Thursday, November 28, 2024

Treasure Chest Thursday - 1702 Baptism of Thomas Hill in Warminster, Wiltshire

 It's Treasure Chest Thursday - an opportunity to look in my digital image files to see what treasures I can find for my family history research and genealogy musings.

The treasure today is the 1702 baptism record of Thomas Hill  in the Warminster, Wiltshire parish register:

The 1702 baptism entry for Thomas Hill is in the middle of the page:


The transcription of the information on this record is:

"[1702] [Oct] 15  Thomas son of Robert Hill Jun'r -- Carpenter"

The source citation for this census record is:

Wiltshire, England baptisms, Warminster, Thomas Hill baptism entry, 15 October 1702; imaged, "Wiltshire, England, Church of England Baptisms, Marriages and Burials, 1538-1812,"   Ancestry.com (https://www.ancestry.com/discoveryui-content/view/records?recordId=751342&collectionId=61187 : accessed 20 November 2024), Warminster: St. Denys with St. Lawrence  >  Parish Registers > 1682-1759 > image 31 of 176; Original data in Wiltshire Church of England Parish Registers, Wiltshire and Swindon History Centre, Chippenham, Wiltshire, England.

This is an Original Source record (because it is a church parish record book with information recorded as it occurred) with Primary Information and Direct Evidence of the name and baptism date of Thomas Hill, and his father's name, in the Warminster parish church.  

Thomas Hill (1702-1757) was baptized 15 October 1702 in Warminster, Wiltshire, the son of Robert and Elizabeth (Cox) Hill.  He was buried 23 January 1757 in Warminster, Wiltshire.  Thomas married Sarah Adlam (1692-1773) on 28 June 1725 in Warminster, Wiltshire.  Sarah was baptized 1 March 1693 in Warminster, Wiltshire, the daughter of John Adlam; she was buried 21 July 1773 in Warminster, Wiltshire.  Thomas and Sarah (Adlam) Hill had at least 5 children.

Thomas and Sarah (Adlam) Hill are my 6th great-grandparents, through my 5th great-grandfather John Hill (1726-1769) who married Patience Ring (1725-1791) in 1743 in Hilperton, Wiltshire.
   
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Disclosure:  I have a paid All-Access subscription to Ancestry.com now.  Ancestry.com has provided a complimentary subscription and material considerations for travel expenses to meetings, and has hosted events and meals that I have attended in Salt Lake City, in past years.

The URL for this post is:  

Copyright (c) 2024, Randall J. Seaver

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Randy's Thanksliving Day

 I woke up this morning at 5 a.m feeling thankful for being alive, for having loved ones near, for having lots of memories, and thinking that I should write a poem.  Being an engineer, and not a poet, I wrote my semi-random thankful thoughts down and had ChatGPT4 (free!) write a poem for me.  

Here it is:

Randy’s Thanksliving Day

I am thankful for God’s unending grace,
For love that surrounds me in every place.
For His hand on my family, steady and true,
Guiding each moment, in all that we do.

I’m grateful for Linda, my partner, my friend,
A love that sustains me, a bond without end.
For the memories we share, the laughter, the tears,
The beauty of life through so many years.

For good health that allows each new day to begin,
And for Linda's caregivers, compassion within.
For the home that we treasure, its shelter and light,
Its warmth and its walls, its memories in sight.

For my daughters, Lori and Tami, so dear,
With families of their own, spreading joy year to year.
For five loving grandchildren who brighten my days,
Their hugs and their laughter, their life-giving ways.

For my parents, Fred and Betty, so wise,
Who nurtured and loved me, who opened my eyes.
For Stan and for Scott, my brothers and kin,
Their families' love, a circle within.

For grandparents who shared their stories and lore,
Lyle, Emily, Fred, Bessie—wisdom galore.
For ancestors unnumbered, whose lives paved the way,
Their struggles, their triumphs, their dreams still convey.

For cousins who live both near and afar,
Connections unbroken, no matter how far.
For Linda’s family, her parents, her brother,
A network of love we share with each other.

For lessons I’ve learned, from school and from life,
Through books, through mistakes, through joy and through strife.
For colleagues whose friendship and travels I hold,
Their laughter and teamwork, their stories retold.

