Genealogy Gems News

Please Update Your Address for this Blog

noreply@blogger.com (Genealogy Gems) — Tue, 03 Jul 2012 00:30:00 +0000

The Genealogy Gems News Blog is moving!

The new Genealogy Gems website is up and running and it's finally time to tape up the last boxes, I mean posts, and move this blog to its new home.

I've got lots more gems for you so be sure and update your Blog Reader, iGoogle Gadget, or whatever method you use to stay in touch with this blog.

Our new blog RSS feed is https://lisalouisecooke.com/blog/

Our new home address is: www.GenealogyGems.com and there you'll find all the gems: the free podcasts, Premium Membership, the Genealogy Gems blog, store, videos and more.

Thanks for reading, and I'll see you over at my new digs!
Lisa

2012 Jamboree Extension Webinar Series June 20 through December 2012

noreply@blogger.com (Genealogy Gems) — Wed, 27 Jun 2012 23:55:00 +0000

From SCGS press release:

The Southern California Genealogical Society announces the return of the popular Jamboree Extension Webinar Series, which provides web-based family history and genealogy educational sessions for genealogists around the world.

Jamboree Extension Series webinars are conducted the first Saturday and third Wednesday of each month. Saturday sessions will be held at 10am Pacific time / 1pm Eastern time. Wednesday sessions will be scheduled at 6pm Pacific time / 9pm Eastern time.

Upcoming sessions for the last half of 2012 include:

Ugo Perego, PhD
Saturday, July 7 (morning/afternoon schedule)
Native American Ancestry: A DNA Standpoint
Many genealogists from the Americas wonder if they have Native American ancestry, but are often unable to confirm it based on genealogical records. DNA might provide such evidence.

Kerry Bartels
Wednesday, July 18 (evening schedule)
Neither Filmed or Scanned: NARA Treasurers Await
This session will discuss examples of original records with great genealogical value in the National Archives that exist only in their original format. Most of these records are rarely used by genealogists and some have never been used for genealogy. The discussion will also provide information about obtaining copies of the records.

George G. Morgan
Saturday, August 4 (morning/afternoon schedule)
The Genealogist as CSI
Modern genealogists are much like the crime scene investigators - CSIs - that we see on television. They must be skilled investigators. They must use all available tools to locate clues and evidence. And they must employ proven methodologies and their critical thinking skills to document and evaluate every type of resource they find. They must be able to communicate their findings. This seminar analogizes genealogists with CSIs and describes the genealogical research and evaluation process. It provides a methodological framework for all types of research.

Gena Philibert-Ortega
Wednesday, August 15 (evening schedule)
Women's Work
There's no doubt that tracing female ancestors can be difficult. We make a lot of assumptions about the lives of women, some of which may not be true. In this presentation we will look at the occupations, including volunteer work, women held in 19th century America and what records they left behind. Whether your ancestress was employed or not, the repositories and collections we discuss will help you research your female ancestor.

Denise Spurlock
Saturday, September 1 (morning/afternoon schedule)
Butcher, Baker, Candlestick Maker. Researching Your Ancestors' Occupations
Labor Day Special: It's likely not all your ancestors were farmers. This session will explore strategies for researching how your ancestors made a living: what they did, where, why, and for whom.

Janet Hovorka
Wednesday, September 19 (evening schedule)
Playground Rules for Genealogy on the Internet
The internet creates an exciting gathering place where we can find distant cousins and fast friends to help us research our family tree. It's never too late to play by the rules and have fun. Be sure to follow these three basic safety rules and you'll have a great time.

Linda Woodward Geiger, CG
Saturday, October 6 (morning/afternoon schedule)
Hark! That Tombstone is Talking to Me!
You CAN get blood from a stone. Learn about wringing the tombstone dry and learning more about your ancestors.

