Genealogy Hangouts On Air..from Australia!

Well....it's done.  For what it's worth, I had a great time. This was my first opportunity to be a "guest speaker" on an international level. (Thanks to Fiona Tellesson!)  But that's only because I had a chance to talk uninterrupted as long as I wanted.  Sort of!  So I'm blogging this to give all my faithful followers a link to the Google Hangout we recorded with Fiona. She has been conducting these "Hangouts" for a little over 2 years.  She asked me last week if I'd like to "appear" and I said I'd be happy to.  And I'm putting this out there because although I speak to local groups from small to relatively large, this is the first time I've had the floor with what turns out to be an international audience.

It's just less than an hour, but they told me that it turned out to be very interesting. So if you watch it for 5 minutes or 55 minutes, I'd appreciate it!

Once again, click here to go to the YouTube presentation.

Thanks!

Detail of the House of Stuart Genealogy (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

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Soundex Code....What??

Search tips can be very helpful, even for an experienced genealogist.  Everyone falls into a rut from time to time or a particular set of web sites are used and others forgotten. I liked Linkpendium for a while, but it never earned a place in my "must look at" list.  Having said that, it's back on the priority list.  See, I even have to listen to myself once in a while!

Genealogy books (Photo credit: webduckie)

The fact remains that although millions of records are going on line every day but that there are billions to go!  We all have to remember that "it's not all on line!" But with all that being said, I want to share the tip that I posted on a Facebook page that I co-administer "Genealogy - Improving your searches."  This is a simple one, but a lot of people reacted to it and "Liked" it!  [You might also want to visit "Find A Grave Genealogy Discussion."]

It's fairly simple.  I wrote of the "Soundex Code" and how you should at least be aware of what it is so that you don't shy away from using it in your on-line searches. It is not, however, a cure-all for hard to find ancestors!  Simply put, its a 4 character replacement for any surname.  It was used to file index cards that referenced microfilm records.  The first character is the first letter of the surname, with special consideration for "De" or "Van".  The next 3 positions are numbers representing the next three consonants in the name.  Vowels and the letters w, h, and y are skipped.  Also skipped are double consonants where only one of them is considered.  That's it!  Click on "Soundex Code" for one of many explanations.  This one's from Rootsweb.  

What did we need this for??  "Old Timers" will remember doing the conversions and then going over to a card file, finding the section with your Soundex number and then flipping through the (supposedly) alphabetically arranged cards for a reference to the microfilm number and page where your ancestor SHOULD be!

In truth, you don't need it.  But I don't want anyone to shy away from picking "Use Soundex results" in the search filter choices at Ancestry.com or Americanancestors.org for example.  The cautionary piece is that if one of the letters that have to be converted to a number has been transposed say by an enumerator or an indexer, you'll never find your target based on Soundex.  Here's an example: "PATRAKIS" versus "PARTAKIS".  The Soundex for the first spelling is P362 while the soundex for the second is P632.  That's because the "T" and the "R" have been transposed.  So in the conversion the "3" and the "6" would also be transposed.  Good luck with that one!!!   

See! That was easy!

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Search tips... Soundex...

Search tips can be very helpful, even for an experienced genealogist.  Everyone falls into a rut from time to time or a particular set of web sites are used and others forgotten. I liked Linkpendium for a while, but it never earned a place in my "must look at" list.  Having said that, it's back on the priority list.  See, I even have to listen to myself once in a while!

[caption id="" align="alignright" width="75"] Genealogy books (Photo credit: webduckie)[/caption]

The fact remains that although millions of records are going on line every day but that there are billions to go!  We all have to remember that "it's not all on line!" But with all that being said, I want to share the tip that I posted on a Facebook page that I co-administer "Genealogy - Improving your searches."  This is a simple one, but a lot of people reacted to it and "Liked" it!  [You might also want to visit "Find A Grave Genealogy Discussion."]

It's fairly simple.  I wrote of the "Soundex Code" and how you should at least be aware of what it is so that you don't shy away from using it in your on-line searches. It is not, however, a cure-all for hard to find ancestors!  Simply put, its a 4 character replacement for any surname.  It was used to file index cards that referenced microfilm records.  The first character is the first letter of the surname, with special consideration for "De" or "Van".  The next 3 positions are numbers representing the next three consonants in the name.  Vowels and the letters w, h, and y are skipped.  Also skipped are double consonants where only one of them is considered.  That's it!  Click on "Soundex Code" for one of many explanations.  This one's from Rootsweb.

