Wednesday, April 7, 2010
Barbara Renick is SDGS Program Speaker on Saturday 10 April
From the SDGS Newsletter....
The April Meeting of the San Diego Genealogical Society is Saturday, April 10 at 12 Noon at St. Andrew’s Lutheran Church (8350 Lake Murray Blvd in San Diego).
The featured Speaker is Barbara Renick on two topics: “Newspapers: Finding Them Using Online Resources” and “Five C’s to Success in Today’s Genealogy”.
Today's genealogists can often solve problems that stumped them just a decade ago by combining classic and computer resources, collaborating with cousins, citing sources consistently, and doing comprehensive searching.
"Five C's to Success in Genealogy Today" focuses on advanced search techniques in combination with newly reachable resources from the modern era of genealogy.
"Newspapers: Finding Them Using Online Sources." Old newspapers, when they still exist, are found preserved in boxes, photocopied and bound in book form or placed on microfilms, digitized and searchable online. Only a small fraction of existing historical newspapers are searchable online. Therefore, two newspaper search methods have to be applied. Barbara will discuss the methods to find them.
Barbara Renick began teaching PAF and computer genealogy classes in 1985. She lectures and teaches computer labs at national genealogical conferences and at the Regional Family History Center in Orange, California. Barbara has had articles published in genealogy publications including the NGS NewsMagazine, Genealogical Computing, and the APG Quarterly. She co-authored the book The Internet for Genealogists: A Beginner's Guide, made two instructional videos on using the Internet for genealogy, and her last book titled Genealogy 101: How to Trace your Family's History and Heritage sponsored by the National Genealogical Society for their 100th Anniversary.
I'm looking forward to hearing Barbara's presentations on Saturday, and I urge all of my San Diego readers to join me.
The April Meeting of the San Diego Genealogical Society is Saturday, April 10 at 12 Noon at St. Andrew’s Lutheran Church (8350 Lake Murray Blvd in San Diego).
The featured Speaker is Barbara Renick on two topics: “Newspapers: Finding Them Using Online Resources” and “Five C’s to Success in Today’s Genealogy”.
Today's genealogists can often solve problems that stumped them just a decade ago by combining classic and computer resources, collaborating with cousins, citing sources consistently, and doing comprehensive searching.
"Five C's to Success in Genealogy Today" focuses on advanced search techniques in combination with newly reachable resources from the modern era of genealogy.
"Newspapers: Finding Them Using Online Sources." Old newspapers, when they still exist, are found preserved in boxes, photocopied and bound in book form or placed on microfilms, digitized and searchable online. Only a small fraction of existing historical newspapers are searchable online. Therefore, two newspaper search methods have to be applied. Barbara will discuss the methods to find them.
Barbara Renick began teaching PAF and computer genealogy classes in 1985. She lectures and teaches computer labs at national genealogical conferences and at the Regional Family History Center in Orange, California. Barbara has had articles published in genealogy publications including the NGS NewsMagazine, Genealogical Computing, and the APG Quarterly. She co-authored the book The Internet for Genealogists: A Beginner's Guide, made two instructional videos on using the Internet for genealogy, and her last book titled Genealogy 101: How to Trace your Family's History and Heritage sponsored by the National Genealogical Society for their 100th Anniversary.
I'm looking forward to hearing Barbara's presentations on Saturday, and I urge all of my San Diego readers to join me.
Labels: genealogy resources, Newspaper/Obituary listings, Online resources, San Diego area, SDGS
374 Years Ago today... really?
...
I love it when a genea-blogger posts something about an ancestral family of mine - and I add a new distant cousin to my list!
Check out David Weller's Tree Rings blog post Today’s Tidbit April 7, 1636 about the mansion of John Benjamin burning down in what is now Cambridge, Massachusetts on 7 April 1636. David links to his article John and Abigail Benjamin in his blog archives. Excellent work!
My own descent from John and Abigail (Eddye) Benjamin is:
1. John Benjamin (1585-1645) married Abigail Eddye (1601-1687)
2. Joseph Benjamin (1633-1704) married Sarah Clarke (1639-1716)
3. Hannah Benjamin (1687-????) married Simon Gates (1667-1752)
4. Amos Gates (1706-1783) married Mary Hubbard (1712-1754)
5. Simon Gates (1739-1803) married Susannah Reed (1745-1833)
6. Nathan Gates (1767-1830) married Abigail Knowlton (1774-1855)
7. Abigail Gates (1797-1867) married Benjamin Seaver (1791-1825)
8. Isaac Seaver (1823-1901) married Lucretia Smith (1827-1884)
9. Frank W. Seaver (1852-1922) married Hattie Hildreth (1857-1920)
10. Frederick W. Seaver (1876-1942) married Alma Bessie Richmond (1882-1962)
11. Frederick W. Seaver (1911-1983) married Betty V. Carringer (1919-2002)
12. Randall J. Seaver (1943-....)
Does any other blogger or reader have John and Abigail (Eddye) Benjamin in their ancestry? Tell us!
Of course, the burning of the mansion didn't happen exactly 374 years ago -- since eleven days were added to the calendar in 1752, this actually happened 373 years and 354 days ago. But who's quibbling?
I love it when a genea-blogger posts something about an ancestral family of mine - and I add a new distant cousin to my list!
Check out David Weller's Tree Rings blog post Today’s Tidbit April 7, 1636 about the mansion of John Benjamin burning down in what is now Cambridge, Massachusetts on 7 April 1636. David links to his article John and Abigail Benjamin in his blog archives. Excellent work!
My own descent from John and Abigail (Eddye) Benjamin is:
1. John Benjamin (1585-1645) married Abigail Eddye (1601-1687)
2. Joseph Benjamin (1633-1704) married Sarah Clarke (1639-1716)
3. Hannah Benjamin (1687-????) married Simon Gates (1667-1752)
4. Amos Gates (1706-1783) married Mary Hubbard (1712-1754)
5. Simon Gates (1739-1803) married Susannah Reed (1745-1833)
6. Nathan Gates (1767-1830) married Abigail Knowlton (1774-1855)
7. Abigail Gates (1797-1867) married Benjamin Seaver (1791-1825)
8. Isaac Seaver (1823-1901) married Lucretia Smith (1827-1884)
9. Frank W. Seaver (1852-1922) married Hattie Hildreth (1857-1920)
10. Frederick W. Seaver (1876-1942) married Alma Bessie Richmond (1882-1962)
11. Frederick W. Seaver (1911-1983) married Betty V. Carringer (1919-2002)
12. Randall J. Seaver (1943-....)
Does any other blogger or reader have John and Abigail (Eddye) Benjamin in their ancestry? Tell us!
Of course, the burning of the mansion didn't happen exactly 374 years ago -- since eleven days were added to the calendar in 1752, this actually happened 373 years and 354 days ago. But who's quibbling?
Labels: genealogy blogs, My genealogy research
Do I Need FamilyLink Plus?
I was surfing my genealogy family tree sites and clicked on FamilyLink.com, wondering if they've put my family tree data from Facebook on the http://www.familylink.com/ tree yet. Nope.
But a pop-up screen for FamilyLink Plus came up. What's this? They want me to pay for stuff? The rates are $7.95 for a monthly subscription and $4.95 per month for an annual subscription (total of $59.40). I would show a screen shot here, but Blogger won't post it for some unknown reason...
What does a user receive for their money? Information from the FamilyLink Plus page is in purple:
* Advanced Ancestor Searching -- Instantly find your ancestors in 1.5 billion records from more than 12,000 databases. Find tombstone photos and military collections, birth and death records, census and immigration data, digitized books and newspapers, and much, much more (a $99 value by itself!).
This must be a subscription to World Vital Records, right? I'm already a subscriber - do I get to extend my subscription for $59.40 a year? Is this for a US subscription or the World subscription? A current retail cost for a World subscription is $99.95.
* Virtual Gifts & Memorials -- Unlimited access to hundreds of figurines, icons, badges, flowers, flags, and virtual gifts for sharing with relatives and decorating your family tree.
Huh? Why do I want any of this stuff? This is a social networking thing that I have absolutely no time or use for.
* Family Tree Matching -- Our advanced tree matching system will help you find possible living relatives by matching your ancestors with theirs. We will automatically search millions of family trees built by FamilyLink users. Don’t re-invent the wheel. Find and connect with distant relatives that have the family history information you need. (Coming very soon!)
A promise that they will match my family tree data to that of others. Using the family tree that I've patiently input one-by-one - all 8 of them since FamilyLink won't accept a GEDCOM file. Does this mean that they will finally accept a GEDCOM file upload? If so, good. If not, count me out. This family tree matching has been done well by many others - especially Ancestry.com and MyHeritage.com, who gladly accept a GEDCOM upload.
* Map My Ancestors -- View where your ancestors lived on an interactive/time shifting online map, and discover famous people and important events that touched the lives of your ancestors. (Coming very soon!)
Another promise. FamilyLink.com still has the http://www.worldhistory.com/ website in beta which does this,. The site even accepts a GEDCOM file upload, but it limits how many localities a user can show for some reason.
If the annual subscription for $59.40 is for a World subscription to World Vital Records, then it's a decent deal to subscribe to FamilyLink Plus. If FamilyLink Plus will permit a GEDCOM upload, then the matching service is useful. If the World History site permits all localities to be shown for the family tree entries, then the FamilyLink Plus site will be useful. But will http://www.worldhistory.com/ be behind the subscription firewall?
I'm a big believer in IBIWISI - I'll Believe It When I See It. FamilyLink.com has promised so much over the past two years and has delivered so little (FamilyHistoryLink, WebTree, We're Related, FamilyLink, world History, GenSeek, GenealogyWise, etc.).
I want them to succeed, because they have really good ideas and I believe that competition is really good for the genealogy world.
For now, I'll pass on the FamilyLink Plus offer. IBIWISI.
Disclosure: I am not an employer, contractor or affiliate of FamilyLink.com. I am a fully paid subscriber to a US subscription for WorldVitalRecords, and do have a small family tree on http://www.familylink.com/, and a large family tree on http://www.worldhistory.com/.
But a pop-up screen for FamilyLink Plus came up. What's this? They want me to pay for stuff? The rates are $7.95 for a monthly subscription and $4.95 per month for an annual subscription (total of $59.40). I would show a screen shot here, but Blogger won't post it for some unknown reason...
