Holocaust survivor had no clue who he was. A MyHeritage DNA test found family and his name.

Paula Stuart-Warren  Uncategorized  ,  2 Comments

An amazing story of a young child now an older adult being reunited with family due to a match from his MyHeritage DNA test. The MyHeritage blog has the full story of family in two distant countries matching. If you are interest in match stories and reunions, check for more on the MyHeritage blog.

From the blog: “Until several months ago, Shalom Korai, 83, knew nothing about his past: not who his parents were, not his given name, not a single detail. He was a man without roots.”

Read the blog post here https://blog.myheritage.com/2024/01/holocaust-survivor-orphaned-as-a-toddler-finds-his-family-thanks-to-a-myheritage-dna-match/. You’ll be glad you did. Wow.


NARA has caught up on Veteran Record Requests

Paula Stuart-Warren  National Archives  ,  Leave a comment

I received this new presss release just minutes ago! The National Archive’s National Personnel Records Center (NPRC) in St. Louis has done what must have seemed impossible. It’s most important that the NPRC first do the work for veterans and their family members in need of benefits. The full Press Release is here https://www.archives.gov/press/press-releases/2024/nr24-10



Minnesota Genealogical Society’s Hoffman Research Library Offers Personalized Help

Paula Stuart-Warren  Libraries, Minnesota Genealogical Society    1 Comment

The Minnesota Genealogical Society’s Mid-Month Education News for January 2024 nicely laid out the special days at the Hoffman Library for researchers seeking extra assistance in using the library, in some of the associated groups that also have materials at the library, and beyond. The library is open four days each week and on Thursday evenings until 8:00 p.m. CT. It’s a volunteer-run library and has been since October 1985. The library covers much more than Minnesota, but the Minnesota collection is huge. The library is currently located in Mendota Heights, a suburb of Saint Paul at 1385 Mendota Heights Road, Suite 100, Mendota Heights, MN  55120-1367. (651) 330-9312.

Here’s the text from the newsletter that explains this and more.


Most family researchers are relatively comfortable looking at resources in their own language and current homeland. But brick walls may start to form when they cross borders, oceans, continents, and languages in their search for relatives.

Don’t you wish you had a live guide through the many country-focused resources available at the Hoffman Research Library? If you can make it to the Minnesota Genealogy Center in Mendota Heights, you CAN get one-on-one help with your genealogy problems. The groups, affiliates, and partners listed below dedicate their time each month to meeting with users in person. They can answer questions, explain specific print resources, and even demonstrate the databases available at the MGC.

Wait – there’s more!  If you are outside the area, they may also be able to help you from afar. Some of the groups have research committees who are willing to take inquiries and do look-ups for you. Click on the relevant links at the bottom of every issue of this newsletter to check out their specific websites for details. There is a lot of good stuff to be found there.

Canadian – third Saturday of the month, 10:00 am to 1:00 pm

German – third Saturday of the month from 1:00 to 4:00 pm after the German Document Translation Group meeting  NEW

Irish – second Saturday of the month, from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm

Polish – first Saturday of the month from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm, and each Thursday from 4:00 to 8:00 pm

Pommern – first Saturday in February, May, August, and November, from 10:00  am to 1:00 pm prior to quarterly meetings

Swedish – third Thursday of the month from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm

The Hoffman Research Library is scheduled to be open on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays 10 am – 4 pm and Thursdays 10 am – 8 pm –  when there are enough volunteers to staff it. It may also close due to adverse weather conditions. Please check our website for closures as you plan your visit.


The 1931 Canadian census is fully indexed and searchable on FamilySearch!

Paula Stuart-Warren  census, Uncategorized  , ,  Leave a comment

FamilySearch Press Release today:

SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH, 16 January 2024—FamilySearch, the world’s largest genealogical organization, and Libraries Archive Canada (LAC), are happy to announce the completion of the free, fully searchable index and images of the 1931 Census of Canada. This significant achievement is a remarkable resource for genealogists, historians, and anyone interested in uncovering their Canadian roots. Search the census now at FamilySearch.org.

The digital images of the 1931 Census of Canada, the 7th census for Canada, were made available by the Libraries and Archives Canada in June of 2023. Ancestry®, and nonprofit FamilySearch, then went to work extracting information written on each enumerated page to create a name-searchable index of over 10 million people waiting to be discovered from its 234,678 pages.

Key Highlights of the 1931 Census of Canada Release

  • Full Accessibility: Each enumerated page of the historic 1931 Census of Canada has been digitized and made available online, ensuring that researchers worldwide can access this invaluable resource from the comfort of their homes.
  • Fully Searchable Name Index: With the introduction of a fully searchable name index, individuals can now easily locate their ancestors and discover unique insights about their lives. Whether you’re seeking birthplaces, occupations, or household members, FamilySearch’s robust search functionality yields a high probability you will discover your Canadian ancestors if they are in the census.
  • High-Quality Images: The release includes high-quality images of the original census records, preserving the historical integrity of the documents while enabling users to view them in remarkable detail.
  • Collaborative Effort: This project was made possible through the collaborative efforts of FamilySearch and Ancestry.com, which transcribed and indexed the records, and the Library and Archives Canada, which generously provided access to the census materials.