Lisa A. Alzo
Wednesday, October 17 (evening schedule)
Family History Writing Made Easier: Cloud-based Tools Every Genealogist Can Use

Telling your family's story just got a whole lot easier thanks to a number of cloud-based note taking and writing tools and apps you can access from home, your netbook or iPad, and even your smartphone. Learn about the latest tech tools and writing apps for bringing your family's story to life!

D. Joshua "Josh" Taylor
Saturday, November 3 (morning/afternoon schedule)
Thanksgiving Special: Online Resources for Colonial America
Discover web sites, online databases, university projects, online archives, and other resources for researching your Colonial American ancestors online. Learn how to use Early American Imprints, JSTOR, and other resources.

Daniel Horowitz
Saturday, December 1 (morning/afternoon schedule)
Sharing and Preserving Memories in a Digital Era
Today you have a lot of options to store and share all your research material, including text, images, videos, documents or sound. Options start from the capture tools (audio recorders, cameras, cellular and scanners) and extend to sharing physical products (CD's, DVD's, portable disc, electronic photo frames) or the Internet, which is the perfect place to share and preserve all your memories. You have the option to publish your material from a completely private to a completely public way, and all the levels in between. You can ask for collaboration or simply display the information, people can only see or download a copy of your material; you can control every aspect. There are all kind of easy-to-use tools and resources that facilitates the work of setting up websites, blogs, wikis or any other way you decide to publish the information.

Schelly Talalay Dardashti
Wednesday, November 19 (evening schedule)

Jewish Genealogy 101
Learn the fundamentals of researching your Jewish ancestors.

The live webcast is offered free of charge and open to the public. "We offer these webinars as part of our educational mission," said SCGS president Alice Fairhurst, "but are always grateful for contributions to offset our costs." Donations can be made through PayPal, online through the SCGS website or by check made out to SCGS and mailed to the address below.

As a benefit of membership, SCGS members can review archived sessions at any time by accessing the SCGS members-only section of this website.

To join a webinar, most participants attend via computer with audio speakers or a headset. Those with a fast Internet connection (either broadband or DSL) will have the most satisfactory experience. It is possible to phone in to listen to the presentation. Long-distance charges may apply.

For more information contact:

Paula Hinkel ( phinkel@pacbell.net )

Vice President

Southern California Genealogical Society

A Key to Unlocking Genealogy Brick Walls

noreply@blogger.com (Genealogy Gems) — Tue, 19 Jun 2012 22:41:00 +0000

A few weeks ago my youngest daughter Hannah came home for a few weeks break when the college term ended. My husband and I, and Lacey and Hannah went out shopping on a Saturday afternoon, and when we go to the second store Hannah wasn’t feeling very well so she said she was just going to wait in the car. I handed her the car keys, and we all went inside to finish our final errand.

The following Monday I needed to run an errand. I searched and searched for my car keys and couldn’t find them anywhere. I called Bill, I called Lacey, and I called Hannah. No one knew where they were. I scoured my car two separate times, but alas, they were nowhere to be found.

Finally I stopped, sat down, and tried to visualize the last time I had the keys.

I knew I had them when we went to the store on Saturday because I locked the front door when we left. Then I remembered that I had handed them to Hannah who had stayed in the car when we got to the second store. If she didn’t have them, (and she was adamant that she didn't) then they must be in the car. But of course I had already combed through the car twice and hadn’t found them so I wasn’t feeling very optimistic about a third search.

I headed for the garage for one last look anyway. As I opened the front passenger door where I had been sitting and searched twice before, it dawned on me that I was looking from MY perspective, when in reality I last remember handing them to Hannah. What if I looked for the keys from Hannah’s perspective?

I closed the car door, and opened the back door on the side where she had been sitting. I climbed inside, and looked around. Nothing. Then I leaned forward as if I were taking the keys from the person in the front seat and there they were wedged between the center console and the back side of seat in front of me! There was no way I could have seen the keys except from that position.

And like most things do, this got me thinking about genealogy.

If we only approach our research from our perspective, we miss countless gems along the way.