What does a user receive for their money? Information from the FamilyLink Plus page is in purple:
* Advanced Ancestor Searching -- Instantly find your ancestors in 1.5 billion records from more than 12,000 databases. Find tombstone photos and military collections, birth and death records, census and immigration data, digitized books and newspapers, and much, much more (a $99 value by itself!).
This must be a subscription to World Vital Records, right? I'm already a subscriber - do I get to extend my subscription for $59.40 a year? Is this for a US subscription or the World subscription? A current retail cost for a World subscription is $99.95.
* Virtual Gifts & Memorials -- Unlimited access to hundreds of figurines, icons, badges, flowers, flags, and virtual gifts for sharing with relatives and decorating your family tree.
Huh? Why do I want any of this stuff? This is a social networking thing that I have absolutely no time or use for.
* Family Tree Matching -- Our advanced tree matching system will help you find possible living relatives by matching your ancestors with theirs. We will automatically search millions of family trees built by FamilyLink users. Don’t re-invent the wheel. Find and connect with distant relatives that have the family history information you need. (Coming very soon!)
A promise that they will match my family tree data to that of others. Using the family tree that I've patiently input one-by-one - all 8 of them since FamilyLink won't accept a GEDCOM file. Does this mean that they will finally accept a GEDCOM file upload? If so, good. If not, count me out. This family tree matching has been done well by many others - especially Ancestry.com and MyHeritage.com, who gladly accept a GEDCOM upload.
* Map My Ancestors -- View where your ancestors lived on an interactive/time shifting online map, and discover famous people and important events that touched the lives of your ancestors. (Coming very soon!)
Another promise. FamilyLink.com still has the http://www.worldhistory.com/ website in beta which does this,. The site even accepts a GEDCOM file upload, but it limits how many localities a user can show for some reason.
If the annual subscription for $59.40 is for a World subscription to World Vital Records, then it's a decent deal to subscribe to FamilyLink Plus. If FamilyLink Plus will permit a GEDCOM upload, then the matching service is useful. If the World History site permits all localities to be shown for the family tree entries, then the FamilyLink Plus site will be useful. But will http://www.worldhistory.com/ be behind the subscription firewall?
I'm a big believer in IBIWISI - I'll Believe It When I See It. FamilyLink.com has promised so much over the past two years and has delivered so little (FamilyHistoryLink, WebTree, We're Related, FamilyLink, world History, GenSeek, GenealogyWise, etc.).
I want them to succeed, because they have really good ideas and I believe that competition is really good for the genealogy world.
For now, I'll pass on the FamilyLink Plus offer. IBIWISI.
Disclosure: I am not an employer, contractor or affiliate of FamilyLink.com. I am a fully paid subscriber to a US subscription for WorldVitalRecords, and do have a small family tree on http://www.familylink.com/, and a large family tree on http://www.worldhistory.com/.
Labels: FamilyLink, Online resources, WorldVitalRecords
(Not So) Wordless Wednesday - Post 98: A Picnic at La Jolla
I'm posting family photographs from my collection on Wednesdays, but they won't be wordless Wednesday posts like others do - I simply am incapable of having a wordless post.
I managed to scan about 100 family photographs in the Scanfest in January, and have converted the scanned TIF files to smaller JPGs, cropped and rotated as best I can. Many of these were "new" to my digital photograph collection.
Here is a photograph from the Carringer family collection handed down by my mother in the 1988 to 2002 time period:
My grandfather, Lyle L. Carringer, described the date, setting and subjects of this photograph in his beautiful handwriting on the back of this photograph:
"Picnic at La Jolla, May 9, 1915.
"Left to right -- Bess Perret, L. Carringer, Sally Saunders, Mr. Anderson, Vera Easton, Van Stewart, Jessie Weaver, and Doris Thompson."
This photograph was probably taken at either La Jolla Cove (you get down to the rocks through a store and a long rickety staircase) or at the wave-carved cliffs south of the Children's Pool at La Jolla. These are still popular photo areas for San Diego area people.
Whenever I see a photograph like this with my grandfather's friends identified, I always wonder if he kept in contact with them over the course of his life. Lyle was 23, and just out of high school (he went to school very late) when this picture was made, and these may be his high school friends, or they may be some of his colleagues from Marston's Department Store, where he worked as an accountant. A review of the San Diego High School yearbooks and the San Diego City directories for this period might shed some light on the relationships.
UPDATED: The editor of the La Jolla Light newspaper contacted me requesting to publish this photograph in the newspaper, and I agreed. The editor passed the photograph to La Jolla historians in an effort to identify the site of this photograph, and the comment back was:
"The photo seems to have been taken by the Devil’s Slide. (You can see the stairs in the background.) Carol informs me that the Devil’s Slide was located by Goldfish Point along what is today the Coast Walk trail."
The next time I visit La Jolla Cove, I will try to visit this site.
I managed to scan about 100 family photographs in the Scanfest in January, and have converted the scanned TIF files to smaller JPGs, cropped and rotated as best I can. Many of these were "new" to my digital photograph collection.
Here is a photograph from the Carringer family collection handed down by my mother in the 1988 to 2002 time period:
My grandfather, Lyle L. Carringer, described the date, setting and subjects of this photograph in his beautiful handwriting on the back of this photograph:
"Picnic at La Jolla, May 9, 1915.
"Left to right -- Bess Perret, L. Carringer, Sally Saunders, Mr. Anderson, Vera Easton, Van Stewart, Jessie Weaver, and Doris Thompson."
This photograph was probably taken at either La Jolla Cove (you get down to the rocks through a store and a long rickety staircase) or at the wave-carved cliffs south of the Children's Pool at La Jolla. These are still popular photo areas for San Diego area people.
Whenever I see a photograph like this with my grandfather's friends identified, I always wonder if he kept in contact with them over the course of his life. Lyle was 23, and just out of high school (he went to school very late) when this picture was made, and these may be his high school friends, or they may be some of his colleagues from Marston's Department Store, where he worked as an accountant. A review of the San Diego High School yearbooks and the San Diego City directories for this period might shed some light on the relationships.
UPDATED: The editor of the La Jolla Light newspaper contacted me requesting to publish this photograph in the newspaper, and I agreed. The editor passed the photograph to La Jolla historians in an effort to identify the site of this photograph, and the comment back was:
"The photo seems to have been taken by the Devil’s Slide. (You can see the stairs in the background.) Carol informs me that the Devil’s Slide was located by Goldfish Point along what is today the Coast Walk trail."
The next time I visit La Jolla Cove, I will try to visit this site.
Labels: My genealogy research, photographs, San Diego area, Wordless Wednesday
Tuesday, April 6, 2010
Finding Wiltshire Historical Records
....
I've been stuck on my Wiltshire ancestors for a long time - ever since my visit there in 1993, I've made no real progress on my Richman, Marshman, Rich and Hill ancestral families in Hilperton, near Trowbridge.
Martin commented on my Surname Saturday post about my Marshman family several weeks ago, and I finally had time to check out his suggestion to check out the Wiltshire and Swindon Archives website - http://history.wiltshire.gov.uk/index.php:
There are some really useful links on this page, including for the Wiltshire and Swindon History Centre - http://www.wshc.eu/:
This page says "Welcome to the website of the Wiltshire and Swindon History Centre, your passport to the past. Wiltshire and Swindon has a rich and diverse heritage. The new History Centre brings together the archaeology, archive, buildings record, conservation, and museum advisory services together with the county local studies library to create a centre whose sum is much more than that of its parts. If you are researching your ancestors or trying to find out more about a town or parish in Wiltshire or Swindon, or if you want professional advice and guidance on other heritage issues, we are the ideal place to contact or visit. "
I may take them up on that offer!
The Archives page also has a link to the Archives Catalogue - http://history.wiltshire.gov.uk/archives/:
This page links to the U.K. The National Archives Access to Archives page (http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/a2a/) which covers all of the United Kingdom, including Wiltshire.
Another link on the Wiltshire and Swindon Archives page is for the Wiltshire Wills - http://history.wiltshire.gov.uk/heritage/:
The page says: "This catalogue gives access to wills and other probate records of the diocese of Salisbury which used to cover not only Wiltshire but also Berkshire (under certain circumstances) and parts of Dorset and Devon. You can search for people by name, place, occupation and date. The collection covers 1540-1858. Searching the catalogue is FREE. In addition there are digital images for some of the documents (just over 25%) which can be viewed following on-line payment or free of charge by people visiting the Wiltshire and Swindon History Centre. Wills and inventories give useful information about people’s financial status and property, and also their family relationships and friendships, which make them a wonderful resource for family and local history."
I searched for the "Richman" surname in this database and there were 36 matches:
I could order a copy of any of those documents from the web site.
The page says: "Where an image is available on-line, the easiest way of getting a copy is to use the pay to view system to view it and copy it however you wish. However, where an image is not yet available we may still be able to send you either print-outs of digital images or photocopies as appropriate. There is a minimum charge of £5.00 for orders by post, excluding postage and packing. Orders under £20.00 will be posted together with an invoice. For orders of £20.00 and over you will be asked for payment in advance. We are now able to take payment by credit card - please telephone or write to us if you would like to use this facility but please do NOT send your credit card details by e-mail."
Lastly, the Archives page links to the Wiltshire Local Studies collection - http://wiltshirestudies.wiltshire.gov.uk/:
I searched for information about Hilperton parish and found 30 matches:
I've been stuck on my Wiltshire ancestors for a long time - ever since my visit there in 1993, I've made no real progress on my Richman, Marshman, Rich and Hill ancestral families in Hilperton, near Trowbridge.
Martin commented on my Surname Saturday post about my Marshman family several weeks ago, and I finally had time to check out his suggestion to check out the Wiltshire and Swindon Archives website - http://history.wiltshire.gov.uk/index.php:
There are some really useful links on this page, including for the Wiltshire and Swindon History Centre - http://www.wshc.eu/:
This page says "Welcome to the website of the Wiltshire and Swindon History Centre, your passport to the past. Wiltshire and Swindon has a rich and diverse heritage. The new History Centre brings together the archaeology, archive, buildings record, conservation, and museum advisory services together with the county local studies library to create a centre whose sum is much more than that of its parts. If you are researching your ancestors or trying to find out more about a town or parish in Wiltshire or Swindon, or if you want professional advice and guidance on other heritage issues, we are the ideal place to contact or visit. "
I may take them up on that offer!
