Paul Richard Davis

On Feb. 28, 2025, the Plumas County Sheriff’s Office announced that after more than 36 years, the victim of a 1988 homicide case in Quincy has been identified as Paul Richard Davis.

On April 21, 1988, a tree removal crew, while working in a secluded area of Quincy California, located what appeared to be a bone sticking out of the ground. The worker dug up the object and additionally located some clothing with the bone. The worker then contacted the Sheriff’s Office to report his discovery. 

The sheriff’s office responded, and investigators excavated the site, locating what was confirmed to be human skeletal remains. Investigators collected evidence from the shallow grave, including tree root samples, which were sent to The University of Arizona for examination. Examination of the root samples estimated the earliest time the grave could have been dug was during the growing season of 1985 and the latest was the growing season of 1986. 

The skeletal remains were ultimately transferred to California State University of Chico Anthropology Department for examination. Preliminary findings from the Anthropology Department estimated the victim was that of a Caucasian male approximately 6’ tall, muscular build, approximately 35 to 45 years of age. Additionally, the victim’s skull had a hole in the back consistent with that of a gunshot injury. 

In 1988, items of evidence were transferred to the California Department of Justice (DOJ) for examination. DOJ attempted to identify the victim by dental records with negative results. All remains were later returned to Chico State University Anthropology Lab.

In 2022, detectives from the Plumas County Sheriff’s Office were contacted by the University of Chico Anthropology Department. They advised they were re-examining old cases and would like to complete a re-analysis of the remains they had custody of since 1988. In addition to the examination, the anthropology department entered the unidentified victim into NamUS as well as submitted bone samples to California Department of Justice DNA Lab to create a DNA profile in CODIS. This technology was in its very early stages of development and not commonplace in the 80’s. Despite efforts, there was never a DNA match made in CODIS. Throughout the years, investigators had completed multiple follow-up investigations of possible matches for missing people with negative results. 

In January 2023, the Plumas County Sheriff’s Office was contacted by the FBI Sacramento Field Office to discuss an investigative approach involving the development of leads leveraging investigative genetic genealogy (IGG) and the potential the investigative technique held for the case. With financial assistance from the NamUS Forensic Unit and the FBI, the case was approved to move forward in November 2023. The Sheriff’s Office then contracted with a private DNA lab to obtain a DNA profile and submitted evidentiary bone samples for testing and analysis. 

A single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) was obtained from the sample to aid the development of a family tree by using publicly accessible genealogy services and law enforcement resources, such as birth certificates and obituaries, to identify potential family members of the unknown profile. In April 2024, Plumas County Sheriff’s Detectives met with the FBI to review the results of the investigative genealogy, which revealed the 1988 homicide victim may be Paul Richard Davis, a former resident of Kern County, California. 

With this new lead, the FBI and Sheriff’s Detectives located two living, blood-related family members of Davis in the Bakersfield area. Plumas County Detectives and FBI Special Agent’s traveled to Bakersfield to contact the relatives and explain the investigative technique that may have identified their relative as the victim. The family members agreed to voluntarily provide DNA samples that were then compared against the DNA profile. 

DNA samples were sent to the California DOJ Bureau of Forensic Services for direct comparison. The DNA profile obtained from the victim was also compared to the DNA profiles obtained from the family reference samples submitted for Paul Davis. The comparison of the samples provided strong support that the decedent is related to this family. 

Speaking with family members, Davis lived a transient lifestyle and had substance abuse problems. The family noted Paul would contact them via telephone every six months or so until one day in the early 1980’s, the calls just stopped. The family was not aware of any reason Davis would be in Plumas County and no known family or friends resided in that area. The last contact date with Paul Davis investigators could narrow down was 01/11/1983, when Paul was released from custody in Santa Rosa California for petty theft. 

There is very little information regarding Davis’s past associates and friends. The Plumas County Sheriff’s Office is looking for anyone that may have information regarding Paul Richard Davis and how he came to be a victim of homicide in Plumas County. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Sheriff’s Office Detective Unit at (530) 283-6363.

Mat and Savanna Shaw had a “whirlwind” 24 hours before performing Thursday, March 6, during the opening keynote session of RootsTech 2025.

