Pinellas Genealogy Society

City Directory Research

2012-01-27T10:45:00.000-05:00

In doing research using City Directories, you soon realize that you need to nail down what directories are available for what locations and what years. It can be very misleading to do a name search in a city directory collection and come up dry. An incorrect conclusion to such an outcome would be that the individual does not live in that location at that time after all. But it could be that the collection simply does not contain a directory for that location and time.

The City Directories of the United States of America can tell you the when and where of city directory publication. Although the site is primarily designed to sell you copies of city directories, it also provides a way for you to see a listing of all of the directories produced.

On the home page search boxes on the left, highlight “Select Locality” and “City Directory.” A list of states will pop up. Select that one that interests you. On the next screen (where you will be greeted with purchase information), scroll down to the “City and year to search” boxes. They have dropdown boxes where you can see what cities had directories produced and for what years.

Check it out at City Directories of the United States of America .

By the way, the PGS has a class on city directory research that includes explanations of this website and much more. Look for it on our class list at http://www.flpgs.org/classes.aspx .

Why we all love genealogy

2012-01-26T21:02:00.004-05:00

Did you hear that John Tyler, the 10th president of the United States, has two grandsons alive and well and living in Virginia? President Tyler was born in 1790 which 'computes' to two grandchildren alive 222 years later. In 1853 at age 63, Tyler's son, Lyon Gardiner Tyler, was born. Okay so far. 71 years later, in 1924, Lyon's son Harrison was born, and in 1928 his son Lyon, Jr., was born. So here we are with two octogenarians separated by only two generations from a man who might have met George Washington. Wow!

“Indianapolis Recorder” Available at IUPUI University Library

2012-01-25T10:19:00.000-05:00

The “Indianapolis Recorder” is one of the top African-American publications in the nation, and now digitized issues are available on line at the Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI)website. This collection will help you search for and access historically important stories of African-Americans individuals, organizations, and events in Indianapolis, Indiana in the 20th and 21st centuries.

Although there are a few holes, the issues from 1899 through 2005 are essentially available. You can get access to the collection at Indianapolis Recorder | IUPUI University Library

Let's Go to the Fair, with FSGS

2012-01-23T21:28:00.003-05:00

Florida State Genealogical Society (FSGS), which PGS is a member of, has taken a booth at the Florida State Fair (fairgrounds are over in Tampa), Feb 9-20. This is a first for FSGS. Now they are asking member societies to help find people to man the booth. You could be part of this bold new effort to reach the public about genealogy while at the same time having an excuse to go to the fair!

The booth has to be manned eight hours a day. How the shifts will be organized isn't known, but the time will be broken into shorter periods.

If you want to help make this avant-garde effort a success, contact Susan Jones, saucerdog@verizon.net.

National Archives Places Workshop Videos Online

2012-01-23T10:09:00.000-05:00

Thanks to Dick Eastman for this “heads up.” The National Archives has started a You Tube channel where it is making available for the first time some of its workshops about various records held at the archives. The videos vary from about 3 to 10 minutes in length and cover such topics as immigration records and military records. They also have presentations for those new to genealogy.

Dick’s article gives us the announcement from NARA and links to several of the workshops. Check it out at National Archives Places Videos of Popular Records Workshops Online for First Time - Eastman's Online Genealogy Newsletter

PBS Into Genealogy Again

2012-01-21T10:01:00.000-05:00

On March 25 PBS will launch a new 10-part series from Henry Louse Gates Jr. called “Finding Your Roots.” Gates had an earlier series on the same network which pre-dated NBS’s “Who Do You Think You Are?”

This current offering will feature two people per episode. Two of those featured are Kevin Bacon and spouse Kyra Sedgwick.

Read more about this at PRESS TOUR: PBS explores genealogy again

Dr. Colleen Fitzpatrick -- PGS Seminar Speaker

2012-01-19T09:30:00.001-05:00

We have been advertising the Pinellas Genealogy Society 2012 Seminar coming up on 11 February for some time now, so you are probably aware that Dr. Colleen Fitzpatrick is the primary speaker and will make four presentations throughout the day.

But did you know that Colleen, in addition to being an author and lecturer, is also a working forensic genealogist? If you would like some insight to such work, you can check out her website at www.identifinders.com where she posts information about her casework, and her blog at http://identifinders.wordpress.com where she posts ongoing developments.

Colleen's presentations to us will draw in part from her cases, thus giving us a unique mixture of old and new, genealogy and science.

You can get more information about the PGS seminar and a registration form at our website: http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~flpgs/index.htm

FamilySearch.org Encourages Use of Their Wiki

2012-01-17T09:15:00.000-05:00

The following was in a recent publication from Family Search. It is a great reminder about an ofter-overlooked resource.

FamilySearch.org has over 2.5 billion records online, but did you know that by clicking the “Learn More” button featured with each record set, you can connect to additional information about the record sets on the FamilySearch Research Wiki? By clicking on the “Learn More” button you are instantly accessing a wealth of information on the FamilySearch Research Wiki that can add depth and insight to the records you are using for your family history research.
While the information provided can vary slightly, there are 10 types of basic information that are provided for each record group, including:

>Collection Time Period—This indicates the time period the collection encompasses.
>Record Description—The description tells the kinds of records a collection contains. If a record collection contains only baptisms and marriages and you are looking for a death record, for example, then looking in this record collection may not be the best place to start.
>How to Use This Record—Have you ever wanted or needed instructions on how to use a record collection? It may sound silly, but it is important to know how to use a particular record collection. FamilySearch Research Wiki provides detailed instructions on how to use each collection in an easy to understand format.
>Record History—Knowing the historical context in which the records were created as well as the reliability of the records contained in the collection can help in evaluating the records.
>Related Websites—FamilySearch Research Wiki provides links to additional information for the collection.
>Related Wiki Articles—If there are volunteer-contributed articles that pertain to a record collection, then the links to those articles are listed here.
>Known Issues with the Collection—Record collections can have issues and concerns that come up from time to time, and knowing these can help in evaluating records.
>Contributions to This Article—This is where users can add any information they have on the particular record collection, adding more insight to the records.
>Citing FamilySearch Historical Collections—No more worries on how to cite a record—examples are provided here.
>Sources of Information for This Collection—Knowing the sources of a collection can affect users’ decisions about records.

Police trace DNA of 1991 killer back to Mayflower family

2012-01-16T20:30:00.006-05:00

By Lee Moran and Meghan Keneally (paraphrase of original story)

The 1991 murder of a teenage girl on her high-school campus may now be closer to being solved — thanks to the DNA of a 17th century family.Seattle police investigating the death of Washington 16-year-old Sarah Yarborough ... have matched crime-scene DNA samples to the historic family of Robert Fuller, from Massachusetts, whose ancestors settled in Salem in 1630 after coming over on the Mayflower. It means one of his descendants could be responsible for the teenager's death.

But as almost 400 years have passed, the number of suspects could now run 'into the thousands.'Forensic consultant Colleen Fitzpatrick said, "The most important thing is having a last name. People get excited about having a Mayflower connection, but the most important thing is having a probable last name for this guy."

... there are over 34,000 Americans that can trace themselves back to one of the 26 familes on board the Mayflower. Dr. Fitzpatrick was undeterred at the scale of the manhunt they would now have to undertake, saying that "geography and physical characteristics" could help detectives narrow their search.

Following the murder, the King County Sheriff's Department circulated two composite sketches of a possible suspect. He was a man in his 20's at the time of the attack, with shoulder-length blonde hair. He was said to be wearing a black trench coat and driving a 1970 tan Chevrolet Nova-style car.

But a name was never put to the sketch.Then, last month, California-based Fitzpatrick was sent the DNA profile. She compared it to others in genealogy databases and found the closest match was to the family of Robert Fuller. And she revealed that, since the DNA trace follows male descendants, there was a "high probability" that the man police are looking for is named Fuller.

Read more: http;//www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2084692/Sarah-Yarborough-murder-Could-DNA-linked-17th-century-Mayflower-family-solve-1991-case.html#ixzz1jfs7MFjc

Dr. Colleen Fitzpatrick will be the speaker at the Pinellas Genealogy Society Seminar on February 11, 2012.

