This is the season of giving thanks, and in genealogy, practicing gratitude can take on various forms. Of course, giving thanks for our ancestors and the ways that their lives have shaped and impacted ours is one way. This can be a powerful way to honor those who have come before us in our families,…
If you did not learn everything about your family history last month, I have good news! There are still opportunities to continue your genealogy journey this month. Following on the heels of National Family History Month in October, November is another month of festive family celebrations, and there are at least two that are worthy…
How Did Our Ancestors Connect with Their Ancestors? Join Daniel Smith, Genealogy Librarian, as he explores the ways that our ancestors may have connected with their ancestors in the latest Cook Memorial Public Library Podcast episode! In the middle of the nineteenth century, a movement known as Spiritualism captured the attention of millions, with large…
Happy Family History Month! October is a perfect time to learn more about your family’s history! Families often have very rich histories that can help inform your own sense of self and give you a deeper claim to your identity. Maybe you are just getting started, or maybe you have been researching your genealogy for…
Have you taken the time to write down key details about yourself? Are your personal records and documents organized in a way that your ancestors will be able to find, understand, and use them? If not, there is no time like the present to begin this important step in your genealogy! Many times, we only…
Have you ever discovered a spelling error in an index or transcription? Perhaps you have then looked at the original document (always a good idea!), only to discover that the name or word is spelled slightly (or completely) different? This is not uncommon and happens in both typed and handwritten documents. Thankfully, there are some…
It’s that time of year again! As the younger folks return to school, it is the perfect time to stock up on your genealogy supplies. Just like they must buy school supplies, you have to buy genealogy supplies. Maybe you only need to restock some of the essentials or update your technology. Either way, it…
Did you miss the last issue of Family Tree Magazine? Perhaps you found a citation for something in the July-September 2024 NGS Magazine issue? Maybe you heard about a family that was mentioned in a previous issue of American Ancestors? Good news! The Library keeps back issues of various genealogy journals, magazines, and newsletters, and you…
Have you ever found a document, only to lose it again? Perhaps you have been unable to find a record after previously viewing it online? Or maybe you have managed to print or download a resource but forgotten to file it somewhere? (Look away from those piles on your desk!) There are some common mistakes…
Who was once an IT professional but became a professional genealogist? Who is a very popular genealogy speaker and got his start at Cook Memorial Public Library District? Who writes about AI as well as copyright and has quite a few NEW books in our collection? Any guesses? THOMAS MACENTEE, that's who! As of right…
