A cousin sent me an envelope filled with unnamed and unwanted photographs. Oh, how I loved getting that present in the mail. Mixed among the photographs of the Pacheco’s was this odd postcard: The postcard is none other than of my Great Great Uncle Francisco Pacheco (aka Frank Algrava), son of Joao Pacheco and Ana…
October is Family History Month: Introduction
The U.S. Senate has designated October as Family History Month. This year, the Senate reissued the designation. This act recognizes the growing popularity of genealogy. It is one of America’s favorite hobbies–and the Internet has played a big role in increasing it’s numbers. The need to preserve one’s heritage is strong in these modern times….
Getting to Know You, Getting to Know Your Blog Roundup
Terry Thornton of the Hill Country of Monroe County, Mississippi blog challenged genealogy bloggers to tell their readers a bit about themselves and their blog. Then they were asked to highlight their best, breeziest, and most beautiful articles or posts. You can read my response if you like: Getting to Know the Research Journal. Many…
Religious Newspaper Comes to the Rescue
I knew that the city of San Francisco did not have a copy of the marriage record for my Great Great Grandparents, Thomas A. Jones and Margaret Kelly because the records were destroyed in 1906. I also knew that the state of California did not begin recording vital records until after 1905. I didn’t know…
Newspapers Provide Proof When Disasters Destroy Records
MARRIED JONES–KELLY–In this city, February 7, by the Rev. Father Scanlon, Thomas A. Jones to Miss Margaret Kelly, both of this city. [San Francisco Call, San Francisco, CA, 9 Feb 1869, page 3] It doesn’t look like much, does it? A groom, a bride, a priest, and a date. To the untrained eye, it’s just…