Get Your Friends Involved in Genealogy

2012-01-15T08:56:00.002-05:00

Do you have friends who may be interested in thier genealogy? Perhaps you are a northern visitor and belong to a social group of people from your home up north, or you are a permanent resident here and belong to a neighborhood association or other group that meets regularly. If that is the case, the PGS will gladly come and speak to your group about genealogy and how to get started.

If that is not convenient, but you think the interest is there, we can give you brochures that will lead people to the PGS and to aditional information about genealogy.

Just ask a PGS board member, or the instructor at one of our classes, or send us an email to find out more information on how you can spread the word. Send you questions to pgsfla@yahoo.com.

GLLF Starts Million Dollar Campaign

2012-01-14T14:40:00.003-05:00

Greater Largo Library Foundation (GLLF) is kicking off a Million Dollar Endowment Fund campaign, hoping to raise this amount by October. GLLF, of which PGS is a member, supports Largo Public Library in a variety of ways, such as purchasing equipment and underwriting programs.

The funding provided by GLLF is vital to the library because of the continuing reductions of budget for the past several years. The Foundation is developing a variety of ways that individuals and organizations can contribute to the Foundation and be recognized for their generosity.

The campaign basically will be a year long effort. More information will be publicized in this blog and in PGS Newsletter over the next months.

Would You Like to Help Index the 1940 Census?

2012-01-13T08:47:00.002-05:00

The 1940 US Federal Census indexing project ( familysearch.org/1940census ) is the largest, most comprehensive and most recent record set documenting the 132 million people living in the United States in 1940. FamilySearch, Federation of Genealogical Societies (FGS), and other community partners are organizing an effort to index and publish these records online for free.

FamilySearch will provide information and tools for the indexing project. FamilySearch will also offer online webinars and help resources if you have any questions or need additional information.

For more information about the project or how to get involved, send an email to Merlin Jay Price at pricemj@ldschurch.org

Research Trip to the Family History Library at Salt Lake City in April

2012-01-11T16:56:00.000-05:00

If you are interested in joining a group going to the Family History Library at Salt Lake City from 15-22 April, you should check out this link.

The trip is being hosted by Terry and Jim Willard from The Villages (they have been popular presenters at a couple of our meeting programs in the past).

When you get to the website, click on the link to “January-June 2012 Online Catalog.” You will be asked to either open or download a catalog in pdf format (either is easy to do). Scroll down to page 5 for the information.

This is a recurring trip and Terry and Jim are experienced guides. Check it out at The Villages Lifelong Learning College enrichment classes for adults.

PGS Annual Seminar on 11 February -- Register Now

2012-01-10T09:42:00.005-05:00

This year’s all-day event (8 am to 4 pm) is stacking up to be one of our best. Dr. Colleen Fitzpatrick, an internationally known author and speaker will present four sessions:
>Forensic Genealogy—CSI Meets Roots. Who? What? When? Where? Are these the words of a genealogist researching his family tree or a forensic scientist solving a mystery? Maybe both! The goal of this presentation is to spark your imagination to discover new ways of looking at your family mysteries.
>Who is Benjaman Kyle? Imagine living without a social security number or a birth certificate...you could not get a job, drive a car, open a bank account. Yet Benjaman Kyle suffers from amnesia and must function under these conditions. Kyle’s story offers insight to genealogists searching for ancestors who have left behind just as few clues about themselves as Kyle has of himself.
>The Dead Horse Investigation. Who is the man in top hat and tails sitting on a dead horse in the middle of the street? Photographs contain many clues about time, place, and people if we have the necessary analytical skills. This fascinating photograph will be used to delve into the world of photo research, analysis, and interpretation.
>The Database Detective. Understanding how to ine databases is critical for genealogical success, especially since the size and number of online databases are growing so rapidly. This talk will not only show us where to look for information, but more importantly, how to look at it.

In addition to Dr. Fitzpatrick, three other presenters will give sessions (you get to choose one). The speakers are Debbe Hagner, Damon Hostetler, and Debra Fleming. Debbe is going to talk on “Researching Funeral Home, Grave Site and Cemetery Records.” Damon is going to talk on “How and Why of Migration.” Debra is going to present “Newspaper Research—Following That Lead.” Each of these speakers has presented at our monthly meetings in the past.

So there you have the complete run down on all of our speakers for the 11 February 2012 seminar. But there is a lot more that will be going on during that day. Don’t forget that your registration fee includes food: continental breakfast, lunch, drinks during the day, and snacks as long as they last.

In between speakers, the book sale will be going full steam, and the featured speaker will be available to chat and will be signing her books for sale. There will be representatives of several historical and lineage societies to chat with, and we will have door prizes and raffles throughout the day.

February 4, 2012 is the deadline for PGS 2012 Seminar registration to take advantage of a significant discount. The cost is $42 for members and $47 otherwise. After that and up to the seminar itself on 11 February, the price goes up to $50.

Those who have attended one of our seminars previously can vouch for how much fun they are and how much you can learn during the day. So new member, old member, or not a member; experienced attendee or first time attendee; new researcher or old hand—get your registration in now. You can pick one up at the Genealogy Center in the Largo Public Library or go to the PGS website at www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~flpgs/

AncestryCom's Channel on YouTube

2012-01-09T09:18:00.000-05:00

Ancestry.com has its own channel on You Tube. You can view short videos dealing with a variety of subjects such as finding Civil War ancestors, searching on Ancestry, how to prove Native American ancestry, how to use WWII draft registration cards, and more. The videos can range from a minute to 15 minutes or more, depending on the subject.

The play list has about 125 items on it and continues to grow.

Check it out at AncestryCom's Channel - YouTube

Internet Searches: Some Twists and Some Helps

2012-01-07T08:02:00.002-05:00

The online GenealogyInTime Magazine offers a fascinating article on what they call “Ten Innovations in Online Genealogy Search.” The Internet is analyzed by how it is structured and how the data, specifically genealogy data is stored on the Internet. Armed with this information they give us insights to make our searches more productive.

The GenealogyInTime website also provides us some specialized search engines designed for genealogy searches. In reading the article you get not only the insights, but also explanations of, and links to, their search tools.

This is not light reading, so get a cup of your favorite beverage and settle down for some study. Also, this is only part I. You will find a link to Part II at the bottome of the article.

Check it out at Ten Innovations in Online Genealogy Search

Going Paperless

2012-01-06T20:55:00.000-05:00

We have all heard about the "paperless office," and we have probably all personally struggled with too much paper accumulating through our research efforts.

Dick Eastman is no different, but he has taken dramatic and successful steps to reduce the amount of paper he has to contend with. He has written on this subject before, but one of his lastest articles arguably his most detailed on the subject.

Check out what he has to say about the idea, and the approach he has taken. You can read his article at http://blog.eogn.com/eastmans_online_genealogy/2011/12/why-i-went-paperless.html .

Jamboree at the Cumberland Gap

2012-01-04T10:15:00.003-05:00

Because 50 million Americans have ties to the Cumberland Gap, it was the venue for a free public event called the Genealogy Jamboree 2011--Destination Cumberland Gap. There were 3100 + genealogist from 39 states and 2 countries, that had fun and enjoyed the speakers, vendors, exhibitors.

It was such a success that the Date June 7-9, 2012 is now set for a repeat event at the Cumberland Gap later this year.

Organizers are asking that attendees to send in pedigree charts for use during the event. In 2011 about 700 were received and were a big hit. If anyone would like to set up a tent for a family surname, a historical/genealogical author, a society, or a vendor; contact the organizers at their web page: genealogyjamboree.us . The facebook page is at facebook.com/genealogyjamboree. This event was free to the public this year and it will be next year. Mark Treadway is the event director

Roots Magic 5 Released

2012-01-02T11:06:00.003-05:00

Roots Magic announced the release of version 5 in near the end of November. The cost is $29.95 for first-time buyers and $19.95 for those upgrading from an earlier version.

From the Roots Magic website, here are a few of the new features of the software:

Timeline View – put a person’s life in context with events from their own life and from the lives of family members.

CountyCheck – confirm and correct the existence of a county, state, or country on any given date from a multi-national database. It can even show you online maps of county boundaries for that date.

