Honoring Our Ancestors Newsletter
August 15, 2009
By Megan Smolenyak Smolenyak
Greetings Fellow Family History Sleuths,
Hope everyone's enjoying a wonderful and at least slightly relaxed summer. From the looks of this newsletter, I've been blog-happy the last month or so. With a bit of luck, there will be a little something for everyone here! See you in September!
Megan
In this newsletter. . .
- Genealogical Round Up, July 2
- Genealogical Round Up, July 9
- Genealogical Round Up, July 16
- Genealogical Round Up, July 23
- Genealogical Round Up, July 30
- Upcoming Events
Susan Boyle in Dublin!
Susan Boyle dedicates Irish show to mother Bridget | Entertainment in Ireland and Around the World
What's your take?
Exhumation of 1812 war hero stirs controversy
Having seen all the tweets re: Jeff Goldbum's alleged death last week, I found this video pretty amusing.
Jeff Goldblum Confirms his own Death | GeekTyrant
Not going to say which celebs, but I worked on this show. As Blaine indicates, there will be substantial emphasis on DNA.
Latest Genetic Genealogy Series “Faces of America” Expected From PBS in 2010 » The Genetic Genealogi
ISOGG newsletter with mtDNA success story from Bill Hurst!
ISOGG Newsletter June 2009
Nothing startling, but a well-written piece
Among Many Peoples, Little Genomic Variety - washingtonpost.com
I agree. Do you? Social Security Numbers: a Non-Issue:
Eastman's Online Genealogy Newsletter: Social Security Numbers: a Non-Issue
RootsTelevision.com video interview of Andrew Wait of Ancestry.com by Dick Eastman:
Eastman's Online Genealogy Newsletter: Video Interview: Andrew Wait of Ancestry.com
Thanks for the shout-out, EWGS! See you in Washington in September!
Eastern Washington Genealogical Society Blog: Megan Smolenyak Smolenyak
Speaking of iPhone apps, . . .
Pocket Cemetery: Virtual Graveyard for the iPhone | Technology News
Because you can never get enough funny tombstones:
Humorous Headstones - Funny Slogans and Light-Hearted Designs for the Dead (GALLERY)
The Generations Network Becomes Ancestry.com
23andMe on a zeppelin, apparently flown in LA as folks waited for the July 4th fireworks
23andMe Time Lapse Decal Application to Airship Eureka
Will be interesting to see how this turns out. The DNA aspect sounds pretty convincing on the surface, but I say that without seeing any more than this 25% matching claim. Stay tuned!
Solution to a Longtime Mystery in Utah Is Questioned - NYTimes.com
Blaine's well-argued critique of a critique.
A Critique of Genetic Ancestry Testing in Science Magazine » The Genetic Genealogist
Genealogical Round Up, July 16
Coming records will help some w/enslaved ancestors get back to Africa! 200 Years of St. Croix-Virgin Islands
Ancestry.com Launches One of the Most Comprehensive Collections of Caribbean Slave Records
Unsettling to see Michael Jackson in the Social Security Death Index, isn't it?
Roots Television | Megan's Roots World: Michael Jackson in Social Security Death Index
This season of "Who Do You Think You Are?" (UK)
I'll never forgive my bigamist grandad: How Kim Cattrall discovered the shocking truth about her Eng
Dear Myrtle with Dick Eastman on RootsTelevision.com:
Free Genealogy, Family History Videos on Roots Television
Cool idea- an iPhone app for a digital archive
Digital Collections Blog » Library Digital Collections? There’s an App for That.
If all commercials were like this, I probably wouldn't mind watching them!
Evian Roller Babies international version
Genealogical Round Up, July 23
Matt Poe interviews Tom Kemp of GenealogyBank.com on RootsTelevision.com at the recent SCGC Jamboree.
Free Genealogy Conference Videos on Roots Television: Lectures, education, presentations, workshops,
Archaeologists find graveyard of sunken Roman ships | Science | Reuters
Save the Library of Michigan!
OCGS Message -- Rally at the Library of Michigan
The Jewish Exponent - Philadelphia, PA
Shalom, and Salaam - by Allison Hoffman > Tablet Magazine - A New Read on Jewish Life
Genealogy as Must See tv | American in Ireland | IrishCentral
Obama looking at his deep roots
P072009PS-0244 - Barack Obama | Government News from the White House and Congress - Senate/House of
Enjoyed being a part of this reunion!
