All posts by Brian

The latest video from How We Got Here Genealogy delves into the fascinating story of the Filles du Roi (King’s Daughters) and their pivotal role in shaping North American history. These were not just any women; they were a carefully selected group of young, strong-willed individuals recruited by the French government in the late 17th century to address a critical issue in New France: a severe gender imbalance.

The video highlights the French government’s deliberate effort to populate the colony by recruiting these women [00:40]. Their mission was clear: to marry the male settlers and establish families, laying the groundwork for a thriving society [02:14]. The video emphasizes that these women needed to be of good moral standing and strong-willed [02:07], highlighting their crucial role in the colony’s development.

For those tracing their ancestry, the video offers a valuable tip: searching through the 1666 New France census data and other historical records can help determine if your ancestor was a Filles du Roi [02:46]. The video also points out the remarkable fact that many noble figures in North American history are descendants of these pioneering women [03:19].

The Filles du Roi left an enduring legacy that continues to shape the cultural landscape of North America [03:39]. This video is a powerful tribute to their courage and their lasting impact on the region’s history and identity.

The latest video from How We Got Here Genealogy tackles a fascinating quirk of French-Canadian genealogy: dit names. If you’re tracing your roots in Quebec or other areas with French-Canadian heritage, understanding these additional names is crucial to accurately navigating historical records.

The video explains that dit names are secondary names added to surnames, a common practice in French-Canadian families [00:11]. The French word “dit” translates to “called” or “also known as” [00:38], and these names served a vital purpose: distinguishing between families with the same surname. Imagine a small village with multiple families named “Tremblay” – a dit name helped clarify which branch you were looking for [00:47].

These dit names weren’t random; they often reflected a family’s trade, a physical characteristic, or their place of origin [00:54]. Think of it like a nickname that eventually became part of the family’s identity. The video highlights that dit names could be used in various ways: instead of the original surname, combined with it, or even reversed [01:39]. This variability can be a challenge for researchers, but the video offers valuable advice.

To find the correct version of a dit name, the video recommends consulting family history books and online databases [01:52]. It also specifically mentions the work of Quebec genealogist Dr. Rene Jet as a helpful resource [01:58]. Understanding dit names is essential for accurate and thorough research into your French-Canadian family history.

The latest video from How We Got Here Genealogy offers a poignant look at the life and legacy of Brian Mulroney, Canada’s 18th Prime Minister, following his passing on February 29th, 2024. While the video touches on his significant political achievements, including his role in the Canada-US Free Trade Agreement and his efforts to combat apartheid, it also delves into the fascinating story of his family origins, tracing his journey from a small Quebec town to the world stage.

The video begins by highlighting Mulroney’s early life in Baie-Comeau, Quebec, emphasizing the town’s industrious spirit and, importantly, his deep Irish heritage [02:52]. We learn about his father’s strong work ethic as an electrician and how it shaped Brian’s values [03:29]. This foundation of hard work and strong family ties clearly played a role in his later success.

The video then follows Brian’s early interest in politics and his education at St. Francis Xavier University and Laval University [03:53]. It also mentions his marriage to Mila Pivnički and their four children [05:07], painting a picture of a man with a strong personal life alongside his public career.

The heart of the video lies in its exploration of Mulroney’s ancestry, tracing his roots back five generations to Ireland [06:01]. This segment provides a compelling glimpse into the lives of his ancestors and the journey that ultimately led to his birth in Canada. It’s a reminder that even the most prominent figures have a family history that grounds them.

A particularly touching moment in the video is the reference to Mulroney’s performance of “When Irish Eyes Are Smiling” with Ronald Reagan [15:56]. This highlights the connection between their shared Irish heritage and adds a personal touch to the narrative.

This video is more than just a biography; it’s a story about the intersection of family history and political life. It shows how a person’s background, heritage, and values can shape their journey and their impact on the world.

The latest video from How We Got Here Genealogy offers invaluable advice for anyone embarking on the journey of tracing their family history: the importance of a well-structured research plan. It’s easy to get lost in the sea of online records and historical documents, but this video provides a roadmap to help you stay focused and efficient.

The video emphasizes that a research plan is crucial for avoiding research overload [00:07]. It’s about more than just randomly searching; it’s about defining clear objectives and strategically pursuing them. By having a plan, you’ll save time, avoid repeating searches, and ultimately achieve more meaningful results.

The video highlights the importance of focusing your research by defining specific goals [02:21]. Instead of a broad inquiry like “learn about my family,” consider focusing on a particular ancestor, a specific time period, or a particular location. This targeted approach will streamline your search.

Understanding the difference between primary and secondary sources is also key [03:41]. Primary sources, like birth certificates and census records, offer firsthand information, while secondary sources interpret or analyze primary sources. The video guides you on where to find different types of records [04:59], ensuring you’re looking in the most relevant places.