Research Manager – avoid “reinventing the wheel” by keeping track of research goals, sources, and results that you have collected on a person, family, or place

"On This Day” List – bring your family history to life and view family events along with famous births, deaths, and historical events for any given day of the year.

Media Tagging – tag your media with people, families, sources, or places. For example, tag an image of a census record with the people, families, and places mentioned in the record as well as the census’ source citation.

Plus over 80 other enhancements and features

Check it out at http://www.rootsmagic.com/ . Be sure to follow the site's "Learn" tab to listen to a webinar on the product's new capabilities.

Elections for New Officers Held

2011-12-31T12:25:00.004-05:00

In case you're out of the loop, the election for half of PGS' directors, i.e., officers, was held at the December meeting. Elected, to begin their two-year terms on January 1st, were David Dellinger, President; Joan Baker, Corresponding Secretary; Damon Hostetler, Seminar Director; Sally Brown, Finance Director; Bob Bryan, Education Director. The Journal Editor remains MIA. The Board of Directors appreciates the continuing support of the membership and eagerly anticipates continuing the strong programs of education, projects, public outreach, and publication.

Czech Research Assistance Available

2011-12-31T11:01:00.002-05:00

If you are stuck and need some research assistance for South bohemia or the Czech Republic, contact JudyNelson08@gmail.com . You can also call at 727-641-4456. Judy can also help translate old German script, Czech, and Latin.

My Heritage and World Vital Records

2011-12-29T19:04:00.000-05:00

You may have heard by now that My Heritage has bought World Vital Records. That could be important to us on at least two levels. First, as genealogy researchers, our data availability may be impacted. It is difficult to see how this might manifest itself, in reality it would serve no one's interest to restrict data.

But we may see some version of this in perhaps higher access fees (World Vital Records is a pay site). Or perhaps not. Decisions like that are usually made at coporate levels and we just end up holding on for the ride, and ultimately voting with our purchase or lack of purchase.

About all that is clear to me is that the subscription discount the PGS members enjoy is still substantial...and I confirmed that with the folks at World Vital Records just recently after the purchase took place. There is only one level of subscription to WVR now, and it costs about $149 a year. We realize a savings of a bit over 45%.

If you recall, earlier this year Ancestry bought Footnote (now Fold3)--another site for which our members continue realize a discount (about 50%).

This type of corporate buying and selling is not something that should come as a surprise to us. After all, genealogy is an area of great public interest right now and thus a source of consumer dollars, and that translates to market opportunities. It does not matter what the economic area is, if profits are there to be made, then this sort of capitalist posturing is to be expected.

What I do know is that typically it all shakes out for the best (I know, I know, I'm a Pollyanna), and that your society is doing all it can to secure subscription benefits for you.

Thinking of Taking a Genealogy Cruise?

2011-12-27T19:02:00.000-05:00

Theme cruises are seemingly becoming more and more popular. You know, take a cruise and attend sessions on technology…or genealogy…or whatever.

If you have some curiosity about such things, then Dick Eastman’s review of a genealogy cruise he took in November is worth reading. This one was one week long, was peopled by 200 or so genealogists, and cruised the Bahamas.

Dick is very detailed in his description of what went on, and very positive about the whole experience. Give it read and see if such an event may be in your future.

You can find Dick’s Article at Wholly Genes Cruise is a Success - Eastman's Online Genealogy Newsletter

Figuring out an old photo

2011-12-23T18:09:00.000-05:00

There is really no shortage of guidance on how to figure out an old photograph, you know, identify when and where it was taken, and perhaps even who the subjects are.

But although there are many books and articles to go to for guidance, do not think it makes the job easy. That’s why I never pass up reading something more on the subject.

Susan Bankhead in her Blog Susan’s Genealogy Blog, gives us a concise ten steps to follow in decoding an old photo. It’s true that the list is a short one, and that you can read entire books on the subject, but you never know what gems you can come across in your reading. Two of the Susan’s listed steps really resonated with me: using city directories as supporting resources, and “keeping the photo in its original order or grouping.” (I’m afraid to say that I am frequently guilty of violating that last one…especially after I’ve digitized it.)

You can read the entire article at 10 Steps to Decoding a Family Photo » Susan's Genealogy Blog

By the way, our speaker at the PGS annual seminar on 11 February 2012 is going to address the topic of old photographs. Check out information about the seminar and especially about the speaker, Colleen Fitzpatrick, at http://www.flpgs.org/NMbrs/seminar/2012/seminar_brochure.aspx

Get Website Subscription Discounts Thru PGS

2011-12-21T08:42:00.003-05:00

Did you know that you can get a discount on subscriptions to Fold3, World Vital Records, and Godfrey Library? All you have to do is become a member of the Pinellas Genealogy Society!

Members can go to the society's members-only website and find the instructions on how to take advantage of these great deals. You can more than pay for your membeship with the savings you get...up to 1/2 off the normal price.

Check out the websites and then join the society.

Fold3: http://www.fold3.com/

World Vital Records: http://www.worldvitalrecords.com/

Godfrey Library: http://www.godfrey.org/

It's Time To Renew Those Dues

2011-12-19T16:14:00.002-05:00

OK gang...it's time to open that check book and renew your PGS dues for 2012....a whopping $17!

You already know what a great deal that is. For that small amount you keep the PGS involved in its many projects, its educational events, its publications, and its support of genealogy and historical events in the area. It also keeps alive the PGS support for the Genealogy Center in the Largo Publick Library through volunteer consultants and collection maintenance.

You also get access to the members-only website where you can find handouts to all of our classes (around 40 now), past issues of the journal (Pinellas Genealogist), the monthly newletter, subscription discounts to popular internet sites, and a great collection of various handouts. And you get a member discount for the annual seminar (coming up on 11 February 2012).

Our dues are low, our benefits of memberhsip are great...renew (or join for the first time) now. Send your check to Pinellas Genealogy Society, 120 Centeral Park Drive, Largo, FL 33771.

Dower versus Dowry

2011-12-17T11:04:00.000-05:00

Confused about those two terms? Check out Michael Neill’s genealogy tip at Genealogy Tip of the Day: Dower versus Dowry

BIRLS Database Available at Ancestry.com

2011-12-15T10:46:00.001-05:00

The Beneficiary Identification records Locator Subsystem (BIRLS) is an addition at Ancestry.com, that can be of great value because of it immense scope. It contains both birth and death dates for in excess of 14 million veterans and VA beneficiaries who died between 1850 and 2010.

Here is what Ancestry's dexcription of the database has to say:

"The BIRLS (Beneficiary Identification Records Locator Subsystem) Death File is a Veterans Benefits Administration database that lists the names of deceased individuals who had received benefits from the Veterans Administration while they were alive. These include veterans who received educational benefits and veterans’ survivors who applied for benefits. Details listed in the index can include
name
gender
birth date
death dates
cause of death (unknown, natural, combat, other)
branch(es) of service
enlistment date(s)
release date(s)

"This collection’s scope and the potential for providing birth and death dates make it a significant source for anyone researching ancestors who served in the U.S. Armed Forces."

It is an index only, so don't expect to see any digitized records.

To get to the database, type "BIRLS" in to the title field when you search the Ancestry card catalog.

Immigration and Emigration

2011-12-13T10:22:00.000-05:00

You ever get confused about whether somebody is emigrating or immigrating? A tidy little article for you to read then, is one by Susan Ferrell Bankhead on her blog Susan's Genealogy blog.

She neatly explains the difference, gives you a way to remember it, and includes a handy research at tip.

Read it at I Before E or E Before I: Immigration and Emigration » Susan's Genealogy Blog

Exciting PGS Meeting Saturday, 17 December

2011-12-12T16:05:00.001-05:00

Be sure and mark you calendar for the 17 December meeting of the Pinellas Genealogy Society!

This will be our holiday party, so be sure and bring something to contribute to the festivities. It is also the time of our annual elections.

But wait....there's more! Bring your heirlooms to show and tell about. We will have tables available for you to display your heirlooms, so bring those old photos, old books, swords, and what-have-you. This event is always popular and is a great venue to show your stuff.

In addition, we will have several short presentations, one of which will be explanations of how you can get significant subscription discounts, if you are a PGS member, to Fold3, World Vital Records, and the Godfrey Library.

