Saturday, December 24, 2022

ICYMI: 'Twas the Night Before a Genealogist's Christmas ...

  I received this parody of Clement Moore's masterpiece via email back in the mid-1990's, the author is unknown to me. Kimberly Powell had it on her website for years but I cannot find it now.

'Twas the night before Christmas
When all through the house
Not a creature was stirring,
Not even my spouse.

The dining room table with clutter was spread
With pedigree charts and with letters which said...
"Too bad about the data for which you wrote;
Sank in a storm on an ill-fated boat."

Stacks of old copies of wills and such
Were proof that my work had become too much.
Our children were nestled all snug in their beds,
While visions of sugarplums danced in their heads.

And I at my table was ready to drop
From work on my album with photos to crop.
Christmas was here, and such was my lot
That presents and goodies and toys I'd forgot.

Had I not been busy with grandparents' wills,
I'd not have forgotten to shop for such thrills,
While others bought gifts to bring Christmas cheers,
I'd spent time researching those birth dates and years.

While I was thus musing about my sad plight,
A strange noise on the lawn gave me such a great fright.
Away to the window I flew in a flash,
Tore open the drapes and yanked up the sash.

When what with my wondering eyes should appear,
But an overstuffed sleigh and eight small reindeer.
Up to the house top the reindeer they flew,
With a sleigh full of toys and 'ole Santa Claus, too.

And then in a twinkle, I heard on the roof
The prancing and pawing of thirty-two hoofs.
As I drew in my head, and bumped it on the sash,
Down the cold chimney fell Santa--KER-RASH!

"Dear" Santa had come from the roof in a wreck,
And tracked soot on the carpet, (I could wring his short neck!)
Spotting my face, good 'ole Santa could see
I had no Christmas spirit you'd have to agree.

He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work
And filled all the stockings, (I felt like a jerk).
Here was Santa, who'd brought us such gladness and joy:
When I'd been too busy for even one toy.

He spied my research on the table all spread
"A genealogist!" He cried! (My face was all red!)
"Tonight I've met many like you," Santa grinned,
As he pulled from his sack a large book he had penned.

I gazed with amusement--the cover it read
Genealogy Lines for Which You Have Plead.
"I know what it's like as a genealogy bug." He said
as he gave me a great Santa hug.

"While the elves make the sleighful of toys I now carry,
I do some research in the North Pole Library!
A special treat I am thus able to bring,
To genealogy folk who can't find a thing."

"Now off you go to your bed for a rest,
I'll clean up the house from this genealogy mess."
As I climbed up the stairs full of gladness and glee,
I looked back at Santa who'd brought much to me.

While settling in bed, I heard Santa's clear whistle,
To his team, which then rose like the down of a thistle.
And I heard him exclaim as he flew out of sight,
"Family History is Fun! Merry Christmas! Goodnight!"

--Author Unknown
To all, I wish a very Merry Christmas, and I hope Genea-Santa brings you a special gift for your family history.

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The URL for this post is:  

Copyright (c) 2022, Randall J. Seaver

Please comment on this post on the website by clicking the URL above and then the "Comments" link at the bottom of each post.  Share it on Twitter, Facebook, Google+ or Pinterest using the icons below.  Or contact me by email at randy.seaver@gmail.com.

Saturday Night Genealogy Fun -- Your Most Vivid Memories of Christmas Time

 Calling all Genea-Musings Fans: 

 It's Saturday Night again - 

Time for some more Genealogy Fun!!


(Photo courtesy of footnoteMaven)

Come on, everybody, join in and accept the mission and execute it with precision. Here's your chance to sit on Genea-Santa's lap (virtually) and tell him your Christmas memories:

1) What are your most vivid memories of Christmas times past?  People, Church, Presents, Santa Claus, Shopping, whatever.

2) Tell us about them in your own blog post, in a comment on this post, or in a Facebook Status  post.  Please leave a link on this post if you write your own post.

Here's mine:

a)  I wrote about my Santa Claus memories last week in Saturday Night Genealogy Fun -- Your Santa Claus Memories, so I won't repeat them here.

b)  We always had a Christmas tree in the living room of our apartment on 30th Street.  It was either in front of the southwest facing window or in the "cubbyhole" above the front stairs so that the lighted tree could be seen by passersby.  The tree was usually flocked in white.  My mother, being an artist, decorated it beautifully with a variety of ornaments, including angels and nativity scenes.  

c)  The only relative of my father that we had in San Diego was his aunt Emily, and her daughter Dorothy, her husband Chuck, and their daughter Marcia.  Dorothy is my father's first cousin, and Marcia my second cousin.  They lived in a big two story house in Kensington with a fireplace.  The trip to their house was both dreaded and anticipated – Dorothy was very non-traditional – she was an artist, a harpist, made her own tree ornaments, and cooked different dishes that we didn’t particularly like. This was also the only time we had to dress up in a shirt and tie. Emily fawned over us, and Chuck was gruff and ornery (in retrospect, a fun “uncle”).

