Megan Smolenyak
@megansmolenyak.com
Lifelong genealogist & stubborn solver of history mysteries. Don't try to hide from me. I *will* find you.
megansmolenyak.com
#genealogy #history #democracy
megansmolenyak.com
#genealogy #history #democracy
Reposted by Megan Smolenyak
Yesterday a geneticist emailed me about my book on the history of genealogy as politics in early America. It was amazing to hear how he connected my arguments with his work and experience. Hearing from readers is amazing!
Last year, a colleague who I don't know IRL emailed me to say after he read my article, it's completely changed the way he teaches the subject. What a huge compliment.
Research can take years and years. Can we do more of that? Email the author of an article/book you loved to let them know?
Research can take years and years. Can we do more of that? Email the author of an article/book you loved to let them know?
January 18, 2026 at 1:43 PM
Yesterday a geneticist emailed me about my book on the history of genealogy as politics in early America. It was amazing to hear how he connected my arguments with his work and experience. Hearing from readers is amazing!
I enjoy dressing my husband. 😏
January 16, 2026 at 8:18 PM
I enjoy dressing my husband. 😏
I put together this video in 2019 from the opening of the Ellis Island museum and find it's more relevant than ever. If you watch, be sure to check out what Oprah says about our ancestors. And Gloria Estefan's spontaneous and heartfelt singing at the end. #freedom
www.youtube.com/watch?v=WVDd...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=WVDd...
Statue of Liberty Museum Opening
YouTube video by Megan Smolenyak
www.youtube.com
January 16, 2026 at 4:31 PM
I put together this video in 2019 from the opening of the Ellis Island museum and find it's more relevant than ever. If you watch, be sure to check out what Oprah says about our ancestors. And Gloria Estefan's spontaneous and heartfelt singing at the end. #freedom
www.youtube.com/watch?v=WVDd...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=WVDd...
Reposted by Megan Smolenyak
This is Dumpling. She got her very first sweater and promptly deactivated. 12/10 (TT: jmw495)
January 15, 2026 at 6:19 PM
This is Dumpling. She got her very first sweater and promptly deactivated. 12/10 (TT: jmw495)
A lovely story. Family history with a musical focus.
January 15, 2026 at 3:11 PM
In this week’s roundup, improved Irish surname tool, genealogy domains available, and more!
megansmolenyak.com/genealogy-ro...
megansmolenyak.com/genealogy-ro...
Genealogy Roundup, January 14 - Megan Smolenyak
In this week’s roundup, improved Irish surname tool, genealogy domains available, and more!
megansmolenyak.com
January 15, 2026 at 12:18 AM
In this week’s roundup, improved Irish surname tool, genealogy domains available, and more!
megansmolenyak.com/genealogy-ro...
megansmolenyak.com/genealogy-ro...
Reposted by Megan Smolenyak
An anecdote for the "Names Were Not Changed at Ellis Island" files from Patricia Volk's "Stuffed," p. 104. Like this family, immigrants Americanized their names by themselves.
#genealogy
#EllisIsland
🗃️
search.worldcat.org/en/title/918...
@jmendelsohn.bsky.social
#genealogy
#EllisIsland
🗃️
search.worldcat.org/en/title/918...
@jmendelsohn.bsky.social
January 13, 2026 at 4:04 PM
An anecdote for the "Names Were Not Changed at Ellis Island" files from Patricia Volk's "Stuffed," p. 104. Like this family, immigrants Americanized their names by themselves.
#genealogy
#EllisIsland
🗃️
search.worldcat.org/en/title/918...
@jmendelsohn.bsky.social
#genealogy
#EllisIsland
🗃️
search.worldcat.org/en/title/918...
@jmendelsohn.bsky.social
Time to offer up some website domains I've had for a long time. I was going to sell them, but my preference is for them to go to people in the genealogical community, so I'm offering them in exchange for a donation to @reclaimtherecords.org. Tried this once before and 2 went to wonderful homes!
January 12, 2026 at 3:24 PM
Time to offer up some website domains I've had for a long time. I was going to sell them, but my preference is for them to go to people in the genealogical community, so I'm offering them in exchange for a donation to @reclaimtherecords.org. Tried this once before and 2 went to wonderful homes!