This is going to be fun and packed meeting and you don't have to be a member to attend and enjoy.

Why Do We Do Genealogy?

2011-12-11T09:59:00.000-05:00

In speaking with groups about getting started in genealogy, I often spend a few minutes talking about why do it the first place. I have my own ideas about this that I share with folks, but recently I ran across an article that gave me some brand new perspectives on the subject.

Diane Boumenot in her Blog, One Rhode Island Family recently wrote an article titled “10 Things I’ve Learned About Genealogy.” it is a wonderful read that tucks away in those 10 things some unique perspectives on why to get involved with genealogy. One that I especially like is where she says it combines several interests into one hobby (history, reading, writing, libraries, databases, Familys, antiques, cryptography, and bookmaking).

Checked out what Diane has to say at 10 Things I’ve Learned About Genealogy « One Rhode Island Family, and see if you can add to her list.

War of 1812 at Fold3

2011-12-09T09:35:00.002-05:00

Fold3 has recently announced that it has finished digitizing the War of 1812 pension files for soldiers whose last name begins with the letter "A," and they are now starting on the B's.

This is great news and shows progress in making these important documents available on line. And, did I mention, access to the files is free, whether you have a subscription to Fold3 or not.

Visit http://www.fold3.com/

Don't forget, if you go to Fold3 and like what you see to the extent you wish to be a subscriber, you can get a significant discount if you are a member of the Pinellas Genealogy Society. Go the to members-only page to see what the discount is and how to get it.

Learn About Vital Records at Ancestry.com Wiki

2011-12-07T09:33:00.000-05:00

The Ancestry.com Wiki is a great resource for information on doing searches, the types of records available, etc. In fact, there is so much information available there, any description falls miserably short of indicating its true value to researchers. You have to get in and nose around.

One entry that is singularly helpful is one dealing with vital records (birth, marriage, death) for the various US states. Once you select your state of interest, you get a page telling you where the various records are kept and for what years. You also get direct links to appropriate Ancestry.com databases (if you are a subscriber). If you are not, make note of the database title for your next trip to the public library. Also listed on the page are links to information pages for other records (such as probate, land, military, etc.) relative to that state.

Check it out at All about genealogy and family history - Category:U.S. Birth, Marriage, and Death Records - Ancestry.com Wiki

Putting Flesh on the Bones

2011-12-05T20:30:00.000-05:00

Susan Farrell Bankhead offers several tips and references to use in breathing some life into our ancestors; that is, going beyond the standard birth, marriage, death data that we usually hunt for.

It is always a challenge to do this if we don’t have written family diaries, memoirs, or histories from ancestors themselves, but with some guidance, such as Susan’s, and some work we can do it. It will require some general research and digging, but the rewards are worth the effort.

The article gives some great references, and after seeing the types of resources Susan offers, you can probably come up with some of your own after a little time in a library.

Check “Susan’s Genealogy Blog” at Not Just a Name and Date: Flesh on the Bones » Susan's Genealogy Blog

New Version of Roots Magic Released

2011-12-04T10:04:00.005-05:00

Roots Magic 5 is now available. The cost to a new user is $29.95 and an upgrade for a current user is $19.95.

You can read all about it at the Roots Magic website: http://www.rootsmagic.com/ .

You can also see a recorded webinar about its features at: http://www.rootsmagic.com/Webinars/ .

Historical U.S. County Boundary Maps

2011-12-03T20:27:00.000-05:00

Randy Majors gives us a great map utility that allows us to see the historic location of modern day locations.

The site shows a large scale map and under the map are the directions for its use. Essentially all you need to do is fill in the search box with the name of a modern day place (city or county and state) and the date of interest to you. The map will then redraw showing that city and its location within the historic county appropriate for the time you specified. At the top of the map will appear a short description of the area that often gives information on the origin of the political boundaries.

Hats off to Randy for this one. Check it out at randymajors.com: Historical U.S. County Boundary Maps - NEW beta

Manatee Genealogical Society Meeting, 6 December

2011-12-02T11:15:00.002-05:00

The Manatee Genealogical Society will hold a meeting on December 6, 9:30 AM to noon at the Manatee County Central Library, 1301 Barcarrota Blvd. W., Bradenton, Florida.

The program will be “What’s In Your Attic? A Show and Tell About Your Family Treasures.” If you wish to actively participate, call Jean Morris at 941-722-5156 about your topic or item. The Computer Special Interest Group will discuss “Using Google Scholar for Genealogical Research.” Get all the details at www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~flmgs/

Getting the Kids Involved in Genealogy

2011-12-01T20:04:00.000-05:00

Getting our kids, or grandkids, involved in genealogy is an objective of many of us. It is a challenge, but one worth aspiring to.Janet Hovorka in her Blog “The Chart Chick” (gotta love that title, don’t you?) has posted an interesting article on her own approach to doing this.

Actually it is the first of what sounds like it may be a series of articles…we can only hope. It is great reading, and she makes the point that it is only a start, and not all the answers.

If you enjoy the article, bookmark the Blog address and visit frequently yourself. You can find Janet’s article at The Chart Chick: True confessions.

Are Common Names Vexing You?

2011-11-29T19:53:00.000-05:00

Many of us sooner or later run into the problem of ancestors with common names, and if not that, then families with the same names even though they are not necessarily common.

James Tanner in his Blog “Genealogy’s Star” has written a great article about overcoming such challenges. He gives some tips and research strategies. He also advises that the search is not going to be an easy one, but having perseverance and a strategy will go a long way.

Check out his article at Genealogy's Star: Finding John and Mary

Colleen Fitzpatrick is Primary speaker at PGS 2012 Seminar

2011-11-27T09:43:00.003-05:00

The Pinellas Genealogy Society is pleased to announce Dr. Colleen Fitzpatrick as the primary speaker for its annual genealogy seminar to be held on February 11, 2012 at the Largo Public Library in Largo, Florida.

Colleen is the author of two of the best-selling books in genealogy: Forensic Genealogy and DNA & Genealogy. Both have been critically acclaimed as “must reads” and significant contributions to the field. Colleen's newest book, The Dead Horse Investigation--Forensic Photo Analysis for Everyone, extends her forensic background and analytical skills to the analysis of photographs to reveal family history. She brings photo identification into the 21st century.

Colleen is a real-life CSI detective who has helped crack the most compelling mysteries of our time. As a top forensic genealogist, she has been called upon to identify and locate people worldwide, sometimes based on information 80 years old.

She has been featured on NPR's Talk of the Nation radio program, she has written cover articles for Internet Genealogy, Family Tree Magazine, and Family Chronicle, and she writes a regular column for Ancestry magazine. She and her work were also featured in More Magazine in 2010. She consults with television and documentary production companies on both Forensic Genealogy and DNA & Genealogy.

Colleen brings critical skills and inventive techniques to such genealogical areas as mining databases, interpreting photographs, determining how to look at data as well as where to look for it, and using DNA in conjunction with traditional genealogy research. In all of her work, she emphasizes the creative aspects of an investigation over the mechanics. We are indeed fortunate to have her as our featured speaker for the Pinellas Genealogy Seminar on 11 February 2012.

For more information about the seminar and all it has to offer (Colleen's four presentation topics, breakout speakers, booksale, etc) see the special events page of the PGS website at http://www.flpgs.org/NMbrs/seminar/2012/seminar_brochure.aspx

A Day at NARA Finding Land Case Files

2011-11-25T22:22:00.000-05:00

Ginger Smith in her Blog “Genealogy by Ginger’s Blog” gives us a blow-by-blow account, complete with pictures, of what she experienced at the National Archives while doing research in land files. Her pictures recount for us everything from the subway ride to the Archives to what the request forms that she had to use looked like.

And of course, she gives us a narrative of what she had to do, filled with tips to help you make such a trip yourself.

The topic of land records at the National Archives is a big one, so she is devoting more than one blog post to the subject. This is part 1. Check it out at Genealogy By Ginger's Blog: Day 1 at NARA - Land Case Files - Part 1

WPA Records

2011-11-23T22:18:00.000-05:00

“WPA records were created between 1935 and 1943, when the federal government created the Works Projects Administration to provide work for thousands of unemployed Americans who were struggling to survive the depression of the 1930's. Records of this program are at the National Archives and some state archives. Some of the projects resulted in interviews, surveys or guides that are useful to genealogists.”

