Latest News Articles

Everyone can read the (free) Standard Edition articles. However,  the Plus Edition articles are accessible only to (paid) Plus Edition subscribers. 

Read the (+) Plus Edition articles (a Plus Edition username and password is required).

Please limit your comments about the information in the article. If you would like to start a new message, perhaps about a different topic, you are invited to use the Discussion Forum for that purpose.

Do you have comments, questions, corrections or additional information to any of these articles? Before posting your words, you must first sign up for a (FREE) Standard Edition subscription or a (paid) Plus Edition subscription at: https://eogn.com/page-18077.

If you do not see a Plus Sign that is labeled "Add comment," you will need to upgrade to either a (FREE) Standard Edition or a (paid) Plus Edition subscription at: https://eogn.com/page-18077.

Click here to upgrade to a Plus Edition subscription.

Click here to find the Latest Plus Edition articles(A Plus Edition user name and password is required to view these Plus Edition articles.)

Complete Newsletters (including all Plus Edition and Free Edition articles published within a week) may be found if you click here. (A Plus Edition user name and password is required to view these complete newsletters.)

Do you have an RSS newsreader? You may prefer to use this newsletter's RSS feed at: https://www.eogn.com/page-18080/rss and then you will need to copy-and-paste that address into your favorite RSS newsreader.



Latest Standard Edition Articles

  • 19 Apr 2023 6:02 PM | Anonymous

    The following announcement was written by the International Association of Jewish Genealogical Societies:

    Hundreds of genealogists from the U.S, Great Britain and all over the world are expected to descend on London, England, this summer for the 43rd Annual IAJGS (International Association of Jewish Genealogical Societies) International Conference on Jewish Genealogy, Sunday, July 30 – Thursday, August 3, 2023. The conference hotel is a stone’s throw from Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament.

    This is the first time since 2019 that the conference will be held in person and the first time since 2001 that professional and amateur genealogists will have gathered in London. 

    Registration is now open.  Early registration extends to May 15.  Details are available on the Conference website at  www.iajgs2023.org.

    The conference will feature more than 100 speakers, with more than 200 sessions covering virtually every aspect of Jewish genealogy. 

     Programs at the Conference will be geared from first-timers to conference veterans, and will include lectures, lunches, computer labs, and networking through Special Interest Groups (SIGs) and Birds of a Feather (BOFs) sessions.  An Exhibitor Hall and Resource Room will include genealogy experts, mentors, and archivists for a one-stop research experience at the conference site.

    Conference track themes are: Commonwealth Track, Jewish Communities Worldwide and the Shoah, Migration, Methodology, Technology/Computer Labs, DNA, and Storytelling. Presentations will be 45 minutes, with 15 minutes for Q & A.  In addition, non-traditional presentations will include Computer Labs, Panels and Short Sessions.

    “We are excited to be able to have an in-person conference once again and host it in an international city,” said Chuck Weinstein, lead Conference chair. 

    The Conference is hosted by IAJGS, an umbrella organization of nearly 90 Jewish genealogical organizations worldwide.  The Jewish Genealogical Society of Great Britain (www.jgsgb.org.uk) is the local co-host.  Leigh Dworkin, chairman president of the Great British Society, is the Conference local co-chair.  “We are excited to be hosting this year’s Conference in London for the first time since 2001. As an international city with a vibrant Jewish history and population, London offers genealogists a wide array of resources such as archives, museums, libraries, synagogues, and cemeteries relevant to furthering visitors’ family history research.”

    The IAJGS coordinates and organizes activities such as its annual International Conference on Jewish Genealogy and provides a unified voice as the spokesperson on behalf of its members.

    The IAJGS’s vision is of a worldwide network of Jewish genealogical research organizations and partners working together as one coherent, effective and respected community, enabling people to succeed in researching Jewish ancestry and heritage. Find the IAJGS at: www.iajgs.org and like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/iajgsjewishgenealogy.

    The JGSGB aims to promote and encourage the study of and research into Jewish Genealogy and is the only Jewish Genealogical Society in the United Kingdom.  Find us at www.jgsgb.org.uk, on Twitter at @JewishGreat, or on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/groups/JGSGB.

