Join Us Online or in Person for Savings and Trust: The Rise and Betrayal of the Freedman’s Bank
In the years immediately after the Civil War, tens of thousands of former slaves deposited millions of dollars into the Freedman’s Bank, a new institution envisioned as a launching pad for economic growth and self-determination. Informed by new archival findings, historian Justene Hill Edwards charts the bank’s rise and tragic failure and explores the records that remain. Moderator: Kenyatta D. Berry. Register Now
From the Bookstore at American Ancestors
The Cabot Family of Jersey, 1500-2000– Volume I
This work is the only comprehensive account of this important early Jersey family with connections to present-day Jersey, the UK, the US, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. Volume I covers the Colin Cabot (abt. 1460–1525) family through the 12th generation. The genealogy traces two centuries of the family in Jersey, then follows the descendants of George, John, and Charles Cabot, who immigrated to the United States and founded the family’s three main branches. (Volume II will cover the 13th and later generations and, in two appendices, the Cosmes Cabot family and the George Colburn Cabot adopted family). Purchase Now
The Weekly Genealogist Survey
This Week's Survey:
Discovering Errors in Your Genealogical Research
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.
38%, At least one of my ancestors or relatives saved the life of at least one person.
45%, I am not aware of any of my ancestors or relatives saving anyone’s life.
18%, Someone saved the life of at least one of my ancestors or relatives.
49%, I am not aware of anyone saving the life of any of my ancestors or relatives.
Readers Respond
Cyndy Bell, Townshend, Vermont: In February 1915, my grandfather Leonard Newell, then 21 years old, was buried alive in East Dover, Vermont, along with five other men. An enormous pile of sawdust they were shoveling into their wagons collapsed and shifted. One of the men was buried up to his neck; he dug himself out and uncovered another man. Together, they attempted to extract the men who were buried deeper, including my grandfather. Three of those young men were recovered but a fourth was under four feet of sawdust for at least fifteen minutes and did not survive.
Lara J. Lundgren, St. Paul, Minnesota: My grandfather Herb Meyer (1911–2006), a milkman, had a rare blood type and donated at a time when hospitals could not "bank" blood. When Herb’s type was needed, the hospital would call his wife, Irene (St. John) Meyer (1912–1993), at their home. Irene would then drive Herb’s route until she located him. Herb would leave his route, drive to the hospital, and donate. He would then return to his job and finish his deliveries. While I cannot point to a specific life that he saved, Herb no doubt saved many.
Esther Erman, Mountain View, California: My maternal grandmother, Estera Weltmanova, for whom I'm named, saved my mother's life. When Estera, her other daughter Gella, and her granddaughter Surele were listed on the train for transport from the Pionki ghetto in Poland to another worksite, my mother wanted to volunteer to go with them; these three were all that remained of my mother’s family. Estera refused to allow my mother to put her name on the list, saying, "You might be the one who survives." The train terminated at the death camp Treblinka, where my mother’s mother, sister, and niece all perished.
Kathleen L. Graf, Jacksonville, Florida: In 1938, my grandfather C. J. Collar (1883–1961) was traveling on a rural road from Lakeland, Florida, to West Palm Beach. Also in the car were his son, age 10; a family friend; and the friend’s elderly mother. The car went off the road and into a canal. Fortunately, the canal had a thick growth of hyacinths, which slowed the descent of the car into the water. My grandfather, uncle, and the friend were able to escape through the car windows. Seeing that the elderly woman was trapped, my grandfather swam back to the car and pulled her out through one of the windows. He assisted her to shore, where he discovered she had brought a sack containing three hats with her!
The Latest Stamp Act In a recent post for his Boston 1775 blog, J.L. Bell discusses the “Battlefields of the American Revolution” stamps to be issued this year, to mark the 250th anniversary of the start of the Revolutionary War.
A Few of My Favorite Things Susan Martin, Senior Processing Archivist at the Massachusetts Historical Society, looks at a manuscript called “Preferences,” owned by Susan Cabot (Lowell) Sohier (1823–1868). In the volume, friends were asked to name their preferences in 24 categories. A sampling of responses is included.
Spotlight: Archdiocese of Santa Fe Catholic Cemeteries, New Mexico
by Valerie Beaudrault
The Catholic Cemetery Association has made burial databases available for three cemeteries—Gate of Heaven and Mt. Calvary Cemeteries in Albuquerque, and Rosario Cemetery in Santa Fe. Click the cemetery name in the contents bar to view the cemetery’s history and a map of the grounds. To initiate your search, scroll down and click the Search Burials link. Select a cemetery and follow the prompts to begin. The data fields include full name, dates of birth and death, and burial location information. Search Now
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Making Connections: Interpreting DNA Test Results
Advances in DNA have had major implications for the field of genealogy. With the rise in popularity of commercial testing, the possibility of connecting with previously unknown relatives is greater than ever. Whether you’re new to DNA testing or you have already taken a DNA test, this course will provide you with the knowledge, tools, and strategies to interpret your results, make important genealogical connections, and take your family history research to the next level. Register Now
Black History Revealed: Getting Started with African American Genealogy
Uncover your ancestral roots and celebrate Black History Month at this all-day, interactive genealogy workshop, part of the DC Public Library's “Our City, Our Stories” program series. Designed for beginners and enthusiasts alike, this program will offer engaging presentations, hands-on activities, and the opportunity to connect with experts and fellow attendees. Learn More
Your Legacy. Your Peace of Mind. Your Free Will.
As a family historian, you know that wills are important in your research—but have you created a will for yourself? Free Will, an easy and free online will creation tool, will guide you step-by-step through identifying beneficiaries for your assets, supporting the causes that are important to you, and planning for the preservation of your research. Learn More
