Were you wondering if there was one?
An official guide to FamilySearch? Well, there is!
Of course there are lot of websites that talk about FamilySearch.org and there is plenty of help on the FamilySearch Wiki, but if you
want a workbook online, a project manager, then use this FamilySearch Official Guide.
Many of us have learned by trial and error, but some of us like to study the "rule book" at the beginning of a new endeavor.
Still others have a specific question about using FamilySearch; well check out the guidebook and let me know how or whether you plan to utilize it for that purpose.
P.S. When I want to find a specific page at FamilySearch.org, I Google what I'm looking for and Google usually takes me there! Another great way to find a specific topic at FamilySearch is WorldCat.org.
And then, there is the Unofficial guide as well. I found it easily, the information for the book, at WorldCat!
Historically, hats have represented one's occupation, one's hobby, or one's passion. I wear the Family History Hat because I am passionate about genealogy.
My Fave Sites for Genealogy and Family HIstory
Wednesday, February 07, 2018
Blaine T. Bettinger posted on Facebook about a story of a man who gives lots and lots of his time to digitizing old newspapers.
The story was just too good to pass up, So "Dear Myrtle" shared Blaine's post in her public group on Facebook.
Now, I'm falling in line with others who realize that Tom Tryniski is an amazing person! Here is the link to the orginal article at Columbia Journalism Review.
It's this type of individual that moves the rest of us to do a little more in the area of Random Acts of Genealogical Kindness.
Tom's website, Fulton History, has little surprises here and there as he steps outside of the state of New York with his newspaper scanning project.
The story was just too good to pass up, So "Dear Myrtle" shared Blaine's post in her public group on Facebook.
Now, I'm falling in line with others who realize that Tom Tryniski is an amazing person! Here is the link to the orginal article at Columbia Journalism Review.
It's this type of individual that moves the rest of us to do a little more in the area of Random Acts of Genealogical Kindness.
Tom's website, Fulton History, has little surprises here and there as he steps outside of the state of New York with his newspaper scanning project.
Tuesday, February 06, 2018
I don't always read all of it, but it is helpful to my research because there are days when you read something and a light bulb is turned on in your head!
For example, today's item, (I opened up my email account and there it was), has a header "Free Links to Some Early Alabama Marriages by County". Free is the best! Unless I know that I already have all the marriage information for Bibb County Alabama relatives, (which I probably don't), then you will click on that link, first thing!
It makes sense that if you are looking for genealogy information in any state or county, that you will want to subscribe to a blog, newsletter, or whatever, that has that place in its title.
One of the links in this article brought me to this Site, where marriage info for the period, "Before 1825", resided. http://www.censusdiggins.com/alabama_marriages.html
has, in turn, links to other sites for related research!
Thursday, February 01, 2018
Friday, January 26, 2018
Newsletters, Websites, Blogs, and Twitter!
Imagine my delight when I discovered this gal over at Twitter: https://twitter.com/RedheadGenealog!
Not only do I have a redhead granddaughter, but my best friend in high school was a red head! At the Center for Lifelong Learning, we've been learning about genealogical newsletters, websites, and blogs.
I get to start on a new track, now: no, not redheaded genealogists, but genealogy on twitter!
Four other tweets you'll want to check out are:
Not only do I have a redhead granddaughter, but my best friend in high school was a red head! At the Center for Lifelong Learning, we've been learning about genealogical newsletters, websites, and blogs.
I get to start on a new track, now: no, not redheaded genealogists, but genealogy on twitter!
Four other tweets you'll want to check out are:
- NEHGS Tweeter, Mr. Lambert
- Memes and Inspiration at This URL: https://twitter.com/FTCircles
- Interment.net (for those who just love a good cemetery read)!
- Kenneth Marks, Ancestor Hunter: This guy loves newspapers!
Saturday, November 25, 2017
Federal Land Office, GLO, BLM
A rose
by any other name would smell as sweet.
Here is the land record link for federal land records.
by any other name would smell as sweet.
Here is the land record link for federal land records.
- https://www.blm.gov/services/land-records
- The term "GLO" stands for General Land Office (in 1946, it became the Bureau of Land Management). An example of an 1845 Deed is HERE.
- To learn more about land records for the purpose of researching your history, heritage, and genealogy, link to this handout. (This link includes a discussion of state land offices, county records, and the value of land records for genealogists.
- Many Americans worked as tenant farmers in return for a share of the crop. (True or false)?
- What is the difference between a sharecropper and a tenant farmer?
- Read more at this link: Gale Group
- Read a page of this handout everyday until you've completed reading the handout: http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~flmgs/articles/BLM_LANDRECS2013_a_2.pdf
- General Land Office (Texas): this is an example of an amazing effort to educate the public.
