Celebration Sunday-Genealogy Happy Dance! RootsTech 2026

 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. 

Share by scrolling 

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

My Happy Dance Moment for the week:

RootsTech 2026 was once again an amazing experience!

I gave 3 presentations, connected with friends, made new friends,  had a book signing, and served again on the media team.  I think my favorite moment was recording GenFriends from the Media Hub. I can't believe it's over for another year!

What were you celebrating?

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,

GenFriends: From the Media Hub at RootsTech 2026 with special guest Erin Schurtz

 

Cheri and the panel, Jenny Hawran, and Laura Hedgecock sit down in front of the Ruby Screen in the Media Hub at RootsTech to talk to Marketing Director Erin Schurtz.

Watch as Erin shares how she got involved with RootsTech and the work she does to plan and prepare the media team for the conference each year. 

If you weren't able to attend in person, there are many recorded sessions, including the Keynote addresses, on RootsTech.org to watch, enjoy, and learn from.

Did you attend live or watch via livestream?

What was your most memorable experience?

We'd love to hear from you!

Links in this episode:

RootsTech.org

Contact the panelists:

Melissa Barker -A Genealogist in the Archives

http://ageneaTlogistinthearchives.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,

GenFriends Genealogy Chat Show: Grip 2026 with Gena Philibert-Ortega and Kristi Sexton.

 

The panel, Melissa Barker, Laura Hedgecock, Shelley Murphy, Mary Kircher Roddy, and I, welcome Gena and Kristi to tell us about what the GRIP Institute is, the 2026 lineup of courses, and how to become a GRIP course coordinator.

Have you been to GRIP?

We'd love to hear from you.

Links in this episode:

Grip Institute

https://grip.ngsgenealogy.org/

GRIP Call for Presentations:

https://conferencekeeper.org/call-for-papers/

Contact the panelists:

Melissa Barker -A Genealogist in the Archives

http://ageneaTlogistinthearchives.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,

GenFriends Genealogy Chat Show: Kate Penney Howard: From RootsTech to Professional Genealogist.

 

The panel, Melissa Barker, Jenny Hawran, Laura Hedgecock, Mary Kircher Roddy, and I welcome Kate Penny Howard.

Watch as Kate shares her compelling story of how setting a goal to attend RootsTech after chemo led her to become a Professional Genealogist.

We all have journeys that lead us to where we are today. 

What's yours?

We would love to hear from you!

Links in this episode:

Kate Penny Howard

https://katepenneyhoward.com/

Contact the panelists:

Melissa Barker -A Genealogist in the Archives

http://ageneaTlogistinthearchives.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,

This Week On My Family History Calendar-Remembering Two Female Ancestors

 

February 17~
   Louvinia Blanche (Thames) Hudson (1886-1918), my paternal great-grandmother, would be celebrating her 140th birthday today. Blanche was born in Clarendon County, South Carolina, to Benjamin Thomas Thames (1854-1930) and Margaret Francis (Gibson) Thames (1854-1929).

February 20~
My Paternal 3rd great-grandmother, Mary Alice (Dargan) Bradford (1825-1875), died 151 years ago in Sumter County, South Carolina.

Who are you remembering this week?

Thanks so much for stopping by!
Helping you climb your family tree,

Celebration Sunday -Genealogy Happy Dance! A Book Signing at RootsTech

 

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. 

Share by scrolling 

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

My Happy Dance Moment for the week:

I am so honored to be participating in a book signing at RootsTech 2026 with these wonderful authors! If you are going to RootsTech in person, please drop by the GenealogyBank Booth (1209) on Thursday, 5 March at 3:30! I would love to see you!

What were you celebrating?

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,

GenFriends Genealogy Chat Show: New AI Feature on Goldie May with Richard Miller

 

The panel, Melissa Barker, Jenny Hawran, and I welcome Richard Miller, developer of Godie May, to tell us about its new AI feature.

Watch as Richard shows us the way AI has been added to Goldie May for a powerful way to research your family.

Have you tried Goldie May? 

We'd love to hear from you.