DNA Proves Scottish Roots of (Alex) Haley Family:
The silver lining of the Burr Oak scandal! Burr Oak Cemetery Opening Online Records Database
Burr Oak Cemetery Opening Online Records Database
Shades of UnclaimedPersons.org. Oregonians act as ‘next of kin’ for unclaimed dead
Oregonians act as 'next of kin' for unclaimed dead - OregonLive.com
Katherine Hope Borges of ISOGG with @dickeastman on RootsTelevision.com with a genetic genealogy success story!
Free Genealogy Conference Videos on Roots Television: Lectures, education, presentations, workshops,
Brief video tribute (2 mins) to Frank McCourt:
Free Irish Genealogy Videos on Roots Television: Ireland, Immigration, Annie Moore, Family History
Frank McCourt passes away. So glad I got to meet him at Ellis Island. RIP.
Frank McCourt, late-blooming author of 'Angela's Ashes,' dies at 78 - Los Angeles Times
OK, after this, I don't want any grief re: Smolenyak Smolenyak! Kelly Hildebrandt to wed…Kelly Hildebrandt?
Pair with same first, last name to wed - TODAY: Relationships
Drew Smith talks with Dick Eastman on RootsTelevision.com about FGS & his social networking book
Free Genealogy Conference Videos on Roots Television: Lectures, education, presentations, workshops,
What About Grandma? « AwkwardFamilyPhotos.com
Genealogical Round Up, July 30
Keep up on the Save the Library of Michigan initiative here. Remember August 5th!
Michigan Genealogical Council
The woes of the John Does
Nation & World | This John Doe is the real deal | Seattle Times Newspaper
Sounds like classic John Philip Colletta! He was the first genealogist I ever saw speak. Took a few of his classes at the Smithsonian.
Deseret News | Author warns of pitfalls in writing narrative family history
A grave debate about headstone art | Philadelphia Inquirer | 07/29/2009
Keep spreading the word!
Changes at library worry genealogists | lansingstatejournal.com | Lansing State Journal
I've been wondering about this for years . . .
Mourning the Death of Handwriting - TIME
I'm both grateful and proud to say this is the project I've been a part of for the past decade. As an Army brat, I'm privileged to have had the opportunity to locate literally thousands of family members for soldiers still unaccounted for from Southeast Asia, Korea, WWII and even WWI. I love this "work" and it means the world to me.
blogs.ngm.com
Matt Poe interviews Bennett Greenspan of FamilyTreeDNA.com at the SCSC Jamboree on @rootstelevision
Free Genealogy Conference Videos on Roots Television: Lectures, education, presentations, workshops,
PaDNP (Pennsylvania Digital Newspaper Project)
Am going to repeat my request for folks to help Andrew Carroll on his HereIsWhere.org initiative to uncover and mark our hidden history. Andrew is the best-selling author of books like "Letters of a Nation" and "War Letters," and founder of the amazing Legacy Project (www.WarLetters.com) which has already saved a remarkable 80,000 war letters (no kidding). In this latest undertaking, he's going to all 50 states. You can contact him via his HereIsWhere.org site or on Twitter (@HereIsWhere). And you can follow his HereIsWhere blog on www.Blogs.NationalGeographic.com. Please help spread the word! Thanks!
Here Is Where
Family thankful for genealogy memorial
Love this latest project of Andy's! If you know of any of our nation's hidden history, please let him know!
On a Mission to Mark Places of Long-Forgotten Historic Moments - NYTimes.com
More on the important efforts to help save the Library of Michigan. Please help if you can!
ARTICLE - Crisis Facing the Library of Michigan. By Shirley C Hodges
A family on a mission.
SalisburyPost.com - Lifestyle - Woodruff brothers learn more about their family history
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.
- September 11-13, 2009 - Spokane, WA - Eastern Washington Genealogical Society - "Reverse Genealogy: Techniques for Finding Your Lost Loved Ones," "Trace Your Roots with DNA," "Beyond Y-DNA: Your Genetic Genealogy Options" and "Find That Obituary! Online Newspaper Research"
- February 6, 2010 - San Luis Obispo, CA - San Luis Obispo County Genealogical Society - "Reverse Genealogy: Techniques for Finding Your Lost Loved Ones," "Online Newspaper Research," "Trace Your Roots with DNA" and "Right Annie, Wrong Annie"
- March 20, 2010 - Round Rock, TX - Williamson County Genealogical Society - Topics TBD
- July 8, 2010 - Toms River, NJ - Ocean County Library "Cases That Made My Brain Hurt"
- October 16, 2010 - Louisville, KY - Louisville Genealogical Society - Topics TBD
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