Nazis of Copley Square: The Forgotten Story of the Christian Front
Charles Gallagher discusses his gripping new book, Nazis of Copley Square, which chronicles the evolution of the antisemitic, anticommunist Christian Front in the late 1930s. The book has been called "a searing examination of how a city―where for nearly four centuries the phrase ‘cradle of liberty’ has slipped effortlessly off the tongue with a distinct Boston accent―played host to a group whose leading figures spoke favorably of Nazi Germany.” January 20 at 6 p.m. (ET). Register Now
Free American Inspiration Author Event
Nick Davis with Competing with Idiots: Herman and Joe Mankiewicz, a Dual Portrait
Don't miss the behind-the-scenes story of Herman and Joe Mankiewicz, brothers and famous figures in Hollywood history. Author Nick Davis and cousin Ben, host of Turner Classic Movies, will discuss their grandfather’s and great-uncle’s checkered homelives, careers, and films (including Citizen Kane,The Philadelphia Story,and Cleopatra). Gain their insights on families and the film industry. February 10 at 6 p.m. (ET). Register Now
Online Seminar
Tracing Female Ancestors in America
Women make up 50% of your ancestry, yet their lives, experiences, and even complete names are all too often forgotten by written history. This course will provide resources and strategies for finding maiden names, discuss women’s legal rights through history as they pertain to genealogical documents, explore using mitochondrial DNA to trace maternal lines, and more. Members save 10% on virtual courses! Live broadcasts: February 2, 9, 16, and 23 at 6 p.m. (ET). Register Now
Spotlight: Angelus Cemetery, Alaska
by Valerie Beaudrault
The city of Anchorage is located on Cook Inlet in south central Alaska. It is the state’s largest city. Angelus Cemetery is located in Alaska’s first memorial park. Click the Search Burials link to begin. The database can be searched by first name, last name, date born, date died, and veteran status. Scroll down to view the search results. The data fields are full name, burial location, dates of birth and death, and memorial. Click the Visit link to view the Memorial page of the deceased, which includes the deceased’s obituary or a link to request a copy. Search Now
Online Lecture Annual DiCamillo Rendezvous
In this illustration-rich lecture, Curt DiCamillo, Curator of Special Collections at American Ancestors, explores the jaw-dropping art, storied history, and exquisite palaces associated with Britain's Royal Collection. January 20 at 3 p.m. (ET).
Shop new listings of unique and hard-to-find books and save 10%! No need to enter a coupon code—the 10% discount will automatically appear at checkout. Act now before these titles fly off the shelves!*
Genealogist Melanie McComb will provide an overview of key resources that can be used to research the criminals in your own family tree, including newspapers, jail registers, prison records, court records, and more. February 10 at 3 p.m. (ET)
The Age of the Birth Certificate “When states began restricting labor by children, verifying a person’s age became an important means of enforcement.”
Help Us Identify Members of Congress Who Enslaved People Last week, The Washington Post published the first comprehensive list of every member of the U.S. Congress who enslaved Black people. For the project, The Post researched 5,500 members — all those born before 1840. Additional research is needed for 600 members.
The Prison Cell of Ludger Sylbaris The cell, in Saint-Pierre, Martinique, saved the life of Ludger Sylbaris, “the man who lived through Doomsday.”
The Weekly Genealogist Survey
Last week's survey asked how much time you spend on genealogical pursuits in a typical week. We received 3,027 responses. The results are:
33%, 0 to 3 hours
23%, 4 to 7 hours
16%, 8 to 14 hours
12%, 15 to 21 hours
6%, 22 to 29 hours
7%, More than 30 hours
3%, I don’t know.
This week’s survey asks if any of your ancestors or relatives had a book-related job or career. 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: Time Spent on Genealogical Pursuits
By Jean Powers, Senior Editor
Last week's survey how much time you spend on genealogical pursuits in a typical week. Thank you to everyone who replied. Below is a selection of reader responses.
Howland Davis, Akron Ohio: I would guess that I spend almost thirty hours a week on genealogical pursuits. I research my own family and am also the president and newsletter editor of my local genealogical society chapter.
Deb Del Nero, Newport, Rhode Island: Over the last decade, the amount of time I spent on genealogical research dwindled considerably as my life took many twists and turns. I am remedying that lapse this month when I begin Boston University’s Genealogical Principles online class. My time spent on genealogical pursuits will go from zero hours per week to at least fifteen!
Penny Briggs, Mystic, Connecticut: Over my thirty years of genealogical research, I’ve gone from frequenting the Family History Library, town halls, and local libraries to spending hours at my computer. I lose track of time when I perform genealogical research. I'm downright obsessive! I work mostly on my own family trees but I can't resist the challenge if anyone asks me for help—I'm immediately on the trail.
Mary Ames Mitchell, San Rafael, California: I would spend more than thirty hours each week on genealogy if I didn’t also love spending time with my grandchildren and camping with my dog. I have published five books on my ancestors. I’m currently updating a book on my family tree, which I will publish in hardcover for my family. Every time I think I’ve completed my work, I find more ancestors on the NEHGS website!
Database News
New Searchable Catholic Records Volumes
This week we’re announcing the addition of 33 new volumes to Massachusetts: Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Boston Records,1789-1920 from St. Hedwig (Cambridge), Our Lady of Grace (Chelsea), Sacred Heart (Ipswich), St. Michael (Lynn), St. Ann (Marlborough), St. Catherine of Siena (Norwood), St. John-St. Hugh and St. Mary of the Angels (Roxbury), St. Mary (Salem), Immaculate Conception (Stoughton), and Sacred Heart (Weymouth). This update is part of our multi-year collaboration with the Archdiocese of Boston. Search Now
Fall Issue of the Register Now Available!
The Fall 2021 issue of the Register, America’s premier genealogical journal, is now available online for American Ancestors members. The lead article is on Degory Priest of the Mayflower, followed by an article on Mark and Ruth (Brown) Parmelee and her Brown family of Colchester, Connecticut. Other articles treat the family of Samuel Mills of Dedham, Massachusetts; three men named Benjamin Streeter; the English origins of Walter Tybbot of Gloucester, Massachusetts; the wives of Francis Boughey in England; English records of Robert Woodmansee; and a continuation of the article on William Woodbury of Salem and Beverly, Massachusetts. Read the Register online
Catching Up with Vita Brevis
The turn of the calendar year prompted several posts specific to the season: Jan Doerr considered some changes in the way Christmas is (and was) celebrated; Amy Whorf McGuiggan remembered Bernice James de Pasquali, a leading opera soprano in her day (and a native of Hull, Mass.) who made sure to return home for Christmas; Stephanie Call listed the top eight achievements of 2021 for the Wyner Family Jewish Heritage Center; and Scott Steward looked back over the past year at Vita Brevis in two year-end posts. Christopher C. Child examined the ubiquity of the surname Waldo; Rhonda McClure offered a primer on the complexities of Connecticut probate districts; and Jeff Record used the "Blondie" comic and film series as a metaphor for confidence in one's own research. Subscribe to Vita Brevis
*Promotional discount will automatically be applied at checkout. Membership discounts do not apply to this promotion. Prices valid through 01/31/22, while supplies last.
