Boise is the capital of Idaho. While its Native American population has lived there for thousands of years, its origins and history are murky. French fur trappers were there early on in European...
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American Folklore: Vermont
Vermont was the first state to join the union that was not one of the original thirteen colonies. It has a history of human habitation going back thousands of years with Native American tribes, plus...
Why are Family Bibles Such Genealogical Treasures?
Family Bibles are some of the most unique and valuable genealogical resources available. If your immediate family doesn’t have one, you might not understand just how important they can be to your...
Andre Cailloux: Unsung Heroes of the Civil War
Andre Calloux is a true unsung hero of the Civil War. A mixed-race African-American who was born into slavery, he gained his freedom with support from his former masters, became a businessman and...
The Origin and Meaning of Finnish Surnames
Finnish surnames are interesting. The Finnish language is unique, and the country itself has an intriguing and varied history that ties it closely to both Sweden and Russia. If you have a Finnish...
Getting Your Older Relatives to Open Up about Family History
Interviewing older family members is a basic part of beginning genealogy research. If you have access to these relatives, interviewing them for their unique take on the past and the ancestors who...
Robert Smalls: Unsung Heroes of the Civil War
Robert Smalls was an African-American Civil War soldier, politician, businessman, and humanitarian who rescued his family from slavery in one of the most daring escapes of the Civil War. A respected...
Finding the True Identities of Your Female Ancestors
Are your female ancestors a mystery? It’s not uncommon. While you may know the first name of a female ancestor, finding their maiden name and birth family can sometimes be a challenge. Here are some...
John Parke: Unsung Heroes of the Civil War
John Parke is an unsung hero of the Civil War because he was present for all of it, a leader in most of it, and commander of the whole Army of the Potomac for a brief part of it. Yet, his work and...
The State Capitals: Hawaii
Honolulu is the capital of Hawaii, and is a beautiful city to behold. Originally inhabited by emigrants from other Polynesian islands, Hawaii was once home to various tribes and kingdoms. They all...