It's the end of the month, so let's take a look at the webinars available during April at www.familytreewebinars.com. Recommended for most of us: mark your calendars for April 23, 24 and 26. Remember, all webinars are free to watch in real time and for the week following the presentation.
Tuesday, April 2 - "One Touch Genealogy Research: How to Handle a Record Just Once" by Thomas MacEntee. Beginner
Wednesday, April 3 - "An Introduction to DNA Painter" by Jenny Perl. Intermediate, Advanced
Tuesday, April 9 - "Visualizing Ancestral Lines with DNA AutoClusters" by MyHeritage. Beginner, Intermediate
Wednesday, April 10 - "Plain Folk - Researching Amish and Mennonite Families" by Peggy Clemens Lauritzen. Intermediate, Advanced
Tuesday, April 16 - "Transcribing Documents: There is More Than Meets the Eye" by LaBrenda Garrett-Nelson. Intermediate
Wednesday, April 17 - "Boost Your Germanic Research" by Teresa Steinkamp McMillin. Intermediate
Tuesday, April 23 - "Censuses Around the World: What You Need to Know About Census Collections and Genealogy" by Mike Mansfield. Beginner
Wednesday, April 24 - "Comparing the Genealogy Giants: Ancestry.com, FamilySearch, Findmypast, and MyHeritage - 2019 Edition" by Sunny Morton. Beginner, Intermediate
Friday, April 26 - "How I Built My Own Brick Wall" by Rebecca Whitman Koford. Beginner, Intermediate
Tuesday, April 30 - "English Parish Records: More Than Hatch, Match and Dispatch" by Helen Smith. Intermediate
Sunday, March 31, 2019
Friday, March 29, 2019
Reclaim the Records
We mentioned "Reclaim the Records" during the Internet Archive presentation at a recent workshop. Ann shared that she has set up a notification for additions to a particular area of interest for her family research. The following announcement appeared in the Dick Eastman blog this week.
"Greetings from Reclaim The Records! We’re that scrappy little activist group of genealogists, historians, journalists, and open government advocates, fighting for better public access to government-held genealogical and historical documents. And today, we’re pleased to inform you that we just won our fourth lawsuit! We fought the New York State Department of Health (NYS DOH) for the index to marriages performed in the state of New York post-1965, and after seven months, a judge has now ruled in our favor.
This means that the basic index to millions of marriages in New York State will become available to the public. They’ll go online for free public use, without any paywalls or subscriptions or usage agreements. That’s because we at Reclaim The Records never charge anyone for records access; instead, we work to bring public data back to the public."
If you visit the website, you can see the current list of records available and also check on the progress of the group as they continue to advocate for records access. www.reclaimtherecords.org.
"Greetings from Reclaim The Records! We’re that scrappy little activist group of genealogists, historians, journalists, and open government advocates, fighting for better public access to government-held genealogical and historical documents. And today, we’re pleased to inform you that we just won our fourth lawsuit! We fought the New York State Department of Health (NYS DOH) for the index to marriages performed in the state of New York post-1965, and after seven months, a judge has now ruled in our favor.
This means that the basic index to millions of marriages in New York State will become available to the public. They’ll go online for free public use, without any paywalls or subscriptions or usage agreements. That’s because we at Reclaim The Records never charge anyone for records access; instead, we work to bring public data back to the public."
If you visit the website, you can see the current list of records available and also check on the progress of the group as they continue to advocate for records access. www.reclaimtherecords.org.
Friday, March 22, 2019
Googling Grandpa
Tuesday's meeting was our final gathering of the season. Dick presented an extensive look at how to use Google searches for genealogical research. He included examples of the Boolean operators used as search functions, such as AND, OR, NOT and signs like * ~ and +. Dick also suggested that we set up Google alerts at webpages where new information about our ancestor may appear.
We also took a brief look at adding photos and sources to the Family Tree at FamilySearch.
Homework assignments for the summer are part of the previous blog post!
We also took a brief look at adding photos and sources to the Family Tree at FamilySearch.
Homework assignments for the summer are part of the previous blog post!
