In honor of both Danish Constitution Day and Swedish National Day, MyHeritage is opening up every Danish and Swedish historical record — over 350 million in total — for free, from June 5–8, 2025! This is a fantastic opportunity for anyone with Scandinavian roots to trace their family’s story through rich collections dating back centuries. The Danish records include 31 collections with church books, censuses, newspapers, and more, covering vital events and everyday life since 1787; and the Swedish collections span from the 1600s onward, featuring household examination rolls, birth and death records, military lists, and more. Just last month, we added a collection of Swedish passenger lists documenting the names, birthplaces, residences, and destinations of Swedes who left the country between 1869 and 1951. You can read more at https://blog.myheritage.com/2025/06/enjoy-free-access-to-swedish-and-danish-records-for-a-limited-time/ .

The following is a press release written by the (U.S.) National Archives and Records Administration:

June 6, 1944. D-Day: the critical element of the Allied Forces’ strategic efforts to liberate Europe from Nazi tyranny. The success of the Normandy Invasions established a strong foothold in Western Europe for the Allies, which would eventually lead to victory in Europe in WWII. Check out Records Relating to D-Day in NARA’s holdings. American assault troops, with full equipment, move onto Omaha Beach, in Northern France. NAID: 176887734 Eisenhower Podcast Dr. Todd Arrington, Director of the Dwight D. Eisenhower Presidential Library and Museum, was recently a guest on US History Repeated’s podcast for a chat about Ike’s presidency and enduring legacy. In fact, there was so much to talk about, they ended up recording three whole episodes!   Listen to the episodes online and learn about Ike’s military service, election to America’s top office, and leadership during the nuclear terror of the Cold War. Portrait of former President Dwight D. Eisenhower.  NAID: 531434 Now on Exhibit Music America: Iconic Objects From America’s Music History is now open at the George H.W. Bush Library and Museum in College Station, TX. With nearly 100 objects representing the best of American music, the exhibit—curated by the Bruce Springsteen Archives & Center for American Music—tells the story of how music has informed, interpreted, and inspired our national identity. Highlights include Bob Dylan’s harmonica, Ella Fitzgerald’s cabaret card, Leonard Bernstein’s outfit and baton, and iconic clothing from Elvis Presley. The temporary exhibit closes on January 5, 2026.

The Indiana Historical Society awarded a Heritage Support Grant to the Kosciusko County Historical Society.

The nearly $5,000 grant will be spent on the preservation of 27 assessor’s plat books dating from 1880 to 1891. The plat books include official land ownership descriptions paired with details about location and land values while featuring hand-drawn maps for each section.

Researchers use these books to track family locations since they specifically display family member locations. These books serve as supplementary copies for county records.

The books became fragile over time causing their pages to separate while both ink and mold deteriorated. Without preservation efforts these documents faced potential damage or complete loss.

The written work and drawn maps faced potential loss because their ink faded after 145 years and will keep fading into the future, according to Teresa Jones from the Kosciusko County Historical Society. Jones expressed their gratitude for being selected as grant recipients by the Indiana Historical Society.

The historical society will receive funds to have their books photographed and rebound using archival-quality materials. The historical society will generate a digital record of these materials. The original materials will receive mold treatment and proper storage and then will be withdrawn from public access.

The Indiana Historical Society distributes Heritage Support Grants through funding from Lilly Endowment, Inc.

Police are crediting the use of investigative genetic genealogy in helping to identify a man whose lifeless body was found nearly 30 years ago.

Toronto Police provided an update on the cold case Wednesday, saying that on Aug. 23, 1996, the body of a man was found in a downtown field near Lake Shore Blvd. and Spadina Ave. He did not have any identification or possessions with him and had been there for some time, police said.

Attempts were made to identify the man by sifting through missing person cases, but police said no match was found.

“In recent years, his DNA was compared to the DNA of relatives in the National DNA Databank, but he remained unidentified,” Toronto Police said in a news release.

In May 2024, with the approval of the Office of the Chief Coroner for Ontario and Ontario Forensic Pathology Service, Toronto Police began using investigative genetic genealogy for the case.

“The investigation found distant relatives who traced their heritage to Quebec,” police said. “In November 2024, the investigation focused on a man from Quebec.”

In March, police said the DNA comparison between the deceased and suspected relatives confirmed his identity and Montreal Police notified his family.

The man’s identity is not being released and police said no foul play is suspected.

Toronto Police also credited the Office of the Chief Coroner of Ontario, Ontario Forensic Pathology Service, Othram Labs, Centre of Forensic Sciences, National Centre for Missing Persons and Unidentified Remains, National DNA Databank, Montreal Police, Ottawa Police and the Quebec laboratoire de medicine for their help.

Anyone with further information can contact police at 416-808-7400 or Crime Stoppers anonymously at 416-222-8477 or 222tips.com.