Have you climbed in the backseat lately? Have you visualized your research questions from your ancestors perspective? Have you learned more about the places and times in which they lived? How could their perspective help you see what is wedged between the cracks of your brick walls?

MyHeritage Hits One Billion Profiles

noreply@blogger.com (Genealogy Gems) — Tue, 19 Jun 2012 20:58:00 +0000

From MyHeritage press release:

PROVO, Utah & LONDON & TEL AVIV, Israel : MyHeritage, the most popular family network on the web, announced that it has reached the milestone of one billion profiles. The billion individuals in nearly 23 million family trees, created by the millions of families using MyHeritage worldwide, constitute a gigantic network for discovering family heritage and connecting to relatives.

With more than 63 million registered users, MyHeritage has become a trusted home on the web for families wishing to explore their family history, share memories and stay connected. Combining the world’s largest international pool of family tree data with billions of historical records, MyHeritage helps break through brick walls in family history research. The site is available in 38 languages.

Approximately one million profiles are added every day to the MyHeritage network, and on average 600 thousand new registered users join every month. A sophisticated technology called Smart Matching™ fuels new family discoveries by matching profiles in different family trees, creating new family connections every day for users.

“Reaching one billion profiles is an important milestone in the prolific growth of MyHeritage, solidifying our position as the international go-to destination for families,” said Founder and CEO of MyHeritage, Gilad Japhet. “We constantly strive to develop cutting-edge technologies that create a network effect within this big data resource. As more content is uploaded to MyHeritage by our users around the world, they discover more family connections and relevant historical documents, adding color and depth to their family history. With a billion profiles and some exciting new innovations in store, we look forward to continuing our phenomenal growth in the coming years.”

Approximately half of the billion family tree profiles on MyHeritage are living people, enabling users to connect to relatives, collaborate on family history research and share memories. The other half billion profiles who are deceased help connect the living through shared ancestors. With a diverse user base, spanning every country and continent, MyHeritage represents a gateway to a massive variety of family histories from different cultures, religions and ethnic backgrounds.

The company’s expansion into historical content, following its acquisition of family history sites WorldVitalRecords and FamilyLink in November 2011 and its April 2012 announcement to provide the 1940 U.S. Census free of charge, has turned MyHeritage into a leading site for family history research, whilst continuing in parallel its focus on current-day family engagement. The MyHeritage mobile app, launched in December 2011, enables families to share special everyday moments and explore their family history all-on-the-go, and has amassed more than 750 thousand installations already.

Below watch this YouTube video of MyHeritage celebrating their One Billion Profiles moment:

National Archives at San Francisco Opens Immigration Files and Dedicates Tom Lantos Research Center

noreply@blogger.com (Genealogy Gems) — Wed, 13 Jun 2012 21:40:00 +0000

From National Archives Press Release:

San Bruno, CA… The National Archives at San Francisco has officially opened to the public over 40,000 case files on immigrants to the United States, and dedicated its research room to the late U.S. Representative Tom Lantos who was a leading force in having these files re-designated as records of permanent historical value.

These immigration files, known as “Alien Files” (commonly referred to as “A-Files”), were transferred from U. S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). They are among the first of millions of case files that will eventually be opened to the public.

In 1940 the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS), the predecessor of USCIS, started issuing Alien Registration Numbers to resident aliens in the United States. On April 1, 1944, INS began to assign these numbers to a new series of immigration case files called A-Files. A-Files are a genealogical wealth of information, containing documents such as photographs, personal correspondence, vital records, interview transcripts, and visa applications.

“The A-Files are a unique resource for family historians, especially the descendants of 20^th century immigrants,” said Archivist of the United States David S. Ferriero. “These records are rich with personal information that will illuminate the journeys of our ancestors – including my own family – and their paths to citizenship.”

A-Files are eligible for transfer to the National Archives 100 years after the birth of the subject of a file. These transfers to the National Archives ensure that these records will be saved in perpetuity and made available to the public for research.