FamilySearch invites anyone with Canadian roots to explore the 1931 Census of Canada and embark on a journey through time to uncover their family’s stories. This release aligns with our commitment to help preserve and provide access to the world’s genealogical records, making family history discoveries more possible for all.

To access the 1931 Census of Canada and begin your journey of discovery, please visit FamilySearch.org.


Buckman, Minnesota, Origin of the Name

Paula Stuart-Warren  Minnesota, Uncategorized  ,  Leave a comment

I’ve written about Buckman before and I try to drive through the town about once a year. Several summers during my childhood were spent in Buckman. My maternal Aunt Jeannie took me there before she remarried to spend a few days with her late husband’s grandparents. As a city girl, it was a shock when we had to make use of the outhouse and had to pump water. That part aside, I enjoyed my time with Grandpa Matt (Mathias) and Grandma Anna Mueller. They were both born in Germany and I wish I could remember if they spoke German while I was there. Mathias emigrated as a baby with his parents. Anna was about five years old when her family emigrated.

A recent alert from Google led me to a story about how Buckman got its name. It had less than 0 residents when I was there as a child and today it has 307 residents. “It was established in 1869 and was named after one it’s early settlers, Clarence B. Buckman. Buckman later became a United States Representative in 1881 and was a Minnesota Senator for 3 terms and he was also a U.S. Marshal.”

Read more about the town history and How Buckman Got It’s Name; The Story of Buckman that was posted from St. Cloud radio station WJON back in December. The printed story that link ttakes you to, included some photos including an aerial photo of Buckman. I checked with another grandson (Greg) of the Muellers to verify which house belonges to the Muellers. That is marked with a red arrow on the aerial view below. St. Michael’s Roman Catholic Church is in the middle of the photo and the cemetery is across the street from the church. I was thrilled as a child when I was allowed to ring the church bell.

One of my past posts about Buckman and my uncle by marriage: https://genealogybypaula.com/2017/11/2017-veterans-day-has-new-meaning-as-a-pow-uncle-is-returned/


My work this week? Final Preparation for the Salt Lake Institute of Genealogy Northern Plains Course.

Paula Stuart-Warren  Education, Native American  , , ,  Leave a comment

The 29th annual Salt Lake Institute of Genealogy (SLIG) takes place January 22-26, 2024, virtually. With the increase in various viruses spreading, that virtual part is smart news. I am working on the final touches in my presentations for Course 8: “Researching Along the Northern Plains” that is coordinated by Gary Ball-Kilbourne. The syllabus material was turned in long ago and some extra pages for my sessions will be made available to students.

What are the Northern Plains? For this course, Gary has described it as “the entirety of North Dakota, South Dakota, and Nebraska, plus western Minnesota, western Iowa, and eastern Montana.”

Students are going to be amazed at the varied resources we have at our fingertips and by contacting and visiting the various repositories in our target states.

My sessions take place on Tuesday morning, January 23d.

Native Americans of the Northern Plains: Repositories, Records, and Connections, I & II

I cover methods for locating and using the abundant and rich sources to research Native American family history. The discussion and syllabus cover Indian census and annuity rolls, oral history, manuscripts, Indian school records, church records, and Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) and related collections at the U.S. National Archives locations in Washington, DC, Kansas City, and Denver. The importance of understanding the historical context of the records, and the lives they reflect, will be discussed.

Many are unaware of the connections between the original residents of these Northern Plains states and those who came later including marriage, children, businesses, trading, and farming. Learn about the records available at county, state, and national repositories, and the connections between the various areas of the Northern Plains. My work in these records for individuals, historical societies, law firms, and Tribes covers several decades.

To learn more about the other great sessions in this course, visit this link and scroll down to Course 8. https://slig.ugagenealogy.org/cpage.php?pt=648.

Free Board for Certification of Genealogists Sponsored 2024 Webinars

Paula Stuart-Warren  Uncategorized, Webinars  , ,  Leave a comment

Registration for the Board for Certification of Genealogists’ (BCG) twelve monthly webinars in 2024 is now live at its partner website Legacy Family Tree Webinars. (https://familytreewebinars.com/upcoming-webinars/?category=visit-www-bcgcertification-org).  

