Have you ever considered the lifestyles of the individuals depicted in an antique photograph? From where did they originate? What were their hopes and frustrations? Genealogy which is the study of family history helps us connect to our heritage. It teaches us the tales that framed our family history. It's not dates and names; it's a glimpse into history. This exposes the rich tapestry of human experience.

This article illustrates why genealogy must be added to every learner's curriculum. It discusses the tremendous benefits of family history study.

The Basics of Genealogy

Genealogy is a tapestry of stories. Every strand witnesses the triumphs and setbacks that shaped your family's past. It allows you to discover your roots and how history made you who you are today.

Foundational Skills in Family History Research

Learning genealogy basics gives students valuable research skills beyond family history. They learn about family trees. They learn about historical documents too. Then they experiment with the reliability of various sources.

Learning basics of genealogy assists learners in placing historical events into perspective using personal stories. History is no longer in books anymore. It's the history of their family. This makes it more relevant and interesting. These are skills that are priceless for academic achievement and life-long learning.

Tools and Resources for Genealogical Exploration

Discovering your family history requires the application of a number of tools and resources. Libraries, archives, and historical societies are repositories of information. They offer access to census records, immigration records, and so forth. Navigating these resources is a valuable skill. It enables students to access and interpret primary and secondary sources.

Students also learn to ethically collect and organize family history data. They honor privacy and maintain accuracy in their research.

Advantages of Family History Education

Bringing genealogy into the classroom offers many benefits. It helps students learn about history, culture, and themselves.

Enhances Learning and Motivation

Family history education can significantly increase students' interest in history and social studies. If students relate historical events to their families, learning becomes relevant and personalized. History is no longer a dry subject in a textbook but an interesting study of their heritage. This connection makes learning relevant and memorable.

Enhances Critical Thinking and Analytical Skills

Analytical and critical thinking abilities are enhanced by genealogical research. Students interpret information, recognize biases in historical documents, and draw conclusions from evidence.

They also learn problem-solving as they chart their family history. They learn to interpret clues and reconstruct their family story. These are fundamental skills for learning history and dealing with the problems of the modern world.

Promotes Cultural Heritage Awareness and Empathy

Learning family history exposes students to varying cultural backgrounds and past experiences. Learning it broadens the value of human history richness. It highlights the accomplishment of various cultures and communities. Learning their own family experience promotes empathy and tolerance for other cultures.

Integrating Genealogy into the Curriculum

Genealogy can be easily integrated into social studies curricula at all levels. For example, students can study a time period by following their ancestors. They see how events like wars, migrations, or economic changes impact their families.

Interdisciplinary Genealogy Activities

Genealogy can begin exciting interdisciplinary activities. Students can combine family history with language arts. They can develop stories about their ancestors. This brings their stories to life in creative writing.

They can learn geography by mapping the migrations of their ancestors. This helps them trace routes over continents and understand why their ancestors migrated. Art is another choice. Students can make visual family trees. They can design family crests or illustrate scenes from their ancestors' lives.

These activities make learning active and interactive. They are appropriate for more than one learning style and foster creativity.

Genealogy for Youth Engagement

Genealogy assignments make students their own bosses. They learn about their heritage and feel more connected to their families and history.

Active Student Engagement

Genealogy assignments create active learning and student-led inquiry. Students are historians, detectives, and writers. They hunt down their ancestors, interview relatives, dig into internet databases, and read historical documents.

This experiential process is engaging and interactive. It raises questions. Students can explore research possibilities and draw their own conclusions.

Family Tree Education and Identity Development

Education on family heritage is at the heart of identity development. It tells students who they are and where they belong. Education on their family history grounds them in the past. This grounding anchors them in their heritage and gives them continuity across generations.

This is especially important for multicultural students. It helps them identify with their culture and value the rich heritage of their families. Adopted children find it giving them a new identity for their family background.

Ethical Concerns in Family History

While carrying out genealogy research, it is critical to factor in ethics. Students should realize the value of ethical research processes.

Ethical Research Practices

Students must acquire ethical research practices. This entails respecting privacy. You should always seek permission prior to collecting family information. This is especially important when conducting research with living relatives. They must understand the value of maintaining records accurately and avoiding spreading false information. Learning how to cite sources is very important. It allows you to recognize credible information and avoid incredible ones.

