The following is a press release written by the folks at Ancestry.com:

To mark the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II, Ancestry, the global leader in family history, today announced a partnership with the WWII Veterans History Project to preserve and share the stories of those who served. Timed with Veterans Day 2025, Ancestry is honoring this historic milestone by introducing Thank You For Your Story, a commemorative storytelling effort complete with a WWII discovery and preservation hub featuring curated record collections, preserving the firsthand accounts of 80 WWII veterans, and helping countless others unearth their own. It's our way of saying, "Thank You For Your Story."

This initiative aims to preserve and share the experiences of those who served during one of history's most defining moments so they are not forgotten. With less than 1% of WWII veterans still alive today, as noted by the US Department of Veterans Affairs, this initiative comes at a crucial time.

"There's never been a more important time to honor our ancestors' WWII-era stories and lived experiences and to preserve the memory of some of America's most remarkable heroes," said Crista Cowan, Ancestry Corporate Genealogist. "Every family has a World War II story waiting to be discovered, and this initiative is a powerful way to remind people to uncover their personal connections to this chapter in history. These veterans' sacrifices not only deserve remembrance, but their wisdom and experiences offer invaluable lessons that can guide our lives today."

For the last ten years, the WWII Veterans History Project has spearheaded a nationwide effort to film and document the personal stories of WWII veterans. As part of this effort, a collection of these stories will be made available for free on Ancestry websites, where anyone can learn from the lived experiences of these American heroes – ensuring their voices are heard, remembered and passed down for future generations.

"This anniversary is a powerful reminder that the opportunity to hear directly from those who lived through it is disappearing fast," said Benjamin Mack-Jackson, Founder of the WWII Veterans History Project. "By partnering with Ancestry, we're able to make these vital human stories more widely accessible than ever before and ensure they're never forgotten."

Over the coming months, Ancestry and the WWII Veterans History Project will be uploading and preserving these powerful veteran stories. While the full experience will debut in early November, visitors can explore military records and resources now at www.ancestry.com/wwii to begin uncovering their own family's history and connection to this defining era.

About Ancestry:
Ancestry, the global leader in family history, connects everyone with their past so they can discover, preserve, and share their unique family stories. With our unparalleled collection of more than 65 billion records, over 3 million subscribers and over 27 million people in our growing DNA network, customers can discover their family story and gain a new level of understanding about their lives. Over the past 40 years, we've built trusted relationships with millions of people who have chosen us as the platform for discovering, preserving and sharing the most important information about themselves and their families.

About the WWII Veterans History Project:

The WWII Veterans History Project is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization with the mission to give the past a future, one story at a time. We're dedicated to educating and inspiring future generations to better appreciate the sacrifices made by the greatest generation through documentary films, traveling museum exhibitions, and educational programs. Founded by Benjamin Mack-Jackson in 2015, our organization has impacted veterans and students alike, preserving countless war stories and encouraging students to reflect on the past and its lasting impact.

London law firm Edwin Coe has snapped up Hoopers (G B Hooper & Son Limited), an established genealogical research business.

The acquisition is part of Edwin Coe’s strategy of developing a multi-disciplinary practice with barristers, chartered tax advisers and trade mark attorneys among its staff. The firm said the deal also reflects the trend amongst some law firms to have independent businesses owned alongside the legal practice.

Colombian Senator and presidential hopeful Miguel Uribe, who was shot in the head at a campaign event two months ago, died in the early hours of Monday, his family and the hospital treating him said. He was 39.

Uribe, from the right-wing opposition, was shot in Bogota on June 7 as he was giving a speech at a rally, in an attack that shocked the nation.

His wife, Maria Claudia Tarazona, announced his death on social media. “I ask God to show me the way to learn to live without you,” she wrote. “Rest in peace, love of my life, I will take care of our children.”

The capital’s Santa Fe Foundation hospital – where supporters held regular vigils during his treatment – said over the weekend his condition had worsened because of a hemorrhage in his central nervous system.

Former President Alvaro Uribe, the leader of the senator’s Democratic Center party and no relation to the deceased Colombian Senator, wrote on X that “evil destroys everything; they killed hope”.

