Weekly news about genealogy and history, databases, educational resources, and more from American Ancestors.
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May 8, 2024

 

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Recently on Vita Brevis

Learning about My Ancestor’s Business

 

The Chas. A. Stevens store in Chicago sold fabrics and clothing across the U.S. starting in the 1880s. Beyond typical direct advertising and sales, Chas. A. Stevens used an unusual method to grow its business nationally: it recruited independent woman entrepreneurs to represent the brand and sell to their local markets. Read More

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Upcoming In-Person Seminars

Tracing Your Westward-Bound Ancestors

 

American Ancestors is California-bound! Join our experts in person for a one-day seminar that will provide you with strategies for tracing ancestors who settled in California. We’ll discuss the New England roots of many westward migrants and discuss tips for researching ancestors on the move. Seminar includes five lectures, breakfast, and lunch. Two dates available!

Join Us June 8 in Oakland, CA
Join Us June 9 in San Marino, CA

    The Weekly Genealogist Survey

    This Week's Survey:

    How Long Have You Been Researching Genealogy?

    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.

    Take the Survey Now

    Last Week's Survey:

    Lineage Societies

     

    Total: 2,947 Responses

    • 22%, I belong to one lineage society.
    • 19%, I belong to two to four lineage societies.
    • 6%, I belong to more than five lineage societies.
    • 20%, I belong to at least one lineage society through more than one ancestor.
    • 7%, I am in the process of applying to one or more lineage societies.
    • 19%, I intend to apply to at least one lineage society in the future.
    • 19%, I have (or had) a leadership role in at least one lineage society.
    • 17%, I volunteer (or used to volunteer) for at least one lineage society.
    • 5%, I wish my ancestry qualified me to join a lineage society.
    • 29%, I qualify, but I have no interest in joining a lineage society.
    • 8%, I do not believe I qualify for any lineage societies, but I would not be interested in joining one even if I did.

    Readers Respond

     

    Michael Hogan, Georges Mills, New Hampshire: Like all descendants of Stephen Hopkins, I qualify for both the General Society of Mayflower Descendants (which I’ve joined) and the Jamestowne Society (which I haven’t—yet). I never tire of the reaction I get from telling Stephen’s story, even from people who are otherwise not very interested in family history topics.

     

    Ralph D. Nelson, Jr., Durham, North Carolina: My father joined the Sons of the American Revolution during the 1976 Bicentennial. My mother used a commercial pattern to sew a period uniform for him. I later joined the SAR and inherited the uniform. As a member of the color guard and a national officer, I wore the uniform at meetings across the U.S. and on several SAR tours of Europe. The threads gradually deteriorated, so my wife created a new uniform from an identical pattern. I intend to wear it during the 2026 anniversary.

     

    Marilyn L. Darnell, San Luis Obispo, California: During COVID-19 I traced my paternal ancestors to the early 1600s in America. I found myself sitting back in my chair in amazement as the wave of ancestors kept coming from farther back in time. After finding ancestors who served during the American Revolution, I felt it would be an honor to my family if I were accepted to a lineage society. I have been working with the registrar of my local Daughters of the American Revolution chapter. The challenge has been tracing my lineage through women. I am hopeful that one day I can say I am a member—and then I may also consider joining Colonial Dames!

     

    Anita M. McConnell, Waynesboro, Virginia: Joining lineage societies has allowed me to preserve my genealogical research for my descendants. Acceptance to these societies affirmed that my research and sources were correct. The lineage societies I joined had similar missions—to preserve history, educate others, and promote patriotism. Gaining new friends and having volunteer options were further reasons to join.

     

    Joseph Smith, Yonkers, New York: Since 2022, I have served as Founder and Governor of the Descendants of Swiss Settlers, the first lineage society for the Swiss. Our mission is to remember and celebrate the unique legacy and achievements of Swiss men and women who settled in North America prior to March 5, 1798 (the end of the Old Swiss Confederacy).

     

    Deb Conken, Sanford, North Carolina: I have joined eleven societies and am currently active in six. I am regent of my Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) chapter and have been chaplain in two DAR chapters and in my Daughters of Founders and Patriots of America (DFPA) chapter. I have seven Mayflower lines and thirteen DAR patriots. I am a Master Guildsman (six categories) in The Guild of Colonial Artisans and Tradesmen. I especially enjoy the challenge of joining hard-to-prove societies. The Order of the Crown of Charlemagne was forty-one generations. DFPA requires an unbroken paternal or maternal line of the same last name—I have proven both lines. The Colonial Dames of America is prestigious and requires two sponsors, a meeting, and an officer vote just to apply. Having a proven accused witch ancestor in the Associated Daughters of Early American Witches is just fun. Lineage societies are like potato chips—can’t stop at one!

    What We’re Reading

     

    The Most Common Last Name in Every Country, Mapped
    After determining each country’s most common surname, researchers placed each of them into one of six different categories: ancestral, occupational, geographical, toponymic (or place name), personal characteristics, and patronage.

     

    You Can Still Die From World War I Dangers in France’s Red Zones

    “France’s Sécurité Civile . . . estimates that at current rates, it could take up to 700 years to completely clear all remaining WWI shells and grenades from France’s soil.”

     

    Discover America's 11 Most Endangered Historic Places for 2024
    The National Trust for Historic Preservation has announced its annual “Most Endangered Places” list.

     

    “Hidden Mother” Photos Don’t Erase Moms—Rather, They Reveal the Labor and Love that Support the Child
    “These 19th-century images contain very young children held still by half-obscured adults who crouch behind chairs or lurk at the margins of pictures, their protective arms stabilizing babies.”

     

    How the Arrival of Iodized Salt 100 Years Ago Changed America
    In the early 20th century, iodine deficiency so affected the northern United States that the region was widely known as the “goiter belt.” Michigan was at the epicenter of the crisis.

     

    12-sided Roman Relic Baffles Archaeologists, Spawns Countless Theories

    Since 1739, 130 Roman dodecahedrons have been discovered across northern and western Europe. No consensus has ever emerged on their purpose.

    Spotlight: Community History Archive, Greene County, New York 

    by Valerie Beaudrault

     

    The village of Catskill is the seat of Greene County, located in southeast central New York. The Catskill Public Library Community History Archive is a digital newspaper collection comprising nearly 336,000 pages from nine local titles, including the Daily Mail (1970-2019), Greene County News (1967-2002), The Daily Mail (2019-2023), Daily Mail And Greene County News (2002-2004), and Cairo Herald (1924-1967). Search by keyword or browse individual titles. Search Now

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    Database News

    Indigenous Newspapers in North America

     

    Find your indigenous ancestors! From historic pressings to contemporary periodicals, Indigenous Newspapers in North America from AM Explorer covers nearly 200 years of Indigenous print journalism from the US and Canada. This collection includes a large spectrum of publishers and audiences. Join American Ancestors today to access this collection and many more from our external database partners. Learn More About External Databases

    Upcoming Lectures, Courses, Tours, and More

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    May 14

    Free Author Talk: Larry Tye with The Jazzmen: How Duke Ellington, Louis Armstrong, and Count Basie Transformed America

     

    May 16

    Free Online Lecture: Heraldic Decorative Arts in Colonial and Revolutionary America

     

    May 18

    Online Seminar: Researching Connecticut Ancestors: Four Centuries of History and Genealogy

    View All Upcoming Events

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    Planning for the Future?

    Name Your Beneficiaries 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 non-probate assets. Learn More

      Educational events brought to you by

      The Brue Family Learning Center

      Vol. 27, No. 19, Whole #1206

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