Carolina Girl Genealogy

Sunday, July 26, 2026

Celebration Sunday-Genealogy Happy Dance! A Week of Archives, Learning, Speaking and Friends!

You know the dance. You know you've done it. The one every researcher does after finding something new. The one where you want to jump up and down and shout to everyone that you found the document, contacted a cousin with the family Bible, made a DNA connection, or found a new branch to your tree. The one that is met with glazed stares and eye rolls.

Celebration Sunday is a place to share your discoveries.

This weekly series enables everyone to tell about their Genealogy Happy Dance moment.

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Leave a comment and add your story to the comments section, or you may also include a link to a blog post about what had you dancing this week.

My Happy Dance Moment for the week:

Attending workshops and conferences is so much fun, and the opportunity to do research and meet up with friends is even better!

Last week I did just that. On my way to Columbia to speak and attend the South Carolina Genealogical Society Workshop, I stopped by the Sumter County Archives to do some research. Then, before the event, I spent the day at the South Carolina Department of Archives and History. So much fun digging into old boxes and books looking for information on family and watching others do the same.

I was able to give three presentations and attend others. Mark Lowe was the keynote speaker and always so generous with his time and friendship.

This weekend every July is always a time to learn more about my ancestors, learn, and meet up with friends old and new.

What was your happy dance moment?

Share your Happy Dance Moment for the week, and let's celebrate together!

Thanks so much for stopping by!

Helping you climb your family tree,

Wednesday, July 22, 2026

GenFriends Genealogy Chat Show: Finding a Home for Your Family Archives with Melissa Barker

What will happen to your genealogy research, family photographs, documents, and treasured heirlooms when you're no longer here? It's a question many of us put off, but planning now can make all the difference for the generations that follow.

In this episode of GenFriends, Melissa shares with Jenny, Shelley, and me why every family historian needs a preservation plan. We talk about deciding who should receive your research, photographs, records, and heirlooms, how to organize your collection so others can understand it, and what steps you can take now to help ensure your family's history isn't lost.

Watch this episode for an important conversation about protecting your family's history for the future and join Melissa's 10-item challenge!

How are you planning on finding a home for your family archives?

We'd love to hear from you!

Links in this episode:

To schedule Melissa for a presentation:
Melissa Barker -A Genealogist in the Archives
http://agenealogistinthearchives.blogspot.com/

Contact the Panelists:

Melissa Barker -A Genealogist in the Archives

http://agenealogistinthearchives.blogspot.com/

Bernice Bennett-BerniceBennett.com

http://www.BerniceAlexanderBennett.com

Jenny Hawran-Like Herding Cats Genealogy

https://like-herding-cats.com/

Laura Hedgecock-Treasure Chest of Memories

https://treasurechestofmemories.com/

Mary Kircher Roddy-MKR Genealogy

https://www.mkrgenealogy.com/

https://appliedgen.institute/

Shelley Murphey-Family Tree Girl

https://familytreegirl.com/

Thank you so much for watching!

Don't miss an episode. Please subscribe to my YouTube Channel!

Thanks so much for stopping by!

Helping you climb your family tree,

Tuesday, July 14, 2026

GenFriends Genealogy Chat Show: Researching House Histories with Marian Pierre- Louis

If you've ever wanted to learn more about the history of a house, you won't want to miss this episode. Marian Pierre-Louis joins Melissa Barker, Jenny Hawran, Laura Hedgecock, Shelley Murphy, and me to share how deeds, maps, newspapers, and other sources can help you discover who lived there and the stories they left behind. It's a fascinating conversation full of tips that can help you start researching any house.

Watch!

Have you ever done a house history on either your home or an ancestral home?

We'd love to hear about it!

Links in this episode:

Marian Pierre-Louis

https://www.marianpierrelouis.com/

Northeast House Historian

https://northeasthousehistorian.com/

How James Deetz Saved My Life

https://rootsandrambles.blogspot.com/2010/05/how-james-deetz-changed-my-life.html

Stopping Stones

https://stoppingstones.org/what-is-the-witness-stones-project/

Books:

Small Things Forgotten

https://www.amazon.com/Small-Things-Forgotten-Archaeology-American/dp/0385483996/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1TZMA4CL1T4C8&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.UTVaZ2Gafm_mf91k9UVVBGK-9akXsTAgrHStFNa9fhQaCMAMMZnVlts4MHrJiG26_mItxrsW345Ap1rZVp81f9RanUWnuMFQZqSVKtzPbx2Ty7A0nc0jwjxZMdXCg1tazS09h33obO46VCz1wFgN3L8BfrEHtgv3ZvRz22DJS5-c0736O5Ez5zL3BSr0wm7QAtghH7HYKt2ya3R0oXlc-NEiq1h8rqYVIp6LVdxJ4KE.a-r6gIBOsbrS3w6LNcv-5NRMw8g203PK4_XfwGf2I4U&dib_tag=se&keywords=james+deetz&qid=1784055051&sprefix=james+deetz%2Caps%2C170&sr=8-1

A Midwife's Tale: The Life of Martha Ballard, Based on Her Diary, 1785-1812

https://www.amazon.com/Midwifes-Tale-Martha-Ballard-1785-1812/dp/0679733760/ref=sr_1_1?dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.3fp79eosJjm0E0ea1YPAMwM0DtwqTW3QGVcY7mwSDawxLlqox_SsKMBkhomSGdMiiu_MdH2dRmd0BjtBhtMQxjVnGkBZx7gFDc3iHGDrrBPvGQwrZ9ttX3_oRFYP7z9ve5rX-79oGd8R_SnYnUZdGg.jqYJLpSvPMNi3DGOGAapixZiC3oCj2peyCDZaRY25bs&dib_tag=se&hvadid=738937841460&hvdev=c&hvexpln=67&hvlocphy=9010594&hvnetw=g&hvocijid=4167042576170281842--&hvqmt=e&hvrand=4167042576170281842&hvtargid=kwd-1542760366536&hydadcr=22562_13531169&keywords=martha+ballard+midwife&mcid=58cd515b2bfe308ba4696c156a5e02cd&qid=1784055221&sr=8-1