“May Miguel’s fight be a light that illuminates Colombia’s right path,” added the former president, who was sentenced by a judge earlier this month to 12 years of house arrest for abuse of process and bribery of a public official.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio wrote on X he was deeply saddened by the news. “The United States stands in solidarity with his family, the Colombian people, both in mourning and demanding justice for those responsible.”

Six people are under arrest over the Colombian Senator shooting, including two men that the attorney general’s office says met in Medellin to plan the assassination.

A 15-year-old accused of carrying out the shooting was arrested within hours of the crime, but police have said they are pursuing the “intellectual authors” of the attack.

In a video of the boy’s June arrest, independently verified by Reuters, he can be heard shouting that he had been hired by a local drug dealer.

FRAUGHT FAMILY HISTORY

There is reward of up to 3 billion pesos (about $740,000) for information leading to the identification and capture of those responsible, the defense minister has said. The United States, Britain and the United Arab Emirates are helping with the investigation.

The death of Senator Miguel Uribe, a father and stepfather, adds further tragedy to his family’s fraught history.

His mother, journalist Diana Turbay, was killed in 1991 during a botched rescue mission after she was kidnapped by the Medellin Cartel, headed by drug lord Pablo Escobar.

Miguel Uribe himself enjoyed a rapid political rise, becoming a recognized lawmaker for the right-wing Democratic Center party and presidential hopeful known for his sharp criticism of leftist President Gustavo Petro’s administration.

At 25, he was elected to Bogota’s city council, where he was a prominent opponent of Petro, then the capital’s mayor, criticizing his handling of waste management and social programs.

In the 2022 legislative elections, Uribe led the Senate slate for the Democratic Center party with the slogan “Colombia First,” winning a seat in the chamber.

His maternal grandfather, Julio Cesar Turbay, was Colombia’s president from 1978 to 1982, while his paternal grandfather, Rodrigo Uribe Echavarria, headed the Liberal Party and supported Virgilio Barco’s successful 1986 presidential campaign.

Besides his wife, son and stepdaughters, Miguel Uribe is also survived by his father and sister.

The following is a press release written by the folks at the (U.S.) National Archives and Records Administration:

Opening the Vault: The Beginning of Our Union France played a critical role in supporting the United States as it fought for independence from Great Britain during the Revolutionary War and the Marquis de Lafayette was a key broker in this bilateral relationship. The National Archives invites you to view the latest rotation of Opening the Vault: The Beginning of Union, now on display at the National Archives Museum in Washington, DC, through November 6, 2025. Explore Marquis de Lafayette's Oath of Allegiance, the Articles of Association, the Treaty of Alliance with France, and more. Articles of Association, page 3, October 20, 1774 NAID: 6277397 70th Anniversary: The Presidential Libraries Act of 1955 On August 12, 1955, Congress passed the Presidential Libraries Act, which established a federal system for preserving the papers, records and other historical materials of U.S. Presidents. Such materials include letters written by citizens to Presidents (and vice versa) as well as many artifacts. The Act was later amended in 1986. Gold tiara decorated with colored stones from the Atlas Mountains. Presented to Eleanor Roosevelt on January 22, 1943, by the Sultan of Morocco, Sidi Mohammed.  FDR Library Museum Collection, MO 1943.191.3. Behind the Musical: Alexander Hamilton Documents August 6, 2025 was the 10th anniversary of the opening of “Hamilton,” the Broadway musical. Discover primary resources in the National Archives, such as Alexander Hamilton’s Oath of Allegiance, George Washington’s nomination of Hamilton as Secretary for the Department of the Treasury, and Hamilton’s Statement of Property and Debts on the DocsTeach website.   Alexander Hamilton's Oath of Allegiance, May 12, 1778 NAID: 2524343 More National Archives News Contact the National Archives: public.affairs@nara.gov National Archives and Records Administration, 700 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20408

The following is a press release written by the folks at the National Association of Black Bookstores:

Inspired by the legacy of the country's first Black-owned bookstores and the remarkable individuals behind them, the official launch of the National Association of Black Bookstores (NAB2) took place today. As a first-of-its-kind national organization, NAB2 has been built to unify, elevate, and empower Black-owned bookstores across the country.

NAB2 is a nonprofit collective created to promote literacy, amplify Black voices, and preserve Black culture by increasing the visibility, sustainability, and impact of Black bookstores and booksellers. The organization represents a powerful step toward creating long-term infrastructure and collective advocacy for one of the most vital cultural cornerstones of Black America.

