Our Growing Family Tree

Pre-Conference Planning: Making the Most of Your Genealogy Conference Experience

April 29, 2025

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Kirsten M. Max-Douglas

As I prepare for my 3.5-hour drive from Cincinnati to Sandusky for the Ohio Genealogical Society’s annual conference, I’m feeling that familiar mix of excitement and anticipation that comes before every genealogy event. Whether you’re a conference veteran or considering attending your first in-person genealogy gathering, proper preparation can make…
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Genetic Breadcrumbs: Following DNA to Find the Mysterious Mr. Max

April 28, 2025

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Kirsten M. Max-Douglas

Introduction Remember that story I shared about the mysterious Mr. Max? If you missed it, I introduced you to one of my family’s most enduring mysteries—the identity of Clifford Max’s father, born in Edwardsville, Illinois in 1929. According to family lore, Clifford’s father had died before his son was born.…
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From Family Tales to Documented History: The Genealogist’s Journey

April 20, 2025

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Kirsten M. Max-Douglas

Family stories are the heartbeat of genealogy. They spark our curiosity, connect us to our past, and often set us on the path of discovery. As I reflect on the first fifteen weeks of my #52Ancestors project, I’m struck by how often my research has centered around testing family stories…
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The Case of the Two Thomas Dowlings: A Genealogical Mix-Up

April 14, 2025

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Kirsten M. Max-Douglas

#52Ancestors – Week 15 – Big Mistake Oh, the mistakes we make when we’re just starting out! When I first began my genealogical journey, I was bright-eyed and eager—perhaps a bit too eager. I’d found census records for my paternal great grandfather, Thomas Dowling born in Brooklyn in 1871, and…
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The #52Ancestors Challenge: Bringing Your Family History to Life

April 6, 2025

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Kirsten M. Max-Douglas

Hello fellow family history enthusiasts! I wanted to take a moment to chat about something that’s absolutely transformed my genealogy journey – the #52Ancestors in 52 Weeks challenge created by genealogist Amy Johnson Crow. Think of it as your personal invitation to dust off those family stories hiding in your…
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Language – Decoding My Swedish Ancestry

April 6, 2025

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Kirsten M. Max-Douglas

For Week 14 of #52Ancestors There’s something uniquely challenging and rewarding about researching ancestors who spoke a language different from your own. As someone who has spent countless hours poring over Swedish church records, I’ve developed a love-hate relationship with the beautiful, flowing handwriting of 19th-century Swedish parish priests—and the…
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If These Walls Could Talk: Our Family’s Brooklyn Haven Since 1905

March 30, 2025

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Kirsten M. Max-Douglas

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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Historical Events: My Grandfather’s American Journey

March 26, 2025

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Kirsten M. Max-Douglas

Week 12 of #52Ancestors Challenge: Historical Events When we think of “historical events,” our minds often jump to world wars, presidential elections, or groundbreaking scientific discoveries. But history is also created through the personal journeys of ordinary people making extraordinary choices—choices that ripple through generations. For me, one such pivotal…
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