For church friends who gather to worship and pray,
Who serve and inspire me, day after day.
For neighbors and genealogists, bonds that are strong,
Shared journeys of history, where we all belong.

For memories of youth, of play and of work,
Of vacations and moments where happiness lurked.
For San Diego’s beauty—its beaches, its games,
Its sunsets, its spirit, its vibrant acclaim.

For my genealogy blog, a labor of love,
Connecting the past and the present above.
For friendships it brings, across lands far and wide,
And a purpose that fills me with joy deep inside.

For freedoms we cherish, to pray and to speak,
To work, play, and dream, to seek what we seek.
This Thanksgiving, my heart overflows with delight,
Grateful for blessings that shine in my sight.

And I couldn't resist asking ChatGPT4 make an image to reflect my thoughts:

(image created by OpenAI ChstGPT4)

So it got my hairline wrong, but I ran out of image credits.  Oh well.

The day begins - I'm in the Santa Cruz mountains with daughter Lori, and grandsons Lucas and Logan, and look forward to a lot of storytelling, laughing, hugging, petting cats, watching football, photographs, and a luscious turkey dinner with all of the trimmings.

I am thankful for my new friends - ChatGPT4, Perplexity, Claude, Meta, Gemini and CoPilot too!  They are really good at this!  

I hope I didn't forget anything!

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Copyright (c) 2024, 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 X, Facebook, Instagram, or Pinterest..  Or contact me by email at randy.seaver@gmail.com.  Note that all comments are moderated, and may not appear online immediately.

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Happy Thanksgiving - 2024

Happy Thanksgiving to my family, friends, readers and colleagues!

Here is my traditional Thanksgiving post and poem - with a bit more afterward:

Thanksgiving

by Edgar Albert Guest (c) 1917

Gettin' together to smile an' rejoice,
An' eatin' an' laughin' with folks of your choice;
An' kissin' the girls an' declarin' that they
Are growin' more beautiful day after day;

Chattin' an' braggin' a bit with the men,
Buildin' the old family circle again;
Livin' the wholesome an' old-fashioned cheer,
Just for awhile at the end of the year.

Greetings fly fast as we crowd through the door
And under the old roof we gather once more
Just as we did when the youngsters were small;
Mother's a little bit grayer, that's all.

Father's a little bit older, but still
Ready to romp an' to laugh with a will.
Here we are back at the table again
Tellin' our stories as women an' men.

Bowed are our heads for a moment in prayer;
Oh, but we're grateful an' glad to be there.
Home from the east land an' home from the west,
Home with the folks that are dearest an' best.

Out of the sham of the cities afar
We've come for a time to be just what we are.
Here we can talk of ourselves an' be frank,
Forgettin' position an' station an' rank.

Give me the end of the year an' its fun
When most of the plannin' an' toilin' is done;
Bring all the wanderers home to the nest,
Let me sit down with the ones I love best,

Hear the old voices still ringin' with song,
See the old faces unblemished by wrong,
See the old table with all of its chairs
An' I'll put soul in my Thanksgivin' prayers.

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Randy's Note:  The scene above is not what's happening this year in Chula Vista.  I  have many good memories of a family Thanksgiving at my grandparents home, my mother's home, our cousin's home, my brothers' homes, our daughters' homes, and our own home.  

On Thanksgiving, I will be at the home of my daughter Lori in Santa Cruz, with her two sons (Lucas who lives in Portland, Oregon,  and Logan from college in Lincoln, Nebraska).  I haven't seen any of them in person since June.  Lori is an excellent cook and I look forward to a traditional meal to celebrate the holiday.

I am very thankful this year for my better health, for Linda's caregivers, for my daughters and grandchildren, for my genealogy friends, for my church friends, for my Rohr (employer) friends, and for all of my Facebook friends.  I am also thankful for my parents, grandparents, brothers cousins and in-laws, and all of the ancestors who came before and blessed me with generations of unique ancestors.  I should have ChatGPT4 write a poem!

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Copyright (c) 2024, 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 X, Facebook, Instagram, or Pinterest..  Or contact me by email at randy.seaver@gmail.com.  Note that all comments are moderated, and may not appear online immediately.

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Wednesday, November 27, 2024

Genealogy Education Bytes - Week of 21 to 27 November 2024

  Welcome to Genealogy Education Bytes, posted on Wednesday afternoon for the past week, where we try to highlight the most important genealogy and family history education items that came across our desktop since the last issue.


