WDYTYA Live 2013: MyHeritage highlights
The MyHeritage team returned from three intensive days at the Who Do You Think You Are Live 2013 show in London’s Olympia. We enjoyed greeting so many visitors at our booth.
Our team included Chief Genealogist Daniel Horowitz, Head of Genealogy (UK) Laurence Harris, Chief Content Officer Russ Wilding, Netherlands Community Manager Denie Kasan, Scandinavian Community Manager Sara Silander, German Community Manager Karen Brandel Hägele and Marketing Manager Aaron Godfrey.
The MyHeritage Team at WDYTYA Live! 2013
Both old friends and new shared fascinating stories of their ancestors and their own family history research experiences.
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Childhood: Your first memory?
In my Florida childhood days
Recently someone asked about my first childhood memory. I began to think about some of my “first” moments. My first steps, the first taste of candy, or my first word.
But were these really my own memories or just stories about these events told to me by my parents?
We all have memories of growing up, but it's difficult to distinguish between those we really remember and those our families repeated throughout our childhoods.
Scientists believe that, from age 3, a child begins to retain images and events from his or her life. These often relate to our family - especially our parents - and animals.
One of my first memories was of water.
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Family: Conformists or not?
Some families have numerous rebels, who purposely choose unusual or unique behaviors, as well as conformists, who choose to follow what the family considers good behavior.
Many genealogists love to find the rebels among their ancestors. These may be those truly adventurous souls who were the only people in their immediate family to immigrate to another country or continent. They may have been artists, musicians or political activists, whose interests were very different from their siblings and parents.
Does social pressure play a part in this? Is it nature or nurture? Do we love a movie because our friends and family do, which means we want to be part of that group? Or do we want to be different from everyone else?
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Valentine’s Day: 1 billion cards
A card by Esther Rowland Courtesy Mount Holyoke College
How many valentines did you receive this year? How many did you send?
Some 190 million valentines are sent each year, according to the US Greeting Card Association. If you count the cards made by schoolchildren, it goes up to 1 billion. And, in 2010, some 15 million e-valentines were sent!
The American tradition of sending valentines was the idea of Esther Rowland (1828-1904), a young graduate of Mount Holyoke College (Massachusetts).
Holyoke's archives and special collections has an impressive collection of historic valentines, many created by Esther. She is credited with having established the commercial valentine industry in the US.
The school’s original name was the Mount Holyoke Female Seminary, and Esther graduated in 1847. She was inspired by an ornate English valentine - sent by a family friend – to create her elaborate versions of the greeting card.
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Valentine’s Day: Your Stories
Millions around the world will send flowers, write love letters and say "I love you" to their families, significant others and spouses to mark Valentine's Day today.
We each have our own romantic stories. Whether a first love, a first kiss or discovering a secret admirer, these stories are memorable moments.
At MyHeritage, we know how important family and love are in our lives. Last week, we asked you to send in romantic stories of proposals, marriage and love from your unique family history.
Here we share a few of our favorites on this special day:
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Mardi Gras: Happy Pancake Day!
Olney Pancake Day Race Image credit: Olneyonline
Today is a most delicious day of the year, Pancake Day.
Pancake Day is also known as Shrove Tuesday. The meaning of shrove derives from “confess.” The day marks the last day of celebration before 40 days of “shriving” - or absolution for one’s sins - during the Christian festival of Lent.
It was common to host a family feast beginning with luxurious or “fatty” foods not eaten during the weeks of Lent. Sugar, milk and eggs were good ingredients and - combined - formed yummy pancakes.
Worldwide family traditions include:
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Poll: Have a family role model?
Our family and ancestors have helped form us to what we are today.
Whether it's a parent, sibling or other relative, there may be a special someone in our family who serves as an example of whom we wish to emulate.
Do you have a role model in your family - past or present - who has impacted you today? Who is that role model?
Share your comments below, or on Facebook, Twitter or Google+
Valentine’s Day: Love stories to share?
Antique Valentine's Card Image credit: Wikipedia
For thousands of years, lovers have expressed their admiration in a variety of mediums, but nothing compares to the classic love letter.
The greatest love story is not from the movies or a book, but our own lives! MyHeritage would like to hear your personal and family tales of romance.
Love stories are not necessarily a typical Cinderella tale or a Romeo-and-Juliet romantic tragedy. We hear words of endearment in movies, and read them in passionate stories in our favorite novels, yet our own stories are the ones that are timeless pieces of history. They are the ones that are closest to our hearts.
How did you or your ancestors meet? Is there a unique proposal story in your family, or a tale of finding a lost love? Share your story with us, and we will share some of the best in our Valentine’s Day special. Email us at stories@myheritage.com, or leave a comment below, via Facebook, Twitter or Google +.
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Games: Feeling ‘board’? Roll the dice
Monopoly Board Image Credit: AP Photo/Hasbro
The famous board game Monopoly has received a makeover ahead of its 78th anniversary tomorrow with a revamp of its original 1935 design.
The game’s birthday milestone made me nostalgic for all the times my family and I played Monopoly and other board games.
With new technology and busy daily schedules, we often get distracted and forget the importance of spending time with our families.
Take a break with a traditional board game and bond with your family. With just a roll of the dice, enjoy laughter, joy and amusement. All you need to worry about is whether your uncle or sister cheated in the last round.
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Fathers: Parenting has changed!
Fathering styles have changed over time!
Today, we know that a father's participation impacts his children, and a close relationship is good for those maturing children.
Two generations ago, not too many fathers were found in the kitchen on a regular basis or taking on major child-raising chores. A generation ago, more fathers were more involved in their households and with their children. These days it isn't uncommon to see Mr. Mom at home and running the household, while mom has a career outside the home.
Mothers were and still are viewed as the nurturers and caregivers at the expense of fathers, although this is certainly changing in some cultures. In some countries, where months of maternity leave can be taken by mothers, a similar period of time can be taken by fathers, allowing for closer bonding.
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