Did you know that the oldest synagogue in the United States is still operating to this day? Completed in 1763, Touro Synagogue survived British occupation during the Revolutionary War and remains a significant touchstone for the Jewish community of Newport, Rhode Island.
Get Your Signed Copy of Curt DiCamillo's New Book!
A British Country House Alphabet, Vol. 1
Tour the country houses of England without leaving your home! This high-quality hardback volume is packed full of beautiful illustrations and fascinating tales from the long histories of these famed buildings. Flip through the pages and discover for yourself why author and acclaimed tour guide Curt DiCamillo has devoted his career to British country houses and the beguiling stories hidden behind their walls. Purchase Now
Last Chance to Register
Researching Immigrant Ancestors to America, 1620–1965
No matter what century your ancestors arrived in America, this five-week online seminar will provide you with everything you need to trace their stories. From passenger lists to naturalization records and beyond, our experts will show you what records exist and how to leverage them in your research. Members Save 10%. Register Now
The Weekly Genealogist Survey
This Week's Survey:
Ancestors Who Were Involved in the American Revolution
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.
Sorting Family Possessions After a Significant Event
Total: 3,228 Responses
77%, Yes, I have given away or donated family possessions.
74%, Yes, I have helped decide who would receive family possessions.
93%, Yes, I have received family possessions.
4%, No, I have never been involved in the process of dividing or disposing of family possessions.
42%, I have arranged for at least some of my possessions to be disposed of in the future.
Readers Respond
Tamsen Munger, Fresno, California: When my mother-in-law passed away, my husband and his brother had to dispose of her belongings. After the more valuable items were appraised, my husband and I and my brother-in-law and his wife gathered to divide everything. We used colored stickers to mark items to keep, give away, or bring to the shared family cabin. This method kept everything as equal as possible. It worked out with very little difficulty. I am trying to think ahead and have asked my family members to tell me if there are any special possessions of mine that they want. I have also made provisions for my genealogy library and research to go to a genealogical society so it can be preserved and housed properly.
Mary Ritz Walling, Hudson, Massachusetts: When it was time to move our widowed 94-year-old dad from the family home he had lived in for 44 years, we five children had to divide the contents. My oldest brother was Dad’s executor. He told each of us to list (and rank) five things we wanted from the house. We gathered at Dad’s house to read our lists, going by birth order. Any duplicate requests were to be decided by coin toss. My list included my childhood bed, a bird's-eye maple four-poster bed with a black walnut headboard. I also chose a pine corner cupboard and a little cabinet that had belonged to Mom’s piano teacher. We divided all the items amicably, with no coin toss needed.
Nancy Stauffer Johnson, Northwood, New Hampshire: I live in a small cabin on a lake. I am in the process of setting up a trust so that my children will inherit the cabin and all the objects in it. The furniture includes a dresser, a desk, a dressing table, and a rocking chair and stool that belonged to my mother. She inherited these items from her aunt Athelia Ann, who died shortly after marrying in 1922.
Suzanne Barnes, Hopkinton, Massachusetts: In 2012, my mother-in-law asked her daughter, daughter-in-law (me), granddaughter, and great-granddaughters to visit. When we arrived, she had all her jewelry laid out on a large table. Certain pieces that were especially important to her were gifted to specific individuals. She invited us to choose what we wanted from the rest. When my mother-in-law died many years later in 2020, we all recalled with fondness this happy and fun day.
What We’re Reading
Declaring Independence Genealogist Carol DiPirro-Stipkovits shares sources that feature information on signers of the Declaration of Independence, as well as their ancestors, descendants, and other relatives.
Spotlight: Scott County Public Library Resources, Kentucky
by Valerie Beaudrault
Scott County, seated in Georgetown, is located in north central Kentucky. The Scott County Public Library has created a digital newspaper archive comprising nearly 75,000 pages from 51 local newspapers. Titles include Georgetown News (1935-1978), The Georgetown Times (1901-1976), Georgetown News And Times (1978-1981), Georgetown Times (1884-1905), and Georgetown Weekly Times (1867-1883). Other resources available from the library website include deed and mortgage books, will books, tax books, circuit court books, a local history index, and birth, marriage, and death records. Databases are keyword searchable and can also be browsed. Search Now
Database News
American History, 1493-1945
American History from AM Explorer collects an enormous wealth of primary source documents from across American history, from the time of the earliest settlers to the mid-twentieth century. This unique database is sourced from the Gilder Lehrman Collection. Members of American Ancestors can search this database as well as many more from our partner organizations. Learn More
American Ancestors Comes to the Midwest Genealogy Center
Join the experts from American Ancestors for a series of lectures, one-on-one consultations, and assisted research at the Midwest Genealogy Center—one of America’s preeminent family history research centers. Access published resources that span all fifty states, including published genealogies, local histories, compiled county records, and more. Register Now
Planning for the Future?
Name Beneficiaries for Your Non-Probate Assets Today
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 assets in one easy place. Preserve your legacy, make sure your loved ones are provided for, and support the causes most important to you—get started today! Learn More