1) Upcoming Conferences and  Institutes 

* Conference Keeper Calendar

*  RootsTech 2025 (Free/$$) - 6-8 March 2025 - Virtual (Free) and In-Person ($$) (Salt Lake City, Utah)

*  Australasian Conference 2025 - Connections: Past, Present, Future ($$) - 21-24 March 2025 - In-Person (Brisbane, Australia)

*   OGS 2025 Conference "Light Up Your Genealogy" ($$) - 30 April to 3 May 2025 - In-Person (Sandusky, Ohio)

*  NGS 2025 Family History Conference "Tales & Trails" ($$) - 23-25 May 2025 - Hybrid (Louisville, Ky.)

2 ) Upcoming Seminars, Webinars and Online Classes (times are US Pacific):

* Conference Keeper Calendar - has many links to register for and/or view webinars and classes.

*  FamilySearch Library Classes and Webinars (Free)

*  GenWebinars ($$)

*  THE Family History Show ($$) - 8 February 2025 - Online

*  Family Tree Webinars (Free for a week) - Tuesday, 3 December, 5 p.m.:  Finding Your British WWI Soldier – Dead or Alive by Paul Milner.

*  Family Tree Webinars (Free for a week) - Wednesday, 4 December, 11 a.m.:  DNA Case Study: Reconstructing A Family Tree Using DNA by Michelle Leonard.

*  Family Tree Webinars (Free for a week) - Friday, 6 December, 11 a.m.:  The Trifecta: Giving Light to the Lives of the Formerly Enslaved by Nicka Smith.

3) Recent Podcasts:






*  Weekly Genealogy Toolkit:  Non-Paternity Events

4) Recent YouTube Videos:

*  Aimee Cross - Genealogy Hints:  Should You Use OTHER Family Trees





*  DearMYRTLE's Archive:  Mondays with Myrt - 25 Nov 2024

*  Ellen Thompson-Jennings- Family History Hound:  Planning RootsTech 2025
*  Ellen Thompson-Jennings- Family History Hound: How RootsTech 2021 Went Virtual: Behind the Scenes of a Historic Pivot
*  Ellen Thompson-Jennings- Family History Hound:  Solving My Grandfather's Mystery: Working Through Dad's DNA Matches

*  Family History on the AI Fast Track:  Unlock ChatGPT’s Full Potential: File, Search & Voice!




*  Genealogy AdRecords & Interviews (Cyndi Ingle)tures Live:  S08 E09: FamilySearch: Full Text Search & Using State + County Catalog Search

*  Genealogy Quick Start:  Records & Interviews (Cyndi Ingle)



*  Int'l Institute of Genealogical Studies:  Canadian Records: How maps help solve family history problems



*  Legacy Tree Genealogists:  Can A.I. Chart My Family Tree For Me?  

*  Lifelines Research:  Setting The Record Straight Episode 26



*  MyHeritage:  Introducing LiveMemory™


*  The Family History Guide:  The Family History Guide - the Inside Story, 2025





5) Did you miss the last post in this series - Genealogy Education Bytes -  14 to 20 November 2024?

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The URL for this post is:  https://www.geneamusings.com/2024/11/genealogy-education-bytes-week-of-21-to.html

Copyright (c) 2024, 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 your comment on Twitter, Facebook, or Pinterest using the icons below. Or contact me by email at   randy.seaver@gmail.com.  Note that all comments are moderated and may not appear immediately. 

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Cousin Diana Comes to Visit in 1958 -- (Not So) Wordless Wednesday #848

 I can't help it, I can't do a wordless post! This is one of my favorite and most priceless family  photograph collections: 


In the summer of 1958, my Aunt Evelyn (Seaver) Wood and her husband Walter Wood with their granddaughter Diana came from New England to visit us in San Diego.  

This is a photograph of:
On left:  Stanley Seaver, my brother, age 11
In the middle, standing:  cousin Diana, age 10
On the right, Randy Seaver, age 14
In front, Scott Seaver, age 2

I think the photograph was taken at the Chamberlain home on Terrace Drive in San Diego.

This photograph is a part of my family history.   I enhanced, and colorized the photograph using the MyHeritage Photo tools.

