Seemingly simple, infinitesimally small, but grand and powerful...It is a miniature material used in the construction of a human being, much like a ladder is used in the construction of certain building project, except it is curved and twisted with a name that few people can pronounce or spell - deoxyribonucleic acid. Its two sideContinue reading "A Reflection on the God of DNA"
Book Review…The Acadian Diaspora: An Eighteenth-Century History by Christopher Dodson
Many authors have attempted to explain the history of the Acadians, but I didn't become interested in learning about it until a few years ago. I tried to tackle one book, but the writing style and presentation of the information made it difficult for me to get immersed in it. Then, in 2019 I beganContinue reading "Book Review…The Acadian Diaspora: An Eighteenth-Century History by Christopher Dodson"
Processing Unexpected Genealogy Research Findings
Referencing an article I wrote describing the emotional impact of non-paternity events (NPEs), one reader commented that learning unsavory information during the process of genealogy research “can become a huge burden to carry alone or create family turmoil if revealed”. The decision of what to do – i.e., “share it, bury it, ignore it” – isContinue reading "Processing Unexpected Genealogy Research Findings"
Your Ancestor and Founders Day Season: A Genealogy of Black Greek-Letter Organizations
We can learn a lot from our ancestors when we know about what researchers have termed their FAN club - their friends, associates, and neighbors. For example, our relatives often joined community-based organizations such as farmers alliances, masonic lodges, and social clubs. Some even coalesced into gender-based groups known as fraternities and sororities. These were popularContinue reading "Your Ancestor and Founders Day Season: A Genealogy of Black Greek-Letter Organizations"
Atomic Habits and Goals: Becoming a Certified Genealogist in 2024
I finished reading James Clear's Atomic Habits earlier this month. I had heard about this book for years but was late to jump on the train. I'm glad I finally did, though, because it is helping me to change my life. The big takeaways that I noted were: 1) I should focus more on shaping identity than on goal-setting;Continue reading "Atomic Habits and Goals: Becoming a Certified Genealogist in 2024"
Black Cajun: Researching My Acadian Ancestors
I've concentrated most of my family research efforts on my black ancestors, but I actually have about 25% European ancestry that I should explore. Seeing Sweden and Italy in my list of ancestral lands was surprising, but it has been common knowledge in my southwest Louisiana family that we have French roots. What I'm beginning to learnContinue reading "Black Cajun: Researching My Acadian Ancestors"
BookTalk: They Were Her Property Chapters 7 & 8 + Epilogue
Dr. Jones-Rogers ends her book, They Were Her Property, by detailing how white female slaveowners managed the denouement of slavery. She provides some history tidbits regarding the nation's internal fight over the issue of slavery that I found interesting. For example, Jones-Rogers describes Abraham's Lincoln's efforts to quell Southerners' fears about his intentions, citing thatContinue reading "BookTalk: They Were Her Property Chapters 7 & 8 + Epilogue"
How to Do an Impromptu Family History Interview
This Thanksgiving (2023), we spent time with my husband’s side of the family. A big part of our dinner table discussion involved expressing gratitude for our parents and our upbringing. Our thanksgiving reflections continued as, early the next morning, my 70 year-old father-in-law, Johnny Dean Miller, and I chatted over coffee. He explained how eagerContinue reading "How to Do an Impromptu Family History Interview"
When Your Daddy Isn’t Your Daddy: Non-Paternity Events and Your Mental Health
Everyone has skeletons in the proverbial closet. In the world of genealogy research, one of the most difficult one to be confronted is finding out that your ancestry or heritage is different than you thought it was or would be. Many times this is because of error-filled family stories, but an even more common reasonContinue reading "When Your Daddy Isn’t Your Daddy: Non-Paternity Events and Your Mental Health"
Roll Call: My Family Surnames
Let me give you some context related to my rationale for recording my family's surnames in a blog post... I was reading a passage from the Bible that discusses God’s attention to detail when it comes to documenting names. He probably guided Adam in the naming of the animals; he knows all the stars by nameContinue reading "Roll Call: My Family Surnames"
The Genealogy Griot 