Do you want to make real headway in your family history research? The databases, genealogists, and millions of unique collections at American Ancestors can help! Join us for a special online discussion that highlights the many benefits and services available to members. Register Now
From the Bookstore at American Ancestors
Genealogist’s Handbook for Portuguese Research
Modeled on our other popular Genealogist’s Handbooks, this is the first essential guide to finding your ancestors from mainland Portugal, the Azores, and Madeira. We also provide information for Brazilians with Portuguese ancestry. After reading the primer on genealogical research principles and a brief history of Portuguese immigration, follow our step-by-step approach to searching first in U.S. records and then in Portuguese records. Includes real-life examples, detailed maps, key terms in English and Portuguese, and activities to reinforce your new skills. This book will give you the tools—and the confidence—to dive into researching your Portuguese family history!
When it comes to Irish research, knowing the county your ancestor came from is not enough! Join Irish experts at American Ancestors for a five-session online seminar that will help you navigate the basics of Irish migrations to the United States and Canada, lead you to key records, provide strategies for finding origins when records fall short, and demonstrate how DNA can help. This online seminar will cover both Ireland and Northern Ireland. Register Now
The Weekly Genealogist Survey
This Week's Survey:
Grandmothers or Great-Grandmothers Who Were Primary Breadwinners in Their Families
Share your thoughts about the survey!Please limit submissions to 150 words or fewer. Your submission may be featured in an upcoming newsletter or shared on social media; please note in your email if you do not want your story to be shared. Published responses may be edited for clarity and length.
Have You Donated Any Ancestral Artifacts, Photographs, or Documents to a Museum, Historical Society, Genealogical Society, or Another Type of Institution?
Total: 3,117 Responses
41%, Yes
26%, Not yet, but I intend to
34%, No
Readers Respond
Steve Clarke, Churchville, New York: My wife and I turn 80 this year and are downsizingour collections as we prepare to move to an independent living place for seniors. I will continue my genealogy research, but I will not have room for all my filing cabinets and our collection of family artifacts. We have donated nine bankers’ boxes of records, Bibles, marriage certificates, ledgers, and other primary source documents—three each to the county historians in Lewis, Jefferson, and Wyoming Counties, New York, where our families settled more than 150 years ago. Larger objects, such as books, tools, jewelry, and clothing were donated to local historical societies or given to family members. It has been a difficult and sometimes painful process, but we are glad that these materials will be preserved for future researchers.
Geoffry Phillips McEnany, Peaks Island, Maine: My great-grandfather Oliver Newman Leavitt was a Union Civil War veteran who served in the 32nd Maine infantry and later in the 31st Maine when his original unit was decimated at the Battle of the Crater. When my mother passed away, I inherited Oliver's entire military archive, including elements of his uniform, military decorations, documents, a large newspaper archive detailing his military experience, the flag which draped his casket, photographs, and even his musket. I worked with a historical conservator for several years to preserve the collection. Since Oliver was a resident of Peaks Island, Maine, I donated his entire collection to the 5th Maine Museum on Peaks Island. A portion of the collection is on exhibit at the museum today.
Melynda Brenton, Aztec, New Mexico: During World War II, my great-grandmother Ethel Jane “Makey” Sperry worked on Project Camel (a component of the Manhattan Project) at Cal Tech in Pasadena, California. Our family donated Makey’s original documents to the Cal Tech archives. Some of the papers provided new information not previously seen by the archivists. Project Camel employed at least 1,000 civilian employees, but Makey is the only woman documented as working on the project. Her papers indicate that she was inspected test practice fuses and possibly also the two combat weapons dropped on Japan.
Spotlight: Andrews County Library Community History Archive, Texas
by Valerie Beaudrault
Andrews County, seated in the city of Andrews, is located in west Texas. The Andrews County Library has made a number of resources available in its Community History Archive. The newspaper collection comprises more than 108,000 pages from forty-one titles including Andrews County News (1937-2023), The Andrews County News (2019-2020), Mustang (2012-2014), and Seymour News (1898-1901). In addition, the digital collection includes five school yearbook databases (1945-2019) and an 1876 selection from the Andrews County History, a publication of the Andrews County Historical Commission. The database can be searched by keyword or browsed. Search Now
Database News
Update: The Mayflower Descendant, Volume 72
We have added Volume 72 (2024) to the Mayflower Descendant database. This update adds 222 pages, 4,095 records, and 4,065 searchable names. The indexing for these records includes full names, publication year (not the year of the record), article titles, and authors. This database is only available to American Ancestors members at the Individual level and above.Search Now
Non-probate assets such as an IRA, 401(k), or life insurance policy are not covered in your will or trust—you must name beneficiaries separately. Our friends at FreeWill.com have provided a free and secure online tool to guide you through naming beneficiaries for your non-probate assets. Learn More
