What does a second or third cousin removed once or twice mean? Before delving into the intricacies of cousins removed so many times, an understanding of relationship terminology is needed—some familiar words today previously had different meanings. For example, during the 17th and 18th centuries, “cousin” referred to a niece …

We celebrated the beginning of a new year on January 1, 2025. Did you know January wasn’t always the first month of the year? The early Roman calendar consisted of only 304 days divided between 10 months, so the year started in March and ended in December, and the months …

Sharing a meal with loved ones over the holidays is a cherished tradition valued across cultures. It is here, at the table, that stories are told. And it’s in the shared moments when personal reflections of one’s childhood and family traditions are recounted that the wisdom of past generations is …

As we continue our genealogical research, military records provide rich information for ancestors who registered for the draft or served, sometimes identifying dependents. A federal website offers this information free, though other sources can supplement our efforts. The National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) houses documents and materials created by …

We’ve researched where to find birth, baptismal and death certificates, census documents and other records. Now, let’s organize the data into a genealogical timeline! WHY A FAMILY HISTORY TIMELINE? It is an important research tool that can aid in the where, when and why of our ancestors’ lives. The timeline …

This column previously explained researching and documenting your ancestors. Now, it’s time to delve into genealogical resources at the Archdiocese of Cincinnati’s Archives (resources.catholicaoc.org/offices/archives). GENEALOGY RESOURCES Sacramental records are one component of the archdiocesan archives. To protect privacy, baptism and marriage records are closed for 100 years after sacramental reception; …

“In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be enrolled. This was the first enrollment, when Quirin’ius was governor of Syria. And all went to be enrolled, each to his own city. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the city of …

Researching family history can be daunting, however, examining clues your ancestors left behind can be both challenging and exciting. Here’s your opportunity to become the family historian detective as you examine evidence found during your scavenger hunt. KEEP TRACK OF YOUR RESEARCH. To begin, print out several of the following …

If you have Catholic ancestors, many of your families’ “who, what, where, when and why” have been recorded since the late 16th century. Church records help link children to parents— which is exactly what genealogists seek to do when researching family lineage. Imagine the thrill of tracing your family through …

Tamar, Judah, Solomon, and company are not exactly the ideal ancestors of the King of Kings; but in this video, Father Mike Schmitz shows how God can write straight with crooked lines, even when the line happens to be Jesus’ bloodline.