Just before the holidays 2020-style, I received this photo from my daughter-in-law, Melissa.  These are her daughters! The "sailor" was transferring to a new assignment and they hadn't seen her for a while and decided to surprise her at the airport in New Orleans, I think.  "J" looks very dashing in her uniform and as we sat this past week at the Thanksgiving table we were sad to hear that she was quarantined somewhere at her post for the holiday due to a fellow mate have the virus.  

Thanksgiving and Christmas time turns our thoughts to our family members current and past.  Where will you locate the information for those ancestral profiles?

Last night as I watched a webinar via my genealogical society from Legacy, (https://familytreewebinars.com/), I realized that searching newspapers just makes sense for us genealogy folks.  This website has a ton of related webinars on that topic.  Here, then, are my notes (not the handout), as I tried to soak in the rich harvest of "what's out there" for us, as genealogists, in re-structuring our family's history via newspapers.  I hope you will let me know if the links prove fruitful for you, or which links you thought helpful.  

1. Lib-Guides: for example: https://libguides.uwf.edu/histnews

1. What is a lib-guide?   

   The LibGuides system is commonly used by librarians to create research or subject guides. Guides are the outermost component that functions as a mini-website on a topic or subject. They contain pages, boxes, and content.  This is how you know, which newspapers, for example, the university or library has access to.  This collection may be physical--they have the actual/physical newspaper or they may have a digital collection.  

   Whoops?!!  Just about the time that you find a collection that you want to investigate, you click and a message pops up requiring your "login" or "password".  It is usually a free or low cost proposition to obtain a library card for state institutions.  Simply walk-in or follow the directions on the log-in screen.  In my next blog, we will follow through with more about accessing the goodies featured in the "lib-guide".

   Community Patron Cards available for this particular institution.
   

How to Find Genealogical Info Via Worldcat.org

 Okay, let's say that I was looking for my ancestors who lived in Northeast Alabama at some period of time.  Somewhere in the vicinity of Gadsden, Alabama.

Keywords to search at https://www.worldcat.org might be Alabama, genealogy, northeast Alabama, periodicals, registers, "family history", etc.  

The best and first thing you can do when utilizing "WorldCat" is to sign in (free) for your very own account.  This will enable the program to identify nearby libraries that might have the information you are seeking.  And nowadays, if that library is located somewhere else, not convenient to your research location, you can bring up a web page for that individual library and "Ask a Librarian" or contact via e-mail and see if they can help you out!

So you could do the legwork yourself, skip the worldcat folks and go straight to the library's website.  But, you really want to know, if for some reason this info is located at a Jr. college 2 miles away, you can know that at the beginning of your search.

ALERT!!!  Not all libraries are listed or affiliated with WorldCat, but those are usually available via a Google search, if they have an online presence.  Going to a library is always an enriching experience, but doing some "legwork" via your computer will save you time and effort when you do visit personally. 

EXAMPLE:  My own personal go-to library website, locally.

 

Going through Stuff

 Who knows what treasures you will find as you go back through your old genealogy papers?!  And "stuff"?!  

Today:  Here is  a publication I ran across.  Its title is Pike County Alabama:  Bethlehem Baptist Church Records and it was contributed by: Mrs. B.W. Gandrud of Tuscaloosa, Alabama.

I have highlighted in orange hi-lighter, on my paper copy, family names which jump out at me: Cadenhead, Dennis, Edge, Bishop, Carlisle, Reynolds (a name from my kids' paternal line).  

Note, especially, the beginning explanation of how these records came to Mrs. B.W. Grandrud.  They were given to her by Winfred R. Horne of Clayton, Alabama, in September of 1960.  Mr. Horne has the following comments to make on the Church Register:

"Mr. Hobdy, in 1898, made only a brief condensation of the minutes, omitting practically all mention of individuals except what is contained in the following references."

Included is a list of the Founding Members.  Equally important is a description of the history of this church:  "The Bethlehem Baptist Church, near Louisville, Alabama was founded 25 April 1824.  This was in Pike County (Alabama) at that time, but since 1832 in Barbour County.  Louisville was the county seat of Pike County from 1822-1832.  This church is seven miles from Clayton, three miles from Louisville, on the Clayton-Louisville Road. 

