Genealogy Helps and Lookups

August 3, 2026

10 “Must-Do” Genealogy Projects for August

August can be a funny month. Summer is still here, but it is beginning to wind down. The children and grandchildren are getting ready to return to school, vacations are coming to an end, and some of the hottest afternoons are still ahead of us.

That makes August a good month to work on family history.

Some genealogy projects are perfect for a quiet afternoon indoors. Others give us a reason to visit relatives, take a short trip, or spend time sharing family stories with younger generations.

You do not need to finish everything on this list. Choose one or two projects that fit where you are in your research. A few hours spent on a part of your family history that has been neglected can make a real difference.

You can also listen to the Ancestral Findings Podcast while you organize photographs, sort records, or work on your family tree...

Podcast Notes: https://ancestralfindings.com/genealogy-projects-for-august/

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July 31, 2026

American Folklore in Rhode Island

Rhode Island may be the smallest state in the country, but it has never been short on independence or unusual stories. One of the original thirteen colonies, Rhode Island was the last state to ratify the United States Constitution. It finally approved the document on May 29, 1790, becoming the thirteenth state to join the new Union.

Rhode Island had already developed a reputation for going its own way. Colonial officials sometimes called it “Rogue Island,” partly because smuggling was widespread in its busy ports and its merchants frequently resisted British trade restrictions. The colony was also known for religious liberty and for offering a home to people whose beliefs were unwelcome elsewhere.

Until recently, the state’s official name was the “State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations.” Rhode Island voters chose to keep that name during a 2010 referendum. Ten years later, however, voters approved removing “and Providence Plantations.” Since 2020, the official name has simply been the “State of Rhode Island.”

Roger Williams established Providence in 1636 after being banished from the Massachusetts Bay Colony because of his religious views. He reached an agreement with Narragansett leaders Canonicus and Miantonomi for the land where Providence was founded. The agreement was later recorded in a deed dated 1638.

Long before European settlement, the region was home to Native peoples, including the Narragansett, Niantic, and Wampanoag. Their communities, traditions, and conflicts with European settlers all became part of Rhode Island’s history.

With colonial settlements, rocky shorelines, old cemeteries, and centuries-old homes, Rhode Island has collected a surprising amount of folklore. Some stories grew from documented events, while others have been passed down as local legends. Here are several of the best-known examples...

Podcast Notes: https://ancestralfindings.com/american-folklore-rhode-island/