This is the beginning of an article on using SPA documents in your genealogy research by Barb Snow. She gives both print and web resources on the WPA. If you had an adult male ancestor of working age in the 1935 to 1943 timeframe, they may have been employed in the WPA.

When the 1940 census is released in just a few months, you will be able to determine that work history for sure. At least one of the occupation questions on that census specifically asks if the respondent was employed in government programs such as the WPA.

Keep checking the PGS class schedule. ON 12 December 2011 and again on 9 January 2012 we will present a class on the content of the 1940 census and talk about ways you can search the census even before the indexes are completed for our normal website searches.

Check out the article at WPA Records

New Records Being Added to Fold3

2011-11-21T23:00:00.002-05:00

Fold3.com continues to add new military records to its holdings. If you have not checked out the site lately, you may want to do so. Although the collections are certainly not complete, they are continually working on War of 1812 pension files, Mexican War service records, WWI officer experience reports, and WWII draft registration cards ("Old Man's Draft"), to name a few.

You can find it all at www.fold3.com

Interviewing Relatives

2011-11-19T15:22:00.000-05:00

We all know that interviewing relatives is a profitable avenue of genealogy research. It is even “necessary” when you realistically consider the perishability of the information living relatives have.

Al and Dottie Hamilton (PGS members and Bloggers) have posted an article reviewing the process of doing such interviews, giving tips on how to make the session more productive, and even listing suggested questions.

The article is on the “Family Genealogy Tutor” Blog at http://familygenealogytutor.com/2011/09/20/interview-relatives/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=interview-relatives

If you want another list of questions and you are a PGS member, you can go to the PGS Members-Only website and find one there. It is used each year by the society as one of the sponsors of the Sun Coast Hospice Centenarian Birthday Party. Each of the honorees is assisted in answering the questions, and their responses are used to introduce them during the celebration. It not only provides great information for the honorees’ families, but everyone has an enjoyable time participating in the process.

Free Access to Newsbank

2011-11-17T07:53:00.005-05:00

Did you know that one of the databases availble to you at the Largo Public Libary is Newsbank? Using it you can access St. Petersburg Times articles from 1987 to the present as well as issues of several magazines to include Newsweek, Foreigh Affairs, Slate, Popular Science and others.

AND...here is something else: did you know that you can get to the Newsbank collection from home? Simply go to the Largo Public Library website (http://www.largo.com/department/index.php?fDD=11-0), click on "Databases" then "Databases A-Z", scroll to "Newsbank" and click on the "at home" option.

Free Access to Heritage Quest

2011-11-15T08:04:00.001-05:00

Did you know that one of the databases availble to you at the Largo Public Libary is Heritage Quest? Using it you can access images of US Census records, over 20,000 digitized books, Revolutionary War pension files, Freedman Bank Files, and more.

AND...here is the best part: you can get to the database free from home. Simply go to the Largo Public Library website (http://www.largo.com/department/index.php?fDD=11-0), click on "Databases" then "Databases A-Z", scroll to "HeritageQuest" and click on the "at home" option. You will be prompted for your library card number and then you are connected.

The PGS offers a class on using the various parts of the Heritage Quest website. Keep you eye out for it on our class schedule at (http://www.flpgs.org/classes.aspx).

You can also see a presentation on Heritge Quest by our speaker, George Morgan, at the 19 November meeting of the the PGS. It is held at 11 AM at the Largo Public Library and is free and open to the public.

The Canada Gazette is Online at Library and Archives Canada

2011-11-13T15:04:00.000-05:00

Library and Archives Canada (LAC) has finished putting all the back issues of the Canada Gazette online from 1841 to 1997.

The Gazette is the official newspaper of record for the Canadian government. As such, it contains many genealogical lists and records such as military promotion lists, naturalization lists, and others.

Access is free. Check it out at Keyword Search - A Nation's Chronicle: The Canada Gazette - Library and Archives Canada

Irish Genealogy

2011-11-11T14:59:00.000-05:00

If you are doing Irish research, you should love this site. It is the Irish government’s genealogy website, and it has added more Roman Catholic Church records for Carlow, Cork, Dublin and Kerry. This now completes the collection for these regions (some 3 million records).

The access is free, and site is very user-friendly, even providing links to related sites.

Check it out at Irish Genealogy

Social Networks

2011-11-09T14:28:00.000-05:00

When we hear the term “social networks,” I imagine most of us think of the modern use of the term born by modern technology…Facebook, etc.. But social networks have a much broader (and older) application.

Social networks include such things as educational affiliations, neighbors, professional contact, etc. Exploring those networks of our ancestors can reveal much information about their lives and even reveal other family members.

Check out this entry the MY Heritage Blog: Social Networks: Our ancestors had them - MyHeritage.com - English blog

Free Maps from the US Census Service

2011-11-07T17:56:00.000-05:00

OK, this is a weird thing to send you to, but if you stick with it, you will find a gold mine of information…map information.

The link below will take you to a sub-page of a site called Census.gov . The displayed page is nothing more than a listing of sets of maps, by state, that you can view as pdf documents.

The files have strange names like “mn_cosub.pdf”, but just pay attention to the first two letters and they will tell you the state covered by the maps you get when you click on the name. (In case it’s not obvious, that file name is for maps of Minnesota.)

The maps will not necessarily get you down to street level, but they will show counties and the townships within them.

Check it out at Index of /geo/maps/general_ref/cousub_outline/cen2k_pgsz

Online Searchable Death Indexes, Records & Obituaries

2011-11-05T18:26:00.000-04:00

I know I have suggested previously that you visit the Online Searchable Death Indexes website maintained by Joe Beine, but perhaps it is time for a refresher.

This is a great reference. The link below will take you to a page where you can select your state of interest. Once done, you will see a list of links to appropriate websites. Each site is accompanied by a short explanation of its content, and a note on whether it is a fee site.

Joe is good about keeping the list of sites updated. It is well worth a minute of your time to check it out. But be careful…once you start exploring it is difficult to stop.

Check it out at Online Searchable Death Indexes, Records & Obituaries

Learn About Fold3

2011-11-03T18:07:00.000-04:00

Unless you have been living under a rock, you have heard by now the Footnote.com is now Fold3.com . But did you know that there are video tutorials available to tell you about the website and how to use it?

You can check them out at Fold3 Video Tutorials

Copyright One More Time -- copyright vs. family trees online or otherwise

2011-11-01T09:25:00.000-04:00

This is another article on copyright by James Tanner in his Blog Genealogy’s Star. It deals with how protected by copyright is the family tree that I publish—online or otherwise.

The entire article is worth your time to read, but in particular, read the second to last paragraph.

Find it at Genealogy's Star: What is original? copyright vs. family trees online or otherwise

Copyright….again -- Government Documents and Public Domain

2011-10-30T09:06:00.000-04:00

The subject of copyright never seems to get old. The Blog Genealogy’s Star gives us a detailed look at government documents and public domain to help us understand what is clearly NOT covered by copyright.

Personally, I can never read enough about the topic of copyright. It is so easy to make a mistake when using information found in libraries or on the Internet, that I find I always need to refresh my understanding of the law.

Check it out at Genealogy's Star: Government Documents and Public Domain -- What is clearly not covered by copyright

Differences Between Online and Desktop Trees - Using TreeSync in Family Tree Maker 2012

2011-10-28T08:56:00.000-04:00

Family Tree Maker recently announced the release of its 2012 version software. Part of the release is the use of TreeSync to keep trees on your computer and online synchronized.

Randall Seaver in his Genea-Musings Blog gives some details about how the sync process is actually accomplished and how that affects the trees being synchronized.

Actually, he points us to what other bloggers have said, but one way or another, the end result is worth reading. Tree synchronization is a technology that is now going to be with us, so getting smart now and staying updated on its refinements is wise.

Check out Randy’s Blog at Genea-Musings: Family Tree Maker 2012 TreeSync - Differences Between Online and Desktop Trees

FSGS Conference Coming Soon

2011-10-27T10:03:00.001-04:00

If you are interested in attending the FSGS Conference in Orlando 11-12 November, now would be a good time to register. The price goes up after 31 October.

