Bye, Bye PAF, Hello ?

Keene Public Library

Since the announcement that PAF is being retired, there is some confusion as to what to do! There are a number of personal genealogy databases out there! In my opinion, one size does not fit all. Whenever I am asked what is the best program, I give them the websites and tell them to check out the programs for themselves. What works best for my husband definitely doesn't work best for me. Get the picture? I think it all has to do with the way you think and the way the programs feel to you. So... to check out the three database programs and get a feel for them, click here (Ancestral Quest), here (Legacy Family Tree), and here (Roots Magic). As a side note, if you are a little older and have been using PAF forever, Incline Software (Ancestral Quest) wrote the code for the original PAF program and gave it to the church. You can use a PAF file OR an Ancestral Quest file with Ancestral Quest. It looks much like the PAF program, but with more bells and whistles! There are other personal database programs too, but these are the three that are newly certified to work with familysearch.org.

Goodbye Old Friend! Personal Ancestral File (PAF) is Being Officially Retired...

Personal Ancestral File (PAF) is going to be retired on July 15, 2013. It will no longer be available for download or support (it hasn't been supported for quite a while). There are compelling reasons for this retirement. PAF was a very good product for it's day, when the Internet, media files, and file sharing were still in their infancy. Today, it is a whole different ball game. To read more about the reasons for retirement of PAF, go here and here.

More Cool Things from FamilySearch.org

FamilySearch.org continues to introduce new features that make family history come alive. Although I am one of those people who loves names, dates, and places, I can see how those things just don't excite everyone. However, adding photos and stories makes ancestors come alive! For the visual younger generation like my kids, this may be the way to interest them.

The newest feature that has just been introduced in the past few days involves the seeing at a glance the photos that you have added AND the photos that others have contributed that tie into your family line.

I didn't contribute any of the above pictures, but they all tie into families that connect to me. If you click on the tab that says "Find photos of your ancestors," this is what you get.

See the new filter option? There are 49 tagged people. You can use the drop down arrow to select different options. As you can see, I have contributed 7 of the total 49 photos. Thanks to those who contributed! Photos do make a difference! Also notice that you can print out a PDF (top right hand corner) of the thumbnails of the photos. Multiple uses for that!

When you click on the yellow sash on each picture, it takes you to the photos of that particular person PLUS stories about that person. It is so cool to see the photos and stories married together in one click!

Just when I decided to write this post, the stories and photos are a little unstable and aren't showing at the moment. I guess that is to be expected as new features release...I will add the next screenshot photos as soon as things settle down and I can catch the screenshot. Just know that this feature is here!

Live Streaming from the Jamboree in Southern California

This information was posted today on the FamilySearch Blog. 

Watch Genealogy Jamboree Live Sessions Free This Weekend!

June 5, 2013 By Nathan W. Murphy

A dozen sessions from the Jamboree of the Southern California Genealogical Societywill be live streamed this weekend (June 7-June 9). Speakers at this popular event who will be live streamed include Ken Chanine, Lisa Louise Cooke, Alice Fairhurst, Bennett Greenspan, Jean Wilcox Hibden, Cyndi Ingle Howells, Denise Levenick, Thomas MacEntee, Leland Meitzler, Kory L. Meyerink, CeCe Moore, Joanna Mountain, Judy G. Russell, James Ryan, Craig Roberts Scott, and Tom Underhill. Meet the Speakers. Topics range from the War of 1812, navigating Cyndi’s List, DNA, Irish family history, Googling for common surnames, ethics for genealogists, and much more!

Make sure to pre-register for the sessions you wish to watch live. Follow the links at their blog to pre-register.

About the Jamboree

The Southern California Genealogical Society is proud to announce the 44th Annual Southern California Genealogy Jamboree. The popular conference will be held at the home of Jamboree, Los Angeles Marriott Burbank Airport Hotel, 2500 Hollywood Way, Burbank, CA, from Friday through Sunday, June 7-9th. With about 1600 attendees, speakers, exhibitors, and volunteers, Jamboree is among the largest genealogical events in the United States.

