Slide Presentation for the next class

30 September, 2016 Class Topic and Presentation/Go to Link:

Family History on the Internet N' Oranges Grow in Florida

Miles' Genealogy Tips: The US Census - Beyond the Names - Mapping Your Ancestors

Miles' Genealogy Tips: The US Census - Beyond the Names - Mapping Your Ancestors:

Blogs like this (are there any like this one?!) are fascinating to me as I have a yearning to know more about my ancestors.  I think, however, that I failed geography!  Maybe I can pick up a few cues or focus in one or two of Miles' ideas and push the envelope for my family stories. 

Center for LIfelog Learning is educational and fun!

I am looking forward to the new session starting up this week (Friday, for me), for the Center for Lifelong Learning.  

Over the years, I have met new friends, attended classes like "The Bible as Literature", "Balance and Strength", and "World Decisions".   The classes are held at a variety of places, but many of them happen at the Fort Walton Beach campus for Northwest Florida State College and the University of West Florida.  

I enjoy eating lunch on Fridays at the little Campus Cafe.  We try to get as many scrunched up to the table as we can; of course, there are other options for lunch, too.  You can bring your own or get take-out from the Campus Cafe or other places and enjoy a weekly presentation from a member of the community that has something interesting to share!

I guess what I really want to say is that I enjoy the mental stimulation and the comraderie at the CLL.  I am teaching Family History on the Internet; registration is closed, now, but if you are looking for something to do in January of 2017, consider the Center for Lifelong Learning!

EPOCH Preserving Obituaries

Yesterday's meeting of the Genealogical Society of Okaloosa County was really super.  The librarian from Washington County, Florida came over with her assistant and clued us in about the EPOCH website and program.  Participation is free.  From the website:

 EPOCH is a depository of information that will be held for future generations of researchers and genealogists. Family and friends of the deceased can submit detailed obituaries as a tribute to their loved ones, and in doing so help build a meaningful history of the residents of the community.

 

 

When checking the census for your relatives, don't forget to check to see if there are state census records (as well as the federal census records).  For example, here is a screenshot of the 1945 State of Florida Census for a portion of Crestview.  My kinfolk, the Settles family, are listed here as the "Suttles".  That spelling is not unusual and I see it quite often when I'm researching.

Thankfully, when you are using FamilySearch.org, your input for the search may be "SETTLES", but the default search engine at that web site will pick up other names that "sound like" the original query.

Grand Rapids to host national genealogy conference in 2018 - Washington Times

Grand Rapids to host national genealogy conference in 2018 - Washington Times

I thought that some of my snowbird friends might be interested in this and we are getting plenty of notice, right?!!  Hopefully, you will at least let your genealogy pals in and around Michigan know about this; maybe they would host you?

Behold Genealogy Software

Behold Genealogy Software

Are you searching for a genealogy software?  This one has a free trial.  And a one-time lifetime cost of $40.


A little light on the subject, just for you.

Family History Guide: Learning to Use It and Liking It!

I needed something to charge me up today in my family history!  So, I went on over to a "chapter" from the Family History Guide and plugged in!

From the "start" page, I clicked on Projects.
Project #1 refers to the Family Tree
function at FamilySearch.

I moved my cursor over to "Goals" and chose #14.  I love to try new technology applications and yes, this would help me to explore (or view in a different way), the information which had previously been added to my family tree.  In particular, I clicked on Tree Analyzing...

 









In my next post, I will let you know how it went!

DearMYRTLE's Genealogy Blog

DearMYRTLE's Genealogy Blog

Kudos to my friend "Dear Myrtle"/aka Pat Richley for the initiative, "This is the Year" we're going to get organized.  None of us have time to do these LITTLE projects, Pat!  We choose to MAKE time for genealogy.  We get done the things we need to do to have accurate records.  It's a priority in our lives.

So, friends and students of mine, decide what you can schedule---how much you can pack into your calendar; even if it's just part of a project, be sure to work a little bit on it every day.  My husband taught me how to accomplish getting the housework done; he said to just "piece-mill" my list of tasks!  So, that is what you do.  It's like quilting.  That quilt is rarely made in a day or all at one time.  It's piece-milled.