- The U.S. Constitution and Private Property Connection. (Just a little off the topic--but related)
- Land, Culture, Development and Migration in the Upper Midwest
Thursday, November 16, 2017
Findagrave New and Fairly Workable
I've had more time, this past week, to play a little more with Ancestry's Version of Findagrave.
I'm the type that just dives right in, ignoring the tutorials, so my initial impression was so-so, probably because I had prepared poorly. The more effort you put into doing research, the more results you will get back. Don't be lazy like me and just go looking without first reviewing what facts you've already accumulated on an individual. Bring up your database or online tree in one screen. Then search Findagrave or whatever site you choose.
I do want to thank Ancestry.com for "rescuing" the Findagrave photos and database. Upon reflection, I realized that we might not have any access if it weren't for that company.
You see, the project had grown to mammoth proportions (never discount the spirit of volunteerism), and the creators weren't able to keep up with the costs in time and money, at some point.
It takes money to support servers (big storage computers). It takes people to support the management of the website. Ask anyone who has been a webmaster and/or launched a website. W-O-R-K calls for assistants and managers--the larger the project, the more likely you are to have to hire folks and pay for additional servers.
Why I like the "new" Findagrave:
I'm the type that just dives right in, ignoring the tutorials, so my initial impression was so-so, probably because I had prepared poorly. The more effort you put into doing research, the more results you will get back. Don't be lazy like me and just go looking without first reviewing what facts you've already accumulated on an individual. Bring up your database or online tree in one screen. Then search Findagrave or whatever site you choose.
I do want to thank Ancestry.com for "rescuing" the Findagrave photos and database. Upon reflection, I realized that we might not have any access if it weren't for that company.
You see, the project had grown to mammoth proportions (never discount the spirit of volunteerism), and the creators weren't able to keep up with the costs in time and money, at some point.
It takes money to support servers (big storage computers). It takes people to support the management of the website. Ask anyone who has been a webmaster and/or launched a website. W-O-R-K calls for assistants and managers--the larger the project, the more likely you are to have to hire folks and pay for additional servers.
Why I like the "new" Findagrave:
- I can create my own personal virtual cemetery. So far, I've created one each for my mother's folks, my biological father's relatives, and one more for my adoptive dad's kin.
- I can edit more easily than ever, the information at the site of an individual's findagrave page. For example, I can add dates and places.
- I can do other stuff, too, I suspect, just as soon as I continue exploring and looking at the tutorials! I always want to know who took the pictures and generated the data. That bank of volunteers are why we can't discount findagrave! Their labors are appreciated.
Thursday, November 02, 2017
Take 15 or 20 Minutes out of your day to read EOGN!
Quiz for EOGN (Plus Edition) Readers
1. True or False: Sometimes data sets of records are removed from being online.
2. Why are records removed (disappear) from popular genealogy sites?
3. What can you do now to save important records for future access?
---------------------------------------
1. Do Magnetic Tapes Lose their Magnetism?
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1. What new book will be of great interest and help to the Acadian researcher?
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What new Mobile App for genealogists makes it easier than ever to explore and share your family history?
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What nifty application at Internet Archive is available for avid readers?
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What website useful to family historians is having troubles and who is working on updating and revising some of its features?
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What tool is very useful for creating personal genealogy web sites from GEDCOM files?
____________________________________________________________________________
What Canadian Census is now available Free at the Library and Archives Canada?
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Many more helpful articles are published each week by Dick Eastman. Subscriptions can be free OR subscribe for the plus edition for a very reasonable charge.
Monday, October 16, 2017
Odds and Ends Websites for Friends...Genealogy Friends!
When you find something of value, don't you just want to share it with a friend? Well, I want to share some websites with you. Try them and let me know what you think, OR just give it a Thumbs Up/Thumbs Down review!
- https://www.gengophers.com/#/
- https://www.churchunion.us/
- Archival Supplies
- For inquiring minds
- News Re "Heritage Quest"; if you like what you read at this site, contact a librarian at the FWB Public Library OR if you are military you can subscribe for free at the Eglin Library.
- Astronomy?...No, not quite. http://genealogysstar.blogspot.com/
- Research with The Armchair Genealogist!
Thursday, October 05, 2017
Monday, September 25, 2017
Free Webinars at FamilySearch
I missed today''s webinar, but coming up is another good one (http://media.familysearch.org/free-family-history-library-classes-and-webinars-for-september-2017/):
11 a.m. MST
12 p.m. CDT
Thursday 28 September!
Thursday 28 September!
Website: FamilySearch.org and Your Family Tree
How to Start Your Family Tree
at FamilySearch.org
- Remember, Family Tree at FamilySearch is not meant to be a private tree for your dead relatives!
- However, if you want an online tree that is subject to being edited or added to by strangers, then you'll want to stay tuned to this channel!
Why would anyone choose the 2nd Option?! Well, folks who use FamilySearch Family Tree want to see their tree grow. They want to connect with cousins. They want collaboration (if it has been documented)! If anyone changes the information and it is incorrect, you can change it back with little or no trouble.
