U.S. immigration landmark Ellis Island to reopen, a year after Sandy | Reuters

U.S. immigration landmark Ellis Island to reopen, a year after Sandy | Reuters

I guess I'm a little slow; I'm just now discovering that Ellis Island was closed because of Hurricane Sandy (or was it a Tropical Storm?); I think I need to get updated on things...find out what's going on...read the small print instead of just the headlines.

A good skill for genealogists to acquire, reading the small print, that is.  Glad to hear that recovery in that area is going forward.

Free Help at Genealogy.com

File Under: Census Forms and Charts  

This type of form is called a Census Record Abstract. 


The Learning Center at  Genealogy.com is very helpful.  For example, there are printable forms and charts.  The 1880 U.S. Federal Census, this particular form, gives us a guideline about the questions that were asked by the enumerator.  In 1880, not only do you get to see where the head of the household was born, but there is data for where his father and mother were born, also.  In addition, the occupation is listed! 

These types of forms can be downloaded from other web sites and your local Family History Center should have some on hand, as well.

The Ripple Effect of People’s Lives

The Ripple Effect of People’s Lives

Read the Ancestry Blog.  This article is packed full of information that you can use to write your story.

Family ChartMasters Main Page

Family ChartMasters Main Page

Two left thumbs?  Not a creative bone in your body?  Let ChartMasters do the job.  Jus' sayin'...Christmas is around the corner and you can give an original gift with your research forming the core concept.

 

DC Thomson Family History and FamilySearch.org to Make Billions of Records Available for People to Search | FamilySearch.org

DC Thomson Family History and FamilySearch.org to Make Billions of Records Available for People to Search | FamilySearch.org

FamilySearch partners with DC Thomson in order to continue expanding the number of ways in which they can share records of genealogical value with the people who need them. 

In my humble opinion, It's not about pumping up the corporations so they can make money; it's about circling the wagons so that no opportunity will be missed in your genealogical search.  Various companies attract their own following, beef up their own technology; could they serve their customer base better by offering more records?  You bethca! FamilySearch just wants you to have them, too! 

Amazon.com: geneaguides

Amazon.com: geneaguides

Well known genealogist speaker, writer, blogger, etc., Thomas MacEntee offers genealogy guide books.  These are just the kindle ones!  So reasonable, too.

LegacyFamilyTree is offering PDF books, as well.  There are three.  Check it out.

Mocavo: How We Make Money

Mocavo: How We Make Money

I haven't invested a lot of time or effort in researching at this Web Site; primarily, I didn't know a lot about it.  This page (the link above), does clear up some of my questions.  But, I still wonder--how is Mocavo better than Ancestry.com and/or FamilySearch?

Like everything else on the Internet, I will have to set aside some time to play with it to find out.  I can also search online for some reviews.  Let me know if you've invested some time with this service and how you like it. 

Like anything new on the Internet, you're asking yourself, "Is it really free?" or "Is it really free, forever?"  Be sure to read the comments, below, on the articles that Dick Eastman posted, especially the one most recently about Mocavo Introduces Free Forever .

Two things I do like so far in my research of Mocavo:  1)  Learning Center and 2) Mocavo Blog

 ________________________More About Mocavo______________________

• Top Ten Review
• Dick Eastman articles on Mocavo, or some of them at least.
• http://blog.eogn.com/eastmans_online_genealogy/2011/03/mocavocom-launches-as-worlds-largest-free-genealogy-search-engine.html
• http://blog.eogn.com/eastmans_online_genealogy/2013/02/mocavo-and-freebmd-announce-partnership-search-300-million-english-and-welsh-bmd-records-with-mocavo-1.html
• Mocavo introduces Free Forever
• http://rightstartups.com/colorados-mocavo-genealogical-search-engine-cheapskates-me345/
• http://pandodaily.com/2012/08/08/mocavo-connects-the-hidden-dots-for-genealogists/

Other items containing info at Mocavo:

1. Randy Seaver (respected Genealogy Blogger) 
2. Kathleen Cooper
3. UpFront with NGS
4. Peter's Family History Notes

Photo Detective with Maureen A. Taylor - Spotting a Copy

Photo Detective with Maureen A. Taylor - Spotting a Copy

Last week, I attended the meeting of the local genealogical society for a presentation on editing old photos.  When a friend sent me the article by Maureen A. Taylor, I knew that the same folks that attended the presentation would probably be interested.  Here is the first of two articles.

Using Slideshare to Get With It: "It" BEING an online genealogy education!

For example and they are TNTC, Using World Cat for Genealogy.