The best part of the visit for us was playing in the backyard – they had a nice fish pond, some cats, and a big awning swing. We had great games of hide and seek there. They also subscribed to National Geographic, and I loved looking through them for pictures of naked women and to steal the maps. In retrospect, I think Chuck placed the really good issues on top where I could easily find them.  Then there was the upstairs bathroom with images of naked women on the walls.

d)  Another tradition that we really enjoyed during the 1950’s was the box of Christmas presents that arrived from the Seaver families in Leominster, Massachusetts. They were usually clothes, toys or board games for the boys, and candy for the family, which we loved. These were sent without fail by our Grandmother Bessie (Richmond) Seaver (Emily’s sister), my father’s brother Ed (and wife Janet) Seaver and my father's sister, Gerry Seaver.

e)  As I grew older, I realized that the true spirit of Christmas meant that I should also give presents to my family. It was easy buying toys and sports gear for my brothers but it was a struggle to find appropriate gifts for my mother and father. Sometimes Stan and I would go together to buy a gift for both of them - I remember one year we bought a new mailbox for them (hey, they needed one!).

f)  During the fall and winter, we had the 'O' gauge Lionel train tracks set up through the living room and into our bedroom with many switches and crossovers. We (my dad, myself, my two brothers) would take turns trying to crash our trains into the other guy's train at high speed. The track layout was elaborate, but the decoration was nil. It was all about speed and crashes, and was competitive. For several years, our Christmas presents included new train track and boxcars and engines.

g)  After I moved out of the house on my own in 1968, and married Linda in 1970, I now had someone else to do the hard work of shopping for the family, and she did it extremely well. We usually went to the 30th Street house for Christmas Eve dinner and gifts with Mom and Dad, brother Stan and Sheryl, brother Scott, Gram and Gramps. I shopped only for Linda – mainly nice clothes, fine jewelry and kitchen things. I always enjoyed this shopping – the giving part was more fun for me. Of course, once she started her angel collection, the challenge was finding new,  bigger and better angels for her.  

Then our daughters came along in 1974 and 1976, and we had more fun putting gifts together (the garage is cold in December!).  We had a cut Douglas fir Christmas tree and Linda and the girls excelled at decorating it; my job was to put the lights on and make them work.  

We took turns each year staying home (and seeing my parents and brothers, usually at my parents house) or visiting Linda's parents and her brother Paul in the Bay area at Christmas.  We usually drove to San Francisco and back over the holidays, often doing some sightseeing in San Francisco, Monterey or Yosemite on the way home.  I remember that we had a great snowball fight one year at Glacier Point.  We also had a snowball fight in King City on Highway 101 in about 1988.  We took some photos on film, but I think they are still in a big box in the garage.  

h)  After our girls moved out of the house in the 1990s, got married, and grandchildren came along in the 2003-2014 time frame, we took turns visiting them in their homes or they visited us in our home.  This was even more fun for us, and Linda loved buying gifts for the grandkids.  We have many digital photos over the years.

==============================================


Copyright (c) 2022, Randall J. Seaver

Please comment on this post on the website by clicking the URL above and then the "Comments" link at the bottom of each post.  Share it on Twitter, Facebook, or Pinterest using the icons below.  Or contact me by email at randy.seaver@gmail.com.

Added and Updated FamilySearch Record Collections - Week of 17 to 23 December 2022

I am keeping track of the new and updated historical record collections at FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/list) every week.