- FamilySearch Family Tree will interact with RootsMagic (your static, private version of your family tree) so that you can upload your info to Family Tree instead of entering each name separately.
- If you don't use RootsMagic, perhaps you will change your mind when you find out that your family tree at Ancestry.com can be imported to RootsMagic and then be uploaded/integrated with FamilySearch!
- Or not. If your previous software is ged.com compatible, then you can load it onto FamilySearch Family Tree, also.
- Here's one of several video presentations at YouTube that you might want to watch, so that when I do a demonstration in a couple of weeks, you will be ahead of the game: https://youtu.be/iWm9bFGyMSc
- Also, explore the good things people have to say about Family Tree at FamilySearch:
- Randy Seaver at Genea Musings: http://www.geneamusings.com/2015/01/why-arent-researchers-using.html
- Me: Lots of guidance available online

https://www.cyndislist.com/familysearch/family-tree/
http://www.thefhguide.com/project-1-family-tree.html
YouTube.com (in the search box, enter "FamilySearch Family Tree").
Indian River Genealogical Society
Legacy Family Tree and FamilySearch Family Tree
And Best of All (my opinion): Ancestoring Blog/Site
My Challenge to You
1. Obtain a sign-in/account at FamilySearch.org Family Tree (FREE_)
2. Choose a few of your dead ancestors (Start with your grand or great grand parents). Enter them into the Family Tree and see what happens. You can print out the results in pedigree form, if you like.
3. Let me know your comments, questions, and so forth. (margaret.harris@gmail.com)
Tuesday, September 19, 2017
Tidbits, Newsflash, and Family History News
#1: Free Access to Legacy's Genealogy Webinars (https://familytreewebinars.com/freeaccess)
#2: At eogn.com, this week's "regular" no-pay newsletter: look for keywords "Evernote"; New York Health Dept Lock-up Vital Event Records;https://www.thegenealogist.co.uk/; Sussex Parish Records; Your Ancestor, a Convict Shipped to Australia?; Genealogy Events Calendar Update; New Records, Findmypast.com; The person or persons in my class who can tell me why Dick Eastman's newsletter is shorter than usual will win a prize!
#3: Have you seen the 5 tips to organize your Military Records at Ancestry.com Blog?
#4: Free FamilySearch Webinars for September: http://media.familysearch.org/free-family-history-library-classes-and-webinars-for-september-2017/
Class on Friday: Jon Sheperd will finish up his Cemetery Research Program; Margaret will demonstrate a popular feature of FamilySearch.org!
#2: At eogn.com, this week's "regular" no-pay newsletter: look for keywords "Evernote"; New York Health Dept Lock-up Vital Event Records;https://www.thegenealogist.co.uk/; Sussex Parish Records; Your Ancestor, a Convict Shipped to Australia?; Genealogy Events Calendar Update; New Records, Findmypast.com; The person or persons in my class who can tell me why Dick Eastman's newsletter is shorter than usual will win a prize!
#3: Have you seen the 5 tips to organize your Military Records at Ancestry.com Blog?
#4: Free FamilySearch Webinars for September: http://media.familysearch.org/free-family-history-library-classes-and-webinars-for-september-2017/
Class on Friday: Jon Sheperd will finish up his Cemetery Research Program; Margaret will demonstrate a popular feature of FamilySearch.org!
Wednesday, September 13, 2017
I subscribe....
Currently, I subscribe to an online genealogy magazine (FamilyTreeMagazine). I believe it is also available in hard copy, too. Well, wouldn't you know that some of the things I've been thinking about, lately, are topics in the latest issue?!! Reading hasn't gone out of fashion, folks!

For example:
- What is a State Research Guide [and why did the Family History Center quit carrying them?] FamilyTreeMagazine.com offers two state guides each month. If class goes well on Friday and we have time, I will tell you where to find the "old" state guides at FamilySearch.org.
- Family Tree Options: Software, Online, ?
- Recent weather events remind us: What will happen to our Genealogy? Where to you store your genealogy?
- Christmas is coming: What will you give your family?
- Where do you back up your photos?
- Hiring a Professional Genealogist--What you need to know
- www.familytreemagazine.com.