Ethics play a significant role in learning family history. They help learners acquire accountability and respect towards the past.

Conclusion

Genealogy in the curriculum has numerous benefits. Education is enhanced, critical thinking is enhanced, and cultural awareness is enhanced. It encourages youth participation as well. Teaching family history makes students study their history. This attachment makes them view their current situation clearer and construct a better future.

Genealogy is not just dates and names. It is the human past that unites us. When we bring this subject to classrooms, we allow students to gain valuable skills. They also gain insights into themselves and the world. Let us empower the future generations to dig deep into their roots. Doing so, they can uncover the rich tapestry of their family histories.

RestoredCDC.org mirrors the Centers for Disease Control website as it was before the current administration removed critical information about HIV, reproductive, vaccine, and transgender-related healthcare. While some pages on the real CDC site have since been restored under court order, many now feature a yellow banner rejecting “gender ideology.”

The team behind RestoredCDC says its goal is to provide critical information “from before the potential tampering occurred.”

I have written before about STORJ, aa company that saves users data distributed data. Thenfollowing caught my eye today:

Storj is scheduled to attend RootsTech 2025 in Salt Lake City from March 6 to 8. RootsTech is recognized as the world’s largest family discovery event, bringing together genealogy enthusiasts and technology innovators.

Refer to the official tweet by STORJ:

STORJ Info

Storj is an open-source platform developed by Storj Labs Inc., aiming to revolutionize cloud storage through blockchain technology. Offering end-to-end encrypted services, Storj distinguishes itself from traditional cloud storage solutions by emphasizing speed, cost-efficiency, and enhanced security. Instead of relying on centralized data centers, Storj operates using a decentralized peer-to-peer network where individuals share their storage capacities.

The operational foundation of Storj revolves around its decentralized approach, harnessing the storage capacities of a broad network of peers. This structure ensures data integrity, rapid retrieval, and robust security. Through this unique mechanism, Storj eliminates the common vulnerabilities associated with centralized data centers and offers a more resilient and efficient storage alternative. 

Central to Storj’s ecosystem is the STORJ token. Rather than adopting a mining approach for token generation, Storj Labs opted to pre-mine all its tokens at the outset, ensuring a fixed supply. Users can earn STORJ tokens by offering their storage as “farmers” on the network. Moreover, the tokens are available for trading on cryptocurrency exchanges.

A Three Rivers cold case that was solved a couple of years ago will be highlighted as part of an upcoming episode of the ABC newsmagazine “20/20.”

On Friday, March 7, the program will be airing a special episode on the forensic genetic genealogy center Othram, and how its methods and technology were used to help solve two cold case murders, one of them being the murder of 19-year-old Cathy Swartz of Three Rivers in 1988.

Swartz’s murder was solved in 2023, thanks in part to the use of forensic genetic genealogy, which helped police identify 53-year-old Robert Waters of Beaufort, S.C. as a suspect in the 35-year-old case. Waters was arrested on April 30, 2023 and charged with open murder in Swartz’s death, however he died by suicide days before a transfer to St. Joseph County was to take place, on May 6, 2023.

As previously reported by the Commercial-News, on Dec. 2, 1988, Swartz, who was 19 at the time, was murdered inside her apartment at Riverside Townhouses, with her then 9-month-old daughter in the next room, who was unharmed. Her fiancé at the time found Swartz’s body when he came home from work that day. Investigators at the time said Swartz fought her attacker, but she was overcome by stab wounds, a beating and strangulation.

Officers and investigators at the scene at the time were able to locate fingerprints, blood and a footprint that was believed to belong to the suspect. After interviews of thousands of people and collecting fingerprints and footprints, according to police, decades went by without a match to the evidence located at the crime scene. Even after the introduction of the Combined DNA Index System (CODIS) in the 2000s, a match still had yet to be made.

In 2022, through a partnership with Michigan State Police, forensic genetic genealogy was utilized to attempt to solve the case. The technology, Three Rivers Police Chief Scott Boling said in a release at the time, was able to narrow down the suspect pool to a single family. The family members were interviewed, fingerprinted and DNA tested, until the suspect was identified as Waters.

In a press conference following Waters’ death, Boling said they believed Waters acted alone in Swartz’s murder.

