Roots Television | Megan's Roots World

New Genealogy Event Scheduled - Grand Rapids, MI

Megan is scheduled to speak for the Western Michigan Genealogical Society at The Prince Center at Calvin College, 1800 East Beltline SE, Grand Rapids, MI on November 6, 2010.  She will be presenting "Michelle Obama's Roots," "Reverse Genealogy," "Tracing Your Roots with DNA," "Right Annie, Wrong Annie" and "Cases That Made My Brain Hurt."

Hope to see you there!

April Grant Awarded

The Ebenezer Avery House and Museum in Groton, CT contains many artifacts from the 18th and 19th centuries that relay family history as well as the social fabric of times past. The House displays nine samplers stitched by Avery Family members between 1788 and the mid-1800s. The grant award will help fund replacement picture frames, display cases, and packaging with archival and preservation-friendly materials so they can survive for future generations.

You can apply for an Honoring Our Ancestors Grant here.

Genealogy Round Up, June 24

Please come join me on 7/8 in NJ: "TV genealogist talks about family secrets, #genealogy"
TV genealogist talks about family secrets, genealogy @ TR « OCL Press Releases

Where Brian and I were yesterday - was so much fun to watch!
Megan Smolenyak Smolenyak's posterous - Home

With a name like Megan Smolenyak(2), I can relate to this! "What's in a name?"
What's in a name

Oh, no - this is so tempting because I have Ballymoney roots, but I'm already going to Ireland in Aug
Untitled Document

A moving tribute to uncles - and one in particular
A beloved uncle’s passing leads to thoughts of the important role such relatives can play

Pls vote re: possible FDA regulation of #DNA tests. I agree w/options 1 & 2, but went with #2
Science Poll | Twiigs

Thx for the shout-out & photo, Joan! "More #Genealogy Nuggets -Jamboree"
More Genealogy Nuggets -Jamboree Jogging 2010 - Part 3 | Luxegen Genealogy and Family History

Thanks so much, Elyse! Was so delighted to get to meet you!
Jamboree: Day Two (Saturday) | Elyse's Genealogy Blog - StumbleUpon

Joan Jett part-Irish; family tree sports "a ton of Duffys"
Year of the Jett - The Irish Times - Fri, Jun 18, 2010

Genealogy Round Up, June 17

Betty White: White-Hot in Cleveland or Not

Methinks this might create a little confusion
Puerto Rico scraps birth records - USATODAY.com

I defy you to not feel a little bit better about everything after reading this
mental_floss Blog » The Kindness of Strangers

Just the kind of story I like!
Engagement Ring Returned After 57 Years digtriad.com | Triad, NC | Local and State News

Yes! RC records from Cork coming! "Second phase of www.irishgenealogy.ie to be launched"
Irish Genealogy

Had a LOT of fun with Ruth!
Genealogy is Ruthless without Me: Megan Smolenyak x2

Genealogical Round Up, June 10

Why 23andMe’s Sample Swap is Actually an Argument In Favor of DTC Genetic Testing
http://bit.ly/bM0Eml

Whoa! On a lark, I searched for Osturna, the village that all the Smolenyaks trace back to, on YouTube. And this is what I found. Welcome to my roots!
Furmanske preteky Osturna 2008

Unclaimed Persons: Please Tell Someone

Yikes! A good argument for less draconian record-access laws: Irish Couple Discover They Are Siblings
Eastman's Online Genealogy Newsletter: Irish Couple Discover They Are Siblings

Counting the days until we go to www.TurinCastle.com! Can't wait to live like a queen!
Turin Castle - Welcome to Turin Castle, Co.Mayo

Hoping PA will relax its fierce vital records laws. Pennsylvania death certs deserve better access
Roots & Branches: Pennsylvania death certificates deserve better access - Lebanon Daily News

Children of Argentina media magnate forced to undergo #DNA testing - CSMonitor.com

Speaking about DNA, finding the living, and online newspaper resources in October in Louisville, KY
Seminar

Speaking about "Cases That Made My Brain Hurt" on 7/8 in NJ!
OCL CALENDAR OF EVENTS

Genealogical Round Up, June 3

megansmolenyak.posterous.com

Unclaimed Kin in Los Angeles Piling Up
bit.ly

From Californians’ #DNA, a Giant Genome Project - NYTimes.com
nyti.ms

If you haven't "liked" RootsTelevision.com on Facebook yet, I'd appreciate it if you would!
Roots Television

Annual Genealogy Event in California is Approaching!

June 11 kicks off the 41st Annual Southern California Genealogy Jamboree. Megan is thrilled to be participating again this year and will be presenting: "The Search for Michelle Obama's Roots," "Cases that Made My Brain Hurt," "Neglected History" and "Cold Cases: Genealogists, Coroners and the FBI"

The event starts and June 11 and continues until June 13, taking place at the Marriott Los Angeles Burbank Airport Hotel and Convention Center, 2500 Hollywood Way in Burbank, CA.

We hope to see you there!

