In our genealogy classes, we often investigate the origin of the surname.  In one case, this led to an interesting historical fact about the phrase “The Real McCoy.”

McCoy: “A common surname of Scottish origin in…

Except for brief periods during and after times of war, passports were not required of U.S. citizens traveling outside of the country until 1941. Many Americans, however, obtained one for their own security. Passports were and still are issued by the Department of the State, and…

There are 12 months in a year, 12 inches in a foot, 12 signs of the Zodiac, and most multiplication tables go up to 12; and so one more of any of these would make 13. The modern day fear of 13 is based on Norse mythology: 12 gods were dining at Valhalla (where gods go when they…

Deadlines were common forms of crowd control in military prisons of the Civil War era, especially open stockade type prisons. What constituted the deadline varied widely from prison to prison. At many prisons, such as Andersonville, Camp Lawton, Camp Douglas, and Florence, the…

I have a copy of a long will for those of you are interested. I cannot post - too lengthy.

Technically, the sister of one of your grandparents is your grand-aunt. “Grand” shows that it is one generation away; “great” is supposed to be added to generations beyond “grand.” But like so many other words in the English language, there’s the dictionary definition and then there’s how it’s commonly used.

Reverend Adam Boyd’s, (b1650 Scotland), son Robert Boyd (b1678 Ulster), died in Chester County, PA. Robert’s son George (b1691 Ulster) died in Pennsylvania, his son Patrick Harrison Boyd (b1711 County Antrim) died in Virginia, was the GGGGGrandfather of William Lawrence Boyd, (b 6-6-1894 Cambridge, Ohio) lists himself on his WW1 draft registration in 1917 as “farmer”. In 1918,…

Audie Leon Murphy (20 June 1925 – 28 May 1971) was one of the most decorated American combat soldiers of World War II, receiving every military combat award for valor available from the U.S. Army, as well as French and Belgian…

Where does the surname Wayne come from? Isaac Wayne was born in County Wicklow, Ireland in 1699 to Captain Anthony Wayne, veteran of the Battle of the Boyne. Isaac married Elizabeth Iddings of Philadelphia and had four children: one of whom was Brigadier General Anthony “Mad” Wayne…

The terms “first cousin once removed” and “second cousin” are often confused. When the term “removed” is used, it indicates that the two people are from different generations.  Second cousins have the same great grandparents but not the same grandparents.…

Your ancestors who immigrated to the United States filled out form SS-5 for their social security card. They were required to put full place of birth – not just country. They were also required to put the mother’s maiden name. Look for a social security number on…

Orphan trains were a social experiment which transported the unwanted child and street kids from New York City, Boston, Chicago, and other crowded Northeastern cities to the Midwest U.S. for adoption. The genealogy of many of these 200,000 orphaned and abandoned kids who were moved…

To be born on a Sunday was considered a sign of great sin during Puritan times; a “Sunday Baby” in the southern U.S. is an illegitimate child.

Want to know the day of the week you were born?  www.onlineconversion.com/dayborn.htm

While searching for your “ancient” roots, remember to write your own story. If you are not good with the written word, tape your story – record on your computer.  Start at the beginning of your youth, your relationship with your parents and siblings, where you went to grammar…