From one of my mother’s boxes emerged this salt shaker and pepper mill. They were wrapped in a January 1976 newspaper. And they were full of salt and pepper. I just dumped 50 year old peppercorns. …

All polished and heading to a new home. We’re moving! After almost 38 years in one house, we will be moving to a smaller home in a few months. Oh, my. We have an attic and basement full of th…

**In America, we don’t put up with would-be kings.** NO KINGS is a national day of action and mass mobilization in response to increasing authoritarian excesses and corruption from Trump and his allie...

Engagement photograph of Elsie Mills and Kenneth Oliver, date unknown. Kenneth Oliver (1898-1975) and Elsie Mills (1899-1993), my grandparents, were married 100 years ago on February 18, 1925 at th…

Clementine Esther (Bodenhamer) Owen, date unknown, family collection I was about 15 when I began piecing together my family history and gathering names of my ancestors. I learned that I had a great…

Tips on researching your family tree without breaking the bank

On the Trail of Family Faces, Places, and Stories Around the World

Data can help family historians identify gaps in their research and provide fresh perspective on their ancestors' lives.

NOTE: I made these remarks at the Celebration of Life for my mother, Celia Oliver, on December 5, 2022. We miss her. I’ve collected an assortment of descriptions of Mum this week—mine and from othe…

This post describes the new birth and death indexes launched by the GRO in 2016 and the cheaper copies of certificates available in pdf and digital form.

My devout Granny always said she wasn’t interested in heaven unless her dogs would be there. I feel the same way about family history. It’s not complete without the ancestral dogs. I co…

Branches at Ontario Ancestors are hosting six virtual presentations this week. All are open to the public, and with the exception of one, all are free. The following times are in Eastern time. Monday,...

Nellie M. Miller (1908-1916), about age 6. Isn’t she precious? Like many of us this housebound spring, I’ve been finding it hard to concentrate well enough to blog or even read much. Bu…

Genealogy research and commentary by Marian Burk Wood, speaker and author of "Planning a Future for Your Family's Past," available from Amazon.com.