Printing Family Group Records and Pedigree Charts on FamilySearch.org

If you have been working on FamilySearch.org for a while, I'm sure that you have noticed that you could look but you couldn't print! No more! You can now print pedigree charts and family group records from the Person page. The print function is on the right side of the page. Thanks FamilySearch.org.

More Online Collections

FamilySearch Adds to Collections for BillionGraves, Canada, Italy, Peru, Sweden, and the United States

FamilySearch has added more than 9.4 million index records and images this week from BillionGraves, Canada, Colombia, Czech Republic, Dominican Republic, Honduras, Italy, Peru, Sweden, the United States, and Venezuela. Notable collection updates include the 3,368,091 index records and images from the U.S., Michigan, Death Certificates, 1921–1952, collection, the 2,187,206 images from the new U.S., New York, Southern District, U.S District Court Naturalization Records, 1824–1946, collection, and the 848,610 index records and images from the BillionGraves Index. See the table below for the full list of updates. Search these diverse collections and more than 3.5 billion other records for free at FamilySearch.org.
Searchable historic records are made available on FamilySearch.org through the help of thousands of volunteers from around the world. These volunteers transcribe (index) information from digital copies of handwritten records to make them easily searchable online. More volunteers are needed (particularly those who can read foreign languages) to keep pace with the large number of digital images being published online at FamilySearch.org. Learn more about volunteering to help provide free access to the world’s historic genealogical records online at FamilySearch.org.
FamilySearch is the largest genealogy organization in the world. FamilySearch is a nonprofit, volunteer-driven organization sponsored by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Millions of people use FamilySearch records, resources, and services to learn more about their family history. To help in this great pursuit, FamilySearch and its predecessors have been actively gathering, preserving, and sharing genealogical records worldwide for over 100 years. Patrons may access FamilySearch services and resources for free at FamilySearch.org or through more than 4,600 family history centers in 132 countries, including the main Family History Library in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Collection	Indexed Records	Digital Images	Comments
BillionGraves Index	424,305	424,305	Added index records and images to an existing collection.
Canada, Quebec Notarial Records, 1800–1900	0	461,837	Added images to an existing collection.
Colombia, Catholic Church Records, 1600–2012	0	27,561	Added images to an existing collection.
Czech Republic, Censuses, 1843-1921	0	32,149	Added images to an existing collection.
Czech Republic, Land Records, 1450-1889	0	96,273	Added images to an existing collection.
Dominican Republic, Civil Registration, 1801-2010	0	30,292	Added images to an existing collection.
Honduras, Catholic Church Records, 1633-1978	330,586	0	Added index records to an existing collection.
Italy, Cuneo, Saluzzo, Civil Registration (Tribunale), 1866-1942	0	156,506	Added images to an existing collection.
Italy, Macerata, Macerata, Civil Registration (Tribunale), 1866-1929	0	102,509	Added images to an existing collection.
Italy, Napoli, Pomigliano d'Arco, Military Conscriptions (Comune), 1898-1929	0	40,753	New browsable image collection.
Peru, Junín, Civil Registration, 1890-2005	0	30,143	Added images to an existing collection.
Peru, La Libertad, Civil Registration, 1903-1998	0	32,450	Added images to an existing collection.
Peru, Puno, Civil Registration, 1890-2005	0	18,129	Added images to an existing collection.
Sweden, Örebro Church Records, 1613-1918; index 1635-1860	7,586	0	Added index records to an existing collection.
U.S., Maryland, Register of Wills Books, 1629–1999	0	35,714	Added images to an existing collection.
U.S., Michigan, Death Certificates, 1921–1952	1,681,256	1,686,835	New indexed records and image collection.
U.S., New York, Southern District, U.S District Court Naturalization Records, 1824-1946	0	2,187,206	New browsable image collection.
U.S., Pennsylvania, Eastern District Naturalization Indexes, 1795-1952	231,641	5,154	Added index records and images to an existing collection.
U.S., Pennsylvania, Philadelphia Passenger List Index Cards, 1883-1948	1,153,207	18,880	Added index records and images to an existing collection.
U.S., Texas, Eagle Pass Arrival Manifests and Indexes, 1905-1954	122,918	0	Added index records to an existing collection.
U.S., Washington, County Land Records, 1850-1954	0	88,546	Added images to an existing collection.
Venezuela, Archdiocese of Mérida, Catholic Church Records, 1654-2012	0	12,624	Added images to an existing collection.

