-
She Lost Two Children, Then Crossed an Ocean to Build a New Life
In January 1885, Anastasia Hlinka buried her first child in the village of Litmanova, Slovakia. Maria Hurkala lived seventeen days. Nine years later, Anastasia buried a second child,…
4 min read
-
When Your Mom & Dad Disagree: Conflicting Evidence in Genealogy
Two naturalization papers. The same daughter. Two completely different birthdays. When my great-grandfather Vasil Marcisak filed his Petition for Naturalization in 1935, he listed his daughter Eva’s birth…
4 min read
-
Why Attending RootsTech 2026 Virtually Is the Right Move Right Now
Six years ago, I started attending RootsTech virtually. I haven’t looked back. With nearly 300 sessions completed, I’ve learned that virtual attendance isn’t a consolation prize — it’s…
4 min read
-
From Leluchów With Love: Andreas Knysz and Paraskevia Kowalski
Andreas Knysz and Paraskevia Kowalski were born in the same small mountain village in what is now southern Poland, married there in 1868, and raised three daughters there.…
4 min read
-
They Were Standing on the Edge… and Never Knew It
Ola Andersson and Hanna Persdotter were standing on the edge of a major shift in their family, but had no idea it was coming. When Ola died in…
4 min read
-
One Address, Eight Census Records, 45 Years of Family Survival
Tracking a family through census records from 1905-1950 reveals survival strategies. Eight NY censuses show how one Brooklyn family adapted across generations.
4 min read
