July 29, 2026
www.megansmolenyak.com

Greetings Fellow Family History Sleuths,

This month's issue is stuffed to the gills! You'll find an intriguing genealogical bioinformatics video (of particular interest to those dealing with endogamy, but not just such people), a couple of soldier identifications from WWII (and one from the Revolutionary War!), a new oral history book, downsizing at MyHeritage, DNA recovered from cave wall drawings(!), threats to the National Archives (NARA), and more. And oh, yeah, my peek into Jon Hamm's roots which he kindly thanked me for.

Until next time, keep cool!

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!

10 Things You Didn’t Know about Jon Hamm’s Roots

original article kindly signed by Jon Hamm

In the critically acclaimed series Mad Men, Don Draper’s true origins were something of a mystery until he was revealed to be Richard “Dick” Whitman, a fellow who had assumed the identity of an officer he had served with in the Korean War. The origins of Jon Hamm, who portrayed Draper (and now Andrew “Coop” Cooper in Your Friends & Neighbors), are less mysterious, but there’s little floating in the google-sphere beyond his Missouri birth.

St. Louis, it turns out, has played a central role in his family history with several generations parked there, but there’s more to the story, including strong women, immigrant struggles, and Mormonism.

Continue reading

Back to top^

Genealogy Roundup, July 22

Photo by National Cancer Institute on Unsplash

Further Adventures in Genealogical Bioinformatics: What’s Next? by Arun Konanur – For genetic genealogy geeks who want a peek at the future – especially for dealing with endogamy.

Cpl. Robert C. Pierce – Welcome home, CPL Robert Clark Pierce. Honored to have researched your family (2017). Closest relatives were 1C1R! #Hero #WWII

From America to Israel and Back Again – Way back in the day, I wrote a column for Ancestry Magazine called “Found,” and I thought it would be fun to share some of them again – partly because it can be interesting to see how genealogical research was done in the not-too-distant past and partly because there still may be some resources and techniques that could come in handy today. I hope you’ll enjoy the first of these below – one which originally appeared in May-June 2006.

My family’s oldest photograph has been preserved by our National Archives for 137 years. Now the building that holds them is being emptied. – I am beyond worried about this.

Back to top^

Genealogy Roundup, July 15

Photo by Andreea Popa on Unsplash

VOICES: Genealogy Made Me A Better Caregiver for My Father With Dementia – Thoughtful reflection here, and I suspect, one many can relate to.

Back to top^

Genealogy Roundup, July 8

Image Credit: mcmurryjulie via Pixabay

MyHeritage to lay off 15% of workforce – Hmm… downsizing at MyHeritage.

When DNA journeys go badly via Romesh Ranganathan –

Drive and Listen in Edinburgh – OK, not strictly genealogical, but a cool way to journey around the places your ancestors lived. You pick the city (Edinburgh linked here) and a local station and suddenly, you’re taking a drive with the radio on. Adjust the driving speed if you want, and toggle on-off street noise.

6 Family Heirlooms You Should Never Sell (and Stylish Ways to Repurpose Them) – Why not keep ALL the heirlooms?!

Our Story: A Guide to Recording and Sharing Your Family History – Hey, y’all, if you’re planning on doing some family interviews, you might want to check out this new book by Rachel F. Seidman, PhD. She’s a professional oral historian and a curator at the Smithsonian American Women’s History Museum, so you’ll find lots of wisdom packed into its pages!

Back to top^

Genealogy Roundup, July 1

Photo Credit: Thumbnail from ýlet na Osturňu 3. mája 2026 video

Trip to Osturňa on May 3, 2026 – Motorcycle cruise through Osturna, home to all Smolen(y)a(c)ks in the world. So much has changed since I first went 30 years ago, and yet, it still retains its own flavor. Situated in the foothills of the Tatras, so popular with hikers and cyclists. My family’s home was #88, but the way!

In a Scientific First, Researchers Recovered Ancient DNA That Humans Left Behind on Rock Art and Cave Walls – Whoa! Only 5 of 120 samples, but already able to determine that 3 were female and one was male (other TBD?).

PFC. Richard Walker Young – Welcome home, PFC Richard Walker Young. Honored to have researched your family (in 2001!). #Hero #KoreanWar

Dispute Over Dual Surnames in Kyrgyzstan: Genealogists Oppose the Initiative – When genealogy gets political – in Kyrgyzstan.

Back to top^

Genealogy Roundup, June 24

Photo by Suraj Tomer on Unsplash

Remains of soldier missing since WWII finally brought home to CT. ‘He was loved and missed’ – This case was daunting, so I’m even more pleased than usual to see the outcome. Welcome home, Technical Sgt. Donald Arthur Dorman. #Hero

A Revolutionary War soldier’s DNA links him to living relatives – I know many have already seen this, but wanted to share for those who might not have tripped across it yet. Very cool!

O Horizon – Official Trailer – Well, that didn’t take long. There’s already a movie about a young woman who brings her deceased dad back in her life through “new technology” (has to be AI), and how that plays out for her. Reminds me of the bring-back-your-ancestors offering I shared no so long ago.

Back to top^

You can also find Megan on Authory andHuffington Post.

Forward it on!

Please forward this newsletter to your family and friends who are interested in genealogy.