Resources - 4YourFamilyStory.com

Resources - 4YourFamilyStory.com

Someone, (Caroline?), put a lot of work and thought into this apparently comprehensive listing!  Can't wait to show my CLL students!  Thank you "4YourFamilyStory.com".  And your suggestion about cleaning up online trees goes not just for ancestry, but for all of them.  At Ancestry, I often download a gedcom and compare it with my original (just what I knew from scratch); then because I have Roots Magic, I can compare the two side by side and see what fits and what doesn't.  The only thing I transfer though are documents (sources) that I've evaluated, well and how those sources line up with my original records.  Then, my orginal records are always fresh and refreshed.

Ancestors Season 1: High-Tech Help | FamilySearch.org

Ancestors Season 1: High-Tech Help | FamilySearch.org

View this lesson to view the former series Ancestors as it was aired on PBS.

Family History Partner Products for Windows - Mac - Mobile - Web | FamilySearch.org

Family History Partner Products for Windows - Mac - Mobile - Web | FamilySearch.org

If you are interested in products that work well with FamilySearch Family Tree, take a look at this website.

TechTips | FamilySearch — Technology tips for genealogists and family historians.

TechTips | FamilySearch — Technology tips for genealogists and family historians.

Dear CLL students: This will be covered in our Friday class.  For the rest of you: A good website for wannabe techies!

Celebrate Family History Month » Local News » The Commercial-News, Danville, IL

Celebrate Family History Month » Local News » The Commercial-News, Danville, IL

Things I can take away from this article:

• Libraries and genealogical societies can organize special events for Family History Month.  In fact, a display and booth for Family History will be one of the features at the local Okaloosa County Fair tomorrow through Friday.  Please stop by and say "hello"! 
• Organizations and public institutions should sponsor classes for genealogists during Family History Month.  There should be classes for beginners as well as the more experienced researcher.
• Access online websites for other ways to celebrate Family History Month.
• Introduce your grandchildren to genealogy this month by doing projects (taffy pulling), starting a scrap book, or just talking to them.

The About.com link referenced by the author of this article has more than enough links and ideas to keep you busy till the Harvest Moon comes up!

Celebrate Family History Month » Local News » The Commercial-News, Danville, IL

Celebrate Family History Month » Local News » The Commercial-News, Danville, IL

Scare up some tips and hints for Family History Month celebrating. 

Here's the key: When reading a newspaper or any article, give yourself a challenge to focus on a particular slant or theme in the article. 

The title of the article, in this case, will guide you in choosing that theme.  For example, the title talks about celebration as pertains to "Family History" month, (October).  What kinds of celbrations happen in October?  Okay, Halloween is a pretty obvious association, right? 

What goes with Halloween?  Tricks and Treats.  In the article, look for tricks that will turn your genealogy into a fun activity.  What tricks did your ancestors (unknowingly) play on you?  How has tracing their lifeline surprised you?  How will you treat your forefathers and fore-mothers in your genealogy hunt?  Halloween is about dressing up; what kinds of dress did your ancestors wear?  The skeleton in the closet will become a friendly fellow once you shine a little light on the subject.

So, I chose for myself a challenge that I would look in this article for three new things I could learn that would enhance my enjoyment of family history this month.  No disguise or costume is going to discourage me from learning more about my family tree, this month!  There are hidden faces behind those masks and I want to get a closer look.  Read my next blog posting to see what I discovered.  While you're at it, what memories of Halloween or Autumn or Harvest do you have?  Write your own story!

BYUtv - The Generations Project - David

BYUtv - The Generations Project - David?

Engaging in family history research can become a process of healing.  How did our ancestors get through their trials?  How did their level of commitment to family set an example (good or bad) for us?

3 Ways to Celebrate National Family History Month | ReelGenie Blog

3 Ways to Celebrate National Family History Month | ReelGenie Blog

I told you it was National Family History Month!  Google it!

What Else Can I Do With My DNA Test Results? – The Genetic Genealogist

What Else Can I Do With My DNA Test Results? – The Genetic Genealogist

This article seems to be pretty comprehensive; if you find an article you like on this subject, please share. 

FamilySearch Blog | Genealogy and Family History Blog

FamilySearch Blog | Genealogy and Family History Blog

Want to know the latest news for FamilySearch?  This is the site to access all of that and more.  I like having the the ability to know which records have been added recently.  Plus there are other features like a list of upcoming conferences, "Tech Tips", and "Genealogy Resources".

Give yourself a gift, today.  Take just 15 minutes to watch this National Geographic YouTube video.  It's not 15 minutes long, but you'll want to take a minute or two to just absorb the impact of this young archaeologist's words.

For my CLL students, perhaps you will want to discuss this video at class, next week.