What did we need this for??  "Old Timers" will remember doing the conversions and then going over to a card file, finding the section with your Soundex number and then flipping through the (supposedly) alphabetically arranged cards for a reference to the microfilm number and page where your ancestor SHOULD be!

In truth, you don't need it.  But I don't want anyone to shy away from picking "Use Soundex results" in the search filter choices at Ancestry.com or Americanancestors.org for example.  The cautionary piece is that if one of the letters that have to be converted to a number has been transposed say by an enumerator or an indexer, you'll never find your target based on Soundex.  Here's an example: "PATRAKIS" versus "PARTAKIS".  The Soundex for the first spelling is P362 while the soundex for the second is P632.  That's because the "T" and the "R" have been transposed.  So in the conversion the "3" and the "6" would also be transposed.  Good luck with that one!!!

See! That was easy!

 

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"Fishing" in all the DNA "Pools"

Every day, I receive an e-mail containing the post from Judy G. Russell, the Legal Genealogist.  As a matter of fact, that's the name of her blog, "The Legal Genealogist".  I like her posts for a number of reasons.  First, she writes in "English".  By that I mean you can understand what she's trying to say.  In spite of the fact...or perhaps because of the fact...that she's an attorney, she has a great sense of humor and a unique ability to convey a story or explain an issue in easy to understand language.  She is a classy lecturer with a message, many messages as a matter of fact!  My wife and I have listened to her a number of times and we always come away with a good understanding of the subject matter.



Today's blog is entitled "Baiting the Hook" which I advise you to read...it'll take about 4 minutes.  Just click the title and you'll be taken there.  After you read "Baiting the Hook", I'm pretty sure you'll want to follow her.  She covers many genealogical subjects and legal issues that can help anyone with their research.

 

After reading today's post, I feel better that I've tested with 2 companies, FamilyTreeDNA and 23andMe.  And now I'm encouraged to test with Ancestry DNA even though they got off to a horrific start!

 

Let me know what you think!

 

 

 

 

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Genealogy and Family Research at Chicopee Library

We're starting a new year at the Chicopee Public Library.  In addition to the "Research Clinics" we run every Thursday from 9 AM to 4 PM, I will conduct a variety of classes on the "art" of genealogy and family research.

The upcoming series will be 2 sessions on Monday evenings February 3rd and again on February 10th.

We'll be talking about what to look for, what to expect, what is "free" and what is not, web sites (and there are HUNDREDS!) and how to use them, research strategies, tips and tricks to find what you're looking for and, most importantly "IT'S NOT ALL ON THE INTERNET"!!  Where to find those documents you need that are not available just by clicking through sites such as Ancestry.com or FamilySearch.org.  Even how to use Google to "Google your ancestors"!  And a crash course in DNA.

Alternately, another genealogist, Alan Horbal of Adams, MA, will conduct classes as well in a clinic format.

These classes are designed for beginners to intermediary researchers and have been very well received by all who have attended in the past.

If you're nearby and would like to attend, call the Reference Department at (413) 594-1800 ext 108.

See you there!

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="350"] English: Image of Chicopee Public Library (Photo credit: Wikipedia)[/caption]

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One Family, Two Photos, Eight Generations!

I'll let the article in the Deseret News speak for itself. (You may have to click "Continue reading" to activate the link to the Deseret News.)  It's an amazing story of 8 men (and kids), all are first born and all in the same family. This doesn't happen every day!

[caption id="" align="alignleft" width="300"] English: This historic printing press, which once printed the Deseret News, is located in the Territorial Statehouse in Fillmore, Utah (Photo credit: Wikipedia)[/caption]

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FamilyTreeDNA offers "Black Friday" Discounts

Sounds like every retailer in the universe is getting Black Friday Fever!  Here's a link to FamilyTreeDNA to read about what they're offering "today only"!

