Troy Area Chamber of Commerce Ambassadors joined the LHGC and TMCPL employees, as well as Troy Historical Society representatives for the ribbon cutting at LHGC’s new location at 510 W. Water St., Suite 210, Troy. The Troy Historical Society is in a partnership with LHGC. The new location offers approximately 3,000-square-feet of space.

“It’s easy for people to browse,” TMCPL Director Rachelle Via said. “We have staff able and willing to help people find what they need. ..We have library staff, but we have people that are very good at genealogy.”

Via said the building is handicapped accessible, has an elevator, additional parking space and features climate controlled storage, which she noted is very important for old documents and photographs. She said LHGC not only focuses on Miami County history, but goes outside of the boundaries of the county a little bit.

LHGC staff includes Patrick Kennedy, supervisor and archivist, who has 25 years of experience; Sandy Gurklies, a retired teacher, who has expertise in genealogy; as well as Megan Bradshaw and Brian Ganger, all of whom can assist patrons in finding information.

Via said they have a joke at LHGC, “Everyone seems to be related to Sandy (Gurklies), somehow, the further back they do their genealogy. She’s got relatives all over.”

Gurklies said the new location is very organized and “we have a really good collection.” She noted the collection is still being set up, which is a “huge job.” and that it is a combined collection of the library and the Troy Historical Society.

“This is the gem that is hidden,” Gurklies said of LHGC.

Gurklies said as they are setting up the new center, they are “discovering things we didn’t know we had. We’re hoping people will come back … again.”

One thing Gurklies is anxious to see start again is the Genealogy Junction program, where people begin to work on their genealogical history.

She explained that the program “is a good way to explore and have fun.”

There are also cemetery walks that are open to the public and held at various cemeteries in the area.

In addition to books, documents, microfilm and access to computers for research, Gurklies said, “Another thing we have are the digitized Troy newspapers.” The papers date back to the 1830s and visitors can research old news stories.

Gurklies, who enjoys helping people learn their family history, said on one occasion it was particularly rewarding. She explained that a woman visited the center who was very shy and hesitant to ask for help, but finally said she wanted information on her great-grandfather. The woman wanted to learn about him because the family “kept secrets” since he had been in prison for killing another person over a 50 cent debt.

Gurklies said she began helping the woman expose the secrets of her great-grandfather’s past.

“We got back into slave times. We found Freedmen papers. We found so much more. She (the woman) went on to research more,” Gurklies said, noting the woman was initially embarrassed by her great-grandfather’s past. “I think there was shame. I said, ‘You don’t need to be ashamed.’ We got to be good friends.”

Gurklies, who has worked at the LHGC for 10 years, said, “Genealogy has changed my life.”

She explained her father was adopted and as a result of genealogical research, she found her father’s birth family, including her father’s halfbrother, who is now 96. Although her father passed away before she could find his family, she has been able to visit with them and was able to make a scrapbook for them.

While those new to genealogy might find it overwhelming, Gurklies said, “We try to help them navigate the obstacles. … The rich, rewarding parts come when they know their history and they know the struggles (of their ancestors and see how they overcame them.) There’s a quote we (LHGC staff) like. ‘History remembers the famous. Genealogy remembers them all.’”

Via said she hopes the public will come and see what LHGC has to offer, “I think it’s a great resource for the community. I hope people stop in and check it out.”

If you want to be part of the popular ancestry search trend, you may not need to look any further than the local library. The Berkley Public Library in Berkley, Michigan is now a FamilySearch Affiliate Library, which means it has access to more genealogy resources to help you make more family discoveries. 

There are only a few hundred affiliate libraries in the country. The designation means local library patrons will now have greater and more convenient access to the wealth of genealogical resources available through FamilySearch. The popular web service has over 6 billion searchable names and 2 billion images of historical genealogical records—and you get the helpful assistance of library staff.

FamilySearch adds over 300 million free genealogical records and images online yearly from all over the world and manages the famous FamilySearch Library in Salt Lake City. It has amassed billions of birth, marriage, death, census, land and court records from more than 130 countries to help you discover and make family connections.

