CONTENT HUB
Hillsborough Legacy Project Phase III (Hillsborough, Orange Co., NC)
Take a look at Jaylin and Erin spreading flyers for TOMORROW! The Hillsborough Legacy Project will take place at the Burwell School Historic Site (@burwellschoolhistoricsite) from 2-6pm. Join the Ashes Lab to help
- The ASHES Laboratory
Freedmen’s Cemetery (Alexandria, VA)
Lest we forget ❤️ “Those escaping from slavery found a safe haven in Alexandria because of the Union occupation, but their large numbers resulted in a refugee crisis. While many found employment, other
- History Before Us
Mill Prong House History Tour (Red Springs, Hoke Co., NC)
Step inside the Mill Prong House as we connect the threads of Scottish immigration, frontier settlement, and the lives of the enslaved people who built and sustained this site. With guide Rebecca Paris
- History Before Us
- YouTube
Allison plantation burial site (Iredell Co., NC)
My live abruptly ended. This is the ending. Thanks for tuning in. If you didn’t see the first part, check out the previous post. #cemetery #iredellcounty #cemetery #history #nchistory #historybeforeus
- History Before Us
Gregory Creek Homestead (Statesville, Iredell Co., NC)
- History Before Us
Appalachian Fall in all its glory… A breathtaking burst of color. Leah Song is digging into the season with wildcrafting, willow baskets, black walnut dyes, and a few stripped back tours… See these
- Rising Appalachia
Community Documentary Screening: Echoes of Forks of Cypress (Waxhaw, Union Co.,NC)
The day we’ve been waiting for is almost here! Join us this Saturday! A free community event open to everyone! Community Documentary Screening: Echoes of Forks of Cypress 📅 Saturday, October 25 |
- History Before Us
Granny Midwives & Folk Healers: Unearthing Women’s Roles in Appalachian History
💡Why this matters: In Appalachia, formal medicine arrived slowly.
- Appalachian Genealogy
- Substack
Tent Revivals & Circuit Riders: Religion and Records in Appalachian History
✨ Why it matters: Religion shaped daily life across Appalachia.
- Appalachian Genealogy
- Substack
Moonshiners and Bootleggers: Prohibition-Era Stories from the Mountains
🍶 Appalachia’s hills weren’t just rich in coal, forests, and culture—they were fertile ground for booze born in defiance.
- Appalachian Genealogy
- Substack
Convict Miners: When Prison Labor Fueled Appalachian Coal Mines
⛏️Appalachia’s coalfields hold a complicated history — one built on blood, sweat, and exploitation.
- Appalachian Genealogy
- Substack
Hillsborough Legacy Project Phase III (Hillsborough, Orange Co., NC)
Will you join us on October 25th? 📢 Calling residents of Hillsborough, Durham, and Orange County in NC 🗣️ I’m an assistant professor at NC State and I invite community members to participate
- The ASHES Laboratory
The Importance of Wet Areas to Pollinators
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March’s Mountain Wildflower: Bloodroot
One of the pleasures of a late winter/early spring walk in the woods is spying the tightly-wound green leaf of a bloodroot (Sanguinaria Canadensis) plant pushing its way through the frost-encrusted soil.
- Blue Ridge Country
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May’s Mountain Wildflower: Smooth Solomon’s Seal
Because these plants cannot tolerate direct sunlight, you will not encounter the Solomon’s seals until the tree canopy has begun to leaf out.
- Blue Ridge Country
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August’s Mountain Wildflower: Turk’s Cap Lily
Its species name of superbum means “superb” and is an acknowledgment of the plant’s glamour and charm.
- Blue Ridge Country
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September’s Mountain Wildflower: Spotted Jewelweed
Seek out spotted jewelweed growing beside a stream or along a moist area and you will have a good chance of getting to watch one or more ruby-throated hummingbirds flit from flower to
- Blue Ridge Country
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April’s Wild Edible: Half-Free Morels
For those of us who search for mushrooms in the Blue Ridge Mountains, April means it morel season, all month long.
- Blue Ridge Country
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March’s Wild Edible: Lamb’s Quarter
Rising up through the soil this month is one of the most fascinating plants in the Blue Ridge Mountains…the lamb’s quarter.
