Photo: a ration party of the Royal Irish Rifles in a communication trench during the Battle of the Somme. The date is believed to be 1 July 1916, the first day on the Somme. Credit: Royal Engineers No 1 Printing Company; Wikimedia Commons.

Remembering Armistice Day (Veterans Day)

By Gena Philibert-Ortega on November 11, 2019

Gena Philibert-Ortega writes about Armistice Day/Veterans Day, and gives tips for celebrating the holiday with some family history research... (Read More)

Halloween Costumes from Past Years

By Gena Philibert-Ortega on October 30, 2019

In this article, Gena Philibert-Ortega searches old newspapers to see what costumes were used in Halloweens past... (Read More)

Photo: handmade Valentine Day’s Card, c. 1820, featuring Cupid. Courtesy of Special Collections of The Johns Hopkins University.

3 Facts about Our Ancestors’ Valentine’s Day Cards

By Gena Philibert-Ortega on February 14, 2019

In this article – to celebrate Valentine’s Day – Gena Philibert-Ortega searches old newspapers to learn about our ancestors’ valentines... (Read More)

Photo: cannoli served at the Feast of the Seven Fishes, Italy. Credit: GW Fins; Wikimedia Commons.

Common Italian Holiday Traditions

By Sarah Stevens on December 21, 2018

Where do your family’s traditions come from? Find out if these common Italian holiday traditions can be traced back to your ancestors! .. (Read More)

Photo: Christmas star, Germany. Credit: Kora27; Wikimedia Commons.

Common German Holiday Traditions

By GenealogyBank on December 17, 2018

Does your family take part in any German holiday traditions? Find out if these traditions can be traced back to your ancestors! .. (Read More)

Photo: Christmas pudding. Credit: Pinterest

Common Irish Holiday Traditions

By Sarah Stevens on December 11, 2018

Does your family take part in any Irish holiday traditions? Find out if these common traditions can be traced back to your ancestors!.. (Read More)

Our Ancestors’ Valentine’s Day Cards

By Gena Philibert-Ortega on February 14, 2018

In this article, Gena Philibert-Ortega celebrates Valentine’s Day by researching some of our ancestors’ valentine cards... (Read More)

Photo: Santa Claus in a Christmas parade, Toronto, Canada, 18 November 2007. Credit: Glogger; Wikimedia Commons.

Hometown Tradition: The Christmas Parade

By Gena Philibert-Ortega on December 21, 2017

In this article, Gena Philibert-Ortega writes about a tradition that has been happening in hometowns for a long time: the annual Christmas parade... (Read More)

Photo: candle on a Christmas tree. Credit: Malene Thyssen; Wikimedia Commons.

The Background of ‘The Christmas Song’

By Gena Philibert-Ortega on December 19, 2017

In this article, Gena Philibert-Ortega writes about “The Christmas Song,” the enduring holiday classic written by Mel Torme and Bob Wells in 1945... (Read More)

Category: Holidays