“Libraries are wonderful local gathering places for learning. We are excited to have Berkley Public Library as our newest FamilySearch Affiliate Library.  It will help FamilySearch expand opportunities for fun, personal discoveries and family connections to the local community,” said Paul Nauta, FamilySearch Public Relations Manager.

FamilySearch is the largest genealogy organization in the world. FamilySearch is a nonprofit, volunteer-driven organization sponsored by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Millions of people use FamilySearch records, resources, and services to learn more about their family history. To help in this great pursuit, FamilySearch and its predecessors have been actively gathering, preserving, and sharing genealogical records worldwide for over 100 years. Patrons may access FamilySearch services and resources for free at FamilySearch.org or through more than 5,000 FamilySearch centers in 129 countries, including the main FamilySearch Library in Salt Lake City, Utah.

A few years ago, Penn Italian-language lecturer Julia Heimbegan to notice a “huge disconnect” between the representation of Italian life in primary textbooks and the “actual, real lived experience in Italy.”

The textbooks were very homogenous, leaving out the experiences and lives of underrepresented Italians. In response, Heim found themself creating activities for their students with video clips to show that reality—including Italians of color, from the LGBTQ community, with disabilities, and others.

“It’s really important to recognize that Italy is a multicultural space. It isn’t just the kind of thing you might see in ‘Eat, Pray, Love,’ right?” says Heim, a scholar and translator of Italian media. “It is a living culture that we really need to do justice to. All Italians deserve a space.”

Four years ago, those activities grew into a full project, creating resources for learners across the Italian-language community. Heim secured a grant from the Penn Language Center and hired graduate student Samantha Gillen, now a lecturer at the University of Georgia, to work with them developing more activities. Fellow Penn lecturer Rossella Di Rosa joined as contributor and linguistic overseer, reviewing all the content as a native Italian speaker.

Additional support came from the Price Lab for Digital Humanities, the Penn Libraries Research Data & Digital Scholarship team, and a Sachs Curricular Support Grant. “We hit the ground running,” Heim says.

At the beginning, the project was a simple shared account to hold the projects, with each folder containing a video, a transcript, and the actual exercises, translated into both English and Italian and available in PDF and editable documents in case changes needed to be made later.

The project soon had a name, PRIMA, the Pedagogical Repository for Italian Media Activities. It launched in late 2024 at primalearning.org.“This isn’t just meant to teach the language but use all the voices that Italy has to offer,” Heim says.

As an open educational resource, PRIMA is intended to grow as others add to it. “Our primary goal is just spreading the word right now,” Heim says. “We’ve incorporated it into our classes at Penn, but I’m hoping anyone will find it useful because what a fun way to learn a language.”

Heim says a printed textbook “is so stale; once you print it, it can’t be changed.” By contrast, PRIMA is meant to be added to and grow “so in a way, it is an archive of the different kinds of historical moments of representation.”

The early years were spent developing activities and beta testing with both faculty and students, asking questions about what audiences were looking for, material formats, and what accessibility means. That core value ensures that learners can use the resources in multiple formats and on different devices.

The PRIMA site was designed to be used via two approaches: a traditional level-based format, where users can focus on elementary, intermediate, or advanced levels, and a topical system, where users can search lessons on culture, grammar, and vocabulary. Learning grammar through new songs, for example, may be more interesting for learners than other methods, Heim says.

Heim says the language-studies field includes many people who believe in inclusive practices. “But it isn’t necessarily yet a safe space for all learners or for all teachers,” they say. “I hope this is a first step that goes beyond tokenizing minority voices or checking a box for inclusivity.”

They add: “Language courses are often the last to catch up because the textbooks are very antiquated or outdated, but also because there are a lot of people that believe in a static, ‘traditional’ language. The feedback that I often get is, ‘Well, we have to teach real Italian first, and then we can make space.’ I don’t think that that’s true because you’re basically saying that my identity cannot be represented in my own language class.”

