melissagrandt

Book Review: Very, Very, Very Dreadful: The Influenza Pandemic of 1918

The book Very, Very, Very Dreadful: The Influenza Pandemic of 1918 by Albert Marrin reads like a middle school social studies textbook: simple, but informative.

Four Weeks in Oxford, Iowa: October 1918

In the fall of 1918, the small hamlet of Oxford, Iowa numbered between 500-600 inhabitants. Typical Iowa fall activities were taking place: the school year resumed on September 3rd, Iowa Hawkeye football season had started September 28th, and crops were ready to harvest. Having lived through the COVID lockdown in 2020, it almost feels likeContinue reading “Four Weeks in Oxford, Iowa: October 1918”

Book Review: One Room School Houses, Iowa County, Iowa 1844-1966

This book is a collection of photographs and memories from teachers and students of the rural schools of Iowa County, Iowa, mixed with copies of historic documents and maps.

Six Ways to Involve Your Kids in Genealogy

Everyone wants their children and grandchildren to be interested in their personal history. …. I have identified 6 key ways to keep them and their cousins interested and engaged.

Rootstech 2021

So, Rootstech is a conference about technology and genealogy. I have wanted to attend this conference since I first heard of it in 2010. And in recent years I have taken advantage of the live streaming or videos available. But this year, Rootstech is 100% virtual and 100% free. I signed up the minute itContinue reading “Rootstech 2021”

Planning a Research Trip

As the saying goes, “If you fail to plan, you plan to fail.” Or something like that. And in the world of genealogy research, it is especially true. In general, a research plan is a roadmap to take you from a question to a conclusion. And as any good map or GPS navigation, it willContinue reading “Planning a Research Trip”

Where do I start?

I have conducted research for dozens of families, both my own, my husband’s, and clients’ families. But some of the people I talk to want to do the research themselves, they are just overwhelmed and don’t know where to start. Here is my advice: Talk to your living elders. Get their stories and information onContinue reading “Where do I start?”

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