Mormonism in Pictures

Peter & Anna Brunski
Photo in possession of Rayanne B. Melick

Photos say a lot! The above photo speaks to me. It is my grandparents on their wedding day in 1919. A recently published essay titled Mormonism in Pictures from mormonnewsroom.org also says a lot. It depicts some of the reasons why I personally find family history so exciting and fulfilling! Read the whole essay here!

New Collections from FamilySearch

This is from FamilySearch.org. Look at the China collection of genealogies! So cool!

FamilySearch Adds to Austria, Brazil, China, Italy, New Zealand, and the United States Collections

FamilySearch has added more than 1.7 million index records and images this week from Austria, Brazil, China, Germany, Hungary, Italy, New Zealand, Poland, Ukraine, and the United States. Notable collection updates include the 369,729 index records and images from the U.S., North Carolina, Estate Files, 1663–1979, collection, and the 596,078 images from the Italy, Ravenna, Ravenna, Civil Registration (Tribunale), 1866-1929, collection. See the table below for the full list of updates. Search these diverse collections and more than 3.5 billion other records for free at FamilySearch.org.
Searchable historic records are made available on FamilySearch.org through the help of thousands of volunteers from around the world. These volunteers transcribe (index) information from digital copies of handwritten records to make them easily searchable online. More volunteers are needed (particularly those who can read foreign languages) to keep pace with the large number of digital images being published online at FamilySearch.org. Learn more about volunteering to help provide free access to the world’s historic genealogical records online at FamilySearch.org.
FamilySearch is the largest genealogy organization in the world. FamilySearch is a nonprofit, volunteer-driven organization sponsored by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Millions of people use FamilySearch records, resources, and services to learn more about their family history. To help in this great pursuit, FamilySearch and its predecessors have been actively gathering, preserving, and sharing genealogical records worldwide for over 100 years. Patrons may access FamilySearch services and resources for free at FamilySearch.org or through more than 4,600 family history centers in 132 countries, including the main Family History Library in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Collection	Indexed Records	Digital Images	Comments
Austria, Tirol, Innsbruck, Sankt Jakob Parish Register Index, 1578–1970	0	5,877	New browsable image collection.
Austria, Upper Austria, Wels, Census Records, 1613–1900	0	5,204	New browsable image collection.
Brazil, Civil Registration, 1870–2012	53,981	0	Added index records to an existing collection.
Brazil, Parish and Diocesan Records	61,416	0	Added index records to an existing collection.
China, Collection of Genealogies, 1239-2011	0	123,184	Added images to an existing collection.
Germany, Brandenburg, Wittenberge, City Directories and Citizen Lists, 1851-1921	0	3,326	New browsable image collection.
Hungary, Civil Registration, 1895-1980	0	38,663	Added images to an existing collection.
Italy, Bologna, Bologna, Civil Registration (Tribunale), 1866–1941	0	102,509	Added images to an existing collection.
Italy, Napoli, Casoria, Civil Registration (Comune), 1809–1929	0	40,753	New browsable image collection.
Italy, Napoli, Portici, Civil Registration (Comune), 1809–1929	0	48,547	Added images to an existing collection.
Italy, Pistoia, Pistoia, Civil Registration (Tribunale), 1866–1937	0	5,228	Added images to an existing collection.
Italy, Ravenna, Ravenna, Civil Registration (Tribunale), 1866–1929	0	596,078	Added images to an existing collection.
New Zealand, Probate Records, 1848–1991	0	12,620	Added images to an existing collection.
Poland, Radom Roman Catholic Church Books, 1587–1966	7,873	16	Added index records and images to an existing collection.
Ukraine, Kyiv Orthodox Consistory Church Book Duplicates, 1840–1845	0	145,535	Added images to an existing collection.
U.S., Indiana, Marriages, 1811–1959	88,253	0	Added index records to an existing collection.
U.S., North Carolina, Estate Files, 1663–1979	13,302	356,427	Added index records and images to an existing collection.
U.S., Ohio, Trumbull County Court Records, 1795–2010	0	68,873	Added images to an existing collection.

