If you attended last year's Roots Tech conference, I'm sure you've received an invitation to sign up for this year's sessions. They are back to in person attendance, but the virtual element is available.
Dates are Thursday, March 2 through Saturday, March 4. You will be able to browse the classes and set up your virtual "library" of videos to watch. When I searched the online library, there were 324 results. Surely we can all find one to watch!
And it's all FREE.
This week Diane provided a review of DNA terms and testing companies. She suggests testing first with Ancestry and then uploading results to several other sites.
We also learned about some of the tools available to enhance results, such as autoclusters and DNA Painter.
For more information our club library has Blaine Bettinger's book, "The Family Tree Guide to DNA Testing" or you can join his Facebook group: Genetic Genealogy Tips and Techniques.
The topic for Tuesday's workshop was "Crossing the Pond." Annie listed several types of records with examples where an ancestor's home town might be mentioned. Luck was also mentioned as one of the prerequisites for successful searches!
Home Sources: you never know what piece of paper might contain the name of their original village. Other relatives with an interest in genealogy will be helpful.
Vital Records: examine every birth, marriage and death record; one of them might have the info you need.
Newspapers: obituaries and social columns will help.
Cemetery and church records
Passenger lists and naturalization records
Military records
County histories: many of the biographies in these books contain the family's immigration story.
Miscellaneous government records
Neighbors!
We had an excellent presentation on how to research city directories from Maureen this week.
We learned that the earliest directories were published for advertising purposes by the 1700s and that they are available for the U. S., Canada and Europe.
Names, addresses and employers are listed; wives were included later. The listings included the householder and those employed, so directories are extremely helpful for finding ancestors between the census years. Occasionally the death of an entrant from a previous year is included.
Maureen suggested that we check the index, table of contents and list of abbreviations before browsing for our names. Usually a history of the area is included as well as maps, businesses, churches, schools and newspapers.
Directories are available online at Ancestry and FamilySearch; other possibilities were listed on the handout. If possible, find directories in person at a local library, historical society, or state library.
We had a very successful visit to the local FamilySearch Center today. Eleven attended and there were plenty of volunteers on hand for assistance.
Chasing the elusive death record
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| Volunteers and researchers at work |
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| Examining genealogy records |
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| Wendell assisting with the big screen |
Last Tuesday we finally learned how she could have been buried four times! But first, Rick gave us an excellent overview of how to do Canadian research.
He began with some general tips for getting started and staying on the right path. Canadian census records were covered, as well as the locations and types of information for each year. He then talked about birth, marriage and death records in Canada which were kept originally by the church. Rick also provided important information on finding land records for your Canadian ancestor.
The handout for the above information will be available during each February meeting.
Finally: the answers to our questions!
When: during the time of the British Columbia gold rush.
Why: because Cariboo Cameron promised his wife she would be buried in their home town.
Where/How: buried first behind a cabin in the gold rush fields, then in a vault, followed by the trip through the Panama Canal back to Ontario, where she was buried in the town cemetery. She was later exhumed to disprove rumors of foul play and reburied in Summerstown, where her husband had moved when he remarried.
Our February meetings have been rearranged because of Palm Creek events. Note we begin and end the month with regular meetings and hold two workshops in the middle weeks.
February 7 Meeting: We'll hear all about city directories (and a few other types) from Maureen. When your ancestors disappear between censuses, these resources may help. And yes, there are city directories available for Canada!
February 14 Workshop: Annie will provide a list of ideas for locating your ancestors' home towns. Sometimes luck plays a part!
February 21 Workshop: DNA is the topic this week. Diane plans a brief overview of the DNA process as well as discussing some of the techniques for assessing your results.
February 28 Meeting: Maureen (the other Maureen) is telling the story of a Canadian woman's homesteading experiences in "From South Africa to Alberta."
Each week during February we will provide copies of handouts from this season's presentations. Look for them on the counter by our library. And check out a book while you're browsing the handouts!
February 17: Annie will present "Research Traps to Avoid" at the Vista Grande Library as part of the library's Journey to Your Past series.
