Thursday, October 19, 2023

Findmypast Friday: Unlock stories with newspapers and Irish records

  I received this information from Findmypast today:

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Unlock stories with newspapers and Irish records this Findmypast Friday 

Newspapers 


Did your ancestors make the news? One new title, updates to a further three, and 106,898 new pages make up this week’s newspaper release. Plus, our newspaper search has had a makeover, with some handy new tools to try. It's now even easier to add richness to your family stories. 


New titles: 

  • Commercial Daily List (London), 1869-1870

Updated titles: 

  • Belfast News-Letter, 1977-1978, 1988-1989 
  • Derry Journal, 1990, 1992
  • Lurgan Mail, 1897-1914, 1916-1925, 1927-1984

Ireland, Dublin Church of Ireland Baptisms 

 There are 23,914 images and transcriptions to explore in this brand-new collection, spanning 1619 to 1865. You can typically expect to find a name, baptism place and date, parents’ names and father’s address. 

Ireland, Dublin Church of Ireland Marriages 


Also new, there are 23,101 marriages to delve into, covering 1619 to 1800. You’ll normally find both spouses’ names, occupations, the marriage date, place and the groom’s residence. 


Ireland, Dublin Church of Ireland Burials 


Lastly, there are 44,175 burial records in this new collection. They cover the years 1618 to 1800, and you may uncover an ancestor’s name burial date and residence.


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Disclosure: I have a complimentary subscription to Findmypast, and have accepted meals and services from Findmypast, as a Findmypast Ambassador. This has not affected my objectivity relative to Findmypast and its products.

The URL for this post is:  https://www.geneamusings.com/2023/10/findmypast-friday-unlock-stories-with.html


Copyright (c) 2023, Randall J. Seaver

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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.

Treasure Chest Thursday - 1868 Gravestone of Aggie Smith on Find A Grave

 I looked in my digital image files to see what treasures I can find for my family history and genealogy musings for Treasure Chest Thursday.

The treasure today is the 1868 gravestone of Aggie Smith (1868-1870) from Find A Grave:



The transcription of this gravestone is:

"AGGIE
Dau. of 
D.J. & A.A. SMITH
DIED
Apr. 25, 1870
AGED
 2 yrs 2 months

The source citation for this  death record is:

Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/55813425/agnes-bell-smith: accessed 18 October 2023), memorial page for Agnes Bell “Aggie” Smith (25 Feb 1868–25 Apr 1870), Find a Grave Memorial ID 55813425, citing Bedford Cemetery, Bedford, Taylor County, Iowa, USA; Maintained by Julia Johnson (contributor 47176433).

Agnes Bell "Aggie" Smith (1868-1870) was the daughter of my 2nd great-grandparents, Devier J. and Abbie A. (Vaux) Smith.  She was born 25 February 1868 in Bedford, Iowa, and died 25 April 1870 in Bedford, Iowa.  She was the 4th child of Devier and Abbie, and the first of two who died as a small child.  I can't imagine the devastation that they experienced.  Agnes Bell Smith is my great-grandaunt. 

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Copyright (c) 2023, Randall J. Seaver

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Wednesday, October 18, 2023

Genealogy Education Bytes - Week of 12 to 18 October 2023

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, Institutes and Seminars

* Conference Keeper Calendar







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

* Conference Keeper Calendar

* Legacy Family Tree Webinar Series

*  FamilySearch Library Classes and Webinars for October 2023

*   Family Tree Webinars - Wednesday, 18 October, 11 a.m.: The Gentlemen Judges: Justices of the Peace by Judy G. Russell.

*    Family Tree Webinars - Friday, 20 October, 8:30 a.m.:  Deconstructing Family Stories: Are They Fact, Fiction, or a Little of Both (a 2023 Reisinger Lecture) by Barbara Vines Little.

*    Family Tree Webinars - Friday, 20 October, 9:45 a.m.:  Lineage of Land: Tracing Property Without Recorded Deeds (a 2023 Reisinger Lecture) by Shannon Green.

*    Family Tree Webinars - Friday, 20 October, 11 a.m.:  The Many Wives of Howard William Lowe: Working with Social History to Glean Genealogical Insights (a 2023 Reisinger Lecture) by Gary Ball-Kilbourne.

*    Family Tree Webinars - Friday, 20 October, 1:45 p.m.:  Assumptions: Problem-Solving Friend or Foe? (a 2023 Reisinger Lecture) by Jennifer Zinck.


*   Family Tree Webinars - Tuesday, 24 October, 11 a.m.:  Are You Missing Important Family History Clues in Your Old Family Photographs? by Lisa Lisson.

