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Journeys to Freedom: Using Records to Trace African American Ancestors Beyond Juneteenth

Carol Walsh

Published on: 09/06/2025

This Juneteenth, honour African American heritage by tracing the stories of ancestors who journeyed to freedom. Learn how to use genealogical tools like Freedmen’s Bureau records, slave schedules, Canadian archives, and DNA testing to uncover the lives of formerly enslaved individuals. Whether your family remained in the South or crossed into Canada via the Underground Railroad, these powerful tools and strategies can help you reclaim their history. Explore the emotional and historical significance of Juneteenth through a storytelling lens and discover how even family lore—like a great-aunt marrying a man who escaped slavery—can lead to deeper genealogical insight.

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Welcome Spring with a Fresh Take on Family History

Carol Walsh

Published on: 26/05/2025

Spring is the perfect season to refresh your family history! This blog explores five meaningful ways to tidy up your family tree, from fixing source citations to reviewing duplicate profiles, organizing digital records, and cleaning up research notes. Whether you're a beginner or a seasoned genealogist, this guide helps you identify clutter, add clarity, and cultivate new discoveries. Learn how to spring-clean your online trees, sort through saved documents, and refocus your research goals. A must-read for anyone ready to dust off the cobwebs and breathe new life into their genealogy work.

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The Real Sam McGee: Truth, Legend, and a Prairie Connection

Carol Walsh

Published on: 25/05/2025

Discover the surprising true story behind Robert Service’s iconic poem, The Cremation of Sam McGee. Contrary to popular belief, the real Sam McGee wasn’t cremated in the Yukon—but is buried near Beiseker, Alberta. This blog explores how literary legend meets local history, revealing the real man behind the myth and celebrating the enduring power of Robert Service’s storytelling. A must-read for poetry lovers, history buffs, and Canadian culture enthusiasts alike.

Genealogy

Gravestones and Guardians: Cemetery Clues and What They Reveal

Carol Walsh

Published on: 05/05/2025

Cemeteries hold more than just final resting places—they’re full of family history clues waiting to be discovered. In this blog, we explore the rich insights gravestones can offer, from symbols and inscriptions to unexpected names, affiliations, and social history. Learn how to interpret headstone markings, identify relationships, use burial registers and plot maps, and navigate online cemetery databases like Find A Grave and BillionGraves. Whether you're a genealogist tracing elusive ancestors or a beginner curious about local churchyards, this guide will help you unearth stories hiding in plain sight. Unlock the secrets of your ancestors’ memorials—because sometimes, the dead still have plenty to say.

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