Ancestral Findings

Alexandrina Victoria was Queen of England for an astounding sixty-three years, a feat not surpassed until that of her great-great granddaughter, Elizabeth II. Known for her strict moral standards and keen political acumen, as well as for her deep love and passion for her husband, Albert, Victoria is a British historical icon whose influence can still be seen and felt in the world today. This is he...

Queen Elizabeth II was the most recent monarch of the United Kingdom before the current Charles III. She was also the longest-reigning monarch in British history. Born to the second son of King George V, she was not originally in line to the throne. How she came to it is just as interesting as the story of her illustrious reign. This is Elizabeth II's story. Learn More: "Queen of Our Times: The Li...

Mary II was Queen of England in the later 1600s. She was crowned and ruled jointly with her husband, Prince William of Orange. This is the only fully equal joint monarchy in English history. Mary came by the throne most unusually, as well. This is her fascinating story...  Related Resources: The Queen's Devotion: The Story of Queen Mary II (Queens of England Book 10) https://amzn.to/3JnEXUJ Queen...

Anne Stuart was the daughter of King James II of England. She was also the last of the Stuart line of English monarchs. Despite seventeen pregnancies and a happy marriage, she left no surviving heirs to inherit the throne. Her reign was characterized by much political and religious upheaval and change for England. It also saw the creation of the nation of Great Britain. This is Anne's story... Pod...

Mary Tudor, also known as Queen Mary I (or, less charitably, "Bloody Mary") was Queen of England from 1553 to 1558. She was England's first Queen Regnant whose reign was not disputed. The daughter of Henry VIII and Katherine of Aragon, she was raised Catholic, and aimed to keep England that way. This is what you need to know about this interesting and remarkable woman and Queen of England. Podcast...

Lady Jane Grey was Queen of England for only nine days, but her story is a fascinating one. Full of trials and triumphs, abuse and privilege, betrayal and honor, and above all, one of deep and abiding faith, Jane Grey is an inspiration to us all. This is her story... Podcast Notes: https://ancestralfindings.com/lady-jane-grey-the-queens-of-england/    

William Frawley is best known for playing landlord and friend Fred Mertz on the hit TV show, I Love Lucy. However, he had a long and storied career before and after that iconic role. He also had a childhood and family that is not often discussed. This is his story... Podcast Notes: https://ancestralfindings.com/william-frawley-i-love-lucy/    

Jane Means Appleton Pierce was a remarkable woman who served as the 14th First Lady of the United States. Her life, however, was not an easy one. Jane had suffered from depression since she was a child, and things only got worse when she married a man who was not suitable for her. To make matters worse, she lost all three of her children before they even reached their teenage years. Despite all of...

Vivian Vance is best known for playing Ethel Mertz, Lucy's landlady and best friend on the classic TV sitcom, I Love Lucy. There is so much more to her than just that, though. Vivian was part of the golden age of movies and theater in the 1940s. She also became a genuine real-life friend to Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz. This is Vivian Vance's story... Podcast Notes: https://ancestralfindings.com/vi...

Joe Feeney was an Irish American singer who became known around the United States as a highly talented tenor singer. He performed for twenty-five years on The Lawrence Welk Show, where he was known as "The Irish Tenor." A devout Catholic with ten children who performed for Presidents and a Pope and loved fishing, this is his story. Podcast Notes: https://ancestralfindings.com/joe-feeney-the-lawren...

DNA testing is a very popular way of doing genealogy these days. It can open doors and solve mysteries that no records exist to solve. DNA does not lie, either. It always tells you the truth about who you are and who your family is. There are three main types of DNA testing that are done in modern genealogical research. Here's what each type is and what it can tell you. You can use this informatio...

Everyone who has been through an American public school knows the story of Plymouth Rock, the legendary first piece of dry land the Pilgrims stepped on after their long and arduous Mayflower journey across the Atlantic. As the place where our first English immigrants encountered and stood on the area that would become part of New England, the rock is a famous artifact on its own. You can even see...

