Free Database Record Collection Hits 600!!!

SIX HUNDRED!!!

The online collection of historic records at FamilySearch has just hit the 600 mark! Amazing! I found a very insightful and informative article about this by Leland Meitzler on his Genealogy Blog! To see all of the collections available, go to FamilySearch.org.

If you would like to help with the indexing, become a volunteer. This would be a great way to "give back!" Check out the details at indexing.familysearch.org. Who knows, you just may end up indexing some of your relatives!

Devin Ashby presents "The Google Genealogist"

The UGA has a virtual chapter meeting every third Thursday of the month. Through May, the meetings are free for members AND nonmembers of UGA. The wonderful thing about these meetings is that they have both audio and video and can be accessed from anywhere with Internet access. The information below and the banner above is from the Utah Genealogical Association blog.

Devin Ashby presents "The Google Genealogist"

April's Virtual Chapter Meeting!!

Date: April 21.7:00pm MDT (Your time zone)

Address to access the chapter meeting:http://ugagenealogy.na5.acrobat.com/vc_april_2011

Title of Presentation: The Google Genealogist

Synopsis: What are the latest tools from Google and how can I use them in my research? Come learn about products like Picasa, Alerts, Sites, Books, Video, Maps and much more that can help you save time and money as you utilize the Internet to help you get the job done.

Bio: Devin Ashby is a Project Coordinator for FamilySearch, the largest genealogical organization in the world. Devin has been involved in family history for years. In 2004 he received Bachelor degrees in History and Spanish, and the following year earned a Masters Degree in Educational Leadership from Northern Arizona University.

Genabloggers Radio Tonight!

Are you related to this man? You might be!!

Robert E. Lee

This week our country celebrated the 150th anniversary of the Civil War! Maybe it's time to find out if you have Civil War ancestors!

Tonight on Geneabloggers Radio the topic will be "Family History and the American Civil War." The program starts at 10pm EDT, 9pm CDT, 8pm MDT (That's us in Utah folks!), and 7pm PDT. The guests tonight will include Michael J. Varhola, author of Life in Civil War America; photograph expert Maureen Taylor, author of Finding the Civil War in Your Family Album; and genealogist and blogger Angela Walton-Raji of The USCT Chronicle who will discuss the United States Colored Troops.

Thanks again to Thomas MacEntee for his post about this program!

Who Has Time for Genealogy in Today's World?

Who has time for genealogy?
I'll work on that when I'm...(name the age!).
I have more important and pressing things to do!
I think it's boring.
My family doesn't care who they are.
Why waste my time when Aunt Sally knows everything there is to know about our family.
Why bother?

I have heard a variation of these comments for many years now. I realize that I am a genealogy nerd, but with genealogy approaching the #1 hobby of people in the world, I can see that I'm no longer alone. People have many reasons that they want to know about their families. Do you look like any of your ancestors? Whose hands do you have? Can you see some of the same mannerisms coming through the generations?

Personally, I think that everyone has time to work on genealogy. I know I am very biased, but we find time to do what we want to do! The one thing that I do want to point out is that:

GENEALOGY ISN'T JUST PEDIGREE CHARTS AND FAMILY GROUP RECORDS!

Genealogy is stories...
Genealogy is pictures...
Genealogy is scrapbooks...
Genealogy is letters...
Genealogy is videos...
Genealogy is family vacations...
Genealogy is togetherness...
Genealogy is sharing...
Genealogy is traditions...
Genealogy is research...
Genealogy is discovery...
Genealogy is connections...
Genealogy is journals...
Genealogy is a labor of love...
Genealogy is...never ending!

This is what genealogy is all about!!!

FAMILY!

 
I think that we can work on some piece of genealogy during all seasons of our lives. It may not be extensive researching while we have little kids at our feet. It may be that at that season of life, you can keep track of birth certificates, baby blessings, pictures, and maybe jot a few observations in a journal. That is genealogy!!!

When you are older and the kids are in school, you'll keep those school pictures, report cards, and the zillion papers that they bring home. That is genealogy!!!

When the kids hit high school, now may be the time you write to them about your own experiences in high school. Kids have a hard time believing that you were once their age. Show them that you were. Talk to them about your struggles. Let them know that they aren't alone! That is genealogy!!!

When the kids leave for college, LDS missions, and marriages, the dynamics change a little, but you can still keep track of their lives through letters (emails), notes from phone calls, pictures, and even family vacations. That is genealogy!!!

Grandkids will capture your heart! Start traditions with them. Let them know that you are on their side. That is genealogy!!!

When we are older and not so agile, maybe recording your personal history is what you will work on. Again, that is genealogy!!!

So, my point today is that genealogy is alive and well in much of what we do! We just need to be a little more conscious of it! If you need a little inspiration, Google family history project ideas! You will be amazed at what you find!

Kip Sperry's List of Family History Internet Sites

This original post is from Dick Eastman!