You can easily register online at www.flsgs.org

Some Genealogy Stuff

2011-10-26T23:24:00.000-04:00

Bob Bryan sends an occasional Email to our PGS members and friends with some genealogy tidbits in them. I thought it would be a good idea to put some of them up on our Blog also. So check out these suggestions:

Native American “Indian” Ancestry? If you have an interest in this topic, you might want to view the Smithsonian video online at http://www.ustream.tv/recorded/17314991. This is almost 3 hours in length. From Eastman’s newsletter of 19 Dec 2011.

Another free option for automatic or manual backup of your genealogy data is available from BackupMyTree.com. This company has been around for a year or so and was recently acquired by myheritage.com. It works for most (but not all) genealogy programs operating in Windows. Several user options are available. For what it’s worth, Eastman’s genealogy column thinks it is a good thing. Read about it at https://www.backupmytree.com/.

Civil War Service Records Online

2011-10-24T20:01:00.001-04:00

It is rather interesting to try and locate Civil War service records. Not that it is necessarily hard to do, it's just that depending on who your Civil War ancestor is, you will have to look in different places.

If your ancestor fought for the North and came from a norther state, then you will have to go to the National Archives for the records. That is because those records were never microfilmed and exist in paper form only. Of course, you don't have to physically GO to NARA...you can order them online from the NARA website.

It's a different story if you ancestor fought for the South, or fought for the North but came from a southern state, or was a member of the US Colored Troops. It is different because those records were microfilmed and now have been digitized. That means that you don't have to go the the National Archives to see the images. You can order the microfilm from the Family History Library, or you can travel to any number of other libraries to view them (such at the Tampa Library). You can also now view them online at Fold3 (what used to be Footnote.com).

And most recently you can find them online at the FamilySearch.org website. The indexes are there for searching and to see the images you are shunted over to Fold3. At first it looks like you have to have a subscription to Fold3 to see the images, but if you put your search name in the appropriate box, you can view the digitized contents of the service record for free. This is made possible though an affiliation between the two sites.

Don't forget that to learn more about ordering records from the National Archives, or to learn more about military records in general and where to find them, check out the list of classes offered by the Pinellas Genealogy Society. Go to the PGS calendar page at http://www.flpgs.org/classes.aspx

If the class is not in the list for the next few months, check back when the calendar is extended.

Let’s Be Reasonable About a Reasonable Search

2011-10-22T19:50:00.000-04:00

This discussion about what constitutes a “reasonably exhaustive” search is not for the feint of heart…but we should all suck it up and read it. James Tanner in his Blog Genealogy’s Star has done us all a service by digging into this first element of the Genealogical Proof Standard.

He tackles the questions: What is is exhaustive? What is reasonable? He explains what the standard means (or should mean). He tries to give some objectivity to a subjectively stated standard.

So go get a cup of coffee or tea, then come back, relax, and check out James’ offering at Genealogy's Star: What constitutes a reasonable search?

Allen County Public Library

2011-10-20T19:35:00.000-04:00

In genealogy circles, the Allen County Public Library is one of the key destinations in research trips. Although most of us have heard of the library, we may not really know the extent of its collection and services.

Leland Meitzler in his GenealogyBlog provides a good overview of the library that is worth reading. It may even influence you into including it in your next trip through Indiana. You can find the article at Allen County Public Library — A Genealogical Treasure

FSGS Conference in November

2011-10-18T11:17:00.000-04:00

The Florida State Genealogical Society will hold its 2011 Annual Conference November 11 and 12 at the Sheraton Orlando North Hotel, Maitland, FL.

The two-day conference will feature Keynote Speaker Lloyd Dewitt Bockstruck who will offer four fascinating new lectures. Additional presenters will address selected genealogical topics, and vendors will exhibit new products.

Visit their website, http://www.flsgs.org/, for easy online conference registration and hotel information.

Family History Writing Competition -- Deadline Approaching

2011-10-17T11:13:00.002-04:00

Pinellas Genealogist, quarterly journal of the Pinellas Genealogy Society, is accepting entries for the annual Family History Writing Competition from members and non-members of the Society.

Entries should be based on the author’s research of a family history or a genealogical account of family lines and lives, discussing the steps followed and the conclusions that resulted from the research. Entries may be original, unpublished papers or published papers. If previously published, please submit permission to reprint from the original publisher along with the entry.

Prizes will be awarded to three submissions selected by our judges: 1st prize is $50, 2d prize is $30 and 3d prize is $20.

All entries must be received no later than 31 Oct 2011. That is just around the corner, so start writing now! See the competition rules and information on where to send entries on the PGS website at: http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~flpgs/index.htm

Family History Assistance Day is Coming Up

2011-10-16T08:30:00.000-04:00

The PGS is sponsoring Family History Assistance Day on 29 Oct 2011 from 12-4 PM at the Largo Library.

During this event, you can receive one-on-one help from experienced researchers. How often have you wanted to sit in front of a computer with someone who can show you how to get started in your research? How often have you wanted to consult with someone about some problem you have encountered? This event may be for you.

It event will operate on a first-come-first-served basis. If there are people ahead of you, there will be other events such as classes going on to help make good use of your wait time.

The event is free and open to the public, and there is no need to preregister.

Roots Magic Users Group Meets 22 October

2011-10-16T05:10:00.000-04:00

Join us at the Largo Library at 10 AM on Saturday, 22 October for the monthly Roots Magic Users Group. This is a question and answer session for those who are using the software and want to improve their skill, or those who are trying to decide which genealogy software program to buy.

This month we will also explore a piece of software called GenSmarts. Although it is authored by the maker of Roots Magic, GenSmarts will work with any genealogy software program.

The session is free and open to the public.

Free Webinar: Ask the Google Guru

2011-10-13T10:12:00.000-04:00

This webinar by Lisa Louise Cooke, has already been presented, but it has been archived and is available for free viewing.

Lisa is the author two books on using Google features to assist in genealogy research, and so is well-positioned to give some good advice. To get to the webinar, you have to file out a couple on-line forms.

By the way, the PGS offers a class on using Google to support your genealogy research. Keep your eyes on our calendar to see when it is next offered (http://www.flpgs.org/classes.aspx).

You can access the webinar and see more information on Lisa and her publications at Ask the Google Guru FREE WEBINAR | FamilyTreeUniversity.com

Getting Ready to Go on a Research Trip

2011-10-11T09:54:00.000-04:00

In his Blog Genea-Musings, Randy Seaver treats us to the steps he has taken to get ready for a research trip to the Midwest.

We wish Randy the best of luck, but our interest goes beyond that. Read between the lines of Randy’s post to get an idea of what good preparation is all about. Although you and I may not be going where Randy is planning to visit, his preparation in general can guide our own. A productive trip is dependent on good preparation, and Randy gives us some insights on how to accomplish that.

By the way, he references the book New Englanders in the 1600’s by Marin Hollick. It indexes published genealogical research from 1980 to 2005 for New England families, and Randy considers it “invaluable.” Well, we have that resource in our collection at the Largo Public Library.

Check out Randy’s post at Genea-Musings: I'm almost ready now to go research!

Tour of Largo Library Genealogy Center

2011-10-11T06:08:00.001-04:00

There will be a tour of the Largo Library Genealogy Center on Saturday, 15 Oct (after the society meeting). It is open to the public and will start in the Genealogy Center at 1 PM. Join us and learn about this impressive genealogy resource.

Look at the Entire Record

2011-10-10T09:38:00.000-04:00

In his Genealogy Tip of the Day Blog, Michael John Neill reminds us to look at more than just the alphabetical listing of a city directory. There may be much more about your ancestor in the business listing, advertisements, etc.

This is great advice, and can be expanded to just about any record we may find. Just think of all the wonderful information found on “the rest” of a census form (after you record the names of the members of the household), or all that good stuff tucked away in obits.

You can read Michael’s tip and more at Genealogy Tip of the Day: Look at the Entire City Directory

Kim Garvey to Speak on Saturday, 15 October

2011-10-10T08:18:00.004-04:00

On Saturday, 15 Oct 2011, at 11:00 the Pinellas Genealogy Society will spondor a presentation titled "Pointing the Way Towards 21st Century Remembrance." It will be resented by Kim Garvey.

