I visited Virginia in July 2018 and let me tell you that not only is Virginia for lovers but it’s also full of books, good history, good food, and good people. I traveled the state from the north in Manassas, to the Northern Neck tidewater area, around Tappahannock, over to […]
READING VIRGINIA: A List Of Recommended Books Read More »
James Madison’s Montpelier was the home of James Madison, 4th President of the United States. The grounds of his famous residence are located near Orange, Virginia about 45 minutes northeast of Charlottesville. Although route 20 gets you there quicker, I found that taking the 22/231 up through Gordonsville is a
15 Beautiful Photos of James Madison’s Montpelier Home Read More »
Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello home was built in 1772 upon a 5,000 acre property in Virginia just east of the city of Charlottesville. Originally intended as a plantation for the retiring 3rd President of the United States, Jefferson outfitted the house with many technical innovations that he himself invented. As an
15 Inspirational Photos of Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello Home Read More »
Here are 5 genealogy research mistakes (common greenhorn goofs) that you should avoid at all costs. These are rookie errors that less-than-careless novice genealogists often make, they are logical traps that are easily avoided by simple persistence and brain power! As you know genealogy is much more than NAMES and
Top 5 Genealogy Research Mistakes to Avoid – Greenhorn Goofs! Read More »
April 27th 2018 marks the 153rd anniversary of the sinking of the Sultana in 1865. It also commemorates the worst maritime disaster in US history, even worse than the infamous Titanic. On Friday April 27th through Saturday April 28th, descendants and family of those that were on board that fateful
2018 Sultana Descendants’ Reunion: A Time To Remember Read More »
Is it possible that siblings can have different test results for their ethnicity? Why of course it is! In fact, it is normal for multiple siblings NOT to share the exact same percentage of each representative ethnic part that makes up their genetic whole. It’s about varying part to whole
Why Siblings Have Different Test Results: Autosomal DNA Read More »
If you haven’t read Ron Chernow books then you’re just not that into history! Any serious student of American history knows who Ron Chernow is and that ALL of his books are of the “must-read” status – you don’t just read Ron Chernow, you collect his books. Sufficed to say,
6 Powerful Must-Read Ron Chernow Books & Review Read More »
Every avid reader has a list of their favourite authors and David Hackett Fischer is among my top 20. The importance of this historian comes in the thoroughness of his research and his ability to blissfully marry both data and storytelling into masterful narratives. Fischer stands as an unimpugned example
David Hackett Fischer: 5 Books You Should Read by This Brilliant Historian Read More »
King Mindaugas of Lithuania lived for 60 years and reigned for a combined 27 years of his monumental life. He was the first King of Lithuania and its very first Head Of State, a legacy which has continued all the way until the present day; he united tribes, repelled the
The Founding Of The Lithuanian Nation Under King Mindaugas Read More »
What are “Supplemental Census Questions?” Did you know that the one major thing that changed between the US Census of 1930 and 1940 was the elimination of the ‘NATIVITY OF PARENTS’ section for all respondents? For genealogists this is a huge blow and creates a dearth of data for researchers
How To Find Supplemental Census Questions (1940 Census) Read More »
What we now know as the history of the Union Jack flag is a 3-layered cake consisting of the (1) English Cross of Saint George, (2) the blue and white Scottish Saltire Cross of Saint Andrew, and (3) the red and white Irish Cross of Saint Patrick. The UNION JACK
A History Of The Union Jack Flag of England (Explained!) Read More »
Looking for something genealogy related gift ideas for Mother’s Day? Want to blend family history into this most auspicious of family days? Well look no further, here are 5 genealogy gift ideas for this Mother’s Day. Okay, so let’s start with the most glaringly obvious which I’m not even going
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“The Square and the Tower,” the latest offering by Niall Ferguson, hits you with an almost mystical premise: that networks have permeated history’s most decisive moments. The fact that human beings are social animals is not the revelation, but rather how great historical events can be reanalyzed in terms of
“The Square And The Tower” by Niall Ferguson [Book Review] Read More »
“The Medici: Power, Money, and Ambition in the Italian Renaissance” by Paul Strathern is a sojourn into the elusively secret world of medieval money and politics like I’ve never quite experienced. It was eye-opening on many levels for me. As a historian and an armchair economist I’ve always preferred the
“The Medici” by Paul Strathern [Book Review] Read More »
I took the Family Tree DNA (FTDNA) “My Origins” Family Finder DNA test in 2016, I also did their Y-DNA test way back in 2011. After having had time to consider my results, study the ever-changing science of genetics, and learn more about each of the DNA testing companies in
Family Tree DNA (FTDNA) Family Finder “My Origins” Review Read More »