As of 23 December 2022, there are 3,170 historical record collections on FamilySearch (an increase of from last week):

The new and updated collections this week from FamilySearch are:

--- Collections Added   ---

*  France, Ardennes, Parish and Civil Registration, 1585-1892      (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/4496126); 2,242,305 indexed records with 2,242,305 record images, ADDED 22-Dec-2022
*  Germany, Württemberg, Catholic and Lutheran Church Records, 1818-1915 
 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/4132030); 29,735 indexed records with 29,735 record images, ADDED 20-Dec-2022
*  Texas, County Deaths, 1860-2005 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/5000045); 3,699 indexed records with 3,699 record images, ADDED 23-Dec-2022

--- Collections Updated ---

Argentina, Catamarca, Catholic Church Records, 1724-1971        (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1974178); 136,130 indexed records with 102,718 record images (was 133,572 records with 102,718 images), UPDATED 23-Dec-2022
Argentina, Chaco, Civil Registration, 1889-1946 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/4450393); 81,185 indexed records with 80,956 record images (was 81,181 records with 80,952 images), UPDATED 18-Dec-2022
Argentina, Corrientes, Catholic Church Records, 1734-1977       (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1974183); 429,232 indexed records with 207,943 record images (was 428,424 records with 207,943 images), UPDATED 23-Dec-2022
Argentina, Jujuy, Catholic Church Records, 1662-1975    (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1974186); 115,493 indexed records with 69,981 record images (was 114,970 records with 69,981 images), UPDATED 23-Dec-2022
Argentina, San Juan, Catholic Church Records, 1655-1975 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1974194); 175,643 indexed records with 83,087 record images (was 173,820 records with 83,087 images), UPDATED 23-Dec-2022
Belgium, Antwerp, Civil Registration, 1588-1913 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/2138481); 758,440 indexed records with 3,208,709 record images (was 749,998 records with 3,208,709 images), UPDATED 20-Dec-2022

Bolivia Catholic Church Records, 1566-1996      (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1922463); 9,220,434 indexed records with 1,649,601 record images (was 9,209,696 records with 1,649,601 images), UPDATED 23-Dec-2022
Brazil, Minas Gerais, Civil Registration, 1879-1949     (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/3479702); 815,292 indexed records with 340,208 record images (was 813,609 records with 339,590 images), UPDATED 23-Dec-2022
Brazil, Paraná, Civil Registration, 1852-1996   (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/2016194); 2,639,501 indexed records with 1,689,031 record images (was 2,631,536 records with 1,689,031 images), UPDATED 23-Dec-2022
Brazil, Pará, Civil Registration, 1815-1995     (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/4473609); 31,221 indexed records with 10,686 record images (was 30,703 records with 10,406 images), UPDATED 22-Dec-2022
Brazil, Rio Grande do Sul, Civil Registration, 1860-2006        (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/3741255); 1,617,990 indexed records with 823,784 record images (was 1,614,726 records with 824,558 images), UPDATED 23-Dec-2022

Brazil, Rio de Janeiro, Civil Registration, 1829-2012   (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1582573); 6,649,678 indexed records with 5,100,470 record images (was 6,646,148 records with 5,100,470 images), UPDATED 23-Dec-2022
Brazil, Santa Catarina, Civil Registration, 1850-1999   (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/2016197); 623,852 indexed records with 1,037,638 record images (was 623,387 records with 1,037,638 images), UPDATED 23-Dec-2022
California, County Birth and Death Records, 1800-1994   (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/2001287); 6,496,012 indexed records with 2,841,076 record images (was 6,495,974 records with 2,841,076 images), UPDATED 22-Dec-2022
California, Oakland, Coroner Records, 1926-1994 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/5000030); 32,894 indexed records with 32,805 record images (was 32,864 records with 32,775 images), UPDATED 22-Dec-2022
Chile, Catholic Church Records, 1633-2015       (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/3405096); 7,405,141 indexed records with 922,485 record images (was 7,394,533 records with 920,821 images), UPDATED 23-Dec-2022

Chile, Civil Registration, 1885-1932    (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1630787); 4,596,746 indexed records with 1,623,199 record images (was 4,596,733 records with 1,623,199 images), UPDATED 22-Dec-2022
Colombia, Catholic Church Records, 1576-2018    (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1726975); 25,660,289 indexed records with 12,659,776 record images (was 25,624,153 records with 12,659,776 images), UPDATED 23-Dec-2022
Costa Rica, Catholic Church Records, 1595-1992  (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1460016); 4,095,908 indexed records with 962,203 record images (was 4,092,021 records with 962,203 images), UPDATED 23-Dec-2022
Costa Rica, Civil Registration, 1823-1975       (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1925429); 6,128,980 indexed records with 404,718 record images (was 6,127,472 records with 404,718 images), UPDATED 23-Dec-2022
Croatia, Church Books, 1516-1994        (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/2040054); 2,984,188 indexed records with 1,421,761 record images (was 2,984,179 records with 1,421,761 images), UPDATED 18-Dec-2022