Kim is an historian, librarian, lecturer and owner of Tree Trax, a genealogical services company. She has written for several genealogical magazines, such as, the National Genealogical Quarterly and the Florida Genealogy Society Reach Out. She is a graduate of Salt Lake City Institute of Genealogy Research, a member of the National Genealogy Society, the Association of Professional Genealogist and the Florida State Genealogy Society among many others. She specializes in a variety of areas and topics related to historical methods, immigration, ethnicity and cemeteries.

At 10:00, before Kim's program, The Computers in Genealogy group will meet. This is an informal discussion group in a question and answer format on anything related to the use of computers in genealogy.

Both events are free and open to the public. Put them on your calendar and plan to attend.

Search Merchant Navy Seamen Records 1918-1941

2011-10-08T09:30:00.000-04:00

A million or so records of UK Merchant Seaman are now available at the FindMyPast website. Apparently, this is the maiden voyage for these records being available online.

FindMyPast is a pay website, but you can do a search for free to see the resulting list of hits. What you can’t do is see the images of the index cards that comprise the database. The cards were used to produce a centralized index of merchant seamen serving on British merchant navy vessels between the two world wars.

Check it out at Search Merchant Navy Seamen Records 1918-1941 | Findmypast.co.uk

Lee County Seminar

2011-10-07T11:05:00.000-04:00

The Lee County Genealogical Society is hosting it's annual Fall half day seminar on Saturday, October 22, 2011. Special speakers are Gary M. Smith and Diana Crisman Smith.

Gary will talk about Tax Records: Why Do We Care? This will be followed by a joint presentation by Gary and Diana on Methods for Organizing Your Genealogical Records – He Said/She Said.

The cost of the seminar is $20.00 per person and pre-registration is required. Check the website at http://www.lcqufl.org

Here is the address of the seminar:Fellowship Hall, Wesley Memorial United Methodist Church, 4141 DeLeon Street, Fort Myers, Florida

Arlington Tombstone Project

2011-10-06T09:19:00.000-04:00

Leland and Patty Meitzler in their GenealogyBlog recently gave us a post about a project to photograph all of the tombstones at Arlington National Cemetery. Apparently this is in response to a law passed last year.

The project is about half done, and plans are to make the records available to the public when it is completed.

You can read Leland’s post to get the more complete story at http://www.genealogyblog.com/?p=13872

Class on Using Heritage Quest Databases

2011-10-05T21:51:00.002-04:00

In case you missed the HeritageQuest class at the Largo Library recently, you can catch it at the Aging Well Center this Saturday, 8 Oct.

The class is free and begins at 10 am. The Aging Well Center is located in the Long Center at 1501 N. Belcher Road, Clearwater.

Curious About Google Search?

2011-10-04T09:05:00.000-04:00

The Genealogy in Time Blog provided a link to a video that explains how Google goes about improving its search function.

The video is only a little over 3 minutes long. Knowing a bit about the logic of Google search can help us as users. Check it out at How Does Google Improve Search?

5 New Titles Recently Added to Fold3

2011-10-02T08:43:00.000-04:00

If you have a subscription to Footnote and have not checked on the site lately, you may want to do so.

First of all, its name has changed to Fold3. When you sign on you can get all of the information about the name change. You can still get to the site using www.footnote.com, but you might as well change your favorites link to www.fold3.com now.

Another reason to visit the site is to check out the databases it has been working on. You can now find an increasing number of entries from War of 1812 Pension Files, Mexican War Service Records, Confederate Casualty Reports, WWI Officer Experience Reports, and WWII “Old Man’s Draft” Registration Cards.

You can read the Fold3 blog about these and other changes at 5 New Titles Recently Added to Fold3 | Fold3 Blog

PGS Has a Facebook Page

2011-09-30T20:41:00.001-04:00

For some time now PGS has had a Facebook page. If you go to our webpage, at the bottom of the home page you will find an icon that you can click on to show you "like" the Facebook page. That gets you in the loop to see each new Facebook entry. The same icon is in the right hand margin of this Blog page.

We list all of our classes and events weekly, send out special bulletins, and publish photographs of PGS events and activities.

You can also get to the Facebook page directly by typing the following into the address box of your browser: www.facebook.com/pinellasgenealogysociety

Family History Assistance Day is Coming Up

2011-09-29T08:26:00.001-04:00

Lee County Genealogy Society Unvails Obituary Database

2011-09-28T18:58:00.003-04:00

After more than a decade of hard work, The Lee county Genealogy Society has rolled out abstracts of Lee County deaths published in the Fort Myers News-Press between the years 1930 and 1997. The database holding 65,528 entries is now available in a searchable format at their website.

In the left hand side of any of the pages at their site, you'll see a new link "Area Deaths". Clicking on that link will bring you into the database where you can search for the date of death notices and obituaries by last name, which appeared in the Fort Myers News-Press between the years of 1930 and 1997. By clicking on the icon in the "Actions" column, you'll see the Section of the newspaper and the Page number.

The database does not contain the actual obituary...it is a pointer to where it can be found in the Fort Myers News-Press held at the Fort Myers-Lee County Public Library at 2050 Central Avenue in downtown Fort Myers, FL.

Check it out at http://www.lcgsfl.org/areaDeaths.php

Ancestry.com Anniversary

2011-09-28T07:32:00.000-04:00

In case you didn't see it, Ancestry is celebrating it's 15th anniversary from 1 to 15 October by making several collections free for that period. Check the site for free searches and daily prizes.

Here is Ancestry's announcement: You’re invited to a 15-day celebration of your story—and ours. Visit Ancestry.com daily October 1st-15th to search some of our favorite collections for free and enter for a chance to win the prize of the day in the 15 Days of Discovery Sweepstakes.
*Each day starting October 1, 2011 we’ll reveal a collection youcan search for free through midnight ET on October 15, 2011

Analyzing Brick Walls–Exposed

2011-09-26T21:01:00.000-04:00

In the Blog “Genealogy’s Star,” James Tanner gives us much to think about concerning the infamous brick wall. First, he defines what a brick wall is. You will find his definition interesting…it is not simply coming to a dead end…his definition is much more precise than that.

As his analysis unfolds, you will be reminded of Damon Hostetler’s presentation at the August meeting of the PGS. He called it “Where Is That Old Codger"? His approach to defeating brick walls fits right into James’ suggestions.

You can check out the Blog at Genealogy's Star: Analyzing Brick Walls -- a genealogical myth or reality?

School Yearbook Collection on Ancestry.com

2011-09-24T20:37:00.002-04:00

In case you don't know about it, or haven't visited it in a while, you should check out the yearbook collection on Ancestry.com.

Ancestry continues to expand its collection and it reportedly now has more than 35,000 books with 155 million records from 1884 to 2009.

You can find the collection on the Ancestry.com site by searching the catalog using the keyword "yearbook."

1940 Census Presentation in Tampa

2011-09-23T23:17:00.002-04:00

On 22 October from 10:30 to noon at the John Germany Library (900 N. Ashley Dr,, Tampa, Fl.) there will be a presentation on the 1940 census.

The speaker, Shane Bell, is an archivist from the National Archives who will paint a broad picture of what's on the census, how the information was collected and now digitized, and how it is a reflection of the historical times. He will put the census in its socio-economic context.
The 1940 census is the first census after the Great Depression so it will reflect the migration to urban areas. It's the first census to have a short and long form, the first to ask people their income, the first that could be mailed back, and the first to ask people where they had lived 5 years earlier.

The 1940 census will be released next April, but at least for a while will not be indexed for easy searching.

In the December-February timeframe, the PGS will also present a class on the 1940 census…both at the Largo Library and the Aging Well Center in Clearwater. You may want to go to both the Tampa and local events to get multiple perspectives on this important topic.

Syncing Family Tree Information—Some Thoughts

2011-09-22T20:27:00.000-04:00

Randy Seaver in his blog “Genea-Musings” offers a though-provoking post on the issue of syncing family tree information. By “syncing” we mean making a change in a family tree on one platform in one piece of software and having that change update itself in a copy of that family tree resident on another platform and created by a different piece of software.

