The Zen Genealogist

I was shocked to hear of Cousin Russ Worthington's passing. I never had the pleasure of meeting Cousin Russ in person, but we had chatted a bit over the years.

In a world where upheaval of all sorts has become the norm, Cousin Russ was a beam of selflessness, a guiding light for so many in the genealogy community. Cousin Russ embodied kindness, no matter the situation. We could all take a lesson from him. He will be sorely missed.

My sincerest condolences to his wife and family, and especially to Pat Richley-Erickson (Dear Myrtle) ❤

The Zen Genealogist can help you discover your military heritage. Message me for details!

An important issue, a human issue, skillfully addressed by our favorite Legal Genealogist. Thank you, Judy.

Now more than ever A waiting period, please... It absolutely breaks The Legal Genealogist's heart. Of all the aspects of this bitter pandemic, the one that hurts the most is the inability to properly grieve those we are losing. We cannot be with them at the end to hold their hands as they slip away. We can

Courting and marriage in early Illinois Speaking to the 1873 meeting of the Old Settlers of Sangamon County, former Gov. John Palmer remembered the process of courting and marriage when he arrived in Illinois in the 1830s. From the 1881 …

Today is ! We can be thankful for , who signed this holiday into national existence by proclamation in 1863. Celebrated eratically before this, Lincoln cemented the national holiday that we know and love today.

When one of our staff encountered an unfamiliar name in a document, she was intrigued and started doing some detective work. She describes the process, along with what she did and didn't discover, on our blog: http://ow.ly/SRBW50CqDKy

Do you have Viking ancestry? This field of research is evolving rapidly and is fascinating!

Vikings may not be who we thought they were, DNA study finds Researchers have found something unexpected in the ancestry of ancient Vikings.

https://www.ancestry.com/sharing/20540281?h=042e2c

I would love another set of eyes on the groom's surname in entry #257. I can see a completely different name that would solve my research question perfectly but am I seeing what I WANT to see?? Lol.

Any and all feedback appreciated. The question I'm trying to answer is, "Did David Pruitt/Prewitt marry Lucy Short in about 1840 in KY/TN?"

Lucy Short discovered in Kentucky, County Marriage Records, 1783-1965 Lucy Short married Daniel Or David Percivil on March 27, 1839, in Garrard, Kentucky.

It's true! Growing up near where he lived and worked makes him difficult to ignore, as if one could do that based on his greatness and humanity. I am blessed!

Have you drawn inspiration and strength from one of your ancestors?

Genealogy Provides the Strength to Persevere Knowing your family's past can help you get through a crisis.

The Zen Genealogist is a student of the history of Abraham Lincoln, so you'll occasionally see interesting posts about him here.

What a haunting image.

John Wilkes Booth has come to symbolize villainy for Americans in a way that no one else has been able to. An image of him currently on display at the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum seems to foreshadow this with the likeness of the Devil pointing at Booth.