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Honoring Our Ancestors Newsletter

April 15, 2010

By Megan Smolenyak Smolenyak

Megan Smolenyak Smolenyak

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Greetings Fellow Family History Sleuths,

Phew! It's been a whirlwind of late! I hope you've all been watching all the episodes of Who Do You Think You Are? and telling your friends as well! Just got back from Florida, and before the month is through, I'll have been to NY, DC, CA, and UT spreading the g-word! Hope to see some of you at the LA Times Book Fest or at the NGS conference in SLC!

Megan

In this newsletter. . .


Genealogical Round Up, March 4

ProGen 'fesses up about their involvement with "Who Do You Think You Are?" -- and gives my companion book a shout-out, too. Thanks, ProGen!
The ProGenealogists® Genealogy Blog » ProGenealogists Researchers for “Who Do You Think You Are?”

Hey y'all, Would you mind joining me on my new "Fan" page? It will eventually replace my personal page. Had to do this because I was getting a lot of Facebook friends, and I didn't want to wait until I was close to the limit to shift over at the last minute. Thank you!
Megan Smolenyak

Thanks for the mention, Miriam! Much appreciated!
AnceStories: The Stories of My Ancestors: WDYTYA? Guest Appearances and New Book

Thanks for the shout-out, Leland!
Smolenyak’s New “Who Do You Think You Are? Companion Book to Be Released on Thursday

First mention of my new book -- and she was kind about my name! I like hers, too.
Why are Americans Mad about Genealogy?: The Book Bench : The New Yorker

A letter to viewers of RootsTelevision.com. I'm honored to have provided RootsTelevision.com for the genealogical community!
Free Genealogy, Family History Videos on Roots Television

A second part to what I wrote the other day about Michelle Obama's roots. More genealogical documents about her family. Hope you find it interesting. If so, please consider posting a comment and/or Sharing/Tweeting from HuffPo. I'd like the non-genealogical world to know how many of us there are out there!
Megan Smolenyak: Michelle Obama's Roots: Proving Your Freedom (Over and Over Again)

The roots epidemic has started! Now "Community" (love Joel McHale!) has "Basic Genealogy" episode! ( http://bit.ly/9vqbuB ) Let's see . . . WDYTYA, Faces of America, The Simpsons, The Generations Project, Community -- and an episode of Oprah. Could it be the rest of the world has finally discovered what we genies have known all along?!
Katherine McPhee on Community: First Look - TV Fanatic

Sounds like an AMAZING talk! "DearMYRTLE's Genealogy Blog: 10 Things Genealogists Can't Live Without"
DearMYRTLE's Genealogy Blog: 10 Things Genealogists Can't Live Without

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Genealogical Round Up, March 11

How cool is this?! An excerpt from my new book, "Who Do You Think You Are?," is on Oprah.com! 
Who Do You Think You Are

Wow! Good news, but made me sad to see all those covers. I wanted them to keep coming!
Google Books

Not exactly a headline you see every day!
Celebrity search for roots making genealogy sexy

A thousand thank yous to NBC for posting this on their WDYTYA Facebook page. Be sure to follow them for more details about the show!
Who Do You Think You Are? (Hardcover), NBC Universal Store NBC

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Genealogical Round Up, March 18

May 2010 will be the 10th anniversary of my genealogy grants program. Any suggestions how to celebrate?
Genealogical Research Grants - Apply for a grant - Current Grants Awarded

Learn more re: #genealogy research for Emmitt Smith's "Who Do You Think You Are?" show from @progenealogists
Emmitt Smith on "Who Do You Think You Are?" | ProGenealogists

Closed the Emmitt Smith #WDYTYA poll. 82% gave it an 'A.' So happy folks found it
compelling!
bit.ly

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Genealogical Round Up, March 25

You can run, but you can't hide. Well, you can hid, but only for 38 years. "Fugitive missing for 38 years found running chapel"
The Associated Press: Fugitive missing for 38 years found running chapel

#DNA identifies new ancient human
BBC News - DNA identifies new ancient human

Roots Television | Og Blog: FAQ: Where can I find PBS' Ancestors series?

My #WDYTYA companion book made the list! "Kindle Reader: Current and Choice Nonfiction for the Kindle"
The Kindle Reader: Current and Choice Nonfiction for the Kindle (24 Mar 10)

This gives new meaning to, "You go, Grandma!" - "98-Year Old Woman Earns H.S. Diploma"
Happy News - 98-Year Old Woman Earns H.S. Diploma

Roots Television | Og Blog: New Genealogy Video: Where Ancestors Come From

Wow! Thanks for the review of my #WDYTYA companion book, @texicanwife
The Books on My Shelf: "Who Do You Think You Are?

Yes! Another great week for #WDYTYA! Check out the ratings.
bit.ly

Heartbroken. Beth was the best. Genealogical Society Blog: In Memoriam: Beth Maltbie Uyehara
SCGSGenealogical Society Blog: In Memoriam: Beth Maltbie Uyehara

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Honoring Our Ancestors Grants

Congrats to our recent grant recipient! Don't forget that you can apply here.

March 2010
Afro-American Historical and Genealogical Society in Nashville, TN provides research and technical workshops for writers, as well as lectures and tours for the public. The grant award will go toward research, planning and implementation of a series of lectures and tours, focusing on positive events experienced on plantations in Tennessee.

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Upcoming Events

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.

  • April 24-25, 2010 - Los Angeles, CA - Los Angeles Times Festival of Books - "Who Do You Think You Are?" Book Signing
  • May 6, 2010 - Cherry Hill, NJ - Barnes & Noble Booksellers - "Who Do You Think You Are?" Book Signing
  • May 12, 2010 - Mt. Laurel, NJ - Borders "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"
  • June 11-13, 2010 - Burbank, CA - 41st Annual Southern California Genealogy Jamboree - "The Search for Michelle Obama's Roots," "Cases that Made My Brain Hurt," "Neglected History" and "Cold Cases: Genealogists, Coroners and the FBI"
  • 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 - Details TBD
  • February 12, 2011 - Largo, FL - Pinellas Genealogy Society - Details TBD
  • 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"

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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

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