Banyan Update

BayanDna is a software tool for building, visualizing, and analyzing complex genealogies. 

They released a new update:

• Import DNA match data into your project
• Export Calculation results to CSV files

Release Notes

Newspapers - A Great Source for "4th of July" News

 Historic and Current Newspapers are a gold mine!  Think of key years and locations, and start searching.

Old Newspapers (such as 1820 and 1876)

(1) Using nyshistoricnewspapers.org as an example, I filtered on Otsego County and searched on "Revolutionary War Pension".  I filtered on the year 1820.

The result?  I found a front-page article in The Otsego Herald on 03 April 1820 about the House of Representatives discussing a military pension bill .  

Try it.  Then, adapt your search to your ancestors and locations, along with relevant newspapers.

(2) Again, using nyshistoricnewspapers.org as an example, I filtered on Ontario County and searched on "Centennial Sketches". I filtered on the year 1876.

The result?  I found The Geneva Daily Gazette from 21 April 1876 with one in a series of sketches from 1776 (Revolutionary War).  

Current Newpapers

For this example, I did a Google search using the name of a newspaper (Finger Lakes Times) and "Bicentennial 1976".

The result?  I found relevant articles dated both in 1976 and 2026 ("looking back").

Enjoy your searches!  Don't forget to keep track of your search terms, sources, and downloads.

Germanology Unlocked Webinar - Archion Unlocked: Find More Ancestors, Faster

 

Webinar Link: Archion Unlocked: Find More Ancestors, Faster Dates: July 7, 8, or 9 Description:  200,000 German church books. Thousands of records with your ancestors' information. But do you know how to find YOUR family's records? Archion is an amazing online database for German church records, but that website can be confusing! If you get overwhelmed trying to use it - or have never tried before - this is the webinar for you. In this free training, learn from internationally-known genealogy expert Katherine Schober how to use Archion to discover your German ancestors. Discover how to: Navigate the website with confidence Find the records you need - even with no index  Identify key information within handwritten church books Avoid common mistakes that can waste hours of research time Whether you're brand new to Archion or are ready for more expert-level secrets, you'll leave with a clear roadmap for finding more records and making meaningful discoveries in your family tree. Sign up to save your spot now! Save your spot here! Save my Spot for Archion Unlocked!

July Saturday Seminar - "Organizing and Identifying Photograph Collections" by Ari Wilkins

 Join Genealogy Friends of Plano Libraries in person at Haggard Library, 2501 Coit Road, Plano, TX or via Zoom for our next free Saturday Seminar. Email newsletter@genealogyfriends.org to join our email list for Zoom information. 

Organizing and Identifying Photograph Collections by Ari Wilkins

We all have mounds of old unidentified family photos sitting in boxes. This lecture will offer step-by-step direction in organizing, preserving, and cataloging these precious collections for future generations. Learn how to identify, digitize, and share collections using family trees and social media. 

Ari Wilkins is a graduate of Louisiana State University. Ms. Wilkins has been actively researching family history since 1998, specializing in African American research. She speaks nationally and locally. She has had the honor to speak at the National Genealogical Society, Federation of Genealogical Societies, Texas State Genealogical Society, Ohio Genealogical Society, Institute of Genealogical and Historical Research, Salt Lake Institute of Genealogy, American Library Association, RootsTech, and a multitude of local societies. 

Library Doors open at 10:00 am, Zoom Room opens at 10:15 am. (All Times are CDT) 

Networking and Goodies are served from 10:15-10:40 am.

Welcome and Announcements 10:40 am

Lecture Begins 10:45 am

Library of Virginia Virtual Reading Room

 If you have ancestors in Virginia - check this out https://www.lva.virginia.gov/services/research/vrr

They offer remote access to select undigitized archival materials. This service allows you to view materials remotely through a scheduled Zoom appointment. 

DAR - One Week Countdown to the 4th of July!

 

The National Society Daughters of the American Revolution (NSDAR or "DAR") are wrapping up their annual Continental Congress in Washington, DC.

The evening sessions focus on:

• Opening Ceremony
• Focus on Education
• Defense Night

See this video link for the Opening Ceremony.  This is available to the public for viewing.

What you'll see - flags procession, patriotic music, and a bald Eagle in flight

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zCFQ3yfRiMo&list=PLuKbN0pt1xvNC33zzUZfIYpS6Imn7FdC7&index=3

Defense Night is on Saturday June 27. If interested in livestream, check this link around 6 pm Central time. It also will be available as replay later.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CDCHMEa8NCo&list=PLuKbN0pt1xvNC33zzUZfIYpS6Imn7FdC7

DID YOU KNOW?  See labels on the right hand side of this Genfriends blog. 

Click on DAR Label to see a March 17, 2026 blog post about DAR website research tips.

National Archives to Close Three Branches

 The National Archives is closing three branches to cut costs and reduce their real estate portfolio. The Chicago and San Francisco branches will be closed. The Seattle branch will remain until a suitable replacement facility is found. 

Here is the internal memo that was sent to employees:

To: All Employees

The purpose of this message is to announce upcoming changes to NARA facilities. Over the next few years, NARA will close the National Archives at Chicago/Chicago Federal Records Center (FRC), National Archives at San Francisco/San Bruno FRC, and move all temporary records from the Seattle Federal Records Center.

Research Services will relocate the accessioned records in archival bays at the National Archives at Chicago and San Bruno to other Research Services archival locations. Archival and permanent holdings in Seattle will remain until a suitable replacement facility is identified. The Federal Records Centers Program will relocate the temporary records at the Chicago FRC, San Bruno FRC, and the Seattle FRC to other FRC locations. We expect the moves to begin within the next few months.

I recognize that this news may be unsettling to employees across the agency. This decision was not made lightly, and we know this will be challenging for our employees in the affected facilities. NARA will continue to support the staff at affected locations to the extent possible.

This decision is an opportunity for NARA to maintain our core mission and functions while improving efficiency and effectiveness. These facility changes support the long-term financial health and viability of the Federal Records Centers Program’s revolving fund, reduce expenses for the Operating Expense (OE) fund, and reduce our real estate portfolio in alignment with the administration’s priorities. We will move forward with care for our colleagues, our records, and our programs in a way that strengthens our agency for the work to come.

JAY TRAINER
Chief Operating Officer