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Blog Entries: 1 to 25 of 2140
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An obituary to make you smile
Obituaries published in the The Minnesota Star Tribune on Tuesday, May 13, 2025 included:
Burton "Burt" Cohen
died on May 10, 2025. He was 94 1/2 and overweight. He was given plenty of advance notice of his imminent death, but his lifelong habit of procrastination meant he didn't write this obituary until pretty much the last minute, thereby sacrificing fact checking, proofreading and style. Readers please note.
He died not of flabbiness, as had been widely predicted, but of advanced aortic stenosis, after choosing to reject the surgical procedures that would have corrected the problem. "It would have been like putting a new set of tires on an old jalopy," he said, "Almost every other body part or function was deteriorating at an accelerating rate and wouldn't have supported new tires for very long. The two exceptions were my appendix and my hair follicles, which were still performing well, and I feel bad they had to go with the rest."
Burt was born in and spent most of his life in Minneapolis, with two gaps: two years in humid, roach-infested Augusta, Georgia, where he was stationed with the U.S. Army; and five years in wonderful, wonderful New York, where he worked at something.
The obit goes on, with humor to the end, and can be read in its entirety here. Cohen was founding publisher of Mpls.St.Paul Magazine. |
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Most common surnames in Europe
Have you seen Terrible Maps?
Perhaps on Facebook or Instagram?
Or maybe you have the book, Terrible Maps: Hilarious Maps for a Ridiculous World? It's referred to as the "ultimate gift book for the budding geographer or anyone who wants to have a laugh."
We need a laugh these days.
While I can't vouch for the credibility of this map's data concerning common European surnames, I found it particularly entertaining on Mother's Day. My mom was proud of her Dutch/Friesian heritage. Her maiden name was DeJong, supposedly the most common surname in the Netherlands.
Murphy is certainly believable in Ireland; I was surprised about Smith and Jones in the U.K. |
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New Kerry records at RootsIreland.ie
Brought to you by the Irish Family HIstory Foundation:
We are delighted to announce the addition of 20,385 new Kerry records to the Roots Ireland database!
- Roman Catholic parish of Killorglin baptisms: 1798-1911
(with some gaps between 1851-1880).
For an up to date list of sources for Kerry and to search these records, go to rootsireland.ie/kerry and login or subscribe as required. |
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May 10 at the Minnesota Genealogy Center
On Saturday, May 10, Jeanne Bielke-Rodenbiker will be presenting her Beginning Genealogy Class at the Hoffman Research Library in Mendota Heights, MN. This free program is sponsored by the Minnesota Genealogical Society as part of their Second Saturday program.
It also happens to be Irish Saturday at the library and the day before Mother's Day (hint-hint).
Class is 1pm - 4pm and also includes a tour of the library. Bring your mom to the library and spend the afternoon with her learning how to work on your family tree together. Make it a project you will both cherish for years to come! More info here.
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From Africa to Ireland
As we continue exploring my husband Bill’s .png) Big-Y DNA results from FamilyTreeDNA, we've been fascinated by the possible migration path his ancestors took.
This map traces a journey spanning many thousands of years, beginning in Africa and ending in central Ireland, where Bill’s paternal line ultimately settled. The red circle indicates where his haplogroup branched off about 6500 years ago.
The years we've spent tracing the most recent five generations is tiny in comparison to the vast stretch of history behind them. It's humbling to reflect on the ancestors who made that incredible journey.
Somewhere along the way—at least eight or nine generations ago--the family surname shifted from Gilliam to Hickey.
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Social gaggle on Tues afternoon, Apr 29
Come one, come all – no need to be a member, or to register. Just drop in!
Tuesday, April 29 – join our virtual social gaggle
1:00 – 2:30 pm Central on Zoom
Sometimes the best tips and strategies come from a family historian sitting next to you! Perhaps another IGSI friend has figured out how to do something you’re struggling with… or never thought of. Let us learn, share, and be inspired by each other! Bring your successes, challenges, questions, and interesting stories to our IGSI Social Gaggle!
