Family History

Michelle Obama's Ancestors: 'American Tapestry' Has Holes in It

Megan Smolenyak | Posted 05.31.2012

Read More: Cory Booker, Dolphus Shields, Flotus, Michelle Obama, Melvinia Shields, Heritage, Rachel Swarns, Native Americans, Obama, Virginia, History, Dna, First Lady, Alex Haley, Ancestry, Slavery, Roots, Genetics, Genealogy, Family History, Great Migration, African Americans, North Carolina, American Tapestry, Books News
Megan Smolenyak

As the genealogist who initially researched the first lady's family tree (four to five generations on all branches), I wanted to love American Tapestry: The Story of the Black, White and Multicultural Ancestors of Michelle Obama, but found myself disappointed -- mostly due to what's missing.

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Good Grief: The House

Jill Robinson | Posted 05.20.2012

Read More: Childhood Home, Family Memories, Family History, Home, Family, Los Angeles News
Jill Robinson

The House. Iconic words. The big house we dream we'll have when we have kids. Mom will have the baby, and you'll drive her up to "The House." You'll see your kids learn to ride their bikes in the driveway, and then you'll watch your kids going out for their own first drive.

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10 Things You Didn't Know About Martha Stewart's Family Tree

Megan Smolenyak | Posted 05.08.2012

Read More: Communism, Slavic, Martha Stewart, Jersey City, Heritage, Poland, Ancestry, Family Tree, Immigration, Genealogy, Family History, Ellis Island, Martha Stewart Family, Martha Stewart Living, Martha Stewart Daughter, Celebrity News
Megan Smolenyak

Martha's grandfather, Frank Kostyra, owned a tavern in Jersey City. On the 4th of July 1929, two boys stuck a piece of dynamite in the foundation of the tavern, causing an explosion. It's somewhat remarkable that the building is still a tavern today.

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The Last Tango in Syria

Rym Tina Ghazal | Posted 04.27.2012

Read More: Women, Arab Spring, Middle East, Travel, Syria, Widows, Family, Egypt, Family History, Culture News
Rym Tina Ghazal

Too much has been said about death and Syria, and so I wanted to focus on life and Syria, and those who have seen it all and understand it best, like my grandmother.

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11th Annual Ellis Island Family Heritage Awards

Megan Smolenyak | Posted 04.23.2012

Read More: Angela Lansbury, American Dream, Heritage, Tony La Russa, Immigration, Richard Meier, Slidepollajax, Family History, New York, Ellis Island, Genealogy, Culture News
Megan Smolenyak

At a time when we've become so cynical, it's refreshing to attend the annual Ellis Island Family Heritage Awards, which celebrate individuals who have contributed to the American experience in various realms

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Ancestors of Michelle Obama in the 1940 Census

Megan Smolenyak | Posted 04.15.2012

Read More: Hugh Hefner, Purnell Shields, White House, Michelle Obama, Betty White, Rebecca Coleman, Johnny Cash, Marian Robinson, Obama, Census, History, Neil Armstrong, First Lady, Wpa, Nick Clooney, Chicago, Rebecca Jumper, Genealogy, Rosemary Clooney, Family History, Great Migration, 1940 Census, Celebrities, Celebrity News
Megan Smolenyak

The cost for nine relatives of the First Lady -- including her mother, grandparents and great-grandparents -- to rent these cozy quarters in 1940? $45 a month or roughly the equivalent of $737 today.

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It Takes a Village

Nikki Luongo | Posted 04.11.2012

Read More: Inherited Traits, Identity, Family Relationships, Family History, Heritage, Traits, Family, Healthy Living News
Nikki Luongo

We all get characteristics from our parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles, Our eyes, hair color, even the shapes of our hands and the curves of our ...

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Celebrities in the 1940 Census

Megan Smolenyak | Posted 04.04.2012

Read More: Hugh Hefner, National Archives, Betty White, Johnny Cash, Archives.com, George Clooney, Census, History, Neil Armstrong, Nick Clooney, Genealogy, Rosemary Clooney, Slidepollajax, Family History, 1940 Census, Celebrities, 1940 Census Online, 1940 Census Records, Celebrity News
Megan Smolenyak

One has to wonder if nine-year-old Neil Armstrong, who once spent his days walking around St. Mary's, Ohio, ever imagined that he would eventually be the first to walk on the moon.