The holdings of the National Archives at San Francisco will include many case files created at USCIS District Offices in San Francisco, California; Honolulu, Hawaii; Reno, Nevada; and Agana, Guam, American Samoa and the American Territories. The National Archives at Kansas City will maintain A-Files for all other INS District Offices nationwide.

A-Files may be viewed in person by appointment or copies may be ordered for a fee. Researchers may contact National Archives staff at AFiles.SanBruno@nara.gov to search A-Files holdings for a particular file. Beginning Tuesday, May 29, an online database will be available through the National Archives at San Francisco website at http://www.archives.gov/pacific/san-francisco.

The National Archives and Records Administration is an independent Federal agency that preserves and shares with the public records that trace the story of our nation, government, and the American people. From the Declaration of Independence to accounts of ordinary Americans, the holdings of the National Archives directly touch the lives of millions of people. The National Archives is a public trust upon which our democracy depends, ensuring access to essential evidence that protects the rights of American citizens, documents the actions of the government, and reveals the evolving national experience. The National Archives carries out its mission through a nationwide network of archives, records centers, and Presidential Libraries, and on the Internet at http://www.archives.gov.

The National Archives at San Francisco is one of 22 facilities nationwide where the public can access Federal archival records in person. Its holdings total over 60,000 cubic feet of historical records dating from the 1850s to the 1990s, created by more than 100 Federal agencies and courts in northern and central California, Nevada (except for Clark County), Hawaii, Guam, American Samoa and the American Territories. The facility is located at 1000 Commodore Drive, San Bruno, CA 94066. The National Archives at San Francisco is open Monday-Friday 7:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. (until 5:30 p.m. on Wednesdays.) Appointments are strongly encouraged.

1940 U.S. Census Community Project Makes Records for 18 States Searchable by Name

noreply@blogger.com (Genealogy Gems) — Wed, 13 Jun 2012 21:37:00 +0000

From FamilySearch Press Release:

1940 U.S. CENSUS COMMUNITY PROJECT MAKES HISTORIC RECORDS FOR 18 STATES SEARCHABLE BY NAME, CELEBRATES MILESTONE OF 75 MILLION NAMES INDEXED THROUGH NATIONAL VOLUNTEER EFFORT

More than Half of the 1940 U.S. Census Records Indexed in Just Two Months Thanks to Thousands of Volunteers Across the U.S.

SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH (June 7, 2012) – The 1940 U.S. Census Community Project announced today that its searchable index of 1940 U.S. census records has reached – and surpassed – the halfway mark toward completion. Thanks to the efforts of more than 125,000 volunteers, more than 75 million names from the 1940 U.S. census have been indexed with 18 state records already available to the public on all Project partner websites, including the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), Archives.com, FamilySearch.org and findmypast.com. The records will also be made available in more than 7,000 public libraries nationwide in the coming months by ProQuest. The national service project, the first and largest of its kind, aims to establish a comprehensive searchable database and make the 1940 U.S. census records available for free.

Following just two months of volunteer indexing, records for the following 18 U.S. states are currently available and searchable by name, location and family relation:

Alaska
Arizona
Colorado
Delaware
Florida
Hawaii
Idaho
Kansas
Louisiana
Mississippi
Montana
Nevada
New Hampshire
Oregon
Utah
Vermont
Virginia
Wyoming

“We believe that all people deserve free access to the 1940 U.S. census records so they can learn more about their family history, ancestors and the past. With the help of the Community Project partners, and especially volunteer indexers across the nation, we’re halfway to our goal,” said Megan Smolenyak, spokesperson for the 1940 U.S. Census Community Project. “We didn’t expect to make this much progress only two months after the 1940 census records were released, so we’re excited and thankful to all of the enthusiastic volunteers.”