“The forensic evidence and investigation indicated that Robert Waters acted alone and was responsible for the death of Cathy Swartz,” Boling said, reading from a prepared statement at the time. The case was eventually considered closed by the TRPD.

TRPD Detective Sam Smallcombe said the forensic genealogy technology was crucial to solving the case.

“Waters managed to keep himself out of trouble for 35 years, never getting fingerprinted, never getting his DNA collected; I truly believe without [genealogy testing], we would have never solved this case,” Smallcombe said.

The special is hosted by ABC News anchor David Muir and also focuses on the 1995 Texas cold case murder of Mary Catherine Edwards. It airs Friday, March 7 at 9 p.m. (8 p.m. Central Time) and can be streamed the next day on Hulu.

Colorado Department of Education publishes free K-12 math resources 

DENVER – The Colorado Department of Education released a suite of free K-12 resources to support educators and families with math instruction. The CDE Math Intervention Resources were co-created with 18 math teachers from 12 Colorado school districts and four institutions of higher learning and the Colorado Council of Teachers of Mathematics (CCTM). These resources are designed for educators, families, and out-of-school time professionals to support student success in key areas of mathematics.

The resource toolkits include educational materials, assessments, and engaging activities designed for classroom and out-of-school-time use and address critical gaps in effective math intervention strategies.

"Math is the foundation for so many opportunities in school, careers, and life, and we are committed to ensuring every Colorado student has the support they need to succeed,” said Colorado Education Commissioner Susana Córdova. “These new intervention resources provide educators, families, and community partners with targeted, research-based tools to strengthen math learning and help students build confidence in their skills."

The toolkits are designed to complement the initiatives established under House Bill 23-1231, a bipartisan legislative effort to improve K-12 math proficiency in Colorado following a decline in math scores since 2020. The initiative is part of a broader effort to enhance math instruction and provide targeted support to boost statewide student achievement.

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The Colorado Department of Education’s vision is to create equitable educational environments where all students and staff in Colorado thrive. Our role is to improve student outcomes and ensure students and families across Colorado have access to high-quality schools by serving, guiding, and elevating our state’s 178 school districts and BOCES.

Storj is scheduled to attend RootsTech 2025 in Salt Lake City from March 6 to 8. RootsTech is recognized as the world’s largest family discovery event, bringing together genealogy enthusiasts and technology innovators.

Refer to the official tweet by STORJ:

STORJ Info

Storj is an open-source platform developed by Storj Labs Inc., aiming to revolutionize cloud storage through blockchain technology. Offering end-to-end encrypted services, Storj distinguishes itself from traditional cloud storage solutions by emphasizing speed, cost-efficiency, and enhanced security. Instead of relying on centralized data centers, Storj operates using a decentralized peer-to-peer network where individuals share their storage capacities.

The operational foundation of Storj revolves around its decentralized approach, harnessing the storage capacities of a broad network of peers. This structure ensures data integrity, rapid retrieval, and robust security. Through this unique mechanism, Storj eliminates the common vulnerabilities associated with centralized data centers and offers a more resilient and efficient storage alternative. 

Central to Storj’s ecosystem is the STORJ token. Rather than adopting a mining approach for token generation, Storj Labs opted to pre-mine all its tokens at the outset, ensuring a fixed supply. Users can earn STORJ tokens by offering their storage as “farmers” on the network. Moreover, the tokens are available for trading on cryptocurrency exchanges.

On Oct. 7, 1998, the decomposed remains of a woman were discovered in a wooded area behind the Petro Truck Stop in Weatherford, Texas. She was found wearing a blue and white track suit, and had a large blue shoulder bag with expensive prescription beige glasses, a long brown wig and a bottle of mineral water inside. Investigators determined she was between 35- and 55-years-old and had $30,000-$35,000 worth of dental work, including gold foil fillings with porcelain veneers.

A firearm was found next to the woman in a position suggesting she died by suicide, and after a thorough autopsy and investigation, the Tarrant County Medical Examiner’s Office confirmed the cause of death. The office was not, however, able to confirm the woman’s name.

Her DNA was entered into CODIS, but there were no hits. The Tarrant County Medical Examiner’s Office even gave Jane Doe’s skull to a forensic artist in the hopes a clay facial reconstruction would help identify her.