- Blue Ridge Country
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May’s Wild Edible: Gem-Studded Puffball
Numerous species of puffballs are native to the Blue Ridge, and certainly one of the most common ones is the dull-white gem-studded puffball.
- Blue Ridge Country
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June’s Wild Edible: Curtis’s Puffball
On our land in Botetourt County, Virginia, this round, white mushroom typically begins appearing in late June and continues to do so through the rest of the summer.
- Blue Ridge Country
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July’s Wild Edible: Northern Dewberry
For several reasons, the northern dewberry is often overlooked as a summer berry in the Blue Ridge.
- Blue Ridge Country
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August’s Wild Edible: Black-staining Polypore
The black staining polypore is certainly one of the more fascinating wild edible mushrooms.
- Blue Ridge Country
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September’s Wild Edible: Indigo Milk Caps
When young, indigo milk caps are one of the most stunningly beautiful mushrooms in the Blue Ridge Mountains.
- Blue Ridge Country
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October’s Wild Edible: Mullein
Earlier, this year, a lone mullein plant appeared along the fence that encloses my garden, which made me curious about this plant.
- Blue Ridge Country
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Washed Away: Kentucky Mudslides
Landslides are one of Kentucky's costliest natural disasters. Climate change is increasing their danger.
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Don’t get these two mixed up! 🌿 Late boneset and white snakeroot often grow in the same places, and of course at the sa…
Don’t get these two mixed up! 🌿 Late boneset and white snakeroot often grow in the same places, and of course at the same time. But you can learn their differences for safe
On this day in East Tennessee history In 1791, a lottery was held to sell lots around James White’s fort for the establi…
On this day in East Tennessee history In 1791, a lottery was held to sell lots around James White's fort for the establishment of a town than William Blount named Knoxville. #easttnhistory
Coal miners and their families. Panther Red Ash Coal Corporation, Douglas Mine, Panther, McDowell County, West Virginia….
Coal miners and their families. Panther Red Ash Coal Corporation, Douglas Mine, Panther, McDowell County, West Virginia. Source: National Archives at College Park. Date: August 26, 1946 #history #family #historybeforeus #coalmine #coalminers #history
Step inside Charlotte’s oldest surviving home with History Before Us at the Charlotte Museum of History. Our guide, Kyle…
Step inside Charlotte’s oldest surviving home with History Before Us at the Charlotte Museum of History. Our guide, Kyle Booker, walks us through rooms where the city’s story began-sharing rich context about the
‘Merging Ministry and Medicine’ in a Rural Black Church
Three Black bivocational clergy and healthcare professionals are strengthening their communities in rural Virginia. Rev. Dr. Leonard Edloe at the historic Woolworth Counter, the site of landmark sit-in movements during […]
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What is the connection between managing our mental health and documenting our history?
What is the connection between managing our mental health and documenting our history? FREDERICK MURPHY| DOCUMENTARIAN and MENTAL HEALTH THERAPIST Reflects on his experiences as a person who navigates spaces that require him
GINSENG HAUL T-SHIRT now available through webstore link in profile on a high quality AsColour T in a chestnut brown. It…
GINSENG HAUL T-SHIRT now available through webstore link in profile on a high quality AsColour T in a chestnut brown. It’s ginseng season in the mountains of Appalachia, where on north-facing shaded slopes
We are a month away from the the debut episode of Season 6 of the Melungeon Voices podcast on Saturday, October 18th! Se…
We are a month away from the the debut episode of Season 6 of the Melungeon Voices podcast on Saturday, October 18th! Season 6 will be a special season celebrating the 250th anniversary
Teaching history with all its warts and wrongs needed to prevent repeating mistakes
As an educator, Heather Fallis knows that history with its blemishes removed is not really history at all. So when the library media specialist at Bowling Green Middle School heard about an opportunity
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BEAR DIET T! The best-seller is back in the webstore through link in profile. This time on a light muted blueish green, …
BEAR DIET T! The best-seller is back in the webstore through link in profile. This time on a light muted blueish green, high quality AsColour T. I originally drew this illustration 6-years-ago while
A record number of shipwrecks have been discovered in the Great Lakes in recent years
NPR's Juana Summers talks with maritime archaeologist Tamara Thomsen about the record number of shipwreck discoveries in the Great Lakes in recent years, including two just in the last several months.