The video also showcases examples of research planners and resources [06:13], providing practical tools to help you organize your findings. A case study on tracing ancestors in Nova Scotia and Scotland [07:29] illustrates how a research plan can be applied in practice.

Finally, the video underscores the importance of witness accounts in genealogy [11:59]. Personal stories and family lore can add depth and color to your research, providing valuable context to the facts you uncover.

This video is a must-watch for anyone serious about genealogy. It’s a reminder that a little planning can go a long way in unlocking the secrets of your family’s past.

Are you drowning in names, dates, and places as you research your family history? The latest video from How We Got Here Genealogy introduces a powerful tool to help you bring order to the chaos: the fan chart. Host Brian Nash champions this visual aid as a game-changer for genealogists of all levels.

The video emphasizes that fan charts aren’t just pretty pictures; they’re practical tools for organizing information, identifying research gaps, and visually representing your family’s connections [00:30]. They allow you to see the big picture, making it easier to spot missing information and set clear research goals [01:07].

While standard charts typically display five generations, Brian showcases a seven-generation chart alongside four five-generation charts to provide a comprehensive view of his ancestry [01:37]. This highlights the flexibility of fan charts and their ability to accommodate different research needs.

The video also highlights the convenience of using genealogy software and websites like WikiTree to create and customize fan charts [03:05]. WikiTree’s user-friendly interface allows you to input your data and automatically generate visually appealing charts [03:36]. You can tailor these charts to your preferences, adjusting the number of generations, name formats, date displays, and even color schemes to highlight specific information like birth locations [04:20], [05:42].

Beyond organization, fan charts can also be powerful storytelling tools [10:14]. By presenting names, dates, and places for each generation, they provide a solid foundation for sharing your family history with relatives [11:14].

Of course, fan charts aren’t a complete solution. The video acknowledges their limitations, noting that they primarily focus on direct ancestors and exclude siblings and other relatives [11:26]. They also don’t include detailed information about ancestors’ lives, such as occupations or personal stories [11:58].

However, as Brian emphasizes, creating a fan chart is just the first step in a broader research plan [12:21]. It’s a valuable tool for visualizing your family tree, planning your research, and organizing your information [12:42].

In a recent video, the creator takes a lighthearted approach to sharing some of the feedback received on their ancestral novels.

The video opens with a playful jab at sending their books to their friends at WikiTree for review [00:05]. It’s a humorous nod to the genealogy community and their potential scrutiny.

The heart of the video lies in the sharing of some less-than-stellar reviews [00:16]. The creator embraces the negative feedback with good humor, finding the funny side of critical reviews.

Despite the less-than-glowing feedback, the creator maintains a sense of optimism, expressing confidence in the support of at least one individual, “Chris” [00:26].

The video concludes with a humorous question, pondering whether their friends at WikiTree would share the same sentiments as the negative reviews [00:36].

This video is a refreshing and funny take on the often-serious world of genealogy and ancestral storytelling. It’s a reminder that even in the pursuit of history, there’s always room for humor and a good laugh.

The latest video from How We Got Here Genealogy shifts gears from ancestral research to the art of biography, featuring an insightful interview with Joseph Quader, founder and CEO of Story Saver. This episode is a must-watch for anyone considering writing their own biography or preserving the stories of loved ones.

Joseph’s passion for writing and his experience interviewing people from all walks of life shine through in this discussion [05:29]. He emphasizes that the key to a compelling biography lies in asking the right questions [13:05]. He suggests starting with broad themes and then gently guiding the conversation to delve deeper into specific memories and experiences [14:28].

The interview covers both individual and family biographies, highlighting the unique challenges and rewards of each [16:17]. Joseph also offers practical advice for dealing with memory, acknowledging that recollections can fade or shift over time [19:28]. His tips for prompting memories are invaluable for any aspiring biographer.

Both Joseph and Brian eloquently discuss the importance of preserving personal stories, not just for family but for a broader understanding of history [36:57]. These individual narratives can make historical events more relatable and meaningful, connecting us to the past in a powerful way. Joseph stresses the urgency of this task, reminding us that with each passing day, stories are lost forever [01:10:23].

For those feeling daunted by the prospect of writing a biography, Joseph offers encouraging words and practical tips for getting started [53:55]. He recommends starting with what you know, researching publicly available information, and approaching interviews with sensitivity. He even offers to share his company’s questionnaire with listeners [56:54], a generous offer that underscores his commitment to helping others preserve their stories. He also highlights the usefulness of recording interviews, especially with the aid of AI transcription [57:54].

While Story Saver primarily focuses on biographies for family and personal use, Joseph mentions that they also assist those seeking commercial publication [01:02:40]. This opens up exciting possibilities for those who believe their story has a wider audience.

