About Leland Meitzler

Leland K. Meitzler founded Heritage Quest in 1985, and has worked as Managing Editor of both Heritage Quest Magazine and The Genealogical Helper. He currently operates Family Roots Publishing Company (www.FamilyRootsPublishing.com), writes daily at GenealogyBlog.com, writes the weekly Genealogy Newsline, conducts the annual Salt Lake Christmas Tour to the Family History Library, and speaks nationally, having given over 2000 lectures since 1983.

Canadian Vital Records Databases at FamilySearch.org

CANADIAN VITAL RECORDS AT FAMILYSEARCH.ORG Last updated: 5 November 2015 The following Canadian Vital Records Databases are now posted at FamilySearch.org. I update this listing as new material is posted. Note that many of the “number of records” are marked Continue reading Canadian Vital Records Databases at FamilySearch.org

Kate Middleton’s Grandfather Was a Pilot Trainer in Calgary, Canada in the Early 1940s

The following excerpt is from a Canadian Press article in posted at Google.com. TORONTO — Historical records show that the grandfather of royal bride-to-be Kate Middleton had a Canadian connection. Genealogy website Ancestry.ca says records show Peter Middleton was a Continue reading Kate Middleton’s Grandfather Was a Pilot Trainer in Calgary, Canada in the Early 1940s

New USA Vital Records Posted at FamilySearch.org

The following United States vital records databases have been posted or updated at FamilySearch.org in the last week. California County Marriages, 1850-1952 – Name index of marriage records including a number of different type of documents such as licenses, certificates, Continue reading New USA Vital Records Posted at FamilySearch.org

First Lady Michelle Obama’s Irish Roots

The following excerpt is from an article in the April 10, 2011 edition of IrishCentral.com. New research has revealed that First Lady Michelle Obama, like her husband President Barack Obama, has Irish roots. Megan Smolenyak, the same genealogist who discovered Continue reading First Lady Michelle Obama’s Irish Roots

National Archives Announces Newly-Identified Papers of Walt Whitman

The following news release is from the National Archive website: Washington, DC… April 12, 2011 – The National Archives today announced the identification of nearly 3,000 Walt Whitman documents written during his service as a Federal government employee. This trove Continue reading National Archives Announces Newly-Identified Papers of Walt Whitman

“Family Village” to Officially Launch on Facebook Next Tuesday

Imagine working and living in the same cabin with your great-great-great-great grandparents. With “Family Village,” a new Facebook game launching next week, that’s exactly what amateur genealogists will be able to do. The new computer game, produced by Draper developer Continue reading “Family Village” to Officially Launch on Facebook Next Tuesday

Footnote.com Will Be the First Online Home of the Digital Pension Applications

The following news release is from the April 12, 2011 edition of Marketwire.com: iArchives Announces Collaboration With the Federation of Genealogical Societies to Digitize 7.2 Million Pages of Pension Applications From the War of 1812 Footnote.com Will Be the First Continue reading Footnote.com Will Be the First Online Home of the Digital Pension Applications

Personal Observations on the Sesquicentennial of the Firing on Fort Sumter

I laid awake last night thinking about the American Civil War and our “celebrations” of the anniversaries. The sesquicentennial of the Civil War is one of those anniversaries that really needs to be remembered, and it’s interesting in how we Continue reading Personal Observations on the Sesquicentennial of the Firing on Fort Sumter

Costa Rica, England, India, Mexico, Nicaragua, Peru, Spain, or Arkansas, Maine, Oklahoma, & Texas Posted to FamilySearch.org

The following information was received from Paul Nauta, with FamilySearch: The latest free collection updates might just have what you’re seeking! What a grab bag of records added this week! Let’s see—for its online patrons’ free viewing pleasure, internationally, FamilySearch Continue reading Costa Rica, England, India, Mexico, Nicaragua, Peru, Spain, or Arkansas, Maine, Oklahoma, & Texas Posted to FamilySearch.org

Archives.com Adds Over 3.5 Million New U.S. Records and Images

I’ve been following the progress of for over a year now – and I must say that I’m impressed with what they are doing. The REALLY BIG DEAL about the new records they have posted is that they now have Continue reading Archives.com Adds Over 3.5 Million New U.S. Records and Images