Photo: Abraham Lincoln, by Alexander Gardner, 8 November 1863. Credit: Mead Art Museum; Wikimedia Commons.

Lincoln Pleads for Peace in War-Torn Missouri

By Tony Pettinato on February 20, 2025

A letter Pres. Lincoln wrote to Missouri Gov. Fletcher on 20 February 1865 pleading for “old friendships” and “Christian charity” to end the violence... (Read More)

1860 fire engine in San Francisco, California. Credit: Roy D. Graves Collection, Bancroft Library at UC Berkeley.

19th Century Volunteer Firemen’s Photo Album (part 1)

By Melissa Berry on February 19, 2025

In this article, Melissa Davenport Berry presents some history and genealogy based on a 19th century photo album of volunteer firemen... (Read More)

Photo: the Hawaii state capitol, Honolulu, O’ahu. Credit: Xpixupload; Wikimedia Commons.

Hawaii Archives: 69 Newspapers for Genealogy Research

By Tony Pettinato on February 18, 2025

An article (with a complete title list) about the 69 Hawaii newspapers available in GenealogyBank’s online Historical Newspaper Archives... (Read More)

Photo: Common Burying Ground and Island Cemetery in Newport, Rhode Island. Credit: Matt H. Wade.; Wikimedia Commons.

Genealogy Tips: Find Obituaries for Your Ancestor’s Siblings

By Gena Philibert-Ortega on February 17, 2025

In this article, Gena Philibert-Ortega writes about one of the most important types of records for genealogists: obituaries... (Read More)

Photo: an English Victorian-era Valentine card located in the Museum of London, c. 1870. Credit: rgEbfucR4wKBlg; Wikimedia Commons.

It Happened on St. Valentine’s Day: Birthday of Ferris Wheel Inventor

By Melissa Berry on February 14, 2025

Melissa Berry writes about an engineering marvel built to rival the Eiffel Tower – the Ferris Wheel, whose inventor was born on Valentine’s Day in 1859... (Read More)

Photo: the Georgia State Capitol in Atlanta, Georgia. Credit: connor.carey; Wikimedia Commons.

Georgia Archives: 255 Newspapers for Genealogy Research

By Tony Pettinato on February 13, 2025

An article (with a complete title list) about the 255 Georgia newspapers available in GenealogyBank’s online Historical Newspaper Archives... (Read More)

It Happened on St. Valentine’s Day – Blizzard Babies! (part 2)

By Melissa Berry on February 12, 2025

Melissa Davenport Berry further describes the 1940 St. Valentine’s Day Blizzard in New England, when more than 30 babies were born in the Boston area!.. (Read More)

It Happened on St. Valentine’s Day – Blizzard Babies! (part 1)

By Melissa Berry on February 11, 2025

Melissa Davenport Berry describes the 1940 St. Valentine’s Day Blizzard in New England, during which more than 30 babies were born in the Boston area!.. (Read More)

Illustration: Sherlock Holmes investigates a mystery. Illustration credit: https://depositphotos.com/home.html

Tainted Tonic: A ‘Whodunit’ Mystery in Georgia

By James Pylant on February 10, 2025

Genealogy discovery: while researching this story, James Pylant was surprised to find that one of his relatives was the accused killer's wife!.. (Read More)