Since April 2, Community Project volunteers have indexed more than 75 million records and this number continues to grow quickly as more than 7,000 volunteers sign up each week. The timely progression of making the census records freely searchable online is a direct result of the growing numbers of volunteers. Those interested in lending a hand can learn more and sign up to be an official 1940 U.S. census volunteer indexer at the 1940 census website (the1940census.com). The project will release free searchable records for individual states as they are completed.

The 1940 U.S. Census Community Project is a joint initiative between the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), Archives.com, FamilySearch.org, findmypast.com, ProQuest and other leading genealogy organizations. Thanks to advancements in technology, online volunteers worldwide can lend a voice to countless untold stories of their ancestors living, working and persevering as the “Greatest Generation.”

“Volunteer indexers have the unique opportunity to step into the past and read through hand-written records captured by census enumerators as they walked from house to house,” said Joshua Taylor, spokesperson for the 1940 U.S. Census Community Project. “Through indexing, volunteers are essentially reliving history and helping provide others with the access they need to gain greater insights into the life and times of their own ancestors more than 72 years ago.”

To learn more about the 1940 U.S. Census Community Project, track real-time progress of volunteer indexing efforts or become a volunteer, visit the1940census.com.

About the 1940 U.S. Census Community Project

The 1940 U.S. Census Community Project is a web-based, national service project with the goal of creating as soon as possible a free, high quality online index linked to the complete set of census images. The index will allow the public to easily search every person found in the census and view digital images of the original census pages. The collection will be available online for free to the general public at 1940census.archives.gov, , Archives.com, FamilySearch.org, findmypast.com, ProQuest.com through public libraries. All of these organizations are respective website sponsors of the community project. Archives.com, findmypast.com, and ProQuest will make substantial financial contributions to make the 1940 U.S. census online name index possible and will work with the nonprofit organization FamilySearch to bring additional new historic records collections online—making even more highly valued family history resources available to the entire genealogical community.

Nerd Alert! Genealogy is Getting Remixed into new TV Series

noreply@blogger.com (Genealogy Gems) — Fri, 25 May 2012 20:04:00 +0000

What could be better than a "nerd" from the fab British Comedy The IT Crowd and genealogy mixed together? Television Blend is reporting that Christopher Guest (The Princess Bride, Spinal Tap, etc.) is collaborating with Jim Piddock on a new series called Family Tree. They've brilliantly tapped actor Chris O'Dowd, IT Crowd's lanky nerd Roy, and most recently the love interest in the hit movie Bridesmaids, to play the lead.

According to an article published in the Vulture, "for Family Tree, described as 'an improvised genealogy comedy,' the comedy actor will play a man in search of his real family."

It appears that writer-director Guest boasts a family tree that leads back to British Royalty, which seems like a background ripe for story lines for a new series. We can only hope that family history will play a role beyond the title.

If Netflix failed to suggest the IT Crowd to you, chances are you don't watch The Office much. But computer geeks and techno-phobes alike will roar at the four available seasons (Americans must translate the British term "season" into extended but brief vacation"). O'Dowd holds his own against Richard Ayoade who steals nearly every scene with his socially awkward Maurice Moss character. This is one series I never tire of watching! (Already a fan? Have you checked out the free "IT Sound Board" app for iPhone???)

Stay tuned to this blog and the Genealogy Gems Podcast for updates on the new series.

FamilySearch Publishes 1940 Census Browsable Images and Searchable Indexes

noreply@blogger.com (Genealogy Gems) — Sat, 19 May 2012 21:09:00 +0000

From Press Release:

The 1940 US Census Community Project, which includes FamilySearch, Archives.com, Findmypast.com, NARA, and ProQuest.com, have now published browsable images online for 1940 U.S. Federal Census and the completed searchable indexes for six of the states. Online volunteer indexers have indexed 35% of the census. At current rates, they anticipate wrapping up the indexing by late summer. Follow the progress online at the1940census.com/dashboard or search the records on FamilySearch.org/1940census. FamilySearch also published new, free records online for Argentina, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Czech Republic, England, France, Germany, Hungary, Indonesia, Italy, Netherlands, Peru, Poland, Portugal, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, United States, Venezuela, and Wales. Search these diverse collections and 2.5 billion other records for free at FamilySearch.org.

