We hope you and your families enjoy the holiday season! This time of year is perfect for sharing stories and learning more about your family history—check out our list of prompts to get the conversation started. Read More
Recently on Vita Brevis
Governors of Massachusetts
Senior Genealogist Chris Child uncovers family connections between incumbent governor Charlie Baker and Maura Healey, whose recent election will make her Massachusetts' first female governor, and the first out lesbian governor in the United States.
Celebrate #GivingTuesday with American Ancestors on November 29. Join the global movement and give to the causes most important to you, your family, and your community. We thank you for your generous support and your dedication to family history, heritage, and culture. We couldn’t do this without you! Please Consider a Gift to American Ancestors Today
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:
Were Your Grandparents from the Same City or Town?
Total: 4,798 Responses
29%, Yes, my maternal grandparents were from the same city or town.
29%, Yes, my paternal grandparents were from the same city or town.
15%, Yes, both my maternal and paternal grandparents were from the same city or town.
39%, No, neither set of my grandparents was from the same city or town.
1%, I don't know.
Readers Respond:
Nancy Cohen, Persia, Iowa: My maternal and my paternal grandparents were all born in Lincoln County, Kansas. Moreover, three of the four were born in the same township of Battle Creek; my paternal grandmother was born nearby in Grant Township. My mother and father met as babies on the pew of the neighborhood church while three of the four grandparents practiced together in the community orchestra. My paternal grandmother was again the outlier—she was likely babysitting her future daughter-in-law and her son together on that pew while the others played.
Dorcas Aunger, Arcadia, California: My maternal grandmother and her sister were lady barbers. Their barbershop was in the Broadway Arcade in downtown Los Angeles. My maternal grandfather worked as a cook a block away at the King Edward Hotel, where the girls had lunch. Before long, the hotel cook started getting his haircut and shave at the barber shop. The rest is history!
Annette Donahue, Quincy, Massachusetts: Not only were my maternal grandparents from the same town, they were from the same street. My grandfather grew up on one end and my grandmother grew up on the other. He used to say he went by her house one day to pick up her brothers and she got in the car and wouldn't get out, so he married her!
Carla Zdanowicz, Naples Florida: My maternal grandparents, Antonio Romano and Olympia (Pasquale) Romano, were from Lapio, Avelino, Italy—however, they didn't meet until they came to Revere, Massachusetts. Olympia came with her family as a child in 1895. Antonio came alone as a 19-year-old in 1909, sponsored by his uncle. Revere had a lot of residents from Lapio because earlier immigrants sponsored family members. Antonio got a job doing some work for Olympia's father. Olympia’s four brothers thought Antonio was an industrious and honest fellow and convinced her to marry him. Antonio went on to start a prosperous family hardware store, Romano Hardware, in the building Olympia's father owned.
“Despite the painful history Thanksgiving rehashes, Indigenous people also see themselves as resilient. The fourth Thursday in November is an opportunity for them to celebrate their roots and crush stereotypes, [Pete] Coser [Jr., a member of the Muscogee Creek Nation] says.”
“‘When I learned the truth, I was heartbroken for the family,’ says Ann Marie Zagaglia of the adoption scheme in Chile that took thousands of babies from their birth homes.”
Spotlight: Newspaper Resources, Rahway, New Jersey
by Valerie Beaudrault
The city of Rahway is located in Union County, New Jersey. The Rahway Public Library has compiled a digital collection of nine local newspapers: Clark Patriot (1978-1988), The Daily Record (1911-1912), The National Democrat (1865 to 1891, 1968), News Herald (1910-1911), News Record (1946-1992), The Rahway Advocate (1882-1885, 1923, 1944), The Rahway Progress (1995-2000), The Rahway Record (1913-1946), and The Weekly Advocate and Times (1878-1882). Search by keyword or browse by title, year, and publication date. Search Now
We’re excited to announce the release of Volumes 11-15 (1997-2001) of The Genealogist, adding over 19,200 records. This database, presented in partnership with the American Society of Genealogists, is available to search for free. Search Now
Free Video from American Ancestors
How to Store Family Collections
Over the years you may have accumulated family records, photographs, diaries, and other paper materials. Todd Pattison, Conservator at American Ancestors, explains how to preserve your collections for generations to come. Watch Now
Planning for the Future?
Name Beneficiaries for Your Non-Probate Assets 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 assets in one easy place. Preserve your legacy, make sure your loved ones are provided for, and support the causes most important to you—get started today! Learn More
