Sunday Blue Laws, Old Family Memories & U.S. Legislative History
By Scott Phillips on April 1, 2013
In this article, Scott Phillips explains how “Blue Laws” turned Sundays into very special family days during his childhood... (Read More)
Tag: history
Where Are My Ancestors Buried? Researching Cemeteries in Old Newspapers
By Gena Philibert-Ortega on March 27, 2013
Introduction: Gena Philibert-Ortega is a genealogist and author of the book “From the Family Kitchen.” In this guest blog post, Gena writes about the challenge of locating your ancestor’s burial place—and explains how to find out if a cemetery has been moved. Most genealogy articles written about cemeteries focus on how to find your... (Read More)
Irish Trivia Quiz – Test Your Ireland IQ
By Thomas Jay Kemp on March 25, 2013
What do you know about your ancestors from Éire? Are you as cute as the fox of Ballybotherem? Put your Irish ancestry prowess to the test. Take this Irish trivia quiz and provide answers to these 10 questions about Irish family history, counties in Ireland and other fun facts about the Old Country now!... (Read More)
Eleanor Roosevelt’s ‘My Day’ Newspaper Column: A Public Diary
By Gena Philibert-Ortega on March 18, 2013
For 27 years she wrote a daily newspaper column. Today, 'My Day' provides insights into the daily life and issues of the time... (Read More)
Newspapers: A Brief History, the 5 Ws & Why I LOVE Them
By Scott Phillips on March 11, 2013
In this article, Scott Phillips explains why newspapers’ use of the “5 Ws” is tremendously helpful to genealogists.. (Read More)
Help Solve a Genealogy Mystery: Who Is Uncle L in My Old Photo?
By Scott Phillips on March 4, 2013
In this article, Scott Phillips asks our readers for help in deciphering the writing on the back of an old photo identifying his “Uncle L.”.. (Read More)
Rosa Parks Statue: Honoring an American Civil Rights Pioneer
By Tony Pettinato on February 28, 2013
When Rosa Parks refused to give up her seat to a white person on an Alabama bus 58 years ago, her act of defiance against racist laws sparked the Montgomery Bus Boycott and accelerated the Civil Rights Movement, forever changing America. In a ceremony Wednesday in Washington, D.C., which was attended by dozens of... (Read More)
Clues in Petitions: Did Your Ancestors Petition the Government?
By Mary Harrell-Sesniak on February 21, 2013
Introduction: Mary Harrell-Sesniak is a genealogist, author and editor with a strong technology background. In this guest blog post, Mary writes about our ancestors’ petitions to the government, an often-overlooked source of family history information. From the establishment of companies, to divorces, to relief from tobacco weighing, the right to petition the government “for... (Read More)
The Disappearance—and Mysterious Reappearance—of Matthew Brayton
By Thomas Jay Kemp on February 20, 2013
Here’s a 19th century mystery concerning a certain Matthew Brayton, who disappeared as a small boy, was held an Indian captive for 34 years, then one day reappeared. But, was it really him? This is a gripping story about a young boy being kidnapped and then returning home as an adult. You will want... (Read More)