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Michelle Obama's Ancestors: The First Lady's Multicultural, Great Migration Past (VIDEO)

Megan Smolenyak | Posted 04.30.2012

Read More: White House, Flotus, Michelle Obama, The South, Heritage, Multicultural, Family Tree, Black History Month, History, Video, Melvinia Shields, Ancestors, First Lady, Ancestry, Chicago, Slavery, Roots, Genealogy, Family History, Great Migration, African Americans, Celebrity News
Megan Smolenyak

Several years ago, I conducted extensive genealogical research into the heritage of Michelle Obama. A few of my discoveries -- particularly those per...

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Michelle Obama's Ancestors: Purnell Shields

Megan Smolenyak | Posted 04.25.2012

Read More: Birmingham, White House, Purnell Shields, Dolphus Shields, Flotus, Michelle Obama, Heritage, Alabama, Marian Robinson, Georgia, Obama, Melvina Magruder, Black History Month, History, Ancestors, David Patterson, South Carolina, Slavery, Chicago, Ancestry, Roots, Desegregation, Genealogy, Melvina Shields, Marian Shields, Family History, Spartanburg, African Americans, Great Migration, Chicago News
Megan Smolenyak

D.T. lived in hopeful expectation, but even today, it's stunning to think that the life of this one-time slave overlapped with that of his great-granddaughter, Marian, who now resides in the White House.

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Michelle Obama's Ancestors: Rebecca Jumper (aka Coleman)

Megan Smolenyak | Posted 04.22.2012

Read More: Purnell Shields, White House, Flotus, Michelle Obama, Native American, Rebecca Coleman, Chicago, Heritage, Indian, Multicultural, Marian Robinson, Obama, Virginia, Emancipation, Ancestors, First Lady, Freedom, Ancestry, Slavery, Roots, Rebecca Jumper, Genealogy, Family History, Great Migration, African Americans, Tuscarora, North Carolina, Celebrity News
Megan Smolenyak

Michelle's maternal grandmother, Rebecca Jumper, did an admirable job of keeping her past a secret, but that's probably because she didn't know much about it herself. That's unfortunate, because hers is an intriguing history.

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Michelle Obama's Ancestors: Fraser Robinson

Megan Smolenyak | Posted 04.15.2012

Read More: Flotus, Michelle Obama, Heritage, LaVaughn Johnson, Cohen, Jewish, Ancestors, Wpa, First Lady, Slavery, Chicago, South Carolina, Fraser Robinson, Genealogy, Family History, African Americans, Great Migration, Great Depression, Rabbi, Funnye, Celebrity News
Megan Smolenyak

It's providential for Michelle's sake that LaVaughn ever met Fraser C. Robinson, Jr. because he would have much preferred to never leave the South.

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Michelle Obama's Ancestors: LaVaughn Johnson

Megan Smolenyak | Posted 04.09.2012

Read More: Flotus, Michelle Obama, St. Louis, Burr Oak Cemetery, Heritage, LaVaughn Johnson, Barack Obama, History, Bud Billiken Parade, First Lady, Pullman Porters, Chicago, Roots, Fraser Robinson, Genealogy, James Preston Johnson, Family History, Phoebe Moten, Great Migration, Celebrity News
Megan Smolenyak

Of Michelle's grandparents, LaVaughn Johnson was the most like her. A native Chicagoan, she was an early product of the mixing effect of the Great Migration with parents of radically different histories.

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Michelle Obama's Ancestors: The Great Mixing

Megan Smolenyak | Posted 04.04.2012

Read More: Dna, Michelle Obama, Family Tree, Ancestors, First Lady, Ancestry, Chicago, Celebrity, Family History, Michelle Obama Genealogy, Celebrity News
Megan Smolenyak

Among the half million African Americans who moved to Chicago during the Great Migration were a number of Michelle's relatives, and they hailed from Alabama, Mississippi, Georgia, Louisiana, South Carolina, North Carolina, Virginia, Tennessee, Kentucky, Missouri and the southern part of Illinois.

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Michelle Obama's Ancestors: Chicago Beginnings

Megan Smolenyak | Posted 03.31.2012

Read More: White House, Michelle Obama, Heritage, Multicultural, Marian Robinson, Grandparents, LaVaughn Johnson, Ancestors, First Lady, Ancestry, Chicago, Roots, Fraser Robinson, Genealogy, Family History, Great Migration, Celebrity News
Megan Smolenyak

Michelle LaVaughn Robinson Obama's presence in the White House is historic. A hundred years from now, scholars and school children will still be stud...