"Family Finder" is their terminology for an autosomal DNA test.  See?  "Family Finder" is easier to say!  But the difference between Y-DNA and mtDNA tests is this: Of the 23 pairs of chromosomes in the nucleus of the human gene, one pair is the sex chromosome the "X-X" or the "X-Y" .  Y-DNA is carried only by and passed along by males.  the mtDNA is actually outside the nucleus and is passed down only by the female but both males and females have the identical mtDNA.  So what about the fact that both Mon and Dad pass down various traits?  That's where autosomal DNA plays a part.  That is where the half contributed by Mom and combines with the half contributed by Dad.  This allows the science of DNA to predict (nothing is an absolute!) who your ancestors might be.

Avoid the throngs!  Shop on-line at FamilyTreeDNA!!

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="290"] Animation of the structure of a section of DNA. The bases lie horizontally between the two spiraling strands. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)[/caption]

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The 11 Nations of the United "States"

Posted at Facebook by a fellow genealogist, Deborah Lee Stewart, I found this article intriguing to say the least.  Click "Continue reading" to activate the links to this article and others.

See, my paternal ancestors were Scotch-Irish and settled in "Greater Appalachia" and many of those descendants still live there!  My English maternal lines have, in large part, been in the "colonies" from Mayflower days (John Howland...he's the one that fell overboard and had to be rescued) and my most direct ancestor William Bassett who arrived in the Fortune in 1621.  And there are many others, legions of others, all of whom occupied "Yankeedom" at some point in the history of the US.

Here's the link to the NPR article.

[caption id="" align="alignleft" width="300"] English: Mayflower_1920_Issue-1c.jpg (Photo credit: Wikipedia)[/caption]

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Maureen Taylor, Genealogist and Historic Photograph Expert

Live in Western Mass? Interested in genealogy and historical photographs? Mark your calendar for November 6, 2013 at 6:00 PM. Maureen Taylor, a nationally renowned lecturer, genealogist, author and expert in historic photography will give a remote presentation via SKYPE on photographic genealogy at the Western Massachusetts Genealogical Society.  She has published 2 volumes of Revolutionary War Patriot photographs! Yes!! These are photographs of veterans of the Revolution who fought at some period between 1776 and 1783 who sat for the new technology in the mid 19th century. Maureen is collaborating with award winning documentary film producers Verissima Productions on a film based on the books.  You learn more about Revolutionary Voices at www.lastmusterfilm.com.  Maureen's website can be seen at Maureen Taylor Genealogy.  The event is at the Agawam Senior Center, 954 Main St. Agawam, Mass in their community room.

The public is invited to this event at no charge. But we encourage everyone to become a member of the Western Massachusetts Genealogical Society, or WMGS. We meet 10 times a year on the first Wednesday of the month from September through the following July. Dues are only $20/year.

In the coming months, we'll have a variety of programs including a "field trip" to the Museum of Springfield History, a repository of an amazing collection of published and unpublished genealogical resource material.

In the spring, a book signing with Kerry Hotaling, local author of "What They Endured, What They Wrought" recalling the regimental casualties of the Battle of Gettysburg which available at Amazon.com.  Kerry is donating a portion of the proceeds from the sale of each book to the Gettysburg Foundation.



The Gravestone Girls , cemetery historians, will bring their expertise in ancient gravestones, the culture that created them, the symbolism...fascinating program.  Next, another remote presentation on "Breaking Down Brick Walls" from D Barry Sheldon of Genealogists.com.

We meet at the Agawam Senior Center in their Community Room, a modern, comfortable facility located at 954 Main Street, Agawam, MA. You can contact me directly with questions at dave@oldbones.info or westmassgen@gmail.com.

See you November 6th!

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Thomas and Esther Smith House, Agawam Massachusetts, July 2010 (Photo credit: Wikipedia)[/caption]

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Gravestone Photographic Resources - A Research Resource Website

Here's a site I found while poking around one of Facebook's genealogy focused pages.  Take a look at Gravestone Photographic  Resources.  (You may have to expand this to see the full post in order for the links to work.)  It''s an impressive website, but it is totally focused on the British Isles.  They are actively seeking volunteers in the US which is why I'm posting this in case any of you have any gravestone photos you'd like to share.

