This month's newsletter is heavy on military content, partly because I recently hit a bit of a milestone. 200 of the soldiers I've researched for the Army have now been recovered and identified! I'm so delighted to have assisted with this. But there's more on the military front, such as a charming tale about a couple who fell in love during WWII and their grandson's recent discoveries. And good news for those interested in obtaining WWII-era Alien Registration forms for immigrant ancestors!
I'm also sharing another one of my "Genealogy Classics" - this one an article I wrote way back in 2006, but sharing an experience that almost all genealogists can relate to - the "SSDI Blues." Even in this constantly churning world, a few things remain consistent and this is one of them.
And then there are some random tidbits such as close friends who have been sending the same birthday card back and forth to each other for 81 years(!) and the curiosity of my Annie Moore book hanging out on airplanes. A little something for everyone, I hope!
Until the merry month of May!
Genealogy Classic: SSDI Blues
Today would have been my mother’s birthday, so as a small tribute, I’ve decided to share a piece I wrote just ten weeks after she passed away. Although it’s been eight years now, the article still has practical value in terms of searching the SSDI, and selfishly, I wanted to share at least this small snippet of a remarkable woman. Happy Birthday, Mom.
I did something today that I’ve been dreading. I finally got the courage to search for my mother’s name in the Social Security Death Index (SSDI). And yes, she’s in there, although she only passed away about ten weeks ago.
It still doesn’t truly register. I thought it would be a few more decades before Mom would appear in this resource that I use on a daily basis without any thought – without any thought of what it really means. Each one of those millions of entries meant the world to someone.
There’s a part of me that’s convinced it’s someone else – especially because her entry is so full of red herrings. Unless you actually knew her, her SSDI listing would send you off on a wild goose chase. And for that reason, I thought it might make a good example of how we sometimes read too much into the details we find in the SSDI.
Genealogy Classic: SSDI Blues – I thought I’d share another one of my “genealogy classics” – articles that were well received when first published. This one is from 2006, but it describes an experience many genealogists – then and now – can relate to. #genealogy
One of the cool things about my Annie Moore of Ellis Island book is that it's a great flight companion. It's strange how many folks have posted photos of it on airplanes and I'm getting a real kick out of it!
Archives, History and Heritage Advanced Internship Program – 2025 – I don’t know what to expect with future funding, but Library of Congress internships that focus on history – including local history?! And maps! Glorious maps! Hope this holds and that lots of talented people apply.
Image: AI-generated family tree using a combination of ChatGPT and Whisk
Genealogy Classic: Enough with the Famous Cousins Already! – I’ve started sharing what I call my #Genealogy Classics. This is a piece I wrote back in 2012. My opinion at the time was probably in the minority and likely still is. Thoughts?
Transatlantic: An Irish American History Podcast – I’ll be joining Damian Shiels & Fin Dwyer to chat about Annie Moore of Ellis Island and other Irish American topics on their Transatlantic podcast! Will share the link after the fact.
On January 1, 1892, Annie Moore of Ireland tripped into the pages of history and became the poster child of immigration by being the first to arrive at Ellis Island. And then she disappeared. Adding insult to injury, a different Annie Moore usurped her place in history decades later. Now – 150 years after her birth and 100 years after her death – a determined genealogist finally sets the record straight and reveals the true story of Ellis Island’s first.
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