Stone House Historical Research

06/21/2024

Another of "our" soldiers has been identified. Welcome home Sgt. Mayburn L. Hudson. Well done, Stone House team member Emma Whaley Compton, who found his family for DNA analysis.

The Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency ( ) recently announced that U.S. Army Sergeant Mayburn L. Hudson, 21, of Roanoke, , killed during , was December 14, 2023.

DPAA scientists used anthropological and dental analysis and other circumstantial evidence to identify Hudson. Armed Forces Medical Examiner System (son’s unit came under heavy German fire in the vicinity of Saint-Malo in Brittany, . Company F was ordered to assault a heavily fortified German position atop a hill called “The Citadel.” Facing harsh fire from well-defended forces, the 330th Infantry Regiment suffered heavy losses, including Hudson. His body could not be recovered because of the intense fighting, and he was initially listed as Missing in Action. Just a few months later, as his remains were still unaccounted for in January 1945, the War Department issued a “Report of Death.”

DPAA scientists used anthropological and dental analysis and other circumstantial evidence to identify Hudson. Additionally, Armed Forces Medical Examiner System ( ) used mitochondrial ( ) analysis.

Learn more about Hudson's identification here: https://www.dpaa.mil/News-Stories/Press-Releases/PressReleaseArticleView/Article/3795679/soldier-accounted-for-from-wwii-hudson-m/

06/07/2024

Congratulations to Stone House Researcher Asa K Gage, who identified DNA donors for PFC Orville J. Cox in June 2020. Pvt. Cox was buried as an unknown, but now he's coming home to his family.

The Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA) announced today that U.S. Army Air Forces Pvt. 1st Class Orville J. Cox, 19, of Haskell, Texas, who was during World War II, was accounted for May 26,

05/26/2024

This veteran illustrates why we do this work - it’s all about the families.

After more than 80 years since joining the U.S. Navy Reserves in 1944, Sivelle attended his first FMU with one goal, to speak face-to-face with service casualty officers, historians, and scientific recovery experts about his cousin, U.S. Army Air Forces Pfc. Richard J. Sivell, a World War II POW who...

05/17/2024

I'm happy to announce that Forensic Genealogy: Theory and Practice is now available for pre-order! I'm honored to have worked with my co-authors Michael Ramage, Kelvin Meyers, Angie Bush, David Gurney, Cairenn Binder, and Rich Venezia!
https://www.ngsgenealogy.org/forensic-genealogy-now-available-for-pre-order/

05/09/2024

Claire Varrieur, a member of our Stone House Research Team, researched and located the next of kin and eligible DNA donors for Pvt. Mitchell. It's an honor to play a role in this repatriation.

After years of research and DNA testing, historians have identified the remains of an Army private from eastern New Mexico who died during World War II.

05/08/2024

This is why we do what we do. This seven-minute video is poignant reminder of what our work means to the families we find.

Wilbur MItts homecoming and memorial. Video by Cody Rheault.

04/22/2024

How cool is THIS?

In a rare find, two bottles of cherries, buried for about 250 years, have been found at Mount Vernon.

04/17/2024

There are just two weeks left to apply for scholarships to attend upcoming SLIG events in 2024 and 2025. There are four scholarships available and the deadline to apply is May 1st. You can learn more about the available scholarships here: https://slig.ugagenealogy.org/cpage.php?pt=423 Good luck!

The Salt Lake Institute of Genealogy (SLIG) provides in-depth, intermediate to advanced education in three annual programs: SLIG Virtual, SLIG, and the Academy for Professionals.

03/29/2024

This is a groundbreaking DNA study in several ways. It also speaks to the future of repatriation work. Kudos to Roberta Estes.

I’m excited to share the paper, “Unearthing Who and Y at Harewood Cemetery and inference of George Washington’s Y-chromosomal haplotype” by Cavagnino et al. 2024, and published in iScie…

03/08/2024

What an amazing resource! The University of Galway is digitizing thousands of Irish emigrant letters. Even if your ancestors don't have letters in this collection, you can learn about their experiences through the eyes of their friends and neighbors. Letters will be fully searchable by year's end.
https://imirce.universityofgalway.ie/p/ms?pageTitle=Home+-+University+of+Galway+Digital+Collections

02/29/2024

I am pleased to share that Michael Ramage and I are co-authoring a book - Forensic Genealogy: Theory and Practice - to be published by the National Genealogical Society. We can't wait to share it with you!

http://tinyurl.com/2n37v5wj

02/18/2024

I'm honored to have located Tech. Sgt. Dettloff's family (next of kin and eligible DNA donors) in 2016. Welcome home, Tech. Sgt. Dettloff.

The Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency ( ) announced today that U.S. Army Tech Sgt. Leonard J. Dettloff, 26, of , , killed during , was May 5, 2023.

Tech Sgt. John W. Dettloff was assigned to Company M, 3rd Battalion, 12th Infantry Regiment, 4th Infantry Division in November 1944. He lost his life during World War II while in action in the in , and his remains could not be recovered then. Despite several investigations between 1946 and 1950, his remains remained missing until 2018, when a set of unidentified remains interred at Lorraine American Cemetery were disinterred and examined.

To identify Dettloff’s remains, from used dental and anthropological analysis and circumstantial evidence. Additionally, scientists from the Armed Forces Medical Examiner System ( ) used mitochondrial ( ) and Y chromosome DNA ( ) analysis.