Join Zoom Meeting
Passcode: 667003
We’ll start with a quick intro to IGSI, a round of introductions, then a short demo by Walt Rothwell. Following that, we’ll open the “floor” so you can share or query the collective “brain trust” in this session. Or, just bring your stories about successes or lessons learned. Join our virtual coffee klatch of genealogists, seasoned professionals and maybe just aspiring family historians. Feel free to share this event with your friends. |
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May 2025 podcast
In the May episode of the “This month at the IGSI” podcast (episode 11 of season 3), genealogist Dave Miller talks about the May webinar featuring … Elizabeth Williams Gomoll. Her topic is titled “Alien Passenger Code.” This presentation will be held on May 31st. This is a webinar only event. Finding an immigrant's name on a passenger list is exciting, but there's more information on that sheet than you might expect. Learn what the cryptic abbreviations and number codes jotted on U.S. customs manifests can reveal about an immigrant's experience when they arrived in "Amerika." The webinar will begin at 10:30 am and will last until noon Central Daylight Time. The cost of the webinar is $15 for members with a coupon and $20 for non-members. You can register for the webinar by clicking the Activities tab at left and scrolling down the page.
Dave also talks about a place you can visit if you plan on traveling to Dublin this year. Plus, Dave interviews an Irish Master Distiller who is now practicing his trade in America. Brian Nation tells Dave how he became a Master Distiller, what brought him to America, and how he is practicing his trade.
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This Saturday, April 26
MR. BLACKSTONE’S COMMON LAW
Presented by Judy G. Russell, JD, CG, CGL – The LegalGenealogist™
10:30 am Central
a virtual-only webinar on Zoom
$15 for IGSI members (with discount code); $20 for non-members
Learn how the ancient Law of England brought the legal structure of today’s English-speaking world: Canada, Australia - New Zealand, and the US and England. Judy is an exceptional speaker in great demand, and IGSI is fortunate to have her join us.
REGISTER HERE |
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DNA Day sale at FamilyTreeDNA
Celebrate DNA Day (April 25) and FamilyTreeDNA's 25th anniversary with savings on a wide variety of DNA tests.
Big discounts on FamilyFinder, mtDNA and Y-DNA tests.
Click HERE to get started! Offer ends April 30.
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New Monaghan records at RootsIreland.ie
Brought to you by the Irish Family History Foundation:
New Monaghan Records
We are delighted to announce the addition of the following Monaghan records to our Roots Ireland database (2410 records altogether):
Marriages:
- 1845-1930 Tydavnet Ballinode CI marriages, 277 records.
- 1851-1930 Loughmourne PR marriages, 95 records.
- 1872-1923 Castleblayney WM marriages, 13 records.
- 1877-1930 Tehallan RC marriages, 221 records
- (606 Marriages)
Baptisms
- 1881-1915 Tehallen RC Baptisms, 557 records.
School Records
- 1867-1919 register girls Drummuck NS Co. Monaghan, 620 records.
- 1876-1919 register boys Stonebridge NS Co. Monaghan, 325 records.
- 1876-1929 register girls Stonebridge NS Co. Monaghan, 302 records.
- (1,247 school records)
For an up to date list of sources for Monaghan and to search these records, go to rootsireland.ie/monaghan and login or subscribe as required.
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Theme of April Septs: Ulster Province
A digital copy of The Septs for April 2025 was emailed yesterday to all members of the Irish Genealogical Society International (IGSI). Printed copies of this bigger-than-usual, 40-page issue will also be delivered to General IGSI members by USPS.
Each journal has a theme, and this quarter's emphasis is Ulster Province. A quick glance at the Table of Contents (shown right) confirms that 100% of the April feature articles are on theme. We understand even more Ulster articles are wait-listed for future issues.
If you're not a member but wish you could read The Septs -- it's easy! Just join IGSI! Click on the Join tab at left.
For only $35, you can become an Electronic member and automatically receive both The Septs (quarterly) and the Ginealas eNewsletter (bimonthly). Plus you'll get online access to PDF copies of The Septs (back to 1981) as well as discounts on IGSI's webinars. For $40, you can become a General member with the benefit of receiving the printed copy by mail. |
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April 12 is "Irish Saturday"
Tomorrow, April 12, is "Irish Saturday" at the Hoffman  Research Library in Mendota Heights.
