Find My Origins

Who says Genealogy has to be boring?

An effective way to make family search more engaging to younger people, especially children, is to look at it as a game. The Familysearch.org writers has come up with some ideas of what you can play with your younger families or friends. Not only are these games entertaining, but they are also educational and is a great way for them to know more about their ancestors!

https://familysearch.org/blog/en/fish-engaging-younger-family-members-family-games/

Go Fish! Engaging Younger Family Members Through Family Games One of the new and inviting ways that families are successfully engaging younger family members is with family history games. Some parents prepare the games and host a family game night at home. Th...

Check out our mentoring service program on our Find My Origins website!

New at genealogy, need fresh ideas, or just don't know where to go or what to do next? Our experienced genealogists at Find My Origins are prepared to help you learn new skills and to answer whatever questions you may have to make your tasks easier for you. Our mentoring services are personalized and the lessons are tailored according to your needs. To learn more, please visit our website!

http://www.findmyorigins.com/mentoring-services/

Mentoring Services The Find My Origins mentoring services are available to you and to the members of your society, association, or organization. Genealogy can be complicated and mysterious; especially for those who are just beginning their search, those who have hit a brick wall, or those who need to find new and crea…

Need a gift for the family historian? Whether they are just starting and need a little guidance or they simply do not have the time to add to the family's genealogy, we can help! Find My Origins is offering a SPECIAL holiday tree building package. For $150 we provide 3.5 hours of professional assistance to advance your genealogical work. We will analyze your work, add to your tree, provide a report including charts and make suggestions to help you keep researching. Let us make your holiday shopping easier! We also offer gift certificates for many other packages. To contact us, visit our website at www.findmyorigins.com

We love these! Genealogy turned into art. Frame it, hang it on the wall and the family can easily see your work. Plus it inspires conversation about your ancestors, gives you a chance to share stories with all who see it and you can pick your favorite color!

Happy Thanksgiving to all. Hope you are surrounded by friends, family and laughter.

Today is a wonderful day to add some Thanksgiving memories and traditions to your tree. Genealogy is more than names and dates. It is uncovering the stories that shaped your ancestors and your family as well preserving that history for the generations to come. Our work is more complete when we include personal stories, family recipes, interesting events, achievements and tragedies. Those events helped shaped our ancestors and might provide insight into their motivations and movement.

In fact, if you have hit a brick wall, take a look at the details of your family. What were their occupations? Might they have followed job opportunities. Where did their neighbors go? Did their church do missionary work or expand into other areas? Did their neighborhood suffer devastation such as floods or fire that forced people out of the area? Our ancestors, like us, do not exist only on paper. Their lives are enmeshed with friends, family and community.

Can't find that death date? Consider unique sources like the records of fraternal organizations such as the Masonic Lodge. Some of those records are available at the Family History Library like those from Grand Lodge of Arkansas, 1941-1990. Find My Origins can be your eyes at the library in your search for interesting ways to pinpoint vital dates!
https://familysearch.org/search/catalog/955606?availability=Family%20History%20Library

FamilySearch Catalog: Masonic death records from the Grand Lodge of Arkansas, 1941-1990 —... Discover your family history. Explore the world’s largest collection of free family trees, genealogy records and resources.

If you have Catholic ancestors who lived in Saint Louis, don't miss the burial index from the Archdiocese of Saint Louis!
http://archstl.org/app/cemeteries/burial_search

Catholic Cemeteries Burial Search – Archdiocese of St. Louis Search burial records of cemeteries within the Archdiocese of St. Louis, MO

FindAGrave.com (FAG) is an invaluable tool for genealogists. However, it is important to remember that FAG relies on user contributed information. Why is this important? Because the information is only as accurate as the people who made the contribution. If there is no photo of the gravestone, it is possible that the well-intentioned contributor either misread the date or simply typed it in wrong. Familial relationships are often implied or suggested. They are based on like names and dates of those buried in similar locations. Does this mean the information you find on FAG is has no value? Of course not! It simply means that the information gathered from FAG should be the starting point and not the answer. Read more at: http://www.findmyorigins.com/find-a-grave-trust-but-verify/

Green-Wood Cemetery in NYC is more than a burial place. It is filled with history, nature and beauty. Green-Wood is well worth a visit even if you do not have ancestors buried there! http://www.newsday.com/news/new-york/history-landscaping-architecture-tales-told-in-nyc-s-cemeteries-1.9623792

History, landscaping, architecture: Tales told in NYC's cemeteries - Newsday When New York City was hit with the 1918 influenza pandemic, the deaths were so

As you join the family for Sunday dinner, consider adding a little information to your family tree by asking some simple questions. Where did you go to school? Where did you attend church as a child? What was your favorite Thanksgiving tradition? As a bonus, your children will learn a little more about their family and the conversation just might be more interesting!

Ancestors married in ? Find them in the index and we can pull the record! http://ow.ly/E8mNv

Arkansas Marriages, 1837-1944 — FamilySearch.org Name index to marriage records from the state of Arkansas. Microfilm copies of these records are available at the Family History Library and Family History Centers. Due to privacy laws, recent records may not be displayed. The year range represents most of the records. A few records may be earlier o…

If you are truly stuck in your research, consider asking for help. Sometimes a new set of eyes or a different perspective is all it takes. Or perhaps someone else is aware of a source you might have missed. Help comes in a multitude of forms. Consider a relative, fellow genealogist, a professional, local historical society or an online forum. This weekend, the National Archives is offering “Help! I'm Stuck” Genealogy Consultations. If need professional help, please give us a call or send us a message. We would love to help! You can find more information on the NARA event here: http://www.archives.gov/dc-metro/events/

November 2014 DC Area Events, genealogy workshops, booksignings, lectures and scheduled events.