Tuesday, March 19, 2019
Summer Homework
This list of ideas for spare time between March and November was posted last year. It never hurts to repeat useful suggestions.
1. Review your research
In other words, read through your notes and sources. Something new may come to mind.
2. Update census worksheets
Use those worksheets to keep track of future research goals.
3. Interview a family member
Don't wait until it's too late, as many of us have done.
4. Start a "to-do" list
You never know when you may have a chance to visit a library or archive. Your lists can be focused on one particular facility.
5. Write about your ancestors
Have your joined "52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks?" It's not too late to start.
6. Analyze and organize old photos
Visit www.phototree.com for helpful comparisons
7. Continue to use FamilySearch
Work on the tree and research new record sources.
8. Use a library
Look for the genealogy or local history section.
9. Play with Google
Use the suggestions from the March 19 presentation.
1. Review your research
In other words, read through your notes and sources. Something new may come to mind.
2. Update census worksheets
Use those worksheets to keep track of future research goals.
3. Interview a family member
Don't wait until it's too late, as many of us have done.
4. Start a "to-do" list
You never know when you may have a chance to visit a library or archive. Your lists can be focused on one particular facility.
5. Write about your ancestors
Have your joined "52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks?" It's not too late to start.
6. Analyze and organize old photos
Visit www.phototree.com for helpful comparisons
7. Continue to use FamilySearch
Work on the tree and research new record sources.
8. Use a library
Look for the genealogy or local history section.
9. Play with Google
Use the suggestions from the March 19 presentation.
Monday, March 18, 2019
Searching the Blog
Had anyone realized that you can use the search bar at the upper left to look for previous posts on the blog?
Last week Nancy was showing me a surname site for the British Isles, and I remembered that I had written about that website not too long ago. I checked with Mike at computer club and he pointed out that search bar. If you put "Named" in that field, the post about the site appears. And if you use "Surname maps" several other posts on the same subject will be listed.
That's a very useful tool!
Last week Nancy was showing me a surname site for the British Isles, and I remembered that I had written about that website not too long ago. I checked with Mike at computer club and he pointed out that search bar. If you put "Named" in that field, the post about the site appears. And if you use "Surname maps" several other posts on the same subject will be listed.
That's a very useful tool!
Friday, March 15, 2019
March 12 Workshop
The mini topic this week focused on the Internet Archive, a huge website containing books, movies, software and links to other websites. State and local libraries would be of most interest to genealogists, with access to city directories, law volumes, county histories and family histories.
We looked at some examples from various sources: Scottish directories and family histories, "Reclaim the Records" from New York, and county histories from Wisconsin.
Visit www.archive.org to explore this website. Be sure to use the "texts" selection for best results.
We looked at some examples from various sources: Scottish directories and family histories, "Reclaim the Records" from New York, and county histories from Wisconsin.
Visit www.archive.org to explore this website. Be sure to use the "texts" selection for best results.
Monday, March 11, 2019
DAR Fundraiser
This DAR fundraiser is scheduled for Saturday, March 23. You can either bring an item for appraisal for $20 in advance or $25 at the door. Or attend to enjoy the day for $5!
Friday, March 8, 2019
March 5 Genealogy Club
"Stepping Back in Time" was the title of Patricia Steele's story of her search for her ancestors. We heard about her Spanish ancestors who traveled to Hawaii to work on the sugar plantations and eventually migrated to California. Patricia's visits to her ancestral villages in Spain resulted in a book about her grandmother called "The Girl Immigrant."
Patricia also brought several scrapbooks that she created for different family lines. It was a pleasure to hear about her research and travels. Thanks, Patricia!
I am suggesting that any members who are interested in the Fillable Family Tree that Patricia demonstrated Google that term. You will find her example as well as many other choices.
Patricia also brought several scrapbooks that she created for different family lines. It was a pleasure to hear about her research and travels. Thanks, Patricia!
I am suggesting that any members who are interested in the Fillable Family Tree that Patricia demonstrated Google that term. You will find her example as well as many other choices.