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‘A painful legacy’: Native history subject to removal at historic Florida site
Within the coquina shell walls of the nation’s oldest fort, faintly etched drawings of sundancers and Apache fire dancers reflect the decades that Native people spent held against their will, awaiting transfer to
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Hillsborough Legacy Project Phase II (Hillsborough, Orange Co., NC)
Thank you to everyone who came to and/or supported the Hillsborough Legacy Project event. It was a huge success! We’re honored to have connected with all of our participants and local organizations. We’d
- The ASHES Laboratory
Hillsborough Legacy Project Phase II (Hillsborough, Orange Co., NC)
Join @indigenous.memories and @ashes_lab for The Hillsborough Legacy Project – Phase II on Saturday, July 26 from 2–6 PM at the Burwell School Historic Site! Come explore your ancestry, share your story, and
- The ASHES Laboratory
July’s Mountain Wildflower: Columbine
When the sun shines on columbine (Aquilegia Canadensis) flowers at just the right angle, they can take on the appearance of interestingly-shaped Japanese lanterns.
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Why Aren’t Family Histories Being Preserved? A Genealogist’s Perspective
Discover why preserving family histories is crucial and often overlooked. Learn how to start preserving family histories and ensure your legacy endures.
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DNA Privacy Settings: Essential Checklist for Genealogists
Protecting your DNA privacy is essential in an era of data breaches and genetic discoveries. Learn how to secure your genetic information effectively. The post DNA Privacy Settings: Essential Checklist for Genealogists first
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MORE Secrets to Stunning Research Reports: Google Docs for Genealogy
Unlock the secrets of Google for Genealogy to create stunning research reports. Discover how Google for Genealogy enhances storytelling.
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A book of religious tunes first printed in 1844 is getting an upgrade
The Sacred Harp, a book of religious tunes first printed in 1844 is getting an upgrade. And shape note singers who use it are very excited.
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FamilyTreeDNA and WikiTree Collaboration – In Two Easy Steps!!
I’m thrilled to see that FamilyTreeDNA and WikiTree have joined genealogical forces! FamilyTreeDNA has announced a second option for tree connections for their customers – WikiTree. If you’ve been a blog subscriber for
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Southwest Virginia counties pass resolutions supporting black lung benefit increases
Russell County will consider a similar resolution next week FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEJune 25, 2025 CONTACTDan Radmacher, Media Specialist, (276) 289-1018, dan@appvoices.org Southwest Virginia counties pass resolutions supporting black lung benefit increases CLINTWOOD, Va.
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June’s Mountain Wildflower: Catawba Rhododendron
Blooming in late May and into June, Catawba rhododendron (Rhododendron catawbiensis) has pink to deep purple clusters of flowers that are so lush and awe inspiring that they have attracted people from around
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The Melungeons’ Forbidden Black Ancestry
This is the story of the Melungeons, a multiracial community in Appalachia, targeted by Walter Plecker in the 1940s. Using birth records and racial laws, Plecker tried to erase their identity.
- YouTube
An Update on AmeriCorps Project Conserve
A recent federal court ruling has indicated that the abrupt termination of the program was likely unlawful, offering a potential path for the restoration of much-needed funds for the current AmeriCorps term. The
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Tools for Translating Records – An Interview with Rick Crume
In this episode of Best Websites, Rick Crume highlights some translation tools for making sense of foreign-language records. Best Genealogy Websites: Translation Tools One of the biggest challenges that genealogists face is translating
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EPA decision to reverse health protections will harm Appalachians
Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is expected to announce that it will be rolling back health protections related to emissions from power plants. The post EPA decision to reverse health protections will
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“I was called to tell this story”
Choctaw Filmmaker Colleen Thurston brings the fraught history of the Kiamichi River to SIFF with “Drowned Land” debut The post “I was called to tell this story” appeared first on ICT News.