Memorial Day is celebrated on the last Monday of May and is meant to celebrate and honor those who fell during service with the U.S. military. The point of the holiday is clear, but its origins are not. Read along as we study the history of Memorial Day in the United States... Podcast Notes: https://ancestralfindings.com/the-history-of-memorial-day/    

Have you heard any news stories that have made you concerned about DNA testing and your privacy? It's been in the news recently. If you are concerned about a test you did, or about doing it at some point in the future, here is the real story you need to know on DNA and your personal privacy. Podcast Notes: https://ancestralfindings.com/what-you-need-to-know-about-dna-testing-and-privacy/ #Genealog...

John Hancock is a name that is synonymous with the Declaration of Independence. He is known for being the first and largest signer of the document, which was a courageous act at the time. It's worth noting that for several months, John's signature was the only one on the copy of the Declaration that was available, and this was considered treasonous. However, John was far more than just a quick sig...

Check out the fascinating story of Lyman Hall, one of the three Georgia delegates who signed the Declaration of Independence. Originally a minister from Connecticut, he worked his way up to become a respected doctor and teacher. After moving to Georgia, he became a prominent citizen and earned a seat at the Second Continental Congress. Learn more about his journey to signing one of the most import...

The Lennon Sisters are a quartet of sisters who performed on The Lawrence Welk Show for more than a decade. Part of a family of twelve children, the sisters met Lawrence Welk because one of them was a high school classmate of one of Lawrence's sons. The girls went on to have a successful and prosperous career, one they still enjoy today. This is their story. Podcast Notes: https://ancestralfinding...

Have you heard of Arthur Duncan? He's an amazing tap dancer from America who was on "The Lawrence Welk Show" for 18 years! He's actually one of the first African American men to be a regular on a US TV variety show. His performances were incredible and he helped make tap dancing popular again. It's such an inspiring story! Podcast Notes: https://ancestralfindings.com/arthur-duncan-the-lawrence-wel...

Button Gwinnett was a signer of the Declaration of Independence, although a relatively obscure one. Little was known of him prior to him placing his signature on that historic document. While he had a short political career both before and after signing it, Button was not on the historical scene for a long time. Still, his name is remembered in some places today. This is Button Gwinnett's story. P...

Elbridge Gerry is probably a mid-rank Signer when it comes to being remembered by history. Yet, he played a huge role in the cause of American independence and had a political career that touched almost every part of the government of the new United States. His contributions to the colonies during the American Revolution cannot be underestimated, either. This is his important story. Podcast Notes:...

Probate records come in many different forms and types. There are the more traditional types, and the less so. If you can't find traditional probate records in your genealogical search, there are excellent substitutes you can use, in many cases. These are some records to look for in your genealogical quest. Podcast Notes: https://ancestralfindings.com/a-closer-look-at-probate-records-2/ #Genealogy...

A truly potentially rich source of genealogical information is probate records. Whenever an ancestor crossed over to the other side, they usually left behind some sort of record of their estate. This could be in the form of a will, an inventory of their estate, or court records of relatives or other potential heirs who believed they had a claim on the estate. Sometimes, you will even find old news...

John Hart is a little-known signer of the Declaration of Independence. In fact, he only served at the Continental Congress just long enough for him to vote on and sign the Declaration. Yet, he had a long and distinguished career in New Jersey politics for most of his adult life, both before and after signing the Declaration. This is the interesting story of John Hart. Podcast Notes: https://ancest...

Benjamin Harrison was a signer of the Declaration of Independence. This was not the future president of the United States of the same name, although the future president was a great-great grandson of Benjamin the signer. In fact, Benjamin the signer was the fifth Benjamin of the same name in his family. This was a family of politicians for generations. This is his unique story. Podcast Notes: http...

Wallace Nutting was once a household name—and he's still an example of deep creativity and entrepreneurship. Read his photographic history here. Podcast Notes: https://ancestralfindings.com/wallace-nutting-the-great-artists #Genealogy #AncestralFindings #GenealogyClips