Genealogy News
Stay informed with the latest genealogy news, historical record releases, DNA discoveries, archive announcements, and research updates from around the world.
10 German Surnames on the Verge of Extinction
Germany has an exceptionally wide variety of family names (Familiennamen), with approximately one million distinct surnames. Some date back to the 12th century, and their origins can tell us about family histories,…
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MyHeritage Adds 450 Million Historical Records in September 2026
In September 2026, MyHeritage published 450 million historical records across 28 new and updated collections from the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, the Netherlands, Poland, and more. The collections include newspaper…
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MyHeritage Publishes France, Tables of Successions and Absences, 1890–1970
We’re excited to announce the addition of an important new historical record collection: France, Tables of Successions and Absences, 1890–1970. This valuable collection offers an index of deceased or officially missing people…
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Celebrate German Unity Day with Free Access to German Records on MyHeritage
In honor of German Unity Day, MyHeritage is offering free access to all German historical record collections from October 1–5, 2026. This is a great opportunity to explore your family’s connections to…
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100 Years Since the 1926 Slavery Convention: Why It Still Matters to Family History
On September 25, 1926, representatives gathered in Geneva under the League of Nations to sign the Slavery Convention. The agreement gave international law a lasting definition of slavery and committed participating states…
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10 Belgian Surnames That Shaped European History
To most people, the names that embody European high royalty are Windsor, Bourbon, or Habsburg. Yet it is right here, at the crossroads of our provinces and our shared history, that the…
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The Great Miami Hurricane of 1926: What Its 100th Anniversary Means for Genealogy
On September 18, 1926, a powerful hurricane struck the Miami area before crossing South Florida and entering the Gulf of Mexico. It tore apart homes and businesses, flooded coastal communities, displaced tens…
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New York 250 Years Ago: Tracing Your Revolutionary War Family History
In September 1776, New York City stood at the epicenter of the American Revolutionary War. Following General George Washington’s retreat from the Battle of Long Island in late August, Continental forces found…
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Cousins Meet at Last in a Healing Reunion 80+ Years After the Holocaust Shattered Their Families
Earlier this year, we shared the remarkable story of Adriana Turk, a 74-year-old Australian who grew up believing that her father’s family had been murdered in the Holocaust. After the death of…
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Both Adopted from Mumbai, They Called Each Other ‘Sis.’ 30 Years Later, They Found Out They’re Actually Sisters
Every once in a while, a DNA discovery story comes along that feels more like a movie script than reality. The story of Meena and Minal is one of those rare, miraculous…
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