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National Park signage encourages the public to help erase negative stories at its sites
The Department of the Interior is requiring the National Park Service to post signage nationwide by June 13, asking visitors for feedback on any information they feel misrepresents American history.
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Transco submits application for Southeast Supply Enhancement Project pipeline
On Friday, June 6, the Virginia Marine Resources Commission posted Transcontinental Gas Pipe Line Company, LLC’s Joint Permit Application for its proposed methane gas pipeline “Southeast Supply Enhancement Project.” The post Transco submits
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The Forgotten Ones
And so another day flies away on Photoshop. This is an unusually short piece, because creating the map to go with it was not the 2 hour job I had envisaged. I prepared
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Microbes, Christopher Columbus, and Blackbeard
“The Columbian Exchange” is a term used by academics to describe the sudden, extensive, and often catastrophic coming-together of the “old” and “new” worlds post-1492, with plants and animals, foods, goods, technologies and
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Newly proposed Endangered Species Act bill could lessen tribal consultation requirements
The Endangered Species Amendment Act of 2025 would overhaul the current ESA and essentially remove section seven consultation requirements with federal agencies The post Newly proposed Endangered Species Act bill could lessen tribal
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Juneteenth Canceled? Maybe That’s Okay…
By Crystal Good | June 2025 | Commentary I love a good Black festival—music in the park, barbecue smoke in the air, vendors lined up, elders in lawn chairs, and […]
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These fragile quilts by Black craftspeople need to be preserved — but the federal government has pulled the funds
The Berkeley Art Museum and Pacific Film Archive is about to launch an exhibition of historic quilts from a collection that's billed as "one of its kind". But it just lost $260k of
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Toledo Museum to celebrate Juneteenth
The Toledo Museum of Art will celebrate Juneteenth Thursday, June 19, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. with a full day of activities.
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Take Me Home – Locating Your Ancestor’s Birthplace
Several million people have immigrated to the U.S. over the last couple of centuries, or so. Most came with hopes of improving their lives, some came for the adventure of the unknown, and
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“There’s a Farmer in the Flag: What the West Virginia Freeman Still Teaches Us”
By Crystal Good | Black By God: The West Virginian I love looking at old Black newspapers. There’s something about them—something steadying, something alive. They remind me we’ve always been […]
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Family Tree Magazine Announces New Edition of the 101 Best Websites for Genealogy, Updated and Revised for 2025
Family Tree Magazine accounts the updated 101 Best Websites list.
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Your Ultimate Guide to US Genealogy
Find your US ancestors from sea to shining sea with this overview of US history; birth, marriage and death records; censuses; and more.
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Guest speaker schedule for 29th MHA Union/conference
The guest speakers will present on Friday, June 20th at the Langston Center at 315 Elm St, Johnson City, TN. 37601. Doors open at 8:30am. There will be a MHA member only reception
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Handling Sensitive Subject Matter in Family Interviews – An Interview with Rhonda Lauritzen
In this episode of the Family Tree Magazine podcast, Lisa talks with Rhonda Lauritzen about to approach sensitive topics when interviewing relatives. Feature: Handling sensitive family interviews. It can be a challenge to
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5 Google Docs Skills That Instantly Improve Your Genealogy Research Report
Learn 5 essential skills to elevate your Genealogy Research Report in Google Docs. Perfect for history enthusiasts and genealogy researchers.
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Who Comes First? How to Choose the Right Ancestor to Start Your Family Tree
Start your family tree with ease! Discover how to choose the right ancestor to start family tree research and build a rich family history.
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Why Cutting LIHEAP Is a Deadly Blow to Eastern Kentucky
By any measure, the economy of Eastern Kentucky and the wider Appalachian region is struggling. The collapse of the coal industry, the opioid crisis, and the recurring natural disasters have left scars that
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Speed Up Tree Building in RootsMagic with This Powerful Tool: Copy Fact
Speed up your genealogy research with the RootsMagic copy fact tool. Learn how to use RootsMagic copy fact to save time and reduce errors.
