A little newsletter for genealogists in Northwest Florida or other areas.

If the links do not open, please search on Google the items below.  I will check this as soon as I post this and try to do some editing so that will not happen often.

 

The goal of this twice monthly communication is to bring to your attention the most important updates that you need to know­, with links to further information, and to reduce the amount of updates via one-off emails.

FEATURED

• Family History News, Events, Education and Motivation info and links

ACTIONS NEEDED

• Support your local genealogical society.

• Visit your local Family History Center

• Plan vacations to correlate with your family history locations.

KNOWLEDGE BASE HIGHLIGHTS

Popular new pages:

• page 1:  The New York Times

• page 2: The Wall Street Journal

NEWS & NOTEWORTHY RESOURCES

• What's New or Noteworthy at Family Search

•  Family History Daily 

• Family Tree Magazine                                

TOP PRODUCT UPDATES

Check out FindMyPast.com.  They recently posted a Guide Finding Your Female Ancestors.  They also have the largest collection of Irish newspapers, anywhere!

What was released recently and what's coming up:

Feature 1:  Genealogy Cruise with Ancestry

Feature 2:  Search Irish Church Records, Here

Feature 3:  Needing a Step-by-Step Guide for discovering your Irish Ancestor?

Coming Soon

Feature 1:  Genealogical Society of Okaloosa County, Florida offers a presentation, Saturday, 24 March, 10:30 a.m. (No fee) - Location is The Fort Walton Beach Public Library

March’s Speaker  for the Genealogical Society of Okaloosa County is Dr. Thomas Sajwaj

 Presenting:  “Ethics in Genealogy: Case Studies”

 Dr. Sajwaj is a popular GSOC guest speaker always giving us a new perspective on our research and it's possible impact on others.  For more information, please contact Val Moreland at  850 582 8202 or check out the GSOC Facebook Group.

..

Feature 2:  Family History Night: Friday, Mar 23, 2018, 6-8 pm; Fort Walton Beach L.D.S. Church 339 Lake Drive.  The program will feature a Presentation by the Price couple; following that presentation, one-on-one help is available for those in attendance.  Questions?  Contact Margaret Harris if you have questions.  (850-533-6710)

Feature 3:  GSOC SIG Meeting, Fort Walton Beach, Florida Public Library-Open to any genealogy enthusiasts who have "Brick Walls" in their research or who have specific difficulties in their research.  Saturday, 4/7/2018 at 10:30 a.m.  You don't have to belong to the genealogy society to participate in this meeting.  It's also FREE!

Ongoing Programs

UPCOMING Genealogy EVENTS

We support and encourage any events that will assist or promote Family History.

Date/Time	Upcoming Event	Location + Additional Details
March 23rd, 2018/ 6 p.m.-8p.m.	Family History Nite	339 Lake Drive, Fort Walton Beach (off Memorial Pkwy. at LDS Church.  All are welcome; No fee.  Personal one-on-one Help and Presentation by the Price's.
March 24th 2018/10:30a.m.	Genealogical Society of Okaloosa County, Florida	Fort Walton Beach Public Library Fort Walton Beach, Florida All are welcome!  No admission fee to Meeting.
Saturday 7th April, 2018/10:30a.m.	GSOC Special Interest Group	Fort Walton Beach Public Library - All are invited. No Fee.  Bring your genealogy questions!  Contact  Cindy Barber2@gmail.com
14th April 2018/4p.m.-5:30p.m.	Organization of NWFL  GENETIC GENEALOGY SOCIETY	Niceville L.D.S. Meetinghouse Contact MarcStrickland5@gmail.com

Presentation Slides Shareable Link
Just click and enjoy.

https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1cmV8DPfFdphMpqwcNjwLEAtWJNKUKUaKZl_eg2lpzt4/edit?usp=sharing

The First Annual NWFL Family History Fair Has Happened.

Well!  The First Annual NWFL Family History Fair was, in my humble opinion, a wonderful success.  Let me know if you attended and what your take was.  I'm sure that improvements can be made and your suggestions can help.

The reason I liked it so much:  I found a dozen cousins or more as those who have put their family trees on FamilySearch.com as those of us sitting in the room, loaded the app "Relatives Around Us".  I sure feel happy to know so many of us connected!

I will be posting my presentation and all the websites I recommend; my launch point was this...before  you get on the internet, write down or chart what you know about your ancestor, already.  Then, set as your goal to obtain the information online for the stuff you don't already know.  Construct a profile and a timeline for your ancestor.  Then, use those question marks to drive your online search.

