Many family researchers are shocked out of their "today" socks to learn that official death certificates weren't required until the 20th century. ...more

February 17, 2008

Illegal immigration and undocumented workers are among today's hot-button topics, and there's no telling when the government might decide to crack down on employers. ...more

February 6, 2008

I grew up in north Georgia knowing that my grandmother was born in Oklahoma Indian Territory in 1882. Her Hulsey family traveled there in 1881. Unfortunately, I was too young to be interested in genealogy when my grandmother was alive and never asked about her childhood. ...more

January 20, 2008

"The Genetic Strand: Exploring a Family History Through DNA," by Edward Ball (Simon & Schuster, $25) ...more

December 30, 2007

Scientists think they have figured out why pregnant women don't lose their balance and topple over despite ever-growing weight up front. ...more

December 13, 2007

QUESTION: Why is it that children are often the most obnoxious and irritating on vacations and at other times when parents specifically try to please them? On those special days, you'd think the kids would say to themselves, "Wow! Mom and Dad are doing something really nice for us, taking us on this great vacation. We're going to give them a break and be really good kids today." Isn't that reasonable? ...more

December 4, 2007

Waldemar 'Wally' Meyer, 57, is pastor at Christ Our Redeemer Lutheran Church. He recently returned from a three-month sabbatical, during which he traveled to preach in Puerto Rico and Germany. In addition to English, Meyer speaks Spanish and German, the language of his ancestors. His greatest loves are the church, his wife and music. ...more

September 8, 2007