A Blogging We Will Go!

Family Tree Magazine has just released it's 2013 list of the Top 40 Genealogy Blogs. If you like blogs and genealogy together, go check it out!

FamilySearch Adds New Collections!

FamilySearch Adds to Collections from Australia, England, Italy, Philippines, Spain, and the United States

FamilySearch has added more than half a million images this week from Australia, England, Italy, Philippines, Spain, and the United States. Notable collection updates include the 92,436 images from the new U.S., Ohio, Southern District Naturalization Index, 1852-1991, collection, and the 73,580 images from the new Australia, Tasmania, Civil Registration, 1803-1933, collection. See the table below for the full list of updates. Search these diverse collections and more than 3.5 billion other records for free at FamilySearch.org.
Searchable historic records are made available on FamilySearch.org through the help of thousands of volunteers from around the world. These volunteers transcribe (index) information from digital copies of handwritten records to make them easily searchable online. More volunteers are needed (particularly those who can read foreign languages) to keep pace with the large number of digital images being published online at FamilySearch.org. Learn more about volunteering to help provide free access to the world’s historic genealogical records online at FamilySearch.org.
FamilySearch is the largest genealogy organization in the world. FamilySearch is a nonprofit, volunteer-driven organization sponsored by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Millions of people use FamilySearch records, resources, and services to learn more about their family history. To help in this great pursuit, FamilySearch and its predecessors have been actively gathering, preserving, and sharing genealogical records worldwide for over 100 years. Patrons may access FamilySearch services and resources for free at FamilySearch.org or through more than 4,600 family history centers in 132 countries, including the main Family History Library in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Collection	Indexed Records	Digital Images	Comments
Australia, Tasmania, Civil Registration, 1803-1933	0	73,580	New browsable image collection.
England, Northumberland, Miscellaneous Records, 1570-2005	0	11,631	Added images to an existing collection.
Italy, Bari, Trani, Civil Registration (Tribunale), 1866-1910	0	6,549	Added images to an existing collection.
Italy, Caserta, Santa Maria Capua Vetere, Civil Registration (Tribunale), 1866-1929	0	2,961	Added images to an existing collection.
Philippines, La Union, Diocese of San Fernando de La Union, 1801-1981	0	25,464	New browsable image collection.
Spain, Cádiz, Testaments, 1550-1920	0	48,616	Added images to an existing collection.
Spain, Province of Cádiz, Municipal Records, 1784-1931	0	49,363	New browsable image collection.
Spain, Records of Widows and Orphans of Spanish Officials, 1835-1960	0	44,021	Added images to an existing collection.
U.S., Missouri, Cole County Circuit Court Case Files, 1820-1926	0	28,638	Added images to an existing collection.
U.S., Ohio, Southern District Naturalization Index, 1852-1991	0	92,436	New browsable image collection.
U.S., South Dakota, County Naturalization Records, 1865-1972	0	124,277	New browsable image collection.

Frustration Relieved, For Now!

In the last week there has been much talk, and criticism, about the new design of FamilySearch.org. I have to admit that I don't see the logic in some of the redesign, but most of it I can live with. However, one part of the FamilySearch.org site that I really missed was the ease of finding the Research Wiki. I use that Wiki for everything, particularly when I don't know where to start with patrons that come into either the BYU Family History Library or this local Grove Creek FHC. This morning I was pleasantly surprised when I noticed a new tab on the home page of FamilySearch.org. It is a search tab that leads to the search homepage, but there is now a Wiki tab. On the home page of the Wiki, the old background is still there, but I don't care! Oh, happy dance!

FamilySearch.org homepage (Search Tab is highlighted in green)

Search page showing Wiki tab

Home page of the Research Wiki

FamilySearch Infographic and Press Release

What is FamilySearch? For those of you who don't know, here is a great infographic that will help you figure it out! New enhancements were released for the site with more coming in the next months. For those that are interested in the official press release, read it here! Below is also a video that is now on YouTube. What a great time to be involved with family history work!