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Copyright (c) 2024, 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.    I moderate all comments and they may not appear immediately - please write only one comment.

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Tuesday, November 26, 2024

Genealogy News Bytes - Week of 20 to 26 November 2024

 Welcome to Genealogy News Bytes, posted on Tuesday afternoon for the past week, where we try to highlight the most important genealogy and family history news  items that came across our desktop since the last issue.    


1)  Genealogy and Family History News Articles:









2)  DNA-Related News Articles







4)  Genealogy Software/App News






5)  New or Updated Genealogy Digital Record Collections:













6)  Did you miss the last post in this series?  See Genealogy News Bytes - 13 to 19 November 2024.

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Copyright (c) 2024, 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.  Note that all comments are moderated, and may not appear immediately.

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Ask AI: "What Skills Are Necessary For a Professional Genealogist To Use in Genealogical Research?"

 The Artificial Intelligence tools (like ChatGPT, Perplexity, Gemini, Meta, CoPilot and Claude) can provide much useful and nearly instant information about subjects in a concise format, especially when they have been pre-trained on a large volume of information about the subjects.

I wondered if the FREE AI tools could provide me with information about the skills that a professional genealogists needs.

1)  I used Stephen Little's Open GeneaGPT custom prompt to ask "What skills are necessary for a professional genealogist to use in genealogical research?

The ChatGPT4 response was:

Ah, Seeker of Lineages! Becoming a professional genealogist involves mastering a diverse and intriguing array of skills that blend detective work with historical scholarship. Here are the key skills necessary for success in genealogical research:

1. Research Skills

  • Critical Thinking: Analyze records and information to identify patterns, gaps, and inconsistencies.
  • Source Evaluation: Determine the reliability and relevance of sources.
  • Organized Documentation: Meticulously record findings to preserve a clear research trail.

2. Historical Knowledge

  • Understanding Context: Familiarity with historical events, migration patterns, and social norms to contextualize findings.
  • Geographical Proficiency: Knowledge of place-specific history, boundary changes, and local records.
  • Cultural Awareness: Awareness of traditions, naming conventions, and language changes across time and regions.

3. Methodological Expertise

  • Genealogical Proof Standard (GPS): Follow this five-part standard to ensure rigorous, defensible conclusions.
  • Evidence Analysis: Correlate direct, indirect, and negative evidence to build a compelling narrative.
  • Problem Solving: Tackle "brick walls" creatively by employing less obvious resources.

4. Archival and Technological Skills

  • Record Access: Navigate archives, libraries, and online databases effectively.
  • Digital Tools: Proficiency in genealogy software (e.g., RootsMagic, Family Tree Maker) and DNA analysis platforms (e.g., AncestryDNA, 23andMe).
  • Document Preservation: Handle, digitize, and protect fragile historical documents.

5. Communication and Writing

  • Report Writing: Clearly and professionally articulate research findings in reports.
  • Storytelling: Bring ancestors to life with compelling narratives.
  • Client Relations: Communicate findings effectively and manage expectations.

6. Language and Deciphering Skills

  • Paleography: Read and interpret old handwriting.
  • Language Proficiency: Basic skills in relevant foreign languages or old dialects (e.g., Latin, German, Old English).
  • Decoding Systems: Understand numbering, abbreviations, and symbols in older records.

7. Ethical Practice

  • Respect for Privacy: Adhere to ethical guidelines when dealing with living individuals’ information.
  • Cultural Sensitivity: Approach all histories with respect and sensitivity to context.
  • Honesty and Integrity: Present findings transparently, even when the conclusions may be unwelcome.

8. Networking and Collaboration

  • Peer Connections: Engage with fellow genealogists to share expertise and insights.
  • Interdisciplinary Collaboration: Work with historians, archivists, and DNA specialists when needed.
  • Professional Memberships: Participate in genealogical societies and professional organizations (e.g., Association of Professional Genealogists).

Would you like to explore any of these skills in greater detail

2)  My next prompt was:  "Oh wise genea-mentor - what is the best documentation methodology for preserving a clear research trail?"