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29th MHA Union/conference
Join us for the 29th MHA Union/conference in Johnson City, TN on June 20th and 21st! To register for the conference go here: https://melungeon.org/product/mha-2025-conference/ The post 29th MHA Union/conference appeared first on Melungeon
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How to Find Records Faster with FamilySearch’s Catalogs
Dive into FamilySearch's billions of records using its Catalogs—one general, one for the in-person FamilySearch Library—using these tips.
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A Genealogist’s Guide to Homesteading Records and Research
The Homestead Act of 1862 drew people out west with the promise of free land. Of course, the government required significant paperwork to prove eligibility. Fortunately for modern genealogists, the paperwork our ancestors
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Farmers, Rural Communities Have a Right to ‘Be at the Table’ for Energy Development Projects
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Translating Old Genealogy Records: 20 Top Tools
One of the biggest challenges genealogists face is translating foreign-language records, especially if the handwriting is hard to read. Fortunately, many online tools can help you decipher even cryptic texts. Whether you need
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Our Voice, Our Power: Creating the Next Generation of BIPOC Leaders in West Virginia
When Oceanna Smith set out to create the Our Voice, Our Power Summit, they knew fellowship and connectedness had to be at the center of the event. “Often it can be really isolating,”
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A-B-C of Genealogy: 3 Building Blocks to Start Your Family Tree
Start your family tree with confidence! Discover the essential steps to start your family tree and uncover your unique heritage today.
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Here’s the 2025 List of Most Endangered Historic Places in the U.S.
This year, the annual list from the National Trust for Historic Preservation includes a mysterious castle, flooded communities in Florida and North Carolina, historic hotels and a gigantic turtle.
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Captioned Photo Books: Turning Family Photos into Tangible History
Master the art of storytelling through captivating captioned photo books. Unleash your creativity and bring your photos to life with our classes and courses.
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Can’t Find an Ancestor in the Census Record? Try These 5 Alternative Instead
Unlock hidden family history with alternatives to US census records. Discover 5 methods to trace ancestors beyond US census records today!
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Family History Writing Advice YOU Really Need (That Experts Missed)
Some family historians asked big questions at a major genealogy conference—questions about oversharing, under-documenting, and getting stuck with 500+ pages of unstructured writing. Here's the advice they should have heard.
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Spotting Relatives When There’s No Will: A Genealogy Research Case Study
Discover genealogy research secrets of spotting relatives even when your ancestors left no will.
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MHA 29th Union/conference Vardy Valley Event
We are so excited this year to be teaming up with the Vardy Community Historical Society Vardy Community Historical Society for this year’s 29th Annual MHA Union/conference in Johnson City, TN on June
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Feeling Lost in Family History? Here’s How to Reset Your Genealogy Research Process
Feeling lost in your genealogy research process? Discover how to reset your genealogy research process with expert tips and resources.
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A Guide to Irish Genealogy Research
Understanding Irish History Finding and Using Irish Genealogy Records Understanding the Geography of Ireland Locating Scots-Irish Ancestors Irish Genealogy Websites NOTE: Most material adapted from articles written by Claire Santry. Maybe you have
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Things We Never Learned in School…
We all rely on experience to understand the world and to make good decisions. History is just experience written down and passed on. If your coal miner great-grandfather tells you about how the
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Mountain Warmth: A Photo Essay
Flora and fauna thrive as a new season settles in.
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Meanwhile in Appalachia
At the end of March, I had the wonderful opportunity to attend the Appalachian Studies Conference in Cookeville, Tennessee. The beginning of 2025 has been a little chaotic here where I live, Eastern
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The Art of Genealogy Storytelling Without Altering Your Ancestor’s Past
Discover the art of genealogy storytelling while avoiding common pitfalls in revising history. Enhance your family history writing skills today!
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29th MHA Union/conference update
We will be showing the documentary, “The Indelible Appalachians,” by filmmaker Frederick Murphy, with special guests Adam Dickson and Crystal Good. Location: The Langston Center at 315 Elm St, Johnson City, TN. 37601
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Genealogy as a Weapon in the Fight for Truth
Genealogy is often treated like the red-headed stepchild of historical research. Stated as simply as possible, genealogists tend to sift through data at a more granular level than historians. An historian is mostly
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Black by God Announcement: Celebrating 100 Years of Black History
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Does This Call for a Source Discussion or a Proof Summary?