Reposted by Megan Smolenyak
Hi, I’m John Marks, I’m a public historian and writer. I’ve been helping history museums prepare for the nation’s 250th anniversary for 9 years now. Despite everything else happening in history, I’m still excited about this anniversary—and you should be too. Here’s why. 🧵 /1
January 11, 2026 at 2:16 PM
Hi, I’m John Marks, I’m a public historian and writer. I’ve been helping history museums prepare for the nation’s 250th anniversary for 9 years now. Despite everything else happening in history, I’m still excited about this anniversary—and you should be too. Here’s why. 🧵 /1
If even one of every 10 Americans descended from Mayflower passengers gave a single dollar, they’d have plenty of money! #genealogy
Jacqueline LeMar an historian from South Carolina is attempting to save thousands of pounds to buy Scrooby Manor, Nottinghamshire which is up for sale. It was where Mayflower passenger & Puritan Separatist William Brewster was born in 1566/7.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Historian's plan to save 'forgotten' Pilgrim manor
Jacqueline LeMar, from North Carolina, is fundraising to buy Scrooby Manor in Nottinghamshire.
www.bbc.co.uk
January 11, 2026 at 1:47 PM
If even one of every 10 Americans descended from Mayflower passengers gave a single dollar, they’d have plenty of money! #genealogy
Improved surname tool at John Grenham's Irish ancestors site! ☘️ #genealogy
www.johngrenham.com/blog/2026/01...
www.johngrenham.com/blog/2026/01...
A second chance with a second surname – John Grenham – Irish Roots
www.johngrenham.com
January 9, 2026 at 2:07 PM
Improved surname tool at John Grenham's Irish ancestors site! ☘️ #genealogy
www.johngrenham.com/blog/2026/01...
www.johngrenham.com/blog/2026/01...
Reposted by Megan Smolenyak
See, this is what America is about
Best TikTok thing going is the two dudes trying food from every country without leaving NYC. If you haven’t seen them yet, it’s incredible. My favorite so far is last week’s. Legit got me emotional.
January 9, 2026 at 2:41 AM
See, this is what America is about
In this week’s roundup, Annie Moore anniversary, year in review for Reclaim the Records, good news for NJ genealogists, and more!
megansmolenyak.com/genealogy-ro...
megansmolenyak.com/genealogy-ro...
Genealogy Roundup, January 7 - Megan Smolenyak
In this week’s roundup, Annie Moore anniversary, year in review for Reclaim the Records, good news for NJ genealogists, and more!
megansmolenyak.com
January 8, 2026 at 1:13 AM
In this week’s roundup, Annie Moore anniversary, year in review for Reclaim the Records, good news for NJ genealogists, and more!
megansmolenyak.com/genealogy-ro...
megansmolenyak.com/genealogy-ro...
Today's adventures in AI transcription: twins born in different states & my dad supposedly born in Vietnam. #genealogy
January 5, 2026 at 10:36 PM
Today's adventures in AI transcription: twins born in different states & my dad supposedly born in Vietnam. #genealogy
ah, hell.
The Corporation for Public Broadcasting has been dissolved, ending its 58 years as the primary funder for PBS, NPR and local TV and radio stations
Corporation For Public Broadcasting Is Dissolved After 58 Years Of Service
www.huffpost.com
January 5, 2026 at 8:07 PM
ah, hell.
Local news piece about one the soldiers I researched who's been identified. While I appreciate that they told this story, it sort of insinuates that his family couldn't be found or wasn't all that involved & I can tell you that they definitely were and are. #genealogy www.youtube.com/watch?v=NFyG...
Video: WWII soldier missing since Bataan Death March identified, finally returning home
YouTube video by FOX23 News Tulsa
www.youtube.com
January 5, 2026 at 2:05 PM
Local news piece about one the soldiers I researched who's been identified. While I appreciate that they told this story, it sort of insinuates that his family couldn't be found or wasn't all that involved & I can tell you that they definitely were and are. #genealogy www.youtube.com/watch?v=NFyG...