Founding Members:

• Warren Jackson
• William Anglin
• Randol Jackson
• William Cox
• William Cadenhead
• James Cadenhead
• James A. Head
• Elizabeth Jackson
• Elizabeth Cox
• Eliizabeth Head
• Mary Pruit(t)
• Elizabeth Warren
• Anna (a woman of color)

 James Cadenhead was the first preacher and moderator and James A. Head was the first church clerk.

One wonders (I wonder), where is the appropriate place for this type of historical record?  And how is it helpful to one?  I did find, online, a Bethlehem Baptist Church reference at www.findagrave.com.  And, in that cemetery there are mentions of "Dennis" (one of my family names) burials.  But, I am thinking that the State Archives in Montgomery, Alabama might be a place to send a copy of this document which was cited in the Alabama Genealogical Register, 13 August 2003.  Or check their collection for that publication.

I continue to use this type of publication to look for clues online or elsewhere (local library, FamilySearch, etc.).  For example, Mathew Bishop + Pike County Alabama + OR Alabama cemeteries.  Certainly, you would want to census records for a time period that was defined according to information gleaned from a cemetery or document.  For example, T.J. Carlisle was a church clerk in 1879.  I check my genealogy software database...There was  a Thomas Carlisle who was a sibling to Dr. Charles Carlisle.  I am not related to Dr. Carlisle, but he was married to my third great grand aunt, Emily Lenora Rabb!  Their children are my cousins (albeit distant)!  

Sometimes squeezing information from near relatives' profiles is better than no information!  I have my round about ways!  And I'll take what I can get when it comes to folks who may have played a role in the life of "my" people!

If you have a question...watch YouTube.com! FamilySearch help is in lots of places!

 YouTube videos and More: for www.familysearch.org helps:

1.   Five Favorite Ways
   
2.  The Family History Guide
   
3.   The Inside Scoop
   
4.  The Family History Guide>See Web Site Blog
5.  More from The Family History Guide (2 new videos)  

If you like puzzles, then you will love Family History Genealogy!🌳

What to do with the "Stuff", (part 2)

I wondered if I could use this blog to "archive" some of the stuff I have.  Then, I could make friends and family aware of what I believe might be historical and/or family historical documents that I have in my possession.  

It is my desire that when I die, if my family comes in and wonders what to do with all this paper, records, books, etc., I would like for them to take the time and trouble to "ship it" or take it to one of three or four places.  I hereby bequeath all of my genealogical and historical-related papers to:

•  the University of West Florida Archives in Pensacola, Florida OR
• the Family History Library in Salt Lake City, Utah OR
• the Baker Block Museum in Baker, Okaloosa County, FL 
• OR to the Fort Wayne, Indiana Library.!!

Hopefully, I will start moving my papers and records to one of these repositories, while I am still alive.  I do not want to burden my family with doing this.  If the members of my family are overwhelmed  (as I am) with what I left behind, then of course they are free to do whatever!  I would rather be remembered not for what physical records I have, but for what I did, who I was, and how I treated family and friends! 

Personal Challenges in Family HIstory Work

My overriding challenge:  What to do with the paper?  Years ago when I first began my serious research (I had dabbled quite a bit previous to the in-depth commitment to research my genealogy)...the stark  truth was papers and files grew from a single notebook, to file folders, to hard copies of documents, and even though I was an early enthusiast for the computer, the internet, and for e-mail, I find myself at the age of 74, loaded down with boxes of loose papers!

Not only boxes seem to be multiplying, but there are the file cabinets, file boxes, the stacks, the piles--all of which have at one time or another been in a state of organized madness, but with moves, illness, etc., organization of physical sources and charts and photos are scattered from one room to the next, from closets to shelves.

