Ancestral Findings

Elizabeth I is one of the most famous monarchs in English history. The daughter of King Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn, Elizabeth was never expected or meant to become Queen. Yet, the throne fell into her lap, and she made the most of it, reigning over what became know as England's "Golden Age." This is what you need to know about this extraordinary English monarch... Podcast Notes: https://ancestralf...

Volunteering with a genealogy society is one of the most rewarding things you can do as a genealogy enthusiast. There are opportunities for everyone of any personality and of any talent. This is how to find the right genealogy society for you and what types of volunteer opportunities may be available. With some groups, you can even create your own volunteer opportunity. Podcast Notes: https://ance...

Lucille Ball was a beloved TV actress and comedienne. Best known for her beloved TV sitcom, I Love Lucy, she appeared in many entertainment projects both before and after that legendary show. Her first marriage, to Cuban bandleader Desi Arnaz, is the stuff of TV legend. Let's face it, we all love Lucy. This is her story. Podcast Notes: https://ancestralfindings.com/lucille-ball-i-love-lucy  

Joining a historical genealogical society is a great idea for anyone who is interested in the local history of their town, city, or village, and/or is eager to research their ancestors or help others learn about theirs. These are the reasons why you should love your local historical genealogy society, and also how to get involved in it... Podcast Notes: https://ancestralfindings.com/loving-your-lo...

Ollie Johnston was an early and influential animator at the Disney Company, and worked on the company's animated movies from the very first full-length one. He is remembered by the company today in several different and special ways. Here is his amazing story. It is one you are sure to love... Podcast Notes: https://ancestralfindings.com/ollie-johnston-nine-old-men  

Les Clark was one of the longest-serving animators at the Walt Disney Company, and the first of the famous "Nine Old Men" animators of the early days of the company. He started out literally being discovered by Walt himself when he was working in an ice cream shop in high school. This is his story of making his way up in the company. https://ancestralfindings.com  

Eric Larson was a Disney animator, and later became a Disney Legend. Yet, Eric did not want to work at the Disney Company in the beginning. He ended up there by chance, wanted to quit, was talked into staying, and became the company's longest-serving employee at the time of his retirement. This is Eric's intriguing story from reluctant employee to beloved Disney treasure. https://ancestralfindings...

Perhaps one of my favorite things about Disney is this: At first, it's all sparkle and magic. Whether you're visiting the parks or enjoying Disney movies, every bit of it is captivating in some of the most imaginative ways possible. And then, when you look deeper, you start to notice the real genius behind it all. Underneath the parks, the rides, the attractions, the movies, you'll find a level of...

Disney is one of my favorite topics, and that's because it has played a huge role in my life. There are many stories I could tell about my experiences with Disney, but one, in particular, stands out. When we lived in California, my parents bought us a yearly pass to Disneyland. Each week, we'd go there for a family fun day—despite the fact that traffic often meant it would take us three to four ho...

So, you have been on a genealogy research trip. That is wonderful. You have probably discovered a lot of new and interesting things about your family history, and had a lot of fun along the way. You have walked where your ancestors walked, seen some of the things they saw and gained a better understanding of who they were and what their lives must have been like. A genealogy research trip is good...

Ward Kimball stands as one of the most prominent figures to emerge from Disney history. Let's learn about the many passions that inspired him.

If you're planning a genealogy trip to learn more about your ancestors, it's important to plan ahead to ensure a successful and fulfilling journey. Here are some tips to help you make the most of your travels. Podcast Notes: https://AncestralFindings.com/how-to-plan-your-next-genealogy-trip/  

Animator Frank Thomas made movie magic in close to twenty Walt Disney Studios animated films. Let's learn about his life...  Podcast Notes: https://ancestralfindings.com/frank-thomas-nine-old-men  

Podcast Notes: https://ancestralfindings.com/navy-before-country   The history of the U.S. Navy dates back to the early days of the American colonies, even before the United States was established as a nation. The origins of the U.S. Navy can be traced to the Continental Navy, which was created by the Second Continental Congress in 1775 during the American Revolutionary War.  During the Revolution...

Marc Davis is one of the best-known animators at the Disney Company. In fact, he is one of the company's original panel of respected animators that were depended upon to make the early Disney cartoon movies magical. He also had an important hand in designing many of the characters on the iconic Disney theme park rides. Here is his story. Podcast Notes: https://ancestralfindings.com/marc-davis-nine...

From the bustling streets of Boston to the charming towns of Connecticut, the entire New England area is steeped in colonial history. Local historians have diligently documented this rich past, ensuring that future generations can learn and appreciate the significance of this region... Podcast Notes: https://ancestralfindings.com/a-treasure-trove-of-colonial-history      

Tommy Cole is a former Mouseketeer who was on the show for all three of its original seasons. A singer, musician, and actor, he had to work on his dancing skills, which paid off by getting him promoted to the Red Team halfway through the show's first season. He later became a makeup artist, a dad, and a husband. This is his story. Podcast Notes: https://ancestralfindings.com/tommy-cole-the-mickey-...

Lynn Ready was a third season replacement Mouseketeer on The Mickey Mouse Club. He was the only cast member whose family was not already living in California when he was hired to be on the show. While he did not get many opportunities to perform on the show, he did get a few notable ones. This is his story. Podcast Notes: https://ancestralfindings.com/lynn-ready-the-mickey-mouse-club-part-15    

Lonnie Burr was one of the original Mouseketeers on The Mickey Mouse Club. With a contract with the Disney Company, Lonnie was on all three seasons of the show. After the show, he went on to have several successful careers, being a performer, author, poet, and choreographer. This is his incredibly fascinating showbiz story... Podcast Notes: https://ancestralfindings.com/lonnie-burr-the-mickey-mous...

Don Agrati was a third season replacement cast member on The Mickey Mouse Club. Unlike other cast members, who stayed with the Disney company after leaving the show (at least for a while), Don immediately jumped into other acting projects, and is best known for an eleven-year stint on the TV show, My Three Sons. This is Don's unique story... Podcast Notes: https://ancestralfindings.com/don-agrati-...

Cheryl Holdridge was a Mouseketeer on The Mickey Mouse Club, beginning with the second season and working on it on the third season, as well. She was put on the Red Team, but not used much in solos on the show. She married three times, with her first marriage giving her the title of Countess, and was widowed twice. A talented dancer and actress, she had an active acting career until her first marr...

Located on Main Street USA at Disneyland from 1955 to 1970, Upjohn Pharmacy was a beloved and popular attraction at the park. Although it no longer exists, it is still fondly remembered by generations of Disney parkgoers. This is the story of Upjohn Pharmacy. Disney Postcards: https://postcardinspirations.com    

Meet William Floyd, a prominent New Yorker who made history as one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence. Although serving as a delegate to the Continental Congress was just a small part of his political career, William achieved great success in New York politics. Even today, he remains a well-known figure in the state, and this is his personal story... Learn More: "The Signers of the...

Desi Arnaz is best known for playing Ricky Ricardo on the beloved TV sitcom I Love Lucy. He was also a pioneer in the TV industry in many aspects, inventing innovations that are still in use today. He also had a privileged life in Cuba before the country's revolution, which turned his family's lives upside down. This is his story... Learn More: "Desilu: The Story of Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz"  h...

Matilda of England was meant to be Queen, but never quite got there. The only surviving legitimate child of King Henry I, she was supposed to take the crown after him, but her cousin Stephen had the support of the nobles, who did not want a woman to rule them. Her quest for the throne to which she was entitled led to several decades of civil war in England known today as The Anarchy. This is her s...