The Power of Learning Your Family History—A Panel Discussion Featuring Authors Lee Hawkins and Martha S. Jones
In discussing their new books, journalist Lee Hawkins and historian Martha Jones will reveal how gaining knowledge of their families’ pasts and Black history evolved from personal necessity to a powerful and productive force in their lives. Learn their research process and how they moved forward in this unique panel moderated by 10 Million Names Scholar Thavolia Glymph. Learn More
Upcoming Online Seminar, April 2–30 (Wednesdays)
Revolutionary War Research: Tracing Patriot and Loyalist Ancestors
Nearly 250 years ago, the United States declared its independence from Great Britain, changing the course of history. This five-week online course will delve into the many primary and published records that can help document your Patriot or Loyalist ancestors. Learn More
Recently on Vita Brevis
Focusing in on My Photographer Ancestor
When researching her photographer ancestor, researcher Pam Guye Holland discovers and examines a large collection of his photographs. Read More
The Weekly Genealogist Survey
This Week's Survey:
Towns, Landmarks, Roads, or Buildings Named After Your Ancestors or Relatives
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.
13%, I had my DNA tested and I don’t have strong feelings about the results.
2%, I have not had my DNA tested but plan to do so.
7%, I have not had my DNA tested and do not plan to do so.
2%, My circumstances regarding DNA testing are different than the options listed above.
Readers Respond
David Jay Webber, Princeton, Minnesota: DNA was pivotal in solving a century-old mystery regarding the origins of my Webber great-grandfather. Test results led me to realize that he changed his surname from Webbon to Webber. Without the information from the DNA test results, I would have continued searching for the surnames Webber or Weber. Because of this discovery, I have identified and met in person new relatives, including my great-grandfather’s 103-year-old sister-in-law. I have published my findings for other Webbon/Webber descendants.
Sharon Parsons, Hadley, Massachusetts: DNA testing has served my family well. My father was born out of wedlock in 1929, and his mother never identified his biological father. Dad died from a heart attack when he was only 66. The next year, I gave every living member of my immediate family a DNA test kit for Christmas. From those results, we learned the identity of my biological paternal grandfather and connected with a cousin from that family. The cousin shared that our biological grandfather had died at age 70 from a heart attack. This information was important to us, as we now know that there is a history of heart disease in our family.
Katherine Wolfe, City, Massachusetts: When I received my DNA test results six years ago, some of the ancestral region percentages seemed off. After another three years of in-depth research using Ancestry.com, I connected with a second cousin, and we shared DNA results. He noted that a close DNA match in my results could be a half-sister. I sent DNA kits to my sisters. Comparing their results to mine, I determined that I am not my father's biological daughter. It's been a year since this discovery. Do I regret having my DNA tested? Not at all. My dad is my dad even if I don't share his genes. And now I have a new family tree to research.
Patricia Boen, Chatsworth, California: My great-grandfather William Black left his family some time after the 1920 census. One hundred years later, I tracked him down through DNA testing. I found a William Blakely with the same birthplace and birthdate as William Black. Blakely had two sons with the same names as the sons Black abandoned. No evidence exists for my William Black after 1920 and nothing for William Blakely prior to 1930. I never would have solved this mystery without the DNA match.
What We’re Reading
Paternity Detective “Geneticist Maarten Larmuseau tackles a touchy question: How often are children genetically unrelated to their presumed fathers?”
Finding Family After Slavery: The Last Seen Project and AAS The “Last Seen: Finding Family After Slavery” project seeks to identify and publish newspaper ads placed by formerly enslaved African Americans seeking loved ones. Ana Pietrewicz, Digital Librarian at the American Antiquarian Society, writes about finding previously undocumented ads in the AAS collections.
Spotlight: Yuba County Library Historical Resources, California
by Valerie Beaudrault
Yuba County, seated in Marysville, is located in north central California. The Yuba County Library has made a number of newspapers and other resources available. Click the Digital Reel link, then select the Newspapers link. The collection comprises more than twenty-six newspaper titles (1850-present). The newspapers in the collection include Appeal Democrat (1927-current); Marysville Appeal (1874-1927); Marysville Daily Appeal (1860-1923), Marysville Daily Democrat (1861-1909), and Marysville Weekly Appeal (1864-1889). In addition, the Digital Reel includes Marysville City Council meeting minutes (1851-1963). The database can be searched by keyword or browsed. Search 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