  • 19 Apr 2023 4:30 PM | Anonymous

    The following is a press release written by Association of Professional Genealogists:

    Do you know a young genealogist with a bright future? Encourage them to apply for the APG Young Professional Scholarship! The scholarship is awarded to students or young professionals between the ages of 18 and 35 who have a significant interest in genealogy and a strong interest in developing a professional career in the field. 

    Applications for the 2023 Scholarship are due by 1 June 2023. For eligibility, judging criteria, and a link to the application, visit https://www.apgen.org/cpages/awards-young-professional-scholarship.

    The scholarship winner will receive a complimentary registration for the APG Professional Management Conference (PMC) and reimbursement of up to $500 for hotel and travel expenses when attending the PMC in person. The 2023 APG PMC will be held 19-21 October 2023 in Salt Lake City, Utah, and virtually on Whova. 


  • 18 Apr 2023 11:18 PM | Anonymous

    The following is a press release written by the Fellows of the American Society of Genealogists:

    The Fellows of the American Society of Genealogists are pleased to announce the 2023 winners of the ASG Continuing Genealogical Research Grants.

    Shahidah Ahmad of Watertown, Mass., to collect, digitize, and index information about African Americans buried in Holly Hill and Cottageville, South Carolina, by interviewing residents over age 65 and using local knowledge to identify individuals and family buried in those towns, map communities, and create photographic, scanned and digital images linked with Excel master list to fill the void of less documented rural towns as an example for South Carolinian family historians. Shahidah is an Independent Genealogy Researcher and former Treasurer and Presenter of the African American Genealogical and Historical Society – New England.

    Richard de Boer of Harlingen, The Netherlands, to prepare an English language overview of preserved genealogical sources (microdata) in six Western Balkans countries: Bosnia-Herzegovina, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia, Kosovo, and Albania, addressing the problem of language barriers and difficulty in retrieving and accessing sources. Among sources to be used are church registers and censuses, war victim lists, Ottoman tax registers and land cadastres, with the goal of publishing an overview of records by country, region, and ethnoreligious community. Richard is a professional journalist from The Netherlands, and administrator of the website www.exyugenealogy.net (“Sources for post- Yugoslav Family History”).

    Stephanie Mills Trice of Silver Spring, Maryland, to lead a group of volunteers in identifying families buried at Mount Zion Baptist Church, the oldest African American graveyard in Macon, South Carolina, that dates to 1879, when field stones and periwinkle marked the graves, and for which there is no known record of interments. They will be using interviews with living story tellers, funeral programs, obituaries, photographs and digital documents, which are to be stored locally in Warren County. Stephanie is a Volunteer Oral Historian and Collaborative Partner in the Facing East 158 Voice Project of the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources.

    Jamie Wasilchenko of Newaygo, Michigan, to gather records on the population of the village of Horodylovychi in Galacia of the Austro-Hungarian Empire that was destroyed in 1939, with many of its residents, including Ukranians, Poles and Jews, forcibly removed to Soviet territory. She will be using records of the Greek Catholic church she located in the Polish State Archives that were believed to have been lost. Records of baptisms, marriages, and burials for 1873 to 1937 (about 300 pages) will be indexed and made available through the Polish Genealogical Society and placed in repositories in Ukraine and Poland, both online and offline. Jamie is a Professional Genealogist, www.ShiftingSandsGenealogy.com.

    The ASG Continuing Genealogical Research Grant program was established in 2022 by the American Society of Genealogists. A decision about grants for 2024 will be made at the Fellow’s Annual Meeting in October 2023. Interested parties may obtain information from Alicia Crane Williams, FASG, Chair, Grants Committee, acwcrane@aol.com. Or write to her at 4 White Trellis, Plymouth, MA 02360-7790.

  • 18 Apr 2023 6:34 PM | Anonymous

    The MyHeritage Blog has an article that will be of interest to many Brazilian citizens: Obtaining Portuguese Citizenship for Brazilians. According to the article:

    "Portugal has been a member country of the EU since 1986. As such, a Portuguese passport would allow its owner to travel anywhere within the European Union, crossing borders easily and experiencing much of what Europe has to offer.

    "There has been much discussion in recent years about the possibility of Portuguese citizenship for those with Sephardic-Jewish heritage. If that is your background, check out this Knowledge Base article about researching your Jewish Ancestors on MyHeritage

    "However, if your ancestors were not Sephardic Jews and instead you have Portuguese parents or grandparents, becoming a dual citizen with Portugal may still be within your reach!"

