In response to a reader’s inquiry, this blog post delves into the nuanced task of documenting transgender family members in genealogy. It emphasizes the need for sensitivity and respect while guiding appropriate terminology and their inclusion in family narratives.
In genealogy, the common practice of documenting women with […]
The history of LGBTQ folk in the U.S. military is intricate and spans various eras. Here, we will explore key historical events and share the stories of two significant service members. For genealogists, understanding where to find military records is crucial.
In previous discussions about locating LGBTQ individuals in newspapers, we explored the possibility that an ancestor might have been arrested in a police raid on a gay club or charged with offenses related to their sexual orientation. Some men were arrested for having sex in public […]
Following death, individuals in committed same-sex relationships lacked legal authority over how their lover remains were handled. Due to the absence of legal marriage, their partners had no rights or influence, often resulting in the separation of lovers by surviving family members. There are 100s of examples of these sad […]
Obituaries, a treasure trove for genealogists, can weave intricate family tales and unveil the hidden threads in one’s family tree. I love a good obituary that makes an effort to detail all living relatives and all pre-deceased relatives. Sometimes there is an unexpected answer in these details, […]
In a milestone event, I had the honor of delivering my LGBTQ Genealogy presentation at Ancestry’s San Francisco office. This opportunity arose following a presentation at the Sutro Library on the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall Riots at the invitation […]
Our ancestors’ stories unfold in various ways, and for some, their experiences are captured in the vibrant pages of LGBTQ newspapers and magazines. In the wake of Stonewall, numerous publications have emerged, serving as vital platforms for the LGBTQ community. Two notable early […]
This month, on the 28th of June, we mark the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall Riots in Greenwich Village, New York. Stonewall was the watershed event igniting the modern gay rights movement. Over the past five decades, our society has made significant strides in […]
Newspapers stand as invaluable resources for genealogists, offering a unique window into personal history, unlike any other record. This is particularly true when it comes to discovering LGBTQ family members, especially those who found themselves in the wrong place at the wrong […]