The Long Beach Island Historical Association announces the launch of “Island Voices,” an oral history project now available on its website. This extensive collection features the stories of historians, witnesses and participants who have shaped the rich cultural tapestry of the Island. In development since 2022, the project has produced a series of finished videos, with additional video content forthcoming.

In alignment with its mission to transport audiences to a unique coastal locale and celebrate the lives of those who cherish it, the project provides an audio-visual archive of interviews, accompanied by photographs and a selection of artifacts on display at the LBI Historical Museum in Beach Haven. These compelling narratives highlight the strength and resilience of LBI’s longtime residents and reflect their deep affection for the island they proudly call home.

“Oral history serves as a vital tool for preserving personal experiences and bridging gaps in documented history, enhancing the research and curation efforts of scholars and experts alike,” the association said. “Island Voices offers a fresh perspective on LBI through the personal accounts of individuals who have lived here for nearly 90 years.

“Viewers can expect to hear enchanting tales involving movie theaters, boardwalks, trampoline parks, and the type of summer fun that has people returning to this island for generations. There are also stories of early life on the island and the adventurous and treacherous life of pound fisherman. Each story is a treasured memory that resonates with both the storyteller and the many residents and visitors who return year after year.”

“This exhibit will empower residents, visitors and historians to engage with the living history of our museum and the Island,” stated Ron Marr, past association president. “It also reinforces the museum’s relevance within the community, as outlined in our mission statement.”

Denise Cleveland, association president, added, “We are committed to advancing our mission as educators – sharing the history of LBI through these videos with everyone. It is our ongoing responsibility to bring these firsthand stories to our valued members, guests and friends of the Association, ensuring future generations can access this wealth of knowledge.”

For those interested in being interviewed for the project or learning more about it, contact the association at LBIslandvoices@gmail.com. To view the oral history videos, visit the museum website at lbihistoricalmuseum.org/island-voices.  —E.E.

A man whose partial remains were found in a vacant apartment building in Detroit in 1998 has been identified as Robert Booker Jr. 

In the meantime, a murdered man whose body was found in downtown Detroit in 1981 has been identified as Jerry Tate. 

The DNASolves database, which works with law enforcement to make identification in outstanding cases, made the announcements on both cases this week. Booker and Tate were the 12th and 13th cases, respectively, cases in the state of Michigan where identification was made using the resources of Ostram laboratory in Texas; and publicly announced by DNASolves.

Robert Booker Jr.

Robert Booker Jr., whose partial remains have been identified through advanced DNA efforts.

DNASOLVES DATABASE

Booker's case involves partial human remains found in May 1998 as a construction crew demolished a vacant apartment building near East Grant Boulevard and Ferry Street in Detroit, the agency says. 

The man could not be identified, but the case was entered into the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System. A traditional DNA profile also was developed. 

"Despite the efforts of investigators, the man could not be identified, and the case was old for nearly three decades," the agency said.  

The Detroit Police Department teamed up with Othram in March 2022 to determine if newer forensic testing and genetic genealogy research could lead to more information. Othram's scientists sent their findings to the FBI forensic genetic genealogy team. 

With the new details, further investigation led to potential family members of the unidentified man. He was then determined to be Booker, who was born Nov. 18, 1959. 

Michigan Department of Corrections records show that Booker escaped from prison on Jan. 5, 1996. He had started serving a sentence on Nov. 1, 1995, on a charge of breaking and entering on a coin telephone.

Jerry Tate 

Jerry Tate, whose body was identified through advanced DNA efforts.

DNASOLVES DATABASE

Tate's case involves a badly burned body found in March 1981 near railroad tracks near 12th and Stanley Streets in Detroit, the agency said.  

"His manner of death was determined to be homicide," the report said. 

However, the body could not be identified, and the details of the case were entered into the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System. 

A forensic composite image depicting how he may have looked when alive was released to the public, and traditional DNA testing took place.  

"Despite the efforts of investigators, the man could not be identified, and the case was cold for nearly five years," the report said. 

Detroit Police Department began working with Othram in January 2023 to see if new leads could be developed. Othram's scientists sent their findings to the FBI, and a follow-up investigation led to potential family members. 

