Exploring genealogy
by Stewart Blandón Traiman, MD
[This article was originally published in The California Nugget, Spring 2024 edition.]
In my son’s (J.T.) paternal lineage, there is a persistent mystery surrounding a third great-grandfather whose identity was thought to be unknowable. Ernest Richard Piatt, J.T.’s biological second-great-grandfather, was raised not knowing who his father was. Ernest’s […]
Upon discovering the imminent release of a new edition of Evidence Explained: Citing History Sources from Artifact to Cyberspace, I was filled with both eager anticipation and apprehension of change. The third edition (revised) was published seven years ago in 2017, and the prospect of a refreshed volume piqued […]
Samuel Rose married in Macon County, North Carolina on 16 April 1836.[i] His bondsman was Jonathan Phillip. Both Samuel’s and Jonathan’s names are legible on the document. However, the name of Samuel’s spouse is not written clearly and looks like this…
The first name reads as “May,” but […]
A brief time ago, FamilySearch posted new databases for church records in Nicaragua – Archivo Diocesano de Granada (Nicaragua). This group contains baptismal, matrimonial, and death records for churches in Boaco, Diriomo, Granada, Nandiame, Ometepe, and Rivas. I was especially happy to see three databases that relate to […]
Using “They” or “Them” as pronouns is the appropriate and respectful choice for non-binary individuals or anyone who identifies with these terms. I candidly admit that adapting to what my mind perceives as plural terms has been challenging. It’s not a resistance to acknowledging preferred pronouns; rather, it’s the need […]
After presenting “LGBTQ Genealogy” at the National Genealogical Society (NGS) conference in Sacramento in May 2022, a vibrant discussion unfolded among a small group of attendees who lingered for a post-session discussion. Among them was Kate Guanci, the CEO and founder of
In early January I answered a phone call, though I’m always suspicious of telemarketers. The human on the other end politely introduced themselves and said they were interested in interviewing me for a podcast segment on genealogy. Ok, they had my interest, and I decreased my apprehension. They explained the […]
What is your genealogy end product? Is it creating a six-generation pedigree chart? Or an as-far-back-as-you-can-get Ahnentafel chart? Maybe it’s building a tree that can be printed on banner paper and hung on a wall. For me, my end goal is usually a written narrative of a person’s […]
Having concluded my series on LGBTQ Genealogy and LGBTQ Genealogy and Software, I find myself at a crossroads, contemplating the next topic for blogging. One idea that intrigues me is delving into the art of writing itself. What is my process for […]