“We had the wig and the glasses, so we put those on. We tried to recreate the color, and the type of jogging suit that she was wearing. Those facial reconstruction images were then given to the media,” said Dana Austin, then-forensic anthropologist with the Tarrant County Medical Examiner’s Office.

The facial reconstruction yielded no leads, and the case eventually went cold. It was revisited over the years, but each effort led to another dead end—until September 2023. That month, retired Deputy Chief Greg Lance asked Lieutenant Johnny Qualls to have the Cold Case team take “one more look.”

The Weatherford Police Cold Case Team turned to Othram in hopes forensic genetic genealogy could help. They sent Othram some of the woman’s teeth from evidence that remained intact.

In December 2023, Othram was able to develop a profile—and the name of Jane Doe’s possible son.

On Christmas weekend 2023, Qualls called David Gillespie, a man who had spent more than 25 years wondering what had happened to his mother, Nellie. David had reported her missing all those years ago, but until now, he had never received the answers he so desperately sought. As he described her—a woman who wore glasses and a wig—Qualls knew it: Nellie was the real name of Jane Doe. A subsequent DNA test provided by David confirmed Jane Doe to be Nellie.

“This was one of those cases that was very satisfying to be able to offer some closure to a family,” said Qualls. “We review cold cases often and just a very small percentage of those cases ever get solved, so to play a small role in being able to bring closure to a family and fill in some blank spot, it’s very satisfying.”

The original responding medical investigator, Judge Kelly Green, helped locate Nellie’s original burial site, ensuring her remains could be reunited with her loved ones at last.

“After 25 years, Nellie is no longer a mystery. She has a name. She has a story. And most importantly, she is finally home,” said Qualls.

Learning your family tree doesn't have to be difficult. Genealogy can start at home.

Credit: Library of Congress

Author: Mia Gradney

Published: 3:23 PM CST February 25, 2025

Updated: 3:25 PM CST February 25, 2025

HOUSTON — Inspired to learn more about your roots? Here’s how to start your journey into family history.

RELATED: Family ties: Reunions and Roots

 Step 1: Start at home

• Gather what you already have: Old photographs, family Bibles, letters, birth/marriage records, military records, obituaries, quilts, or heirlooms.
• Digitize important documents for safekeeping.

Step 2: Talk to your elders

• Interview your oldest living relatives—parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, or family friends.
• Ask about names, places, traditions, and stories passed down.
• Record conversations using your phone or a voice recorder for future reference.

 Step 3: Visit your local library

• Get a library card—most libraries offer free access to genealogy databases.
• Use resources like census records, city directories, and historical newspapers.

Step 4: Use free online resources

• Create a free account at FamilySearch.org for access to a vast collection of genealogical records.
• Explore databases like:
  • Ancestry.com (some records free, others require a subscription)
  • FindAGrave.com (cemetery records and family connections)
  • African American Genealogy groups on Facebook and online forums.

 Step 5: Join a genealogy research group

• Learn methods, strategies, and documentation tips from experienced researchers.
• Connect with local or national genealogy societies for African American family research.

 Step 6: Be patient – it’s a journey, not a destination

• Researching family history is not a weekend project—it unfolds over time.
• Each new discovery leads to more relatives, more stories, and more history to uncover.

The next meeting of the Genealogy Club of Newtown will be held on Wednesday, March 12, at 7 pm via Zoom. The meeting will feature Stephanie O’Connell, a professional genealogist, on the topic of “Finding Your Irish Female Ancestors.”

O’Connell specializes in Irish research and is passionate about delving into the social histories of ancestors, especially women.

Researching female ancestors can be an incredibly rewarding, yet at times frustrating journey. Meeting these challenges requires employing multiple research strategies. O’Connell’s presentation will showcase strategies for uncovering the identities and life stories of these often overlooked women.

O’Connell holds the Certified Genealogist credential from the Board for Certification of Genealogists. She has served as an instructor for the Salt Lake Institute of Genealogy (SLIG), which offers a variety of courses from high-intermediate to advanced education for those seeking to become professional genealogists.

She has been a speaker at major genealogy conferences, including Roots Tech, the National Genealogical Society Family History Conference, and the New York State Family History Conference.

The Genealogy Club of Newtown meets the second Wednesday of every month from September through June. Programs are co-sponsored by C.H. Booth Library.

