Did you know you can filter the GenFriends blog to find specific topics?

 

There's a wealth of information posted in the GenFriends blog. Were you too busy this summer to look at the blog?  Or, do you remember seeing something but can't find it now?

Try this:

(1) Open the GenFriends blog here: genfriends.blogspot.com

(2) Search on a label such as Take Action. 

The small image on this blog post shows all the current labels (listed alphabetically from 23andMe to Ziebold). When you are on the blog page, the labels are on the lower right side (you might need to scroll down to see them).

(3) Check out the specific blog posts that appear using my example (or your own filtering!).

https://genfriends.blogspot.com/search/label/Take%20Action

Do You Use Family Tree software or are considering it?

Watch your upcoming GenFriends email for information about a soon-to-be launched Family Tree Maker (FTM) User Group in our local area.

In the meantime, I suggest:

(1) Don't have this software that syncs to ancestry.com (if you want it to do so)?  Then, check out this official FTM website for features that may help you determine if you want to give this a try. https://www.mackiev.com/ftm/

(2) Already have the Family Tree Maker Software (latest version is 2024)?  Download the user handbook that is included in the software - 342 pages full of "how to's".  Focus on one area at a time.  Feel free to click and click when using the software - you'll be surprised what you learn by doing.

(3) Are you a Family Tree Maker advanced user?  Help our GenFriends community by adding a comment to this blog post with a couple of your favorite "tips & tricks".

MyHeritage - Free Access this weekend (Oct 31-Nov 1) for 1.7B records across 449 collections

 

ALL TREATS, NO TRICKS

This weekend, through Sunday (Nov. 1), MyHeritage is offering free access to more than 1.7 billion death, burial, cemetery, and obituary records across 449 collections worldwide. Grab that bowl of Halloween candy and look for those missing dates, residences, burial places, relatives, occupations, and other clues about your ancestor’s life. 

https://blog.myheritage.com/2026/10/unearth-your-family-history-with-free-access-to-death-records-this-halloween/

Note: This information was posted on ConferenceKeeper.org - feel free to subscribe to their free weekly email notifications related to this topic and many other genealogy news items and events.

Veteran's Day - Honoring Your Ancestors and Living Relatives

At last year's GenFriends "Show and Tell", I brought Plano Flags of Honor laminated cards about two ancestors who served in the Revolutionary War.  They again will be among the many veterans included in the amazing flags display at Red Tail Pavilion in Plano.

https://planoflagsofhonor.com/

Check this link (above) to see:

(1) Schedule of events from November 7-14, 2026

(2) How and when you can volunteer if interested

(3) How you can create an honor card online by uploading a photo and description.

https://planoflagsofhonor.com/honor-a-hero/ (online submission is using this link)

https://flags.planoflagsofhonor.com/ (use this link to search on examples of previous submissions such as my 6th great grandfather Bartram Round or my 4th great grandfather Gideon Wells) - you'll see that your honor cards can be downloaded and printed for your personal use (such as for your family history files).

Next Steps?

(1) Try to submit one person's information to honor. There's only room for about 100 words (about 500 characters). 

(2) Add to Comments to this blog post regarding the name of the person you submitted - so that others can walk the field and honor them too.

Family Gatherings - Food, Recipes, Memories

 

As we enter November, my holiday planning often includes pulling out the recipe box with favorites from my mother and me. Besides making the goodies for your holiday table, consider how you might like to add a family history twist!

Ideas: 

(1) Our GenFriends in person meeting refreshments sometimes have included a favorite homemade cookie recipe.

(2) I wrote a short story about some special tableware (Colonial dessert spoons) and also brought them to GenFriends "Show and Tell" one year.

(3) This year, I've signed up to attend one of these free library programs (links listed below.) My Grandma taught me how to make a jelly roll. My Mom and I made variations including our yummy pumpkin roll. I need to look through my Fanny Farmer recipe box and many other recipe books and files to see what else I may take to the library program. By doing so, I'll receive a PDF of what I share as well as what others share.

https://www.dallaslibrary.org/america250

Here's one of the many library locations offering this program: https://dallaslibrary.librarymarket.com/event/roots-and-recipes-541755

German Genealogy Resources & Free Webinar

Check these out if you have German ancestors. 

German Genealogy Collective The Place for German Genealogy, The tools you need for German Genealogical Success

9 Amazing Websites for Occupations in German Genealogy Blog Article by Katherine Schober

Free Live Webinar with Katherine Schober - 5 German Records You May Be Missing (and the Secrets They Could Reveal)

Choose from three live sessions next week – November 3, 4, or 5! Register below to save your spot and join us at the time that works best for you. Live Session Dates: Tuesday, November 3 at 1 PM ET/10 AM PT Wednesday, November 4 at 1 PM ET/10 AM PT Thursday, November 5 at 1 PM ET/10 AM PT Link to sign up: https://mailchi.mp/germanologyunlocked/german-records What if some of the biggest clues to your German family history are hiding in records you’ve never heard of? While church and vital records are often our go-to sources, there’s a whole world of lesser-known German documents that exist - records that might hold the key to your next big breakthrough! What You'll Discover in This Free Webinar: 5 overlooked German record types that could open up new avenues for your family history research. Surprising details about your ancestors and their everyday lives that traditional records may not reveal. Where to find these documents, including helpful websites, databases, and German archives. How to break through research roadblocks by using lesser-known sources to uncover family connections and fill in missing details. Whether you're just getting started or have been researching your German ancestors for years, you'll walk away excited and confident, with new sources and strategies to help move your research forward. Let's go! Join us live at 1:00 PM ET on November 3, 4, or 5 and find out what you’ve been missing! View your timezone here. Don’t miss this chance to untangle the confusion and unlock new family history discoveries. Sign up now!

Gen Friends Saturday Seminar - Diseases our Ancestors Faced & How Those Illnesses Changed Our World

 

Join Genealogy Friends of Plano Libraries for our next free Saturday Seminar on November 21, 2026 in person at W.O. Haggard Library, 2501 Coit Rd, Plano, TX or via Zoom.

Zoom Room Opens at 10:15 am CT

Networking at the Library 10:15-10:40 am CT

Announcements & Program Begins 10:40 am CT

Email newsletter@genealogyfriends for Zoom info. 

This presentation reviews several of the major illnesses our ancestors dreaded but thankfully with which we rarely concern ourselves. We will use historical records including death records as well as modern investigations to tell the story of illnesses and how it impacted the lives of our ancestors and how these illnesses shaped our world today. 

Dr. Gregory C. Gardner is a semiretired physician, medical educator, and rheumatologist with over three decades of experience in clinical practice and academic medicine. He served for more than 30 years as a clinician and educator at the University of Washington and continues to contribute to medical education at the national level. Dr. Gardner also provides specialized rheumatology care to four Native American Tribes in Washington State. In addition to his medical career, Dr. Gardner is passionate about family history and enjoys sharing his research and teaching in this field. Outside of his professional pursuits, he finds joy in traveling with his spouse and spending time with his six beloved grandchildren. 

Handouts and recordings are available for members on our website. Membership is $30 per year and includes a bonus webinar library with presentations by Thomas MacEntee. https://www.genealogyfriends.org/membership.html

We'd love to see you at our next event!