Links in this episode:

Goldie May https://www.goldiemay.com/ Goldie May's AI Assistant https://youtu.be/vHoTMgopnIk

Contact the panelists:

Melissa Barker -A Genealogist in the Archives

http://ageneaTlogistinthearchives.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,

This Week On My Family History Calendar-Remembering Pop and a Paternal 6th Great Grandmother

 

February 9 ~

 Catherine Ann (Singleton) Dargan (1729-1808), my paternal 6th great-grandmother, was born in Virginia 297 years ago. Her parents were Robert Singleton and Ann. Catherine may have been called by her middle name, Ann. She was the wife of  Capt. John Dargan (1726-1766) and lived in Sumter County, South Carolina.

Headstone of Benjamin Allen Hudson
Sumter City Cemetery
©CheriHudsonPassey

Feb. 14~
 My paternal grandfather, Benjamin Allen Hudson (1918-1976), died 50 years ago in Lake City, Florence, South Carolina. He was 57 years old when he suffered a heart attack while working in his backyard and passed away.

We miss you, "Pop."

Who are you remembering this week?

Thanks so much for stopping by!
Helping you climb your family tree,

Celebration Sunday-Genealogy Happy Dance! Finding an Ancestor in the Freedmen's Bureau Records-Thanks, Shelley!

 

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. 

Share by scrolling 

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

"South Carolina, United States records," images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-99ZG-8XCR?view=explore : Feb 8, 2026), image 1067 of 1268, BR Gibson contract with Richard Gibson, 1867, pg. 3.

My Happy Dance Moment for the week:

After listening to Shelley Murphy share how to search the Freedmen's Bureau Records on FamilySearch using Full Text Search, on GenFriends, I used her instructions to search for some of my family who may have been included.

And sure enough, I found a record! This is a labor contract between my ancestor Benjamin Reese Gibson and a man named Richard Gibson. Richard said he would work the land and, in return, receive a portion of the harvest. Now, I am trying to determine who Richard was. He was not a family member, and most likely was someone who was formerly enslaved either by the Gibson family or someone else in the community. He doesn't appear in the 1870 census, at least under this name.

A clue to add more to the family story. 

Thanks, Shelley!

What were you celebrating?

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,

GenFriends Genealogy Chat Show: How to Search for Family in the Freedmen's Bureau Records

 

The panel, Melissa Barker, Jenny Hawran, Laura Hedgecock, Mary Kircher Roddy, and I learn how to search for family in the Freedmen's Bureau Records from Shelley Murphy.

Watch as Shelley walks us through how to find and search through these records that can help families connect with ancestors during the aftermath of the Civil War in many southern states. We learn that these records are often mistaken for records of African Americans, but they include all ethnic groups, from labor contracts to letters and more.

Have you used the Freedmen's Bureau in your research?

We'd love to hear about it.

Links in this episode:

Freedman's Bureau 

https://www.archives.gov/research/african-americans/freedmens-bureau

Freedmen's Bureau FamilySearch

https://www.familysearch.org/en/search/collection/2721171

Mapping the Freedmen's Bureau

https://mappingthefreedmensbureau.com/maps/

Freedmen's Friday

https://thebpog.org/thebpog/

Freedmen Friday

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063649637247

Contact the panelists:

Melissa Barker -A Genealogist in the Archives

http://ageneaTlogistinthearchives.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,

GenFriends Genealogy Chat Show: Genealogy on YouTube!

 

Melissa, Laura, and I talk about the wealth of genealogy-related YouTube channels. 

From how to, watching others find family to learning about history, there's something for everyone.

Do you have a favorite?

Share the link!

We'd love to hear from you!

Links in this episode:

Aimee Cross - Genealogy Hints  

https://www.youtube.com/@AncestryAimee

DearMYRTLE’s Archive 

https://www.youtube.com/@DearMYRTLEArchive

 Hidden Roots 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E7PBQ4ocCF8&list=PLiA4iCHoJPNQb-tE_RP_Hfo9shw577_ql

Nicole Rudolph (@NicoleRudolph)  

https://youtube.com/@NicoleRudolph

Tasting History with Max Miller (@TastingHistory) 

https://www.youtube.com/@TastingHistory 

The History Guide

https://www.youtube.com/@thehistoryguychannel

GenealogyTV-Connie Knox

https://www.youtube.com/@GenealogyTV

Stories That Live in Us-Christa Cowen

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL_z95MpwfyDvt5rBwH9QxK1iwRm7Csv2k

