Its been pointed out lately that only 5-10% of all genealogical records are available online, at best. This is so true, and reinforces the idea that genealogists need to get off their computers, and head to the courthouses, the cemeteries and to Aunt Mable's house for a history lesson. Those are valuable and generally really fun things to do anyway, but can be time, energy, and finance consuming. So the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is working to bring all those records to your own
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Today officially marks the first day of “Family History Month.” In 2003 the United States Senate officially recognized October as National Family History Month, a time “to encourage family history research, education, and the sharing of knowledge.”President George W. Bush, in signing a Proclamation in support of Family History Month in 2003, said, “Lessons in family lineage are often lessons in courage, endurance, and love. While tracing our roots can be challenging, the rewards can be great – a
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Posted by James Tanner on October 2, 2009 at 5:44am
A new version of the Google Toolbar makes advanced in-page translation available at the click of a mouse. To quote Google, "The Translate feature automatically detects if the language of a webpage you're on is different from your default language settingRead more...Read more…
Posted by James Tanner on October 2, 2009 at 5:11am
When and attorney is getting ready to go to trial, one of the many things that has to be explained to a client is the standard or level of proof necessary to prove the case. In the U.S. there are basically three levels; a preponderance of the evidence, clear and convincing and beyond a reasonable doubt. For a simplified discussion see Burden of proof in Wikipedia. If a legal case is tried to a jury, the jury is specifically instructed by the Judge as to the standard of proof through written stat
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A few years ago when Microsoft released Windows Vista, I was pretty quick to install the upgrade. I just like new software. But I was also pretty quick to uninstall it and moved back to Windows XP. However, those who have worked with pre-release editions of the new Windows 7 have reported that Microsoft's newest operating system upgrade, due to be released to the public on October 22, 2009, should be much smoother.Click here to continue reading about the new features and get the link to the Wind
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I am stumped. I am a descendent of an orphan train rider and would like to persue the biological line of my grandmother who was the orphan train rider. She was born in NYC in 1913 to the above couple (Rose Kelly used the last name of Scott on the birth certificate) as a legitimate birth. This Rose even had another child prior to the one given up. However, they could not care for her supposedly and relinquished her to the NewYork Foundling Hospital. I have all of that documentation. I've been to
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Some call it the Shelby County Weedpatch. The Illinois Nature Preserves Commission christened it the Margaret Guzy Pothole Wetlands Land and Water Reserve. The local Department of Natural Resources staff called it a surprise gift. But most people call it Guzy Prairie, in honor of the woman who donated this 159 acre wildlife sanctuary in 1991.Guzy Prairie exemplifies how diverse a prairie can be and how quickly cropland can be restored after years of row crop production. The site has become an in
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Today I went to a talk about cemeteries in San Diego County. Alas it was embarrassing to learn I have lived here for 35 + years this trip and to learn that as late as 1960's, Yes I was here then, that our city government and business people allowed people, groups and agencies to rip out head stones and destroy cemeteries. Keith's Resturant is on a cemetery, does anyone remember that. I think that the one missing in San Ysidro area is also paved over with free way or freeway interchange. A 95 yea
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William DIKES born 1835/6 Texas, father USA born via 1870 censusHere William in 1870 William is alive and dwelling with his family (although mispelt etc. )in 1870Name: William DikeEstimated Birth Year: abt 1837Age in 1870: 33Birthplace: TexasHome in 1870: Burnham, Ellis, TexasRace: WhiteGender: MaleValue of real estate: View imagePost Office: Cummins CreekHousehold Members: Name AgeWilliam Dike 33Ann Dike 26William Dike 11Jonathan Dike 8Lena Dike 5Charles Dike 4 again my great grandfatherWilliam
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Posted by James Tanner on September 30, 2009 at 6:03pm
Arizona is not exactly perceived to be in the forefront of places where people do genealogical research but the collections listed below are mind boggling extensive. Arizona is perceived as a place where people from the Midwest go to live and to retire. To the contrary, our heritage (I live in Arizona) actually dates back hundreds of years to Native American and Spanish roots. Historically, the population has been sparse, but recently, with the boom in sun belt living, the state capital, Phoenix
