What’s in a name? Well, in South Africa, quite a lot! Surnames carry the stories of ancestors, cultures, and the complex history that shaped this incredible country. Whether your last name is Van der...
Latest Articles
Tracing Ancestry Through South African Church and Civil Records
Church and civil records are foundational resources for tracing ancestry in South Africa. Before formal civil registration was introduced, church records were the primary means of documenting life...
Introduction to South African Genealogy
South Africa has an extraordinary history and a complex blend of cultures, which makes genealogical research here both rewarding and challenging. Whether your ancestors were part of the indigenous...
Military Records for Tracing Ancestors
Military records can add life, movement, and personal detail to family history research. A census may tell you where an ancestor lived. A marriage record may name a spouse. A deed may show land...
Summer Genealogy Starts Now
Summer is one of the best times of year to bring family history out of the computer and into the real world. The days are longer. Travel is easier. Cemeteries are more accessible. Families gather for...
Honoring the Revolutionary War Soldiers Lost for 250 Years
For nearly two and a half centuries, they were forgotten beneath the soil near Lake George, New York. No marked graves stood above them. No descendants visited to leave flowers. No stone carried...
Hamilton and the Founding Fathers: Where Broadway Meets American History
As the United States approaches the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, Americans are once again turning their attention to the people, events, and ideas that shaped the nation...
When the Markers Are Gone, the History Remains
Public Memory Is Not the Same as History A monument, a roadside marker, a courthouse plaque, or a bronze statue can be valuable. It can tell people that something important happened there. It can...
Who Do You Think You Are? (Book Giveaway ENDED)
Book Giveaway Countdown Who Do You Think You Are? Giveaway ends June 1 at midnight 00 Days 00 Hours 00 Minutes 00 Seconds This giveaway has ended. Stay tuned for more genealogy book giveaways...
10 “Must-Do” Genealogy Projects for June 2026
Are you looking for some genealogy projects to work on in June? June is especially suited to certain genealogical projects. Here are ten of them to do.