New Genealogy Events Scheduled

October 5, 2010 - New York, NY - The New York Genealogical & Biographical Society - "Trace Your Roots with DNA" - 6:00 p.m. - The University Club of New York, One West 54th Street (corner of 54th and Fifth Ave.)

February 12, 2011 - Largo, FL - Pinellas Genealogy Society - "Trace Your Roots with DNA," "Reverse Genealogy: Techniques for Finding Your Lost Loved Ones," "Find The Obituary! Online Newspaper Research" and "Cold Cases: Genealogists, Coroners and the FBI" - Largo Public Library, 120 Central Park Drive

Genealogical Round Up, May 27

Megan Smolenyak: No Man Left Behind: Not Just an Expression
No Man Left Behind: Not Just an Expression

Love this! Great idea for past-junkies!
bit.ly

More birds of passage than I thought! "Tenement Museum: What % of immigrants returned to their home lands?
Tenement Museum Blog: Questions for Curatorial: Come and Go

Hope to see you there! "Countdown to Ultimate Family History Event: 41st #Genealogy Jamboree, June 11-13, Burbank
Countdown to the Ultimate Family History Event: 41st Annual Genealogy Jamboree, June 11-13 in Burban

First lady's family tree has deep roots in Henry County - Martinsville Bulletin

Finally got around to adding a Michelle Obama's Roots page to my website. Will add to it over time:
Michelle Obama's Roots - Videos, Articles and Resources

Another state opens records: "Adoptees cheer birth certificate law
Adoptees cheer birth certificate law :: CHICAGO SUN-TIMES :: Politics

My latest HuffPo piece -- Bret Michaels: The #Rusyn Roots of the Rock of Love
Bret Michaels: The Rusyn Roots of the Rock of Love

You tell 'em, Chris! via @huffingtonpost: Congratulations, Mom -- Here's Your Graduation Present
Congratulations, Mom -- Here's Your Graduation Present

They're doing it again! "Naked #Irish farmers in steamy calendar shoot
Naked Irish farmers in steamy calendar shoot | IrishCentral

Genealogy - Family Tree, History, Roots - Family Background, Race, Nationality - AARP

As it happens, I'm going this summer! "Discount vacation in Ireland for Americans with #Irish roots
Discount vacation in Ireland for Americans with Irish roots | Irish News | IrishCentral

I agree with Steve Luxenberg of "Annie's Ghosts" - do you? "Dead and gone and still private"
Dead and gone and still private | freep.com | Detroit Free Press

Genealogical Round Up, May 20

When kin of slaves and owner meet - CNN.com

BBC News - British Library to digitise 40m of its newspaper pages

genealogy, family history, family tree, Who Do You Think You Are - FamilyEducation.com
http://bit.ly/aAhBrS

First Lady Tied to Southside | ABC 13More on Michelle Obama's roots in VA:
First Lady Tied to Southside|ABC 13

Did anyone see this hilarious SNL skit with Betty White? I hope our ancestors took the Census more seriously than she does!
Hulu - Saturday Night Live: Census

Genealogy being spoofed by The Onion! "Tracing Your Genealogy"
Tracing Your Genealogy

Kean University Finds Historic Early Census Count - NYTimes.com

Megan Smolenyak: Michelle Obama's Roots: Dozens of Virginia Cousins
Michelle Obama's Roots: Dozens of Virginia Cousins

Great read that includes www.UnclaimedPersons.org volunteer grp: Unclaimed Kin in Los Angeles Piling Up
Unclaimed Persons - locate the next of kin for unclaimed persons - every life is worth remembering

Register at Bassett center key to (Michelle) Obama research - Martinsville Bulletin
Register at Bassett center key to Obama research - Martinsville Bulletin

Noted Family History Expert Megan Smolenyak Receives Honors from the National Genealogical Society
bit.ly

Thanks to Vince McCleary for steering me to this video re: FindAGrave.com
Special Report: FindAGrave.com -- WHNT

"Historian who traced first lady's roots to speak in Spartanburg"
Historian who traced first lady's roots to speak in Spartanburg | GoUpstate.com

Yes, completely agree with this. Really tired of being patronized and protected from myself! "bioethicists who say we can't handle DNA info use same argument docs did 25 yrs ago when denying people a diagnosis"
Psychosocial Issues: An International Survey of Physician Attitudes and Practice in Regard to Reveal

Congrats, Kim Garvey! Attendance doubles at Davie library’s annual Genealogy Fair
Attendance doubles at Davie library’s annual Genealogy Fair - Sun Sentinel

Researcher concerns re: digitized recs thru NARA’s digitization partners
NARAtions » Researcher concerns about the digitized records available on the web sites of NARA’s dig

*sigh* More folks trying to "teach" us what we already know: "Genetic Ancestry Testing Needs Stronger Science
Genetic Ancestry Testing Needs Stronger Science, Report Says - Bloomberg.com

Another piece on my girl, Annie! "The secret life behind iconic Irish immigrant Annie Moore
The secret life behind iconic Irish immigrant Annie Moore | Sidewalks by Tom Deignan | IrishCentral

Another great read. Out in paperback if you haven't read it yet!
Steve Luxenberg - Official Website