Photographs & Memories by Reem

01/15/2026

I’m starting 2026 by sharing a project that's been long in the making. I wrote a chapter on Arab American genealogy for the upcoming book Arab American Public History, edited by Edward E. Curtis IV and coming out in February from Temple University Press.

In the chapter, I talk about how family history is public history and how Arab Americans are researching, documenting, and preserving our family stories. I hope you will check it out!

Arab American Public History I’m excited to share a professional milestone: I contributed a chapter to the upcoming book Arab American Public History, edited by Edward E. Curtis IV, which will be p…

10/05/2025

The National Genealogical Society (NGS) recognizes excellence in the field of genealogy by presenting awards and competitions to individuals, societies, libraries, and other organizations. Do you know someone or an organization deserving an award? Please go to the NGS website linked below to learn more about the Awards and Competitions categories.

It's not too early to submit deserving people, organizations, books, and newsletters for Awards and Competitions. The deadline is 15 December 2025, but don't wait - nominate before you get busy with fall activities and holidays. Review all categories and submission details at https://www.ngsgenealogy.org/awards-competitions. Please share this information so we can honor wonderful work done in our community.

09/19/2025

Looking forward to learning more about using AI prompts for genealogical research.

Register NOW! https://www.ngsgenealogy.org/genealogy-courses/gentechtoolbox/

07/10/2025

Join me virtually on July 10th at 5:00pm PST talking about Palestinian American Genealogy.

07/01/2025

Looking forward to giving this virtual presentation for the California State Library’s Sutro Library on July 10.

Join us for a free virtual talk exploring the fascinating world of Palestinian American genealogy! Professional genealogist and community historian Reem Awad-Rashmawi will guide us through how to research Palestinian ancestry using records available in the U.S. and abroad, tracing lineages from today back through the British Mandate and Ottoman periods. Register now at https://libraryca.libcal.com/calendar/californiastatelibrary?cid=17752&t=d&d=0000-00-00&cal=17752&inc=0 National Society for Arab & Arab American Genealogy

06/21/2025

I’m excited to announce that I’ll be speaking at the The New York Genealogical & Biographical Society - NYG&B’s panel: "Preserving Your New York Story: Your Chance to Ask the Experts" to be held on Tuesday, June 24, 2025, 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM EDT / 9:00 AM – 10:00 AM PDT, in-person at 36 West 44th Street, Suite 711, New York, NY and online.

For more information and the registration link, please see

Join us as we celebrate a successful first chapter in the “Preserving Your New York Story” series with an in person and live-streamed panel discussion!

05/14/2025

Can wait until NGS 2025!! I will be attending the sessions and several of the meetups! I am looking forward to seeing those who are attending!

Reach out on the Whova app if you want to meet up or have questions about NGS or the Conference.

03/06/2025

📍 Live from Salt Lake City at RootsTech 2025!

What an incredible experience — Starting with inspiring presentations on family history research, photo and record preservation, advancements in AI and other technology, DNA research, and so much more.

The in-person Expo Hall is absolutely buzzing, filled with vendors offering everything you could imagine related to genealogy and family history.

One personal highlight — I got my copy of the new NGS Forensic Genealogy book signed by the authors! I also stopped by the FamilySearch MENA booth to have my name beautifully written in Arabic calligraphy — such a special touch. And at the Heritage Theater Stage, I watched Blanche Araj Shaheen teach the crowd how to make humus!

Even if you couldn’t attend in person, you can still join the fun online at rootstech.org — it’s free to access tons of on-demand videos and sessions.

And while you’re at it, please check out the virtual expo booth for the National Society for Arab and Arab American Genealogy (NSAB) at https://www.familysearch.org/en/rootstech/expohall/national-society-for-arab-and-arab-american-genealogy. You can also find videos from RootsTech at National Society for Arab & Arab American Genealogy.

With so much to explore, it’s no wonder I had to take a little break on the fun hanging swings in the center of the Expo Hall! 😄

Let me know if you check out the NSAB online booth — would love to hear your thoughts!

01/06/2025

I am starting 2025 by writing a weekly blog on my website to meet the "52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks" 2025 Challenge from Amy Johnson Crow. The prompt this week is "In the Beginning." I wrote about my great-grandfather Austin Miles Taylor and my first experience with formal genealogical education.

I am starting 2025 with a genealogy challenge – Amy Johnson Crow’s “52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks” Challenge. I tried to meet this challenge in 2021, but many things got in the way, and I did not …

11/12/2024

Looking forward to sharing how to find Immigration Records for your ancestors at a NSAB webinar this Saturday. Whether you are the first generation born in the US or you have an immigrant ancestor many generations back, these invaluable documents can provide crucial insight to family history. The live webinar is free. See the information below to register. Hope to see you there.

NSAB webinar: "From Arrival to Archive: Finding Your Ancestor’s Immigration Record" will be held on Saturday, November 16 at 10am PST/1:00pm EST via Zoom. This NSAB Presentation will be made by Reem Awad-Rashmawi, JD.

Did your parent, grandparent, or an ancestor from generations ago immigrate to the United States? Or perhaps your ancestor came and went multiple times, leaving a trail of records behind. Whether you’re tracing a single journey or multiple crossings, the question remains: Do you have documentation of their immigration? Passenger lists, immigration files, naturalization records, and other invaluable documents can provide crucial insights into your family history. Join us for this informative NSAB webinar to learn where to start your search and how to navigate the archives to uncover the stories of your immigrant ancestors.

Register at https://bit.ly/FromArrivalToArchive. NSAB webinars are open to all and free, however access to archived webinars and webinar handouts are available to members only.

11/04/2024

It was an honor to speak about the Preservation and Documentation of Arab Narratives at the Oral History Association Annual Meeting this past week in Cincinnati, Ohio. Each panelist presented very meaningful projects in their area of research and community engagement. With the rise of anti-Arab hate and erasure of family lines, the documentation of Arab & Arab American stories is so important. Arab American National Museum National Society for Arab & Arab American Genealogy

10/26/2024

Looking forward to being part of an upcoming panel at this year's Oral History Association Annual Meeting in Cincinnati, Ohio on October 31st. We will be discussing the "Preservation and Documentation of the Lived Arab American and MENA (Middle Eastern or North African) Narrative and Experience."