Wednesday, August 30, 2017
Announcements (Area Events and More)
- Registration Information for the Fall Session of the CLL (Center for LIfelong Learning)
http://www.cll-fwb.org/RegistrationSchedule.html
- Family History Center FWB: Open Thursday 10a.m.-4p.m. and Saturday 10a.m.-1p.m. 339 Lake Drive (off Memorial Pkway, behind Beal Memorial Cemetery, at LDS Chapel); Private appointments available; just email margaret.harris@gmail.com
- Check out other Family History Center Locations: https://www.familysearch.org/locations/centerlocator?c=32541
- 21st Annual Central Florida Family History Conference: Saturday, Nov. 4th, 2017, 9a.m.-4:00p.m. Orlando, Florida. Featuring 16 World Class Family History Experts!
www.familyhistoryconference.org
- March 3, 2018: NWFL (Free) Family History Fair, Fort Walton Beach, FL: https://www.facebook.com/GenFairGal2018/
| My Family History Hat! |
Monday, August 07, 2017
Handout for Genealogy Newbies
Hope this handout which I'm going to utilize in my presentation on Wednesday, will be helpful to others, as well, who are just starting down that trail of research. A link for this document (PDF) can also be found at https://www.scribd.com/document/355783768/SRB-Genealogy-GSOC
My
Family History: How Do I Begin?
1.
It’s as easy as realizing that you already know something about
your family history!
2.
It’s crucial to write down (or record) what you know so that you
can see WHAT YOU DON’T KNOW.
This
is why, in the old days, we filled out “pedigree” or “ancestor”
charts. Of course you can still choose those forms, if you want.
You can even download them free on the Internet.
https://familysearch.org/wiki/en/Genealogy_Research_Forms is
just one website among many that will let you download free charts.
There
are also websites that will let you build a family tree on the
Internet. If you utilize this tool, be sure you do not post
information on your living relatives. Here are some options for
creating your family tree online:
-
https://familysearch.org/
-
http://www.myheritage.com/family-tree-builder
-
https://www.ancestry.com/family-tree/
-
https://www.wikitree.com/
-
www.findmypast.com
There
are other online family trees, but the ones I have given you are
among the most popular and reliable.
Other
websites you will want to look at:
-
http://www.familytreemagazine.com/article/best-cemetery-directory-sites-2016
-
https://www.werelate.org
-
https://familysearch.org/blog/en/started-family-history/
-
http://www.findmypast.com/content/10-tips-to-start-your-family-history-journey
-
YouTube.com (search for genealogy or “family history”) Many videos!
-
Wikipedia.org (search places, towns, and more)
-
Beginners’ Guide to Genetic Genealogy: https://isogg.org/wiki/Beginners'_guides_to_genetic_genealogy
-
Google Earth and/or maps.google.com
-
books.google.com
-
worldcat.org-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Looking
for a good book about Genealogy? Search www.amazon.com.
Finding
ancestral trails begins and ends with three important pieces of
information: Who? When? Where? Apply these questions to
every vital life event: Birth, Marriage, Death; (aka batch,
match, and dispatch)!
We
are looking for the name of your ancestor as it would have occurred
at the time of his birth; we want to guestimate his date of birth if
we don’t already know it. We need to know a general idea
of where that event occurred, if possible. Newspapers
are a possible source, family Bibles, birth announcement cards and
maybe you can glean some info from a photograph or two.
Sunday, July 02, 2017
A Reason to Do Family History
- A reason to do genealogy and seek out your family history:
- Start sending for death certificates.
- Dig about in the attics and basements for clues about meds your family member took.
- Investigate stories that might include information about the ancestors' health, especially pension applications...or whatever you can find.
- And for Pete's (or whoever's) sake, talk to living relatives, especially older living relatives...even if they are distant relatives.
- Find county histories and speak to old-timers in the are where your relatives lived. Review newspapers and photographs. Learn the signs (physical signs) of genetic diseases and consult medical dictionaries if you have questions.
- Recently I was working on an indexing project which dealt with field hospitals and in this case, a particular hospital that treated the diseases and sicknesses of both local folks and the soldiers coming out of the 1865 civil war fighting. Names, ages, and the disease or cause of their being at the medical facility were recorded. This source was not specially tied to genetic disease, but reminded me that our ancestors suffered in a time that the existence of antiseptics had not yet made an appearance. There was no such thing as a deterrent or cure for typhoid. We are linked to those ancestral experiences if only through DNA. Let science and technology become a part of your family history, now.
Tuesday, May 16, 2017
A Presentation on the How and the Where of Family History
Please see if you can open this link and let me know~
Thursday, May 11, 2017
What is an Historical Document? What Types of Records Are We Interested In?
Marriage License (May be Online at a State Web Site, Ancestry.com or FamilySearch); I once located a bunch of marriage records that an individual had scanned and uploaded to the Internet. The marriage license (a copy of the original) can often be located online. Or, you can write the depository where your State Records are stored.
Where Can I Write for Vital Records?
This is a pretty standard form for death certificates.
Where Can I Write for Vital Records?
This is a pretty standard form for death certificates.
Saturday, April 29, 2017
Challenge Your Brain Every Day
http://www.funtrivia.com/email/play.cfm?egroup=1558938&tmp=1493345111
Trivia quizzes and other brain games will help you to stay sharp, mentally. Genealogy/Family History research will do very well for mental calisthenics, also.
