Caring for family members with emotional or psychiatric problems can be difficult. That was especially true when neither society nor the medical community understood the human brain and its complexities; the result was that such people were shunned. ...more

February 1, 2009

Are your ancestors lolling in your genealogy files, identified only by their dates of birth and death, and by whom they married? Perhaps you should breathe a little life into their dull existences by finding out how they supported themselves and their families. ...more

January 11, 2009

Genealogists love research trips. Nothing rivals the hunt, whether it takes place seated in front of a microfilm machine or tramping through a weedy cemetery. ...more

December 14, 2008

I recently read a report by the executor of the estate of a man who died in 1872. It surprised me when I saw an entry for $28.13 paid in 1873 for "insurance on house." Why had I thought of home insurance as a modern-day thing? ...more

June 15, 2008

African-Americans have been celebrating their heritage throughout February as a part of Black History Month. For those who have shied away from searching for their slave ancestors because they've heard how difficult it is, this month of celebration is a good time to meet the challenge. ...more

February 24, 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

In November, I wrote a column about ancestor migration trails and mentioned that William Dollarhide's "Map Guide to American Migration Routes" is one of my favorite books. I purchased it for $9.95 in 1997 and looked for it online during research for the column. It was being offered for staggering prices from $90 to $165. ...more

January 13, 2008

Back when genealogy was of interest only to blue bloods looking to prove relationships to royalty or war heroes, researchers didn't closely embrace the black sheep in the family. ...more

December 16, 2007