Search Results for: ma ethnic group

Family Tree Magazine Picks 101 Best Websites of 2010

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There are a plethora of genealogy related websites out there, and you cannot possibly test out all of them yourself. Sometimes, it’s nice to get an expert opinion about which sites are good, which are only okay, and which are so bad that they should be avoided completely. Family Tree Magazine came up with a list of their picks for the top 101 genealogy websites. Family Tree Magazine was founded in 1999. It is America’s #1 family history magazine. It covers a variety of topics that would be of interest to genealogists, from tips for genealogy research, to ideas for … Continue reading →

Should Race Matter?

When my husband and I made the choice to adopt we were not picky. The questionnaires that you have to complete for the adoption process were very detailed. You have to decide if you want a boy or a girl, Caucasian, Asian, African American, Indian or any of the other ethnicities or races in the world or a child who is mix raced. You also have to consider if you will accept children with disabilities and what ages you would accept. Out of all the questions the race and ethnicity questions were the easiest we just checked YES all the … Continue reading →

How Many Races Are In Your Family Tree?

The way that Americans perceive race today is very different then how our ancestors would have defined it. Is there more than one race in your family tree? Learning more about the race of your ancestors can be complex, depending on the time the person lived, and the way race was defined on certain documents. Students who are in college right now make up the largest group of mixed-race people of any generation to come of age, so far. According to the Pew Research Center, who used data from 2008 and 2009, one in seven new marriages is between spouses … Continue reading →

Top 5 Mistakes Made by New Genealogists

Like many new genealogists, I made a lot of mistakes when I first began researching my genealogy. To help you avoid doing the same, I have come up with a list of the top 5 mistakes that new genealogists make. 5. Not Setting a Goal Before you begin researching your family tree, it is important that you set a goal and stick with it. Choose one line of ancestors to research, and get all the information that you can about that particular family. When you hit a brick wall (and cannot locate any more information), move on to a new … Continue reading →

Homeschool Groups and Resources in Iowa I-Z

Involvement with other homeschoolers is very important to a family’s success in homeschooling. Joining a homeschool network or support group in your area will make a difference in your homeschooling journey. You can find homeschooling groups as well as many homeschooling classes, and programs that your students can enjoy. In this series, we are covering homeschool groups and resources across the country. This installment will cover Iowa homeschool groups and resources I-Z. You can read installmentsA-H here. Ia Home Educators is a Des Moines based fully inclusive, non-affiliated, member-led support group. Everyone is welcomed, regardless of religion, homeschooling methodology, family … Continue reading →

And You Thought Your Kid Was Smart

Most parents are constantly trying to educate their children. They read to them, sing to them, and expose them to visually stimulating environments. In some cases it pays off and the child becomes a voracious learner always ready to take on a new challenge. Other kids, not so much. Then, there are the rare occasions when the child surpasses all expectations and reveals that she is smarter than her parents… before she is potty trained. Such is the case with Elise Tan-Roberts of Edmonton in North London. The 2-year-old girl has an IQ of 156 and is rated in the … Continue reading →

In the Majority

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I was with my daughter’s Girl Scout group at a paint-your-own-pottery place which the girls had earned a trip to through their cookie sales. I sat at a table with my two daughters, my older daughter’s best friend, and that friend’s older sister, who was helping. On several occasions, one kid would ask for a certain paint bottle to be passed to her. There was one color, light peachy-beige, for which the girls didn’t know the name. When they gestured for it, the teen helping them said “You want skin color.” On another occasion she asked, “do you want the … Continue reading →

Hiking the Himalayas

If you are a die-hard hiker who is looking to kick up your next adventure a notch then you might consider the following trips. Several tour groups are offering package deals designed specifically for nature lovers who enjoy taking the road less traveled. If you are an outdoorsy type who loves to get your adrenaline going these land-only trips are perfect for you… and your wallet. PERU The South American country of Peru is home to one of the world’s most amazing ancient cities, the legendary Machu Picchu, and the famous Inca Trail, which leads hikers to the top of … Continue reading →

Book Review–Kimchi and Calamari

My last blogs have featured adoption books for young children. I’m pleased to be able to talk about one aimed at the middle-school crowd. This age group is often hard to find books for. Parents want books that introduce adoption themes so that their kids can feel that there are other kids like themselves and also to spark discussion between parent and child. But most books are either children’s picture books, or teen novels dealing with heavy themes like child abandonment and searching, such as Throwaway Daughter. Kimchi and Calamari also touches on these themes, but in a light-hearted way. … Continue reading →

Book Review: The Christmas Menorahs: How a Town Fought Hate

My last blogs have talked about racist incidents a few adoptees have recently faced and resources for responding. The Christmas Menorahs: How a Town Fought Hate, by Janice Cohn, is based on the true story of events that happened in Billings, Montana in 1993. In 1993, a group in Billings sent out leaflets saying hateful things about several ethnic groups and Jewish people in particular. They spray-painted threats on a Native American home, threatened an African-American church, and damaged a synagogue. As Hanukkah began, rocks were thrown through several windows of homes displaying menorahs. One of these large rocks shattered … Continue reading →