Month: May 2025
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Remembering the Forgotten Heroes: Paul and Stephen Marcisak
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Memorial Day Special – #52Ancestors On this Memorial Day, as we honor those who served our nation, I find myself thinking about two men whose stories deserve to be told: my grandmother’s brothers, Paul Marcisak (1922-1959) and Stephen Marcisak (1913-1961). These weren’t generals or war heroes whose names appear in…
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My NGS 2025 Journey: Amazing Learning, Ready for Solitude
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As I write this final conference post from my room at The Galt House, I’m reflecting on what has been an absolutely incredible in-person genealogical immersion. Today’s sessions were the perfect capstone to my first NGS conference, taking me from foundational methodology all the way to cutting-edge AI applications. But…
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NGS 2025 Day 1: From Virtual to Reality – My First Full Conference Day
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After years of attending conferences virtually (I’m looking at you, RootsTech pajama sessions!), today marked my first full day at an in-person National Genealogical Society conference here at The Galt House in Louisville, Kentucky. What a day it’s been! Morning Sessions: Diving Deep into Methodology “When the Evidence Doesn’t Agree”…
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Pre-Conference Adventures and Unexpected Connections
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Note: Writing this on Saturday morning Sometimes the best conference days are the ones that unfold organically, without a packed schedule or rigid plans. Yesterday was exactly that kind of day at my first in-person National Genealogical Society conference here in Louisville. A Working Friday Morning Since I still had…
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From Pajamas to Louisville: My First In-Person NGS Conference Adventure
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As a veteran virtual conference attendee (five years of RootsTech pajama sessions, plus NGS, PaGE, North Carolina, and more!), it was finally time to experience one in person – especially when NGS landed practically in my backyard this year. I’ve finally taken the plunge into my first in-person National Genealogical…
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The Astonishing Roadster Revelation: My Quiet Grandfather’s Secret Wheels
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Sometimes the most surprising family history discoveries appear when you least expect them. While sorting through a forgotten box of papers (you know, the kind we genealogists can never resist), I stumbled upon something that made me catch my breath—a complete set of purchase documents for a 1936 Plymouth Sedan…
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My Library Journey: From Nancy Drew To Genealogy Research
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Libraries have been my second home since childhood, shaping my love for reading and lifelong learning. From summer reading programs to complex academic research, they’ve influenced my education and career. Now, I’m thrilled to see my son sharing this same passion for libraries as I look forward to more adventures…
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The Healing Army: My Grandfather’s Service at America’s Largest WWII Hospital
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When I think about institutions that shaped my family’s history, one stands out prominently: Percy Jones Hospital in Battle Creek, Michigan. This wasn’t just any medical facility—it was where my maternal grandfather, George Dubinsky, served during the final months of World War II, and where thousands of wounded American soldiers…
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Breakthrough Methods: What I Learned at OGS Conference Day 3
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After two intensive days of genealogical immersion at the Ohio Genealogical Society Conference, I spent today absorbing knowledge from five remarkable sessions that have fundamentally changed how I’ll approach my family research. The “Light Up Your Genealogy” conference theme couldn’t have been more appropriate – each presentation illuminated different aspects…
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Breaking Through: 5 More Fantastic Genealogy Sessions
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The second full day of the Ohio Genealogical Society Conference filled my head with new ideas, resources, and strategies! Five information-packed sessions left me with pages of notes, a growing to-do list, and that familiar genealogy conference feeling—equal parts overwhelmed and inspired. Here’s my recap of today’s enlightening journey through…