He was then determined to be Tate, who was born in February 1948. 

Other Michigan cases that have been solved through this partnership include the identity of Tannisha Marie Eddison, whose remains were found in 2011 in Trenton; the identity of Darlynn Washington, whose remains were found in 2006 in Detroit; and the identity of Robert L. McDaniel, whose remains were found in 1979 in Van Buren County. 

Funding for the advanced DNA testing and forensic genetic genealogy work came from the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System (NAMUS), a national clearinghouse whose goal is to assist law enforcement agencies with the investigation and resolution of missing and unidentified people. 

Genealogy enthusiasts beginning their English or Welsh family history quest have a new must-read resource with the release of Bigamists, Bastards and Baffling Brick Walls: A Beginner’s Guide to Discovering Your English Family History. Written by family historian Nick Thorne, this captivating guide offers a deep dive into the world of English and Welsh ancestry, blending expert advice with real-life tales of intrigue and scandal.

The book takes readers on an unforgettable journey through the complexities of genealogical research. From the emotional revelations of bigamous marriages and illegitimate ancestors to practical techniques for navigating elusive parish records, Nick Thorne shares tried-and-tested strategies in a readable style that make this guide indispensable.

“Family history isn’t just about dates and documents; it’s about understanding who you are and where you come from,” says Nick Thorne. “Discovering the secrets hidden in your family tree can be empowering, emotional and immensely rewarding. I wrote this book to help others embrace the journey, no matter how challenging or surprising their discoveries may be.”

Highlights of Bigamists, Bastards and Baffling Brick Walls include:

Written in an engaging and accessible style, the book will appeal to beginners and those who are tracing their family back to England and Wales from elsewhere. By focusing on the unique records and histories of these parts of the British Isles, Nick Thorne provides a specialised resource for readers with ties to this part of the world.

Whether you’re uncovering long-lost relatives or solving centuries-old mysteries, Bigamists, Bastards and Baffling Brick Walls is a unique blend of practical advice and storytelling that makes his work both informative and compelling for a wide audience

Bigamists, Bastards and Baffling Brick Walls: A Beginner’s Guide to Discovering Your English Family History is available now on Amazon as a paperback and a Kindle e-book.

Amazon.co.uk: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0DQKMB47Y

Or from Amazon,com in the USA - https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DQKMB47Y

Amazon.com.au in Australia - https://www.amazon.com.au/dp/B0DQKMB47Y

and Amazon.ca in Canada - https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B0DQKMB47Y

About the Author
Nick Thorne is a seasoned family historian with years of experience of researching and helping individuals uncover their ancestral stories. Between 2013 and 2024 he wrote case studies and articles for one of the major online subscription sites, researching in a wide range of record sets to find fascinating stories to tell. A passionate advocate for exploring family history, Nick Thorne has contributed many pieces to genealogy publications and websites, sharing his expertise and inspiring others to embark on their own research journeys.

For more information, review copies, or interviews, contact:
Nick Thorne, nick@noseygenealogist.com    

More than two decades after human remains were found, they’ve been identified as a mother of four, Nevada cops say. Using DNA testing, detectives identified the remains found on Jan. 11, 2001, as Virgia Mae Jackson, the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department said in a Jan. 23 post on X, formerly known as Twitter.

While searching the area in 2001, investigators found additional human remains, according to Othram Inc., the forensic genetic genealogy company that helped identify the remains. Investigators determined the “person had been buried in a shallow grave alongside burnt pieces of wood, bushes, and several large pieces of concrete or rocks,” Othram said. The woman’s death was ruled a homicide, according to police. At the time, the woman could not be identified, and her case was entered in the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System, according to Othram. For more than two decades, the woman’s case remained cold. Then, in 2021, police partnered with Othram and submitted DNA evidence for testing, Othram said. There, the company said its scientists created a comprehensive DNA profile for the unknown woman to be used in forensic genetic genealogy. Genetic genealogy uses DNA testing coupled with “traditional genealogical methods” to create “family history profiles,” according to the Library of Congress. With genealogical DNA testing, researchers can determine if and how people are biologically related.