Denmark, Copenhagen City, Civil Marriages, 1739-1964, Index 1877-1964   (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/2341913); 239,892 indexed records with 112,568 record images (was 231,385 records with 112,568 images), UPDATED 18-Dec-2022
Dominican Republic, Catholic Church Records, 1590-1975  (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1918910); 2,261,693 indexed records with 238,265 record images (was 2,261,548 records with 238,265 images), UPDATED 22-Dec-2022
Ecuador, Catholic Church Records, 1565-2011     (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1923402); 6,026,061 indexed records with 1,454,787 record images (was 6,025,288 records with 1,454,787 images), UPDATED 23-Dec-2022
El Salvador Catholic Church Records, 1655-1977  (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1919582); 2,253,414 indexed records with 592,191 record images (was 2,252,365 records with 592,191 images), UPDATED 23-Dec-2022
Florida Deaths, 1877-1939       (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1595003); 503,102 indexed records with 471,267 record images (was 488,843 records with 471,267 images), UPDATED 23-Dec-2022

France, Charente, Parish and Civil Registration, 1550-1936      (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/4129995); 2,593,234 indexed records with 1,045,469 record images (was 2,592,386 records with 1,045,469 images), UPDATED 16-Dec-2022
France, Seine-Saint-Denis, Parish and Civil Registration, 1523-1932     (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/3241307); 708,381 indexed records with 253,227 record images (was 707,627 records with 253,227 images), UPDATED 16-Dec-2022
Germany, Mecklenburg-Strelitz, Catholic and Lutheran Church Records, 1664-1937  (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/4132032); 22,515 indexed records with 19,022 record images (was 18,531 records with 11,627 images), UPDATED 20-Dec-2022
Germany, Prussia, Catholic and Lutheran Church Records, 1580-1974       (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/4155762); 195,385 indexed records with 117,780 record images (was 187,719 records with 110,904 images), UPDATED 21-Dec-2022
Germany, Prussia, West Prussia, Catholic and Lutheran Church Records, 1537-1981 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/4111605); 10,021,980 indexed records with 1,067,881 record images (was 10,021,980 records with 1,067,345 images), UPDATED 20-Dec-2022

Guatemala, Alta Verapaz, Civil Registration, 1877-1994  (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/2102016); 1,044,016 indexed records with 17,770 record images (was 1,043,955 records with 17,770 images), UPDATED 22-Dec-2022
Guatemala, El Progreso, Civil Registration, 1877-1994   (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/2451040); 240,430 indexed records with 103,502 record images (was 240,418 records with 103,502 images), UPDATED 23-Dec-2022
Guatemala, Quiché, Civil Registration, 1877-1994        (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/2274794); 1,055,889 indexed records with 70,397 record images (was 1,055,006 records with 70,397 images), UPDATED 23-Dec-2022
Hawaii, Registrar of Bureau of Conveyances, Deed Records, 1846-1900     (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/3478266); 22,824 indexed records with 9,580 record images (was 20,663 records with 9,427 images), UPDATED 18-Dec-2022
Honduras, Civil Registration, 1841-1968 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/2135627); 537,819 indexed records with 337,976 record images (was 537,769 records with 337,976 images), UPDATED 23-Dec-2022

Indiana Marriages, 1811-2019    (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1410397); 5,269,832 indexed records with 1,259,299 record images (was 5,266,390 records with 1,259,299 images), UPDATED 16-Dec-2022
Italy, Ravenna, Ravenna, Civil Registration (Tribunale), 1866-1929      (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1947700); 11,467 indexed records with 1,759,182 record images (was 11,111 records with 1,759,182 images), UPDATED 22-Dec-2022
Italy, Sassari, Civil Registration (Tribunale), 1803-1942       (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/4464417); 16,045 indexed records with 5,239 record images (was 14,756 records with 4,801 images), UPDATED 22-Dec-2022
Italy, Treviso, Treviso, Civil Registration (Tribunale), 1871-1941      (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1947831); 2,154 indexed records with 427,232 record images (was 1,733 records with 427,232 images), UPDATED 23-Dec-2022
Luxembourg Census Records, 1843-1900    (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/2037957); 8,637 indexed records with 1,115,931 record images (was 5,414 records with 1,115,931 images), UPDATED 20-Dec-2022