1. You know when and where your ancestor was born. What was his occupation? Where can you find that information?
2. Where can you find a source that explains the "titles" or names of different occupations?
Check back in my next post for the answers to that and other questions! But first, Google or search online!
Trivia quizzes and other brain games will help you to stay sharp, mentally. Genealogy/Family History research will do very well for mental calisthenics, also.
1. You know when and where your ancestor was born. What was his occupation? Where can you find that information?
2. Where can you find a source that explains the "titles" or names of different occupations?
Check back in my next post for the answers to that and other questions! But first, Google or search online!
Wednesday, April 26, 2017
Genea-Musings
Genea-Musings
If you are aiming to be a dedicated researcher and family history finder, then you should subscribe via e-mail to this blog.
When I read it, I always come away with new ideas and enthusiasm. Let me know what you think!
Randy Seaver Rocks!
If you are aiming to be a dedicated researcher and family history finder, then you should subscribe via e-mail to this blog.
When I read it, I always come away with new ideas and enthusiasm. Let me know what you think!
Randy Seaver Rocks!
Monday, April 10, 2017
Cute idea--Do you have a spouse who wants to spout off?
http://napavalleyregister.com/lifestyles/columnists/genealogy/confessions-of-a-genealogist-s-spouse/article_e40e841c-0a4e-5c21-86cc-6fc7364acb06.html#tncms-source=article-nav-prev
At least, I find this humorous. I was known to drag my husband in and out of cemeteries and archives, on occasion. Do you relate? (No pun intended).
More often, I left him home to fend for himself and make dinner for the Kid.
At least, I find this humorous. I was known to drag my husband in and out of cemeteries and archives, on occasion. Do you relate? (No pun intended).
More often, I left him home to fend for himself and make dinner for the Kid.
![]() |
| Ed in the Kitchen, Having Fun |
Saturday, April 01, 2017
I'm a newbie to DNA
Though I've attended conferences on DNA and read a bit about it, I really didn't get involved until I broke down and got my autosomal dna done at FTDNA.com.
From my most recent attempt at educating myself, I attended a seminar (in two sessions) of four hours each. The presenter said that right now, the easiest route is through Ancestry.com's autosomal dna program. Why? You might ask.
Ancestry has a lot of family trees. They also have a database of like 3 million or 4, by now, probably, of people who have sent in their dna. They have developed some tools that make it pretty clear how to find out your matches.
Heritage is also doing some kind of wild things and might be really good for you if you have European or Middle Eastern.
I think each of us just has to make a decision and carry through with it and I chose FTdna.com a company I felt like would be a good one for me.
There are also folks working on different programs that will allow you to put your "kit" info in and they will triangulate it or compare it. One of those programs is GEDMatch; you submit a gedcom of your family trees (everyone is supposed to do that) and they have a large amount of folks using them, also. So, I recommend getting invested in this Genetic Genealogy thing. Make sure you menfolk go for your Y-Chromosome study as well as your autosomal. Ladies, get your Mitochondrial (Mother's line) done and do your autosomal. As we obtain more and more people in the database, it will be easier to find our relatives. And our descendants will also be able to have that opportunity to uncover their families and ancestors, as well as cousins.
https://isogg.org/wiki/Beginners'_guides_to_genetic_genealogy
From my most recent attempt at educating myself, I attended a seminar (in two sessions) of four hours each. The presenter said that right now, the easiest route is through Ancestry.com's autosomal dna program. Why? You might ask.
Ancestry has a lot of family trees. They also have a database of like 3 million or 4, by now, probably, of people who have sent in their dna. They have developed some tools that make it pretty clear how to find out your matches.
Heritage is also doing some kind of wild things and might be really good for you if you have European or Middle Eastern.
I think each of us just has to make a decision and carry through with it and I chose FTdna.com a company I felt like would be a good one for me.
There are also folks working on different programs that will allow you to put your "kit" info in and they will triangulate it or compare it. One of those programs is GEDMatch; you submit a gedcom of your family trees (everyone is supposed to do that) and they have a large amount of folks using them, also. So, I recommend getting invested in this Genetic Genealogy thing. Make sure you menfolk go for your Y-Chromosome study as well as your autosomal. Ladies, get your Mitochondrial (Mother's line) done and do your autosomal. As we obtain more and more people in the database, it will be easier to find our relatives. And our descendants will also be able to have that opportunity to uncover their families and ancestors, as well as cousins.
https://isogg.org/wiki/Beginners'_guides_to_genetic_genealogy
Monday, March 27, 2017
How to find resources (genealogically helpful resources) for Locations aka "Places"
There is magic in the air! You just have to find it. Just as Worldcat.org is a magnificent place to find the holdings of libraries far and near, so is the FamilySearch Wiki a wonderful key to the world of resources for locations.
Mathew Bishop lived most of his adult life in Marion County, Alabama. Because he was born in 1807 in Spartanburg, South Carolina, the records for his forefathers [and mothers] are a bit of a mystery, right now.
