Launching on Valentine's Day, the project will see the digital release of hundreds of thousands of personal letters, diaries and other handwritten documents.

That includes the beginning of Dorothy and Mac's 70-year love story, which was penned in hundreds of love letters spanning five years.

Their romance began in 1937, when a 17-year-old Mac met a 14-year-old Dorothy, or - as he liked to call her - his darling Dot.

"He kept on asking me to go out but my father wouldn't let me," Dorothy laughed. 

In 1939, Mac was off to war, but the plan was always to come home to his Dot.

"He said to me, When I come back home...' he said, 'Will you come out with me then?'" Dorothy reminisced.

The couple met when Mac was 17 and Dot was 14, but her father would not let the pair date. 

"I said, 'Of course I will, Mac!' And then he gave me a kiss and went to war."

They wrote letters to each other every week for five years.

Even when Mac was captured by the Germans and became a prisoner of war the letters continued.

"I hated him being away, and when the letters came back oh gee they were wonderful," Dorothy said.

"A letter meant he was still alive, you see, so it was so exciting."

But the best message of all came in April 1945.

Mac had escaped and he was coming home to his darling Dot.

"Hello my darling. What does one say in a moment such as this?" Dot wrote on April 30, 1945.

"I have butterflies in my stomach, love in my heart and few words that make sense in my mind. Well Mac, it's really coming at last. You're almost home". 

You can read more in an article by Eleanor Wilson published in the nine.com.au web site at: http://tinyurl.com/5n8f7bva.

Valentine’s Day is the second most popular holiday to send a card. The Greeting Card Association claims that an estimated one billion cards are sent each year. Yet, most of the people who send the cards have no idea who Saint Valentine was. Even historians cannot agree.

According to some authorities, there were two Valentines. One was a priest and doctor who was martyred in the year 269, and the other was the bishop of Terni, who was brought to Rome to be tortured and executed in 273. Others say it was the same person. Both men (or the same man) have legends attributed to them concerning love and matrimony, legends that may or may not be true.

According to one rendition, Roman Emperor Claudius II issued an edict saying that his soldiers were not allowed to be married. Apparently, Claudius thought that married soldiers weren't as good as single soldiers. As you might imagine, this news was not well received among the military men. Valentine obviously disagreed with the edict and continued to marry young couples, even though Claudius forbade it. When Claudius found out, he ordered Valentine to be beheaded, and the sentence was soon carried out.

Whether the stories involve one man or two, Pope Gelasius declared February 14 as St. Valentine’s Day around 498 A.D.

Recognition of the holiday clearly had taken hold by the Middle Ages. At that time, it was believed that birds begin mating in the middle of February. Even Chaucer wrote in the fourteenth century, "For this was sent on Seynt Valentyne’s day, whan every foul cometh ther to choose his mate."

Nonetheless, this martyred saint probably is responsible for the fact that many of us are alive and walking the earth today. Without the excuse of Saint Valentine's Day, how many of our ancestors would never have courted and consequently never have married? How many of us would not have been born? Perhaps we all owe a debt of gratitude to Saint Valentine for our very existence.

People using FamilySearch.org can sign up and trace their family trees at no cost. Several search options are available to family genealogists, from virtual consultations to numerous videos to get family genealogists started.

Consultations are offered in the following languages: English, Spanish, Chinese, German, Dutch, and Thai, depending upon the research region of the consultation.

These consultations are offered online so you may join then without leaving your home.

You can learn more and even schedule a consultation at: https://www.familysearch.org/en/library/online-consultations.

Archaeologists at Arizona State University are working with the federal government to try to find the remains of U.S. service members still unaccounted for from the Vietnam War. And, the scientists and the Defense POW/MIA Accountability Agency, or DPAA, are using a relatively new method to try to find remains in Cambodia.

Christopher Nicholson is an associate research professor in ASU's School of Human Evolution and Social Change. He’s also the executive director of the Center for Digital Antiquity there, and he joined The Show to discuss how he started the work he's doing in Cambodia and more.

You can read the full story at: http://tinyurl.com/2ujcv69h.

The going rate for an audiobook membership from for-pay services such as Audible is around $15 per month. But there are plenty of great sites out there that let you stream or download audiobooks for free if you’re willing to put in a little bit of effort.

