The SPVM announced Wednesday that they solved the murder of Catherine Daviau, a 26-year-old woman killed in her home in the Rosemont–La Petite-Patrie borough in Dec. 2008.

Police say the DNA of Jacques Bolduc, who died of natural causes in 2021 at the Archambault Institution, where he was serving a sentence for two robberies and attempted murders, matches that of what was collected on the scene.

The force made the revelation in collaboration with the Forensic Sciences and Legal Medicine Laboratory (LSJML) of the Quebec Ministry of Public Security and the use of genetic genealogy.

On Dec. 11, 2008, Daviau was found brutally murdered in her apartment on 5th Avenue, near Masson Street — believed to have taken place in the evening.

The murderer then allegedly attempted to cover up the evidence of his crime by setting fire to the apartment before fleeing.

Traces of his DNA were collected during investigators’ examination of the crime scene.

Police confirmed Bolduc was not a relative of the victim and he reportedly contacted Daviau a few days before the murder, after she had listed her car on an online classifieds site.

As Bolduc is not alive, the SPVM’s confirmation of his identity closes the cold case and won’t be in court.

“Over the years, several investigative strategies have been deployed and hundreds of pieces of information have been processed to solve the murder of Ms. Catherine Daviau,” said the head of the Major Crimes Section, Commander Mélanie Dupont.

“We never gave up, and genetic genealogy finally allowed us to definitively identify the perpetrator of this horrific crime,” she added.

“Our thoughts are with the victim’s loved ones, and we hope that today’s announcement will bring them some peace of mind in their grieving process.”

The long-term investigation was helped by genetic genealogy, which allowed investigators to establish family trees to target a family of interest and cross-reference the suspect’s DNA with DNA profiles found in genealogy databases.

“For the past 17 years, the Laboratory’s scientists have worked in collaboration with the SPVM to complete this investigation,” said Suzanne Marchand, Senior Executive Director of the LSJML. “The arrival of innovative DNA technologies has helped solve the murder of Catherine Daviau. This can be seen as a source of hope for all those still waiting for answers.”

“Our goal in the coming years is to solve other unsolved murders by leaving no stone unturned and taking advantage of the new tools at our disposal. What motivates investigators is to bring justice to the victims and provide answers to grieving families,” said Dupont.

The family of a woman who has been missing for more than 50 years is getting some closure after Oregon State Police says investigative genetic genealogy helped identify her remains found in Linn County.

A moss hunter initially found the skeletal remains on July 24, 1976 in the Wolf Creek area near Swamp Mountain. However, it would be nearly half a century years before a team of detectives, medical examiner staff, and forensic genetic genealogists would confirm they belonged to Marion Vinetta Nagle McWhorter.

“This case was cold for 49 years. That means that family members lived and died without ever knowing what happened to their missing loved one,” State Forensic Anthropologist Hailey Collord-Stalder said.

Along with the remains, Linn County Sheriff’s Office investigators found a clog-style shoe, a fraying fringed leather coat, a leather belt with Native American-style beadwork, two metal rings, and a pair of degraded Levi’s jeans.

The Oregon State Medical Examiner’s Office examined the evidence back in 1976, and while a dental examination noted several restorations, they were unable to confirm an identity.

Decades later in 2010, the Oregon Museum of Natural and Cultural History made an anthropology report and estimated that the remains were of a white woman under 35 years old at the time of her death. Later that year, a bone sample was submitted to establish a DNA profile.

The following year a forensic artist with the Clackamas County Sheriff’s Office created a possible rendering of her face.

Another decade passed, and thanks to a National Institute of Justice grant, researchers used advanced DNA techniques to get a new profile analyzed.

There was a breakthrough in the case in April of 2025, when someone uploaded their genetic profile to the Family Tree DNA database, opening up a connection to the unidentified woman.

After following some leads, they determined the remains were likely those of McWhorter.

“Forensic genetic genealogy allowed us not only to assist Oregon law enforcement and medicolegal personnel in identifying a woman who likely did not go missing voluntarily, but it also helped provide her family with answers and help relieve the uncertainty of what happened to Marion McWhorter,” Collord-Stalder said.