The father-daughter singing duo — best known for their viral social media duets of uplifting music — had been asked to step in only the day before, after Emmy Award-winning singer/songwriter Rachel Platten dropped out last minute due to “unforeseen complications,” RootsTech leaders said.

Despite the unusual circumstances, Mat Shaw said RootsTech felt like an appropriate audience for him and his daughter because their music is so rooted in family.

Sharing music “has created so many opportunities for our family to be together through that process,” Mat Shaw said. “Our whole family is involved in the music.”

Father-daughter singing duo Mat and Savanna Shaw perform during the RootsTech 2025 opening keynote session on Thursday, March 6, 2025 in Salt Lake City, Utah. | Christie Allred 

They were preceded by Steve Rockwood, president and CEO of FamilySearch International, and Crista Cowan, corporate genealogist at Ancestry. Rachel Platten also briefly joined the proceedings via live video.

RootsTech is a three-day global online and in-person family history conference hosted by FamilySearch and sponsored by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and other leading genealogy organizations.

The 2025 event is scheduled for March 6-8, with an in-person event in Salt Lake City and online at RootsTech.org, with select content available in multiple languages.

People attend RootsTech 2025 at the Salt Palace Convention Center in Salt Lake City, Utah, on Thursday, March 6, 2025. | Laura Seitz, Deseret News 

See more coverage of RootsTech 2025 and family history

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has long emphasized the value and power of family history work, which makes possible the completion of saving ordinances on behalf of deceased ancestors.

Speaking at RootsTech 2017, President Russell M. Nelson said, “As Church members, our interest in family history work has been motivated by instruction from the Lord that our ancestors cannot be made perfect without us and that we cannot be made perfect without them (see Doctrine and Covenants 128:15). That means we are to be linked together by the sacred sealing ordinances of the temple. We are to be strong links in the chain from our ancestors to our posterity.”

‘Discover’

Steve Rockwood, president and CEO of FamilySearch International, speaks at RootsTech 2025 at the Salt Palace Convention Center in Salt Lake City, Utah, on Thursday, March 6, 2025. | Laura Seitz, Deseret News 

During his RootsTech 2025 keynote address, Steve Rockwood shared that his great-great-grandfather once tried to introduce oysters and lobsters into the Great Salt Lake. It didn’t work, but if it had, Rockwood joked that his ancestor might have started the “Rockwood Lobster Shack” dynasty.

Rockwood said he learned this story about his great-great-grandfather thanks to “one other source” who simply added what they knew to the global family history research pool. Now he, his children and grandchildren know their own family story better — and therefore know themselves better.

“What is your ‘lobster’ waiting to be discovered? … Have you added what you know in order to unleash the technology and all of us in the industry to begin your journey?” Rockwood said.

“Discover” is the RootsTech 2025 theme, and Rockwood said family history organizations work together so people all over the world can learn everything possible about their families.

“Together we share this relentless pursuit to access all the available information from your ancestral homelands, no matter who you are and no matter where you’re from,” he said. “And when you find it, we strive to assess how accurate it is and ensure that you’re discovering as much truth as possible.”

Andrew Wheelwright, left, helps Carla Canty as Jason Daniels and Ryan Plumb help David Hopper during RootsTech 2025 at the Salt Palace Convention Center in Salt Lake City, Utah, on Thursday, March 6, 2025. | Laura Seitz, Deseret News 

Crista Cowan, corporate genealogist at Ancestry, added that an ancestor’s story isn’t complete without information about their friends, neighbors, co-workers, fellow worshippers and other nonfamily members who knew and loved them.

“These connections are threads that, when woven together, create the rich tapestry of your ancestors’ lives … [Learn] not just the timeline of ancestors’ lives but the whole story of who they were,” she said.

And speaking via a live video, Rachel Platten shared how becoming a mother helped her rediscover and better love every part of herself. She also shared, in a pre-recorded video, a performance of her song “Girls,” written about her two young daughters.

“I think that loving myself so tenderly, not because of what I’ve done or earned … has allowed me to love my daughters in the same accepting way,” Platten said. “You don’t deserve [another person’s] love only because you’re good or because you’ve done something right, but just because you exist, because you were born.”

Rachel Platten speaks via live video during RootsTech 2025 at the Salt Palace Convention Center in Salt Lake City, Utah, on Thursday, March 6, 2025. | Laura Seitz, Deseret News

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.