DPAA is grateful to the American Battle Monuments Commission and the U.S. Army Regional Mortuary-Europe/Africa for their in this mission.

To learn more about Tech Sgt. Leonard J. Dettloff read his full press release here: https://www.dpaa.mil/News-Stories/News-Releases/PressReleaseArticleView/Article/3536540/soldier-accounted-for-from-wwii-dettloff-l/.

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02/12/2024

I am pleased to share that five of the repatriation cases we completed last year resulted in identifications. PVT Homer J. Mitchell, SGT Willard S. Kendell, 2LT James Litherland, PFC Harry H. Hosfelt, and PFC Thomas Long are all coming home. In 2LT Litherland’s case, we had to find fourth cousins to provide the mtDNA donors that may have been critical to his identification. We are so honored to play a role in in bringing these soldiers home and I am very proud of our team. You can read more about 2LT Litherland’s story here:

Suzanne Walker was born the day her father's plane was shot down over France in 1944. The remains of James Litherland III will be returned to Williamsport and buried in Wildwood Cemetery at a future date.

02/08/2024

Kudos to John Mills for sharing lost stories of enslaved people with their descendants. (Gift link)
https://wapo.st/495jOtg

02/05/2024

Congratulations to Darcie Hind Posz, CG, FASG, for her new role as Executive Director of BCG, and our thanks to Rebecca Whitman Koford, CG, CGL, for her exceptional leadership over the past five years.

02/02/2024

Thank you Karen Stanbary, MA, LCSW, CG, for inviting me to teach in your course “DNA Dreamers: Integrating DNA Evidence to Resolve Complex Cases” at the virtual Salt Lake City Institute of Genealogy last week. What a great group of students!

The Salt Lake Institute of Genealogy (SLIG) provides in-depth, intermediate to advanced education in three annual programs: SLIG Virtual, SLIG, and the Academy for Professionals.

01/23/2024

We are eagerly anticipating the new Evidence Explained, fourth edition. No release date has been announced, but updates are promised at https://genealogical.com/blog/

12/09/2023

Do you have a relative who served at Pearl Harbor whose remains were not recovered? Your DNA can help with identifications.

12/08/2023

The world needs more light. Happy Hanukkah!

12/07/2023

Today we honor Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day for the attack that claimed the lives of 2,403 service members and civilians. We also honor all the family members who experience the impact of that day across generations.

11/27/2023

We are thankful for Reclaim the Records! Check out the Maryland records they've obtained. Reclaim the Records

More than five million records from the state of Maryland are now online.These records include both the name/date indices as well as full vital records certificates, covering more than a century of Maryland history. They are now freely viewable in the ‘Maryland State Archives’ collection, at the...

11/14/2023

If you'd like to see Project Recover on an underwater mission searching for remains of America's missing in action service members, tune in to Expedition Unknown on Discovery this Wednesday, November 15. Here is a preview:

11/10/2023

Honoring our US Veterans. Thank you all for your service.

Arlington National Cemetery honors the men and women who have served and continue to serve in the U.S. armed forces in war and peace during its 70th Veterans Day observance.

10/30/2023

I'll definitely be watching this keynote online next year! RootsTech will be held February 29 to March 2, 2024 virtually and in person. Read Judy Russell's blog to see who will be delivering a keynote!

Scott descendant to keynote at RootsTech 2024 There's often reason for a bit of skepticism over the selection of most keynoters at RootsTech, the huge annual genealogy conference in Salt Lake City. It's often more a matter of celebrity than genealogy or family history. But the announcement

10/24/2023

I had a great group of genealogists at my presentation on preparing genealogical affidavits for attorneys. What a fun way to end a great APG Professional Management Conference!

10/21/2023

Thank you to all of the Fundamentals of Forensic Genealogy and Beyond Fundamentals alumni who turned out for our group photo at the Association of Professional Genealogists Professional Management Conference. It's been fun reconnecting with all of you in Salt Lake City!

10/21/2023

I'm looking forward to teaching today at APG's Professional Management Conference today in Salt Lake City at 3:45 MT! Join me for "The Undersigned Verifies: Reports and Affidavits for Attorneys."

10/19/2023

So excited the SHHR Attorney Team was able to connect with our Collaborating Researcher for Germany and Austria Marcus Schoenherr at the APG Professional Management Conference in Salt Lake City. Linda Hunter, Marcus Schoenherr, Debra Koehler, Catherine Becker Wiest Desmarais.

10/17/2023

Our deepest condolences to all at MyHeritage.

Our hearts are broken. We are overcome with grief at the tragic deaths of Ron Shemer and Ilay Nachman, two members of the MyHeritage employee family. Ron

09/20/2023

I had the honor to be interviewed by Kenyatta D. Berry, the host of the PBS show, Genealogy Roadshow. It was so much fun - I think we could have chatted for another hour. If you are curious to learn more about my business or my background, take a listen. Thank you, Kenyatta!

In this episode of Conversations with Kenyatta, Kenyatta D. Berry, host of PBS' Genealogy Roadshow and author of The Family Tree Toolkit is joined by Catherine Wiest Desmarais, CG.The two discuss Catherine's work with genealogy as well as her spec...