Investigators say McWhorter, who was born January 7, 1953, had one surviving younger sister who lived in the Seattle area. She provided a DNA sample, confirming that it was her long-lost sister found all those years ago.

The Linn County Sheriff's Office is working to find out more about what led up to McWhorter’s death.

The Southington Genealogical Society will examine how localized expressions can provide clues into researching family history Sept. 23 at the Southington Historical Society.

The free program will be held Sept. 23 at 7 p.m. at the historical society at 239 Main St. For those unable to attend in-person, a Zoom option will also be available.

The program will discuss how words and expressions used in families can reveal details about their personal histories and origins.

“Certain words and idioms can pinpoint where someone has lived, their occupations or simply the times they lived in,” said Robin Michel, on behalf of the Southington Genealogical Society. “People often use different words to refer to the same item such as ‘grinder,’ ‘hoagie,’ or ‘sub’ for a sandwich on a hard roll. Another example: The strip of grass between the street and sidewalk is called the ‘devil’s strip.’ The term used to be more widespread but now, it’s only used in Akron, Ohio.”

The Southington Genealogical Society Inc., founded in 1984, is a non-profit organization located in central Connecticut that “promotes the accurate recording, research and preservation of family history.”

The Southington Genealogical Society meets on the fourth Tuesday of each month at 7 p.m. at the Southington Historical Society.

To receive the link for the virtual meeting, email southingtongenealogicalsociety@gmail.com or message the Facebook page “Southington Genealogical Society, Inc.”

For more information on the Southington Genealogical Society, visit southingtongenealogicalsociety.org.

The Toledo Lucas County Public Library will be hosting its annual genealogy and local history fair on Oct. 4 from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Main Library.

The event allows visitors to explore their family histories and the Toledo area’s past.

“The Genealogy and Local History Fair is one of the Toledo Library’s most anticipated annual events,” said Jason Kucsma, executive director of the Library. “It’s a day for families, researchers and history buffs to explore the stories that shaped Toledo and their own family histories.”

At the event, there will be several presentations by nationally recognized genealogist Michael John Neill.

For more information about the event, click here.

The following was written by Projectkin:

At the heart of every family story is a tale about a place. It could be a county, city, town, village, or the simple hearth of a home. The study of place is a natural complement to genealogy. This year, as with last, Projectkin is joining Society of Genealogists, the Society for One-Place Studies, and the British Association for Local History (BALH) to celebrate the study of place in a mini-series, “All About That Place,” or #AATP25, from September 24 to October 3rd, 2025.  Projectkin.org is contributing a "mini" program with a series of casual, live-streamed talks during the 10-day program. Each talk will highlight surprising details about artifacts, resources, and records about places around the world. 

Learn more at Projectkin.org/aatp25 or search for #AATP25. 

The Halifax Regional Municipality is inviting residents to attend events promoting the Municipal Archives this fall.

The municipality will be hosting an Ask an Archivist pop-up at Scotia Square food court (5201 Duke Street, Halifax) on Tuesday, Sept. 23 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Archivists will be available to answer questions and provide residents with information on finding municipal records, donating materials and locating genealogical sources.

The Municipal Archives will also be hosting two Scan-A-Thon events:

Residents are encouraged to bring photographs, slides or negatives of their neighbourhoods to these events. Archivists will record essential information, then carefully scan them so residents and researchers will have access to a digital copy. Contributors can either keep or donate the original.

The Municipal Archives are particularly interested in preserving photos from the Cogswell District area, as the project prepares to complete substantial construction later this year. If residents have records related to this neighbourhood, they are encouraged to bring them to the Halifax Central Library Scan-a-thon.

The Municipal Archives is the official repository for historical municipal government records from Halifax, Dartmouth, Bedford and the former County of Halifax. It also holds community records from the region. The Municipal Archives include a guide of buildings and properties, historical Council minutes from 1841 to 1996 and over 4,000 historical images of downtown Halifax before massive urban renewal projects of the 1960s – and much more.

Archivists are available to help residents by phone (902-490-4643) or email (archives@halifax.ca) Monday to Friday, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Appointments can then be made to consult or donate records at the Municipal Archives at 81 Ilsley Avenue, Unit 11, Dartmouth.

For more information, visit halifax.ca/archives.