The Archives page also has a link to the Archives Catalogue - http://history.wiltshire.gov.uk/archives/:
This page links to the U.K. The National Archives Access to Archives page (http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/a2a/) which covers all of the United Kingdom, including Wiltshire.
Another link on the Wiltshire and Swindon Archives page is for the Wiltshire Wills - http://history.wiltshire.gov.uk/heritage/:
The page says: "This catalogue gives access to wills and other probate records of the diocese of Salisbury which used to cover not only Wiltshire but also Berkshire (under certain circumstances) and parts of Dorset and Devon. You can search for people by name, place, occupation and date. The collection covers 1540-1858. Searching the catalogue is FREE. In addition there are digital images for some of the documents (just over 25%) which can be viewed following on-line payment or free of charge by people visiting the Wiltshire and Swindon History Centre. Wills and inventories give useful information about people’s financial status and property, and also their family relationships and friendships, which make them a wonderful resource for family and local history."
I searched for the "Richman" surname in this database and there were 36 matches:
I could order a copy of any of those documents from the web site.
The page says: "Where an image is available on-line, the easiest way of getting a copy is to use the pay to view system to view it and copy it however you wish. However, where an image is not yet available we may still be able to send you either print-outs of digital images or photocopies as appropriate. There is a minimum charge of £5.00 for orders by post, excluding postage and packing. Orders under £20.00 will be posted together with an invoice. For orders of £20.00 and over you will be asked for payment in advance. We are now able to take payment by credit card - please telephone or write to us if you would like to use this facility but please do NOT send your credit card details by e-mail."
Lastly, the Archives page links to the Wiltshire Local Studies collection - http://wiltshirestudies.wiltshire.gov.uk/:
I searched for information about Hilperton parish and found 30 matches:
Also on the Wiltshire and Swindon Archives are links for Museums and Sites/Monuments.
The Wiltshire and Swindon History Centre in Chippenham has apparently replaced the County Record Office in Trowbridge, that I visited in 1993.
This is a really great website for Wiltshire and Swindon History that I need to explore a bit more and use. My plan is to email them requesting information about Hilperton and my Richman and other families.
Do all of the United Kingdom counties have similar Archives and History Centres now that have replaced the County Record Offices? I don't know, but I'm sure that some of my UK readers do!
Labels: My genealogy research, UK/Ireland Resources
FREE Census Records on Footnote.com through April
I received this email from Justin Schroepfer of www.Footnote.com today --
"I wanted to update you that we have decided to extend our Interactive Census Collection free to the public through the end of April. Since opening this collection a few weeks ago, we have received a very positive response. In order to view the images from the collection, visitors only need to register for free. If you would like to inform your readers, you can point them to www.footnote.com/census/."
The census records available at Footnote.com include:
* 1860 US Census 100% complete
* 1900 US Census 6% complete
* 1910 US Census 4% complete
* 1920 US Census 3% complete
* 1930 US Census 98% complete
On another note, I saw that Footnote.com is offering a $49.95 annual membership price through Dick Eastman's blog site - this is a great bargain over the $79.95 annual membership retail cost.
Disclosure: I am not an employee, affiliate or contractor of Footnote.com. I am a fully-paid annual subscriber to Footnote.com.
"I wanted to update you that we have decided to extend our Interactive Census Collection free to the public through the end of April. Since opening this collection a few weeks ago, we have received a very positive response. In order to view the images from the collection, visitors only need to register for free. If you would like to inform your readers, you can point them to www.footnote.com/census/."
The census records available at Footnote.com include:
* 1860 US Census 100% complete
* 1900 US Census 6% complete
* 1910 US Census 4% complete
* 1920 US Census 3% complete
* 1930 US Census 98% complete
On another note, I saw that Footnote.com is offering a $49.95 annual membership price through Dick Eastman's blog site - this is a great bargain over the $79.95 annual membership retail cost.
Disclosure: I am not an employee, affiliate or contractor of Footnote.com. I am a fully-paid annual subscriber to Footnote.com.
Labels: Footnote.com, Online resources
GeneaBlogger Meetup in Sydney
My Facebook friends, and readers of Schelly Talalay Dardashti's blog, Tracing the Tribe, know that there was a very short geneablogger meetup in Sydney, Australia on March 20th.
I was posting my Down Under vacation highlights on Facebook every day, and Schelly noted that we were in Sydney. Schelly was there visiting her cousins, Bob and Di, saw my Facebook note, and commented on it, asking if we could get together. I commented back that we were at the Hotel Mercure and just as I returned to the room, Schelly was on the phone. We quickly agreed to meet at the ferry terminal in Sydney for a trip to Manly Beach on Saturday morning.
Here is Linda, Di, Schelly, and Bob in front of the Manly wharf terminal:
I was posting my Down Under vacation highlights on Facebook every day, and Schelly noted that we were in Sydney. Schelly was there visiting her cousins, Bob and Di, saw my Facebook note, and commented on it, asking if we could get together. I commented back that we were at the Hotel Mercure and just as I returned to the room, Schelly was on the phone. We quickly agreed to meet at the ferry terminal in Sydney for a trip to Manly Beach on Saturday morning.
Here is Linda, Di, Schelly, and Bob in front of the Manly wharf terminal:
Di, Schelly and I walked over to the beach while Bob and Linda went shopping. Di snapped this picture of the geneabloggers at the beach (sort of out of our element?):
I wish I had a photo of us smiling...because we did a lot of smiling and laughing and carrying on, as geneabloggers do when they get together. I think we talked about genealogy for the whole ferry trip over and back (about 30 minutes), missing the beautiful scenery along Sydney Harbour. We also talked all the way through lunch. It was only two plus hours, but it was a fun two plus hours!
I made two videos of Schelly using my Flip video camera but the files are too large to post here. I'll try to put one on Facebook and provide a link later.
I wish I had a photo of us smiling...because we did a lot of smiling and laughing and carrying on, as geneabloggers do when they get together. I think we talked about genealogy for the whole ferry trip over and back (about 30 minutes), missing the beautiful scenery along Sydney Harbour. We also talked all the way through lunch. It was only two plus hours, but it was a fun two plus hours!
I made two videos of Schelly using my Flip video camera but the files are too large to post here. I'll try to put one on Facebook and provide a link later.
Thank you to Schelly, Bob and Di for a wonderful, but too short, time. We got to see a friend, make some new friends, talk some genealogy (were YOUR ears burning?) and visit a beautiful beach.
Labels: genealogy blogs, Vacations
Monday, April 5, 2010
Internet Genealogy Magazine TOC - April/May 2010 Issue
I subscribe to Internet Genealogy magazine published by Moorshead Publishing, Inc.. The Table of Contents for the April/May 2010 issue includes:
page 6 - NET NOTES
page 9 - COPYRIGHT AND YOUR FAMILY TREE: Alice L. Luckhardt tells you everything you need to know!
page 12 - AFRICAN AMERICAN FUNERAL PROGRAMS ONLINE: Tony Bandy looks at a fantastic online resource
page 14 - INSTANT GRATIFICATION AND FINDING OBITS ONLINE: According to Leland K. Meitzler, genealogists can be an impatient bunch!
page 18 - GETTING MORE FROM GOOGLE: Lisa A. Alzo shows you how to use Google to manage your research (and your life!)
page 22 - SAVE YOUR MEMORIES: ARCALIFE: Diane L. Richard looks at a new way to preserve your story for future generations (www.ArcaLife.com)
page 24 - GENEALOGY SOCIETY ANNOUNCEMENTS: A collection of upcoming genealogy-related events that may be of interest
page 26 - LIVING GENEALOGY: Lisa A. Alzo reviews an interactive site for your family tree (www.LivingGenealogy.com)
page 30 - CALIFORNIA DREAMIN’: RESEARCHING THE GOLDEN STATE: Gena Philibert Ortega looks at online resources to help you learn more about your Californian ancestor
page 34 - DIAL IT UP! GENEALOGY ON YOUR SMARTPHONE: Tony Bandy shows you how your mobile phone can boost your research capabilities
page 37 - OGS SCANNING PROJECT: Marian Press looks at a new project in Ontario to preserve historic documents
page 38 - KITH & KIN: Tony Bandy looks at the newest version of a genealogy favorite
page 40 - PORTRAITS FROM THE PAST: Gail Blankenau shows you where to find old family photos online
page 43 - ANCESTRAL ATLAS: Lisa A. Alzo looks at a new way to keep track of where your
ancestors lived (www.AncestralAtlas.com)
page 46 - CLOUDY WITH A CHANCE OF... GENEALOGY! Lisa A. Alzo discusses 10 ways to build your genealogy cloud
page 49 - RESEARCHING FIREFIGHTERS IN THE FAMILY: David A. Norris looks at the resources available if your ancestor fought fires
page 54 - COZI UP TO YOUR GENEALOGY! Lisa A. Alzo looks at a free online organizer for families (www.cozi.com)
page 55 - WHAT’S COMING IN INTERNET GENEALOGY: A peek at what we are working on for future issues!
This was a very informative issue. Frankly, they all are. There is something in each issue for beginning and advanced researchers. I especially enjoyed Leland's article on Obituaries, Lisa's article on Cloud Genealogy, Gena's piece on California Resources and Alice's material about Copyright.
page 6 - NET NOTES
page 9 - COPYRIGHT AND YOUR FAMILY TREE: Alice L. Luckhardt tells you everything you need to know!
page 12 - AFRICAN AMERICAN FUNERAL PROGRAMS ONLINE: Tony Bandy looks at a fantastic online resource
page 14 - INSTANT GRATIFICATION AND FINDING OBITS ONLINE: According to Leland K. Meitzler, genealogists can be an impatient bunch!
page 18 - GETTING MORE FROM GOOGLE: Lisa A. Alzo shows you how to use Google to manage your research (and your life!)
page 22 - SAVE YOUR MEMORIES: ARCALIFE: Diane L. Richard looks at a new way to preserve your story for future generations (www.ArcaLife.com)
page 24 - GENEALOGY SOCIETY ANNOUNCEMENTS: A collection of upcoming genealogy-related events that may be of interest
page 26 - LIVING GENEALOGY: Lisa A. Alzo reviews an interactive site for your family tree (www.LivingGenealogy.com)
page 30 - CALIFORNIA DREAMIN’: RESEARCHING THE GOLDEN STATE: Gena Philibert Ortega looks at online resources to help you learn more about your Californian ancestor
page 34 - DIAL IT UP! GENEALOGY ON YOUR SMARTPHONE: Tony Bandy shows you how your mobile phone can boost your research capabilities
page 37 - OGS SCANNING PROJECT: Marian Press looks at a new project in Ontario to preserve historic documents
page 38 - KITH & KIN: Tony Bandy looks at the newest version of a genealogy favorite
page 40 - PORTRAITS FROM THE PAST: Gail Blankenau shows you where to find old family photos online
page 43 - ANCESTRAL ATLAS: Lisa A. Alzo looks at a new way to keep track of where your
ancestors lived (www.AncestralAtlas.com)
page 46 - CLOUDY WITH A CHANCE OF... GENEALOGY! Lisa A. Alzo discusses 10 ways to build your genealogy cloud
page 49 - RESEARCHING FIREFIGHTERS IN THE FAMILY: David A. Norris looks at the resources available if your ancestor fought fires
page 54 - COZI UP TO YOUR GENEALOGY! Lisa A. Alzo looks at a free online organizer for families (www.cozi.com)
page 55 - WHAT’S COMING IN INTERNET GENEALOGY: A peek at what we are working on for future issues!
