“National DNA Day is a unique day when students, teachers and the public can learn more about genetics and genomics. The day commemorates the completion of the Human Genome Project in 2003 and the discovery of DNA’s double helix in 1953.” https://www.genome.gov/dna-day. Check the various genealogy DNA testing companies (Ancestry.com, FamilyTreeDNA, MyHeritage, 23andMe, and Living […]
April is National Volunteer Month and this week, 20-26 April, is National Volunteer Week. Last night I did some thinking about my volunteer activities over the years. You don’t need to read all these, but it might give you some ideas of where you can be of help. The friends and colleagues I gained from […]
If you’ve checked my Speaking calendar lately you likely noticed this listing. August 8-9, 2025. Two-day in-person Institute as part of the Minnesota Genealogical Society‘s education programs. The NEW Upper Midwest Genealogical Institute (UMGI)! Join us for this special institute held at the Midwest Genealogy Center in the Saint Paul/Minneapolis suburb of Mendota Heights. Amidst […]
I am about to leave for a genealogy meeting but wanted to be sure you saw this news before I left. Valid only today until 11:59 pm ET.
The War of 1812 U.S. pension records have been on subscription site Fold3.com for many years. It’s an ongoing project that began under the auspices of the former Federation of Genealogical Societies (FGS) and the U.S. National Archives. FGS embarked on a fund-raising project to ensure these were digitized and then remain FREE for researchers. […]
I recently learned of a new addition to the Minnesota Digital Library (MDL). The Northwest Minnesota History Center at Minnesota State University Moorhead recently contributed the Solomon G. Comstock collection, which includes documents and correspondence “with over 200 Civil War veterans or widows of veterans about their pension claims, from about 1889-1891.” I knew that […]
FREE BCG-SPONSORED WEBINAR“Applying Research Standards to the Census”by Diane MacLean Boumenot, CGTuesday, February 18, 2025, 8:00 p.m. (EST) After years of using census records, genealogists may take for granted that they’re using them fully and correctly. But as they learn about genealogy standards and best practices, do they go back and re-think their census practices? […]
I was recently interviewed about my new online course for the GRIP Genealogy Institute June 22-27, 2025. Jeanette Sheliga was so much fun to talk with and her questions were perfectly directed. You can view it by visiting https://grip.ngsgenealogy.org/courses/beyond-digging-deeper-sources-methods-and-practices/. It features the image of part of my own office and reference bookshelves at home. That […]
The Ramsey County Historical Society has announced that St. Paul Building Permit Collection is now online. My warning is that it is not the original records, but information copied during the New Deal Works Progress Administration (WPA) era. I have not yet used the online access. “This is a collection of index cards and permit […]
A variety of Minnesota media outlets are mentioning these 2024 grants. To receive a security and safety grant, the county must apply. Even though this is a great program, I wonder what additional funding each courthouse needs to protect everyone and to make entrances, stairways, storage, and other locations safe for all? I’ve researched at […]