Genealogy

The Burial Plot Thickens: A Find a Grave Mystery

By Hazel Thornton | October 31, 2022 |

From time to time I accept requests through Find a Grave from people who do not live locally and who would like a volunteer to go take a photo of their relative‘s resting place for them. A few years ago I got a request for Pietro Domenici at Mount Calvary Cemetery here in Albuquerque. I…

How and when to find a common ancestor

By Hazel Thornton | August 28, 2022 |

I finally did it! Did what? I figured out my relationship to Henry Clay, the 19th century American statesman. How? By finding our common ancestor. Once upon a time, my Grandma Clay told me we were related to Henry Clay, about whom I had learned in school. (That’s what we called my paternal great-grandmother Bettie…

DNA tests: The gift that keeps on giving

By Hazel Thornton | May 23, 2022 |

Have you had your DNA tested? How often do you revisit your results? (This post is for people who have tested, or who want to test, their DNA for genealogy purposes. It’s not for those who don’t want to, or who are more interested in DNA for health purposes or traits.)

Genealogy Volunteering Opportunities

By Hazel Thornton | March 28, 2022 |

  Did you know that April is National Volunteer Month? This is very convenient for the genealogy community since the 1950 U.S. census is being released on April 1, 2022. (That’s when the mandatory 72-year privacy waiting period ends.) Here is a list of genealogy volunteer opportunities, and some of the benefits of participating.

RootsTech is (still) for Everyone!

By Hazel Thornton | March 7, 2022 |

Do you regret missing RootsTech 2022? It’s not too late! Yes, a few features are no longer available, but many of them — including 1500+ recorded sessions, on 185 topics, in 30+ languages —will be available all year long!

What the heck is a second cousin once removed?

By Hazel Thornton | February 27, 2022 |

  This question — How are we related? — might arise when you gather with relatives during holidays. Or anytime. Most people just laugh and change the subject. But, next time, YOU can be the one who knows the answer! (PRO TIP: Keep this post handy for reference!)   Casual Cousins First, there’s nothing wrong…

Gifts for Genealogists and their Families

By Hazel Thornton | November 22, 2021 |

Someone asked me for a list of gifts for family historians. They had in mind gadgets and other tangible things you could wrap up with a bow. But I thought, “Most of the things I want don’t cost money and can’t be wrapped.”

Trouble in Ancestry Paradise

By Hazel Thornton | August 5, 2021 |

Uh-oh. Ancestry.com just updated their Terms and Conditions in a way that has people up in arms. >>> SCROLL TO BOTTOM FOR UPDATES. <<< I’m not saying I like it, but I do tend to stay calm in situations like this and wait and see what happens next. Meanwhile, though, I want you to know…

RootsTech is for Everyone: Getting Started

By Hazel Thornton | March 1, 2021 |

Wow! This event was a game-changer. Even if you’re not the family historian, please keep reading. Because, in case you feel you’ve missed out, you haven’t!

Parallels between the 2020 and 1918 pandemics

By Hazel Thornton | October 18, 2020 |

In April I wrote a blog post called Our Ancestors and the 1918 Spanish Flu, not realizing there would be more. But…of course, there’s more! This is a marathon, not a sprint, and COVID-19 is not going away anytime soon. Note: The 1918-1919 flu pandemic was often referred to as the “Spanish Flu” because of…