All who are interested in genealogy are welcome to attend. Guests can join the meeting by emailing a request for the program link to genclubnewtownct.secretary@gmail.com by March 9. Requests should include name, address, phone number and email address. A program link will be sent on March 10 or 11.

Those planning to attend are requested to join the meeting starting at 6:45 pm so that everyone can be admitted before the meeting and program start at 7 pm.

Archives Revealed has awarded 12 cataloguing grants and its first ever consortium grant to archives across the UK.

Archives Revealed is a partnership programme between The National Archives (of Great Britain), the Pilgrim Trust, the Wolfson Foundation and The National Lottery Heritage Fund which helps unlock collections across the UK and build the skills needed to care for them into the future.

These are the first grants of their kind awarded since The National Lottery Heritage Fund invested £5 million in the Archives Revealed partnership programme. In total, £675,000 has been awarded in this round – more in a single round of applications than ever before.

The new consortium grants offer up to £150,000 in funding for groups of archive and heritage organisations to collaborate on projects for the cataloguing of archive collections in the UK. Cataloguing grants provide individual organisations with up to £50,000, also for the cataloguing of significant collections.

In addition, both programmes offer funding which supports grantees to share their collections with new audiences through engagement and educational activities.

The first successful consortium grant, worth £145,000, has been awarded to The Public Record Office of Northern Ireland (PRONI) in partnership with the Nerve Centre, Northern Ireland’s leading media arts centre.

Their proposed project, “Now We’re Talking”, will catalogue and widen access to the papers of two significant cultural figures from Northern Ireland: the author and broadcaster, Sam Hanna Bell, and the folklorist, writer and broadcaster, Michael J Murphy.

David Huddleston, acting PRONI Director, said: “Murphy and Bell were chroniclers of Northern Ireland’s people, culture and traditions and their works provide a unique lens through which to view the region’s history. Using their extensive archives as a starting point, this project aims to reconnect communities with their shared cultural heritage through an exploration of tradition, memory, and identity.”

The successful cataloguing grant applicants are:

Between them, these organisations will be cataloguing collections with records dating as far back as 1792. The topics covered include influential women in the paralympic movement, The Cassell Hospital in Surrey (recognised for its role in de-medicalising hospital treatment for people struggling with poor mental health), community youth theatre in Nottingham and much more.

Through their project, “Landscapes Unlocked”, the Peak District National Park Foundation (PDNPF) will be working in partnership with the Peak District National Park Authority (PDNPA) and Derby Record Office to catalogue, and open up to the public, PDNPA’s image archive. This features over 40,000 images spanning the 20th century.

Roisin Joyce, PDNPF Director, yesterday said:

“This collection tells us about the changes to people and nature in our national parks […] it also has huge potential to help us better understand landscape change, a vital research area in the face of climate change. We look forward to opening up the collection and drawing out stories to share with communities inside and beyond the boundaries of the park.”

Eilish McGuinness, Chief Executive of The National Lottery Heritage Fund, yesterday said:

“Our archives are home to our stories. Records, collections and histories all shine a light on who we are, how we live and what is important to us. I am delighted that funding from all four partners is enabling Archives Revealed projects to unlock and share many more of these stories right across the UK, safeguarding them for future generations. It is incredibly exciting to celebrate these grants, including the first consortium grant which represents a step-change for the archive sector and an opportunity to share skills and knowledge, foster partnerships and build organisational resilience in the sector. All of this is vital for protecting the future of our archives and delivering our vision for heritage to be valued, cared for and sustained for everyone, now and in the future.”

Sue Bowers, Director of the Pilgrim Trust, yesterday said:

“I would like to congratulate all the fantastic projects that have been awarded funding. As a founder member of the scheme 20 years ago, we are delighted that the newly expanded partnership enables the unlocking of so many more UK archive collections representing the lives of people across the UK for research and for all to enjoy.”

Archives Revealed is the only funding programme in the UK dedicated to the cataloguing and unlocking of archival collections.

The next round of applications for catalogue and consortium grants opened on Monday 24 February. We will be hosting a webinar for potential applicants to ask questions about the cataloguing and consortium grants on Thursday 6 March. Archives Revealed will also be running a series of trainings and skills development opportunities throughout its delivery.