More on this topic, later.  Get ready for the tornado, the hurricane, or whatever natural disasters would compromise even further, my current state of disarray.  I am trying to upload my data to the FamilySearch Family Tree on a regular basis.  I have also "stored" my information with Ancestry.com, MyHeritage.com, WikiTree.com, and the WeRelate.org, site.  I'm sure there are other sites I have "played" with, but right now, I will leave this suggestion with you:  Put your family tree everywhere on the internet you can find...it almost goes without saying...we are talking deceased persons only, here!

I even have a family tree at FindMyPast!

Comments on article at Genealogy's Star Blog

The Article can be found at this link.  After you have looked at it, please read my comments and respond yes if it was helpful.  

My Comments on James Tanner's blog article for June 2020:

 

Reading_Article_GenealogysStar Blog by James Tanner

Who is James Tanner and why do we care?

Look at the blog (link below) to see more about James Tanner and his genealogical connections. (Note RootsTech, Facebook, past postings, the link to the Family History Guide, subscribing to his blog so that it ends up in your e-mail box, etc.)

There is much more, including his review on the MyHeritage Family Tree Builder . 

I challenge myself and you to learn something new everyday for your genealogy 

journey!  Please respond to any one of the following questions/challenges 

(margaret.harris@gmail.com).

11/July/2020

LINK: https://genealogysstar.blogspot.com/2020/06

Questions You Might Ask Yourself

1. Do you consider genealogy activities to be a hobby, an interest, or a passion?

2. Do you “work” at genealogy?

3. Which activities in your life do you really value?

4. If you work for a living (at home or outside the home), what activities do you do in your leisure time? Even someone who “just” keeps the household going has “jobs”, things that really need to be accomplished on a daily basis. A student’s job, for example is to read, study, attend class, etc. A child’s job is to play and learn and explore!

5. What if you feel "guilty" that you aren't "doing your genealogy?" Guilt can be a motivator but it is usually not a productive one.

6. Look at the list of leisure time activities in the article. First check only the ones that appeal to you. Next, put that list in order of your preferences. For example, I do not physically go to movies very often. Maybe once a year in normal circumstances, if that! I don’t go fishing, ever, but might enjoy accompanying someone who does! Gardening is not something I do! As to renting movies, I watch Netflix or search on Amazon.com or turn on the Hallmark Channel! I do like to read, I do watch TV, I do spend a fair amount of time on the computer (puzzles on the internet, etc.). I spend some time every day working on a genealogy-related project. I spend time connecting with family and friends via phone calls, messsaging, facebook, etc.

7. Did you access the information in the article re: the Bureau of Labor Statistics results about how people spend their leisure time? In 2014, who spent more time in leisure activity, men or women?!

8. Would you consider trading some of your leisure activities for genealogy-related activities? If so, how much or which activities? If you analyze what you do every day, you can easily find an hour or two at least once a week if not more, for genealogy.

SUMMATION:
“...there is always a trade-off. You have to give up a portion of you leisure activities” if you really want to spend time researching your family history (and/or preserving it).

Reasons to Get up in the Morning

Reasons to get up in the morning: Exploration!

In this instance:my dad's old files, both genealogical and historical. Wiley Benjamin Hill, Jr. was born in Hattiesburg, Mississippi in 1913. As a baby, he slept in the same bedroom as his aging and sick, maternal grandfather, Samuel Richard Tucker, who was born in 1845 in Sumter, South Carolina.

Family History requries Research as well as storytelling.

World War I Draft Registrations (notes from familysearch wiki):

24 Million Men, born between 13 September 1873 and 12 September 1900 (between the ages of 18 and 45) registered with with the Selective Service.The registration cards for all of the states and territories have been microfilmed in National Archive Microfilm Publication M1509 World War I Selective Service System Draft Registration Cards and are part of Record Group 163 Records of the Selective Service System (World War I) The collection has been indexed and is available on FamilySearch.

If you aren't familiar with finding free records at FamilySearch, do this:

1. Register for a free account.
2. Then, log in to familysearch.org
3. Look at the opening page; there are about five headings; one of them is "Search".  Choose to search the familysearch "Wiki".  search for  

   United States World War I Draft Records

   https://www.familysearch.org/search/collection/1968530

   please e-mail me if you have questions, comments, or if you found this useful.  For a peek at what the uniforms looked like: https://www.historyhit.com/uniforms-of-world-war-one-the-clothes-that-made-the-men/

Today's family history challenge...HELP!