The video concludes with Brian sharing his plans for the podcast and his YouTube channel in 2024, including sharing more family stories and answering genealogy questions [01:11:32]. This episode is a valuable resource for anyone interested in writing biographies and preserving family histories.

A Nod to Heritage

First off, Brian emphasizes his Irish and Scottish roots. To honor his heritage, he keeps a few special items:

• Stress Potato: For those moments when brick walls appear, a stress potato is the perfect tool.
• Kilt: Representing his Scottish side, Brian has his family tartan kilt.

Staying Connected & Organized

• Fan: For when he needs to be recognized.
• Watch: Set half an hour early to be the first on the YouTube chat on Saturday mornings.
• Special Cup: A cup that says “do not disturb family history research being done refill cup regularly”.
• Whiskey: Scotch, Irish, and Canadian whiskey.
• Passport: For those unexpected genealogy trips.
• Stud Finder: To locate himself.
• Notebooks and Pens: Essential for jotting down all those important family history details. Brian even shares a tip for getting free pens from the bank!

Books & Photos

Brian is a big fan of books and has several related to his heritage:

• Our Island Story: A history of Prince Edward Island.
• The Highland Heart of Nova Scotia: Fiction based on Scottish settlers in Nova Scotia.
• A Dance Called America: About people from Scotland.
• The Flight of the Highlanders: About the Highland clearances.
• Manners, History and Customs of the Highland of Scotland.
• Scotch, the Whiskey of Scotland: A book by Sir Robert Bruce Lockard.

He also keeps:

• DNA Kits: For sharing with relatives.
• Family Photos: Some identified, some not, but all precious.
• Scanner: To digitize those old photos.
• Phone: For scanning pictures and documents.

Cutting off the bad branches

• Saws: To cut off the branches that get added wrongly.

The Most Important Tool

• WikiTree Website: According to Brian, this is the most important tool of all!

Final Thoughts

Brian’s toolbox is a mix of practical tools, sentimental items, and a good dose of humor. What does your genealogy toolbox look like?

This video explores the importance of preserving family photos and artifacts and provides practical tips for organizing and recording these precious pieces of family history. The video emphasizes that these items are more than just objects; they are tangible links to our past and can hold valuable clues for genealogical research [00:06].

The video takes us on a tour of the presenter’s personal collection of family photos and artifacts [01:47], showcasing the variety of items that can hold genealogical significance. This personal touch makes the advice feel relatable and inspiring.

A key takeaway is the importance of organizing and recording information about your photos and artifacts [08:24]. The presenter shares their method for digitally organizing their collection, emphasizing the importance of linking photos to sources.

The video also highlights the power of photos in solving family history mysteries [11:02]. This underscores the potential for even seemingly insignificant items to unlock valuable information.

A particularly interesting segment showcases the use of a service called image restorationcenter.com to restore an old family photo [15:18]. The before-and-after comparison [19:04] is a testament to the power of restoration and its ability to bring faded memories back to life.

This video is a valuable resource for anyone interested in genealogy and preserving their family history. It offers practical advice, inspiring anecdotes, and a reminder that our family stories are worth preserving.

This video is a heartfelt tribute to Andrew “Gumps” Anderson, a grandfather whose life spanned hardship, heroism, and unwavering love for his family. On what would have been his 100th birthday, the video paints a vivid picture of a man shaped by his experiences, leaving a lasting impact on those around him.

The video traces Gumps’ roots back to a small mining village in Nova Scotia, highlighting his Scottish ancestry and his family’s connection to the mines. Growing up in a company house during the Great Depression as one of 12 children, Gumps’ early life was marked by both close family ties and economic challenges.

The video then shifts to Gumps’ wartime experience. Enlisting in 1943, he served as an anti-aircraft gunner after marrying Charlotte McKinnon. His service in the Italian campaign and his role in the liberation of several countries showcase his courage and dedication.

Returning home in 1946, Gumps’ life was forever changed by the war. The video poignantly acknowledges the personal tragedies he faced, including the loss of his infant daughter. Despite these hardships, he found solace in his family and worked as a cook.

In his later years, even with health challenges, including a stroke in 1981, Gumps remained a central figure in his family’s lives. The video beautifully shares personal memories and reflects on the lessons learned from this remarkable man, emphasizing his heroism, his unwavering love for his family, and his pride in his country.

A touching detail is the mention of Gumps’ faith. While not overtly religious later in life, he found comfort in the hymn “How Great Thou Art” during his time in the war. This adds a layer of depth to his character, revealing the sources of strength he drew upon during difficult times.

This video is more than just a family history; it’s a testament to the enduring power of love, resilience, and the importance of remembering those who came before us. It’s a reminder that even ordinary lives can hold extraordinary stories.