Greed, Lust & Murder: King Henry VIII, the Tudor Court, and How It Changed England Forever
The Tudor dynasty was one of the most dramatic and troubled of all English royal families. Ruling during turbulent times and with a precarious claim to the throne, the five Tudor monarchs left an indelible mark on England. Join Curator of Special Collections Curt DiCamillo for a sweeping lecture that sheds light on the Tudors' loves, personalities, art, architecture, and literature—all of which have come down to us today in many and surprising ways. Register Now
Upcoming Free Online Lecture, November 14
Ten Steps to Writing & Publishing Your Family History
Writing and publishing your genealogy is a great way to preserve your family history for future generations and to share it with others. Join American Ancestors Vice President of Publishing Sharon Inglis as she discusses her top tips. Register Now
Upcoming Free Online Lecture, October 17
The Basics of Mayflower Research
In this online lecture, Senior Genealogist Melanie McComb will discuss the foundations of researching your Mayflower ancestors, including using key resources, verifying and documenting your line, applying to the General Society of Mayflower Descendants, and more. Register Now
The Weekly Genealogist Survey
This Week's Survey:
Working with Others on Your Genealogical Research
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.
Ancestors or Relatives Who Experienced a Maritime Disaster
Total: 2,872 Responses
25%, Yes, one or more of my ancestors or relatives experienced a maritime disaster and survived.
31%, Yes, one or more of my ancestors or relatives experienced a maritime disaster and perished.
1%, I experienced a maritime disaster.
53%, No, I am not aware of any of my ancestors or relatives experiencing a maritime disaster.
Readers Respond
Cindy Gardiner, Prince Edward Island, Canada: My third great-grandfather Alexander McCoy was a crew member on the schooner Lion from Rockland, Maine, when it ran aground off the coast off Nahant Beach, Massachusetts, in December 1864. A lifeboat offered assistance, but the crew believed they could recover when the tide came in. Unfortunately, a storm struck while the boat was stranded. According to a contemporary newspaper article, “Many persons gathered on the beach, and the crew of the wrecked schooner could be seen, apparently lashed to the masts or rigging, and their voices were heard, until dark, but no assistance could be rendered them.” Seven men perished, including McCoy.
Ann Dickinson, Ridgewood, New Jersey: In October 1980, my parents, Elizabeth and Fairleigh Dickinson, were among the passengers on the M.V. Prinsendam, en route from Vancouver to Japan, when fire broke out in the engine room. Some five hours later, the order to abandon ship was given and everyone on board was evacuated to lifeboats. My parents were both real “sea dogs”—my mother served as a WAVE and my father served as a Lt. Commander in the Coast Guard in World War II. Before they left their cabin, my parents donned layers of clothing, and my mother stuffed her pockets with fruit from a bowl. She ended up sharing much of the clothing with the less-warmly clad Indonesian crew members in their lifeboat. No lives were lost in this disaster, despite the rising storm and seas.
Patti Stahr, Weirsdale, Florida: In 1635, my ancestor John Cogswell sailed with his wife and eight of their children on the galleon Angel Gabriel from England to Pemaquid, Maine. Shortly after the ship reached the Maine coast, the Great Colonial Hurricane struck New England. The Angel Gabriel anchored in Pemaquid Bay, and the captain and crew attempted to evacuate passengers as the ship was pummeled by the hurricane. Several crew members and passengers perished. The Cogswell family survived but lost most of their possessions to the sea.
Bill Jameson, Yorktown, Virginia: In May 1828, my ancestor Joseph H. Smiley departed from Derry, Ireland, for Quebec on the brig Despatch. On July 10, the Despatch ran aground on a small rocky island off the south coast of Newfoundland. Two days later, the survivors were discovered by fisherman George Harvey and his 17-year-old daughter, Ann. Over the next three days, George, Ann, and George’s 12-year-old son, Tom, along with their dog, Hairy Man, rescued 163 people from the rock—including Joseph Smiley. Survivors were brought to the Harvey house where George’s wife, Jane, tended them. Joseph was eventually transported by the Royal Navy to Halifax, Nova Scotia. Fearing another voyage by ship, he settled there permanently.
George Washington’s Uncle Writes Home: The Letterbook of Joseph Ball The “Unfolding History: Manuscripts at the Library of Congress” blog examines Joseph Ball’s letterbook, which contains almost two hundred pages of his letters sent to family, business associates, and legal clients between 1743 and 1759.
Albion is a town located in Kennebec County, in southeastern Maine. The Town of Albion has made a number of cemetery databases available on its website. The resources include eleven cemetery databases. There are maps for two cemeteries, with more promised. The data fields include some or all of the following: grave location information, first and last name, date of birth, date of death, and comments. Information in the comments field includes the deceased’s age, spouse’s name, children’s names, military service, and date of marriage. Search Now
Database News
AM Explorer: World's Fairs
Explore the phenomenon of world's fairs from London's Crystal Palace in 1851 and the proliferation of North American exhibitions, to fairs around the world, and twenty-first century expos. Through official records, monographs, publicity, artwork, and artifacts, this resource brings together multiple archives for rich research opportunities on this diverse topic. You must be logged into your American Ancestors account to view this collection. 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