This was a very informative issue. Frankly, they all are. There is something in each issue for beginning and advanced researchers. I especially enjoyed Leland's article on Obituaries, Lisa's article on Cloud Genealogy, Gena's piece on California Resources and Alice's material about Copyright.
Labels: genealogy education, magazine articles, Online resources, periodical indexes
1880 US Census Defective, Dependent and Delinquent Schedule Data
Ancestry.com added the 1880 U.S. Census Schedule for Defective, Dependent and Delinquent Classes for 14 states on 7 February 2010. The states included to date are Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Nebraska, New Jersey, New York, South Carolina, Texas, Virginia and Washington Territory.
I went looking for Seaver DDDs for my one-name study database, and found an interesting one in Massachusetts: Abby Seaver of Monson (1880 United States Census, Hampden County, Massachusetts, Supplemental Schedules of Defective, Dependent, and Delinquent Classes; Line 6, Page 12119 D, Abby Seaver entry, on Roll 34, NARA Publication Number: T1204; accessed on www.ancestry.com: Publication Title: Nonpopulation Census Schedules for Massachusetts, 1850-1880: ; Archive Location: Washington, D.C.; Archive Name: National Archives and Records Administration (NARA)):
I went looking for Seaver DDDs for my one-name study database, and found an interesting one in Massachusetts: Abby Seaver of Monson (1880 United States Census, Hampden County, Massachusetts, Supplemental Schedules of Defective, Dependent, and Delinquent Classes; Line 6, Page 12119 D, Abby Seaver entry, on Roll 34, NARA Publication Number: T1204; accessed on www.ancestry.com: Publication Title: Nonpopulation Census Schedules for Massachusetts, 1850-1880: ; Archive Location: Washington, D.C.; Archive Name: National Archives and Records Administration (NARA)):
The columns for Abby Seaver have these entries:
1. Number of page (from Sch[edule] 1: 3
2. Number of line: 6
3. Name: Abby Seaver
4. Residence when at home - City or town: Monson
5. Residence when at home - County (if in same state) or State (if in some other State): Hampden
6. How supported - At cost of city or town: checked
7. How supported - At cost of county: not checked
8. How supported - At cost of State: not checked
9. How supported - At cost of institution: not checked
10. Is this person able-bodied: Yes
11. Is he (or she) habitually intemperate? No
12. Is he (or she) epileptic? No
13. Has he (or she) ever been convicted of a crime? No
14. If disabled, state form of disability (crippled, consumption, dropsy, old age, lying-in, etc.): Insane
15. Was this person born in this institution? No
16. Date of admission: Dec. 22, '42
17. What other members of this family are in this establishment - Husband? Unchecked
18. What other members of this family are in this establishment - Wife? Unchecked
19. What other members of this family are in this establishment - Mother? Unchecked
20. What other members of this family are in this establishment - Father? Unchecked
21. What other members of this family are in this establishment - Sons (how many)? 0
22. What other members of this family are in this establishment - Daughters (how many)? 0
23. What other members of this family are in this establishment - Brothers (how many)? 0
24. What other members of this family are in this establishment - Sisters (how many)? 0
25. Is this person also blind? No
26. Is he or she deaf and dumb? No
27. Is he or she insane? Yes
28. Is he or she idiotic? No
There is quite a bit of information provided in this non-population schedule. Perhaps the most important is that she was listed as Insane and was admitted in December 1842.
This person is Abigail Seaver, born 3 April 1816 to John and Susanna (Trumbull) Seaver in Monson, Hampden County, Massachusetts. Abigail Seaver died 3 September 1887 in Monson, Hampden County, Massachusetts. She was not married.
Labels: Ancestry.com, Census Records, Seaver Research
Amanuensis Monday - Probate Records of Amy (Champlin) Oatley (1798-1865)
....
Genea-blogger John Newmark (who writes the excellent TransylvanianDutch blog) started his own Monday blog theme several months ago called Amanuensis Monday.
I loved the idea, and recently decided to follow it in order to share ancestral information and keep the theme going, and perhaps it will expand to other genealogy bloggers.
What does "amanuensis" mean? John offers this definition:
"A person employed to write what another dictates or to copy what has been written by another."
Amy Champlin was born in March 1798 in South Kingston, Washington County, Rhode Island, the daughter of Joseph and Nancy (Kenyon) Champlin. She married Jonathan Oatley (1790-1872) of South Kingston on 29 May 1813 in Exeter, Washington County, Rhode Island. Amy had 14 children by Jonathan Oatley, from 1815 to 1837, and 13 lived to maturity. She died on 8 February 1865 in East Killingly, Windham County, Connecticut.
Amy (Champlin) Oatley wrote a will and left an estate to ten of her children (from Killingly, Connecticut Probate Records, Volume 3, page 468, accessed on FHL Microfilm 1,451,111; note that Connecticut probate records are organized by districts, which generally correspond to towns):
"In the Name of God Amen. I Amy Oatley of Killingly in the County of Windham and State of Connecticut, of sound disposing mind and memory do constitute and ordain this my will and testament in manner and form following (to wit), that is to say imprimus I will that all my debts and funeral charges be paid and discharged by my executor hereinafter named.
"Item. I give and devise unto my ten children for love and affection I have for them, All my Real Estate situated in said Killingly with a dwelling house and barn therein standing together with all rights and privileges thereunto belong to them equal that is to say: my son Joseph Oatley one tenth part of all the above described premises - to Almira Taft one tenth, to Nancy Edson one tenth, to Lorenzo Oatley one tenth, to William Oatley one tenth, Benedick Oatley one tenth, Jonathan Oatley one tenth, to Mary E. Pray one tenth, to Hannah Chace one tenth and to Olive Burton one tenth, to them and each of them and their heirs forever.
"Lastly, I do make constitute and appoint my son Joseph Oatley Executor of this my last will and testament.
"In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this 18th day of January A.D. 1863.
.................................................................. her
.......................................................... Amy x Oatley
................................................................. mark"
"Signed sealed and declared by the said Amy Oatley as her last will and testament in presence of us, who in her presence and in the presence of each other have hereunto subscribed our names. Samuel A. Chace, Henry G. Arnold, Franklin Preston, witnesses."
The executor, Joseph Oatley, presented the will to the probate court in Killingly on 14 February 1865. The court decreed that six months be allowed and limited to the creditors of said estate to exhibit their claims against the estate to the executor, and directed that public notice of the order be made by advertising in a newspaper published in Killingly and by posting a copy on the public sign post in Killingly nearest the place where the deceased had dwelt. The court appointed Samuel A. Chace and John White, disinterested persons, to appraise the real and personal estate of the deceased and to make a true and perfect inventory.
On 23 March 1865, Joseph Oatley, under oath, presented an inventory, made by Samuel A. Chace and John White, showing the real estate, consisting of a house, barn and other buildings together with the land, was valued at $850. The court accepted and recorded the inventory.
On 22 August 1865, the executor alleged that it would be necessary to sell certain real estate belonging to the estate for payment of debts and charges against the estate, and that the estate cannot be beneficially divided. The application was accepted, and the executor was directed by the court to give public notice of the order at least three days before the day of the hearing, set by the court as 26 August 1865.
On 26 August 1865, the hearing was held by the probate court. The real estate was described as bounded to the north by lands owned by Leonard Bartlett, east by lands owned by Waldo Bartlett, south by lands owned by Joseph Oatley, west by the highway leading from the old Providence Turnpike to Miller's Village, lying and situated in Killingly, containing about one fourth of an acre. The court approved the application and directed that the whole real estate be sold. The executor was directed to give at least 20 days notice of the proposed sale by advertising in a Killingly newspaper and on the public signpost nearest to the estate to be sold.
On 2 October 1865, the court ordered that the administration account of the estate be presented for adjustment, allowance and settlement on 7 October. On 2 October, Joseph Oatley gave notice to the court that he had sold the property to William H. Oatley for $950 and executed a conveyance thereof.
On 7 October 1865, the executor presented his account of his administration of the estate, as follows:
To inventory: ..................... 850.00
additional ............................ 132.00
------------------------ $ 982.00
The costs included:
expense of last sickness ....... 21.00
funeral expenses .................... 15.00
debts ..................................... 471.74
repairs ....................................... 1.38
taxes .......................................... 2.70
settling estate .......................... 6.75
executor's services ................ 10.00
probate fees .............................. 9.66
--------------------------------------
............................................. $ 538.07
The balance of $443.93 was in the hands of the executor. No record of the distribution was found.
By all indications, Amy (Champlin) Oatley, rather than her husband Jonathan Oatley, owned the property in East Killingly. I do not know why. Jonathan Oatley was a Baptist minister for several years in East Killingly, and was a stonecutter. He appears in the 1850, 1860 and 1870 census records, living with Amy in the 1850 and 1860 records. He lived with his son Joseph Oatley in the 1870 census in East Killingly.
Why wasn't her husband Jonathan not mentioned in the will? Was Jonathan incompetent or feeble and therefore not able to own property? There is no probate record for Jonathan Oatley in the Killingly town records. Did Amy inherit the property that they lived on?