Massachusetts Marriages, 1695-1910, 1921-1924   (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1675351); Index only (1,155,574 records), no images (was 1,317,239 records with 0 images), UPDATED 20-Dec-2022
Massachusetts Marriages, 1841-1915      (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1469062); 5,597 indexed records with 108,296 record images (was 5,597 records with 108,296 images), UPDATED 19-Dec-2022
Massachusetts State Vital Records, 1841-1920    (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1928860); 10,603,856 indexed records with 742,594 record images (was 10,436,596 records with 742,594 images), UPDATED 20-Dec-2022
Mexico, Puebla, Catholic Church Records, 1545-1977      (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1837906); 8,032,401 indexed records with 6,124,553 record images (was 7,995,266 records with 6,124,553 images), UPDATED 23-Dec-2022
Mexico, Querétaro, Catholic Church Records, 1590-1970   (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1881200); 2,955,869 indexed records with 1,380,077 record images (was 2,948,774 records with 1,380,077 images), UPDATED 23-Dec-2022

Mexico, Sinaloa, Civil Registration, 1861-1929  (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/2290241); 1,196,124 indexed records with 1,403,105 record images (was 1,182,946 records with 1,403,105 images), UPDATED 20-Dec-2022
Minnesota, Veterans Grave Registration Reports, 1930-1975       (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/4489446); 71,360 indexed records with 69,998 record images (was 63,669 records with 62,315 images), UPDATED 22-Dec-2022
Netherlands, Noord-Holland, Civil Registration, 1811-1950       (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/2020117); 1,939,110 indexed records with 6,635,049 record images (was 1,928,656 records with 6,635,049 images), UPDATED 19-Dec-2022
Nicaragua Civil Registration, 1809-2013 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1601210); 2,568,942 indexed records with 2,591,542 record images (was 2,568,916 records with 2,591,542 images), UPDATED 20-Dec-2022
Nicaragua, Catholic Church Records, 1740-1960   (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1494432); 822,001 indexed records with 86,119 record images (was 821,665 records with 86,119 images), UPDATED 23-Dec-2022

Palau, Church Records, 1921-1940        (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/4491580); 2,660 indexed records with 242 record images (was 2,658 records with 241 images), UPDATED 21-Dec-2022
Peru, Catholic Church Records, 1603-1992        (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1877097); 21,955,115 indexed records with 4,192,353 record images (was 21,941,677 records with 4,192,353 images), UPDATED 23-Dec-2022
Peru, Huánuco, Catholic Church Records, 1660-2020       (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/4439346); 54,669 indexed records with 29,881 record images (was 54,649 records with 29,871 images), UPDATED 20-Dec-2022
Peru, Pasco, Civil Registration, 1931-1996      (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/3755355); 125,738 indexed records with 125,399 record images (was 125,734 records with 125,395 images), UPDATED 22-Dec-2022
Portugal, Faro, Civil Registration, 1880-1920   (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/4122681); 18,190 indexed records with 9,663 record images (was 14,760 records with 7,066 images), UPDATED 16-Dec-2022

Portugal, Setúbal, Catholic Church Records, 1555-1911   (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1935451); 1,073,155 indexed records with 829,309 record images (was 1,072,970 records with 829,309 images), UPDATED 23-Dec-2022
Puerto Rico, Catholic Church Records, 1645-1969 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1807092); 3,326,501 indexed records with 191,547 record images (was 3,325,969 records with 191,547 images), UPDATED 22-Dec-2022
Romania, Civil Registration, 1865-1903  (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/4325043); 768 indexed records with 367 record images (was 754 records with 359 images), UPDATED 22-Dec-2022
Russia, Tver Confession Lists, 1728-1913        (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1929531); 46,053 indexed records with 954,651 record images (was 46,053 records with 954,651 images), UPDATED 21-Dec-2022
Spain, Province of Gerona, Municipal Records, 1566-1956 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/2015355); 1,118,333 indexed records with 389,650 record images (was 1,003,561 records with 387,411 images), UPDATED 18-Dec-2022

Switzerland, Fribourg, Census, 1880     (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/2142779); 130,873 indexed records with 48,947 record images (was 128,255 records with 48,947 images), UPDATED 21-Dec-2022
Texas Deaths, 1890-1976 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1983324); 4,543,233 indexed records with 4,476,649 record images (was 4,543,233 records with 4,476,649 images), UPDATED 20-Dec-2022
Uruguay Civil Registration, 1879-1930   (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1837849); Index only (537,620 records), no images (was 531,265 records with 0 images), UPDATED 23-Dec-2022
Venezuela Civil Registration, 1873-2003 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1823609); 975,108 indexed records with 586,312 record images (was 974,902 records with 586,312 images), UPDATED 22-Dec-2022
Venezuela, Archdiocese of Caracas, Catholic Church Records, 1638-2020   (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/4465438); 31,379 indexed records with 17,366 record images (was 29,616 records with 16,135 images), UPDATED 23-Dec-2022