Here’s a short list of sites to check out before you pony up for a monthly membership.

The full list may be found at: https://www.fastcompany.com/91011876/the-best-sites-for-free-high-quality-audiobooks.

From February 13–17, 2024, MyHeritage is granting free access to the company's vast treasure trove of marriage records: all 254 collections containing 746 million historical records.

This is the perfect opportunity to dive into the love stories that marked the beginnings of new family branches. They typically reveal names, birth dates, places of birth, and residences of the bride and groom, often extending to details about their parents or the witnesses, who might be close family friends or relatives.

Adding to the spirit of love this season, the MyHeritage research team uncovered a fascinating trend in baby naming. Did you know the baby name Love is gaining popularity across the U.S.?

The team at MyHeritage dove into public records and discovered that last year, Love made it to the top 1000 most popular names for the first time since 1893! That’s right, over a century ago, Love wasn’t just a word for affection but also a cherished baby boy’s name. Its highest peak back then was in 1902, ranking at number 838. With Valentine’s Day just around the corner, it seems like love really is in the air, and now, more than ever, it’s making its way into the names of our newest generation.

 You can read a lot more in the MyHeritage Blog at: http://tinyurl.com/46uwz46u.

The upcoming Genealogy Resource Fair will be held March 23rd, 9am-4pm, at the Georgia Southern Continuing & Professional Education building. This the second genealogy fair for Statesboro, spearheaded by Lillian Wingate, Regional Genealogy & Local History Coordinator at the Statesboro Regional Library. Last year the event was held at the library and drew hundreds of people from all over the region. 

The event will be a full day of presentations given by genealogical and historical societies from all across Georgia. There will also be an expo hall for vendors and exhibitors. The event focus will be on genealogy resources. 

Wingate says, "It's not a ‘how to do your genealogy,’ though there will be many people to assist with that, it’s 'this is where you go to get those resources that aren't online or how to access different repositories, how to send out requests, how to get in touch with people.’ There are so many small libraries and societies that have vital information people need, that are hard to reach.”

Participants will receive a directory with information on genealogical and history organizations. Wingate hopes people will walk away with information and a better understanding of how and where to do their own research.  She also hopes the fair will give an incentive to all organizations that think their work isn't important. They will have place to showcase their work as well as a great place to speak and collaborate with larger institutions. 

You can read more at: http://tinyurl.com/wz6dbmee.

When it comes to solving the world’s most pressing mysteries, DNA and genetics play a crucial role in closing cold cases in communities all over the nation. Whether you are a fan of true crime, marvel at mysteries, or take an interest in investigative techniques, this educational afternoon is certain to open your eyes to the many tools and techniques utilized by the brilliant minds behind finding answers to even the toughest crimes.

On Wednesday, February 21st, the New Jersey State Library will be hosting their next informative webinar, “Investigating Genetic Genealogy”. This fascinating, free conversation will center the role that investigative genetic genealogy practitioners play in cracking cold cases and finding the key evidence lurking just beneath the surface. This conversation will be held virtually on Zoom from 12pm to 1pm. If you are interested in tuning in, you will need to register in advanced, linked here: Zoom – Register. Your host for the afternoon will be Tracie Boyle, case manager at Ramapo College’s Investigative Genetic Genealogy (IGG) Center. An informative discussion held by one of the region’s foremost experts, you’re certain to walk away feeling ready to crack a few cases of your own.

As investigative technologies have advanced over the years, genetic genealogy has played a crucial role in concluding cases which may have otherwise been left unsolved. As the field has evolved over the years, IGG practitioners now have access to a countless number of tools which can dramatically improve outcomes on these cases. Throughout the afternoon, Ms. Boyle will be walking guests through the process of becoming an IGG practitioner and how Ramapo College education programs are impacting the next generation of IGG professionals. Tracie will describe cases in New Jersey that are being impacted by Ramapo College IGG Center, and the cases from around the country that have already been resolved with the help of their programs.

