Scots Irish Addition

Howard's presentation included surname maps of Scotland and Ireland. Because he explained that the Scotland maps were based on the 1901 British census, Carolyn Stone decided to check that database for her surname. She was surprised to find that her ancestor's surname was concentrated in the same county in Scotland. That gives her a starting point for research. This step would be particularly helpful with an unusual surname, but it is worth a try in any case. Thanks for the information, Carolyn!

Genealogy Club Homework

During our final workshop of the year we talked about ways to further our research before returning in the fall. Many members already had plans to use some of the following ideas.


Suggestions included visiting a research facility such as the Family History Library in Salt Lake City, the Allen County Library in Indiana, or the Midwest Genealogy Center in Missouri. As most of us travel during the summer, we could easily visit the home town of an ancestor to use the local library, visit the historical society or walk the cemetery.


Maureen also suggested that we visit FamilySearch and learn how to assist in their indexing project. With more indexers helping, digitized records will be posted online even faster than they are now.


Without traveling researchers could visit a virtual cemetery on FindAGrave, use the message boards on Rootsweb, continue to check for new databases on FamilySearch, and visit our club blog at www.palmcreekgenealogy.blogspot.com.


HOMEWORK

1. Reread all of your notes!

2. Organize those census sheets.

3. Make a list of problems, questions, or brick walls.

4. Bring your "stuff" back in the fall.

Bits and Pieces

Find My Past: You still have two days to take advantage of FindMyPast's offer of free access to their Irish records. According to Maureen, they are offering this access to celebrate St. Patrick's Day. Good luck if you have time to take a look. The offer is good through March 17.


March 14 Workshop: We had a chance to listen to examples of some of the writing group's efforts this week. Whitey reported on his breakthrough (with some help from Annie in Winnebago County) with the Fitscher name. Maureen shared her plans for writing for her grandchildren, nieces and nephews. Nancy showed us the fictional history of her grandmother's French origins, complete with photographs of Lille during various periods of history.

We finished the evening by sharing some successes of the past season and providing comments on this year's presentations. Some items mentioned were the FamilySearch app for adding photos, discovery of an Australian branch of the family, a suggestion to include the FamilySearch ID number in your genealogy software program, using plat maps to solve a brick wall problem, and examples of different name spellings/changes.


Genealogy Club Library: We have two new books in our library. Grant Villetard has donated Forensic Genealogy, which discusses photo identification, analyzing vital records, and DNA. The other book explains the county record offices in Great Britain and how to locate records there. We also have a new collection of newsletters from the Germanic Genealogy Society in Minneapolis.

War of 1812: Canadian Perspective

Our presentation for March 7 was given by Rick Wood, who took us through the events of the War of 1812 from a Canadian point of view. We heard about many mistakes made by both sides. It is sometimes called "the forgotten war," but there were names and sayings from the era that were certainly recognized by the audience. After more than three years of conflict, nothing really changed in regard to borders or territory.

The handout was a useful list of websites for use if your ancestors might have been involved in this part of our shared history.

Thanks, Rick, for an educational and entertaining presentation.

Legacy's March Webinars

Wednesday, March 8: 50 Websites Every Genealogist Should Know


Friday, March 10: Home on the Range: Kansas Research Tips


Wednesday, March 15: Why are Irish Records so Weird?


Tuesday, March 21: Are You My Grandpa? Men of the Same Name


Wednesday, March 22: Picture This: Images You Can Freely Use


Wednesday, March 29: Introduction to Quaker Genealogy Research


If any of the above sound interesting, visit www.familytreewebinars.com to learn more about the subject matter and to register.

Genealogy Club News

Our annual election was held February 28. Nancy Archibald was elected to the office of vice president. Officers will now serve a two-year term, and the vice president will move to the position of president after that time. Continuing officers are Maureen Salter, president; Dick Rietz, secretary; Ann Snyder, treasurer. Rick Wood, past president, remains as a board member.

Louise Kant again provided cookies--this time with with a Scots Irish theme. She treated us to Tipperary Biscuits, Highland Toffee, Irish Creme Brownies and Irish Ginger Snaps. They were all delicious. What will we do when she retires as our baker!

Door prize winners included Rosemary Reese, Stephanie Bishop, Beverly DeWitt, Nancy Archibald, Lisa Haas and Whitey Hoehn. Congratulations to all.

If you missed the first legacy webinar for March, you can learn about "Apprentices, Indentured Servants, and Redemptioners - White Slavery in America" by Peggy Clemens Lauritzen by visiting www.familytreewebinars.com for the next week or so.

The Scots Irish

Tuesday's presentation by Howard Mathieson explained the origin of the Scots Irish group, who lived originally in the lowlands of Scotland. Economic and religious circumstances and general poor living conditions caused their eventual migration or banishment to the northern part of Ireland. After years of existence in Ulster on various plantations, they began migrating to America. 400,000 left Ulster in 1717. Howard also presented maps showing surname locations of club members' ancestors. Thanks to Howard for another interesting presentation.