Virginia, Bureau of Vital Statistics, Birth Records, 1853-1949  (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/4496127); 1,376 indexed records with 1,365 record images (was 351 records with 351 images), UPDATED 22-Dec-2022
Virginia, Vital Records, 1715-1901      (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/4149585); 1,683,245 indexed records with 90,682 record images (was 1,636,681 records with 89,151 images), UPDATED 23-Dec-2022
Zimbabwe, Archdiocese of Harare, Church Records, 1897-2021      (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/4475014); 477,725 indexed records with 49,098 record images (was 386,338 records with 42,935 images), UPDATED 23-Dec-2022

--- Collections with new images ---

Ecuador, Cemetery Records, 1862-2019    (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/3755446); 653,164 indexed records with 349,594 record images (was 653,164 records with 346,149 images), last updated 29-Nov-2022
Hawaii, Collector of Customs, Ships' Passenger Manifests, 1843-1900     (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/3463100); 527,525 indexed records with 224,113 record images (was 527,525 records with 223,031 images), last updated 06-Nov-2020
Iceland Church Census, 1744-1965        (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/2697871); 1,815,974 indexed records with 47,005 record images (was 1,815,974 records with 46,054 images), last updated 18-Nov-2022
Uruguay, Passenger Lists, 1888-1980     (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/2691993); 3,641,119 indexed records with 155,438 record images (was 3,641,119 records with 153,569 images), last updated 19-Nov-2020

--- Collections with images removed ---

Australia, South Australia, School Admission Registers, 1873-1985       (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/2862204); 420,897 indexed records with 10,731 record images (was 420,897 records with 10,759 images), last updated 31-Jan-2022
France, Hautes-Alpes, Census, 1876      (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/2819930); 66,237 indexed records with 560 record images (was 66,237 records with 1,528 images), last updated 30-Sep-2022
Germany, Rhineland, Diocese of Trier, Catholic Church Records, 1704-1957        (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/2790268); 2,967,130 indexed records with 294,979 record images (was 2,967,130 records with 307,298 images), last updated 03-Nov-2020
Ireland, Catholic Parish Registers, 1740-1900   (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/2820100); 1,611,343 indexed records with 44,370 record images (was 1,611,343 records with 50,879 images), last updated 12-Dec-2022
New York, Church Records, 1660-1954     (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/2787817); 127,105 indexed records with 1,213 record images (was 127,105 records with 6,354 images), last updated 07-Apr-2021

Sweden, Stockholm City Archives, Index to Church Records, 1546-1927     (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/2057674); 1,175,420 indexed records with 61,860 record images (was 1,175,420 records with 77,133 images), last updated 07-Dec-2022
United States Index to Alien Case Files, 1940-2003      (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/2540918); 1,484,268 indexed records with 1,470,606 record images (was 1,484,268 records with 1,484,268 images), last updated 16-Jun-2022
United States, New York, Index to Passengers Arriving at New York City, compiled 1944-1948      (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/3029266); 1,129,668 indexed records with 1,112,544 record images (was 1,129,668 records with 1,112,549 images), last updated 18-Mar-2020

--- Collections with records removed ---

Brazil, São Paulo, Civil Registration, 1925-1995        (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/2765317); 20,824,559 indexed records with 21,090,509 record images (was 20,824,567 records with 21,090,509 images), last updated 03-Nov-2022

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My friend and SDGS colleague, Marshall, has come up with a way to determine which collections are ADDED, DELETED or UPDATED, and to alphabetize the entries in each category.  Thanks to Marshall for helping me out here!

In order to select a specific record collection on FamilySearch, go to   https://familysearch.org/search/collection/list and use the "Filter by collection name" feature in the upper left-hand corner and use keywords (e.g. "church england") to find collections with those keywords.

Each one of the collections listed above has a Research Wiki page (use the "Learn more" link). It would be very useful if the Wiki page for each collection listed the dates for when the collection was added as a new collection and the dates for major updates also.

