---
title: The Weekly Genealogist, April 27, 2022
---

Every Wednesday, The Weekly Genealogist provides readers with news and information about American Ancestors and the genealogical community.

| View in browser     April 27, 2022   Read past issues Feedback? Email us       In-Person Research Tour—Last Chance! Genealogical Skills Boot Camp   Take your research skills to the next level! This intensive three-day program in Boston will set you on the right path to getting the most out of your family history research and teach you how to tackle genealogical problems like a pro. Topics include: strategies for analyzing records, online research, breaking down genealogical brick walls, and more. May 5–7 Register Now       Benefit Event: Imagining the Jewish Past Three Authors Discuss Jewish History and Literary Inspiration Rescheduled to May 26   Join the Wyner Family Jewish Heritage Center on May 26 at 6 p.m. for a festive evening with renowned authors Anita Diamant, Allegra Goodman, and Rachel Kadish, as they discuss drawing on Jewish history for literary inspiration. Register Now       Spotlight: Nevada County Genealogical Society, California by Valerie Beaudrault   Nevada County is located in the Sierra Nevada of northeastern California, and Nevada City is its county seat. The website of the Nevada County Genealogical Society provides a surname index to vital information published in eight Nevada County newspapers from 1859 to 1870, including births, marriages, deaths, naturalizations, and divorces. Also available are two indexes of mortuary records spanning 1877-1928 and 1940-1955, extracted from the Hooper Weaver Funeral Records index held by the Doris Foley Library for Historical Research. Browse Now       Online Seminar Researching Loyalist Ancestors Learn how to trace colonial ancestors who remained loyal to the Crown in the wake of the Revolutionary War in this three-week course. Live sessions: May 4, 11, and 18 at 6 p.m. (ET).    Register Now Free Online Author Event Dennis Duncan with Index, A History of the Hear from the journalist and lecturer about the little-known history of indexes, and learn how this everyday tool has shaped centuries of knowledge and information. May 10 at 3 p.m. (ET).   Register Now Online Seminar Gardens and Landscapes of Castle Howard Dr. Christopher Ridgway, Curator at Castle Howard, will survey gardens across Yorkshire and chronicle the story of the landscape at Castle Howard. May 24 & 31 at 1 p.m. (ET).   Register Now       What We’re Reading   6 Ways the Past Stank—Literally Author A.J. Jacobs offers “six reasons that you should be happy you and your nose live in modern times.”    This Former Dock Worker Details the Fascinating People and Stories of Philly’s Past for his 17k Followers “’Some people have nobody left to pray for them or tell their story,’ Bob McNulty said. ‘Well, we can remember them. We can pray for them.’”  This Native American Tribe Wants Federal Recognition. A New DNA Analysis Could Bolster Its Case “The new findings could help Mukwema Ohlone prove they never went ‘extinct.’”  Topsham-based Sisters to Reunite with Long-lost German Sibling after 45-year Search Maine sisters Bettina Bellefleur and Britta Albert will meet their German half-sister this July.  “To be ready to act at a minute’s warning” This post from J.L. Bell’s Boston 1775 blog discusses the origin of the “minute man.”  Dance Marathons “In the early twentieth century, dance marathons were an entire industry—and a surprisingly hazardous business.”       The Weekly Genealogist Survey   Last week's survey asked if you have any immigrants in your most recent generations of ancestors. We received 3,517 responses. The results are: 5%, Yes, one or both of my parents was an immigrant. 34%, Yes, one or more of my grandparents was an immigrant. 52%, Yes, one or more of my great-grandparents was an immigrant. 34%, No, all my immigrant ancestors were in earlier generations. <1%, I am not sure if I have any immigrants in my most recent generations of ancestors (through the generation of my great-grandparents.) 1%, I am an immigrant. This week’s survey asks about ancestors who changed their religious beliefs. Take the survey now   Want to share your thoughts on the survey with us? We are always happy to hear from our readers. Email us at weeklygenealogist@nehgs.org. Responses may be edited for clarity and length and featured in a future newsletter.       Readers Respond: Recent Immigrant Ancestors By Jean Powers, Senior Editor   Last week's survey asked if you have immigrants in your most recent generations of ancestors. Thank you to everyone who replied. Below is a selection of reader responses.   Jan Sneesby Aaron, Chicago, Illinois: My paternal grandmother, Minnie Kok Sneesby (called “Big Maw” by her grandchildren), is the most recent of my ancestors to arrive in the United States. “Big Maw” immigrated from The Netherlands with her parents and siblings around 1910. My fondest memories were her serving my sister and me tea so strong it looked like coffee but was generously laced with milk. It was a wonderful hot treat. She was always trying to teach us Dutch but unfortunately the lessons did not stick. She died when I was ten years old.   Richard Josselyn, Andover, Massachusetts: My Irish grandfather, Bernard McQuillan, immigrated to the U.S. twice. In 1873 he arrived in Boston from County Monaghan. He became successful, eventually owning a liquor store, but sold the business and moved back to Ireland with his wife Annie and son Joseph around 1898. He was unsuccessful back in Ireland as he was now considered to be a "Yankee." He brought his son Joseph and three Irish-born daughters, Mary, Theresa, and Catherine (my mother), back to Boston in 1907.   Karen Jones Warren, Park City, Utah: My grandfather, who was of Greek descent, left Turkey and traveled to the U.S. on the SS Laura, following an older brother who immigrated a few years earlier and settled in Minnesota. Both of her brothers were in the Army in France during World War I. Shortly after returning from the war my grandfather met my grandmother in Minnesota—her name was Laura.   Christine Czarnecki, Palo Alto, California: I always enjoy your surveys, and this week's is no exception, but I would like to add another option: Are you married to an immigrant? Yes! Our children are fourteenth-generation Americans on my side (Jamestown) and first-generation Americans on their dad's.       Database News Suffolk County, MA: Probate File Papers   Today we're featuring a recent update to Suffolk County, MA: Probate File Papers. We've recently added Cases 35452-43717, which encompass the years 1848-1861. This database is a partnership between American Ancestors and the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court Archives. The probate cases include wills, guardianships, administrations, and other types of probate records. Search Now       Last Chance: Spring Your Research Forward!  $25 Off Your New American Ancestors Membership   Get started today with $25 off a new American Ancestors membership! Unlock access to more than a billion searchable names, award-winning publications, unique educational resources, and more. Offer valid with code APRIL0422 before 4/30/22 at 11:59 p.m. (ET). Not valid on current membership renewals. Join Now       Educational events brought to you by Vol. 25, No. 17, Whole #1100 Copyright ©2022 New England Historic Genealogical Society. All Rights Reserved,. American Ancestors, 99-101 Newbury Street, Boston, MA 02116, 1-888-296-3447 Unsubscribe Manage preferences |
| --- |