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Quality vs. Quantity
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Giving Her a Name
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Clues from a Processioning List: Part Four
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Clues from a Processioning List: Part Three
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Clues from a Processioning List
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PBS Show Features Conserving Carolina Restorations
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The International Genealogical Index: How Can I Use It for My Genealogy Research?
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Understanding Segment Overlap in Genetic Genealogy
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Update to the 29th Annual MHA Union/Conference
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Southwest Virginia’s Solar Summit for Rural Appalachia
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Tracing the Family Lines, Crowell
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WikiTree Reaches 500,000 Connected African-American Profiles
The following is a press release from WikiTree: April 2, 2025 – WikiTree, the free, community-driven genealogy platform, has reached a groundbreaking milestone: 500,000 interconnected African-American family members. It is the largest public
April’s Mountain Wildflower: Serviceberry
Early springtime drives on an otherwise dull and monotonous four-lane highway can be transformed into wondrous trips by hillsides covered with splashes of white serviceberry (Amelanchier arborea) flowers.
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Finding Female Ancestors – An Interview with Gena Philibert-Ortega
Listen for expert advice on overcoming common obstacles in learning about the women in your family tree.
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Separating Women of the Same Name: A Tale of Two Cleo Zinns
In this episode of Research Like a Pro, Diana and Nicole discuss the challenge of separating women with the same name in genealogical research, specifically focusing on two women named Cleo Zinn. Diana
- podcast
World War II Genealogy Research: 5 Key Records
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Birds of the Blue Ridge: Common Merganser
Elegant, streamlined Common Mergansers gather on the freshwaters of the Blue Ridge during winter.
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Comparing the Top Three Genealogy Websites – An Interview with Sunny Morton
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Birds of the Blue Ridge: Mallard
This dabbling duck, like other bird species, loses its feathers (molts) once per year and becomes flightless during that time.
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GEDmatch at RootsTech 2025 – Discover Your Roots
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Transform Chaos into Clarity: Clean Up Place Names in Family Tree Maker
Clean up your Ancestry family tree quickly using the Family Tree Maker place cleaning tools.
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The Brown Mountain Lights: Appalachia’s Mysterious Phenomenon
The Brown Mountain Lights: Appalachia’s Mysterious Phenomenon Nestled in the rugged foothills of North Carolina’s Appalachian Mountains lies one of the most enduring mysteries of the region: the Brown Mountain Lights. For centuries,
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Finding DNA Test-Takers with Descendancy Research
In this episode of Research Like a Pro Genealogy, Diana and Nicole discuss using descendancy research to find DNA test takers. They explain how DNA evidence often involves identification of living individuals. The
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“Catchable But Not Fetchable”: Mahala Mullins, The Melungeon Moonshiner
Subscribe above by entering your email address and we will email you our new posts totally free! “Catchable But Not Fetchable” Mahala “Big Haley” Mullins was a legend of the Appalachian Mountains, known
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How to Use GEDCOM Files
1. Introduction to GEDCOM Files What is GEDCOM? Think of GEDCOM as the genealogy world's version of spreading juicy gossip—but in a digital format. GEDCOM stands for GEnealogical Data COMmunication, and it's a
Genealogy Resources and Money-Saving Tips
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The Origins of the Melungeons
“Melungeon” is a term applied to many people of the Southeastern United States, mainly in the Cumberland Gap area of central Appalachia: East Tennessee, Southwest Virginia, and East Kentucky. The most common adjective
Melungeon Genealogy
Who are the Melungeons? The answer is not simple. In fact, nobody seems to know exactly. Wikipedia states, "Melungeons (/məˈlʌndʒən/ mə-LUN-jən) is a term for numerous 'tri-racial isolate' groups of people of the
Who Were the First Melungeons and Where Did They Live?
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War on the Malungeons
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The Reinvention of Melungeon Ethnicity
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Timeline of Lumbee History
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The Moore Family – All Other Free Persons
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