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Posted by Pam McCreary on September 30, 2009 at 3:19pm
Well, now that I have tracked down relatives I'm anxious to find out more. Only to run into another brick wall (my head hurts). I am looking for anything for Minnie Myrick (Myrack). Born in Texas December 19, 1879. She married Milas Lemay in Bowie County, Texas, June 1, 1894. She died in November, 1953. This would be my Great Grandmother on my mom's dad's side. I believe Minnie had a sister named Susie Ann or Susie Anna. I have tracked down census records for 1910, 1920 and 1930 for Minnie and a
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Yesterday Mayor Bill White and Dr. Rhea Brown Lawson, director of the Houston Public Library, launched the Houston Oral History Project (HOHP), a web-based archive that celebrates the many voices of Houston’s past.Last summer Mayor White commissioned 100 initial interviews through the Houston Public Library. Well known civic, political and business leaders as well as witnesses to the historical events that shaped Houston were invited to visit libraries throughout the city to record their own bri
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Posted by Michelina Hall on September 30, 2009 at 8:00am
We all love genealogy,this is why we are here. I too have done extensive research to find my ancestors and go as back in time as possible.I love genealogy so much that I decided to make it fun for my now still little children so that they would love it too.Then I realized that when you make genealogy something more visual than just a pedigree chart, you get interest from any kind of person.If you would like an idea of what I mean by "Creative Genealogy", you can give a look at this blog post:CreRead more…
The Philly conference was also attended by Schelly Talalay Dardashti (who writes the MyHeritage Genealogy Blog) and together we were able to welcome a new MyHeritage team member Laurence Harris as Genealogy Advisor for the UK.He was very helpful during my workshop and we three got together to exchange ideas, talk about the genealogy field and even managed a quick lunch out of the hotel in spite of the hectic conference schedule. Laurence will be working from London, where h
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Posted by James Tanner on September 30, 2009 at 4:46am
Donald Lines Jacobus, FASG (1887-1970) is generally recognized as the founder of the modern school of genealogy in the United States. See NGS Genealogy Hall of Fame Members. He is credited with "elevating genealogy to the high degree of scholarship it now occupies." There were, of course, other researchers who were influential in setting a more professional standard for family history, such as Gilbert Cope in Pennsylvania, Colonel Lemuel Chester and Henry F. Waters from New England. Read more: h
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Posted by James Tanner on September 29, 2009 at 7:14pm
According to the official Website, as of September 28, 2009, all of the Stakes in the Provo, Utah Temple District had access to New FamilySearch. Some of the Stakes in the Ogden, Utah Temple District also had access on that date, the remaining Stakes in the Ogden, Utah Temple District will gain access on October 5, 2009.Read more...Read more…
Posted by James Tanner on September 29, 2009 at 3:02pm
Sometimes when I am doing genealogical research online, I can't see the forest for the trees. Let me give an example. I enter a surname into a Google search, something common, like "morgan." In the first go around, I get over 15 million results. Now, who can actually use 15 million surnames? In the nature of search engines, the most popular results come up at the top of the list, so I get things like the Morgan Motor Company and Morgan Stanley financial services. Following my own advice, I try t
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Geneabloggers WebRing is a webring for Family, Home and Genealogy blogs. Family history blogging and genealogy carnivals. Exclusively for Geneabloggers! You can read more about this webring here.
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Posted by Bob Mooney-Pa on September 29, 2009 at 9:21am
Often people over look these sources of info. They can be very useful in pin pointing dates of death,places of work or exact home address.With the absence of a 1890 census city directories can be a big help.Not all smaller towns have them but at times combined with other small towns in the area or even with the county were they are located.Most public librarys and historical groups have them. Pus they are available online at such sites as ancestry.com.http://www.distantcousin.com/directories/httRead more…
With a full-time job and other obligations I find it hard to keep up with my genealogy research. So I've decided to spend at least 15 minutes a day doing some type of research or organization of my research. Tonight I opened up my Family Tree Maker software and focused on my third great grandfather Jacob Ruffing. Within ten minutes I struck upon a copy of his obituary courtesy of another user of Ancestry. I am totally stoked! The obit is posted below for your viewing pleasure.