Only ten children are mentioned in the will, although 12 were living at the time she made the will. Her last child, G. Whittier Oatley, died in infancy in 1837. Her first son, John Alfred Oatley, died 13 January 1863. Her son Stephen Hazard Oatley is not mentioned in the will - he died in June 1863; perhaps he received a portion previously by deed or gift. My ancestor, daughter Amy (Oatley) White, wife of Henry A. White of Killingly, is not mentioned in the will either - she died before 1870 (and I have found no death record of any sort for her). Perhaps Amy had received a portion previously by deed or gift.
While I have searched the probate records, I have not searched the Killingly, Connecticut land records for my Oatley, White and Wade ancestors. There's another task for my to-do list! You know, the only reliable way I add to my to-do list is to write about the situation and then analyze the situation.
Does anyone else have more information about this Oatley family? With 13 children living to maturity, and having children, there should be hundreds of descendants!
Genea-blogger John Newmark (who writes the excellent TransylvanianDutch blog) started his own Monday blog theme several months ago called Amanuensis Monday.
I loved the idea, and recently decided to follow it in order to share ancestral information and keep the theme going, and perhaps it will expand to other genealogy bloggers.
What does "amanuensis" mean? John offers this definition:
"A person employed to write what another dictates or to copy what has been written by another."
Amy Champlin was born in March 1798 in South Kingston, Washington County, Rhode Island, the daughter of Joseph and Nancy (Kenyon) Champlin. She married Jonathan Oatley (1790-1872) of South Kingston on 29 May 1813 in Exeter, Washington County, Rhode Island. Amy had 14 children by Jonathan Oatley, from 1815 to 1837, and 13 lived to maturity. She died on 8 February 1865 in East Killingly, Windham County, Connecticut.
Amy (Champlin) Oatley wrote a will and left an estate to ten of her children (from Killingly, Connecticut Probate Records, Volume 3, page 468, accessed on FHL Microfilm 1,451,111; note that Connecticut probate records are organized by districts, which generally correspond to towns):
"In the Name of God Amen. I Amy Oatley of Killingly in the County of Windham and State of Connecticut, of sound disposing mind and memory do constitute and ordain this my will and testament in manner and form following (to wit), that is to say imprimus I will that all my debts and funeral charges be paid and discharged by my executor hereinafter named.
"Item. I give and devise unto my ten children for love and affection I have for them, All my Real Estate situated in said Killingly with a dwelling house and barn therein standing together with all rights and privileges thereunto belong to them equal that is to say: my son Joseph Oatley one tenth part of all the above described premises - to Almira Taft one tenth, to Nancy Edson one tenth, to Lorenzo Oatley one tenth, to William Oatley one tenth, Benedick Oatley one tenth, Jonathan Oatley one tenth, to Mary E. Pray one tenth, to Hannah Chace one tenth and to Olive Burton one tenth, to them and each of them and their heirs forever.
"Lastly, I do make constitute and appoint my son Joseph Oatley Executor of this my last will and testament.
"In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this 18th day of January A.D. 1863.
.................................................................. her
.......................................................... Amy x Oatley
................................................................. mark"
"Signed sealed and declared by the said Amy Oatley as her last will and testament in presence of us, who in her presence and in the presence of each other have hereunto subscribed our names. Samuel A. Chace, Henry G. Arnold, Franklin Preston, witnesses."
The executor, Joseph Oatley, presented the will to the probate court in Killingly on 14 February 1865. The court decreed that six months be allowed and limited to the creditors of said estate to exhibit their claims against the estate to the executor, and directed that public notice of the order be made by advertising in a newspaper published in Killingly and by posting a copy on the public sign post in Killingly nearest the place where the deceased had dwelt. The court appointed Samuel A. Chace and John White, disinterested persons, to appraise the real and personal estate of the deceased and to make a true and perfect inventory.
On 23 March 1865, Joseph Oatley, under oath, presented an inventory, made by Samuel A. Chace and John White, showing the real estate, consisting of a house, barn and other buildings together with the land, was valued at $850. The court accepted and recorded the inventory.
On 22 August 1865, the executor alleged that it would be necessary to sell certain real estate belonging to the estate for payment of debts and charges against the estate, and that the estate cannot be beneficially divided. The application was accepted, and the executor was directed by the court to give public notice of the order at least three days before the day of the hearing, set by the court as 26 August 1865.
On 26 August 1865, the hearing was held by the probate court. The real estate was described as bounded to the north by lands owned by Leonard Bartlett, east by lands owned by Waldo Bartlett, south by lands owned by Joseph Oatley, west by the highway leading from the old Providence Turnpike to Miller's Village, lying and situated in Killingly, containing about one fourth of an acre. The court approved the application and directed that the whole real estate be sold. The executor was directed to give at least 20 days notice of the proposed sale by advertising in a Killingly newspaper and on the public signpost nearest to the estate to be sold.
On 2 October 1865, the court ordered that the administration account of the estate be presented for adjustment, allowance and settlement on 7 October. On 2 October, Joseph Oatley gave notice to the court that he had sold the property to William H. Oatley for $950 and executed a conveyance thereof.
On 7 October 1865, the executor presented his account of his administration of the estate, as follows:
To inventory: ..................... 850.00
additional ............................ 132.00
------------------------ $ 982.00
The costs included:
expense of last sickness ....... 21.00
funeral expenses .................... 15.00
debts ..................................... 471.74
repairs ....................................... 1.38
taxes .......................................... 2.70
settling estate .......................... 6.75
executor's services ................ 10.00
probate fees .............................. 9.66
--------------------------------------
............................................. $ 538.07
The balance of $443.93 was in the hands of the executor. No record of the distribution was found.
By all indications, Amy (Champlin) Oatley, rather than her husband Jonathan Oatley, owned the property in East Killingly. I do not know why. Jonathan Oatley was a Baptist minister for several years in East Killingly, and was a stonecutter. He appears in the 1850, 1860 and 1870 census records, living with Amy in the 1850 and 1860 records. He lived with his son Joseph Oatley in the 1870 census in East Killingly.
Why wasn't her husband Jonathan not mentioned in the will? Was Jonathan incompetent or feeble and therefore not able to own property? There is no probate record for Jonathan Oatley in the Killingly town records. Did Amy inherit the property that they lived on?
Only ten children are mentioned in the will, although 12 were living at the time she made the will. Her last child, G. Whittier Oatley, died in infancy in 1837. Her first son, John Alfred Oatley, died 13 January 1863. Her son Stephen Hazard Oatley is not mentioned in the will - he died in June 1863; perhaps he received a portion previously by deed or gift. My ancestor, daughter Amy (Oatley) White, wife of Henry A. White of Killingly, is not mentioned in the will either - she died before 1870 (and I have found no death record of any sort for her). Perhaps Amy had received a portion previously by deed or gift.
While I have searched the probate records, I have not searched the Killingly, Connecticut land records for my Oatley, White and Wade ancestors. There's another task for my to-do list! You know, the only reliable way I add to my to-do list is to write about the situation and then analyze the situation.
Does anyone else have more information about this Oatley family? With 13 children living to maturity, and having children, there should be hundreds of descendants!
Labels: Amanuensis Monday, My genealogy research, Probate Records
Sunday, April 4, 2010
Recent Additions to FamilySearch Record Search - March 2010
I really appreciate the effort by Paul Nauta and the FamilySearch Indexing effort to keep genealogy bloggers informed about the databases recently started, in work or completed. Like many other genea-bloggers, I receive an email from Paul several times a month. I haven't posted them on my blog because other bloggers do it - see Renee Zamora's recent blog post, or Dick Eastman's.
All of the current projects in work on the FamilySearch Indexing Project are listed on the Current Projects page and the Partner Projects page. However, these lists do not show the completion percentage - you have to get that from the monthly reports sent out by Paul.
It often takes a month or two for the items shown as "Recently Completed Projects" in the monthly reports to come online to the FamilySearch Record Search Pilot listing of available databases. For instance, the last email noted these projects were recently completed:
* France, Quimper et Leon—Registres Paroissiaux, 1772–1909 [Part A]
* Deutschland, Baden, Achern— Kirchenbücher, 1810–1869 [Part A]
* Mexico, DF—Registros Parroquiales, 1898–1933 [Parte 3]
* U.K., Bristol—Parish Registers, 1837–1900 [Part B]
* U.S., Massachusetts—1910 Federal Census
* U.S., Michigan—1910 Federal Census
* U.S., Minnesota—1910 Federal Census
* U.S., Nebraska—1910 Federal Census
* U.S., South Dakota—1945 State Census [Part A]
However, none of them are yet on the list of available projects that can be searched and/or browsed.
What would be of the most interest and help to me, and many other researchers, would be the list of databases recently added to the RecordSearch available collections. For instance, the page currently highlights these collections as being "new or updated:"
* Florida State Census, 1885 (search or browse)
* United States Census, 1920 (98% completed, search only, no images)
* Mexico Civil Registration (Tlaxcala only, no search, browse images only)
* Norfolk, Church of England Parish Registers, 1538-1900 (complete?, no search, browse images only)
* Spain, Catholic Church Records (six provinces, no search, browse images only)
* Netherlands, Gelderland Province Civil Registration, 1811-1950 (complete?, no search, browse images only)
* Netherlands, Zuid-Holland Province Civil Registration, 1811-1942 (complete?, no search, browse images only)
* Argentina Catholic Church Records (six provinces, no search, browse images only)
* Puerto Rico Civil Registration, 1836-1901 (complete?, no search, browse images only)
* South Africa, Orange Free State, Estate Files, 1951-1973 (complete? no search, browse images only)
I look forward every month to the new list of online databases - and can hardly wait to try some of them out. Hopefully, Somerset and Wiltshire Parish Registers will be put into the pipeline in the future. I appreciate the heads-up from Paul Nauta about "what's coming." It certainly raises my expectations!
All of the current projects in work on the FamilySearch Indexing Project are listed on the Current Projects page and the Partner Projects page. However, these lists do not show the completion percentage - you have to get that from the monthly reports sent out by Paul.
It often takes a month or two for the items shown as "Recently Completed Projects" in the monthly reports to come online to the FamilySearch Record Search Pilot listing of available databases. For instance, the last email noted these projects were recently completed:
* France, Quimper et Leon—Registres Paroissiaux, 1772–1909 [Part A]
* Deutschland, Baden, Achern— Kirchenbücher, 1810–1869 [Part A]
* Mexico, DF—Registros Parroquiales, 1898–1933 [Parte 3]
* U.K., Bristol—Parish Registers, 1837–1900 [Part B]
* U.S., Massachusetts—1910 Federal Census
* U.S., Michigan—1910 Federal Census
* U.S., Minnesota—1910 Federal Census
* U.S., Nebraska—1910 Federal Census
* U.S., South Dakota—1945 State Census [Part A]
However, none of them are yet on the list of available projects that can be searched and/or browsed.
