Do You Think You Are?" Book Signing (Booth 130, across from Kaufman Hall)
- May 6, 2010 - Cherry Hill, NJ - Barnes & Noble Booksellers - "Who Do You Think You Are?" Book Signing
- May 15, 2010 - Spartanburg, SC - Spartanburg County Public Libraries - "Trace Your Roots with DNA," "Reverse Genealogy: Techniques for Finding Your Lost Loved Ones," "Remembering Our Ancestors" and "Michelle Obama's Roots"
- July 8, 2010 - Toms River, NJ - Ocean County Library "Cases That Made My Brain Hurt"
- September 18-25, 2010 - 6th Annual Genealogy Conference and Cruise, hosted by Wholly Genes, Inc.
- October 16, 2010 - Louisville, KY - Louisville Genealogical Society - "Trace Your Roots With DNA," "Beyond Y-DNA: Your Genetic Genealogy Options," "Reverse Genealogy: Techniques for Finding Your Lost Loved Ones" and "Find that Obituary: Online Newspaper Resources"
- November 6, 2010 - Grand Rapids, MI - Western Michigan Genealogical Society
- April 28-May 1, 2011 - Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada - Saskatchewan Genealogical Society - "Remembering Our Ancestors," "Trace Your Roots with DNA," "Beyond Y-DNA: Your Genetic Genealogy Options" and "Reverse Genealogy: Techniques for Finding Your Lost Loved Ones"
Please forward this newsletter to your family and friends who are interested in genealogy -- thank you!
Wishing you an abundance of genealogical serendipity!
Megan Smolenyak Smolenyak
www.honoringourancestors.com
www.rootstelevision.com
Note: You are receiving this because you have demonstrated an interest (e.g., you have a story in one of my books, applied for a grant, attended previous events, etc.) or subscribed via my website, but please let me know if you do not want to receive any further emails, and I will promptly remove you from my list. And rest assured, this is my personal list and not shared with anyone else! Thanks, Megan