Photo: calling card for Mrs. Mira A. Lear. Credit: from the collection of Gena Philibert-Ortega.

Our Ancestors & Calling Card Etiquette

By Gena Philibert-Ortega on July 8, 2024

In this article, Gena Philibert-Ortega explores the history and etiquette of our ancestors’ use of calling cards... (Read More)

Photo: a classroom at the De La Salle University in Manila, Philippines. Credit: Malate269; Wikimedia Commons.

Genealogy 101: One-Place Studies

By Gena Philibert-Ortega on February 26, 2024

In this article, Gena Philibert-Ortega explains how a one-place study can broaden your genealogy – and she provides many helpful links... (Read More)

Photo: “Happy Valentine’s Day” with hearts. Credit: https://depositphotos.com/home.html

Our Ancestors’ World, 100 Years Ago: Valentine’s Day 1924

By Katie Rebecca Garner on February 12, 2024

In this article, Katie Rebecca Garner searches old newspapers to find articles about our ancestors and Valentine’s Day from 100 years ago... (Read More)

Photo: “Happy Valentine’s Day.” Credit: https://depositphotos.com/home.html

Our Ancestors’ Love Stories, 100 Years Ago: Valentine’s Day 1924

By Katie Rebecca Garner on February 8, 2024

In this article – to help celebrate Valentine’s Day – Katie Rebecca Garner searches old newspapers to find love stories written 100 years ago... (Read More)

Illustration: “Love & Valentine’s Day.” Credit: https://depositphotos.com/home.html

Our Ancestors & Love, 100 Years Ago: Valentine’s Day 1924

By Katie Rebecca Garner on February 5, 2024

In this article – to help celebrate Valentine’s Day – Katie Rebecca Garner searches old newspapers to see what our ancestors thought of love 100 years ago... (Read More)

Illustration: “Merry Old Santa Claus” by Thomas Nast, from the 1 January 1881 edition of “Harper's Weekly.” Credit: Wikimedia Commons.

Christmases Past: What Toys Did They Wish For?

By Gena Philibert-Ortega on December 18, 2023

In this article, Gena Philibert-Ortega searches old newspapers to find ads for toys, to see what was popular in past Christmases... (Read More)

Photo: lace handkerchief. Credit: Goldi64; Wikimedia Commons.

The Death of the Handkerchief

By Gena Philibert-Ortega on October 23, 2023

In this article, Gena Philibert-Ortega writes about something that was a big part of our ancestors’ lives, but not so much today: the handkerchief... (Read More)

A Glimpse into Our Ancestors’ Lives: The Sears Catalog

By Gena Philibert-Ortega on January 30, 2023

In this article, Gena Philibert-Ortega gives a fascinating glimpse into our ancestors’ lives by examining the goods available to them in the Sears catalog... (Read More)

Illustration: Yorkshiremen playing knurr and spell. Credit: George Walker's "The Costume of Yorkshire," first published in 1814; Wikimedia Commons.

The Game of Knurr and Spell

By Jessica Edwards on October 17, 2022

In this article, Jessica Edwards continues her series exploring our ancestors’ pastimes and toys, focusing on an English game using a ball and bat... (Read More)