Seemed like a reasonable enough expectation; I wanted to find a possible ancestor at the Dry Springs Cemetery in Pinesville, Escambia County, Florida!

No, I had never heard of this particular cemetery or even the "town" of Pinesville.  So here are some of the steps I've taken and the results:

• See if this cemetery is featured at Findagrave.com: remember Findagrave is a free feature in the ancestry.com family.  It is best utilized when you do a free sign-in which will open to you some of their additional parts of the web site.  For example, I created at findagrave, a virtual cemetery for my discoveries on my maternal line.

• I didn't find a Dry Springs Cemetery.  And I didn't find the person I was searching.  My orginal source was a book in the collection of the West Florida Genealogy Society:  "Gravestone Registry of Escambia County, Florida; Volume I." 
• Next:  I put Pineville, Florida, into my search engine.  This is the result: https://florida.hometownlocator.com/fl/escambia/pineville.cfm, a confirmation that the place actually exists.  
• Then, I used the GNIS reference/link from the the above website.  There you get "driving directions" and other information.  Like: nearby  photos!   

Finally, I searched facebook and discovered another genealogy group devoted to people I care about and research, but nothing on Pineville or Dry Springs.  So, what next?

Here is my relative: J. C. Clark, born 3 May 1864; died 7 Jun 1956 in Escambia County, Florida.  Feel free to make a suggestion or stay tuned for any possible further finds!  I have added what I know about Mr. Clark to my RootsMagic Database so I wouldn't lose track of him.  

Finally, I did search the archives page at West Florida (University of): and didn't find much.  I sent an e-mail to the department head and he found an obituary!  

**Unrelated** Remember that if you are thinking about putting your family tree, online at FamilySearch.org, look first and make sure that your people are not already there!  For example, if you find your great grandfather already at that website, you will not need to enter him again.  Just connect to him and add only the folks that do not already have a profile.  This saves a lot of confusion, later on.  

1. 
   

Obituaries and Death Records, Chapter 2

Resources for Finding obituaries and death records:

1.  https://www.archives.com/ (free trial)  
2. Legacy.com (not sure of the origin of this database); probably it is free trial.  Will report as I find out more.
3.  Tributes.com: Begins with your local obits.  This site is online obits, funeral notices and death records.  Someone try it and write a review!  mmharris52@yahoo.com
4. Search the wonderful resources of libraries!  Visit worldcat.org!   Search by place (where you think your relative lived and/or died).  Then, by name.  THIS IS A FREE SITE!  It is also a site that will serve you best if you sign in.  
5. Use your search this way...on your browser bar, type in a description of the library that you want to access.  For example I entered "Monroe Couty Library System" New York.  Here is what popped up (no surprises here!):  https://libraryweb.org/ for Monroe County, Rochester, New York.
6. Interment.net:  I have utilized this site several times in the past but it is now powered by Genealogy Bank.  You get a free week then you have to start paying!  
7. If you missed it, now is the time for you to review my previous post, "Chapter 1" or just link up with FamilySearch link: United States Death Records!

List of Things to Remember Chapter 1

Grocery List

I'm sure you've made many a list to prepare for grocery shopping!  Now, let's make a list of websites to access for obituaries.  

Why obituaries?  When you are looking for information on your ancestors, you want to begin with the event which is closest to you in history.  

That event is the death of your ancestor.  Many of us will remember that, for example, "my grandfather died when I was 11 years old."  Or, "I remember that my grandmother passed away at Christmas time the same year as the end of World War II".  So even if we don't remember anything else about that event, this will give you a date range to look for an obituary.

Why an  obituary....why is that important?  Obituaries give various tidbits of info that will help us to develop a timeline for our relative.  Birth (date and place), place of residence at the time of death, possible military service facts, church affiliations, the names of family members, and other information such as place of burial are often included in the obituary.

Useful databases (in case you don't have a particular memory to go by), are...