I decided to learn as much as I could about Marion County and the Bishop family in Marion County and hope that it will lead me back to some clues for his genealogy in South Carolina. There are several ways of going about that quest but FamilySearch Wiki is a good beginning.
I know I've talked about this before, but I truly appreciate the function of the Wiki at FS. And I challenge you to pick a place of significance for your ancestors and put it into the search box and see what links you can lean upon to find out more.
Of course, you will also want to check Google and WorldCat and anything else you can think of, but at FamilySearch, you are apt to get not only links but also information relevant to the topic, relevant to your research. It's in the menu under "SEARCH".
Mathew Bishop lived most of his adult life in Marion County, Alabama. Because he was born in 1807 in Spartanburg, South Carolina, the records for his forefathers [and mothers] are a bit of a mystery, right now.
I decided to learn as much as I could about Marion County and the Bishop family in Marion County and hope that it will lead me back to some clues for his genealogy in South Carolina. There are several ways of going about that quest but FamilySearch Wiki is a good beginning.
I know I've talked about this before, but I truly appreciate the function of the Wiki at FS. And I challenge you to pick a place of significance for your ancestors and put it into the search box and see what links you can lean upon to find out more.
Of course, you will also want to check Google and WorldCat and anything else you can think of, but at FamilySearch, you are apt to get not only links but also information relevant to the topic, relevant to your research. It's in the menu under "SEARCH".
Thursday, March 23, 2017
I love to learn and try different things.
WeRelate.org
is a wiki genealogy website, that provides genealogy tools and data.
It bills itself as the world's largest freely licensed genealogy
wiki, with almost 5 million wiki pages. Its information is
free, and the site is non-commercial and nonsectarian. ... The site
runs on the MediaWiki software.
I recommend that
before you enter any information into this database, you look and
read the “Home Page”. There are tutorials and you could just
jump right in, but why not do yourself a favor and watch the
tutorials?!!
Articles and/or
reviews abouthttp://www.werelate.org:
-
Rated in the top 100 Genealogy Programs for 2014: http://www.gouldgenealogy.com/2014/01/top-100-genealogy-websites-for-2014/
WeRelate.org is the
world’s largest genealogy Wiki.
Sunday, March 12, 2017
A Five-Point Formula for the GPS
Christine Rose, in her book Genealogical Proof Standard: Building a Solid Case, discusses how all five points must be applied to successfully build your case. Are you familiar with the five points?
There are resources available in periodicals, in blogs, in books, and on the Internet. Explore and educate yourselves so that others will accept that you are a serious genealogist, but more importantly, so that you will prove your research and know that your ancestors are yours!
There are resources available in periodicals, in blogs, in books, and on the Internet. Explore and educate yourselves so that others will accept that you are a serious genealogist, but more importantly, so that you will prove your research and know that your ancestors are yours!
- What does FamilySearch have to say?
- Using GPS in Everyday Research
- More from FamilySearch and Christine Rose
- Goodrum and the GPS Handout/PDF
- Elizabeth Shown Mills
Friday, March 10, 2017
Look forward but keep marching.
We are the family historians, by choice or by default. Ours is the task to ferret out our ancestors and tell their stories.
How will we accomplish this vast assignment?
The Genealogy Community will help! Continue to reach out for the "breaking news" of family history. You can use this news to lift you up when you are discouraged.
The news will also stir your concerns and prick your conscience and you may have to save a cemetery or preserve a record that is about to be discarded; you may have to mingle with bureaucrats and lobbyists, with agents of governments small and large--the destruction of our history, of our family's history may be in peril.
We have talked of bloggers in genealogy. Share your stories, help your neighbor, or write a blog for your family members or others. Read the blogs of Dick Eastman and others. Let them know you are interested in our future, our present, and our past as it pertains to growing and knowing our family tree and the family tree of mankind. The concept is that once you realize you are related to your neighbor, town folk, etc., you will treat each other more kindly. We will treat each other like family members ought to be treated.
Now, before I get too carried away:
Those of you who have put your family tree on FamilySearch.org have an opportunity to participate in Relative Finder in conjunction with the other members of this class. This isn't a closed group, but it's a seed that will be allowed to sprout. It will stir your imagination and inspire you to get busy, stay involved and continue to gather not just facts about your kin, but also learn about their culture, their time, their challenges and their joys. If it wasn't for them, we wouldn't be here.
Again, I digress!
I have formed a group, with the help of Marvin Cochrane and Ed Pfeiffer and of course, my sorta sidekick, Val Moreland. This group is called CLL Genealogists. This group is represented at Relative Finder, online. If, and/or when you put your ancestral tree on FamilySearch, you can join this group. The results will be posted for you to see who and how you are related to each other and to famous or notable people. You may personally invite other genealogists to join, in your family, or whatnot. You can form your own family group, you can form a church group, or whatever. The invitational url will be posted today in class. We will not invite the internet to join because I manage this group and I don't want to have to work too hard! Talk to you later, friends. E-mail me if you forget or lose the invite URL. Oh, and there is a password, also. I want this group to be meaningful to you, or relative as they say.
