Top Ten Reasons Our Ancestors Came to America

I didn't write this one, but it was too good to resist re-posting here:

Top Ten Reasons Our Ancestors Came to America

10. Took wrong turn at Bering land bridge.

9. Slavers seemed pretty insistent.

8. Sought religious freedom and the right to disembowel Quakers.

7. Nothing good to watch on BBC.

6. Took their orders from Neil Diamond.

5. Potato famine put big dent in profits from Irish fish-and-chip franchises.

4. To oppose anyone else being allowed to immigrate to America.

3. Sick of having unpronounceable names.

2. Wanted the right to vote on behalf of their wives.

1. Hoped to one day be listed on Ellis Island website.

I stole this (rather shamelessly) from The Genealogue, who publishes all kinds of other "Genealogy News You Can't Possibly Use". He has an excellent and highly entertaining blog filled with news that you can definitely use, or at least get a laugh from. Check him out at:

http://www.genealogue.com

And for ALL of his "Top 10" lists, visit:

http://www.genealogue.com/2005/05/top-ten-list-index.html

Off the Beaten Genealogical Path

Sometimes I get tired of ordering birth and death certificates, sifting through census data, or searching cemetery databases. Not tired of genealogy, but tired of the "traditional" channels for research.

That's when an article like Kathy Jones-Kristof's comes in to play. Her "Unusual Places to Look for Genealogy" does a great job of listing a number of different avenues for research - some that you probably have never thought about, and some which you have probably not tried for awhile. It's worth taking a fresh look at the article, as well as the rest of her blog:

http://genealogyhelpandhints.com/2008/07/05/unusual-places-to-look-for-genealogy/

Inspired by her post (it was written awhile ago but I just came across it today), I decided to search some Unclaimed Property type sites and actually came across three recently-deceased cousins listed. I've contacted their next of kin, and am hoping that there is some sort of positive payout for them!

Japan's Itako a Dying Breed

With modernity comes some loss of belief in the ability to commune with one's ancestors:

“This is an era when children ignore their parents and forget about the dead,” said Mr. Kurokawa, who runs an inn near the temple that caters to visitors of the spiritual mediums.

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/08/21/world/asia/21japan.html

Leningrad, Then and Now

Stumbled upon these very cool photos that combine the past and the present in a very creative way.

Leningrad, then and now:
http://izismile.com/2009/02/27/leningrad_back_then_and_now_15_pics.html

This makes me think of some interesting things one could do when visiting the hometowns and homesteads of our ancestors if you have an old photo to refer to!

'Grave' Humor & Interesting Epitaphs

I was searching findagrave.com for ancestors and came across a category just for interesting or humorous tombstone texts.

Some of my favorites:

From a dentist's gravestone:
"I'm filling my last cavity."

An interesting story behind this one that reads "DAMN THE STATE DEPT"
http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GSie=1&GRid=10860996&

A Canadian says "I told you so..."
http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GSie=1&GRid=7968130&

A sad one:
http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=15912681

The Actor Jack Lemmon's last "role":
http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=22822

An older man who obviously loved life til the last breath:
http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=pv&GRid=17000569&PIpi=4774598

Perhaps it sounds morbid, but what would you have *yours* read? :)

Overcoming Those "Brick Walls"

This time around, a little bit of a personal story on my family history research, and how I was able to overcome what I thought was a "brick wall".

Watching the video you'll see that I had a clue the whole time, and didn't even realize it. :)

Best "Buys" for your Genealogy Research Dollars

Sorry to everyone for my long absence. Just got caught up with the JOB search. Speaking of which - if you know anyone looking for an experienced marketer with her MBA, please let me know! :)

This video sums up where (with what resources) I've had the most success in researching my family tree. You may be using the same sites and methods. If you have any thoughts, I'd be happy to see your comments.

I also mention one website I feel I wasted some money and time on - PublicRecordsPro.com If you made the same mistake let me know. Alternatively, if you feel the site was a great help, I'd love to hear where and how it was most helpful to you!