Growing up, Kathy Javdani's father would remind her to "remember Francis Ward Lewis," but couldn't tell her why. Then the family discovered his memoir—and learned of the epic maritime adventure which brought him and his descendants to the shores of California. Read More
Upcoming In-person Research Tour
Boston City Archives Day Trip
Join American Ancestors/NEHGS experts at Boston City Archives for a day of genealogical research, including a 30-minute consultation, a tour of the facility, and research assistance. June 6 at 9:30 a.m. Register Now
The Weekly Genealogist Survey
This Week's Survey:
Were Any of Your Ancestors or Relatives on the Radio or on TV?
Share your thoughts about the survey at weeklygenealogist@nehgs.org. Responses may be edited for clarity and length and featured in a future newsletter.
Last Week's Survey:
Genealogical Summer Travel
Total: 3,050 Responses
36%, Yes, I will visit at least one library, archive, or historical society.
40%, Yes, I will visit at least one cemetery to do research or pay respects to ancestors/relatives.
31%, Yes, I will visit at least one ancestral town or city.
19%, Yes, I will visit relatives who share my interest in genealogy.
7%, Yes, I will attend a genealogical conference.
13%, Yes, I will attend a family reunion.
6%, Yes, I will travel to another country for a genealogical purpose.
5%, Yes, I will travel for genealogy for a reason not mentioned above.
18%, I am not sure if I will travel for genealogy this summer.
29%, No, I will not travel for genealogy this summer.
Readers Respond
Carolyn Wainright, North Augusta, South Carolina: This summer, I will visit several Civil War Battlefields in Virginia where my great-grandfather and my husband's great grandfather fought against each other. My great-grandfather was with the 13th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry and my husband's great-grandfather was with the 26th Georgia Infantry. I will also visit the site where my great-grandfather was held as a prisoner of war.
Nancy L. Gaynor, Crystal Lake, Illinois: I am so happy that I will finally be able to attend this year’s GenFed Institute! I was awarded a scholarship in 2020 and have been waiting eagerly for the opportunity to learn from experts in our nation’s records in Washington D.C. I’m excited to research in our great repositories there.
Brenda Sack, Virginia Beach, Virginia: I’m taking advantage of my husband’s cross-country bicycle ride this summer. I’ll visit with him for a few days in New Mexico and drive to Clovis, where my great-grandfather practiced medicine from 1909 to 1950. Next, I’ll join my husband for a few days in Illinois and Indiana, visiting my grandparents’ grave and researching at several courthouses and historical societies. Finally, on my way to pick up my husband in Boston at the end of his ride, I’ll visit Huntingdon Co., Pennsylvania, to search for probate packets for several of my paternal ancestors.
Sharmin Fairbanks McKenny, Estero, Florida: On July 15, I will be the keynote speaker at the 121st National Fairbanks Family Reunion in Dedham, Massachusetts, where the Fairbanks House, the oldest frame house in North America, stands. I have visited the cemetery there and hope to revisit the Dedham Historical Society and Museum during my visit. I will speak about my trip to West Yorkshire, England last summer where I visited the churches, land, and stayed in the houses of my 12th-generation family.
The Bookstore at NEHGS
Save 20% on All Great Migration Titles
Add a genealogical classic to your library! The Great Migration series has helped countless family historians discover ancestral connections to some of the earliest settlers in our country’s history. These books are essential resources for any genealogist, historian, or descendant with early New England interests and connections. Now you cansave 20% on all Great Migration titles through the end of May with discount code GMMAY23. Discount applied at checkout. Shop Now
What We’re Reading
1st Babies Born in Britain Using DNA From 3 People Britain’s fertility regulator recently confirmed the births of the U.K.’s first babies created using an experimental technique combining DNA from three people, an effort to prevent the inheritance of rare genetic diseases.
I Could Have Killed Him Twice “In 1882 Philadelphia, a young Black woman fell for a philandering man who took everything she owned. Ruined and penniless, she exacted her revenge.”
When Did Americans Lose Their British Accents? Although historians can’t say exactly when Americans first started to sound noticeably different from the British, one major factor in the divergence of the accents is rhotacism—the pronunciation of the letter R.
Spotlight: Longview Public Library, Washington
by Valerie Beaudrault
The city of Longview is located in Cowlitz County in southwestern Washington. The Longview Public Library has made an obituary index and a digital image archive available on its website. The obituary database indexes Cowlitz County deaths reported in five area newspapers occurring between 1871 and 2020. The index can be browsed by name or by year. The data fields include full name, birth date, death date, source citation, and year. The Digital Archive comprises a number of collections related to the city of Longview and the library. To access it, click the Genealogy tab and select Digital Archive from the dropdown list. Search Now
We’ve recently added a new sketch to Early New England Families, 1641-1700, featuring John Putnam and his family. John was born about 1579/1580 in Buckinghamshire, England, and his family largely settled in Salem, Massachusetts, and the surrounding area. Search Now
Free Video from American Ancestors
Neoclassical Berlin: A Virtual Tour
Based on his 2016 heritage tour, Curt DiCamillo leads us on a virtual tour of Neoclassical Berlin and its environs, from great palaces and treasure houses to national museums and concert halls. Watch Now
Your Legacy. Your Peace of Mind. Your Free Will.
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