FamilySearch Has a New Look!

FamilySearch has a new look!

Go here to check out the enhancements! Explore, Play, Enjoy... and don't forget to work on your own family history! Ancestors are waiting to be discovered!

RootsTech 2013

"RootsTech 2013 has come and gone ... and the great take away? What will our grandchildren and great grandchildren wish we would've done. Can we anticipate what will tie them to their heritage? It is the stories; the stories in their family tree. Family history moves beyond the names and dates associated with genealogy. Your story, even though you may think it is mundane, is an important legacy for the future generations in your family tree. What are you doing to find, organize, preserve, and share the stories in your family that will become the heritage for your posterity?"

Liz Miller

Thanks Liz for letting me share your feelings about RootsTech, which perfectly sum up my feelings. In addition to Liz, my friend, Renee Zamora, made these observations. What a great time to be involved in family history!

The Grove Creek Family History Center is starting to hop more and more. With classes on both Tuesday and Thursday nights, there are plenty of ways to get involved. 

"What will our great-great-grandchildren wish we would have done?
They will wish that we had recorded the richness and fabric of our lives."

Dennis Brimhall, CEO of FamilySearch

IT'S THE STORIES!!!

RootsTech 2013

For those of you in family history callings, RootsTech would be a great place for you to be this coming Saturday. There will be a devotional in the morning with Elders Allen F. Packer, Elder Paul E. Koelliker, and Elder Bradley D. Foster. Classes to help you in your family history calling will be taught throughout the day. Click here to learn more. Best of all, these classes are free!

“Do you young people want a sure way to eliminate the influence of the adversary in your life? Immerse yourself in searching for your ancestors.”—Elder Richard G. Scott, “The Joy of Redeeming the Dead,” Ensign, Nov. 2012, 94

There are also classes available for the youth this year! Click here to see about those classes. Sister Elaine S. Dalton (Young Women General President) will present a special devotional and David L. Beck (Young Men General President) will lead a training session for youth leaders. It promises to be a great day!

Tuesday Night Classes at the Grove Creek Family History Center

Here is the list of Tuesday night classes scheduled to be presented at the  Grove Creek Family History Center in April, May, and June. We hope that there is something that will add to your family history endeavors! A reminder that classes are from 7-8 pm. followed by a hands-on lab from 8-9 pm. All are invited!

2012 Was a Very Big Year!

Photo in possession of Rayanne Brunski Melick

FamilySearch made huge strides in the family history community in 2012. To get a breakdown (love those stats!) of what FamilySearch accomplished, read this article! It is amazing what is going on and how fast records are coming online. Thank you FamilySearch!

What to Do With Those All those Pictures?

 Creative Commons CC0 1.0 Universal Public Domain Dedication

You know that you have them! Zillions of them! What to do with them? Of course, I'm talking about family pictures. Well, since FamilySearch Family Tree is now open to the general public, why don't you spread your wealth. Upload your ancestor pictures to Family Tree so that the rest of the world can see those pictures that you have been hoarding! Besides, you may meet some relatives that you didn't even know you had! All well and good you say, but you don't know how to digitize pictures? For an excellent article on this very subject go to one of my favorite bloggers, James Tanner (Genealogy's Star), and read as he walks you through the process! Happy scanning!

Family Tree is Now Live for the General Public!

Family Tree is now live for all users! That means that anyone can use Family Tree, not just members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (LDS, Mormons). Click on the Family Tree tab, just to the right of the FamilySearch logo in the tope menu bar.  If you want to learn more about it, click here! Cool stuff going on! Go to familysearch.org and discover your roots!

March 2013 Classes

Today the sun is shining and it feels slightly warm! Yahoo! The above is a self-portrait (well, not really!)

The Grove Creek Stake is offering Family History Classes on Tuesday nights from 7-9 pm. The first hour will be a class and the 8-9 pm hour will be the opportunity for a hands-on lab. The schedule for March is listed below. All levels of family history interest are invited and welcome!

March 5th     Family History-A Spiritual Endeavor
          12th    Let's Look at Family Tree
          19th    How & Where to Get Started
          26th    Beginning Research