Searchable historic records on FamilySearch.org are made available by thousands of volunteers from around the world who 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 amount of digital images being published online at FamilySearch.org. Learn more about how to personally help provide free access to the world’s historic genealogical records as a volunteer indexer at FamilySearch.org.

Come See Lisa at the SCGS Jamboree in Burbank June 8 - 10, 2012!

noreply@blogger.com (Genealogy Gems) — Thu, 17 May 2012 16:31:00 +0000

The Southern California Genealogical Society Jamboree is just a few weeks away! The theme this year is Lights, Camera, Ancestors! Spotlight on Family History. Lisa will be speaking at this conference which takes place June 8-10 at the Marriott Burbank Airport Hotel in Burbank, CA. To get more information, click here

Lisa's got a great variety of classes waiting for you:

THURSDAY:

TH-001 - Conversation with the Author: Steve Luxenberg and Annie's Ghosts
TH-013 - Common Surname Google Search Strategies

FRIDAY:

Free Demo at 3:30 in the Exhibit Hall: "3 Cool Tools to Powerboost Your Newspaper Research"

SATURDAY:
SA-020 - Sharing The Joy: Projects That Will Captivate The Non-Genealogists In Your Life
SA-034 - The Google Earth Scavenger Hunt – Fascinating Family History Fun!
SA-040 - 10 Ways to Add Volume to Your Family History with Video

SUNDAY

Free Demo at 12:30 in the Exhibit Hall: "3 Google Search Techniques You Should Be Using!"

There are also going to be some exciting special events happening over the weekend:
On Friday at 6:30 PM there will be a Hollywood Gala sponsored by Ancestry.com. Travel back in time with us to Hollywood's glory days. Red carpet, Walk of Fame stars, paparazzi, ... Lights, Cameras, and ANCESTORS! Tiaras not required but welcome. Dress up, dress down, it's up to you. Be sure to bring a big smile to the photo booth sponsored by FamilyTree DNA.

There is also a photo contest sponsored by 1000memories.com. Share your favorite ancestor photo for a chance to win one of THREE Scan Cafe scanning kits to digitize up to 1,000 photos, slides, and or negatives (a $220 value). The photo in each of these three categories with the most “likes” by the start of Jamboree wins!

The most humorous photo of an ancestor
Pre-1900 photos
Photo of the best-dressed ancestor

To find out how to enter click here.

Who Do You Think You Are? Cancelled, and Deleted Scenes

noreply@blogger.com (Genealogy Gems) — Tue, 15 May 2012 01:03:00 +0000

Sad to say that it appears NBC is not picking up Who Do You Think You Are? for a fourth season.

The Fly on the Wall blog is reporting that Ancestry.com posted the following comment about the cancellation: "We want to thank NBC for their support of this terrific series, which over the last three years has inspired many viewers to follow their passion to learn more about who they are and where they come from," said Tim Sullivan, President and CEO of Ancestry.com. "We have a great partnership with the show's producers, Is or Isn't Entertainment and Shed Media, and we look forward to exploring other avenues of distribution."

If you missed last Friday's episode of Who Do You Think You Are?, the full episode featuring Rashida Jones of Parks & Recreation is now available to view online here.

Below you can watch a highlight from the show, a deleted scene, and even a sneak peek at the next episode starring Jason Sudeikis of Saturday Night Live.

Living a Showgirl's Life

Rashida learns that her grandmother lived large in the NYC nightlife as a showgirl and dancer.

A Formidable Force

Rashida learns about her Irish Jewish roots and how her family prospered in that community.