I challenge you to do something all along the way in your journey.  Follow DearMyrtle's blog and check out her facebook site as well.  It will give you ideas and aspirations.   

Without Indentures: Index to White Slave Children in Colonial Court Records : Genealogical Publishing Company

Without Indentures: Index to White Slave Children in Colonial Court Records : Genealogical Publishing Company

I haven't read this book but I will probably ask my local library to purchase it, as the incredible story is an eye opener to the tales of woe suffered by these children.

Great Questions | StoryCorps

I wish that everyone could participate in the StoryCorps.  Our loved ones are dear to us and their stories are part of who you are.  How can we transmit that notion to others in our family tree who are still living? 

Journal Jars are a beginning.  But, best of all, would be an audio recording of us being interviewed by a relative or vice versa; voices for posterity!

Could SoundCloud be a vehicle for that?  Let me know what you think, tomorrow in class.

Want Help with Your Brick Wall?

Family Historian: "Help. Help! I'm Stuck"!

Attention Beyond Basic Genealogy Class:

Bring to class a family group sheet for your elusive ancestor.  Fill out the form as completely and as accurately as you can.  We will analyze the information and weigh the evidence as a class.  Then, we will try to find you some new leads!

Everyone in your database will be listed in at least one family group as a child in a family.  If that person marries or has children, then they will also be listed in that "family group".  Below are some places on the Internet where you can access free printable family history charts, and especially the family group sheet.

•  https://www.pdffiller.com/en/project/52714502.htm?form_id=100056384
•  http://c.mfcreative.com/pdf/trees/charts/famgrec.pdf
•  http://www.archives.gov/research/genealogy/charts-forms/family-group-sheet.pdf
• http://www.cyndislist.com/free-stuff/printable-charts-and-forms/

GenQuestDiary | A log of my family history journey. | Page 2

GenQuestDiary | A log of my family history journey. | Page 2

Here is an example of a blog I created a few years ago.  Would you be interested in learning how to create a blog for your family history?  I'm not an expert, but I can probably get you started.

Mastering Genealogical Proof - Kindle edition by Thomas W. Jones. Reference Kindle eBooks @ Amazon.com.

Mastering Genealogical Proof - Kindle edition by Thomas W. Jones. Reference Kindle eBooks @ Amazon.com.

I haven't yet purchased this book, but it looks like it would be very helpful.  I was reminded to consider it by a post that was made at Dear Myrtle's facebook and website.   "Myrt" has a study group for this instructional book by Thomas W. Jones at her Google Hangout.  I have added the book to my Wish List at Amazon.

Marg 

The Family Search Wiki "talks" about Death Records

The FamilySearch Wiki is like an encyclopedia and though the font is smallish and a challenge to some of us with poor eyesight, I've been told that it will soon resemble the font size at Wikipedia.  So look for changes at the FamilySearch Wiki in the coming months! 

What can't be argued is the premier value of the FamilySearch Wiki.  It is free info and is very well sourced.  In exploring death records, it becomes apparent that there are several different kinds.  They are listed at this link.  What are some various types of death records and where can they be found?  FSWiki knows.

Elelments Pertaining to "The Genealogical Proof Standard"

In the discussion about the reliability of original records (or copies thereof), we must ask ourselves, "How trustworthy is the information on a death certificate or a tombstone?".

Here is an excellent article that addresses that very topic.  "The Accuracy of Death Certificates and Tombstones".  This is the Diana, Goddess of the Hunt---of Ancestors website!  If you are looking for a model for an online genealogy web site, this certainly is my nominee.  It was created by Diana Gale Matthiesen.

Jot down some of the primary points that Diana makes in the article.  What key elements are part of evaluating historic documents as mentioned in this article?  What environment existed at the time of a death?  Folks were often emotionally "demolished". 

If you have experienced the death of a loved one, please feel free to make a comment about the things that were on your mind or reasons you might have made an error.

