Seton Shields Genealogical Grant Awarded to Wikipedia Foundation

Congratulations to our most recent Seton Shields Genealogical Grant recipient!

I wonder how many know that Wikipedia is a non-profit organization that operates off of donations. I didn't, and yet I use it all the time. And yes, as genealogists, we know that it's a good idea to double check information found here, but what a terrific resource for getting a running start on just about any topic. I know I hit it up for everything from 19th century politicians to obscure Ukrainian villages, so this month's grant goes to the Wikipedia Foundation in gratitude for a resource that's often taken for granted.

You can apply for a grant here.

Seton Shields Genealogical Grant Awarded to Statue of Liberty-Ellis Island Foundation

Congratulations to our most recent Seton Shields Genealogical Grant recipient!

Like so many genealogists, I hold a special place in my heart for Ellis Island, so when it was badly damaged by Hurricane Sandy, it seemed a fitting time to make a donation to the Statue of Liberty-Ellis Island Foundation (SOLEIF). If you had one or more ancestors who came to America via Ellis Island, please consider making a donation in their name to help this national landmark re-open as soon as possible. 

You can apply for a grant here.

Genealogy Round Up, February 7

Got Swedish roots? Then this is for you!
Great Swedish Adventure

Master of discoveries: an interview with Megan Smolenyak

Pls join me on March 14th in NYC at the Glucksman Ireland House (NYU) to talk about Annie Moore of Ellis Island! 
NYU > Ireland House > Spring 2013 Events Calendar

Got some Irish heritage? Check out this seriously cool site! Emigration Isle
Emigration Isle

What If Ed Koch's Father Had Been Turned Back?

The Heart of Sol Legare

Genealogy Round Up, January 24

More from Sue Shellenbarger of @WSJ on genealogy! 
“Grandma Did What?” Digging Up the Roots of Family Lore 

Martin Luther King Day Could Have Been Michael Luther Branham Day

Over the years, I've been fortunate enough to have been interviewed many times, but I was blown away by this article, which feels a little like looking in a mirror constructed of words. Sheila Langan of Irish America Magazine knows me better than I know myself! 
Calling Up the Ancestors: Genealogist Megan Smolenyak | Irish America

Researched some of these cases and am hoping for identifications along with the families. 
Families still awaiting closure as military dissects 1952 Alaska glacier crash

Love this video! 8 minutes, if you have the time. Those who love old stuff or have Irish hertiage will especially appreciate it.
IRISH FOLK FURNITURE

 

 

 

 

Genealogy Round Up, January 17

Check out this book review by Terri O'Connell of The In-Depth Genealogist:
Hey, America, Your Roots Are Showing | The In-Depth Genealogist

Remember a couple of weeks ago when I posted saying someone in the media was looking for surprising genealogical stories and asking you to send me emails to forward? Well, here's the resulting Wall Street Journal article - and a few of you are in there! Congrats! And thanks for sharing your experiences!
When a Genealogy Hobby Digs Up Unwanted Secrets

A video to go with the WSJ article! Heather Quinlan and journalist, Sue Shellenbarger both in there! 
Video - DNA Testing, Online Genealogical Data Help Americans Discover Their Ancestry - WSJ.com

In honor of Michelle Obama's birthday - everything you ever wanted to know about her family tree Michelle Obama's Roots - Five generations, from slavery to the White House - Megan Smolenyak's research

Genealogy Round Up, January 3

Check out Legacy Family Tree's 2013 impressive webinar line-up! I hope you'll join me on 2/27/13 for a St. Patrick's Day warm-up as I share the tale of Annie Moore of Ellis Island. Please tell your friends - especially any Irish ones! 
Legacy News: 2013 Legacy Family Tree Webinar Schedule announced

In case you're interested in the Annie Moore webinar, here's the direct link:
Annie Moore of Ellis Island - A Case of Historical Identity Theft

More cabins for the Legacy Family Tree Panama Canal cruise in 2013! Please consider joining us!
http://www.legacyfamilytree.com/CruiseInfo_2013.asp