*   Family Tree Webinars - Wednesday, 18 October, 11 a.m.:   “She Came From Nowhere…” – A Case Study Approach to a Difficult Genealogical Problem by Michael D. Lacopo.

3) Recent Podcasts/Radio Shows:





4) Recent YouTube Videos:

*  Aimee Cross - Genealogy Hints:  Where You Can Find Billions of Graves




*  Legacy Family Genealogists:  Why and How You Should Get An Updated DNA Test



5) Did you miss the last post in this series - Genealogy Education Bytes -  5 to 11 October 2023?

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The URL for this post is:  
https://www.geneamusings.com/2023/10/genealogy-education-bytes-week-of-12-to.html

Copyright (c) 2023, Randall J. Seaver

Note that all comments are moderated and may not appear immediately. 

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.

Our 50th Wedding Anniversary 3.5 Years Late -- Post 790 of (Not So) Wordless Wednesday

 I can't help it, I can't do a wordless post! This is one of my favorite photographs:  

Linda and I celebrated our 50th wedding anniversary (53.5 years after our wedding in March 1970 - we had to cancel it in 2020 due to COVID) last Saturday, and my upcoming 80th birthday and Linda's upcoming 81st birthday, at our church with about 70 friends and family in attendance.  

My brother Stan and his wife Holly came and sat at our table (we have not seen them for ten years).  We transported Linda in her wheelchair to and from the church with a transport service which was early and efficient and friendly.  She had not seen most of the attendees since June 2021 because of her fall, broken hip, and residence in the skilled nursing/memory care facility.  Many attendees came and talked to Linda before and after the entertainment.

The entertainment was an Elvis impersonator from Los Angeles who performed for about 90 minutes, arranged by Lori last year.  Most of the attendees were in their 70s and 80s so it was "our music" from the 50s and 60s.  Elvis personalized his songs and commentary for Linda and me - with old favorites.    

Daughter Tami got the Hawaii-theme decorations and anniversary paraphernalia (napkins, plates, plasticware, leis, hats, etc.) in March 2020 before COVID so we used them for this event (they've been in my garage for a long time!).  Daughter Lori planned and prepared the food the past two days, and we brought some of it home - it should last me for weeks if not months.  The grandkids helped transport, set up, and tear down the decorations and food, and did the guest book and name tags, and looked pretty and cute.

We managed to get my 200 slide Zoom presentation about our married life on the church computer and screen with much help from the pastor who went above and beyond the call of duty to make it work.  

It was a really fun day - excellent food, entertainment and love all around. 

This photograph is all part of our family history.  

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Copyright (c) 2023, Randall J. Seaver

I moderate all comments and they may not appear immediately - please write only one comment.

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.   

Tuesday, October 17, 2023

Genealogy News Bytes - Week of 11 to 17 October 2023

 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)  News Articles:






2)  DNA Research Stories


3)  Book Notices and Reviews:

*  

4)  New or Updated Record Collections:







5)  Did you miss the last post in this series - see Genealogy News Bytes - Week of 4 to 10 October 2023.

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Copyright (c) 2023, Randall J. Seaver

Note that all comments are moderated, and may not appear immediately.

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.

Seavers in the News -- Clarence J. Seaver (1891-1976) Dies in Roseville, Michigan in 1976

 Here is this week's edition of "Seavers in the News" - a weekly feature from the historical newspapers about persons with the surname Seaver that are interesting, useful, mysterious, fun, macabre, or add information to my family tree database.

This week's entry is from The Times Herald [Port Huron, Mich.] newspaper dated 1 July 1976, page 28:

The transcription of the article is:

"Clarence J. Seaver

"PORT HURON -- Clarence J. Seaver, 85, of 2220 Brandywine Lane, died Tuesday in Rose Villa Nursing Center, Roseville.

"He was born Feb 23, 1891 in Port Huron.  He was a former resident of Franklin Hills and had resided in Port Huron for the past 15 years.

"  He was a retired vice president and general manager of the Novi Equipment Company, retiring in 1960.

"He married Cornelia West July 30, 1960 in Port Huron.

"He is survived by his wife, three daughters, Mrs. Raymond F. Adams, Barbara Seaver, Southfield; and Mrs. Tom Roseberry, Grand Rapids; two stepsons, Wilbur W. West and Alfred E. West, Jr., both of Port Huron, eight grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.

"Funeral services will be Friday at 11 a.m. in the Arthur Smith Funeral Home -- North Chapel.  The Rev. Canon D.R. Lees of Grace Episcopal Church will officiate.

"Burial will be in Lakeside Chapel.

