Free American Inspiration Author Event

Dan Bouk with Democracy’s Data

The census isn’t just a data-collection process, it’s a ritual steeped in America’s history--at once a portrait and a tool of our democracy. In an illustrated talk about the 1940 census, Dan Bouk will share helpful research insights and the human stories behind the numbers. August 30 at 6:30 p.m. (ET). Register Now

Online Seminar

Getting Organized: Research, Files, Findings

Staying organized is an important part of the genealogical process. In this three-week seminar you will learn tips, tools, and best practices for organizing your research and results at every step of your family history journey. Members save 10%. September 7, 14, and 21 at 6 p.m. (ET). Register Now

Spotlight: Obituaries, Talbot Library and Museum, Colcord, OK

by Valerie Beaudrault

The town of Colcord is located in Delaware County, in northeastern Oklahoma. Colcord’s Talbot Library and Museum has compiled from its collections a database of death notices, primarily from northeastern Oklahoma and northwestern Arkansas. Records listed include scrapbooks, death records, and newspaper obituaries. You can browse the database alphabetically by last name. Data fields include name, dates of birth and death, record type, and source location. Copies of obituaries and memorial cards can be requested from the Talbot Library. Search Now

End-of-Summer Sale

Save $25 off Your New Membership

Now is the perfect time to trace your family history.
Save $25 and access over a billion searchable names, family tree software, award-winning publications, and hundreds of helpful online educational tools. Offer valid through the month of August! Join Now

Use discount code: AUGUST22. Offer expires 8/31/22 at 11:59 PM EST. Not valid on current membership renewals (expiration dates of 6/30/22 onward).

In-person Research Tour

Fall Research Getaway

Escape to our Research Center in Boston for three days of research, one-on-one consultations, social events and more, led by our expert genealogists.
October 13–15.

Register Now

In-person Research Tour

Salt Lake City

Navigate the resources of the world’s largest genealogy library with special orientations, tutorials, one-on-one consultations, informative lectures, and more.

November 6–13.

Register Now

What We’re Reading

1 Dress, 8 Weddings: Brides in This Family Have Worn the Same Gown for 72 Years
“‘There was no question that I would become the eighth bride to wear the dress,’ said Serena Stoneberg Lipari, 27.”

Mourning My Only Brother… And then Learning I Had Another All Along
“I spent almost a decade learning to be an 'only' after Matthew died. The un-learning is almost as disorienting.”

This Prince George’s County Plantation Museum Is Bringing Stories of Enslaved People Out of the Shadows
The staff at Riversdale House Museum in Riverdale Park, Maryland, is incorporating the history of the house’s approximately 55 enslaved African American workers into the museum's interpretation.

When Every Ketchup But One Went Extinct
“The main casualty of the catsup war was flavor.”

“Memory Speaks”: How to Reclaim Your Mother Tongue without Having to Relearn It from Scratch
“When Julie Sedivy was four, her family fled their native Czechoslovakia and settled in Canada. Years later, a return trip to the Czech Republic made her realize she could quickly recover her mother tongue through memories.”

Why Can’t You Wear White After Labor Day?
“[T]he best guess is that it had something to do with snobbery in the late 1800s and early 1900s.” 

The Weekly Genealogist Survey

Last week's survey asked if you have any ancestors who lived to be at least 100. We received 3,346 responses. The results are:

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: Long-lived Ancestors

By Jean Powers, Senior Editor

Last week's survey asked about your long-lived and centenarian ancestors. Thank you to everyone who replied. Below is a selection of reader responses.

Captain Phil Johnson, Sandwich, Massachusetts: My great-grandmother, Ellen "Nellie" Minerva Hale, was born in 1859 in Bernardston, Massachusetts, and died in 1964. Nellie mentioned during a holiday dinner that she remembered learning of Lincoln’s assassination when she was six years old. I was amazed by all the significant historical events that occurred during her lifetime.

Robert Shirkey, Northport, Michigan: My 4th-great-grandfather, Arthur Wall of Wake County, North Carolina, died in 1840 at age 119 or 120. Arthur and two of his sons served in the Revolutionary War. Newspapers began running articles about Arthur in 1825 when he was 104 years old. In 1827, it was reported that Arthur had walked three miles and was somewhat fatigued and felt age was creeping up on him; in 1829 Arthur was invited to attend some festivities and replied that he was too busy with his crops and would send his son, a lad of 82.

Lynda Palmer, Sebring, Florida: Elder John, my 5th-great-grandfather, served in the Revolutionary War under General George Washington. Married three times and the father of 14 children, Elder John preached his last sermon shortly before his death at 100 years old.

Lynda J. Hylander, Scottsdale, Arizona: My maternal grandmother, Maude Marie Irene Dabinett Rose, lived to be 106 years and 10 months old! She outlived her husband by almost 40 years. The oldest of nine, she outlived her eight siblings and their spouses. She moved into a nursing home at age 103 when issues with her knees forced her to use a wheelchair.

Susan Clasen: My 4th-great-grandfather, Samuel Leonard, lived to 100 years and 5 months—a fact inscribed on his tombstone at Brick Church Cemetery. He was born November 12, 1740, in Rutland, Mass., and died April 8, 1841, in Canton, New York. Samuel outlived three wives: Rachael Tenney; Silence Ripley, by whom be had 9 children; and Silence’s sister, Abigail Ripley Robinson. He fought in the Revolutionary War, serving in Captain Mitchell’s company of Minutemen at the Lexington Alarm, and was later was involved in the Boston Siege.

Nancy Wakefield, Westbrook, Maine: My paternal grandfather, George Merle Gammon of Livermore, Maine, celebrated his 100th birthday in January of 1982 and lived until the following June. He helped me with my horses and taught me gardening skills. How I loved him!  

Database News

New Searchable Catholic Records Volumes

We've recently announced 41 new volumes to Massachusetts: Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Boston Records,1789-1920 from St. Jean Baptiste (Lowell). This update is part of our multi-year collaboration with the Archdiocese of Boston, and is available to American Ancestors members. Search Now

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