Kip Sperry is a well-known professional genealogist, author, and lecturer. He has created a list of his favorite genealogy sites. This is NOT a list of all the genealogy sites on the web, but rather a list of his favorite sites, the ones he refers to often. You might find some good resources here that are new to you.

Kip Sperry's List of Family History Internet Sites may be found at https://sites.google.com/site/familyhistoryinternetsites/

Kip's bio can be found at http://www.kipsperry.com/

Riverton Seminar Series--April 2011 Classes

This information is from FamilySearch!

April 8, 2011

                                                                                                                                Information and tips

Riverton Seminar Series—April Classes

Many people want to do family history. But after we go to work to provide for our temporal needs and wants; care for our families, friends, and neighbors; and serve in our church or community, there just doesn’t seem to be much time left at our disposal. However, it doesn’t have to take a lot of time to do family history work, and help is nearby when you need it. The Riverton FamilySearch Library stands ready to help with research tools and personal assistance six days a week, in addition to a monthly Saturday seminar. This month’s seminar, to be held on Saturday, April 16, 2011, will be a three-hour seminar from 9:00 a.m. to noon featuring a keynote address and eight classes.

Tim Cross, the keynote speaker, will present a message entitled “Family History: Isn’t It About Time?” During his presentation, he will help you discover ways to do family history in 30 minutes or less using FamilySearch, and he will also provide a glimpse of the new source feature for new FamilySearch. Cross has worked as a product manager for FamilySearch for 7 years. Prior to that he worked in the computer industry for Price Waterhouse, Booz Allen & Hamilton, and Novell. He is currently responsible for integrating all the FamilySearch components into familysearch.org and linking source records into the Family Tree (new.familysearch.org).

Following the keynote presentation, there will be two blocks of four classes that will cover topics of interest to both beginning and advanced family historians.

Classes to be held from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. are:

• “Blog Your Way to Genealogical Success”—Robert Raymond
• “Beginning English and Welsh Ancestry”—Raymon Naisbitt
• “Best Strategies for Searching Ancestry.com”—Christa Cowan
• “Solving Really Tough Research Problems”—Jason Harrison

The classes available from 11:00 a.m. to noon are:

• “Mobile Apps for Genealogy”—A.C. Moore
• “An Overview of New English Research”—Jason Harrison
• “Synchronizing PAF 5 Data with New FamilySearch Using Ancestral Quest, the Program from Which PAF 5 Was Derived”—Gaylon Findlay

• “A Personal Journey in Discovering and Recording Our Family Heritage”—Brigham Cheney

Registration is not required for this free seminar. The Riverton FamilySearch Library is located in the LDS Riverton Office Building at 3740 Market Center Drive. The facility is near the intersection of Bangerter Highway and 13400 South, just east of The Home Depot.        

Spread the word to friends, ward members, and neighbors!

Sincerely, 

FamilySearch

Online Research Classes from FamilySearch

Family History Library, Salt Lake City, Utah

Vision: Deliver free online training to the world!

 Family History Research Online Training (Travis Jordan, Family History Center Open House, April 1, 2011)

We no longer have the excuse that we don't know how to do research in our particular area. If you haven't looked at the online research classes offered by FamilySearch, you are in for a big surprise! There are now 135 online classes in different formats and many of them have PDF handouts to boot! I download the handout and take my notes right on that. FamilySearch is working right now to produce a series of 30 beginning genealogy lessons that should be available in 2011 (Travis Jordan, Family History Center Open House, April 1, 2011). Until then, go explore the great classes that they do have! Hey, I'm off to work on my Russian geography!

Do You Have Your Own Genealogy Research Toolbox?

Photo courtesy of Legacy Family Tree

Yesterday I listened to a really great webinar by one of my favorite speakers, Thomas MacEntee. His topic was "Building a Research Toolbox." This webinar will be available for free until April 18th and you can listen to it on your own time. One of the points that Mr. MacEntee makes is that we all have our favorites for our research, but we spend way too much time trying to locate them. We think we have a system of organization, but then our system fails us just when we need it most!

Mr. MacEntee goes on to talk about Contents and Containers and encourages us to pick our container first and then put the contents in. If all of this seems like mumbo jumbo to you, then go listen to the real deal! I will never be able to do this webinar justice!

Kudos to Legacy Family Tree for their great assortment of webinars. If you haven't attended one of their webinars, I would encourage you to do so! It's amazing what you will learn!

Don't Forget the PAF Users Group Meeting!

PAF Users Group

The monthly meeting of the PAF Users Group is tomorrow, April 9, 2011. The featured speaker is Marilyn Thomsen. She will be presenting "Eating an Elephant One Bite At a Time!" Looks like we are in for a little time management lesson! For more information, click here!

Sunday, April 10, 2011 Genealogy Classes at BYU

Last Episode of "Who Do You Think You Are?"