Collection Manager & Digital Archivist

Wednesday, 4 June 2025, 2.40pm

• PHOTO MUSEUM IRELAND

Photo Museum Ireland is seeking a Collection Manager and Digital Archivist. The Collection Manager & Digital Archivist is both a strategic and hands-on position. The postholder will manage the development of our collection, overseeing acquisition, cataloguing, digitisation, and public access, including registrar duties for temporary exhibitions. This role will also take the lead on our artist-focused archival initiatives and digitisation projects. These include collaborative archival residencies and projects building on our recent archival digitisation projects.

The role also involves managing major collaborative projects, working closely with institutional and international partners. At the intersection of archival practice, digital innovation, and artist collaboration, this role supports one of the museum’s core strategic priorities of developing the Museum’s Collection.

This is a unique opportunity to shape Ireland’s most ambitious contemporary photography archive, to work directly with artists and estates, and to contribute meaningfully to a dynamic cultural institution that values creativity, inclusivity, and innovation.

Key Responsibilities include:
1. Collection Care
2. Temporary Exhibitions – Registrar Duties
3. Collection Development & Management
4. Digital Archiving
5. Collection Access
6. Collaboration & Capacity Building

Person Specification

Essential
- A professional qualification in conservation, collections care, archiving or similar — or substantial experience in a professional setting using the skills listed below.
- Experience in collection management within a cultural institution.
- Familiarity with collection management systems and digital preservation tools.
- Be proficient in Adobe Creative Suite (especially Photoshop and Indesign) and Microsoft Office Suite.
- Strong understanding of the cultural and museum sector.
- Ability to manage a complex workload, prioritise tasks, and meet deadlines.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
- Ability to work on own initiative and as part of a team.
- A proven ability to work on collaborative projects and to deliver results on time.
- A willingness to engage in continuing professional development.

Desirable
- Expertise in photography, digital archiving, scanning, and printing.
- Have experience with framing, installing, and/or artwork shipping and best practices.
- Experience contributing to museum accreditation processes.
- Knowledge of copyright law as it pertains to photographic works.
- A passion for contemporary visual culture and photography and visual literacy.

What We Offer
- €35,000 salary per annum
- Pension contributions
- 23 holidays per annum, in addition to public holidays
- Professional development
-A collaborative and inclusive work environment.

How to Apply
To apply, please submit your CV and a cover letter detailing your suitability for the role to recruitment@photomuseumireland.ie by 18th July 2025.

Terms
This full-time role is 40 hours (including lunch breaks) per week, working five days in every seven. The role will require working weekends as required for certain activities. Shifts will primarily be during the day, with the occasional evening shift. The appointment is subject to satisfactory Garda (police) vetting and reference checks.

WEBSITEADD A LISTING

The insolvent genetic testing company 23andMe informed a U.S. bankruptcy judge on Wednesday that it intends to restart asset bidding procedures following a $305 million proposal from its co-founder Anne Wojcicki.

The bankruptcy auction which concluded in May resulted in 23andMe selecting Regeneron Pharmaceuticals' $256 million bid as the top offer.

A subsequent proposal from TTAM Research Institute which Anne Wojcicki established as a nonprofit enabled 23andMe to request permission from U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Brian Walsh in St. Louis to resume discussions with prospective buyers after confirming TTAM's financial capability to support its superior bid.

According to attorney Emil Kleinhaus Regeneron will submit another bid for 23andMe's assets with the condition that they receive a $10 million breakup fee should Wojcicki's offer succeed. Kleinhaus stated that Regeneron maintains its desire to purchase 23andMe but finds it unjust that the genetic testing company requested another auction opportunity following the previous bidding process.

The following article was written by the American Society of Genealogists:

The ASG awards Grants for Continuing Genealogical Research Projects. These grants are intended to assist with those projects sitting unfinished (or unstarted) on every genealogist’s “back burner” for lack of financial aid to help cover researching and writing time, costs of copies, fees, travel, and other usual expenses associated with genealogical research and publication.

Each grant is for $2,500. Projects are not limited regarding subject, length, or format, but the value of the work to other researchers and institutions will be an important consideration. Examples of possible projects include, but are not limited to, compilation of single or extended family genealogies, transcriptions or translations of original documents, bibliographies, indexes, studies of ethnic groups, geographic locations, migration patterns, legal history, etc., using genealogical resources and methods.

Publication is not required, but acknowledgement of the support from the American Society of Genealogists in any distribution of the project results is requisite.

This grant program began in 2022. Fellows of the American Society of Genealogists are not eligible for these grants.

Applications

The call for proposals for each cycle is posted separately on this website. Further information and application forms are available from Alicia Crane Williams, FASG, 4 White Trellis, Plymouth, MA 02360; acwcrane@aol.com.

Award Recipients

2025:

Michelle Tucker Chubenko: “A Genealogist’s Guide to Austrian Land Cadastres for the Crownland of Galicia.” 

Yvonne Captain, PhD: “The Importance of the African Union Methodist Protestant (A.U.M.P.) Church of Delaware to the African Diaspora.” 