What would be of the most interest and help to me, and many other researchers, would be the list of databases recently added to the RecordSearch available collections. For instance, the page currently highlights these collections as being "new or updated:"
* Florida State Census, 1885 (search or browse)
* United States Census, 1920 (98% completed, search only, no images)
* Mexico Civil Registration (Tlaxcala only, no search, browse images only)
* Norfolk, Church of England Parish Registers, 1538-1900 (complete?, no search, browse images only)
* Spain, Catholic Church Records (six provinces, no search, browse images only)
* Netherlands, Gelderland Province Civil Registration, 1811-1950 (complete?, no search, browse images only)
* Netherlands, Zuid-Holland Province Civil Registration, 1811-1942 (complete?, no search, browse images only)
* Argentina Catholic Church Records (six provinces, no search, browse images only)
* Puerto Rico Civil Registration, 1836-1901 (complete?, no search, browse images only)
* South Africa, Orange Free State, Estate Files, 1951-1973 (complete? no search, browse images only)
I look forward every month to the new list of online databases - and can hardly wait to try some of them out. Hopefully, Somerset and Wiltshire Parish Registers will be put into the pipeline in the future. I appreciate the heads-up from Paul Nauta about "what's coming." It certainly raises my expectations!
Labels: FamilySearch, genealogy resources, Online resources
Happy Easter!!! Wanta Census-whack with me?
Happy Easter to all readers. In a spare hour this afternoon, I happened to notice that Ancestry.com shows:
* Easter Bunny, born about 1908 in North Carolina, was the daughter of John and Mary Bunny in Marion county, South Carolina in the 1910 U.S. Census. I wonder if Easter lived to a ripe old age?
* Easter Bunny, born about 1826, resided in Yorkshire, England in the 1841 U.K. census.
* Easter Eggers, born about 1820, resided in Cole County, Missouri in the 1850 U.S. census.
* Easter Morning, born about 1905, resided in Williamsburg, Virginia in the 1930 U.S. Census.
* Easter H. Easter, born about 1825, resided in Cherokee County, Texas in the 1850 U.S. census.
* Easter Chick, born about 1910, resided in Cape May County, New Jersey in the 1910 U.S. Census.
* There are several persons named Easter Flowers, Easter Day and Easter Hunt in the U.S. census records.
* Felix Easter resided in Rusk County, Texas in the 1880 U.S. Census.
* There are a few persons named Easter Lily and Easter Lilly in the U.S. Census records.
* I found no persons named Happy Easter, Easter Sunday, Easter Rabbit, or Easter Egg in the U.S. census records.
* Peter Rabbit, born about 1833 in Ireland, was residing in New Orleans, Louisiana in the 1880 U.S. census.
* Peter Rabbit, born about 1840 in Ireland, was residing in New York City in the 1880 U.S. census.
* Several other Peter Rabbit persons hop in and out of the U.S. census over the years!
* There are plenty of persons named Peter Cotton in the U.S. census, but no Peter Cottontail persons. Too bad!
* A person named Peter Easter resided in Bourbon County, Kansas in the 1880 U.S. Census.
What other names can you find that appear in the Census Records that pertain, remotely, to Easter?
P.S. While I was writing this, my own Easter bunny came hopping into the Genealogy Cave with a bowl of pastel-coated M&Ms, singing "Here Comes Peter Cottontail." Wasn't my honey-bunny sweet? Some of you have probably wondered how I keep my figure so, um, full ... now you know!
* Easter Bunny, born about 1908 in North Carolina, was the daughter of John and Mary Bunny in Marion county, South Carolina in the 1910 U.S. Census. I wonder if Easter lived to a ripe old age?
* Easter Bunny, born about 1826, resided in Yorkshire, England in the 1841 U.K. census.
* Easter Eggers, born about 1820, resided in Cole County, Missouri in the 1850 U.S. census.
* Easter Morning, born about 1905, resided in Williamsburg, Virginia in the 1930 U.S. Census.
* Easter H. Easter, born about 1825, resided in Cherokee County, Texas in the 1850 U.S. census.
* Easter Chick, born about 1910, resided in Cape May County, New Jersey in the 1910 U.S. Census.
* There are several persons named Easter Flowers, Easter Day and Easter Hunt in the U.S. census records.
* Felix Easter resided in Rusk County, Texas in the 1880 U.S. Census.
* There are a few persons named Easter Lily and Easter Lilly in the U.S. Census records.
* I found no persons named Happy Easter, Easter Sunday, Easter Rabbit, or Easter Egg in the U.S. census records.
* Peter Rabbit, born about 1833 in Ireland, was residing in New Orleans, Louisiana in the 1880 U.S. census.
* Peter Rabbit, born about 1840 in Ireland, was residing in New York City in the 1880 U.S. census.
* Several other Peter Rabbit persons hop in and out of the U.S. census over the years!
* There are plenty of persons named Peter Cotton in the U.S. census, but no Peter Cottontail persons. Too bad!
* A person named Peter Easter resided in Bourbon County, Kansas in the 1880 U.S. Census.
What other names can you find that appear in the Census Records that pertain, remotely, to Easter?
P.S. While I was writing this, my own Easter bunny came hopping into the Genealogy Cave with a bowl of pastel-coated M&Ms, singing "Here Comes Peter Cottontail." Wasn't my honey-bunny sweet? Some of you have probably wondered how I keep my figure so, um, full ... now you know!
Labels: Census Records, censuswhacking, Holidays
Best of the Genea-Blogs - next week!
Since I'm still recovering from my jet lag and hastily withdrawn unforeseen job opportunity (something about a work permit - don't they know that genealogy isn't work, it's fun?), I did not prepare a Best of the Genea-Blogs this week.
Fortunately, John Newmark on the TransylvanianDutch blog valiantly reads almost every genealogy blog post and news article about genealogy each week, and he summarized his Weekly Genealogy Picks -- March 28 to April 3 on his blog this morning. Please read his post, and visit the other lists he provided. Thank you, John, Diane, Greta, Megan and Thomas!
The one blog post that I would add to John's list is Insider Ketchup for 2 April 2010 by The Ancestry Insider. I appreciate this summary which saved me hours of trying to figure out what Ancestry.com and FamilySearch.org did while I was away. I'm still confused, of course, but now I know that others are too.
My Best of the Genea-Blogs will return next week in earnest. Keep up the really good work, genea-bloggers!
Fortunately, John Newmark on the TransylvanianDutch blog valiantly reads almost every genealogy blog post and news article about genealogy each week, and he summarized his Weekly Genealogy Picks -- March 28 to April 3 on his blog this morning. Please read his post, and visit the other lists he provided. Thank you, John, Diane, Greta, Megan and Thomas!
The one blog post that I would add to John's list is Insider Ketchup for 2 April 2010 by The Ancestry Insider. I appreciate this summary which saved me hours of trying to figure out what Ancestry.com and FamilySearch.org did while I was away. I'm still confused, of course, but now I know that others are too.
My Best of the Genea-Blogs will return next week in earnest. Keep up the really good work, genea-bloggers!
Labels: BestofGeneaBlogs, genealogy blogs
Saturday, April 3, 2010
Saturday Night Genealogy Fun - Degrees of Separation
Hey there, geneaholics - have you missed SNGF? Well, here it is Saturday Night, time for some Genealogy Fun!!
I'm still operating on jet-lag, so I had to borrow a great idea from Chris Staats (thank you, Chris, for a great post on 6 Degrees Of Separation (Genealogy-Style). Chris asks (paraphrased): How far separated are you from a famous person in history?
Your mission, should you decide to accept it (come on, this isn't Mission Impossible), is to:
1) Find an ancestral line that atretches back to the time of the US Revolutionary War (1775-1783), about 230 years. Define your person-to-person connection (the person actually met the next person on the list) back to a historical figure from that time.
2) Tell us about it on your blog, in a note or comment on Facebook, or in a comment on this post.
Here's mine (from my Carringer line):
1) I (1943-????) knew well my maternal grandfather, Lyle L. Carringer (1891-1976).
2) Lyle L. Carringer (1891-1976) knew his paternal grandfather, David Jackson Carringer (1823-1901)
3) David Jackson Carringer (1828-1902) knew his paternal grandfather, Martin Carringer (1758-1835).
4) Martin Carringer (1758-1835) served in the Revolutionary War in the Pennsylvania 8th Battalion of the Continental Army that wintered at Valley Forge. Surely he saw, and perhaps met, General George Washington.
So I have three degrees of separation from an ancestor that "knew" Washington and four degrees of separation to Washington.
Hmm, I wonder how many degrees of separation I have to someone on the Mayflower?
I'm still operating on jet-lag, so I had to borrow a great idea from Chris Staats (thank you, Chris, for a great post on 6 Degrees Of Separation (Genealogy-Style). Chris asks (paraphrased): How far separated are you from a famous person in history?
Your mission, should you decide to accept it (come on, this isn't Mission Impossible), is to:
1) Find an ancestral line that atretches back to the time of the US Revolutionary War (1775-1783), about 230 years. Define your person-to-person connection (the person actually met the next person on the list) back to a historical figure from that time.
2) Tell us about it on your blog, in a note or comment on Facebook, or in a comment on this post.
Here's mine (from my Carringer line):
1) I (1943-????) knew well my maternal grandfather, Lyle L. Carringer (1891-1976).
2) Lyle L. Carringer (1891-1976) knew his paternal grandfather, David Jackson Carringer (1823-1901)
3) David Jackson Carringer (1828-1902) knew his paternal grandfather, Martin Carringer (1758-1835).
4) Martin Carringer (1758-1835) served in the Revolutionary War in the Pennsylvania 8th Battalion of the Continental Army that wintered at Valley Forge. Surely he saw, and perhaps met, General George Washington.
So I have three degrees of separation from an ancestor that "knew" Washington and four degrees of separation to Washington.
Hmm, I wonder how many degrees of separation I have to someone on the Mayflower?