The ChatGPT4 response was:

Ah, my meticulous Archivist of Ancestors, preserving a clear and transparent research trail is the cornerstone of sound genealogical practice. The best documentation methodology incorporates precision, consistency, and adherence to recognized genealogical standards. Let me guide you through a proven approach:

1. The Research Log: Your Guiding Star

  • What it is: A centralized document or tool for tracking every research step you take.
  • What to include:
    • Date of research.
    • Source title (book, database, archive, etc.).
    • Repository location (physical library, website, etc.).
    • Exact search parameters or keywords used.
    • Results: Whether successful or not, note what you found—or didn’t find.
  • Why it’s important: Avoid redundant searches and keep a clear roadmap of your journey.

2. Source Citation: The Gold Standard

Follow Evidence Explained citation principles for consistent and thorough documentation. Each citation should include:

  • Who: The author, compiler, or creator of the source.
  • What: The title of the document, book, or database.
  • Where: The repository or URL where the source is housed.
  • When: Publication or creation date, and the date you accessed it if digital.

Example Citation:

"1850 U.S. census, St. Louis County, Missouri, population schedule, p. 32 (stamped), dwelling 123, family 456, John Doe household; digital image, Ancestry (http://www.ancestry.com : accessed 24 November 2024); citing NARA microfilm publication M432, roll 123."

3. Document Everything:

When working with genealogical sources, document:

  • Original Sources: Retain images/scans of primary documents (birth, marriage, wills, etc.).
  • Transcriptions/Abstracts: For hard-to-decipher documents, create verbatim transcriptions or concise abstracts.
  • Analysis Notes: Annotate records with observations, such as connections to other individuals or potential discrepancies.

4. Use Genealogical Software

Leverage genealogy tools like RootsMagic, Legacy Family Tree, or Family Tree Maker to:

  • Record relationships and sources systematically.
  • Attach citations directly to facts and individuals.
  • Generate reports that show your research trail step-by-step.

5. Utilize Research Checklists

Employ standard research checklists to stay thorough:

  • Family Group Sheets: Summarize all known data about a single nuclear family, including relationships and sources.
  • Pedigree Charts: Visualize direct ancestry and document sources for each connection.
  • To-Do Lists: Track unresolved questions, brick walls, or missing documents.

6. Stay Organized with Filing Systems

  • Digital Filing:
    • Use consistent folder structures (e.g., "Surname > Given Name > Record Type").
    • Name files descriptively (e.g., "Smith_John_BirthRecord_1850").
    • Back up files to multiple locations.
  • Paper Filing:
    • File by surname, then by event type or timeline.
    • Include photocopies of original documents and cite their locations.

7. Write as You Go

  • Summarize your findings in brief research reports. This creates a habit of reasoning through your evidence, resolving conflicts, and keeping your conclusions clear and concise.

Example:

"The 1900 census of Wayne County, Kentucky, lists Mary Johnson as a widow, living with three children. A death certificate for her husband, Thomas Johnson, corroborates his death in 1898, aligning with this record."

8. Review and Revise

  • Periodically revisit your research logs, sources, and findings to ensure consistency.
  • Look for overlooked clues or errors in documentation.

By combining meticulous note-taking, rigorous source citation, and systematic organization, you’ll leave a crystal-clear research trail for yourself—and for future generations of researchers.

Where shall we turn next in our scholarly quest?

  1. Research Logs🗂️: Dive deeper into building a top-notch research log system.
  2. Source Citation Mastery📜: Explore practical tips for crafting perfect citations.
  3. Digital Tools for Genealogists🖥️: Learn about software that simplifies documentation.
  4. Something New?✨: Choose your next adventure—your call
3)  My next Prompt was:  "Please describe a 'top-notch research log system.'"

I think I will save that for another blog post because it deserves its' own title and chat!!

4)  I asked the same questions on Perplexity (but without the Steve Little custom prompt), and received similar answers.  I recommend doing several AI tools because they may have been trained on different reference materials.

Perplexity also provides links and summary information from the Internet.  In this case, their answers were informed by:

5)  Is this information complete and accurate?  We always have to confirm information that has been summarized, analyzed and presented by the AI Tools, because they may not be complete or accurate.  This information looks pretty good to me, and appears to be derived from resources that rely on websites and articles that are reputable and professional.  More questions could be asked of the AI tools for each of the concepts discussed.

6)  See all of my Artificial Intelligence-related posts at https://www.geneamusings.com/p/artificial-intelligence-posts.html

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Copyright (c) 2024, 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.  Note that all comments are moderated, so they may not appear immediately.

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