"For decades Black bookstores have been the connective tissue in communities across the nation. Many of us have talked for years about the power of collective action and now, with the founding of NAB2 we have the ability to institutionalize policies and practices that will allow for the further growth and flourishing of these important institutions"— Blanche Richardson, Founding Board Member and Owner, Marcus Books

The organization's inaugural board includes trailblazers from some of the country's most historic and impactful Black bookstores. Many of these are now being led by third, fourth and fifth generation family member bookstore owners including Marshall's Music and Books (Jackson, MS), Hakim's Bookstore (Philadelphia, PA), Marcus Books(Oakland, CA), and Source Booksellers (Detroit, MI). NAB2's multi-tiered membership model invites bookstore owners, professional booksellers, and at-large industry allies, authors, publishers, and distributors, to join in shaping a national agenda rooted in equity, culture, and commerce.

"My mother, Mother Rose, founded and ran Underground Books in Oak Park. My involvement in the National Association of Black Bookstores is deeply personal. It's a way for me to honor her legacy and ensure that the stories, voices, and spaces she cherished continue to thrive," said Kevin Johnson, Founder, National Association of Black Bookstores.

The core priorities of the organization are as follows:

• Elevating the Black bookstore community by offering professional resources, increased visibility, and a strong network of support;
• Expanding representation in the bookselling industry by supporting long-term financial sustainability and growth;
• Leveraging economies of scale to benefit both current and future Black bookstores and booksellers;
• Serving as a collective voice for Black bookstores through advocacy and public engagement;
• Educating the public about the rich history and enduring legacy of Black bookstores in America.

Structured with a full board of directors, advisory board, and general membership body, NAB2 plans to convene virtually and in person throughout the year, with key events slated during Black Lit Weekend in New York (August 15–16) and the Sacramento Black Book Fair (September 12–13).

For more information, to become a member, or to support NAB2, visit www.nab2.org or follow @nab2blk on social platforms.

About the National Association of Black Bookstores (NAB2)

The National Association of Black Bookstores (NAB2) is the first and only national organization dedicated to empowering Black-owned bookstores and booksellers. Founded in 2025, NAB2 exists to promote literacy, amplify Black voices, and preserve Black cultural heritage by strengthening the visibility, sustainability, and impact of Black bookstores across the United States. Through advocacy, education, strategic partnerships, and a unified membership network, NAB2 supports Black literary spaces as engines of community, commerce, and cultural change. Learn more at www.nab2.org and follow @nab2blk on social platforms.

CariGenetics has launched MyLineage a “genealogy consultation service that empowers Bermudians to trace their ancestry as far back as the 1600s, through a powerful database of over 140,000 Bermudians.”

A spokesperson said, “Launched at the ‘Bermudian Heartbeats’ Law to Legacy Unravelling the Narrative’ series on August 7, the debut of MyLineage gave attendees the opportunity to speak directly with the team, ask questions, and sign up for the service on the spot.

“In a strategic partnership with Dane Simmons Sr., one of Bermuda’s leading genealogist, MyLineage offers clients unprecedented access to deep family history and identity restoration, rooted in both genetic data and a comprehensive Bermudian family database built over two decades.

What Makes This Service Unique:

• Draws from a robust, privately curated Bermudian database of 140,000 individuals, 45,000 marriages and over 18,800 photos

• Trace back up to 8 generations — connects clients to family lines previously lost to migration, slavery, or adoption

• Private and culturally sensitive

Service Features:

• Exclusive launch offer — enjoy a 2-hour private genealogy consultation for the price of 1, now just $299

• Optional follow-up sessions

• Clients receive personalised reports

• None public family-matching with no data-sharing

“Of note, persons who want to use the service do not need to provide any sensitive personal information.”

“Tracing your family line back up to eight generations can be a life-changing moment,” said Dr Carika Weldon, Founder and Director of Research at CariGenetics. “For so many Bermudians, including those of African, Azorean, European, or Native American descent, the stories of who we are have been fragmented. MyLineage is about putting those pieces back together.”