How will we accomplish this vast assignment?
The Genealogy Community will help! Continue to reach out for the "breaking news" of family history. You can use this news to lift you up when you are discouraged.
The news will also stir your concerns and prick your conscience and you may have to save a cemetery or preserve a record that is about to be discarded; you may have to mingle with bureaucrats and lobbyists, with agents of governments small and large--the destruction of our history, of our family's history may be in peril.
We have talked of bloggers in genealogy. Share your stories, help your neighbor, or write a blog for your family members or others. Read the blogs of Dick Eastman and others. Let them know you are interested in our future, our present, and our past as it pertains to growing and knowing our family tree and the family tree of mankind. The concept is that once you realize you are related to your neighbor, town folk, etc., you will treat each other more kindly. We will treat each other like family members ought to be treated.
Now, before I get too carried away:
Those of you who have put your family tree on FamilySearch.org have an opportunity to participate in Relative Finder in conjunction with the other members of this class. This isn't a closed group, but it's a seed that will be allowed to sprout. It will stir your imagination and inspire you to get busy, stay involved and continue to gather not just facts about your kin, but also learn about their culture, their time, their challenges and their joys. If it wasn't for them, we wouldn't be here.
Again, I digress!
I have formed a group, with the help of Marvin Cochrane and Ed Pfeiffer and of course, my sorta sidekick, Val Moreland. This group is called CLL Genealogists. This group is represented at Relative Finder, online. If, and/or when you put your ancestral tree on FamilySearch, you can join this group. The results will be posted for you to see who and how you are related to each other and to famous or notable people. You may personally invite other genealogists to join, in your family, or whatnot. You can form your own family group, you can form a church group, or whatever. The invitational url will be posted today in class. We will not invite the internet to join because I manage this group and I don't want to have to work too hard! Talk to you later, friends. E-mail me if you forget or lose the invite URL. Oh, and there is a password, also. I want this group to be meaningful to you, or relative as they say.
Friday, March 03, 2017
Next Friday (last day of CLL): Stump the Chumps. Time to ask those questions about genealogy methodology.
Examples:
Why I admire Sally Fields and how that is pertinent to my life as a genealogist:
1. She is persistent.
2. She forges ahead against all odds.
3. She aims high.
Dick Eastman: Genealogy News Guru. "98% of the records you need":
Reading Dick Eastman's Genealogy Newsletter (he also does the news about technology) has been a wonderful education
for me every week. #2 Influential person in
my genealogy life.
Stay posted. More to come. Watch this
blog and win a prize next week!
Examples:
- How do I find my ancestor's World War I Draft Registration?
- What is the key to finding out who my ancestor was and what he went through in his life?
![]() | ||
| One of five people who has most influenced the direction I've gone in my Family HIstory quest. Megan Smolenyak, "Honoring Our Ancestors". |
1. She is persistent.
2. She forges ahead against all odds.
3. She aims high.
Dick Eastman: Genealogy News Guru. "98% of the records you need":
Reading Dick Eastman's Genealogy Newsletter (he also does the news about technology) has been a wonderful education
for me every week. #2 Influential person in
my genealogy life.
Stay posted. More to come. Watch this
blog and win a prize next week!
Friday, February 24, 2017
Saturday, February 11, 2017
Sunday, February 05, 2017
Saturday, January 28, 2017
Next Friday's Class (Last Half)
FamilySearch.org is a nonprofit, (no subscription needed), website. It is associated with the Family History Library in Salt Lake City.
This website will be the topic of the last half of our class next Friday. You can get ahead in the discussion if you go ahead and get a free account. Feel free to explore some of the different sections (menu items on navigation bar) or search for some of your ancestors.
Don't be fearful, there is help galore. Check out YouTube.com and Amazon Books.
Wednesday, January 25, 2017
Family History is so much more than genealogical research
Family History is an umbrella.
Many types of information fall under that umbrella.
Researching the genealogy (names, dates, and places) is certainly the foundation of our research. However, stories, photographs, relics, and family traditions also increase our knowledge.
We each have a unique view of our own personal history and of our family history. This is the reason that my brother might remember a particular story differently than my sister and I remember it.
When a detective looks for an eye witness, does he just look for one person's account or is he interested in what several witnesses might have seen? The more information that can be gathered, the better the anaysis will be. The more light you put on the subject, the more that details will show up.
We have to share our stories and compare our accounts with others' accounts. A beautiful flower is seen in a photo. Who is holding the flower? What was the occasion? The more we look and listen and ask questions--these are the things that sometimes reveal a slice of history in its clearest light. Here are some links that will further this theme more deeply.
