The Legacy Tree team loves animals, and recently some of them shared stories of ancestors who had pets, or worked with animals, and even had close encounters with dangerous beasts! A cousin’s pet calf Many of our ancestors lived on farms, or in rural areas, and grew up around livestock. This photograph from Washington state in the 1930s clearly demonstrates a family member’s attachment to one of the calves. Unfortunately, this friendship had to end when times became tough (or perhaps simply … [Read more...]
Stories Worth Telling: The Saibara Story in Texas
What untold immigration stories are waiting to be discovered in your family history? We share the story of Japanese immigrant, Seito Saibara. The history of America is an interlacing web of immigration stories from all over the world, many still untold. Every pioneer, either celebrated in life or silent to the grave, has a story worth telling—you just need to know how to go about telling it! Such is the case with Japanese immigrant, Seito Saibara, a name largely unknown outside of the … [Read more...]
Guarding Against Presentism: How Historical Facts (Should) Affect Your Research Strategy
Understanding social and historical context can be critical at guarding against presentism and inaccurate assumptions in your genealogy research. Understanding Social Context Last year, I attended a genealogy-oriented writers’ workshop where we discussed crafting family histories and biographies. As a case study on which to practice, our instructor, Dr. Amy Harris (check her out on Instagram, @familyhistoryprof), presented us with her research into Mina, a Scottish woman of 1905 who had … [Read more...]
Finding Your Soldier of the Great Patriotic War of 1941–45 (Eastern Front of WWII): Part I
Did your ancestor serve during the Great Patriotic War of 1941–45? Learn more about their Soviet military service using this free resource! Many descendants of Eastern European immigrants who landed on North American shores in the first wave of immigration soon found that their relatives who stayed behind were no longer citizens of the historical empires who had ruled over them. With the changing borders through the Interwar period to the beginning of World War II, the citizens of the new … [Read more...]
Pathways to Membership in The Jamestowne Society
Many are under the impression that to become a member of the Jamestowne Society, one must have an ancestor who was a first settler of the Jamestowne colony. Although that is one route to join, the Jamestowne Society provides six pathways to membership! Learn more about them. The Jamestowne Society, founded in 1936 and incorporated in 1958, is a lineage society based in Richmond, Virginia with the mission to discover and record the names of early Virginia settlers and their descendants. They … [Read more...]
Genealogical Giggles – Finding Humor in Genealogy Documents
As genealogists, we occasionally encounter funny genealogy records that makes us giggle. Here's a collection of some of our favorites! Most researchers have felt the thrill of discovering a little-known document that connects the dots on a family tree, but generally a lot of time is spent slogging through pages of records with little to show for the effort. However, researchers who spend copious amounts of time in censuses, wills, and land records are often rewarded with a few giggles to make … [Read more...]
“Where Are My Ancestors From?” 5 Tips for Using Migration Patterns in Family History Research
If you're having difficulty pinpointing your family's origins, these tips are for you! We share how to use migration patterns to extend your family history. You want to extend your family tree as far back as records will allow, but what do you do if you’re having a difficult time pinpointing your family’s origins? Migration patterns and genetic communities offered by DNA testing companies are two of the most overlooked pieces of research we have at our disposal. The following 5 tips will help … [Read more...]
Holiday Traditions from Ancestors Around the World
Holiday traditions can be simple or intricate, but when passed down through generations they become sweeter and help shed light on the way our ancestors lived and celebrated. It is the stories and traditions of our ancestors that turn our hearts to them and help us feel we are part of something greater than our individual selves. For many families the most enduring traditions have been made and kept around the holiday season -- especially Christmas. Out of my eight great-grandparents, … [Read more...]
Beginner’s Guide to Swedish Genealogy Research
Don't be intimidated by patronymic naming patterns! We'll walk explain the basics of Swedish genealogy, and where to find the records you need to extend your Swedish ancestry. Foreign language obstacles and patronymic naming patterns are commonly cited reasons for avoiding Swedish genealogy research. But with an understanding of a few basic concepts, Swedish genealogy research can be simple, fun, and successful! What is a patronymic name? A patronymic name is one that is created when a … [Read more...]
Social Security and Your Immigrant Ancestors
If your immigrant ancestor had a Social Security number, does that mean they were a United States citizen? Find out! Q: My immigrant ancestor had a Social Security number. That proves he became a citizen of the United States, doesn’t it? A: In the 21st century, we tend to view our Social Security numbers as evidence that we are U.S. citizens and assume that only other citizens can file an application for a Social Security number. In fact, many government and other entities use the card the … [Read more...]