Using new leads from Othram, police pushed the case forward and found potential relatives of the woman, according to Othram. A possible relative provided a DNA sample, and it was compared with that of the unknown woman’s, Othram said. Through this testing, the woman was identified as Jackson, Othram said. Jackson moved from San Antonio, Texas, to Las Vegas to start a new life with her four children in the mid-1990s, according to police. She was last known to be living at an address in 1999 or 2000 that was about 6 miles from where her body was found, police said. She “was never reported missing,” police said. Anyone with information about Jackson is asked to contact police at 702-828-3521. 

The following is a press release issued by TheGenealogist:

TheGenealogist has added 292,259 newly opened records to its 1939 Register, most of whom were born in 1924. This release includes British comedy legends Benny Hill and Tony Hancock who were recorded living near each other in Bournemouth at the outbreak of WWII.

This significant update enhances TheGenealogist's comprehensive collection of historical records, providing valuable insights into wartime Britain and those who would later shape British entertainment. The 1939 Register, taken on 29th September 1939, serves as a crucial census substitute, capturing detailed information about the civilian population just after the outbreak of World War II.

The newly released records reveal a fascinating snapshot of two future comedy icons in their teenage years. Both Hill and Hancock, then aged 15, were living in Bournemouth. Their distinct comedy styles helped define British entertainment in the post-war era.

"This release not only adds significant genealogical value but also provides unique insights into the early lives of some of Britain's most beloved entertainers," says Mark Bayley, Head of Online Development at TheGenealogist. "Finding Hill and Hancock recorded just a stone's throw from each other during this pivotal moment in history adds a compelling narrative to our understanding of British entertainment history."

The update is available immediately to Diamond subscribers of TheGenealogist, offering researchers and family historians access to these valuable historical records.

In these records is Benny Hill - read his story here: https://www.thegenealogist.co.uk/featuredarticles/2025/benny-hill-7957/

For a limited time, you can get our Diamond Subscription for just £109.95. You’ll also receive an online periodical and a ticket to The Family History Show Online plus the downloadable books Discover Your Ancestors' Occupations by Laura Berry, Regional Research Guidebook by Andrew Chapman and Researching and Locating Your Ancestors by Celia Heritage, worth over £60.

Explore these new records and start your genealogical journey today with TheGenealogist by claiming this offer here: https://www.thegenealogist.co.uk/MGB39R125 

Offer expires 31st March 2025.

About TheGenealogist

TheGenealogist is an award-winning online family history website, who put a wealth of information at the fingertips of family historians. Their approach is to bring hard to use physical records to life online with easy to use interfaces such as their Tithe and newly released Lloyd George Domesday collections. 

TheGenealogist’s innovative SmartSearch technology links records together to help you find your ancestors more easily. TheGenealogist is one of the leading providers of online family history records. Along with the standard Birth, Marriage, Death and Census records, they also have significant collections of Parish and Nonconformist records, PCC Will Records, Irish Records, Military records, Occupations, Newspaper record collections amongst many others.

TheGenealogist uses the latest technology to help you bring your family history to life. Use TheGenealogist to find your ancestors today!

Texas A&M University-Texarkana Associate Professor of English was recently awarded the Civilian Archivists Award from the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) in Washington DC. The award was given to Dr. Cantrel because of her inclusion of the Citizen Archivist program as a service-learning project in her Advanced English Literature course. 

“We are grateful to you for continuing to promote the importance and relevance of archives, increasing levels of engagement with the records of the National Archives, and encouraging students use of records and resources at the National Archives throughout their studies,” John Hokenson, National Archives Executive Secretariat Specialist told Dr. Cantrell.

The Citizen Archivist program uses volunteers to transcribe and tag historic documents, letters, memos, and reports, many written in cursive, dating back to the Revolutionary War. The process of transcribing and tagging the content of these documents makes them searchable online and increases accessibility to them.