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The URL for this post is:  https://www.geneamusings.com/2022/12/added-and-updated-familysearch-record.html

Copyright (c) 2022, Randall J. Seaver

Please comment on this post on the website by clicking the URL above and then the "Comments" link at the bottom of each post. Share it on Twitter, Facebook, or Pinterest using the icons below. Or contact me by email at randy.seaver@gmail.com.

Friday, December 23, 2022

ICYMI: Twelve Days of a Genealogy Christmas - Randy's Version

A genealogy oriented version of the Twelve Days of Christmas was available on the Internet on  Kimberly Powell's site for many years, but it is, apparently, no longer available.


Way back around 2007, I decided I would do my own "12 Days" based on genealogy, my own needs and my own research (modified occasionally):

On the 12th day of Christmas,


My true love gave to me --

*  Twelve Revolutionary War pension files (with the Family Bible pages included) (12)

*  Eleven autosomal DNA matches with common ancestors noted (22)

*  Ten Social Security Application and Claims records (30)

*  Nine Facebook postings from distant cousins (36)

*  Eight probate files (40)

*  Seven census pages (42)

*  Six land deeds (42)

*  Five obituaries (40)

*  Four church marriage records (36)

*  Three new ancestor names for my family tree (30)

*  Two draft registration images (22)

*  A lost family Bible with births, marriages and deaths in it (12)

I've put the total number in parenthesis of each item - if you sing the song all the way through, going one number at a time.

My true love is a busy girl, isn't she?

But, but, but ... that would take all the fun out of the ancestor search, wouldn't it?

Watch John Denver and the Muppets sing the song in https://youtu.be/EDBMzGq1vhs


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Note:  This is another "oldie but a goodie" post over the past 16 years.  Other genealogy bloggers have done a similar list over the years - can you find them?


Copyright (c) 2022, Randall J. Seaver

Please comment on this post on the website by clicking the URL above and then the "Comments" link at the bottom of each post.  Share it on Twitter, Facebook, or Pinterest using the icons below.  Or contact me by email at randy.seaver@gmail.com.

Genealogical Society of Santa Cruz County Program Announcement - 3 January 2023

The publicity flyer for the January, 2023, ZOOM program presented by the Genealogical Society of Santa Cruz County is below.  The ZOOM registration link is shown at the top.  Please help us spread the word about this presentation offering genealogy-oriented writing prompts. 


This is a FREE event. Registration can be made at https://santacruzpl.libcal.com/event/10026750.

Thank you to Genea-Musings reader and regular CVGS Zoom attendee Gail Burk for sending this information.

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The URL for this post is: https://www.geneamusings.com/2022/12/genealogical-society-of-santa-cruz.html

Copyright (c) 2022, Randall J. Seaver

Please comment on this post on the website by clicking the URL above and then the "Comments" link at the bottom of each post. Share it on Twitter, Facebook, or Pinterest using the icons below. Or contact me by email at randy.seaver@gmail.com.

52 Ancestors - Week 460: #731 Rebecca (Follansbee) Chase (1658-1711) of Newbury, Massachusetts

 Rebecca Follansbee (a1658-1711) is #731 on my Ahnentafel List, my 7th great-grandmother, who married #730 Thomas Chase in 1677 in Newbury, Massachusetts.

I am descended through:

*  their daughter #365 Mary Chase (1695-1734)  who married #364 John Horton (1696-1796), in 1719.
*  their son, #182 Nathaniel Horton (1730-1819), who married #183 Sarah Pray (1734-1820) in 1753.
*  their daughter,  #91 Phebe Horton (1772-a1820), who married #90 Simon Wade (1767-1857) in about 1790.
*  their daughter #45 Miranda Wade (1804-1850), who married #44 Jonathan White (1803-1850) in 1824.
*  their son #22 Henry Arnold White (1824-1885) who married #23 Amy Oatley (1826-1864) in 1844.
*  their daughter #11 Julia E. White (1848-1913) who married #10 Thomas Richmond (1848-1917) in 1868.
*  their daughter #5 Alma Bessie Richmond (1882-1962) who married #4 Frederick Walton Seaver (1876-1942) in 1900.
*  their son #2 Frederick Walton Seaver (1911-1983) who married #3 Betty Virginia Carringer (1919-2002) in 1942.
*  their son #1 Randall Jeffrey Seaver (1943-living)

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1)  PERSON (with source citations as indicated in brackets):

*  Name:                      Rebecca Follansbee[1–2]
*  Alternate Name:       Rebecca Follinsby[3]
*  Alternate Name:       Rebeckah Chase[4-5]

