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/

A Presentation on the How and the Where of Family History

Please see if you can open this link and let me know~

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.  

 

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!

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!

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. 

Ed in the Kitchen, Having Fun

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