If you live in or plan travel to the Twin Cities area, you can visit the library at the Minnesota Genealogy Center (MGC) during its normal library business hours for researching in person. It houses the extensive (3,000+ item) IGSI research collection.
Visit the library on Irish Saturday (the second Saturday of each month) when IGSI volunteers can help you start your research or talk through that problem ancestor. The library is usually open 10 AM –4 PM on Saturdays. Before you travel, check our website homepage to confirm the library will be open, as it occasionally closes due to poor weather or other issues.
IRISH ANCESTORS AND OTHER RESOURCES AT THE LIBRARY
Three patron workstations in the Hoffman Research Library are nowconfigured with John Grenham’s IRISH ANCESTORS website subscription for Irish ancestral research.
You can also access FINDMYPAST, ANCESTRY, FOLD 3 and NEWSPAPERS.COM within the library using the library's subscription. The first three subscriptions are available from library workstations as well as your own device using the library's wi-fi.
DISCOVERY MAPS OF IRELAND: FOR SALE
We will be selling DISCOVERY MAPS OF IRELAND (Republic of Ireland) on Irish Saturdays for $5.00. Mark will have a table set up by the front desk at the Hoffman Research Center. We will not have the ability to process credit card orders and the sale will require cash (exact change is appreciated) or check. While these lovely maps may not be the latest edition, they are an amazing resource if you are looking for more details about the area where your ancestors originated. We are investigating ways to sell these via our website in the future.
ADMISSION FEE FOR NON-MEMBERS
Admittance to the Hoffman Research Library at the MGC is FREE TO IGSI MEMBERS. ($10 fee for non-members). |
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"Finding Your Roots" tonight, April 8
Don't miss seeing Dr. Henry Louis Gates Jr. as he goes from host to guest on the PBS show, "Finding Your Roots"!
Here's the intro from yesterday's story by The Associated Press:
"For 11 seasons, Henry Louis Gates Jr. has sat across from his guests on the popular PBS series “Finding Your Roots” and led them through secrets in their family tree. On Tuesday, it's his turn.
The Harvard scholar learns a long-buried puzzle about his great-great grandmother, Jane Gates, information which scrambles his ancestry and opens up a new branch that goes back to Ireland..."
Read the entire AP story here.
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Swapped at birth
Yet another interesting article about a surprising discovery that came from a DNA kit.
To read the story--the second of its type uncovered by the BBC--click here. |
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Free access to 1939 Register from FMP
Good news, bad news.
First, the good news: To mark the 80th anniversary of  the end of World War II in Europe (VE Day celebration photo at right), Findmypast (FMP) is offering free access to the 1939 Register through May 8. Search it here.
The 1939 Register--similar to a census and conducted by the British government on September 29, 1939--is a complete record of the pre-war civilian population in Britain. Entries include residents of each household with full name, address, date of birth, marital status, occupation, and whether the individual was a member of the armed services or reserves.
Now the bad news: Only the records of England and Wales are available online, not Northern Ireland or Scotland.
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Plan ahead for April at IGSI
A new month, a new season, time to take advantage of IGSI's offerings!
Saturday, April 12
"Irish Saturday"
Hoffman Research Library, MN Genealogy Center, 1385 Mendota Heights Road, Ste 100
Stop by the library for Irish research help (10AM-4PM).
Check MGS website on the day you plan to visit, to make sure the library is open. Short-notice closures will be highlighted on their main page.
Saturday, April 26
Mr. Blackstone's Common Law (Webinar - online via Zoom)
10:30 AM - Noon CDT
With Judy G. Russell, JD, CG, CGL - The Legal Genealogist®
$15 for IGSI members**; $20 for non-members
William Blackstone's Commentaries on the Law of England reflect what became the legal structure of much of the English-speaking world. Its influence on legal development in Canada, Australia and New Zealand, and the United States, as well as within England itself, was far-reaching, making Mr. Blackstone's common law a reference work all historical and genealogical researchers often need to consult.