Hey, y'all, This is different than the one from the last couple of days. The 150th anniversary of the sinking of the USS Monitor is next Monday, which is why I'm writing so much about it right now. This one features Welsh and Scottish heroes of the Monitor. And again, no clue what's up with the irrelevant image of old letters, but there are a couple of interesting images (including an old letter) in the article itself.
150th Anniversary of the USS Monitor: Meet Civil War Naval Heroes Robert Williams and William Bryan

Vegas, baby! Who's coming?
National Genealogical Society Annual Conference

RIP, Monitor crew. Today is the 150th anniversary of the sinking of the USS Monitor - articles for those interested
USS Monitor - Megan's research identifying sailor's remains recovered from the USS Monitor

I had the honor of attending the service for SSGT Dobovich, one of the heroes I've researched for the Army, last week.
Haddonfield genealogist helped Army identify remains of airman killed in 1946

OK, this is rather bizarre. For some reason, a video review of my very first book, In Search of Our Ancestors, was just published last October. This is a book of 101 tales of genealogical serendipty, and while it's out of print, I've been considering reprinting it myself. What do you think? Should I do it?
Education Book Review: In Search of Our Ancestors by Megan Smolenyak

Genealogy Events for 2013

Have you checked out Megan's genealogy events currently scheduled for 2013? The current calendar is listed below. Make sure you visit the offical calendar page -- it's updated often!

  • February 27, 2013 - Legacy Family Tree Webinar - "Annie Moore of Ellis Island - A Case of Historical Identity Theft" - 3:30 PM (EST)
  • March 14, 2013 - New York, NY - Glucksman Ireland House/NYU - "The Quest for Annie Moore" - 1 Washington Mews - 7:00 p.m.
  • April 18, 2013 - Cedar Falls, IA (delivered live via Skype) - Cedar Falls Public Library - "Cold Cases: Genealogists, Coroners and the FBI" - 7:00 p.m.
  • April 27, 2013 - Charlevoix, MI - Charlevoix Public Library - "Reverse Genealogy: Techniques for Finding Your Lost Loved Ones," "Find That Obituary," "Right Annie, Wrong Annie" and "Cases That Made My Brain Hurt" - 220 W. Clinton
  • May 8-11, 2013 - Las Vegas, NV - NGS 2013 Family History Conference - "Solving Historical and Family Mysteries with DNA" and "Lucky 13: A Modest Proposal Regarding Genealogy Grants and Pawn Stores (with Mark Hall-Patton of Pawn Stars)" - The LVH-Las Vegas Hotel and Casino, 3000 Paradise Road
  • September 22 - October 7, 2013 - Legacy Family Tree 2013 Genealogy Cruise - Panama Canal Cruise - topics TBD
  • November 9, 2013 - Pensacola, FL - West Florida Genealogical Society - "Right Annie, Wrong Annie," "Trace Your Roots with DNA," "Find That Obituary! Online Newspaper Research" and "Honoring Our Ancestors" - Theodore B.D. Bennett Auditorium, Booker T. Washington High School, 6000 College Pkwy. - 8:00 a.m.

Genealogy Round Up, December 27

So happy about this - was one of my cases! 
WATCH: World War II Vet Returns Home 66 Years After Death

A more detailed article about SSGT Zoltan Dobovich: 
Remains of U.S. airman from '46 crash identified, to be laid to rest

Not sure why this is considered "Weird" news or why there's an unrelated image of letters at the top, but check out the assorted documents associated with this history mystery. 150th anniversary of the sinking of the USS Monitor is 12/31/12.
Crew of the USS Monitor: Could Sailor Jacob Nicklis Be One of the Mystery Skeletons?



Seton Shields Genealogical Grant Awarded to JewishGen

Congratulations to our most recent Seton Shields Genealogical Grant recipient!

This month’s grant was given to JewishGen, a valuable resource I’ve used many times over the years.  If you have any Jewish heritage or have ever used the popular SteveMorse.org website, you’re already familiar with all JewishGen has to offer, including countless databases and many other tools and resources.  If not, I encourage you to visit and explore.

You can apply for a grant here.