1. United States Death Records: FamilySearch.org is a free source online and is best utilized when you sign in for a free account.  Here is an example of what you can find at this link:
1. A Step-by-step guide to finding death records
2. Indexed death records for the United States.
3. Links to Findagrave.com, BillionGraves.com, Social Security Death Index, Ancestry.com ($), DeathIndex.com
4. Several other links, databases, and suggestions/educational materials related to this important topic.
   

Appreciating what our ancestors might have experienced

This relative of mine was age 82 at death; what was his quality of life?

No doubt about it: living a "sheltered" existence is a challenge to us in this modern day.  When I saw this post at the CDC site, I felt humbled at the challenges our ancestors may have encountered!

What other events or circumstances may have played a part in determining how, when, and where our ancestors experienced difficulties, other than disease?  Please add your thoughts! 
 My list includes:

1. Weather or environmental challenges?
2. War, or other calamities?
3. Availability of learning and literacy concerns?
4. Economic ups and downs?
5. How would creating a timeline for the life of your ancestor help you to know more about his story? (Both Ancestry.com and FamilySearch.org have a time line feature; explore and let me know how helpful that is for your research!  Oh, and I think that Billion Graves also has something similar!
6. Where, online, can you post notes that will give a better insight into your ancestor's life?  How about findagrave.com?  At familysearch?  At wikitree.com?  On the site at WeRelate.org?
7. Finally, what kind of impact does a photograph of your ancestor have in learning more about their lives?  What type of forensic investigation does a photo invite?

 

My Great Granduncle: Lewis Winters and his family

My bio-paternal line: Winters.  In 1880, Lewis Winters and his family were living in Cole Township, Sebastian County, Arkansas. 
I may have been through Arkansas circa 1960, when I was traveling as a fourteen year old with some friends of the family on a long and circuitous trip from Florida to Utah.  Otherwise, I know not a whole lot about that state and have no significant memory of any special "awareness" as we made our way.  Every U.S. Census only tells us a part of a story, as well.

Fortunately there are many resources that we can tap to enlarge our perceptions of people, places, and history.  So besides Google Maps, I can also consult Wikipedia.  This website gives quite a bit of information, such as neighboring counties and in fact the township "Cole" is now known as "Hackett". 

What other tools can you access to learn more about this family and where would you look?  

Websites Hopefully Helpful to You!

Web Sites for Genealogists Who Want to Grow Their Family Tree!  I have many more sites but will work on that for the next session of the CLL!  
Will work on a more Sleek Table, Also!