"Visiting hours are 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. today."

The source citation is:

"Clarence J. Seaver," The Times Herald [Huron City, Mich.] newspaper, Thursday, 1 July 1976, page 28, column 4, Clarence J. Seaver obituary,   Newspapers.com   (https://www.newspapers.com : accessed 16 October 2023).

This obituary provides the name, residence, age, birth date, birthplace, occupation and employer, funeral and burial information, and spouse's name and children names and locations.  It does not provide  parents names, education, associations or cause of death.

Clarence John Seaver (1891-1976) was born on 23 February 1891 in Port Huron, Michigan,the son of Arnon David and Anna C. (McCall) Seaver.  He died 29 June 1976 in Roseville, Michigan.  He married (1) Mary Jane Crane (1890-1959) on 15 March 1919 in Port Huron.  They had three children:

*  Mary Stewart Seaver (1919-1991), married 1942 Raymond Adams (1918-????).
*  Barbara McCall Seaver (1921-2010).
*  Dorothy Ann "DeeDee" Seaver (1930-2015), married 1953 Thomas Roseberry (1927-2014).

He married (2) Cornelia (Davidson) West (1890-1979) on 31 July 1968 in Port Huron.  They had no children together.

I am not a Seaver cousin to Clarence John Seaver.  He is descended from Arnon C. Seaver (1800-1845) who was born in England and settled in Ontario.

There are over 10,000 Seaver "stories" in my family tree - and this is one of them.   Life happens, accidentally and intentionally, and sometimes a person has an obituary that provides a fairly complete life summary.  I am glad that I can honor Clarence John Seaver today.  

You never know when a descendant or relative will find this blog post and learn something about their ancestors or relatives, or will provide more information about them to me.

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Disclosure:  I have a complimentary subscription to Newspapers.com and have used it extensively to find articles about my ancestral and one-name families.


Copyright (c) 2023, Randall J. Seaver

Please note that all comments are moderated, and may not appear immediately.

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.

Monday, October 16, 2023

Genealogy Pot-Pourri - Week Ending 15 October 2023

 Here are the highlights of my family history and genealogy related activities over the past week.  

1)  Hosted and moderated the Chula Vista Genealogical Society (CVGS) Research Group Meeting on Wednesday on Zoom with 20 in attendance.  I reported on the the new Nathan Dylan Goodwin book, the MyHeritage DNA upload offer, and the upcoming RootsTech 2024 conference, plus reviewing Find A Grave.  

2)  We had a party to celebrate our 53.5 year wedding anniversary, my 80th birthday and Linda's 81st birthday on Saturday at our church with 70 of our family, church, genealogy and longtime friends.  There was an Elvis impersonator who performed for 90 minutes.  We transported Linda to the party.  I posted all of my photos and several videos on my Facebook page.  

3)  Created a 203 slide show of our married life together - heavy with family photos and travel photos.  I did it in LibreOffice on my desktop computer, but could not get it to work on my laptop.  So I made a Zoom video out of it without narration, and we showed it during the anniversary/birthday party on the projection screen at the church.  

4)  Wrote a genealogical sketch for 7th great-grandmother #957 Elizabeth (Hunt) (Vail) (Gach) Griffith (1657-1747) of Westchester, New York and Woodbridge, New Jersey for the 52 Ancestors theme.  This is number 500 in this series.

5)  Transcribed the 1894 will of Harriet P. (Fargo) Seaver (1932-1905) of Huntington, Connecticut for the Amanuensis Monday theme.  

6)  AncestryDNA now has 44,150 DNA matches (up 29 from 8 October) for me today, with one new ThruLines (but it was wrong).   I added  Notes to 1 match, and the DNA Match line for no ThruLines to RootsMagic.  MyHeritageDNA now has 11,836 DNA matches (up 70 from 8 October) for me, with no new Theories.  Reviewed the new DNA matches on AncestryDNA, MyHeritageDNA, FamilyTreeDNA and 23andMe.  

7)  Occasionally matched RootsMagic 9 profiles to FamilySearch Family Tree.  I have matched 49,944 of my RootsMagic persons with FamilySearch Family Tree profiles (up 4).  

8) Used Web Hints and Record Matches from Ancestry, MyHeritage, Findmypast and FamilySearch to add content and source citations to my RootsMagic profiles. I now have 71,537 persons in my RootsMagic family tree (up 4), and 146,244  source citations (up 1).  Resolved 157 Ancestry Hints. TreeShared 83 new and updated profiles with my Ancestry tree.  My Ancestry Member Tree has Ancestry Record Hints with 179,387 to be resolved, but I work on them several times a week.  