Labels: My genealogy research, SNGF
Surname Saturday - CHAMPLIN (RI)
It's Surname Saturday, and I'm "counting down" my Ahnentafel list each week. I'm up to number 47, who is Amy Champlin (1798-1865).
My ancestral line back through the six generations of my Champlin ancestral families:
1. Randall J. Seaver
2. Frederick W. Seaver (1911-1983)
3. Betty V. Carringer (1919-2002)
4. Frederick W. Seaver (1876-1942)
5. Alma Bessie Richmond (1882-1962)
10. Thomas Richmond (1848-1917)
11. Julia White (1848-1913)
22. Henry Arnold White (1824-1885)
23. Amy Frances Oatley (1826 - before 1870)
46. Jonathan Oatley, born 07 July 1790 in South Kingstown, Washington County, RI, and died 10 August 1872 in East Killingly, Windham County, CT. He was the son of Joseph Oatley and Mary Hazard. He married 29 May 1813 in Exeter, Washington County, RI.
47. Amy Champlin, born March 1798 in South Kingston, Washington County, RI; died 08 February 1865 in East Killingly, Windham County, CT.
94. Joseph Champlin, born about 1758 in Charlestown, Washington County, RI; died 17 June 1850 in South Kingston, Washington County, RI. He married before 1785 in probably South Kingston, Washington County, RI.
95. Nancy Kenyon, born about 1765 in Washington County, RI. She was the daughter of 190. John Kenyon and 191. Anna.
Children of Joseph Champlin and Nancy Kenyon are: Samuel (1785-1874); Phoebe (1788-1879); Mary/Polly (1790-????); Joseph (1792-1877); Nancy (1794-1821);
Elizabeth/Betsy (1796-????); Amy (1798-1865); Abigail (1798-1859); George Hazard (1799-1865); Frances Gardner (1800-1880); John Kenyon (1804-????); Alice (1808-1876).
188. Elijah Champlin, born 1730 in probably Westerly, Washington County, RI; died before 19 February 1779 in South Kingstown, Washington County, RI. He married 27 November 1751 in South Kingstown, Washington County, RI.
189. Phoebe Card, born About 1730 in South Kingstown, Washington County, RI; died 19 February 1787 in South Kingstown, Washington County, RI. She was the daughter of 378. Job Card and 379. Judith Greenman.
Children of Elijah Champlin and Phoebe Card are: Phoebe (1752-????); Elijah (1756-1825); Joseph (1758-1850); William (1759-1844); Mary (1760-????); Jeffrey (1761-1837); Hannah (1762-????); Amy (1764-????); Anna (1766-????); Elizabeth (1768-????); Alice (1770-????)
376. William Champlin, born 1687 in Westerly, Washington County, RI; died after 1778 in RI. He married before 1720 in RI.
377. Joanna
Children of William Champlin and Joanna are: William (1720-1778); Michael (1723-1786); John (1727-????); Anna (1729-????); Elijah (1730-1779); Dorcas (1732-????); Temperance (1738-????).
752. Christopher Champlin, born 26 September 1656 in Newport, Newport County, RI; died 02 April 1732 in Westerly, Washington County, RI. He married about 1682 in RI.
753. (unknown), died before 1718 in probably Westerly, Washington County, RI.
Children of Christopher Champlin and (unknown) are: Christopher (1684-1734); John (1686-1746); William (1687-1778); Jeffrey (1689-1751); Joseph (1690-1731); Mary Ann (1692-1725).
1504. Jeffrey Champlin, born about 1618 in probably Biddeford, Devonshire, BNGLAND; died before 06 December 1695 in probably Westerly, Washington County, RI. He married about 1650 in RI.
1505. Ulalia Garde, born before 05 February 1632/33 in Biddeford, Devonshire, ENGLAND; died about 1657 in probably Westerly, Washington County, RI. She was the daughter of 3010. John Garde and 3011. Rebecca Copp.
Children of Jeffrey Champlin and Ulalia Garde are: Jeffrey (1650-1717); William (1654-1715); Christopher (1656-1732).
As noted above, I do not know the maiden surname of Joanna who married William Champlin, nor even the first name of the wife of Christopher Champlin. Does anyone have more information on these families?
My ancestral line back through the six generations of my Champlin ancestral families:
1. Randall J. Seaver
2. Frederick W. Seaver (1911-1983)
3. Betty V. Carringer (1919-2002)
4. Frederick W. Seaver (1876-1942)
5. Alma Bessie Richmond (1882-1962)
10. Thomas Richmond (1848-1917)
11. Julia White (1848-1913)
22. Henry Arnold White (1824-1885)
23. Amy Frances Oatley (1826 - before 1870)
46. Jonathan Oatley, born 07 July 1790 in South Kingstown, Washington County, RI, and died 10 August 1872 in East Killingly, Windham County, CT. He was the son of Joseph Oatley and Mary Hazard. He married 29 May 1813 in Exeter, Washington County, RI.
47. Amy Champlin, born March 1798 in South Kingston, Washington County, RI; died 08 February 1865 in East Killingly, Windham County, CT.
94. Joseph Champlin, born about 1758 in Charlestown, Washington County, RI; died 17 June 1850 in South Kingston, Washington County, RI. He married before 1785 in probably South Kingston, Washington County, RI.
95. Nancy Kenyon, born about 1765 in Washington County, RI. She was the daughter of 190. John Kenyon and 191. Anna.
Children of Joseph Champlin and Nancy Kenyon are: Samuel (1785-1874); Phoebe (1788-1879); Mary/Polly (1790-????); Joseph (1792-1877); Nancy (1794-1821);
Elizabeth/Betsy (1796-????); Amy (1798-1865); Abigail (1798-1859); George Hazard (1799-1865); Frances Gardner (1800-1880); John Kenyon (1804-????); Alice (1808-1876).
188. Elijah Champlin, born 1730 in probably Westerly, Washington County, RI; died before 19 February 1779 in South Kingstown, Washington County, RI. He married 27 November 1751 in South Kingstown, Washington County, RI.
189. Phoebe Card, born About 1730 in South Kingstown, Washington County, RI; died 19 February 1787 in South Kingstown, Washington County, RI. She was the daughter of 378. Job Card and 379. Judith Greenman.
Children of Elijah Champlin and Phoebe Card are: Phoebe (1752-????); Elijah (1756-1825); Joseph (1758-1850); William (1759-1844); Mary (1760-????); Jeffrey (1761-1837); Hannah (1762-????); Amy (1764-????); Anna (1766-????); Elizabeth (1768-????); Alice (1770-????)
376. William Champlin, born 1687 in Westerly, Washington County, RI; died after 1778 in RI. He married before 1720 in RI.
377. Joanna
Children of William Champlin and Joanna are: William (1720-1778); Michael (1723-1786); John (1727-????); Anna (1729-????); Elijah (1730-1779); Dorcas (1732-????); Temperance (1738-????).
752. Christopher Champlin, born 26 September 1656 in Newport, Newport County, RI; died 02 April 1732 in Westerly, Washington County, RI. He married about 1682 in RI.
753. (unknown), died before 1718 in probably Westerly, Washington County, RI.
Children of Christopher Champlin and (unknown) are: Christopher (1684-1734); John (1686-1746); William (1687-1778); Jeffrey (1689-1751); Joseph (1690-1731); Mary Ann (1692-1725).
1504. Jeffrey Champlin, born about 1618 in probably Biddeford, Devonshire, BNGLAND; died before 06 December 1695 in probably Westerly, Washington County, RI. He married about 1650 in RI.
1505. Ulalia Garde, born before 05 February 1632/33 in Biddeford, Devonshire, ENGLAND; died about 1657 in probably Westerly, Washington County, RI. She was the daughter of 3010. John Garde and 3011. Rebecca Copp.
Children of Jeffrey Champlin and Ulalia Garde are: Jeffrey (1650-1717); William (1654-1715); Christopher (1656-1732).
As noted above, I do not know the maiden surname of Joanna who married William Champlin, nor even the first name of the wife of Christopher Champlin. Does anyone have more information on these families?
Labels: My genealogy research, Surname Saturday
Friday, April 2, 2010
Footnote User Survey
..
I received a user survey from Footnote.com while I was away. I filled it out and submitted it online. The survey said:
Here at Footnote, we are always striving to improve our customer's experience. Please take a moment to complete this short survey, so we can continue to improve Footnote.com.
1. How satisfied are you with the content on Footnote.com?
* Very satisfied
* Satisfied
* Neither satisfied nor dissatisfied
* Dissatisfied
* Very Dissatisfied
2. What content do you use the most on Footnote?
* Census
* Newspapers
* Naturalizations
* Military Records
* City Directories
* Other
3. What content would you like to see more of?
* Census
* Newspapers
* Naturalizations
* Military Records
* City Directories
* Other
4. What time period would you like to see more content from? (check 3 that most interest you)
* Before 1815
* 1815-1860
* 1860-1880
* 1880-1920
* 1920-1935
* 1935-1950
* 1950-Present
I highlighted my answers in red.
The pension applications from the War of 1812 and the Civil War are my main interest in the military records. I would like to see more Spanish-American War, World War I and World War II military records. Then there are City Directories, which Footnote.com has made an excellent start on digitizing and providing (but the indexes suck...).
I received a user survey from Footnote.com while I was away. I filled it out and submitted it online. The survey said:
Here at Footnote, we are always striving to improve our customer's experience. Please take a moment to complete this short survey, so we can continue to improve Footnote.com.
1. How satisfied are you with the content on Footnote.com?
* Very satisfied
* Satisfied
* Neither satisfied nor dissatisfied
* Dissatisfied
* Very Dissatisfied
2. What content do you use the most on Footnote?
* Census
* Newspapers
* Naturalizations
* Military Records
* City Directories
* Other
3. What content would you like to see more of?
* Census
* Newspapers
* Naturalizations
* Military Records
* City Directories
* Other
4. What time period would you like to see more content from? (check 3 that most interest you)
* Before 1815
* 1815-1860
* 1860-1880
* 1880-1920
* 1920-1935
* 1935-1950
* 1950-Present
I highlighted my answers in red.
The pension applications from the War of 1812 and the Civil War are my main interest in the military records. I would like to see more Spanish-American War, World War I and World War II military records. Then there are City Directories, which Footnote.com has made an excellent start on digitizing and providing (but the indexes suck...).
