Family History

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Genealogy, Suicide, and Your Family Tree

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Genealogy, Suicide, and Your Family Tree

Societal taboos about suicide often leave the stories of those who take their own lives untold. Here is the story of my 2nd great uncle, John Rhoads (1886-1922).  

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"Nothing but the choicest meats" - Henry Peter Ratz (1867-1934)

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"Nothing but the choicest meats" - Henry Peter Ratz (1867-1934)

My 2nd great grandfather, Henry Peter Ratz (1867-1934), was a butcher. Though, as you'll learn, perhaps not a very successful one. This is his story.

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Finding Vasilios Demetrio Halvangis

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Finding Vasilios Demetrio Halvangis

Here's the story of how I found genealogy records of my great grandfather, Vasilios Demetrio Halvangis (1891-1937). Born on the island of Samos, Greece, he came to the U.S. in 1911 on the S.S. Martha Washington. 

The Psychogenealogist Pic of the Week (#36)

The Psychogenealogist Pic of the Week (#36)

Grant Avenue in San Francisco's Chinatown (1969). How I gave new life to my grandfather's dusty 35mm family photograph slides.  

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Family History, Genealogy, and Cocker Spaniels

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Family History, Genealogy, and Cocker Spaniels

A collection of 25 vintage photographs of cocker spaniels and their families. Which is your favorite?

The Psychogenealogist Pic of the Week (#29)

The Psychogenealogist Pic of the Week (#29)

The Psychogenealogist Pic of the Week (#29) - Disneyland, 1965

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"Uncle Ed Costlow and Family. My Mother's Brother"

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"Uncle Ed Costlow and Family. My Mother's Brother"

Here's a wonderful photo of my 3rd great uncle, Edward Costlow (1876-1945) and his family. Learn how to spot clues from photos and census records to help identify family members and clear up genealogy mysteries. 

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Discovering My Connection to the Kring Family of Pennsylvania

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Discovering My Connection to the Kring Family of Pennsylvania

"From Sea to Shinning Sea: The Kring Family" - By Sandra Kring Leonard. Here's the story of how I discovered my connection to the Krings of Pennsylvania. 

The Psychogenealogist Pic of the Week (#27)

The Psychogenealogist Pic of the Week (#27)

The Psychogenealogist Pic of the Week (#27) - Chapel in The Pines, Hartwick Pines State Park in Grayling, Mich.

Podcast Spotlight - Extreme Genes: America's Family History and Radio Show

Podcast Spotlight - Extreme Genes: America's Family History and Radio Show

Extreme Genes is an entertaining and information family history and genealogy radio show. Check out episode 180 (and a mention of The Psychogenealogist at the 6:15 mark)

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The Psychogenealogist Pic of the Week (#26)

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The Psychogenealogist Pic of the Week (#26)

The Psychogenealogist Pic of the Week (#26) - The Grzeskoviak Family at Mt. Olivet Cemetery in Detroit, MI.

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The Psychogenealogist Pic of the Week (#22) - Dorothy Sears (1922-1927)

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The Psychogenealogist Pic of the Week (#22) - Dorothy Sears (1922-1927)

The Psychogenealogist Pic of the Week (#22) - Dorothy Sears (1922-1927), Scarlet Fever

The Tragic Death of Julia Kelly (1869-1941) by Fire in Atlantic Mine, Michigan

The Tragic Death of Julia Kelly (1869-1941) by Fire in Atlantic Mine, Michigan

This is the surprising story about my 2nd great aunt, Julia Kelly (1869-1941), and her tragic death by fire in Atlantic Mine, MI. {with audio}

The Psychogenealogist Pic of the Week (#19)

The Psychogenealogist Pic of the Week (#19)

The Psychogenealogist Pic of the Week (#19) - The goat-pulled wagon of the Campbell kids (1924)

The Psychogenealogist Pic of the Week (#15)

The Psychogenealogist Pic of the Week (#15)

The Psychogenealgist Pic of the Week (#15) - Smiling Girl with Puppy

The Psychogenealogist Pic of the Week (#14)

The Psychogenealogist Pic of the Week (#14)

The Psychogenealogist Pic of the Week (#14) - Alma and Ida, 1971.

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How to Use Facebook to Boost Your Genealogy Research: A Case Study

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How to Use Facebook to Boost Your Genealogy Research: A Case Study

This is a story of how I discovered the power of Facebook to help my genealogy research. I hope you find these tips helpful.

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The Stabbing of Albert Grzeskowiak (updated)

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The Stabbing of Albert Grzeskowiak (updated)

The story of how my 2nd Great Grandfather, Albert Grzeskowiak, was stabbed with a chisel in the streets of Detroit in 1910. 

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Photo: The Mystery Monkey of Manistique

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Photo: The Mystery Monkey of Manistique

Have you ever opened a tattered shoebox of old family photographs? Or discovered a sepia toned image poking out the back of the family bible that has been tucked away in your attic for decades?

Greek Couple Weds in Waterloo - 1919

Greek Couple Weds in Waterloo - 1919

Here is the wedding story of my Greek immigrant great-grandparents, Vasilios Halvangis and Maria Chardoulias in Waterloo, Iowa in 1919.