This event is presented by the New Jersey State Library, a resource for learners all throughout the Garden State. Each month, the NJSL puts together a thoughtfully curated calendar of educational and accessible webinars to education patrons on a variety of fascinating topics. Some popular points of discussion include genealogy, history, the sciences, and a whole host of other diverse topics. The NJSL also offers a number of author talks, allowing audiences to learn directly from the source from a number of esteemed subject matter experts. Meanwhile, at the library itself, guests can access a number of world-class resources including literature, technology, educational tools, and more. For additional details on all the New Jersey State Library has to offer, please visit their website, linked here: NJSL – Home.

If you have any questions or would like any assistance with registering for this upcoming conversation, please contact the New Jersey State Library at (609) 278-2640 for additional assistance. For further details on Ramapo’s robust IGG programing, please visit their website, linked here: Ramapo – IGG Program. If you’re a sleuth on the hunt for knowledge, be sure to sign up for this invigorating and investigative conversation today!

Here is an interesting case of publicizing one’s DNA:

A woman's DNA test-inspired tattoo has received mixed reviews from critics.

Many thought that the tattoo was "stupid" and one even felt that it was worse than the infamous "no regerts" ink.

An anonymous Redditor shared the tattoo they stumbled across in a forum.

"[SAD], getting a tattoo of your Ancestry.com results," they said.

A woman proudly showed off her heritage results, inked on her arm and complete with the Ancestry.com logo.

"42% Scandinavian, 26% Native American, 24% European, 8% Asian," the tattoo said in large letters.

Critics shared their thoughts on the tattoos in the comments.

"That's it, we found it, the stupidest f**king tattoo ever," said one commenter.

"Even worse than 'No Regerts,' at least that's funny."

"Honestly, this is it. This is Peak Stupid," agreed another.

Some felt that there were lots of flaws in getting a heritage test tattoo, including vague and inconclusive results.

"Which Asian? There are thousands of separate cultures here," said one commenter.

Others felt that the woman had missed another percentage in her tattoo.

"And 100% stupid," joked one commenter.

Comment by Dick Eastman: I have had my DNA tested by 5 different companies that are in the business of reporting your ancestry from the the results. 4 of the companies reported essentially the same results (with minor variations) but the fifth company initially reported that a large section of my ancestors came from an entirely different country from what the other four reported. I wonder how this woman would report that on her tattoo? 

(About a year after the first test results were reported the fifth company updated its database(s) and suddenly all my ancestors moved from that one country had now moved to join all the other ancestors as reported by the other four companies.)

I might caution anyone about adding a public, permanent record (such as on your skin) until you are certain that you have received all the facts.

The following announcement was written by Findmypast:

With the release of four new record sets, we're taking a trip to South Africa this week.

Church records and membership lists document over 350 years of South Africa's history and people in our latest release. With records from the Cape, Free State, Kwazulu-Natal, and Transvaal regions, is there a South African branch of your family tree waiting to be explored? Plus, we've added over 102,000 pages to our newspaper archive.

South Africa Baptisms

Spanning 1660-2011, over 785,000 new baptism records offer essential information about your South African family heritage. Some entries include a digitized scan of the original record, which is always worth checking for extra details, like godparents' names. Where available, the original record is likely to be written in Dutch or Afrikaans.

South Africa Marriages

Did your ancestor tie the knot in South Africa? Find out in over 314,000 new church marriage records.

The records reveal the names and birth years of both spouses, as well as when and where their wedding took place.

South Africa Burials

Trace South African ancestors from cradle to grave with the help of over 4,800 new burial records.

From its indigenous people to European colonization and apartheid, South Africa's history is as diverse as it is tumultuous. Could these records help you trace a family connection there?

South Africa Church Membership Lists

Detail-rich records reveal when your ancestor joined the church, along with important biographical facts. The 141,000-strong collection includes membership lists from Cape and Free State.

Hot off the press: Over 102,000 more newspaper pages

We've added Morecambe Visitor to our newspaper archive this week, alongside updates to 24 other papers. Here's a full rundown of what's new:

New title:

• Morecambe Visitor covering 1900, 1917, 1952-1954, 1956-1962, 1964-1968 and 1987
  

Updated titles:

Filter by title and date when searching to focus on the updates that interest you most.

We released even more baptism, marriage and burial records last week. If you missed them, you can catch up on what was featured here.