There are some noble efforts being made to accomplish this, but as Randy observe, we are probably in the infancy of this technology.

You can read Randy’s post at: Genea-Musings: GEDCOM, Software, Online Trees and Syncing

Statement of Work for 1940 U.S. Census

2011-09-20T09:18:00.000-04:00

In mid-August, NARA released the statement of work and the request for quote concerning the 1940 US Census. This is one of the steps in the process of getting a contractor on board to do the work that NARA needs done to make the census available to the public.

Interested parties will respond to the request for quote and a winner (or winners) will be selected.

Randy Seaver in his Blog “Genea-Musings” has capsulized the major points in both the request for quote and the statement of work. If you are excitedly awaiting the release of the census in April 2012, you may find this summary interesting.

Genea-Musings: 1940 U.S. Census Request for Quote and Statement of Work is out

More Ideas About Dealing With Piles Of “Stuff”

2011-09-18T09:01:00.000-04:00

James Tanner in his Blog Genealogy’s Star weighs in with some amusing and serious/helpful ideas about dealing with genealogy in quantity.

I especially like his comments about the money value of our time. The essence is that our time is valuable, so we should feel free to justify spending money to make the best use of it…faster scanners, digital cameras, etc.

Check out the article at: Genealogy's Star: Dealing with the piles and boxes, genealogy in quantity

Mini Seminar at Suncoast Genealogy Society

2011-09-16T08:48:00.004-04:00

Suncoast Genealogy SocietyMini Seminar --

2011October 29, 2011
Palm Harbor Library Community Room
2330 Nebraska Ave, Palm Harbor
1:00 PM to 4:00 PM(Registration 12:30PM)

Speaker:Drew Smith
Topics: (1) Beyond Database Programs: Technology Tools to Manage Your Research
(2) Where is the Book with My Family in It?

For registration information Contact: Ann James: Phone 727-791-1983; Email: jamesamsj@ail.com

Family History Writing Competition

2011-09-15T11:10:00.001-04:00

Pinellas Genealogist, quarterly journal of the Pinellas Genealogy Society, is accepting entries for the annual Family History Writing Competition from members and non-members of the Society.

Entries should be based on the author’s research of a family history or a genealogical account of family lines and lives, discussing the steps followed and the conclusions that resulted from the research. Entries may be original, unpublished papers or published papers. If previously published, please submit permission to reprint from the original publisher along with the entry.

Prizes will be awarded to three submissions selected by our judges: 1st prize is $50, 2d prize is $30 and 3d prize is $20.

All entries must be received no later than 31 Oct 2011.See the competition rules and information on where to send entries on the PGS website at: http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~flpgs/index.htm

Webinar on FamilySearch Learning Activities

2011-09-14T09:20:00.001-04:00

I just fininshed watching a webinar produced last July on three important learning activities offered by FamilySearch. They are online classes, the Wiki, and Forums.

The show lasts about 30 minutes and gives a great overview of what each of the three areas has to offer and how to use them.

I found the Wiki especially helpful, since I personally have been having trouble finding some things on the FamilySearch website since it's make-over last year.

You can watch the video at: http://www.millenniacorp.com/_videos/webinars/2011-07-06-we/2011-07-06-we.html

Library Book Sale 24 September

2011-09-13T10:02:00.003-04:00

The Friends of the Largo Library will hold a huge booksale from 9 am to 3:3o pm on 24 September at the Largo Library.

Adult's books will cost $0.50 each (3 for $1.00). Kid's books will be $0.25 each.

Come early, grab a snack at the cafe, and enjoy the sale.

Public Land Survey System

2011-09-12T21:39:00.000-04:00

Land descriptions can be confusing, especially when in comes to the Public Land States. Ironically, the survey system adopted for those states was meant to be simple, I’m sure, and an improvement over the old metes-and-bounds system.

Well, it actually is, but you have to know the key. The Genealogy Insider Blog recently had a good explanation of this survey system (complete with pictures).

Brush up on your geography at: Genealogy Insider - This Land Is Your Land .

Genealogy Tip

2011-09-10T21:25:00.000-04:00

The GenealogyInTime Blog has a tip of the week offering that may be just what you need to break through a brick wall.

One in particular focuses on the problem of not finding people on the census who you know should be there. The tip gives you a method of tracking them down that you may not have tried before.

Check it out at: Genealogy Tip of the Week .

Small-town Newspapers

2011-09-08T21:19:00.000-04:00

We have probably all seen the virtues of researching historic newspapers. Sometimes, however, we think that big city papers are the desired research avenue. But small town papers have distinct advantages over the big city press in revealing the lives of our ancestors.

In the Blog "GenealogyInTime,” we were recently treated to a detailed article about the unique advantages that researching small town papers gives us. Even if you have been on this trail in the past, the article is worth a read just to be sure you did not miss any of the things these papers offer.

You can check it out at: Searching Historic Small-town Newspapers .

The Evaluation of Records

2011-09-06T20:49:00.002-04:00

The Blog Genealogy’s Star recently had a post about the research cycle…in particular about one phase of it: the evaluation of records.

The author, James Tanner was making the point that too often we skip over that last step in the process. His comments are well worth looking at. You can find his article at Genealogy's Star: Skipping the evaluation of records .

I might add the the PGS offers a class on the evaluation of records. Check out the calendar page of out website to see when it will be offered again. The web site is found at http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~flpgs/index.htm .

Family History Assistance Day is Coming Up

2011-09-05T08:14:00.006-04:00

The PGS is sponsoring Family History Assistance Day on 29 Oct 2011 from 12-4 PM at the Largo Library.

During this event, you can receive one-on-one help from experienced researchers. How often have you wanted to sit in front of a computer with someone who can show you how to get started in your research? How often have you wanted to consult with someone about some problem you have encountered? This event may be for you.

It will operate on a first-come-first-served basis. If there are people ahead of you, there will be other events such as classes going on to help make good use of your wait time.

The event is free and open to the public, and there is no need to pre-register. Put it on your calendar now.

Marketing Genealogy

2011-09-04T20:45:00.000-04:00

James Tanner in his Blog Genealogy’s Star gives us an interesting take on all those ads for genealogy products we see. They seem to be everywhere: on websites we visit, conferences we attend, etc.

We tend to see such advertisements as bothersome and sometimes even obstructive. But James’ view is a refreshing one that is worth serious consideration.

Check it out at: Genealogy's Star: Is genealogy just another market?

Civil War Wittness Trees

2011-09-02T20:30:00.001-04:00

Diane Haddad in her Blog Genealogy Insider has a fascinating post on “Witness Trees.” This was a new term for me, and Diane gives a good explanation and some links to great examples.

I have to admit that I will not think of trees in the same way again after reading that article.

Check it out at: Genealogy Insider - Civil War Witness Trees

African-American Genealogy

2011-09-01T18:38:00.002-04:00

There will be a "Lunch and Learn" session coming up you may be interested in. It will be held from 11:30 am to 1 pm on Tuesday, 13 September at the North Greenwood Recreation and Aquatic Center (900 North MKL Ave., Clearwater, FL)

The topic will be "African-American Genealogy--Methods and Challenges." The presenter is Harriet Thompkins. Harriet does an African-American research class at the Largo Library for the PGS also.

The lunch is free--first come first served. Pre-registration is suggested. Call (727)793-2339, Ext. 244.

Advice for Organizing Family Archives

2011-08-31T20:14:00.006-04:00

One of Diane Haddad's readers received several boxes of family genealogy research that she had to do something with. On her Blog Genealogy Insider she asked her readers for suggestions.

We may not all be faced with a task this daunting, but the suggestions she received are worth looking at. There are organizational ideas that all of us could use, if not in total, then at least in part.

You can read her summary of some of the suggestions at: Genealogy Insider - Your Advice for Organizing Family Archives

PGS Facebook Page

2011-08-30T20:34:00.002-04:00

Land Record Insights

2011-08-29T16:38:00.002-04:00

If you have ever done research land record office, you know it can be daunting. Anne Roach in her Blog The Technogenealogist shares some things she learned in a recent experience.

You can check out what she has to say at The TechnoGenealogist: A Little Land Record Lesson