Writing History: Rick Atkinson Talks with Ryan J. Woods about American History and the Revolution Trilogy
As we mark the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution, celebrated historian Rick Atkinson will explore the people, passions, and battles that ignited and sustained the war in this special online event. In conversation with Ryan J. Woods, President and CEO of American Ancestors, Atkinson will share insights on the process of researching and writing histories, including The Fate of the Day: The War for America, Fort Ticonderoga to Charleston, 1777-1780, the latest book in his Revolution Trilogy. Learn More
Celebrate the New Year with Free Admission to the Family Heritage Experience on Thursdays in January
Are you curious about your family history? The Family Heritage Experience invites visitors to explore interactive exhibits and family heirloom displays for free on Thursdays throughout January. Learn about your family’s place in history from American Ancestors, a trusted leader in genealogy and historical research.
Ancestors or Relatives Who Participated in a Gold or Silver Rush
Share your story! Each week in our Readers Respond column, we publish a selection of reader-submitted stories related to our most recent survey. Submissions must be 150 words or fewer and include your full name, city, and state. Published responses will be edited for clarity and length.
30%, I will make better use of resources on the American Ancestors website.
39%, I will investigate new online resources.
12%, I have other genealogical resolutions not listed above.
13%, I am not making any genealogical resolutions this year.
57%, I will organize research papers, files, and photographs that I have accumulated.
41%, I will write up some of my family history.
12%, I will publish a genealogy, family history book, or article.
56%, I will share genealogical information with other members of my family.
8%, I will interview and/or record family members for posterity.
28%, I will seek out new relatives.
37%, I will share and/or preserve family photographs and/or movies.
9%, I will join a genealogical society.
36%, I will attend an in-person or virtual lecture, program, or conference.
20%, I will take a trip to a research repository.
23%, I will take a research trip to a location where my ancestors lived.
4%, I will take a DNA test for genealogical purposes.
Readers Respond
Peggy Baer, Broomfield, Colorado: After fifty years researching my genealogy, I have decided it is time to do a final pass through my files and photos. Any records that are available online or have proved incorrect or unhelpful will be culled. I will identify the subjects of each photo I save. In my remaining time, I will focus on writing my memoirs and hammering away at several brick walls.
Pat Molloy, Naples, Florida: My mother turns 100 in June. I've been working on her ancestry for the past ten years. Her earliest ancestor in the US arrived in 1628. I will spend the next five months writing my research and publishing it as a book for her birthday.
David L. Cummings, Cleveland, Tennessee: In 2026, I will write up my search for my fourth great-grandfather. After sixty years of research, I have concluded that he will probably never be identified. Y-DNA studies have enabled me to find more distant ancestors, but a gap in both genetic information and print documentation exists for generations in the 1730 to 1760 period.
Margaret Anderson, Garland, Texas: Last year, I published the first volume of my family history. This year I will publish my research on my husband’s lineage and share the results with his family. I learned that my husband and I are 13th cousins 1x removed and we have fifty-one Revolutionary War patriots between us.
Julie Robinson Tarmy, Nahant, Massachusetts: Through DNA testing, I discovered that my paternal grandparents are not my biological grandparents and that Ella Walsh, who I thought was my great aunt, is actually my paternal grandmother. Ella was a single woman when my dad was born in 1916. My dad was raised by Ella and his maternal grandparents while his supposed parents toured the country as a vaudeville song and dance act. In 2026, I will be seeking out new, previously unknown relatives. I hope to find information using American Ancestors resources.
What We’re Reading
The Year in Neanderthals “They drew with crayons, possibly fed on maggots and maybe even kissed us: Forty millenniums later, our ancient human cousins continued to make news.”
Mystery as Hundreds of Victorian Shoes Wash Up on Beach “The black leather boots, thought to date back to the 19th Century, were discovered by volunteers cleaning up rock pools on Ogmore By Sea Beach in the Vale of Glamorgan, south Wales.”
Spotlight: Douglas County Cemetery Index, Oregon
by Valerie Beaudrault
Douglas County, seated in Roseburg, islocated in southwestern Oregon. The Genealogical Society of Douglas County has made an alphabetical by surname index to burials in Douglas County available on its website.Click the relevant letter-range link to begin your search. The data fields in the index include full name, year of birth, year of death, and cemetery name. Click the Cemetery Locations link to access directions to the cemeteries. Other information under Cemetery Locations includes the number of graves, GPS coordinates, and the date the inventory was taken. Search Now
FREE Download Guide
Getting Started Digitizing Your Family Papers & Photographs
Do you have boxes of family papers, photographs, and letters in your basement or attic? One of the best ways to ensure that these resources survive and are accessible for family members far and wide is to digitize them.
This download will provide best practices for digitizing your family papers and photographs at home, including recommendations for what scanning equipment and software to use, how to organize your files, and when to seek professional assistance. Download Now
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
