tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-691016683378293851.post8589576029105631362..comments2024-03-03T16:35:25.083-05:00Comments on Marian's Roots and Rambles: Top Chef Genealogist: Megan SmolenyakMarianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04738104230962644360noreply@blogger.comBlogger14125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-691016683378293851.post-80238492867955361702011-03-24T08:04:55.171-04:002011-03-24T08:04:55.171-04:00Julie,
Thanks for stopping by and leaving a comme...Julie,<br /><br />Thanks for stopping by and leaving a comment. You can contact Megan through her website -<br /><br /> http://www.honoringourancestors.com/aboutus.html <br /><br />Though I'm not sure if she takes private clients. One great way to get started is to read an introductory book. Megan has a very readable one that you can find here <br /><br />http://www.amazon.com/Who-You-Think-Are-Essential/dp/B0040RMFCK/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1300968133&sr=8-2<br /><br />You can also read the book review I wrote about it. http://rootsandrambles.blogspot.com/2011/03/book-review-who-do-you-think-you-are.html<br /><br />If you want to hire a professional genealogist to help you I would try to pick someone local to get you started. You can find Certified Genealogists here: <br /><br />http://www.bcgcertification.org/associates/index.php<br /><br />Good luck with your family history and come back if you have any more questions!<br /><br />MarianMarianhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04738104230962644360noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-691016683378293851.post-38083975102701026272011-03-23T22:11:04.942-04:002011-03-23T22:11:04.942-04:00This was a fantastic episode. As an individual who...This was a fantastic episode. As an individual who is very interested in learning more about her own ancestral roots and more about my husband's (to pass along to our daughters!), I wonder how you go about researching your family tree (besides Google, etc.). Is it feasible to hire someone like Megan to do this type of research? If so, can you advise? I would love to do this. Actually that's how I got to your article: googling "top chef genealogist"... ha! Thanks for the article. -Julie W.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-691016683378293851.post-10461177582509916482011-03-08T21:27:11.414-05:002011-03-08T21:27:11.414-05:00I just watched this episode today. I don't wat...I just watched this episode today. I don't watch Top Chef but DVR'd that episode when I heard it was "genealogy-based". I wish they gave Megan credit for the work she did on the show. The show just mentioned a (well known, famous or professional...not sure which word) genealogist did their ancestry, and mentioned it was a she. This episode could've been partly sponsored by Ancestry.com! But hopefully it's a way to get more people interested in genealogy!GenieBethhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10047537229787361297noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-691016683378293851.post-86816950751677873242011-03-06T22:38:10.323-05:002011-03-06T22:38:10.323-05:00Wow, genealogy is moving so fast in some ways it i...Wow, genealogy is moving so fast in some ways it is hard to keep up with all the neat new adventures. <br />Side Bar is I have talked Medical Genealogy for several years and now I see Curt W. is going to be addressing this issue in the near future. Wonder if we could address a go in that direction.Susi's Quarterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00722985357289434741noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-691016683378293851.post-18101706336546403292011-03-04T15:51:36.571-05:002011-03-04T15:51:36.571-05:00This comment has been removed by the author.archivesinfohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11173735671172866919noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-691016683378293851.post-64127948635247219942011-03-04T12:36:08.988-05:002011-03-04T12:36:08.988-05:00PS.
I really appreciate this Blog and love Top Ch...PS.<br /><br />I really appreciate this Blog and love Top Chef and Who do You think you are?<br /><br />Bob AgainAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-691016683378293851.post-31950393888021927732011-03-04T12:33:56.757-05:002011-03-04T12:33:56.757-05:00I know that this is a touchy subject and (Please) ...I know that this is a touchy subject and (Please) I don't want to create a war of words,but is there an easy way to ask/find out the nationality of someone who says they are 25% Jewish when they, as Antonia's family did, replace the nationality with a religion. It would be the same question if she said she was 25% Polish and 75% Catholic.<br /><br />BobAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-691016683378293851.post-65019370045968217532011-03-04T08:38:44.665-05:002011-03-04T08:38:44.665-05:00Marian,
Thank you for this blog post. I didn'...Marian,<br /><br />Thank you for this blog post. I didn't watch the live version of the show, but HAD to watch it On Demand.<br /><br />What a great show! The task of linking Cooking to their heritage was wonderful.<br /><br />I saw where Megan averaged 19.5 hours a day, for that show was enlightening. (but not surprising). But to think about how much research had to be done for those you were eliminated before these 5 Top Chefs is probably an amazing amount or research.<br /><br />The reaction of the Family and Judges as each plate was put before them was awesome. You just can't make that stuff up. Each Top Chef "pulled it off". From what this viewer could tell, they really did relay on their heritage for their dish.<br /><br />The best part was the final decision.<br /><br />When those books were handed to the contestant, I knew who had prepared those books.<br /><br />What an honor to know both you, and Megan is beyond words.<br /><br />Thank you,<br /><br />RussCousin Russhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00326890362591254874noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-691016683378293851.post-62530430548465724732011-03-04T02:28:06.218-05:002011-03-04T02:28:06.218-05:00I'm a big fan of all the Top Chef shows and re...I'm a big fan of all the Top Chef shows and really enjoyed the genealogy stories of the contestants. Unless I missed it, I don't think Padma gave Megan recognition for doing the research. I think she just said something about a famous genealogist. I hope I'm wrong.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-691016683378293851.post-52140957839729093272011-03-03T18:48:18.700-05:002011-03-03T18:48:18.700-05:00You're right, Ginger -- I had a blast!You're right, Ginger -- I had a blast!Megan Smolenyak Smolenyakhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00947760606698718356noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-691016683378293851.post-53882669751713327102011-03-03T17:03:05.323-05:002011-03-03T17:03:05.323-05:00What a great idea to incorporate heritage meals in...What a great idea to incorporate heritage meals into the competition! I would have loved to have seen the show. I bet Megan had fun with this one. Thanks for sharing Marian!Ginger Smithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17453442334718861407noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-691016683378293851.post-40684450537487963062011-03-03T15:17:43.522-05:002011-03-03T15:17:43.522-05:00Top Chef, the various international Master Chefs, ...Top Chef, the various international Master Chefs, and nearly every cooking reality show to cross my dh's path...they are staples in our house! Looking forward to watching this episode, most likely this weekend. Very, very nice to see family history integrated with other entertainment interests!Linda G.noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-691016683378293851.post-53616770941556630132011-03-03T14:23:36.731-05:002011-03-03T14:23:36.731-05:00I'm happy to see this cross over two of favori...I'm happy to see this cross over two of favorite loves: genealogy & cooking!LaDonna Garnerhttp://www.leafseeker.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-691016683378293851.post-88762349362337722042011-03-03T14:11:57.561-05:002011-03-03T14:11:57.561-05:00sounds like an interesting show.sounds like an interesting show.Kristinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06413795611563683135noreply@blogger.com