    The full article is available at: https://blog.myheritage.com/2023/04/obtaining-portuguese-citizenship-for-brazilians/

  • 18 Apr 2023 6:15 PM | Anonymous

    The following is a press release written by the folks at FamilySearch:

    RootsTech is proud to celebrate DNA Day on April 25, 2023, with 8 free online classes led by DNA experts covering a wide variety of topics. DNA Day began in 2003 as an annual celebration of the discovery of DNA's double helix structure and the important role that genetics play in our lives.

    RootsTech DNA DAY April 25, 2023 Free Online Class Schedule

    DNA can open many opportunities for personal discovery and new family connections. RootsTech DNA Day will offer a range of classes and educational opportunities for individuals interested in learning more about the role of DNA in family history and genealogy research. Highlights of the event include keynote speakers, interactive workshops, and DNA testing booths.

    "We are excited to celebrate DNA Day and the important role that genetics play in our lives," said Jen Allen, RootsTech event director. "This year's online event will offer attendees a unique opportunity to learn from experts in the field and explore the latest advances in DNA technology."

    Keynote speakers for RootsTech DNA Day include renowned genetic genealogist Diahan Southard, founder of Your DNA Guide and renowned author and educator. She will share her expertise and insights into the field of DNA testing and its applications for genealogy research.

    Nonprofit DNAngels will present successful stories profiling some of their case work in helping individuals connect with biological family members through DNA.

    RootsTech DNA Day will be live on Facebook, YouTube, and RootsTech.org and will be archived after April 25 for reference throughout the year.

    For more information about RootsTech DNA Day and to RSVP for each class, please visit the RootsTech Facebook page, Upcoming Events.

    How to Watch DNA Day 2025 Live Content (April 25, 2023. All times are mountain daylight time.)

    YouTube RootsTech DNA Day Playlist

    RootsTech Facebook (See Upcoming Events calendar)


  • 18 Apr 2023 8:48 AM | Anonymous

    Native Bound Unbound is a multiyear project headed by former New Mexico state historian Estevan Rael-Gálvez to establish a centralized, online repository cataloging the lives of enslaved Indigenous people across the Western Hemisphere. Through March and April, Native Bound Unbound has teamed up with StoryCorps — a New York-based nonprofit centered on preserving American stories — to record conversations between descendants of enslaved Indigenous people for preservation.

    The goal is for the conversations to be archived within the U.S. Library of Congress’ American Folklife Center and for them to be accessible through Native Bound Unbound’s digital archive once it is up and running.

    Native Bound Unbound is a “hemispheric” endeavor, with researchers and volunteers in several U.S. states and different countries, and is likely a lifetime project, or at least one which will span multiple decades.

    You can read more in an article by Nathan Lederman published in the santafenewmexican.com web site at: https://tinyurl.com/24vwm362

    The Native Bound Unbound also maintains a Facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100086096661423.

  • 18 Apr 2023 8:38 AM | Anonymous

    The following is a press release issued by the National Archives of Australia:

    National Archives of Australia and Ancestry.com have collaborated to digitise 95,000 First World War records, preserving them for the future.

    The project digitised series MT1486/1, which consists of records for individuals who applied to enlist in the Australian Imperial Force (AIF), and were either rejected, discharged while still in training, or went on to serve within Australia only. 

    Rebecca Britt, National Archives Director of Digitisation Services said the partnership allowed for a sharing of knowledge and resources to ensure records were digitised to a world-class standard.

    ‘We welcomed Ancestry.com staff to our East Burwood, Victoria repository to support the project, and alongside National Archives staff, the Ancestry.com team digitised the records. This meant that the records never left the repository, ensuring security and best practice for the project.’

    Jason Reeve, Head of Content and Community at Ancestry.com said the project has helped ensure this important collection is accessible for future generations.

    ‘Ancestry is honoured to partner with National Archives of Australia to digitise this significant collection. By ensuring that these important stories are accessible and digitally preserved for generations to come, we can contribute to the commemoration and safeguarding of this crucial chapter of Australia’s military history,’ he said.

    National Archives Senior Curator Anne-Marie Condé explained the importance of these records being available digitally.

    ‘These records help to throw light on a significant cohort of people who attempted to enlist but were rejected. This part of the First World War story has so often been overlooked,’ she said. 

