Family history research is often seen as the work of archives, libraries, and professional scholars. A recent feature by The Guardian shows a different reality. Across the world, hobbyist genealogists and amateur historians are quietly building the foundations that make modern genealogy possible. The article describes these volunteers as the hidden engine behind family history […]
Historian
Ancestry.com Challenges Scotland Over Access to 400 Years of Records
A major legal dispute between Ancestry.com and National Records of Scotland (NRS) could reshape how genealogists access historical archives worldwide. The case centers on whether the U.S.-based company can license more than 400 years of Scottish records, including census data, parish registers, and civil registrations, for its subscription platform. In a recent tribunal ruling, Ancestry […]
Leonardo da Vinci DNA Project May Confirm Burial Site
Could science finally confirm where Leonardo da Vinci is buried? An ambitious international project is using modern genetics to answer a centuries-old mystery. Researchers with the Leonardo da Vinci DNA Project have traced 15 living male-line descendants from Leonardo’s extended family. Six of them provided DNA samples, and early results show their Y-chromosomes align, proving […]
Uncovering Free Black Ancestry in Greenwich, Connecticut
Family history research often leads us to stories we never expected to find. In Greenwich, Connecticut, amateur genealogist Dennis Richmond Jr. has done just that—uncovering a lineage of free Black ancestors stretching back to the 18th century. His work not only enriches his own family’s story but also reshapes how local history is understood. Richmond […]
Orange Mound Library’s Geneology Center Connects Memphis to Its Roots
A once-vacant high school building in Memphis has been transformed into a hub for historical discovery. In April 2024, the Orange Mound Library and Genealogy Center opened its doors inside the former Melrose High School, a place rich with community significance. Now, it’s helping residents reconnect with their family roots. After sitting empty for over […]