When Family History Becomes a Gift During Times of Grief
Most people think of family history as a way to preserve the past. We spend years researching our ancestors, scanning old photographs, organizing documents, and recording family stories so future generations will know where they came from. But over the years, I've discovered that family history can also become an unexpected gift during one of... Continue Reading →
Wordless Wednesday – Family Vacation Memories Made
Mays Cummings 2026 Family Vacation
Back to Research: Where Were My Ancestors in 1776?
Over the past several months, much of my genealogy time has been spent writing instead of researching. Now that my writing projects are wrapping up, I'm excited to get back to what started this journey fifteen years ago - researching my family history. Earlier this year, I introduced my 2026 research challenge, "Do You Know... Continue Reading →
Wordless Wednesday – It’s Our Anniversary
Mr. and Mrs. Phillip D. Cummings - Newport, AR 2000
Including Genealogy Research in Your Summer Fun
When I think of summer, I think of vacations, long weekends, road trips, and day trips. It's during the summer months that many people are planning trips to beaches, national parks, and family reunions. Family historians have a unique opportunity to add a little genealogy to their travel plans. Whether you're taking a cross-country vacation,... Continue Reading →
Celebrating Juneteenth Through Family History
Each year, Juneteenth offers an opportunity to reflect on freedom, resilience, and the sacrifices made by those who came before us. While many people celebrate by attending community events, festivals, and family gatherings, I believe it can also be a meaningful time to connect with our family history. As genealogists, we spend countless hours researching... Continue Reading →
Wordless Wednesday – When Your Father is Also Your Coach
Wayman Mays with his son, Russell; William Cummings with his son Phillip; and Russell Mays with his son Allen
Wordless Wednesday – Happy Birthday, Granny
Gladys Denson Mays: June 11, 1913 - August 22, 1999
Wordless Wednesday – Wedding Bells
My In-Laws, William and Phyllis Govan Cummings wedding reception - Little Rock, Arkansas 1973
Our Family Home: Over 80 Years of Memories – Part 2
As I continue sorting through more than 80 years of memories collected inside our family home, I kept discovering treasures that tell not only my family’s story, but the story of our community as well. One of those treasures is a large 1963 class photograph from W.F. Branch High School, the historic Black school that... Continue Reading →
Continuing My Family Digital Archive – Video
Recently, I spent time at the Butler Center for Arkansas Studies Memory Lab digitizing family scrapbooks, baby books, and fragile photographs using their overhead scanner. Many of these items are decades old and too delicate for a traditional scanner, so this process allowed me to carefully preserve these family treasures while creating digital copies for... Continue Reading →