    ‘The most common reason for rejection was on medical grounds, but there were all kinds of reasons a person could be rejected, and together they offer compelling insights into the beliefs and world-views of the day.’ 

    Series MT1486/1 is a high-use series and it now joins more than 376,000 First Australian Imperial Force service records which have already been fully digitised. 

    All records are accessible to the public via RecordSearch and through the Ancestry.com family history platform. 

    View the series on RecordSearch.  

  • 17 Apr 2023 11:02 AM | Anonymous

    Here is a list of all of this week's articles, all of them available here at https://eogn.com:       

    (+)  RSS and Newsreaders Explained

    What’s the Best Way to Store Data for Decades or Centuries?

    U.S. National Archives' Statement on the Presidential Records Act Special Access Requests

    Every Blue Eyed Person on the Planet Is a Descendant of One Single Person

    Ancestry Sites Giving Away Identity of Sperm and Egg Donors

    Genetic Contribution From the Stone Age May Influence Our Chance to Have a Long Life

    Genealogists Announce Breakthrough in DNA Analysis of Tulsa's Oaklawn Cemetery Remains

    Nonprofit Working to Solve California Cold Case With Eastern North Carolina Ties Using Investigative Genealogy

    How Artificial Intelligence Is Helping Historians Better Understand Our Past

    Tennessee Historical Commission Unveils Online Database of Cemeteries

    Record Locations Compiled by the New York State Archives

    National Archives of New Zealand Reboots Problematic Search System

    The New Assistant Director at the FamilySearch Library

    Tamara Martin Appointed Director of the Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum

    The Story of China’s Largest Genealogy Collection

    Browse British Calendars and Durham Baptisms Like Never Before With Findmypast's New Additions

    Recently Added and Updated Collections on Ancestry.com

    Census Bureau Releases New U.S. Population Estimates by Age and Sex

    Bluesky - a Twitter Clone


  • 17 Apr 2023 7:57 AM | Anonymous

    The following is a press release issued by the U.S. Census Bureau"

    The U.S. Census Bureau has released a downloadable file containing estimates of the nation’s resident population by sex and single year of age as of July 1, 2022. The file is available at www.census.gov/data/tables/time-series/demo/popest/2020s-national-detail.html

    In the coming months, the Census Bureau will release additional population estimates for cities and towns, as well as national, state and county population estimates by age, sex, race and Hispanic origin.


  • 17 Apr 2023 7:49 AM | Anonymous

    I know that many readers of this newsletter are (or were) enthusiastic users of Twitter. If that includes you, you may be interested in this article by Jay Peters published in theverge.com web site:

    Bluesky is really, really fun.

    Yes, the platform is essentially just Twitter but decentralized. And yes, the Jack Dorsey-backed Bluesky is one of many services emulating howTwitter looks right now. But after spending a few hours in Bluesky since getting my beta invite this week, it’s so far the service where I feel the most joy.

    Similar to Mastodon, Bluesky is a federated social network, which, at its most basic level, means that users can participate through different providers instead of a huge central one. The easiest comparison is email: if you have Gmail, you can send an email to somebody on Apple’s iCloud, and they can reply back to you.

    Bluesky lets you pick from different hosting providers. When I joined the app on Tuesday, I picked the default, which is Bluesky’s own system. (There’s an option to join other providers, but I don’t know what options are available or how to set them up. This may be user error or ignorance.) From there, I set my username, which reads more like a domain — jaypeters.bsky.social — and I’ll talk about that a bit more later.

    When I first got to the “Following” feed, it was empty, but as I explored more, it didn’t take long to discover that Bluesky already has an extremely active user base that’s now dealing with an influx of newbies like me. Very soon in my Bluesky journey, I stumbled upon a post from Jay Graber, the CEO of Bluesky, that helped me get a sense of what I was in for.

    “It was getting pretty scene-y here so we just emailed 5K people from our waitlist, say hi when you see them trickle on!” Graber wrote. In a reply, Graber added “densely connected subgraph of twitter power users who just joined, meek 5k people who gave us their email and filled out a form ”


    Cruising the “What’s hot” section that day was a mishmash of simple internet delight.

    You can read the full article at: https://tinyurl.com/yps4mm3a.


Eastman's Online Genealogy Newsletter









































Powered by Wild Apricot Membership Software