GeneaVlogger: Making Family History Come to Life - Jarrett Ross

https://www.youtube.com/@geneavlogger

Forgotten Lines

https://www.youtube.com/@ForgottenLinesPodcast

The Gilder Institute

https://www.youtube.com/@gilderlehrman

Black ProGen Live

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WxZSHLCWry4

Relative Race

https://www.youtube.com/@RelativeRace_BYUtv

Finding Your Roots

https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=finding+your+roots+full+episodes

Genealogy Road Show

https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=genealogy+roadshow+full+episodes

Who Do You Think You Are? USA

https://www.youtube.com/@wdytyatv

Who Do You Think You Are? UK

https://www.youtube.com/@WhoDoYouThinkYouAre

The Mixed Museum: Britain's 'Brown Babies' of WW2  

https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLkGkFcoPpoGA6WuERkOT7M8Rh2UBgCOCe&si=h6Vjb5_wXUumlSVk 

SBS Insight (@ SBSInsight)  Uncovering the Truth 

https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLs348akkootx43lIkq26FaAB-0-odZhsa&si=duBe3PbQCnA7nWBD 

Banjay Documentaries:  DNA Family Secrets 

https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=Banjay+Documentaries%3A++DNA+Family+Secrets+

Mudlarking

https://www.youtube.com/@nicolawhitemudlark 

DNA Family Secrets

https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLyRqK5BQ11x3zgTAj-hVJX5oycy1A_4sx&si=Gkw6VsUe0fz1REMC

Good individual videos that touch on genealogy 

Museum of Lost Memories reunites people with lost photos, videos, and more 

https://youtu.be/x3v580NA6Xc?si=BAwBlio2rc7n-pGM

Mysteries in my Victorian Family Photos: How to Date Fashion History 

https://youtu.be/Dh2NrlWegO4?si=M9-RkdraGo62X6qx 

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,

GenFriends Genealogy Chat Show: Genealogy Journeys-Where Are You Going in 2026?

 

Cheri and the panel, Melissa Barker, Jenny Hawran, Laura Hedgecock, Shelley Murphy, and Mary Kircher Roddy, share their 2025 genealogy journeys and hopes for where the road may take them in 2026. 

We would love for our viewers to share too!

We'd love to hear from you!

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,

                         

This Week On My Family History Calendar-Two Births and Two Deaths

 

January 19

 My maternal 2nd great-grandfather, Manning David Daughrity, Sr. (1844-1918), died in Statesburg, Sumter, South Carolina, 108 years ago. He is buried in the Sumter City Cemetery, Sumter, South Carolina.
  
   

Manning David Daughrity, Sr.
Obituary
Sumter Watchman (Sumter, SC)
 23 January 1918 pg.5

 January 20~
 Martha (Parnold) Brazell (1795-1876), my maternal fourth great-grandmother, was born 231 years ago. She may have been born in the Richland County area of South Carolina. 

January 24~
 Loretta (McManus) Daughrity (1894-1936), my maternal great-grandmother, died 90 years ago in Sumter, South Carolina. Etta was 41 at the time of her death. She is buried in the Sumter City Cemetery.

  

Loretta (McManus) Daughrity
Photo Owned by Cheri Hudson Passey

My 5th great-grandfather, Phillip Roberts, II (1763-1864), was born 263 years ago in Cumberland County, North Carolina.

Who are you remembering this week?

Thanks so much for stopping by!
Helping you climb your family tree,

Celebration Sunday-Genealogy Happy Dance! Loving that Enumerator!

 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. 

Share by scrolling 

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

1860 U.S. Census, Fairfield District, South Carolina, population schedule, page 66 (penned), Family 575, entry for Delilah Price FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MZTC-NFW : accessed 17 January  2026).

My Happy Dance Moment for the week:

The entry in the 1860 Fairfield District, SC Census for my maternal 5th great-grandmother, Delilah (Trubeville) Price, records:

"She says she has 60 Great & 100 Grand Children."

Now that's an occupation. Thanks to an enumerator who took the time to record this! Gotta love him! Now to see if it is true!

Such a fun find. Doing that happy dance!

What were you celebrating?

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,