Research in Early New England

This week Dennis provided an excellent review of the early settlements in Plymouth and surrounding areas of Massachusetts. He described how the settlers built their towns to resemble where they lived in England. Records were kept by the churches even during these early years, and by 1639 some governments were paying for maintaining vital records. 

Settlements spread throughout the surrounding area during the remaining years of the 1600s. Researchers need to be aware of changing boundaries as they do research during this period. Dennis recommends The Genealogist's Handbook for New England Research as the go-to book for anyone interested in searching for their ancestors in this time and place.

The handout also included a website for each of the states considered to be in the early "New England" category.

Thanks, Dennis, for a very interesting presentation!

Workshop January 21

We had another interesting presentation from Diane about DNA research. She began with a chart showing the various subscription possibilities at My Heritage, as that site allows you to upload your DNA results.

Diane described the various tools available for DNA analysis on My Heritage, including the Chromosome Browser, the cM Explainer, Autoclusters and Triangulation of Matches. She visited the site online to demonstrate each of those activities.

Her most important suggestion? Contact your matches!

Thanks, Diane, for educating us once again.

News From Ancestry

This 1921 has been available on FindMyPast (also subscription) but is probably easier to search on the Ancestry website.  Good luck to those of you with ancestors in England at this time in history.

NEW! 1921 England and Wales Census.

Just added to Ancestry® is the official 1921 England and Wales Census, giving you insight into life after the First World War. This census is unique for being the first in the UK to include details such as your ancestors’ employer and work address—you don’t want to miss digging in!

Full-Text Searching

Pam gave us a really thorough introduction to FamilySearch's new labs experiment, full-text searching at this week's meeting. In less than a year, full-text searching has moved from providing land and probate records to almost 3500 world-wide collections.

The records included in the experimental labs section of FamilySearch can be used most efficiently by entering an ancestor's name, a location, and a year range in the search field. It is best to use quotation marks around the name so returns will be for that name only. Once the results appear, you can still use filters to narrow down closer to your target.

Several different icons are available on the results page and Pam showed how to use each one. Her handout is quite detailed; if you weren't able to attend the meeting be sure to request one in the future.

Club Expo Table 2025

We hope to  have gained a few new members following this year's Club Expo. Thanks to the volunteers who visited with Palm Creek residents about our club:

Nancy, Dennis, Mary Anne, Camille, Bonni and Annie.

Nancy and Dennis

Mary Anne and Camille

Workshop January 7

We began the year with a look at how to use Ancestry's suggestions and hints. We also covered a few of the newer options on FamilySearch.

Following the presentation several members got some questions answered or continued their family research.

Don E. was able to get his DNA results uploaded to My Heritage. 

Beth gave Nancy and Don H. a brief tutorial on merging duplicates on Ancestry.

Camille discovered a possible breakthrough in her search for information about a mining accident in Colorado in the 1860s.

Mary was inquiring about continued research into church records in England.

Several other members were working individually on their research.

Ancestry's 50% Off Sale

 

Club Expo - 2025

We have received an announcement that the park is planning a Club Expo for January 11. We will be looking for members to volunteer at our genealogy club table. It's an easy job: just explain to residents that stop to visit how the club works. We'll have a few genealogy books on hand and also a reminder card for those interested. The hours are 9-12 on that Saturday morning, so we will need six helpers. Bonapart will be there to help.

Email Annie: xwordsmith13@gmail.com if you have an hour to spare on January 11. Here's a photo from last year's event.