Many types of information fall under that umbrella.
Researching the genealogy (names, dates, and places) is certainly the foundation of our research. However, stories, photographs, relics, and family traditions also increase our knowledge.
We each have a unique view of our own personal history and of our family history. This is the reason that my brother might remember a particular story differently than my sister and I remember it.
When a detective looks for an eye witness, does he just look for one person's account or is he interested in what several witnesses might have seen? The more information that can be gathered, the better the anaysis will be. The more light you put on the subject, the more that details will show up.We have to share our stories and compare our accounts with others' accounts. A beautiful flower is seen in a photo. Who is holding the flower? What was the occasion? The more we look and listen and ask questions--these are the things that sometimes reveal a slice of history in its clearest light. Here are some links that will further this theme more deeply.
Thursday, January 19, 2017
Gather, Find, Prove
First
Day of Class “Family History on the Internet”: Discussions for
Friday
1.
Handouts: I will e-mail you copies of any handouts that I make up.
I will also post it on my website. If you don't have a printer and
still want a paper copy of something, I suggest you put the document
on a flash drive and take it to Office Depot or Kinko's; you can even
send them the docs via the Internet and then go pick them up.
2.
Jon Shepherd will be helping me this session with the class. I've
asked him to share his experiences with you as an Ancestry.com user,
his insights on Findagrave.com, and more. I will be focusing on
FamilySearch.org, strategies of researching on the Internet, and
sharing some insight into learning the skills of research. Or not!
You are the stars of this search and where you need help and ideas,
we will strive to address some of those concerns. We sure can't do
everything in 8 weeks, but maybe we can hit some of the things that
will help you with finding your family either on the Internet or we
can use the Internet to tell us where to look.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Some of the elements of researching that we will discuss in class will have to do not only with gathering the information about your family, but also analyzing the evidence and evaluating the various documents or other types of proof.
Here is a document. Tell me what you learn from this "clue":
Is it just as important for you to cite your internet sources as it is a source a book? What is the best way to do that? How can you keep up with all the records you find when you are using the Internet as a tool. First, gather these finds. Put them in a notekeeper like Evernote, OneNote, etc. You can also use Pinterest to save images! Make a family group on Facebook and share your finds with your relatives.
After the finding- gathering phase, you will want to compare the information in the document with what you already know about your relative. Don't immediately assume that a similarity in name or place makes it your guy. We will go into more detail later on, but building a profile for your ancestor is rarely a one step process.
Various links on the Internet will help with obtaining the proper tools for your search. Order a "Quick Sheet" for citing sources from Ancestry.com's Database and Images. Create a research log and always capture the sources, one a time...before you go on to the next "find".
- www.genealogical.com specializes in making such tools available. Key Person in "Evidence" is Elizabeth Shown Mills. Google her name and see what I mean.
- Building a Solid Case for your research on a someone's profile calls for a Genealogical Proof Standard. The author is Christine Rose for one such book.
- My goal as a teacher this session is to help you see more clearly that which you are detecting. You may have to utilize a magnifying glass both literally and figuratively to see everything a piece of evidence has to "say". Shining a bright light on a dark closet will make those corners yield up their secrets. What detective rules will you follow?
- FamilySearch.org=Free Records
- FamilySearch Tree- Plant your tree one person at a time.
- FamilySearch Wiki- Knowledge Base (Kind of like wikipedia, but for genealogy)
- FamilySearch Apps- Have a little fun.
- FamilySearch Memories- Stories, photos, documents (Share)
Sunday, January 15, 2017
Introduction The Genealogy Do Over
Give this a try or at least hear him out! I've been mulling over starting this program for several months and now, I'm finally going to start putting it into some serious planning stuff. Thomas makes it easy: You can pick and choose the parts of the program that you feel like you need OR will benefit from...my guess is that I may take that tack, but end up going back to the first and doing it over with even more gusto!
Sunday, January 01, 2017
"Frozen" Mashup + Backwards Piano - The Piano Gal | Sara Arkell & Jason ...
Do you think their ancestors were musical?
Wednesday, December 21, 2016
What is Your Vision for Family History on the Internet?
Merry Christmas, Folks!
I am looking forward to the new Center for Lifelong Learning Session in January.
My vision and goals for the new class (Center for Lifelong Learning), or rather the new session beginning in January 2017, is touched upon in this recent exercise I set out.
Access it and tell me what you need from the Class experience.
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1OCdAvDmDa5lO4bzI-xAI-wlJmb8zAxM78X7keCwPdkY/pub
I am looking forward to the new Center for Lifelong Learning Session in January.
My vision and goals for the new class (Center for Lifelong Learning), or rather the new session beginning in January 2017, is touched upon in this recent exercise I set out.
Access it and tell me what you need from the Class experience.
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1OCdAvDmDa5lO4bzI-xAI-wlJmb8zAxM78X7keCwPdkY/pub
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