“For over 20 years, I’ve been piecing together the story of Bermuda — one name, one family, one generation at a time. What we’ve found is powerful: every Bermudian is connected, regardless of background. Through this partnership with CariGenetics, we now have the platform to share these connections, allowing any Bermudian to tap into their rich historical record. It’s a pathway for Bermudians to discover where they truly come from and how we’ve always been woven together. MyLineage is more than a family tree — it’s a living archive.”

The spokesperson said, “For further details about the MyLineage service or to schedule a consultation, visit www.carigenetics.com/mylineage.”

A peer-reviewed article released in Cell reconstructed 5,000 years of population history in the Southern Caucasus through ancient DNA from 230 individuals recovered at 50 sites in present-day Georgia and Armenia. The investigation, led by the Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology, Tbilisi State University, and partner institutions within the Max Planck - Harvard Research Center for the Archaeoscience of the Ancient Mediterranean, generated a genome-wide dataset spanning the Early Bronze Age (about 3500 BCE) to the early Middle Ages (about 500 CE).

“The consistency of a deeply rooted local gene pool over numerous changes in material culture is extraordinary,” said population geneticist Harald Ringbauer.

The authors reported that, despite successive shifts in political control and material culture, the region retained a largely stable ancestry profile. Limited gene flow occurred during the Bronze Age, with partial contributions from Anatolia and the Eurasian steppe, but local continuity dominated.

Late Antique urban centers such as Mtskheta and Samshvilde displayed marked genetic diversity. “Historical sources mention how the Caucasus Mountains served both as a barrier and a corridor for migration during Late Antiquity. Our study shows that increased individual mobility was a key feature of the emerging urban centers in the region,” said co-lead author Xiaowen Jia, according to Medievalists.net. Many city dwellers carried ancestry from Central Asia, the Levant, and Anatolia, and shared few close biological ties with one another, while residents of rural villages were often closely related, reflecting endogamy.

One striking result involved early medieval burials from the Iberian Kingdom (eastern Georgia) that showed intentional cranial deformation. “We identified numerous individuals with deformed skulls who were genetically Central Asian, and we even found direct genealogical links to the Avars and Huns, yet most of these individuals were locals, not migrants. This is a compelling example of the cultural adoption of a practice that was likely disseminated in the area by nomadic groups,” said lead author Eirini Skourtanioti.

Historical sources described the Darial Pass as a key corridor through which steppe groups such as the Alans entered the region, sometimes at the invitation of Iberian rulers. These movements, together with trade, pilgrimage, and diplomacy, reinforced the Southern Caucasus as a junction between Europe and Asia.

The study concluded that while cities remained open to newcomers—especially after the later phases of the Bronze Age—rural areas preserved tighter social networks, illustrating how genetic diversity collected in urban hubs without displacing long-standing local ancestry

In a sweeping claim guaranteed to rankle famed island genealogy expert Bill Lawson, a UK celebrity news website says if your surname is MacLeod, you're likely related to US President Donald Trump.

Tyla.com, part of the LADbible Group, not renowned for its background in family tree research, says MacLeod is one of the key surnames that could reveal a link to Donald Trump, whose mother, Mary Anne MacLeod, hailed from Tong in Lewis.

Tyla.com, which describes itself as an entertainment and lifestyle website, states MacLeods could be distantly related to the USA's Commander in Chief.

They allege: “Despite the Republican’s severe views on immigration in the States, the father-of-five himself comes from a family that hailed from Scotland.

"His mother, Mary Anne Macleod, moved from the UK to New York in 1930, but was born in the village of Tong on the Isle of Lewis, in the Outer Hebrides in 1912.

“In the States, she worked as a house servant until she met and married property developer Fred Trump.

“To this day, however, ‘MacLeod’ is still one of the most prevalent surnames in Scotland.

“There are also several different variations to the moniker, including McLeod, M’Leod, McCloud, Macleod, as per Stuff [a New Zealand website].”

They continue that Trump has never attempted to deny his UK-immigrant roots, and “actually owns a number of golf courses and resorts across his mother’s homeland.”

The piece by writer Rhianna Benson authoritatively concludes: “If you’re a Drumpf, or a MacLeod, you could have blood ties to the Oval Office occupier himself.”

The Trump surname article follows a recent article highlighting surnames linked to the UK Royal Family.

Read the full Tyla.com article.

In the event you are inspired to find a family connection to Donald John Trump, the best bet is to contact the Hebrides People Visitor Centre in Harris, which houses Bill Lawson’s 60-year archive of island family trees.