9) Wrote 14 Genea-Musings blog posts last week (Sunday through Saturday), of which two were a press release. The most viewed post last week was 
Added and Updated Ancestry.com Record Collections - Week of 7 to 13 October 2023 with over 122 views.  Genea-Musings had about 11,600 page views last week.  

10)  Real life:  This is week 188 since COVID restrictions started.   I stayed home except for visiting Linda almost every day at the skilled nursing/memory care facility. Walked almost every day on the block and talked to several neighbors.  Lori and her boys came for the anniversary/birthday party on Saturday.  Lori prepared all of the food.  Tami and her family came on Saturday to the party.  Still reading James Patterson's The President's Daughter.  My Aztecs won last week, and the Chargers play tonight.  Watched some college football on Saturday and NFL football on Sunday.  

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The URL for this post is:  https://www.geneamusings.com/2023/10/genealogy-pot-pourri-week-ending-15.html

Copyright (c) 2023, Randall J. Seaver

Please note that all comments are moderated and may not appear immediately. 

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.

Amanuensis Monday -- 1894 Will of Harriet P. Seaver (1832-1905) of Huntington, Connecticut

  This week's document for transcription is the 1894 will of Harriet P. Seaver, in the Wyoming  County, New York Surrogate Court records.

*  Wyoming County, New York Surrogates Court Records, Wills Vol. 005-006, Volume 6, Page 271, image 547 of 605:

*  Wyoming County, New York Surrogates Court Records, Wills Vol. 005-006, Volume 6, Page 272-3, image 548 of 605:

The transcription of this two page document is:

Know all men by these Presents,
That I, Harriet P. Seaver of the Town of Huntington,
State of Connecticut, being of sound and disposing mind and mem-
ory, do ordain publish and declare this my Last Will and Tes-
tament in manner and for as follows:

First, I direct that my just debts and funeral expenses
be paid and discharged by my Executrix hereinafter named.

Second, I give and bequeath the sum of One Hundred & Twenty
($120) dollars per annum for ten years after my decease to Rev. John J.
Stealy of the Town of Leslie, State of Michigan to be paid to him in
semi annual payment and it is my earnest wish that the said funds
shall be used for his advancement in preaching the cause of Christ
and building up his holy church.
    Should he pass away within five years, the semi-annual payment
will cease and I give and bequeath to his wife, Amelia Stealy the
sum of Five Hundred Dollars, To be hers and her heirs forever.

Third, I give and bequeath to my sister Mrs. Adaline S.P. Choate
the sum of Fifty Dollars per annum to be paid annually
during her natural life.

Fourth, I give and bequeath to my brother Myron Fargo of Dale,
N.Y. the sum of Fifty Dollars per annum to be paid annually
during his natural life.

Fifth, I give and bequeath to my nieces, Florence Fargo and Florina
Fargo of Warsaw, N.Y. each the sum of Five Hundred Dollars, to be
paid to their heirs forever.

Sixth, I give, devise and bequeath to my daughter Fannie Seaver
Smith, all the residue and remainder of my estate, be the same real
or personal or of whatever nature I may die possessed of to be hers and
here heirs forever.

Seventh, I hereby constitute and appoint my said daughter Mrs.
Fannie S. Smith Executrix of this my Last Will and Testament -
without bonds, hereby revoking any former wills by me made.

In Witness Whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this 13'th
day of December A.D. 1894.
                                                                Harriet P. Seaver  (L.S.)
Signed sealed & declared in presence of us by the said Testator, to be her Last
Will and Testament, who in the presence and at her request, and in the presence
of each other, have subscribed our names as witnesses.
                                      Benjamin F. Leach  }
                                      Aaron R. Smith       }  Witnesses
                                      J. Tumlinson           }

The source citation for this will is:

New York Surrogates Court, Probate files, Wyoming County > "Wills, Vol. 0005-0006, 1864-1918," Volume 6, pages 271-272 (images 547-548 of 605), Harriet P. Seaver will, written 13 December 1894, proved 24 June 1910; "New York, U.S., Wills and Probates, 1659-1999," digital images,   Ancestry.com   (https://www.ancestry.com : accessed 8 October 2023); Original data is from New York County, District and Probate Courts filmed by FamilySearch.

Harriet P. Fargo (1832-1905) was born 7 July 1832 in Warsaw, Wyoming County, New York.  She died 17 July 1905 in Shelton, Fairfield County, Connecticut.  She married Charles Little Seaver (1828-1893) before 1853, probably in Wyoming County, New York.  They had three children:

*  Fannie Harriet Seaver (1853-1915), married 1878 Aaron Rowland Smith (1852-1928).
*  Charles L. Seaver (1862-1866).
*  Robert Seaver (1866-1866).

