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A Family Divided: The Lives of Francis Grosvenor and Lucy Ellen Forbis
A single decision in 1922 shattered a family and reshaped generations to come. Follow the lives of Francis Grosvenor and Lucy Ellen Forbis as separation, reinvention, hardship, and resilience unfold across decades, revealing how one man’s disappearance left lasting echoes in the lives of those he left behind.
Tanya Jensen
Mar 207 min read


Why Did My Ancestors Move There? How 1800s Promotional Literature Solves Family Migration Mysteries
Why did your ancestors move to Minnesota? A dusty old book from 1870 just might have the answer. Explore how 19th-century promotional literature like Minnesota As It Is in 1870 can unlock the why behind your family's migration story and bring your genealogy research to life with vivid, surprising details from the past.
Tanya Jensen
Jun 26, 20257 min read


A Legacy Forged in Fire: The Remarkable Story of Timothy and Myrtle Patraw
A tragic house fire in 1942 claimed the lives of Myrtle and her teenage daughter Harriet, but the Patraw family's story is one of grit, grief, and resilience. From early struggles in rural Wisconsin to factory life in Minnesota, this powerful account of Timothy and Myrtle Patraw reveals how ordinary people endure extraordinary challenges—and leave behind a lasting legacy.
Tanya Jensen
May 7, 202514 min read


Mastering Census Records for Genealogy: Special Schedules Your Research Is Missing
Discover the hidden 'special schedules' most genealogists miss—and how they can transform flat census data into vivid family stories.
Tanya Jensen
Mar 25, 20259 min read


Hard Work and Family Ties: Growing Up Wunderlich in Early 1900s Minnesota
Sam and Martha Wunderlich's Minnesota farm life in the early 1900s built a legacy of hard work, adaptability, and community.
Tanya Jensen
Feb 26, 20257 min read


The Shaske Family: From Jaroshefske to Today
Discover how the Jaroshefske family became the Shaskes in 1920s Minnesota, and trace their journey through farming, faith, and family bonds.
Tanya Jensen
Feb 19, 20255 min read


Let's Talk About Those Family History Myths You've Probably Heard
Think family names changed at Ellis Island? Get the real story behind this & other genealogy myths!
Tanya Jensen
Feb 17, 20254 min read


The Adventures and Misadventures of Genealogy Abbreviations
From mistaking "Unk" for a surname to confusing "Rev" with a rapper name, these genealogy research blunders will make you laugh & learn!
Tanya Jensen
Feb 9, 20253 min read


The Pofahl Legacy: Seven Decades of Love and Perseverance in Minnesota
A faded 1900s portrait comes alive, revealing Anna Pofahl's story - from Prussian roots to 67 years of love and legacy in Minnesota.
Tanya Jensen
Feb 5, 20256 min read


Beyond Names and Dates: Why Historical Context is the Secret Weapon of Genealogy Research
Historical context turns ancestors from names on a tree into real people with rich stories. Discover the 'why' behind their lives!
Tanya Jensen
Jan 19, 202510 min read


The Mahlman Family: A Story of German Immigration and Minnesota Farming Life
Seven children, one family farm, and a legacy of German immigrant perseverance in the heart of Minnesota.
Tanya Jensen
Jan 15, 20256 min read


Genealogy Research Tips: FamilySearch Record Finder Explained
Break through brick walls with FamilySearch's Record Finder—a powerful tool to uncover hidden records and advance your genealogy research!
Tanya Jensen
Jan 12, 20253 min read


Sisters Across Time: Helen Grosvenor and Faye Hanson
The restored photograph captures them during America's postwar prosperity, preserving a moment between these resilient sisters who faced
Tanya Jensen
Jan 8, 20253 min read


Exciting News for Genealogists: BIRLS Database Military Records Now Accessible!
A groundbreaking resource is now available to genealogists and researchers.
Tanya Jensen
Jan 5, 20252 min read


Faces of the Past: The Wunderlich Siblings and Their Minnesota Story
The story of my Wunderlich ancestors is deeply rooted in Richland Township, situated between the cities of Kenyon and Faribault, Minnesota.
Tanya Jensen
Jan 1, 20254 min read


Census Templates: Creating Year-Specific Forms for Genealogy Research
For census research, one of the most effective organizational tools is creating templates that exactly match each year's census format.
Tanya Jensen
Dec 29, 20243 min read


How to Find Ancestor Photos: Hidden Sources and Creative Strategies
There are several creative ways to uncover those precious historical photographs.
Tanya Jensen
Dec 22, 20243 min read


The Beseke Family: A Minnesota Pioneer Story
a story of immigration, perseverance, and the American dream that played out across Minnesota in the late 19th century
Tanya Jensen
Dec 18, 20247 min read


When County Boundary Lines Move: A Critical Tool for Genealogy Research
While population movement was common in American history, sometimes it wasn't the people who moved—it was the county lines themselves.
Tanya Jensen
Dec 15, 20242 min read


The Best-Kept Secret In Genealogy: Your Guide to the FamilySearch Research Wiki
There's a powerful research tool you might be overlooking – the FamilySearch Research Wiki.
Tanya Jensen
Dec 11, 20243 min read
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