Tag: Genealogy
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If These Walls Could Talk: Our Family’s Brooklyn Haven Since 1905
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For Week 13 of #52Ancestors – Theme: Home Sweet Home When we talk about “home,” what really makes a house a home? Is it the physical structure, the people inside it, or the memories created there? For my family, one special house in Brooklyn has been all of these things…
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Chasing my Swedish Roots – Part II – Breaking Through the Brick Wall
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Hello again, fellow ancestry detectives! Remember back in February when I shared my quest to uncover my Swedish roots? Well, grab a cup of coffee (or perhaps some Swedish glögg if you’re feeling festive) because I’ve got some exciting updates to share! Welcome to Week 11 of #52Ancestors! As you…
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When Sisters Marry Brothers: A Tale of Two Families Intertwined
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Have you ever wondered what it would be like if your sister married your husband’s brother? Two families joining together not once, but twice? I’ve always been fascinated by this unique connection in my family tree, and today I want to share the story of how the Hurkala sisters married…
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RootsTech Day 3 Recap: Crossing the Finish Line
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The Final Stretch Today was the final day of RootsTech 2025, and I’m officially genealogied-out (if that’s not a word, it should be!). I dragged myself out of bed at 8 AM to start my day a recorded session (and a very large cup of coffee), and somehow managed to…
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My RootsTech Virtual Adventure: Learning in Pajamas
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Ever since I caught the genealogy bug (a very long time ago), I’ve been on a never-ending quest to solve my family mysteries, and for the the last 10 years or so, to sharpen my family history sleuthing skills. (Just call me a genealogy Nancy Drew!) Like many passionate researchers, attending…
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The Secrets We Keep: Myrtle’s Hidden Truth
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This week’s #52Ancestors prompt is “Family Secrets,” and it got me thinking about the stories we choose to tell—and those we don’t. Have you ever wondered what secrets your ancestors kept? What stories they took to their graves, what truths remained unspoken at family gatherings? I certainly have, especially when…
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The Power of Letters in Genealogy
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“My baby, just a wrote me a letter…”[1] #52Ancestors – Letters and Diaries Letters are a goldmine for genealogical research. Unlike dry official records, letters capture the raw emotions, everyday experiences, and personal connections that defined our ancestors’ lives. And if you happen to have a collection of wartime love…
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Chasing My Swedish Roots
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This week’s #52Ancestors prompt is “Challenge.” And let me tell you—I’ve had my fair share of research challenges. But my biggest one? The one that keeps me up at night? Tracking down my paternal great-great-grandfather in Sweden. I’ve always been fascinated by my Swedish heritage. Ever since I learned that…