Only one child survived Harriet's death in 1905.  She names a sister, a brother, two nieces and Rev. John Stealy as her heirs. The will was probably written in 1894 because Harriet's husband had just passed away and left her a bequest.  

The pages above are a Probate Court clerk's copy, transcribed to the court record book and therefore a Derivative Source (although there was testimony that the original will filed in the court was transcribed carefully and exactly),  It is Primary Information and Direct Evidence of the relationships, dates and places noted therein.

The will was written in Huntington, Fairfield County, Connecticut, and was filed in the Huntington District Probate Court on 10 August 1905.  The available information does not provide an inventory o an account.  The estate file was closed on 30 August 1909 in Huntington District, and filed in the Wyoming County Surrogate's Court on 24 June 1910.  It was probably filed in Wyoming County, New York because some of the property was located there, as were the two nieces and a brother.

I am a third cousin five times removed to Charles Little Seaver (1828-1893), with the common Seaver ancestor being 7th great-grandfather Joseph Seaver (1672-1754).

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NOTE: Genea-blogger John Newmark (who writes the excellent TransylvanianDutch blog) started a Monday blog theme years ago called "Amanuensis Monday." John offers this definition for "amanuensis:"

"A person employed to write what another dictates or to copy what has been written by another."

Read other transcriptions of records of my ancestors at Amanuensis Monday Posts.

Copyright (c) 2023, Randall J. Seaver

Note that all comments are moderated, and may not appear online immediately.  

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 comments on Twitter, Facebook, or Pinterest using the icons below. Or contact me by email at randy.seaver@gmail.com.

Sunday, October 15, 2023

Best of the Genea-Blogs - Week of 8 to 14 October 2023

 Scores of genealogy and family history bloggers write hundreds of posts every week about their research, their families, and their interests. I appreciate each one of them and their efforts.

My criteria for "Best of ..." are pretty simple - I pick posts that advance knowledge about genealogy and family history, address current genealogy issues, provide personal family history, are funny or are poignant. I don't list posts destined for daily blog prompts or meme submissions (but I do include summaries of them), or my own posts.

Here are my picks for great reads from the genealogy blogs for this past week: 

*  Back to the Basics with Immigration Records: Part 2 – Colonial Era by Diana Elder on Family Locket.

*  The National Library of Ireland by Donna Moughty on Irish Family Roots.

*  Genealogy Jamboree 2023: A Genealogical Learning Packed Weekend! by Diane Henriks on Know Who Wears the Genes In Your Family.

* Reclaim the Records: A Million New Records from Missouri by James Tanner on Genealogy's Star.

*  Family Statistics From MyHeritage Offers a Unique Way to Improve Your Tree by Pat Hartley on Family History Daily.

*  Free Italian Military Records for WWI and WWII by DiAnn Iamarino Ohana on Fortify Your Family Tree.

*  Do You Have Old Messages on FamilySearch.org? by Roxanne Lowe on Washington State Genealogical Society Blog.

* New Discover Tool – Compare Haplogroups & More at FamilyTreeDNA by Roberta Estes on DNAeXplained - Genetic Genealogy.

*  Finding Your Roots returns to PBS! Catch Season 10 starting January 2024! by Thomas MacEntee on Genealogy Bargain$.

*  Best Practices to Resolve Name and Date Conflicts in Genealogy Research by Denys Allen on PA Ancestors.

*  Blizzard! The Weather and Our Ancestors by Gena Philibert-Ortega on Legacy News.

Here are pick posts by other geneabloggers this week:

*  Friday's Family History Finds by Linda Stufflebean on Empty Branches on the Family Tree.

*  Friday Fossicking 13th Oct 2023 by Crissoulli on That Moment In Time.

*  This Week's Creme de la  Creme - October 14, 2023 by Gail Dever on Genealogy a la Carte.

Readers are encouraged to go to the blogs listed above and  read their articles, and add the blogs to your Favorites, Feedly, another RSS feed, or email if you like what you read. Please make a comment to them also - all bloggers appreciate feedback on what they write.

Did I miss a great genealogy blog post? Tell me! I currently am reading posts from over 900 genealogy bloggers using Feedly, but I still miss quite a few it seems.

Read past Best of the Genea-Blogs posts here.

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The URL for this post is:  https://www.geneamusings.com/2023/10/best-of-genea-blogs-week-of-8-to-14.html

Copyright (c) 2023, Randall J. Seaver

Please note that all comments are moderated and may not appear immediately. 

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.