The following is a press release written by the (U.S.) National Archives and Records Administration:

National Archives Displays U.S. Constitution with All 27 Amendments for the First Time For the first time in U.S. history, the entire United States Constitution is on display, to celebrate 250 years of American Freedom. The four-page U.S. Constitution and the original Bill of Rights are surrounded by 17 Constitutional amendments, filling the Rotunda at the National Archives in Washington, DC in a dramatic, highly visual, and unprecedented display. This historic, special display will also include the rarely displayed fifth page of the Constitution. This original document outlines a set of instructions to the States on how to implement the Constitution, signed by George Washington as President of the Constitutional Convention.  To give visitors more opportunities to see the special display, the National Archives Museum will have extended hours until 7:00 p.m. ET the weekends of Saturday, September 20 - Sunday, September 21, and Saturday, September 27 - Sunday, September 28. To learn more about this exhibit, visit the National Archives Museum website. The National Archives Museum's historic Rotunda will display the full U.S. Constitution with all 27 amendments until October 1, 2025.

The Sons of Confederate Veterans and the Statesboro Regional Library will conduct a Civil War Genealogy Workshop Saturday for anyone interested in learning if they had an ancestor who fought in the war.

The workshop will be held in the genealogy section of the library from 10 a.m. to noon.

Most experts believe there’s a good chance any one can find a Civil War veteran in their family tree if they search long enough and hard enough.

But according to Hu Daughtry, commander of the Dixie Guards Camp #1942 in Metter, and the genealogy officer for the Georgia Division of the Sons of Confederate Veterans, most are often overwhelmed by the volumes of information available about Civil War veterans and find themselves intimidated by the task of sorting through innumerable pages to locate a small fact about their ancestor.

“It’s often a case of knowing where to look, what to look for and how to look for it,” Daughtry said. “Census records, old newspaper clippings, obituaries, land records, court dockets, marriage license records and muster rolls of regiments are good places to start, but you have to know what you have when you find something interesting and where to go next. Finding an ancestor is like a jigsaw puzzle. You have to have all the pieces fit together in the right order.”

Mike Mull, a member of the Ogeechee Rifles Camp #941, Sons of Confederate Veterans in Statesboro, and division lieutenant commander for the southern section of Georgia, said the Sesquicentennial of the Civil War is causing people to want to know if they had members of their family involved in the conflict.

“You must realize that we’re only about two and a half generations removed from the War,” Mull said. “There are people living today who in their youth probably talked with a veteran of the War. The last Civil War veteran passed away in 1959 and even today there are sons and daughters of veterans still living. The last widow of a Confederate veteran passed in 2003. We’re not talking about ancient history here.”

Although a Confederate heritage organization is one of the sponsors, the workshop will not be limited to descendants of those soldiers who fought for the South. 

Daughtry also will provide insight on how to locate descendants of Union soldiers and also those of the United States Colored Troops.

Call Daughtry at (912) 687-6153 or Mull at (912) 618-3613 for more information.

Mammoth Cave, Ky. — Mammoth Cave National Park invites the public to attend Echoes of the Past, a special event designed to explore modern connections to the generations of people who once called the Mammoth Cave region home. The event will take place on Saturday, Sept. 27, 2025, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. CDT in the Rotunda Room of the Lodge at Mammoth Cave.

Attendees will have the chance to connect directly with historians, archivists, and genealogists, and explore tools that can help them trace their own family histories. Whether you have ancestral ties to the park or are simply curious about the region’s past, Echoes of the Past offers a meaningful opportunity to uncover personal connections to the history of Mammoth Cave and the communities that surround it.

“Echoes of the Past is more than a history event. It’s a chance for people to connect with the stories and history that shaped this landscape,” said Superintendent Barclay Trimble. “We’re proud to offer a space where community members and visitors alike can explore the deep cultural and genealogical ties to this region.”

This event is open to the public and no registration is required. Seasoned and aspiring genealogy enthusiasts alike are welcome to attend. Informative sessions will include:

• Booth-style sessions at 10 a.m. and 12 p.m. where visitors can interact one-on-one with representatives from local historical societies and organizations. These experts will share research insights, help attendees identify genealogy resources, and connect them with local archives and specialists.