Register here.
**The Discount Code will be sent to members via email and is posted on IGSI’s member-only webpage. You can reach the IGSI Education team at Education@IrishGenealogical.org.
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Telling Stories with DNA
CeCe Moore, well-known genetic genealogist, has helped  solve hundreds of cold cases and appeared on countless TV shows.
When FamilySearch and RootsTech organizers learned she was planning to attend the recent Salt Lake City conference in person, they arranged for her to make a presentation about her work on "Finding Your Roots with Henry Louis Gates, Jr."
To view the free recording of her March 2025 talk, "Telling Stories with DNA," click here.
Watch the April 8th episode of "Finding Your Roots" and see Dr. Gates' reaction as CeCe Moore explains her research findings about his European ancestors. |
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IGSI Social Gaggle on Zoom
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Thursday, March 27
Zoom meeting
6:30 - 8:00 PM CDT (UTC-5)
Join a group of IGSI leaders to share ideas and challenges with family history research relating to Irish ancestors. Please share your questions, celebrations, favorite strategies or resources, and dead ends. The session will start with a round-robin of introductions (as you choose), followed by a short discussion of newspaper research by co-Chair Trish, then open discussion time on Zoom.
Open to the public. No registration required. Please join in the fun and common purpose!
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Genealogy Webinar Marathon
The following announcement comes to us from MyHeritage:
The 6th Annual 24-Hour Genealogy Webinar Marathon, hosted by Legacy Family Tree Webinars and MyHeritage, is coming to a screen near you on April 3–4, 2025! The marathon kicks off on Thursday, April 3 at 5 P.M. Eastern (U.S.) and runs straight through to Friday, April 4 at 5 P.M. Eastern — that's 24 hours of nonstop learning, inspiration, and discovery.
This is a fantastic opportunity to learn from a powerhouse lineup of genealogy experts and educators from around the globe. Whether you're looking to dive deeper into DNA, break through brick walls, use AI for research, or explore your family's origins, there's something here for every genealogist — from beginner to pro.
Every session is completely free to attend live, but spots are limited per session, so be sure to register early to save your seat! Explore the full schedule and register now at: familytreewebinars.com/24-marathon/
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DNA dilemma for 23andMe customers
If you did a DNA test with 23andMe, you've undoubtedly read about their recent financial troubles. No one knows for certain what will happen to the DNA data of its 15 million customers if the firm shuts down.
Over the weekend, the California attorney general recommended CA residents consider deleting genetic data from 23andMe and shared these steps:
1. Log into your 23andMe account on their website.
2. Go to the “Settings” section of your profile.
3. Scroll to a section labeled “23andMe Data” at the bottom of the page.
4. Click “View” next to “23andMe Data”
5. Download your data: If you want a copy of your genetic data for personal storage, choose the option to download it to your device before proceeding.
6. Scroll to the “Delete Data” section.
7. Click “Permanently Delete Data.”
8. Confirm your request: You’ll receive an email from 23andMe; follow the link in the email to confirm your deletion request.
The attorney general’s office said customers who requested their saliva sample and DNA be stored by 23andMe can change that preference from their account settings page.
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April 2025 Podcast
In the April episode of the “This month at the IGSI” podcast  (episode 10 of season 3), genealogist Dave Miller talks about the April webinar, featuring … Judy G. Russell. Her topic is titled “Mr. Blackstone’s Common Law.” This presentation will be held on April 26th and is a webinar-only event. Ms. Russell will explore William Blackstone's Commentaries on the Law of England and reflect on what became the legal structure of much of the English-speaking world. Its influence on legal development was far-reaching, making Mr. Blackstone's common law a reference work all historical and genealogical researchers often need to consult. This included Canada, Australia and New Zealand, and the United States, as well as within England itself. The webinar will begin at 10:30 am and will last until noon Central Daylight Time. The cost of the webinar is $15 for members and $20 for non-members. You can register for the webinar here: https://www.eventcreate.com/e/igsi-webinar-common-law
Dave also discussed a newly discovered book on St. Patrick that might provide us with more information on the life of one of Ireland’s patron saints! The book was written by Heinrich Zimmer, Germany’s first professor of Celtic Studies. Zimmer’s manuscript, written in 1894, was a 575-page study of St. Patrick’s life. The book was partially damaged in a fire over a hundred years ago. The book has been archived since 1910 at Berlin-Brandenburg Academy. The Irish Department of Foreign Affairs in conjunction with Trinity College of Dublin and the Berlin-Brandenburg Academy will fund a restoration project of this study of St. Patrick’s past. The project is expected to be completed sometime this year.