Labels: Footnote.com
Take the Casefile Clues Survey
Michael John Neill has a survey for genealogists available - please take a few minutes and complete the survey. Here is Michael's note:
"Casefile Clues is surveying as many genealogists as care to respond to our survey regarding their genealogy experiences. The survey is non-scientific, but results will be posted on our website once the survey is completed.
"Come and give us your feedback on genealogy research in general. The link is: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/GQZNK63"
I've been enjoying Michael's weekly Casefile Clues articles - he's up to Week 35 now and the collection is helpful and illuminating.
"Casefile Clues is surveying as many genealogists as care to respond to our survey regarding their genealogy experiences. The survey is non-scientific, but results will be posted on our website once the survey is completed.
"Come and give us your feedback on genealogy research in general. The link is: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/GQZNK63"
I've been enjoying Michael's weekly Casefile Clues articles - he's up to Week 35 now and the collection is helpful and illuminating.
Labels: genealogy resources, professional genealogy, Research techniques, Source Citation
Ellen DeGeneres has some notable cousins!
.
The New England Historic Genealogical Society (NEHGS) recently announced that entertainer Ellen DeGeneres has New England ancestry and has several notable cousins - including Halle Berry and Richard Gere. The press release is here.
The article mentions that Halle Berry is a distant cousin to Mark Wahlberg, Mark is a distant cousin to Madonna, she is a distant cousin to Camilla Parker-Bowles, who is a cousin of Diana Spencer, who was a cousin to Tim Robbins, who is a cousin to Richard Gere.
This article on Inside TV, with a link to a video of Ellen's show (which is pretty funny), claims that Ellen is related to all of these celebrities, but the NEHGS article indicates that she is related to only Halle Berry and Richard Gere. The article's author forgets that "a cousin of my cousin may not be my cousin." Or probably doesn't understand any of this!
You can see family trees for some of these celebrities, and many others, at http://www.genealogy.com/famousfolks/ including:
* Halle Berry - not much here...there may be more elsewhere
* Madonna - a fine French Canadian ancestry
* Diana Spencer - see also here.
* Richard Gere
There are extensive family trees at the William Addams Reitwiesner's Genealogy Services site for:
* Camilla Parker-Bowles
* Halle Berry
* Tim Robbins
* Mark Wahlberg
I don't see a family tree for Ellen DeGeneres online, but perhaps it will appear shortly.
Gary Boyd Roberts and his colleagues at the New England Historic Genealogical Society have published many ancestries of some of these celebrities but I didn't see them on the NEHGS web site. They may be hiding in the New England Ancestors Magazine publications.
So why do I care? Well, I'm just a sensitive guy interested in everybody's ancestry, but I would like to know if I'm related to these folks too. Actually, I just want to impress my cousins, brothers and offspring so maybe they'll become hooked on genealogy research.
UPDATED: Thanks to reader/blogger Martin for the links for Berry, Robbins and Wahlberg. I missed them on the WARGS site. Martin said that all of Roberts' work is on the NEHGS site, but I don't see them doing a search for several of them.
The New England Historic Genealogical Society (NEHGS) recently announced that entertainer Ellen DeGeneres has New England ancestry and has several notable cousins - including Halle Berry and Richard Gere. The press release is here.
The article mentions that Halle Berry is a distant cousin to Mark Wahlberg, Mark is a distant cousin to Madonna, she is a distant cousin to Camilla Parker-Bowles, who is a cousin of Diana Spencer, who was a cousin to Tim Robbins, who is a cousin to Richard Gere.
This article on Inside TV, with a link to a video of Ellen's show (which is pretty funny), claims that Ellen is related to all of these celebrities, but the NEHGS article indicates that she is related to only Halle Berry and Richard Gere. The article's author forgets that "a cousin of my cousin may not be my cousin." Or probably doesn't understand any of this!
You can see family trees for some of these celebrities, and many others, at http://www.genealogy.com/famousfolks/ including:
* Halle Berry - not much here...there may be more elsewhere
* Madonna - a fine French Canadian ancestry
* Diana Spencer - see also here.
* Richard Gere
There are extensive family trees at the William Addams Reitwiesner's Genealogy Services site for:
* Camilla Parker-Bowles
* Halle Berry
* Tim Robbins
* Mark Wahlberg
I don't see a family tree for Ellen DeGeneres online, but perhaps it will appear shortly.
Gary Boyd Roberts and his colleagues at the New England Historic Genealogical Society have published many ancestries of some of these celebrities but I didn't see them on the NEHGS web site. They may be hiding in the New England Ancestors Magazine publications.
So why do I care? Well, I'm just a sensitive guy interested in everybody's ancestry, but I would like to know if I'm related to these folks too. Actually, I just want to impress my cousins, brothers and offspring so maybe they'll become hooked on genealogy research.
UPDATED: Thanks to reader/blogger Martin for the links for Berry, Robbins and Wahlberg. I missed them on the WARGS site. Martin said that all of Roberts' work is on the NEHGS site, but I don't see them doing a search for several of them.
Labels: current newspaper articles, NEHGS, UK/Ireland Resources
Bula! Randy's back - but snowed under...
Bula! That's "hello," "good morning" and "God bless you" in Fijian. Everybody says "Bula" ... I was really confused when the Customs inspector said "Bula" to me as we entered Fiji.
Did you follow our exploits on Facebook? See my page at http://www.facebook.com/Geneaholic and scroll down. I will eventually put some of our 500 photos in Facebook photo albums to share.
We got home last night at about 6:30 p.m. after a 43 hour day that included much sitting around, squirming in the 747 aisle seat next to a guy bigger than me, and finally dozing off just before breakfast was served. I did stay up until 9 p.m. last night and sorted snail mail and email, and the got nine hours sleep. I think I picked up a flu bug too over the past few days which finally showed up after we got home (sore throat, chills, fever, more).
During the trip, I was able to get on the Internet almost daily and keep up with my email. I had the foresight to unsubscribe from the TGF mailing list in order to keep my email volume down, but still averaged more than 100 emails per day. The bigger problem was Bloglines - I still have 1900 posts in my reader since I never had time to empty the list. That's today's project!
Genealogy highlights were meeting up with geneablogger Schelly Dardashti in Sydney (and her cousin and his wife), talking about genealogy and fmaily history with other folks on the tour, reading some of the WDYTYA? book, and thinking about my upcoming classes and presentations. The biggest disappointment was turning on my iPod and finding that it was not charged up after I loaded it with genealogy podcasts and my music.
From my limited review of blog posts on selected blogs, it appears that nothing really important to genealogy researchers happened over the past three weeks. Sure, press releases were sent, new software versions were announced, and blog memes were followed, but I didn't see anything genea-shaking. Maybe there will be important announcements this month at the NGS Conference!
I have lots of email backed up with helpful information, and will try to get to them over the next week or so.
I also have two magazine articles, a society newsletter, three presentations and a beginning genealogy class syllabus to work on in the next month! No rest for the travel-weary! Oh yeah, maybe I'll blog a bit too.
Did you follow our exploits on Facebook? See my page at http://www.facebook.com/Geneaholic and scroll down. I will eventually put some of our 500 photos in Facebook photo albums to share.
We got home last night at about 6:30 p.m. after a 43 hour day that included much sitting around, squirming in the 747 aisle seat next to a guy bigger than me, and finally dozing off just before breakfast was served. I did stay up until 9 p.m. last night and sorted snail mail and email, and the got nine hours sleep. I think I picked up a flu bug too over the past few days which finally showed up after we got home (sore throat, chills, fever, more).
During the trip, I was able to get on the Internet almost daily and keep up with my email. I had the foresight to unsubscribe from the TGF mailing list in order to keep my email volume down, but still averaged more than 100 emails per day. The bigger problem was Bloglines - I still have 1900 posts in my reader since I never had time to empty the list. That's today's project!
Genealogy highlights were meeting up with geneablogger Schelly Dardashti in Sydney (and her cousin and his wife), talking about genealogy and fmaily history with other folks on the tour, reading some of the WDYTYA? book, and thinking about my upcoming classes and presentations. The biggest disappointment was turning on my iPod and finding that it was not charged up after I loaded it with genealogy podcasts and my music.
From my limited review of blog posts on selected blogs, it appears that nothing really important to genealogy researchers happened over the past three weeks. Sure, press releases were sent, new software versions were announced, and blog memes were followed, but I didn't see anything genea-shaking. Maybe there will be important announcements this month at the NGS Conference!
I have lots of email backed up with helpful information, and will try to get to them over the next week or so.
I also have two magazine articles, a society newsletter, three presentations and a beginning genealogy class syllabus to work on in the next month! No rest for the travel-weary! Oh yeah, maybe I'll blog a bit too.
Labels: musings
Thursday, April 1, 2010
Got a gig!!!
We are stuck in Fiji and can't get back to the States. Umm, we really don't want to come back to the States. Life here at the resort is so beautiful and peaceful.
My duties will be promoting genealogy tourism to Fiji, teaching beginning genealogy classes occasionally, and helping tourists with their ancestral search using Internet resources. What a great gig! And I get paid to do this, plus all of the coconut milk and Fijian dancing girls I can watch.
Unfortunately, this means that the Genea-Musings blog will go on hiatus so that I can attend to my onerous duties. But I'm sure that all of my readers will understand!
Hey, please come visit!
UPDATED: Turns out that Fiji has an onerous work permit process for non-natives, and so they hustled us onto the airplane bound for Los Angeles late on 1 April. I couldn't get to a computer until Friday morning. Don't they know that genealogy research is not work, but fun?
The management here has seen the value of genealogical tourism (after I explained the market size by showing them Dick Eastman's column), and offered me a position of "genealogy consultant" here at the resort, and I accepted the offer. Linda was offered a position as a swimming teacher too.
My duties will be promoting genealogy tourism to Fiji, teaching beginning genealogy classes occasionally, and helping tourists with their ancestral search using Internet resources. What a great gig! And I get paid to do this, plus all of the coconut milk and Fijian dancing girls I can watch.
Unfortunately, this means that the Genea-Musings blog will go on hiatus so that I can attend to my onerous duties. But I'm sure that all of my readers will understand!
Hey, please come visit!
UPDATED: Turns out that Fiji has an onerous work permit process for non-natives, and so they hustled us onto the airplane bound for Los Angeles late on 1 April. I couldn't get to a computer until Friday morning. Don't they know that genealogy research is not work, but fun?
Labels: musings