* Sex:                            Female

*  Father:                      Thomas Follansbee 1637-1725
*  Mother:                    Mary --?-- 1639-1677

2)  INDIVIDUAL EVENTS (with source citations as indicated in brackets):

*  Birth:                          about 1658, probably Portsmouth, Rockingham, New Hampshire, United States[1]

*  Death:                        27 December 1711 (about age 53), Newbury, Essex, Massachusetts, United States[1,4–5]

3)  SHARED EVENTS (with source citations as indicated in brackets):

*  Spouse 1:                Thomas Chase 1654-1733
*  Marriage 1:             22 November 1677 (about age 19), Newbury, Essex, Massachusetts, United States[1–3]

*  Child 1:                   Thomas Chase 1680-1756
*  Child 2:                   Jonathan Chase 1683-1749
*  Child 3:                   James Chase 1685-1753
*  Child 1:                   Aquila Chase 1688-1713
*  Child 1:                   Ruth Chase 1691-1758
*  Child 6:                   Mary Chase 1694-1733
*  Child 7:                   Josiah Chase 1697-1723
*  Child 8:                   Rebecca Chase 1700-1769
*  Child 9:                   Nathan Chase 1702-1784
*  Child 10:                 Judith Chase 1704-1746

4)  NOTES (with source citations as indicated in brackets):    

Rebecca Follansbee was born about 1658, probably in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, the daughter of Thomas and Mary (--?--) Follansbee[1].  The Follansbee family moved to Newbury, Massachusetts during the 1660s.

Rebeca Follansbee married on 22 November 1677 to Thomas Chase (1654-1734) in Newbury[1-3].  They had ten children, all born and recorded in Newbury town records:

*  Thomas Chase (1680-1756), married 1699 Sarah Stevens (1679-1760).
*  Jonathan Chase (1683-1749), married 1702 Joanna Palmer (1680-1756).
*  James Chase (1685-1753), married 1707 Martha Rolfe (1687-1739).
*  Aquila Chase (1688-1713), married 1712 Mary Smith (1694-1785).
*  Ruth Chase (1691-1758), married 1716 Nathaniel Miller (1696-1763).
*  Mary Chase (1695-1734), married John Horton (1696-1796).
*  Josiah Chase (1697-1723), married 1718 Sarah Porter (1699-1728).
*  Rebecca Chase (1700-1769), married 1721 Stephen Moulton (1697-1786).
*  Nathan Chase (1702-1784), married 1723 Judeth Sawyer (1701-1740).
*  Judith Chase (1704-1747), married 1722 David Horton (1701-????).

Rebeckah Chase, wife of Thomas Chase Sr., died on 27 December 1711 in Newbury[1,4-5]. There is no known burial location for her. 

5.  SOURCES

1. John Carroll Chase and George Walter Chamberlain (compilers), Seven Generations of the Descendants of Aquila and Thomas Chase (Haverhill, Mass.: Record Publishing Company, 1918).

2. "Massachusetts, U.S., Town and Vital Records, 1620-1988," indexed database and digital images, Ancestry.com (https://www.ancestry.com), "Newbury Births, Marriages, Deaths," no page number (image 622 of 2384), Thomas Chase and Rebecca Follansbee marriage entry, 22 November 1677.

3. The Essex Institute, Vital Records of Newbury, Massachusetts, to the End of the Year 1849, 2 Volumes (Salem, Mass. : The Essex Institute, 1911), Volume 2, Page 179, Rebecca Follinsby and Thomas Chase marriage entry, 22 November 1677.

4. The Essex Institute, Vital Records of Newbury, Massachusetts, to the End of the Year 1849, 2 Volumes, Volume 2, page 562, Rebeckah Chase death entry, 22 December 1711.

5. "Massachusetts, U.S., Town Records, 1620-1988," digital images, Ancestry.com, "Newbury Births, Marriages, Deaths," page 115 (image 387 of 2384), Rebeckah Chase death entry, 27 December 1711.

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NOTE:  Amy Johnson Crow suggested a weekly blog theme of "52 Ancestors" in her blog post 
 52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks on the No Story Too Small blog in 2014.  I have extended this theme in 2022 to 468 Ancestors in 468 Weeks.


Copyright (c) 2022, Randall J. Seaver

Please comment on this post on the website by clicking the URL above and then the "Comments" link at the bottom of each post.  Share it on Twitter, Facebook, or Pinterest using the icons below.  Or contact me by email at randy.seaver@gmail.com.