Bill Lawson is considered the foremost authority on Hebridean genealogy, and his work has helped thousands trace their roots back to the Outer Hebrides.

European search engines Qwant and Ecosia said on Wednesday that they have both started serving search queries through an index they developed together, Staan, which aims to be a cheaper, more privacy-focused alternative to Google and Bing.

Last year, French privacy-focused search engine Qwant struck a joint venture with German non-profit search engine Ecosia to develop a European search index. Called European Search Perspective (EUSP), the JV now aims to serve around 50% of French queries and 33% of German queries by the end of the year.

Qwant said it is using the new index to power some of its features, like AI summaries for search, and Ecosia has plans to add some AI features soon to its platform, too.

EUSP is also in talks with companies to spur the adoption of its index for enabling search within apps. Notably, it is targeting chatbots, presenting Staan as a cheaper alternative to Google and Bing.

“If you’re using ChatGPT or any other AI chatbot, they all do knowledge grounding with web search … our index can power deep research and AI summary features. Google and Bing’s solutions are also pricey, and our index can offer power search features at a tenth of the cost,” Christian Kroll, CEO of Ecosia, told TechCrunch.

EUSP, like Proton, is pushing to develop a European tech stack that doesn’t rely on technology from the U.S. or China.

“The timing could not be more urgent. The outcome of the 2024 U.S. election has reminded European policymakers and innovators just how exposed Europe remains when it comes to core digital infrastructure. Much of Europe’s search, cloud, and AI layers are built on American Big Tech stacks, putting entire sectors — from journalism to climate tech — at the mercy of political or commercial agendas,” the companies said in a statement.

Kroll added that through this index, combined with European privacy laws, EUSP can offer a more privacy-friendly search solution as compared to its U.S. counterparts.

FREE BCG-SPONSORED WEBINAR

“From Statutes to Stories: Finding the Law for Family History”

by Judy G. Russell, JD, CG, CGL, FUGA

Tuesday, August 19, 2025, 8:00 p.m. (EDT)

The laws our ancestors lived by can tell us a great deal about life in earlier times. Finding those laws, and the stories they tell, can be a daunting task, but—from colonial statutes to today, from the halls of Congress to the statehouses of 50 states—the choices legislators made about what laws were needed give a rich and deep context to family history.

Judy G. Russell, JD, CG, CGL, FUGA. A genealogist with a law degree, Judy G. Russell is a lecturer, educator, and writer who enjoys helping others understand a wide variety of genealogical issues, including the interplay between genealogy and the law. She has a bachelor’s degree in political science and journalism from George Washington University in Washington, D.C., and a law degree from Rutgers School of Law-Newark. She holds the Certified Genealogist and Certified Genealogical Lecturer credentials from the Board for Certification of Genealogists. She has worked as a newspaper reporter, trade association writer, legal investigator, defense attorney, federal prosecutor, law editor, and, until her retirement, was an adjunct member of the faculty at Rutgers Law School. Judy is a Colorado native with roots deep in the American South on her mother’s side and entirely in Germany on her father’s side.

BCG’s next free monthly webinar in conjunction with Legacy Family Tree Webinars is “From Statutes to Stories: Finding the Law for Family History” by Judy G. Russell, JD, CG, CGL, FUGA. This webinar airs Tuesday, August 19, 2025, at 8:00 p.m. EDT. 

When you register before August 19 with our partner Legacy Family Tree Webinars(http://legacy.familytreewebinars.com/?aid=9370), you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar. Anyone with schedule conflicts may access the webinar at no charge for one week after the broadcast on the Legacy Family Tree Webinars website.

“BCG promotes continuing education as essential for competent family history research,” said President David Ouimette, CG, CGL. “We appreciate this opportunity to provide webinars focused on standards that help genealogists and family historians build their knowledge and skills and hone their craft.”

Following the free period for this webinar, BCG receives a small commission if you view this or any BCG webinar by clicking our affiliate link (http://legacy.familytreewebinars.com/?aid=6803).

To see the full list of BCG-sponsored webinars for 2025, visit the BCG blog SpringBoard(https://bcgcertification.org/free-bcg-sponsored-2025-webinars). For additional resources for genealogical education, please visit the BCG Learning Center (https://bcgcertification.org/learning).