The winter issue of American Ancestors is now available online and will soon arrive in member mailboxes. This issue’s feature article introduces our Digital Library & Archives, with examples from our extensive offerings and tips on how to explore this resource from home. Other articles detail the City of Boston’s Archaeology Program, delve into the creation of a fictitious ship’s passenger list, and tell the stories of two families who emigrated from Lebanon to Boston who were documented in our Catholic Records database.
We want to hear from you! Did you enjoy the new issue?Email us
Conversation Course: Recreating Place
Uncovering, Interpreting, and Presenting the Past
As researchers and family members, we want to step into the shoes of those who came before us. But how do we rebuild the context in which our ancestors lived? This conversation series brings together three experts from different fields—museum studies, literature, and genealogy—to discuss the how and why of recreating place. Join us March 16 at 6 p.m. ET.
We recently added Volume 35, covering the year 2015, to TheEssex Genealogist database. This update contains over 250 pages and 1,200 searchable names. The leading publication for genealogical research in Essex County, Massachusetts, this quarterly journal has been published since 1981 by the Essex Society of Genealogists. Become a member of American Ancestors to search this and many more exclusive databases.
Learn how to apply historic preservation best practices to adapt your home to suit your needs without losing its character and charm. Join Historic New England’s Team Leader for Preservation Services, Carissa Demore, for an illustrated talk full of tips and ideas for approaching common projects, improving energy efficiency, and appropriately caring for your older home. Carissa's lecture will be followed by a lively Q&A moderated by Curt DiCamillo. March 12 at 4 p.m. ET.
The city of Hawarden is in Sioux County, Iowa, which is located in the northwestern corner of state. On the city’s website, researchers will find a burial listings database for Grace Hill Cemetery, the Hawarden city cemetery. According to the Sioux County, Iowa, GenWeb website, a number of cemeteries were merged to create Grace Hill Cemetery. The burials list can be browsed by clicking the first letter of the surname of the deceased. The data fields include map number, deceased’s name, veteran status, and grave location information (block/section/lot). An overview map of the cemetery and a series of numbered sector maps have been provided to assist researchers in finding the graves.
The House Whisperer “As Bill Gould dismantles and rebuilds classic New England architecture, he becomes historian, contractor, craftsman, and puzzle solver.”
Adopted Twins Find One Another Only Seven Blocks Away Karen Warner of Elwood, Indiana, had gone to middle school with Michael Jackman and become friends with him on Facebook. Then she discovered that he was her twin.
Last week's survey asked about hereditary conditions in your family. We received 3,196 responses. The results are:
54%, At least one hereditary disease or condition can be found in my family.
16%, I believe at least one hereditary disease or condition has occurred in my family, but I am not positive.
30%, I am not aware of any hereditary disease or condition in my family.
This week's question asks about your physical resemblance to your ancestors and relatives. 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: Hereditary Conditions
by Jean Powers, Senior Editor
Last week's survey asked if a hereditary disease or condition runs in your family. Thank you to everyone who replied. Below is a selection of reader responses.
Sally Hinderager, Fort Shaw, Montana: Many members of my family have a rare hereditary condition called geniospasm, which causes a quivering chin and lower lip. The condition is benign, but it does cause some folks to be very self-conscious. In our family, however, “quivering chin” is considered a badge of honor. My great-grandfather was the first recorded case in the family; his daughters inherited it, and one daughter passed it to her son—my father—who passed it to me. All three of my children have it, as do most of my grandchildren. My chin was quivering when I was born.
Andrea Hajducko, Emmaus, Pennsylvania: When I was 15 years old, I was diagnosed with severe scoliosis and underwent lifesaving surgery. My condition was labeled "idiopathic" because nobody on either side of my family was known to have scoliosis. More than 40 years later, my genealogical research on my mother's side of the family led me to discover a third cousin. I happened to mention my back surgery, and she said that her sister had been diagnosed with scoliosis but was not treated for it in her younger years; her sister is now in tremendous pain. This was very sad news about a newly discovered relative, but we now know that scoliosis is a hereditary condition in our family, and we can alert future generations.
Portia Thompson, Wakefield, Rhode Island: The skin condition vitiligo is usually caused by excessive sun exposure or skin surface trauma. However, a small percentage of people have vitiligo genetically; I am the third generation of my family to have this hereditary condition. The first recorded case was my maternal grandfather, whose vitiligo appeared just around his fingernails. My mother has a stronger case, and her condition was especially evident in the summer. My vitiligo appeared when I was about four years old as patches on my knees. My eldest daughter was gifted with the condition; my other three children were not. I was brought up to never hide my vitiligo, and to never be disturbed by it. Unfortunately, others are not always as enlightened. Many years ago, a gas station attendant who saw my spotted hands on the steering wheel turned away and said, "I can't look at that, it gives me the creeps." I graciously avoided running him over.
Virtual Research Tour to Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C. is home to some of the most important repositories for genealogists. Whether you are doing research on your veteran ancestor, immigrant ancestor, homesteading ancestor—or simply want to leverage published resources, newspapers, and maps in your family history research—our nation’s capital holds the records you need. This four-day virtual research program will bring D.C. to you! Join us for live sessions March 24-27.