Thanks to the committee and all the volunteers for the wonderful job done today and thanks to all of you who attended.

 

What do you want from an online tree?

Using your Brain Lately? 

Have you thought about it?  What do you want from an online tree?

1)  Option to have a private tree?
2)  Ability to interact with other online genealogy sites?
3)  Tutorials or videos in case you have questions?
4)  Good tech support?
5)  Reasonable price for all of the goodies?
6)  Add-On's that really work?

Enter (drumroll)!  ROOTSFINDER!!!!!

Okay, your list may be even longer; I was reading all the reviews and in particular, the Genea-Musings guy, Randy Seaver, says he likes the printed reports.  

Let's take a look at Rootsfinder and talk about its features---CLL Students, this is your discussion (or part of it) for Friday, February 21st.

Check back here for other developing....dare I say BREAKING!! news that is relevant to our class,  Family History on the Internet.

Watch segments of RootsTech

This is an article that lets you know the schedule for broadcasted sessions of the 2018 RootsTech event.

I'm sending this to all the members of my current CLL class, but feel free to share the link with others that you believe might be interested.  

From the article, regarding the 19 Streaming Sessions: 

 In 2017, streaming sessions garnered more than 50,000 views, and that number continues to grow each year.
The streamed sessions will include the popular general sessions and a sampling of technology and family history presentations appealing to varied interests.

 Prominent vendors who will be attending the event, include representatives from Ancestry.com, MyHeritage.com, and others.  Watch the newsletters you get from these companies; some of them have posted promotionals in conjunction with the RootsTech event.
This event is the largest genealogical conference in this hemisphere, if not in the world.  

Webinars from the BYU Family History Center

02-2018.pdf

The Official Guide for FamilySearch

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! 

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.

 

If you are researching your Alabama folks, then you will want to subscribe to a free newsletter, Alabama Pioneers.

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!  

Attention CLL students: Outline for Friday Class (Link)

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1wqv9ZfnC1nk3jVib4Hiq1ef5Pj93nEFzunH6yTSGlOk/edit?usp=sharing

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:

1. NEHGS Tweeter, Mr. Lambert 
2. Memes and Inspiration at This URL: https://twitter.com/FTCircles 
3.  Interment.net (for those who just love a good cemetery read)!
4. Kenneth Marks, Ancestor Hunter:  This guy loves newspapers!

Now, if you want to know more or you want to see more like this, Please send a comment OR subscribe me to your email box!

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.

• 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

  

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 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.

Take 15 or 20 Minutes out of your day to read EOGN!

It only takes a quarter of an hour or so to go through the newsletter that Dick Eastman  publishes each week.  For genealogists in this day and age, it is a winner!  Here are some tease questions to drive you to subscribe.

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?
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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.

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!

Utilizing "Evernote" for your Genealogy Research Journey

Link for Presentation

https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1-yO_hGpUwrii3I6RET7wsYMLE63haTKALwwghJFiYRA/edit?usp=sharing

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/):

Finding Original Records: The Real Game of Hide and Seek (Beginner)

11 a.m. MST

12 p.m. CDT
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)

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!

  
 

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.

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!

 
  

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:

1. http://www.familytreemagazine.com/article/best-cemetery-directory-sites-2016
2. https://www.werelate.org
3. https://familysearch.org/blog/en/started-family-history/
4. http://www.findmypast.com/content/10-tips-to-start-your-family-history-journey
5. YouTube.com (search for genealogy or “family history”) Many videos!
6. Wikipedia.org (search places, towns, and more)
7. Beginners’ Guide to Genetic Genealogy: https://isogg.org/wiki/Beginners'_guides_to_genetic_genealogy
8. Google Earth and/or maps.google.com
9. books.google.com
10. worldcat.org
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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.

A Reason to Do Family History

•  A reason to do genealogy and seek out your family history:   

  It has never been more important to know your family's health history.  Read the article here and 

1. Start sending for death certificates.  
2. Dig about in the attics and basements for clues about meds your family member took.
3. Investigate stories that might include information about the ancestors' health, especially pension applications...or whatever you can find.  
4. And for Pete's (or whoever's) sake, talk to living relatives, especially older living relatives...even if they are distant relatives.  
5. 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.
6. 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. 

 
 

• http://myfox8.com/2017/06/16/cancer-prevention-know-your-family-history-genetic-counseling/