Tuesday, March 5, 2019
Ontario Ancestors
The Ontario Genealogical Society announces that it is re-branding itself as Ontario Ancestors, with a new logo which will be rolled out throughout the Society and its publications and on-line presence in the coming months. The goal of the re-branding is to better reach the family history user community throughout Canada, the United States and the world. The name Ontario Ancestors provides a more immediately recognizable name to the family history community.
Saturday, March 2, 2019
March Webinars - Legacy
Here is the list of webinars that will be presented during March by Legacy. Visit www.familytreewebinars.com to read more about each topic or to register to watch in real time. Remember: all webinars are free for the initial presentation and for the week following.
Tuesday, March 5 - "Polled! Finding Your Ancestors in New South Wales Colonial Muster and Census Returns" by Carol Baxter. Intermediate
Wednesday, March 6 - "A Guide to Third Party Tools for DNA Testing" by Michelle Leonard. Intermediate
Wednesday, March 13 - "Reclaim the Records: Using Freedom of Information Laws for Genealogy" by Brooke Ganz. Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced
Tuesday, March 19 - "The Five-story Fall: Correlating Indirect and Direct Evidence to Extend the Pedigree" by Debra S. Mieszala. Intermediate
Wednesday, March 20 - "One African-American Family's Story of Migration From the South: A Boarding House in Detroit" by J. Mark Lowe. Beginner, Intermediate
Friday, March 22 - "A Terrible Malady: Disease and Epidemics in New England" by Lori Lyn Price. Intermediate
Wednesday, March 27 - "No Purchase Necessary: Free Genealogy Tools for Your iPad/iPhone" by Devin Ashby. Beginner
Tuesday, March 5 - "Polled! Finding Your Ancestors in New South Wales Colonial Muster and Census Returns" by Carol Baxter. Intermediate
Wednesday, March 6 - "A Guide to Third Party Tools for DNA Testing" by Michelle Leonard. Intermediate
Wednesday, March 13 - "Reclaim the Records: Using Freedom of Information Laws for Genealogy" by Brooke Ganz. Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced
Tuesday, March 19 - "The Five-story Fall: Correlating Indirect and Direct Evidence to Extend the Pedigree" by Debra S. Mieszala. Intermediate
Wednesday, March 20 - "One African-American Family's Story of Migration From the South: A Boarding House in Detroit" by J. Mark Lowe. Beginner, Intermediate
Friday, March 22 - "A Terrible Malady: Disease and Epidemics in New England" by Lori Lyn Price. Intermediate
Wednesday, March 27 - "No Purchase Necessary: Free Genealogy Tools for Your iPad/iPhone" by Devin Ashby. Beginner
Friday, March 1, 2019
Palm Creek Computer Club
Maureen and Annie were featured speakers at the Palm Creek Computer Club this past week. The topic was "Searching For My Roots Using a Computer." The presentation was divided into three parts: Networking/Social Media, Online Learning and Online Research.
Maureen talked about aspects of genealogy on Facebook, Pinterest, Twitter and Instagram. She also suggested making contact with members of a local genealogy group or society.
Annie's suggestions for learning how to do genealogy included joining the Palm Creek Genealogy Club, using the WiKi on FamilySearch, finding webinars or blogs, accessing Cyndi's List, and using Google searches for genealogy.
FamilySearch, Ancestry, FindAGrave and USGenWeb were the websites suggested for searching for records.
You can find the presentation at the following link: http://www.palmcreekcomputer.club/Current-Lessons/Week-15/week-15.html
Maureen talked about aspects of genealogy on Facebook, Pinterest, Twitter and Instagram. She also suggested making contact with members of a local genealogy group or society.
Annie's suggestions for learning how to do genealogy included joining the Palm Creek Genealogy Club, using the WiKi on FamilySearch, finding webinars or blogs, accessing Cyndi's List, and using Google searches for genealogy.
FamilySearch, Ancestry, FindAGrave and USGenWeb were the websites suggested for searching for records.
You can find the presentation at the following link: http://www.palmcreekcomputer.club/Current-Lessons/Week-15/week-15.html
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