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A Peek into Blue Ivy Carter's Past

Megan Smolenyak | Posted 03.13.2012

Read More: French, Louisiana, Beyonce, Creole, Celebrity Kids, Barack Obama, Katy Perry, Cajun, Ancestry, Genealogy, Jay-Z, Barry Manilow, Ireland, Blue Ivy Carter, Family History, Acadian, Celebrity News
Megan Smolenyak

She's not even a week old, so the newborn daughter of Beyoncé and Jay-Z doesn't have a past yet -- except in the genealogical sense.

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Four Months of Celebrity Roots on Air in 2012

Megan Smolenyak | Posted 03.10.2012

Read More: Pbs, Dna, Finding Your Roots, Who Do You Think You Are?, Six Degrees, Genealogy, Lisa Kudrow, Henry Louis Gates, Family History, Nbc, Celebrities, TV News
Megan Smolenyak

For genealogy buffs and those who just can't get enough of celebrities, there's plenty of cause to celebrate in 2012 as there will be four solid months of famous roots on air.

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Digging For Your Roots, Anyone?

Patricia Rust | Posted 02.28.2012

Read More: Holidays, Connection, Purpose, Finding Your Roots, Social Connection, Roots, Repurpose, Family History, Family, Travel Blogs, Travel News
Patricia Rust

I was already on a cruise through the Mediterranean, so I thought that after the pleasure of cruising, I could enjoy the thrill of research in some libraries in a country where I knew no one. Little did I know that this former country of strangers would soon become a country of friends!

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The 'Best Kept Secret' to Understanding Your Health Risks

Peter Abaci, M.D. | Posted 01.29.2012

Read More: Mindfulness, Genetics, Aging, Health Risks, Family History, Illness, Personal Health, Family Medical History, Medical History, Healthy Living News
Peter Abaci, M.D.

Evidence strongly dictates that a key ingredient of putting together a long-term plan for aging well is to comprise a detailed family history.

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10 Things You Didn't Know About Josh Groban's Family Tree

Megan Smolenyak | Posted 12.18.2011

Read More: Norway, Juilliard School, Mayflower, Heritage, Jewish, Ed Helms, The Office, Genealogy, Yiddish, Music, Josh Groban, Family History, Ukraine, Celebrity News
Megan Smolenyak

If you were to Google your way around the Internet, you'd probably be left with the impression that Josh is half-Jewish (from Russia and Poland) and half-Norwegian, and you wouldn't be too far off. He's actually 5/8 Jewish and 1/8 Norwegian.

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Hunting Down My 'Auld Country' Scottish Roots

Peter Mandel | Posted 12.06.2011

Read More: Oatmeal, ScotlandsPeople Centre, Edinburgh, Aberdeen, Scotland, Aberdeenshire, Genealogy, Bennachie Mountain, Family History, Inverurie, Travel News
Peter Mandel

One bird calls and calls. Then stops. It's silent when we get to a granite cottage. Ivy covers its walls and row after row of potted flowers guard its door. Marigolds. Just what my grandparents grew.

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Seeds of a Trans-Atlantic Reunion

Megan Smolenyak | Posted 12.03.2011

Read More: Google, Census, Newspapers, Quebec, Obituaries, Family Tree, Ireland, Genealogy, United States, Irish, Family History, Canada, Barack Obama, Ellis Island, Culture News
Megan Smolenyak

As a genealogist, I'm on the receiving end of lots of inquiries from journalists. Usually they're wondering about the roots of this or that famous pe...

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Orphan Heirloom Rescue: 1870 Diary of an Irish Immigrant

Megan Smolenyak | Posted 11.01.2011

Read More: Genealogy, Antiques, Family History, Diary, Personal History, Heirlooms, Immigrants, Antiques Detective, Irish Immigrants, Books News
Megan Smolenyak

A few weeks ago, I invited readers to send their orphan heirlooms home. By this, I mean returning family treasures to descendants of their original ow...

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Google News Archive and Footnote.com: A Strange Week or Sign of Things to Come?

Megan Smolenyak | Posted 10.21.2011

Read More: Google, Newspapers, Military, Digital, Archives, Family Tree, Genealogy, Technology, Family History, Technology News
Megan Smolenyak

This has been a peculiar week in the world of genealogy, ushering in unexpected changes in three online, family history destinations.

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Send Your Orphan Heirlooms Home

Megan Smolenyak | Posted 10.09.2011

Read More: Photos, History, Inheritance, Detective, Genealogy, Immigrants, Irish, Family History, Stuff, Heirloom, Diary, Entertainment News
Megan Smolenyak

About a decade ago, I accidentally launched into a sub-hobby of genealogy - one I refer to as orphan heirloom rescues. The idea is to return items to descendants of their original owners.

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