This postcard brought it all back. The steel-gray tones, the Point Bridge stretching across the Monongahela, and Pittsburgh’s unmistakable skyline—narrow, bold, and rising up from the meeting of three rivers. I remember the first time I ever drove through the Fort Pitt Tunnel. You’re surrounded by mountain, nothing but concrete—then suddenly, you burst out into the open and the whole city hits you at once. There’s nothing quite like that view. And somehow, this postcard captures that feeling...

Podcast Notes: https://ancestralfindings.com/pittsburghs-golden-triangle-and-the-lost-point-bridge-postcards-from-the-past/

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Among the many state censuses conducted across the United States, Iowa’s 1925 enumeration stands apart. Genealogists frequently cite it as one of the most detailed and valuable non-federal census records available. What sets it apart is not just the volume of information collected but the nature of that information—specifically, its emphasis on lineage. This census doesn’t simply capture who was living in Iowa at the time; it provides rare and remarkably direct insight into each resident’s parentage and origins...

Podcast Notes: https://ancestralfindings.com/iowas-1925-state-census-a-genealogists-goldmine/

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While most genealogists rely on the federal census as a foundational tool, those researching ancestors in New York State have a distinct advantage. In addition to appearing in the federal census every ten years, New Yorkers were also counted in a robust series of state censuses. These records, taken at regular intervals between federal censuses, offer an extraordinary opportunity to fill in gaps, confirm relationships, and capture details that the federal government often overlooked.

New York conducted state censuses in the following years: 1825, 1835, 1845, 1855, 1865, 1875, 1892, 1905, 1915, and 1925. These were authorized under various state constitutional provisions, including a requirement for mid-decade population counts to support legislative apportionment and school funding decisions. While earlier censuses are more limited in scope and survival, those from 1855 onward are generally accessible and remarkably detailed...

Podcast Notes: https://ancestralfindings.com/the-value-of-new-york-state-census-records-for-genealogy/

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If you’ve spent any time researching your family history, you’ve probably developed a familiar rhythm. You track your ancestors through the federal censuses, taken every ten years like clockwork. It’s a comforting structure: 1850, 1860, 1870… they show up like old friends, giving you names, ages, occupations, and places of birth. For many researchers, these are the backbone of American genealogy.

But then something strange happens...

Podcast Notes: https://ancestralfindings.com/lost-in-between-the-missing-pieces-of-the-census-puzzle/

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In this episode, we’re talking about ten meaningful genealogy projects you can take on during June. This time of year brings a lot of opportunities—warmer weather, Father’s Day, family gatherings—and all of it pairs perfectly with digging deeper into your family history. Whether it’s researching summer traditions, hosting a vintage-style picnic, or discovering how your ancestors celebrated Father’s Day, these projects are fun, hands-on ways to bring your research to life. So grab a notebook, maybe a tall glass of iced tea, and let’s talk about how to make June a month full of discovery.

Podcast Notes: https://ancestralfindings.com/10-must-genealogy-projects-june/

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I pulled this one from the stack and couldn’t look away. Moss hangs low in the scene, soft and heavy like it’s weighed down by memory. A quiet glade in City Park, dappled in sunlight—until you notice the duel. Two men, swords drawn, captured mid-motion. The postcard tells us it’s the De Lissau–Le Bouisque duel of 1841. But that’s only the beginning.

What you’re seeing is more than just a stylized illustration. This postcard opens a window into one of New Orleans’ more haunting traditions: dueling. For over a century, a particular corner of City Park—shaded by massive oak trees—was the chosen ground for resolving matters of honor. They called them the Dueling Oaks...

Podcast Notes: https://ancestralfindings.com/the-dueling-oaks-of-new-orleans-postcards-from-the-past/

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William Rufus DeVane King was born on April 7, 1786, in Sampson County, North Carolina. His ancestry reached back to some of the earliest European settlers in the Southern colonies. His father, William King, was of Irish descent, with ancestors believed to have emigrated from Ulster to the American colonies in the early 1700s. The King family settled in North Carolina, became landowners, and took part in the political and agricultural life of the region. His grandfather, also named William King, is believed to have fought in the colonial militia during the French and Indian War.

William’s mother, Margaret DeVane, belonged to a family of French Huguenot and English lineage. The DeVanes had settled in the Carolinas in the early 18th century, escaping religious persecution and bringing with them traditions of independence and agricultural skill. Margaret's father, John DeVane, was a planter and a patriot during the American Revolution. The King and DeVane families were both known for civic involvement, and together, they provided a strong foundation of wealth, status, and public service that would influence William’s future path.

Podcast Notes: https://ancestralfindings.com/william-rufus-devane-king-the-shortest-tenure-the-deepest-roots/

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George Mifflin Dallas, who served as the 11th Vice President of the United States from 1845 to 1849 under President James K. Polk, is one of the quieter figures in American history. Though the city of Dallas, Texas, may or may not be named after him, his influence was far greater in his own time than the legacy we associate with his name today. He was a man of learning, diplomacy, and political acumen, with roots that reached deep into the early fabric of American life.

Podcast Notes: https://ancestralfindings.com/george-mifflin-dallas-the-unheralded-statesman-from-philadelphia/

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This time of year always stirs up reflection, and not just because summer is starting to peek around the corner. Memorial Day is here—a day that means different things to different people. For some, it’s a long weekend. For others, it’s deeply personal.

But beyond the cookouts and parades, there’s a story to tell. A history worth remembering. A reminder of sacrifice, and why it matters.

So today, I want to take you on a thoughtful walk through the meaning, history, and personal connections behind Memorial Day. It’s a good time to think about those who came before us—and what they gave up so that we could live with the freedoms we have today.

Podcast Notes: https://ancestralfindings.com/memorial-day-honoring-sacrifice-and-remembrance/

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I pulled this card from the stack and instantly felt the spray of seawater and the tension of a harpoon rope straining against the power of something far too large to control.

This is no tourist snapshot. It’s a painting—an artist’s concept of a whaling scene, likely imagined from stories passed down, museum displays, or old journal entries. The men are mid-chase in a longboat, bearing down on the massive, thrashing tail of a whale. Behind them, the tall masts of their ship rise from the sea like a cathedral of sails. There’s no engine noise, no modern equipment. Just raw wood, rope, and determination.

Podcast notes: https://ancestralfindings.com/early-whaling-days-nantucket-massachusetts-postcards-from-the-past/

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