1870’s Marriage Certificate Found in Thrift Shop: The Whole Story

National media picked up this family history story about the 1870’s marriage certificate that was found in the back of a painting in a thrift shop. I’m the one who solved the mystery of this old marriage certificate. In this episode, I’m going to share with you the whole story,Continue Reading

African American Genealogy and Family History

Learn about how to research the family history for “persons of color.”  This “footnotes” episode features Renate Yarborough Sanders.  She teaches us how to research African American ancestors and the records for genealogy in the United States. Handout listed below. Renate’s Bio – Renate Yarborough Sanders, genealogist, is an experiencedContinue Reading

Headstone Designs, Symbols, Cherubs, Iconography Found in Cemeteries

Have you ever wondered what Headstone Designs, Symbols, Cherubs & Icons mean when you’re visiting cemeteries?  Can they help you with your genealogy? In this video we’re going to explore the historic icons found in graveyards and cemeteries and talk about their meaning. Special thanks to Eric Kozen, superintendent atContinue Reading

Ruth Faison Shaw Inventor of finger painting

Here’s a story produced by WRAL-TV about a Duplin County native, Ruth Faison Shaw… the originator of finger painting. She is buried in Oakdale Cemetery in Wilmington, NC.  More about Oakdale Cemetery and Ruth Faison Shaw can also be found in this video I produced about Oakdale Cemetery for theContinue Reading