BCG Upcoming Webinars Dates, topics, and speakers are shown below:

16 Jan 2024 Shannon Green, CG “The Genealogical Proof Standard (GPS): A Review”

20 Feb 2024 Jerry Smith, CG “Metes & Bounds Land Plats Solve Genealogical Problems”

19 Mar 2024 Jill Morelli, CG, CGL “Maternal Threads Unwoven: Identifying Margareta’s Mother in 18th Century Sweden”

16 Apr 2024 Anne Morddel, CG “French Emigrants: They Were Not All Huguenots, or Nobles, or from Alsace-Lorraine”

21 May 2024 Thomas W. Jones, PhD, CG, “Editing Your Own Writing – Part 1”

18 Jun 2024 Thomas W. Jones, PhD, CG “Editing Your Own Writing – Part 2”

16 Jul 2024 David Ouimette, CG, CGL “Oral Genealogy in Asia-Pacific: The Essence of Personal Identity and Tribal Connections”

20 Aug 2024 Debbie Mieszala, CG “He Had a Brother Who Disappeared: Finding John H. Hickey, Formerly of Rockton, Winnebago County, Illinois”

17 Sep 2024 LaBrenda Garret-Nelson, JD, LLM, CG, CGL, FASG, “A Myriad of Slave Databases”

15 Oct 2024 Robbie Johnson, CG “Sense and Sensibility: The Power of Logic, Intuition, and Critical Thinking”

19 Nov 2024 Yvette Hoitink, CG “Dear Me: Writing Research Reports to Yourself”

17 Dec 2024 Mary Kircher Roddy, CG “Lost and Found: Locating Ancestral Origins with FAN Club and DNA”

“Education is one of the most significant ways of achieving BCG’s mission for promoting public confidence in genealogy through uniform standards of competence,” said President Faye Jenkins Stallings, CG. “We appreciate this opportunity to provide these webinars that focus on the standards that help family historians of all levels practice good genealogy.”

Following the free period for these webinars, BCG receives a small commission if you view any BCG webinar by clicking at our affiliate link: http://legacy.familytreewebinars.com/?aid=2619. For access to all BCG webinars, see the BCG Webinar Library at Legacy Family Tree Webinars (http://legacy.familytreewebinars.com/?aid=2619).

To see the full list of BCG-sponsored webinars for 2024, visit the BCG blog SpringBoard at https://bcgcertification.org/bcg-2024-free-webinars. For additional resources for genealogical education, please visit the BCG Learning Center (https://bcgcertification.org/learning).


Native American recognition in a movie and at the Golden Globes, Lily Gladstone!

Paula Stuart-Warren  Native American  ,  Leave a comment

Have you had the opportunity to watch the movie, Killers of the Flower Moon? It is based on a true story about the discovery of oil on Osage Nation Land in Oklahoma. Members of the Osage Nation were being murdered, many involved in supposedly trying to solve the murders were not honest, and finally the FBI did step in. The murders were committed by people determined to gain access to any wealth of Osasge members due to their ownership of valuable mineral rights.

Another issue I had previously learned from historical research is that the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) and its handling of the mineral rights of Tribal members across the U.S. was not without graft, lies, and cheating. Many Native Americans were not receiving all their mineral right funds in a timely fashion from the BIA. It was sad to read that people died while the BIA and other government officials took their time in these matters. Some were cheated out of what was rightfully their own income due to bureauocracy. The National Archives holds BIA material related to correspondence, payments, and inheritance rights for much of Indian Country.

Lilly Gladstone, who has Indigenous roots, was a star in the movie and won the Golden Globe award for Best Female Actor in a Drama Motion Picture. I watched it live and highly recommnd it. You can watch and listen to her wonderful acceptance speech at the Golden Globes this past Sunday. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lvdCkh1SDfQ

Emerging from a quiet genealogy blog time

Paula Stuart-Warren  Family, Uncategorized  , ,  Leave a comment

Yes, I have been quiet on my blog. Yesterday, 7 January 2024, our family finally had our Christmas, not just for 2023, but for 2020, 2021, and 2022, too! Pandemic and family illnesses cancelled previous years. Some of us did get together in smaller groups.

My oldest son and family, my daughter and family, my bonus granddaughter, and my bonus son were finally all in the same place at the same time. I do have one more son, but he has chosen to stay away from the family for many years. We have learned to not let that rule our get togethers. Fingers crossed he’ll show up one day in the future.

First, we all went to the 9-year-old’s hockey in Princeton, Minnesota and saw him score a goal! He is on a traveling hockey team out of Saint Cloud. Then we met for a late lunch, gifts, and games at a local restaurant. One of the best days ever as we shared hugs, stories, kidding each other, lots of laughter, and sharing some memories.

Between genealogy client research and consulting work, getting ready for my 2024 upcoming presentations, and my renewal project for my Certified Genealogist® credential, it’s been a wild last few months. I made my deadline for turning in my renewal work for judging with four hours to spare.

My 2024 speaking calendar has been updated and there are still some open dates. Let me know if your organization is seeking a webinar or seminar speaker and I will provide details

.