Tonight, the season's finale of "Who Do You Think You Are?" features Ashley Judd. Check your local listings for exact time! I wish the season didn't go so fast! Luckily, there is still "The Generations Project" on KBYU (http://www.byutv.orgthegenerationsproject/) to keep my genealogy addiction alive!

Ashley Judd on Who Do You Think You Are?

Civil War Records!!!

This information is from Ancestry.
Free Access to Civil War Records April 7-14th!

Thanks Ancestry!

Tsunami, Earthquake, Fire, Computer Crash???

http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/images/nature-CM079001922.aspx?qu=tsunami#ai:MP900423052

Are your genealogy files safe? Do you have backup in more than one place? If you have pondered these questions like I have, have you come up with a plan?

I have been looking at my own records and trying to come up with some sort of organized plan for backup, storage, etc. In my Internet search about this topic, I stumbled upon a plan that really struck  a chord with me. Maybe it is because it is straightforward and point by point. That is how I think! So, take a look at Luxegen Genealogy and Family History.  Maybe it will become your inspiration too!

Internet Access Marching Forward!

ldstemplephotos.blogspot.com

 This year the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is making a big push to get the Internet into more of it's church buildings around the world. Buildings in the United States and Canada have more Internet access at the moment, but the Church is now working diligently to get Internet access into buildings in Africa, Asia, the Pacific, and Latin America. Poor infrastructure hampers the technology in some countries, but the church is working to help solve that problem. (LDS Tech Conference, 2011) Think of the power of this technology in terms of family history work!  Imagine going into a Family History Center in Cape Town, South Africa and being able to access everything available to those patrons in Salt Lake City, Utah! What a blessing!

Indexing is providing FamilySearch with new records at a rapidly expanding pace. If you want to become part of the team indexing millions of records a year, consider indexing. Go to indexing.familysearch.org if you are interested!

Cyndi's List

cyndislist.com

Did you know that Cyndi's List is 15 years old! Could any of us live without Cyndi's List? I sure couldn't! If you haven't checked in with her lately, she is up to 291,330 links for family history. She covers the world and everything in between! Spend a few minutes with Cyndi's List today!

What is a Research Toolbox? Come Find Out!

Legacy Family Tree will be hosting a great webinar this coming Wednesday, April 6, 2011. The presenter will be Thomas MacEntee (Geneabloggers.com). His topic is "Building a Research Toolbox." Sounds intriguing and definitely something I need! The post below is from the GeneaWebinars website. Thanks GeneaWebinars for presenting great educational opportunities!

Building a Research Toolbox with Thomas MacEntee

When: Wednesday, Apr 6, 2011

Where: Legacy Family Tree - https://www1.gotomeeting.com/register/926215616 (map)

Description: Building a Research Toolbox - Thomas MacEntee 

REGISTRATION: Free, but sign up at: https://www1.gotomeeting.com/register/926215616 

Are you overwhelmed with the number of online resources for genealogical research? Are you constantly working with unorganized bookmarks or favorites? Printing out lists of websites you use most? Learn how to build a research toolbox that is organized, easy-to-use, and can be accessed from almost anywhere. Presented by professional genealogist and Geneablogger.com's Thomas MacEntee, participants will learn not only some of the most important online resources for genealogical research, but also how to organize these resources into an easy-to-access and portable virtual toolbox. 

Wednesday, April 6, 2011. 

2:00 PM Eastern (U.S.) 

1:00 PM Central 

12:00 PM Mountain 

11:00 AM Pacific 

6:00 PM GMT

Do You Keep a Journal?

ldsjournal.com

Ah, a journal! We have heard about journals all of our lives. If you aren't LDS, maybe you call it a diary! Still, it is a written record of your life. We, in the LDS church, consider journals to be a top priority. While we know in our hearts that it is a top priority, we still don't always do what we should. You're sure that your life is boring and that your descendants will never be excited about your life! At least those are the signals that your children are sending to you! Well, it ain't so! I have a book that was written by a great, great aunt of mine. She lived in the Pennsylvania coal mining country of Luzerne County. It is fascinating to read about her life and the lives of her parents and brothers and sisters. Catherine owned a children's dress shop for a while in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania. On a couple of pages, Catherine lists the cost of everyday items. Wow, have times changed! Thread is no longer 5 cents and I have never in my lifetime seen ground beef for 10 cents a pound! Fascinating reading...Anyway, my point is that your descendants WILL be interested in your life. So, keep a journal! I type a whole lot faster than I write so I have been using a journal program online that I found. I have to say that it makes journal keeping so easy! LDSJournal.com. It's easy, it's free and you don't have to be LDS. And no, I have no connection to the company except that I am a fan of their site!  :)

Gwyneth Paltrow on this week's "Who Do You Think You Are?"

http://www.nbc.com/who-do-you-think-you-are/

Next up on NBC's hit genealogy show "Who Do You Think You Are?" is Gwyneth Paltrow. Come learn about genealogy through her journey tracing the roots of her paternal grandfather.