The documents that the Advanced Literature students have worked on include collections from the NARA, the Massachusetts Historical Society, and the Smithsonian. One of their projects includes transcribing the Smithsonian’s large collection of documents from turn of the century (20th) female astronomers.

Senior Jayce Braswell recently took on an archiving project involving revolutionary-war era Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application files from Connecticut. In this instance the person was securing a land bounty document, which was typically given to members of the military in exchange for their service. Jayce, who plans to pursue a career as an educator and writer, explained that the project has had an impact on him that will carry forward into his classroom later. “I’ve thought a lot about my upcoming teaching career and how it is my responsibility to ensure students know the power that the written word holds,” he said. “These documents are foundational to understanding where our nation stands today and the history behind it.”

About Texas A&M University-Texarkana:

As a member of The Texas A&M University System, Texas A&M University-Texarkana is a comprehensive regional university that provides students with academically challenging, engaging and rewarding educational experiences through quality teaching, scholarship, student support services, co-curricular programming, research, and service.

After nearly four decades, a cold case task force has identified human remains discovered in 1985 during the investigation of the Wilseyville serial killings, according to the Calaveras County Sheriff’s Office. The remains were confirmed to be those of Reginald “Reggie” Frisby, who was born in 1956 in New York state.

Frisby’s remains were uncovered in June 1985 at a crime scene tied to notorious serial killers Leonard Lake and Charles Ng. In 2021, the Calaveras Cold Case Task Force launched an effort to reexamine unidentified remains in the county, leveraging advancements in DNA technology and forensic investigative genetic genealogy. “The purpose of the reexamination project was, is, and will continue to be to identify remains while providing closure to victims’ families,” reads a Sheriff’s Office news release. Frisby’s remains had been linked to the killings committed by Ng and Lake in Wilseyville, elsewhere in Calaveras County and in other parts of California in 1984 and 1985. The news release states that the circumstances of Frisby’s death remain under investigation but authorities believe he was a homicide victim. Lake died by suicide while in custody in 1985, while Ng was convicted in 1999 of 11 murders, including those of men, women, a young boy and an infant. The pair were known to have tortured and raped their female victims before killing them. Ng, now 64, was sentenced to death and remains on death row at the California Medical Facility.

The process of identifying Frisby’s remains Investigators reviewed over 1,000 human remains exhumed from a San Andreas crypt, as well as additional remains in the custody of the Calaveras County coroner. A portion of Frisby’s remains, which had been autopsied in 1985, were sent to the California Department of Justice for DNA analysis in 2022.

Although initial testing through the FBI’s Combined DNA Index System did not yield a match, further analysis in 2024 by Intermountain Forensics, a private laboratory in Utah, produced a viable DNA profile for use in Forensic Investigative Genetic Genealogy (FIGG). This advanced genealogical method, involving comparison with public genealogy databases, led Identifinders International, a genealogy research group, to develop a lead in December 2024. Genealogists and investigators uncovered a possible family connection to Frisby and interviewed relatives, ultimately discovering that he had last been in contact with his family in 1984. Further investigation with the San Francisco Police Department Homicide Unit revealed that Frisby had been living in San Francisco as of January of that year. The California Department of Justice coordinated with the Delaware State Patrol Missing Persons Unit to obtain a DNA sample from Frisby’s mother. The sample was compared with the remains, and the match, along with the investigative facts, confirmed Frisby’s identity. Frisby had never been reported missing and was not initially considered a potential victim of the Wilseyville Serial Killings. The Task Force is now reviewing original reports, evidence and other facts related to the case in pursuit of further answers.

The Task Force credits the identification of Frisby’s remains as the result of extensive collaboration among numerous agencies, including the California Department of Justice, Delaware State Patrol Missing Persons Unit, SFPD Homicide Unit, Identifinders International and Intermountain Forensics. “The Calaveras Cold Case Task Force is funded entirely by donations. Without these donations, the private laboratory and genealogy work would not have been possible, and Reginald would remain unidentified,” the press release states. To date, the task force has spent over $200,000 in donations on reexamining remains from cold cases.