Author Archives: debbiemieszala

Expanded Minnesota Original Birth Certificate Access Begins 1 July 2024

Posted on February 26, 2024 by debbiemieszala

Paula Stuart-Warren is an expert on Minnesota genealogical research. She offers great insight on repositories and resources. Her blog, Genealogy by Paula, is an enjoyable read. In August 2023 she wrote about Minnesota’s move to open original birth certificate (OBC) … Continue reading →

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Are We There Yet? Introducing Historic West Virginia Law

Posted on October 17, 2023 by debbiemieszala

No ancestor on my pedigree chart hailed from West Virginia. I don’t have a state-related ancestral tale to tell, but there is always a story.

Posted in Law, Uncategorized | Tagged , | 2 Comments

“Pikers,” “Dead Heads,” and a Second as the First: Introducing the Historic Law Collection of Hawaii

Posted on May 11, 2023 by debbiemieszala

As a second child, James Cairn McBride’s parents might not have expected him to grow into a man of firsts.[1] Under his alter-ego, J. C. “Bud” Mars, James threw Hawaii’s first flight-related tantrum.[2]  

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“He lays his trouble to a cigar,”: Introducing Historic California Law

Posted on April 1, 2023 by debbiemieszala

Captain Thomas D. McBride was first believed dead in 1883.[1] Final reports of his demise, 17 years later, were accurate.[2]

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South Dakota Revises Law on Original Birth Certificate Access

Posted on March 27, 2023 by debbiemieszala

South Dakota’s governor signed HB 1231 into law on 23 March 2023.[1] The law allows an adult adopted person (age 18) to obtain their original birth certificate upon written request and proof of identification.[2]

Posted in Adoption, Law | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

Advancing Your Research: A Peek at a Pennsylvania Presbyterian Newspaper

Posted on March 19, 2023 by debbiemieszala

Chances are an ancestor’s obituary was annoyingly absent from their local newspaper. If the search was limited to a hometown paper, research may have stopped too soon.

Posted in Institutes, Newspapers, Online Resources | Tagged , | 1 Comment

Advancing Your Education: “24-Hour Genealogy Webinar Marathon” at Legacy Family Tree Webinars

Posted on March 13, 2023 by debbiemieszala

The fourth annual 24-Hour Genealogy Webinar Marathon is scheduled for April 13 and 14, 2023. If that isn’t enough to catch your attention, a bonus hour brings you 25 hours of free genealogy education. 

Posted in Education, Webinars | Tagged | 2 Comments