Photo: the death mask of sailor Richard Parker, taken in 1797 after he was hanged for his part in the Nore mutiny. Credit: Baldovio; Wikimedia Commons.

Famous Death Masks: Haunting Faces Preserved Through History

By GenealogyBank on July 28, 2026

Explore famous death masks and how historical newspaper archives and obituaries reveal the lives behind each preserved face... (Read More)

Photo: Common Burying Ground and Island Cemetery in Newport, Rhode Island. Credit: Matt H. Wade; Wikimedia Commons.

Burials Without Bodies: Cenotaphs

By Gena Philibert-Ortega on July 27, 2026

In this article, Gena Philibert-Ortega explains what a cenotaph is, and why a grave marker in a cemetery does not necessarily mean your ancestor is buried there... (Read More)

Illustration: Ousamequin, or “Massasoit” (Wampanoag term for “Great Sachem”) and Governor John Carver smoking a ceremonial pipe at Plymouth Colony in 1621. Credit: Sutro Library; Wikimedia Commons.

Photos from the Past: Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe

By Melissa Berry on July 24, 2026

In this article, Melissa Davenport Berry digs into various archives to find photos of the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe... (Read More)

Photo: the Wisconsin State Capitol, Madison, Wisconsin. Credit: RAHurd; Wikimedia Commons.

Wisconsin Archives: 301 Newspapers for Genealogy Research

By Tony Pettinato on July 23, 2026

An article (with a complete title list) about the 301 Wisconsin newspapers available in GenealogyBank’s online Historical Newspaper Archives... (Read More)

Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe in the Crocker Ledger Book (part 1)

By Melissa Berry on July 22, 2026

In this article, Melissa Davenport Berry writes more about the genealogy of the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe, focusing on the Keeter family line... (Read More)

Illustration: coat of arms for Richard of York, 3rd Duke of York. Credit: Sodacan; Wikimedia Commons.

Coat of Arms Examples: Understanding Heraldry Symbols and Your Family Heritage

By GenealogyBank on July 21, 2026

Learn coat of arms examples, their origins, symbolism, how historical records help connect family heritage to documents, and how to create a family crest of your own... (Read More)

Illustration: America’s 250th Anniversary. Credit: https://depositphotos.com/home.html

Celebrating Our Founding Fathers for America 250: Thomas Jefferson

By Katie Rebecca Merkley on July 20, 2026

In this article – to help celebrate America 250 – Katie Rebecca Merkley continues her series about our Founding Fathers, featuring Thomas Jefferson... (Read More)

Photo: Davenport-Greeley House, 78 State Street, Newburyport, Massachusetts. Credit: Tate and Foss.

Tracing My Davenport Family Line (part 3)

By Melissa Berry on July 17, 2026

Melissa Davenport Berry continues her Davenport family history, focusing on her Civil War veteran ancestor Edward Davenport... (Read More)

Photo: the West Virginia State Capitol in Charleston, West Virginia. Credit: Carol M. Highsmith; Library of Congress, Prints and Photographs Division.

West Virginia Archives: 181 Newspapers for Genealogy Research

By Tony Pettinato on July 16, 2026

An article (with a complete title list) about the 181 West Virginia newspapers available in GenealogyBank’s online Historical Newspaper Archives... (Read More)