The Ancestry Insider: Darned Divorcee’s Deposition

The Ancestry Insider: Darned Divorcee’s Deposition

This is for my new CLL Class Members.  If you have a subscription to Ancestry.com or use FamilySearch, this is a BLOG that you might want to subscribe to.  You can receive it via e-mail or view it online.

Since we were recently, (Friday), speaking about original records, I thought you might enjoy this discussion.  And remember, Mr. Sider is an unofficial blogger for Ancestry.com and/or FamilySearch.  However, he is an Official Blogger for RootsTech, the upcoming conference in Salt Lake City.

I get mail and you should, too!

In my Thunderbird Mailbox, I get genealogy stuff of all kinds. 

Here are some recommendations of that stuff.  You can usually organize your e-mail folders or prioritize your messages so that when you have a few minutes, dip into your genealogy e-mail box and read a short article or two.  For example:

• Did you know that 3-D family trees are now available?!  Progeny Genealogy is a company that is well known in the genealogy community and they have e-mailed this promotion to little ole' me!  "Get the Charting Companion today". 
• MyHeritage.com has e-mailed me this morning to tell me I have 23 "Smart" Matches.  
• NEHGS has sent along their "Weekly Genealogist", another free newsletter; this New England Historic Genealogical Society has helpful articles (We love Tips and Tricks!); they also spotlight various cemeteries, and more.  Go to their website to learn more: AmericanAncestors.org.
• I get a regular e-mail "WikiTree Family News", because I've posted family tree information at WikiTree.com; the "news" is about additions and changes to my family tree info.  Following that list, is a list of "family" birthdays.  I like to use this as a way to celebrate my kinfolks and check out the accuracy of my database, there. 
• Do you get mail from a RootsWeb Message Board or Surname List?  If you've subscribed to one at RootosWeb (still a free service), then you will want to keep up with a particular surname or place!  This is a great vehicle to post queries, too!

My time has elapsed and I plan to continue making suggestions in a connected post, later.  When someone bemoans the fact that they rarely get mail, anymore, I just smile a little inside, knowing that always have some excellent examples of interesting e-mail, waiting for me on my T-Bird.

Winter in NWFL is Beach Time for Natives

Jump Right In! The Water is Fine

or

How Internet Tools Can Give You Fresh Perspective on Your Family!

Puzilla.org:

This is an app that was originally intended to manipulate data in your family tree at FamilySearch, as well as other data that has been contributed at FamilySearch, that might be relevant.

Now, you can use the gedcom from your Ancestry.com Tree(s), or the software you have been utilizing on your home computer, (RootsMagic, Legacy, Family TreeMaker, etc.

I have barely begun to explore all the things that PUZZILLA does to pull out information from your family tree. It is, of course, all about relationships and the family structure and dynamic. You can view the ancestors or you can view the descendents---all of the descendents. And that's just one small part. Here is a screen shot of one of the ancestors' descendent views.

The highlighted area represents the progenitor, in this case Jesse Mitchum. I don't that much about him, but his daughter, Sarah (or maybe, Susannah), married Richard Perkins in South Carolina. And I wanted to know more about this family who are connected to my Adoptive Dad's ancestry. The flower that blooms at Puzzilla is a compilation, here, of Jesse's descendants.


Figure 1

How many ways can you spell Mitchum?

So far, I've seen “Mitcham” and “Mitchem”.


In the next illustration, I've clicked on one of the

descendants (points) that I want to review.


Figure 2

There are so many descendants for Jesse Mitchum! By reviewing their “stories”, the vital records of their lives, I hope to learn more about Jesse. (Each cousin represents an opportunity...someone in their line may have blazed the trail, already...may have found original documents, etc., or maybe I can push the evidence envelope)!

Genealogical Publishing Company

Like to read?

Looking for Genealogical CD's full of info?

Treat yourself to a Christmas gift of reading genealogy.  I'm not getting paid to advertise for this company; I'm just saying that if I had a few extra dollars, I wouldn't mind building up my genealogical library. 

In addition, the e-newsletter is free.  Check out all that Genealogical.com has to offer at the home page.  Thanks Dick Eastman for reminding me of this great resource.