• Guest speaker presentations at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. offering practical guidance and inspiration for those interested in genealogy research and regional history.

Featured Guest Speakers:

• 11 a.m. — Sam Terry, IV : A native of Barren County, Kentucky, Sam Terry is a historian and author with deep roots in the region. He is the creator of Sam Terry’s Kentucky, a popular platform celebrating the state’s heritage, and has contributed to radio and podcast programs such as Think History and Uncommon History of the South. Terry has held leadership roles in several historical organizations and continues to lead educational tours and programs in his community.

• 1 p.m. — J. Mark Lowe : A professional genealogist and lecturer, Mark Lowe specializes in Southern U.S. records and has taught at major genealogy institutes across the country. He has contributed to television series like Who Do You Think You Are? and African American Lives 2 and is a past president of the Association of Professional Genealogists. His work is widely published, and he is recognized for his engaging and accessible approach to family history research.

In addition, National Park Service staff will offer demonstrations on how to access cemetery records and archival photographs from the park’s curatorial collection.

This event commemorates National Public Lands Day, a nationwide effort to honor and care for the lands we all share. In the spirit of this year’s theme Our Home Outdoors,visitors are invited to explore the many stories that have shaped Mammoth Cave National Park. Known around the world for its vast, interconnected cave system and natural wonders, the park is also a place of deep personal connection — where generations of families once lived, worked, and built community.

For questions about the event, please e-mail us or call 270-758-2180.

One of the UK’s leading genealogy companies, Family Wise, has been named among the UK’s 100 most inspiring businesses for 2025 by the Small Business Saturday campaign. The Wiltshire-based firm helps people & organisations to explore their heritage

One of the UK’s leading genealogy companies, Family Wise, has been named as one of the UK’s 100 most inspiring small businesses for 2025 by the Small Business Saturday campaign.  

Family Wise, founded by Kirsty Gray and based in the town of Calne in Wiltshire has been selected as part of this year’s SmallBiz100 line-up, which showcases the most innovative and admired small businesses across the nation, as part of the count-down to Small Business Saturday on December 6. 

Running for over a decade, Small Business Saturday is the UK’s most successful small business campaign, which encourages the public to support and spend with independent firms throughout the autumn, winter and over Christmas.  

“We’re delighted to have been selected this year as one of many amazing UK small businesses as part of this annual campaign,” Kirsty said. 

“We are an unusual High Street business! We take pride in being part of our community in Calne and also nationally and internationally in showing that heritage plays an important role in our everyday lives.” 

Family Wise will be profiled by the campaign on Monday September 22 as part of the 100-day countdown to Small Business Saturday UK.  

“Small businesses are the nation’s favourite businesses – bringing immeasurable value to our local communities and powering the wider economy,” said Michelle Ovens CBE, Director of Small Business Saturday UK.   

“Firms like Family Wise represent some of the UK’s most-loved small businesses. It is so important we encourage public support for small businesses up and down the country, as many are still facing a host of challenges as they enter this critical final stretch of the year.” 

Small Business Saturday is a grassroots non-commercial campaign that was originally founded by American Express in the U.S. in 2010, and the brand remains the campaign’s principal supporter in the UK. 

Dan Edelman, General Manager, UK Merchant Services at American Express, said: “We are proud to champion the UK’s small businesses. Congratulations to this year’s SmallBiz100, which once again showcases the incredible vibrancy and innovation of small firms and the valuable contribution they make to local communities.” 

Since the campaign started, millions of people have been involved and billions of pounds spent with small businesses across the UK on Small Business Saturday itself.  

On Saturday December 6, many small businesses will be hosting events and offering promotions.  The Family Wise team will be no different. Family Wise will be opening the office for visitors to come in and experience what we do. Visitors will have the chance to meet our case managers, take advantage of exclusive promotions, and hear some of the incredible stories we’ve uncovered over the past 13 years! 

Last year, the campaign saw support from the Prime Minister and the Mayor of London, as well as the Chancellor of the Exchequer. Over 90% of local councils also supported the campaign, which trended across social media on the day.  To learn more about Small Business Saturday’s SmallBiz100, visit https://smallbusinesssaturdayuk.com