I have a number of questions for them such as if I'll be able to stamp my photos with a copyright.  Most of what I've uploaded lately to my Ancestry.com tree or to Find-A-Grave have been so marked.  If I decide to contribute, it would be a huge project as I've accumulated hundreds of photos over the years.  And I certainly have enough to do other than filling out spreadsheets!

But I thought if anyone else is interested, I'd spread the word.

Have fun!  And good luck in your own research....

 

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"Preserve the Pensions" - War of 1812

This post is an invitation to visit the "Preserve the Pensions" web site.  You can read about the project at their site, but basically, Ancestry.com is offering to match dollar for dollar any tax-deductible contribution made to fund the digitizing of the original records that are at risk of permanent deterioration.  Fold3.com (an Ancestry.com company) will allow access to the results for free for an indefinite length of time.

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New Look!

Yes, this is the same "Old Bones Genealogy" you all know and love! I wanted to get "of New England" into the title but the old template didn't allow enough room. Also, I got a little tired of the lack of CAPS in the title. This one's a little brighter as well. I might change the background picture from time to time, but for now, it's a studio shot of my grandfather, Cecil Lee Robison, and his 7 siblings.

Comments are always welcome!

One more thing: Thanks to Jane, I now know where the "Follow" button is located! It seems that if you're logged in to WordPress and read the blogs, the "Follow" button is in the upper left hand corner. Jane and her daughter searched and searched but couldn't find it. She wanted to know if she had to get a user name and password, which I doubted. So, I logged out to see what she was seeing...or not seeing! And there it was, the "Follow" button!! But it was in the lower RIGHT hand corner rather than in the upper LEFT hand corner! Who knew!! Thanks, Jane!!

Genealogy - In - Time Magazine

I want to introduce you to GenealogyInTime Magazine, in case you're not aware of it. It's an online magazine or e-zine that I subscribed to a few months ago. They have offered many great ideas and tips for genealogists at every level.

What got me started on this today was a webinar by Thomas MacEntee I watched earlier this afternoon. He offered about 20 web sites that you'd probably never think of using for your research. I'll post some of what I learned from him in the coming days. I'm trying to finish up some client work and I really should be concentrating on that tonight!

Back to GenealogyInTime.... Today's message from them has to do with searching by country. They'll explain this much better than I can, but the simple version is, using a country or location specific Google search engine can radically change your results. I copied their chart of search engine URLs and put it in DropBox. You can access it at this DropBox link. It's not a very "neat" chart, but the info is accurate, especially if you want a Google genealogy search for the Isle of Man!

The current issue offers 10 "insights" to help you in your research efforts.

Keep watching for some of the Thomas MacEntee data. I can tell you this: I was thinking of what subjects I'd like to cover for a presentation I'm giving to the Western Massachusetts Genealogical Society this November. Thomas MacEntee gave me the answer!!

Family Tree Maker 2014 Upgrade is Available!!

I'm a sucker for upgrades... If i'st supposed to work better and faster with more features and benefits, I'm in! I've been using Family Tree Maker since 1998 when I bought the software at Circuit City. Remember Circuit City??

Ever since then, whenever an upgrade has been offered, I'd wait until the bugs were worked out. You know, at least a couple of days. Then I'd buy the software, usually a CD that had to be mailed. But lately, I need instant gratification: The "Download Now" button!!

I guess that part of me was hoping that the upgrade would clear up some glitches, some problems, some quirks I've had with a "NOT RESPONDING" error message in FTM 2012. So not only am I a sucker for upgrades, I'm a wishful, magical thinker as well.

OK, I spent the money (for the download AND the CD that they'll mail to me...I hope) and now I've got it all installed and the files open very nicely and I can get back to work, right?

Wrong! Whenever you upgrade FTM, you have to "Register" your new software. You have to do register so that all the features work. And there lies tonight's problem. The singular feature that I need to work is the "CLICK HERE TO REGISTER" feature. Right next to it, there's a "REGISTER LATER" button. But I don't want to register later! I want to register now. Unfortunately, the software has a mind of its own and it has decided that I cannot register now, I'll have to register later. Perhaps that will be after I call tech support in the morning and wait for XX minutes as all their technicians are currently assisting other customers!! But not to worry, my call will be answered as soon as an agent becomes available.

So, I guess I've found a new glitch, a new problem, a new quirk!

More to come....