When locating Irish ancestors, knowing their county of origin is not enough—you also need the townland and parish. Discovering that information can be the biggest challenge in Irish family history research. This online seminar will describe how to navigate records, provide strategies for when records fall short, and demonstrate how DNA can help. March 19 at 2 p.m. (ET). Register Now
Free Virtual American Inspiration Author Event
Jack E. Davis with The Bald Eagle: The Improbable Journey of America's Bird
The Pulitzer Prize-winning historian presents a sweeping cultural and environmental history of the bald eagle in America, telling the story of our country in relation to the natural world. Naturalist Scott Weidensaul will join him in conversation. Presented in partnership with Mass Audubon and Porter Square Books. March 24 at 6 p.m. (ET).
The Building of Castle Howard: Just Where Did This House Come From?
Christopher Ridgway will trace the origins of Castle Howard as it developed according to the vision of the Earl of Carlisle in the early 18th century, transforming a corner of Yorkshire into a sublime landscape filled with monuments, lakes, woodlands, and gardens. March 18 at 1 p.m. (ET) Register Now
Spotlight: Pella Community Memory Database, Iowa
by Valerie Beaudrault
The city of Pella is located in Marion County in south central Iowa. The Pella Community Memory Database is compiled by the Pella Public Library in cooperation with the Pella Historical Society & Museums, and contains 5,500 digitized records related to the city’s history. It includes historical documents, family history files, documents from the Pella Community School District and the Pella First Baptist Church, and a photo collection including images of local people, churches, houses, parks, and streets. Search Now
In-Person Seminar in Denver, Colorado
From Pilgrims to Patriots: Researching Early New England Ancestors
Discover essential resources for colonial New England family history and learn how to research early veteran ancestors, verify your connection to Mayflower passengers, and more. March 26 at 9:30 a.m (MT).
Scots have been migrating to North America for centuries. This five-session online seminar will show you how to trace your ancestry back several generations in Scotland. Live sessions March 30, April 6, 13, 20, and 27 at 6 p.m. (ET).
NEHGS in the News: Reexamining Nepotism in Hollywood
Don't miss this article from USA Today about "nepo babies," the new trending term for young Hollywood stars who break into the industry with help from their already famous parents. VP of Research Services Lindsay Fulton weighs in on whether a talent for performance might "run in the family" and what genealogy can tell us about this trend. Read Now
What We’re Reading
My Grandma’s Hidden Holocaust Heroics “We grew up idolizing Grandpa for surviving death marches and beating up Germans, but Grandma was always just, well...a sweet old lady. We couldn’t have been more wrong.”
Last week's survey asked about your thoughts on the 1950 U.S. census, which will be released on April 1. We received 3,448 responses. The results are:
65%, I am eagerly anticipating the release of the 1950 census.
30%, I am mildly curious about the information in the 1950 census.
2%, I am not interested in the release of the 1950 census.
35%, I am looking forward to seeing my own listing in the 1950 census.
2%, I have a different feeling or opinion about the 1950 census.
This week’s survey asks about your interest in heraldry. 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: the 1950 U.S. Census
By Lynn Betlock, Editor
Last week's survey asked about your thoughts on the 1950 U.S. census. Thank you to everyone who replied. Below is a selection of reader responses.
Barbara Crapster-Pregont, Merrill, Wisconsin: I'm looking forward to finding my parents in the 1950 census. They were young adults, not yet married, and I'm not sure where they were living. My mother was either in New York City working for the new United Nations or in Washington, D.C., working for the U.S. government. My father was either in graduate school in Cambridge, Massachusetts, or at his first job in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania.
Paul Veltman, Peoria, Arizona: To be honest, other than looking up a few relatives, I don't care too much one way or the other. I remember where I was as a 5 five-year-old kid: 3271 Fairview Ave., Alameda, California. I will probably record the data on the relatives I knew at the time and then fill in the blanks for other relatives I researched over the last 30 or so years. To me it's not that big a deal.
Linda Bernin, Minneapolis, Minnesota: I am eagerly awaiting the 1950 census to fill in the timeline of my family as I write our story. My father was discharged from the army on March 28, 1950. I think he would have been counted between Washington State and Minnesota, where he returned and married my mom exactly two years later.
Brenda Keefer of Indianapolis, Indiana: My husband and I shared a love of family history research and we looked forward to seeing his name in the 1950 census. (My name won’t appear until the 1960 census.) But my husband of 34 years passed away in December of 2020. Seeing his name will be bittersweet, but will bring back memories of all our genealogical research trips and discoveries.
Database News
New Sketches: Early New England Families, 1641-1700
The Early New England Families study project, led by researcher Alicia Crane Williams, highlights families who immigrated to New England between 1641 and 1700. Today we're featuring two recent sketches: George Squire (m. 1642) and John Fuller (m. 1645). Search Now