Name of Website	URL	Remarks
(Legacy) Family Tree Webinars	https://familytreewebinars.com/	To view a webinar is free. You can take notes because only members (paid) get to download the syllabus. Otherwise, great resource for free education and referrals and resources
Eastman’s Online Genealogy Newsletter	https://blog.eogn.com/	There is a free version of this newsletter and a “plus”/paid version; however, the paid version is very reasonably priced. The site features news and happenings as well as referrals to databases, etc.
FamilySearch.org	https://www.familysearch.org/en/	To get the biggest bang for your buck (haha), sign up for a free account.
FamilySearch Helps for Beginners	https://www.familysearch.org/wiki/en/Family_History_for_Beginners	It will take a few minutes to go through the options found here, but you are always on solid ground with FamilySearch.org
Ancestral Findings	https://ancestralfindings.com/hire-professional-genealogist/	When to Hire a Professional Genealogist article/video.
Museums, State Parks, Libraries, Etc.	http://bakerblockmuseum.org/clouds/intheclouds/index-a.html	A multitude of resources like this one often have a list or a link so that you can search them for resources.
Cemetery & Burial Info	https://billiongraves.com	One of two outstanding sources of this type. (Findagrave.com)
	Web Sites for Genealogists Who Want to Grow Their Family Tree! Page 2
Genealogy Guys	http://blog.genealogyguys.com/	This duo is also available via Facebook group of the same name; experienced genealogists and published authors live here.
Page #2 Calendar of Genealogy Events By State	http://eogn.wikidot.com/	This isn’t comprehensive, but still might be worth looking at every now and then.
Evernote Tool/Utility	https://evernote.com/	Wonderful place to store your discoveries!
Z0TERO	https://www.zotero.org/	Research Assistant & Keeper
University of West Florida Archives (Where you can put your own story and papers)	https://libguides.uwf.edu/universityarchives	Similar sites for your area of interest are out there! Find them online, then visit them in person or digitally.
Obituaries (1)	https://obits.nwfdailynews.com/obituaries/nwfdailynews/obituary.aspx?n=roy-rosario-ourso&pid=195593415	Find a site like this one to view obituaries.
We Relate	https://www.werelate.org/wiki/Main_Page	Free place to put your research and more
American Ancestors: New England Historic Genealogical Society	https://www.americanancestors.org/index.aspx	For this site, you just need to look at what resources they have access to!
Genealogy Blogger and More, Amy Crow	https://www.amyjohnsoncrow.com/	Just one of many newsletters and a fount of information.
Ancestry.com	https://www.ancestry.com/ https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/catalog/#	Access their site for 90 days or whatever; it will be well worth your time. So many great things about Ancestry.com! For example their “Card Catalog”
Random Genealogy Sites	http://www.bay-genealogy-mi.com/ Web Sites for Genealogists Who Want to Grow Their Family Tree! (Page 3)	Does Your Genealogical Society have a web site? Or a society whose location could hold very interesting information for your surname?
Center for Disease Control	https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/w2w/index.htm	Where To Write for Vital Records
You are citing in Chicago Manual of Style	https://www.citationmachine.net/chicago/	Citation Machine for those who understand the importance of Citing Their Sources!
CyndisList	https://www.cyndislist.com/	A + Wonderful Portal for Genealogists
Family Tree DNA Lab/Company/Site	https://www.familytreedna.com/	A dependable lab for DNA testing!
Family Tree Magazine (hard copy or digital)	https://www.familytreemagazine.com/	At least the last I heard they were still printing a paper copy of this magazine. The articles are amazingly on point and helpful. You can depend on getting educational and up to date info, but IT DOES COST MONEY!
FindaGrave is the name and Burials are its thing.	https://www.findagrave.com/	My Personal Favorite! I can’t say enough good things about all these people whose volunteerism compiled this database. Doesn’t cost money but if you sign in you can contribute memorials, and more.
Genetic Genealogy Standards	https://www.thegeneticgenealogist.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/Genetic-Genealogy-Standards.pdf#page=1&zoom=auto,-73,792	PDF Document you can download or printing If you are doing the DNA thing, you should read this!
Genea Musings	https://www.geneamusings.com	One of the Best Bloggers for Family History Researchers!
Gaming for Genealogy	https://www.deseret.com/2014/2/10/20534906/gaming-for-genealogy-helping-bring-genealogy-to-a-digital-generation	An article to read and think about or discuss.
Family History Fanatics	https://www.familyhistoryfanatics.com/	These folks have it together. Their site offers webinars and much much more!
How to Create a Gedcom File	https://www.thoughtco.com/how-to-create-a-gedcom-file-1421892	This article is written by Kimberly Powell; she is an excellent writer and genealogist and as sound as they come!
Rootsweb	https://home.rootsweb.com/	Search family trees at World Connect. Search Mailing Lists. Message Boards, Web Sites, USGENWEB stuff, Read the Wiki, use “Support for Rootsweb” tool. If you have not visited this site since 2018 or 2019, you may have to open an new account. Hosted by Ancestry but sofar as I know, no charge for accessing this wonderful tool from the past.
Geni.com	https://www.geni.com/	This database has been around for a while! When you can’t find your ancestor elsewhere, check here. Don’t know at what point they start charging $, but some things are still free. Be sure to document anything that isn’t an historical record and even then…
Genealogical Society of Okaloosa County	https://sites.rootsweb.com/~flocgs/index-that-was-main-index.html	Societies like this one offer publications and digital records as well. For example, even though (throughout our 44 years), we have dedicated “natives” and non-natives who have contributed to seeking out and sorting out individuals in Marriage Records, Burial Records, and more.