Kahealani Martins Curammeng: “Portuguese Heritage in the Hawaiian Kingdom.”

Emily H. Garber: “American Jewish Genealogy: From the Past to the Future.” 

2024:

Pamela Vittorio of Brooklyn, New York City: Navigating the Records of the New York Canals (1817 to 1918): A Guide for Genealogical Research.”

Kelly Richardson of Dickinson, North Dakota: documenting the Gualala River Cemetery in northern California.

Carolyne Ngara of Nairobi, Kenya:  comprehensive genealogical research on the Luo people of Kenya.

Shahidah Ahmad of Watertown, Massachusetts (second award): African American genealogy in Holly Hill and Cottageville, South Carolina.

2023:

Shahidah Ahmad of Watertown, Massachusetts: African American genealogy in Holly Hill and Cottageville, South Carolina.

Richard de Boer of Harlingen, The Netherlands: genealogical source review in six Balkans nations.

Stephanie Mills Trice of Silver Spring, Maryland: African American families at Zion Baptist Church, Macon, North Carolina.

Jamie Wasilchenko of Newaygo, Michigan: genealogy of Horodylovychi, Galacia, Austro-Hungarian Empire.

2022:

William E. Cole of Gold River, California: Cole genealogies (book and article) and study of nonconformists, 1590s.

Holly MacCammon of Philmont, New York: New York Surrogate Court Guradianship Records

Al Sharp of Kittitas, Washington: Henrico Project.

Ian Watson of Burtenbach, Germany: Ipswich Deeds Project.

The following article was written by FamilySearch:

Recently, FamilySearch expanded its free online archives with over 95 million new records from 25 different countries. Some exciting additions include 54 million church records from Colombia, 17.5 million civil registrations from Guatemala, 6.8 million church records from Bolivia, and and additional 6 million civil and church records from Brazil. 

Other countries with significant record additions include the following:

• Argentina
• Canada
• Ecuador
• Ireland
• Philippines
• United States
• Uruguay
• Venezuela
• Zambia 

To ensure the accuracy of updates, FamilySearch takes time to compile new record update reports. Dates of when a collection was published may not coincide with the date of the report. 

Follow the links below to browse new records to expand your family tree.

Jump to Section

• Africa 
• Asia and Middle East 
• Canada and United States of America
• Europe (Continental Europe, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Turkey, etc.)
• Latin America (South America, Brazil, Central America, Caribbean, Mexico, etc.)
• Pacific and Oceania (Australia, New Zealand, Pacific Islands, etc.)

For other helpful genealogy content, watch free, on-demand sessions from RootsTech.

A murder weapon and piece of clothing found inside a Linn County residence near Center Point led to a suspect's identification after 41 years.

Chief genetic genealogist CeCe Moore of Parabon NanoLabs explains the process of determining someone's identity by analyzing the DNA of the individuals they share genetic material with. The genetic team headed by Moore examined the DNA obtained from both the hammer and fabric that Ron Novak was wearing when he was discovered dead to build a family tree for an unidentified suspect.

The analysis method works well because it detects even minimal DNA matches to the unidentified suspect according to Moore. Parabon NanoLabs utilizes a genetic database that features data from roughly 2 million individuals. The company checked the Novak murder DNA against a genetic database to identify potential DNA matches.

According to Moore everyone involved shared less than one percent of their DNA which suggests that they were distant relatives. The individuals who matched the DNA evidence were probably third or fourth cousins to Novak's killer.

Parabon contacted relatives to obtain their consent for DNA testing in order to refine their search. Their investigation resulted in finding the Shappert family which consisted of several brothers.

The Linn County Sheriff’s office investigated three brothers while charging Michael Schappert with first-degree murder. Michael Schappert attended Kennedy High in Cedar Rapids before he settled near Portland for many years. Now sitting in the Linn County jail. 

The solution came about through a small blood sample and advanced technology. A very small sample of DNA is all that's needed for testing. One hair even. Moore confirmed that their identification process will successfully locate your identity.

Parabon NanoLabs charged less than $10,000 to produce the suspect list for this investigation. The company gains access to genetic databases that contain DNA information from individuals who have consented to law enforcement usage.

The majority of individuals who have undergone tests from companies such as Ancestry.com do not have their DNA utilized for forensic purposes.

The South Brunswick Public Library will have a virtual workshop on researching African American Genealogy on Saturday, June 21, from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM, in honor of Juneteenth. Registration is required and can be done by clicking here.

“While increased digitization of records has opened new possibilities for many genealogy researchers, those looking to uncover the stories of African American ancestors may still struggle to find records,” the program description reads, “Since African Americans have historically been barred from many of the life experiences that generate official documents, researching Black genealogy can present unique challenges.”

The workshop will teach participants how to explore their African American roots, according to the library. Teddi Ashby of the African American Genealogy Group will host the program. 

This program is free and open to all, including those who work to help others research family history. This program is supported and funded by the Friends of South Brunswick Library.