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Irish research websites get makeovers
During February, two important Irish research websites launched major refreshes.
While that's nice, the update will require users to spend time noodling to get acquainted. Many of the initial wrinkles with the launch have been fixed. However a potentially big downside to the updated site is that urls have changed. This means published links won't work. Subscription sites will undoubtedly be updating their records, but the urls in books and journals will no longer take you where you want to go.
IrishGenealogy.ie -- This site offers free access to Irish civil records and some church records. Two major positive changes: 1) the site is now more mobile friendly, and 2) the search form on the home page efficiently combines civil and church records. The query defaults to "all records" unless you choose to restrict to either civil or church.
The new look has its benefits, but bigger font and liberal spacing also mean less content fits on a page, making it slower to scroll or do screenshots. And there's the learning curve for adjusting query short cuts one may have learned over the years.
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Facts about St Patrick's Day
On March 17, everyone wants to be a little Irish. It's a day when Irishness is celebrated around the world.
Here are three things to help you channel your inner Irishman or Irishwoman (with a tip of the hat to the longer blog posting at EF Education First):
1. Once upon a time
St. Patrick is one of the most famous patron saints of Ireland: According to legend, he brought Christianity to the island, made the shamrock fashionable and freed Ireland from snakes. The holiday marks St. Patrick’s death and has been observed as a religious holiday in Ireland for over 1500 years.
2. Cheers to the official holiday!
Ireland only officially started celebrating the day in 1903. Since the Emerald Isle is mainly Catholic and St. Patrick’s Day usually falls on Lent, it used to be a quiet and religious holiday – until the 1960s, when a law allowed pubs to open on St. Paddy’s Day. (Never call it St. Patty’s Day!)
3. The patron saint formerly known as Maewyn
St. Patrick is not actually an Irishman named Patrick: Born Maewyn Succat, the Irish patron saint was actually British. According to the legend, he was sold into slavery in Ireland when he was a teenager, became religious, escaped back to England, became an ordained priest named Patrick and started converting the Irish Celtic pagans to Christianity.
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A plethora of RootsTech discounts!
A thoughtful blog reader alerted us to an error in yesterday's posting. The link to FTDNA's promotion didn't work.
Following up, we find there are many discounts being offered by RootsTech sponsors! Some offers were only valid March 6-8. For at least some of the discounts (including FamilyTreeDNA), you must have been registered for RootsTech.
Click here to see a complete listing of all the RootsTech sponsors and their various offers, deadlines, and restrictions. |
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RootsTech promo codes for FTDNA
About eight years ago, we were contacted by an  administrator of the FamilyTreeDNA Hickey Surname Project, who diplomatically advised my husband Bill that “in reviewing your STR matches, I noticed a distinct lack of Hickeys... I think it is more than possible that you descend from other than a Hickey line. Your close matches are the Gilliams..."
We've done additional testing (with no significant results), and Bill is now also part of the R1b CTS4466Plus Project at FamilyTree DNA. We've stopped short of doing the "Big Y." Bill just hasn't been THAT curious. Until now.
This week one of the administrators of the R1b CTS4466Plus Project notified us about special promotion codes related to Roots Tech. He suggested upgrading to Big Y might "help fill a void in a poorly sampled part of the tree." Of course, my hope is that it sheds light on the Hickey-Gilliam surname mystery.
I'm excited to report we're proceeding with the FTDNA Big Y-700 upgrade.
Update: Checking further, I find there are many discounts being offered by RootsTech sponsors! A full list can be found here. |
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