March 25, 2026
www.megansmolenyak.com

Greetings Fellow Family History Sleuths,

This month's issue is lighter than usual as I've been on the road, but I hope you'll enjoy my personal story of figuring out who the mystery man in one of my baby photos was! You'll also find a couple of new soldier identifications from Korea and WWII, an uplifting reunion story, and a fun geography game (most genealogists I know are also geography enthusiasts).

Until next time!

P.S. If you have any genealogy buddies you think might enjoy this newsletter, I'd appreciate it if you'd let them know they can subscribe here (right column). It's free and I promise to never share your name or email address. Thanks!

Identifying the Mystery Man in My Baby Photo

Aisne-Marne Cemetery caretaker and me as a youngster

I was born into an American military family stationed in France, and as the first child of young parents (20 and 24 at the time of my arrival), had the good fortune of being carted along on a number of European adventures during my toddler years. My father, George C. Smolenyak, was an avid photographer, and like some at the time, had a preference for slides over pictures. As a result, assorted moments from my earliest years have been preserved in these miniature transparencies.

My father was a meticulous man with a remarkable memory, so could easily rattle off locations and other specifics decades after the fact — details which inevitably matched the labels he had recorded on the slides’ edges when he first created them. Dad had a few favorites he enjoyed telling stories about, such as my first encounter with snow in the Pyrenees or that time I kept everyone in a small hotel awake with my bawling, but there was one in particular he told repeatedly.

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Genealogy Roundup, March 11

Photo by Joe Richmond on Unsplash

After newer forensic tests fail, old photo helps identify remains of U.S. soldier who died in Korean War – This is a soldier I researched back in 2012. I’m delighted that he’s been identified, but will admit to some wariness about the method that was used – particularly due to this sentence in the article:
“Attempts to find a familial DNA match failed.”

This case was tough because the soldier was both an immigrant and foster child, but I did indeed find relatives from his birth family who could provide DNA reference samples, so I think there’s probably more to the story than is shared here.

Regardless, welcome home Sgt. Roger Laurent Raoul Duquesne. Honored to have researched your family. #hero #KoreanWar

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Genealogy Roundup, March 4

The Quest for Annie Moore of Ellis Island – Since March is both Irish American Heritage Month and Women’s History Month, you won’t be surprised that I’d like to suggest that you consider snagging a copy of The Quest for Annie Moore of Ellis Island – either for yourself or perhaps a friend. Reviews have been kind, so I think you’ll enjoy it! (Shares appreciated!)

‘Meeting my dad was a D:Ream’ – pop star’s 50-year search for his birth father – If you’re one of those who believes non-physical traits are also passed on, you’ll enjoy this one.

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Genealogy Roundup, February 25

Photo by Kyle Glenn on Unsplash

Globle – In my experience, most genealogists are into geography, too. If that’s you, you might enjoy this globle game.

Soldier Accounted For From World War II – Welcome home, Pvt. Donald Roger Lichty. Honored to have researched your family. #hero #WWII

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You can also find Megan on Authory and Huffington Post.

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