The holidays have a way of bringing memories to the surface, the smell of a favorite recipe, the sound of a song you’ve heard since childhood, the sight of ornaments that have been carried from home to home over generations.But traditions don’t just happen. They grow, evolve, and endure because someone chooses to carry them…
The holiday season often brings a rush of shopping, wrapping, and worrying about what to give loved ones. But some of the most meaningful gifts aren’t bought — they’re created. And as family historians, we have something priceless to share: stories, memories, and captured moments that would otherwise fade away. Here are seven simple, heartfelt…
The holidays are one of the rare times when multiple generations gather under one roof. Between the laughter, meals, and traditions, there is also an incredible opportunity — the chance to capture stories while the storytellers can still share them. Here are 10 meaningful questions to guide conversations this December. 1. What is your earliest…
Holiday traditions are some of the most powerful memory-anchors in family history. We may forget dates and names, but we remember the smell of a recipe, the sound of a favorite song, or the feeling of decorating a tree with someone we loved. Here’s how to preserve these traditions so they live beyond your lifetime….
November is a month of gathering a time when families come together around tables, traditions, and stories that have shaped us for generations. Whether your loved ones live nearby or are traveling home for the holiday season, this month creates natural opportunities to connect, listen, and preserve the memories that matter most. As genealogists and…
As genealogists, we often search for names, dates, and documents, but November reminds us that behind every record lies something greater: gratitude. Each ancestor’s life, every story we uncover, becomes part of a larger gift, the story of how we came to be who we are. When we approach genealogy with gratitude, our research shifts…
Every October, genealogists and family historians around the country celebrate National Family History Month, a time to reconnect with our roots, rediscover forgotten stories, and preserve the legacies that shape who we are. Whether you’ve been researching for years or just beginning to explore your ancestry, this month offers the perfect reminder to slow down…
Return to the June 2025 Newsletter June 19th, known as Juneteenth, marks a pivotal moment in American history, the final enforcement of the Emancipation Proclamation in 1865, when Union troops arrived in Galveston, Texas, and freed the last enslaved African Americans. Though the Emancipation Proclamation had been issued more than two years earlier, it wasn’t…
Return to the June 2025 Newsletter A Father’s Day Tribute from the Heart of Your Family Tree Father’s Day isn’t just about ties, tools, and BBQs, it’s a powerful opportunity to honor the men who shaped our families and remember those who came before them. Whether your father is still with you or part of…
Memorial Day and other national days of remembrance are powerful reminders of the lives and sacrifices behind the names in our family trees. For genealogists and family historians, they offer an opportunity—not just to reflect, but to discover and preserve the military legacies woven into our ancestry. In this post, we’ll explore how to uncover…
As Memorial Day approaches, many of us prepare for backyard barbecues, travel plans, and the long weekend. But for those of us who study the past, genealogists, family historians, and preservationists, it is a sacred time for reflection. Memorial Day, originally known as Decoration Day, began after the Civil War to honor fallen Union soldiers….
