Five We Like: Another week of family history goodies

There’s a lot of good family history information available on the Internet. Here are five places we’ve enjoyed visiting this week:

• Humorous Headstones. From Mel Blanc’s “That’s All Folks” to stones carved in the shape of motorcycles to Lego skulls, this site features some deviations from tombstone norms.
• Lords of the Dance! I dare you to sit still while watching this clip. It comes from an off-air break during the July 4 Boston Pops concert hosted by perhaps television’s most beloved late night host, Craig Ferguson.
• The 1500-Year-Old Mound vs. Sam's Club. Deep Fried Kudzu has been following the effort to save an ancient Indian mound in Alabama before it can be tapped for fill dirt for a Sam’s Club. Sam’s Club appeared to be winning last week, but check the site for the latest updates.
• Genealogy Wise: The genealogy social network. This site has only been around a couple of weeks, but has taken off in popularity. As of July 17, over 6,800 people had joined and over 2,600 groups had been created. There have been a few stumbles, but the site merits a look by anyone who’s into social media.
• Sightlines: A Poet’s Diary. Inspired to write since childhood by her writer father, Janet Riehl has penned a six generational family memoir told through story poems. Check out Janet’s web site to learn more about this unique mode of recording a family history.

Larry Lehmer is a professional personal historian who helps people preserve their family histories. To learn more, visit his web site, send him an e-mail or follow him on Twitter.

Flickr photo courtesy of cygnus921.

Comments

[Janet Riehl]

Larry, thanks for including me and my work in your "Five we like" spotlight. "Sightlines: A Family Love Story in Poetry and Music" is listed on CD Baby, so if you want to listen to any track, it's right there.

Your work is not only local but extensive. If you would like to contact my father, Erwin A. Thompson, who lives on the bluffs of SW Illinois, let me know through the contact form and I'll give you his email address.

He's 93, loves family and local history, and is a treasure trove of information. He is featured in our audio book. The music on the CDs was recorded in his parlor.

Keep in touch!

Janet