Ancestry.com Publishes Collection of WWII Cadet Nursing Corp Files

noreply@blogger.com (Genealogy Gems) — Wed, 09 May 2012 13:02:00 +0000

From Ancestry Press Release:

PROVO, UTAH – (May 7, 2012) – Ancestry.com announced today a collection of more than 300,000 WWII Cadet Nursing Corps Card Files is now available at www.ancestry.com/nursing. The records date between 1942 and 1948 and detail the history of the Corps, providing personal information about Cadet Nursing Corps members, offering a glimpse into the backgrounds of the young women who joined this important program. Ancestry.com is the exclusive location to search the entire Cadet Nursing Corps collection online, making it easy to review this piece of American history and discover personal connections to former Corps nurses.

Upon the United States’ entry into World War II, the Cadet Nursing Corps was established to increase the number of nurses available for war efforts. This collection tells the story of more than 124,000 young women between the ages of 17 and 35 who committed to serve in the nursing profession during this time. As a part of the program, cadets went through an accelerated training that fit a 36-month course into a 30-month period. Senior cadets then served their last six months in civilian, military and veteran hospitals and other public health agencies, which freed up registered nurses to help with the war effort. All cadets received a scholarship and a monthly stipend, effectively giving these young women an education they otherwise may not have been able to afford.

“As a former member of the Corps, I am excited to have this important part of our history not only acknowledged, but made available for more people to learn about this unique wartime effort,” said Thelma Robinson, RN MSN PNP (retired). “I consistently speak with fellow Corps members who are trying to find information about this period of their lives. Putting these records online provides an invaluable resource for them and their families.”

The Cadet Nursing Corps not only served to meet the needs of the United States during World War II, but also promoted the profession of nursing among women. There was a unique social aspect to the program for this period in history – the Corps was non-discriminatory and trained nurses from a wide variety of backgrounds including Native Americans, African Americans and even displaced Japanese Americans. Unlike other professions, where women left to pursue other interests after the World War II, 85 percent of all nursing students in the United States were a part of the Cadet Nursing Corps.

“While much of the focus around World War II remains on what happened overseas, groups like the Cadet Nursing Corps are an important reminder of the dedication of the U.S. citizens on the home front,” said Dan Jones, Vice President of Content Acquisition, Ancestry.com. “We are proud to honor those who served as a part of this distinguished group and provide new generations with the opportunity to learn more.”

New National Archives Video Gives an Inside Look at the Civil War Widows’ Pension Digitization Project

noreply@blogger.com (Genealogy Gems) — Fri, 04 May 2012 00:54:00 +0000

From the National Archives Press Release:

Washington, DC. . . A team of more than 60 volunteers led by professional staff at the National Archives has crossed the 100,000 mark in a project to digitize Civil War widows' pension files and is featured in a new National Archives video short. The National Archives holds 1.28 million case files of the dependents of Civil War Union soldiers who applied to the federal government for pensions.

Watch the new video short in the ongoing series "Inside the Vaults" which describes the project. "The Civil War Widows' Pension Digitization Project at the National Archives":

The files are an astonishing compendium of Civil War history. Testimony in these files from fellow soldiers, widows, children, siblings and bereaved parents describe their deceased comrades, husbands, brothers and sons and often the circumstances in which they died. The effect of the war on family members left behind is also brought to light in great detail.

Volunteers are painstakingly preparing the documents for digitization while creating a searchable index. The index and images are available at www.Fold3.com, a research website in partnership with the National Archives. A second partner, FamilySearch, provides volunteers who create the digital images.

Archives specialist Jackie Budell, who is overseeing the project, says the volunteers range in age from 19 to 90 and come from a variety of backgrounds. Collectively they devote more than 700 hours each month to the effort. “The volunteers are helping to shed light on a large aspect of the Civil War that many historians and sociologists have had little readily-available primary source material to go on – the effect of the war on families back home who were left behind after the soldier’s death,” said Budell.

While making these valuable files more widely available, the volunteers have discovered more treasures in the National Archives’ holdings – personal mementos that became “evidence” when sent to the Pension Bureau long ago and not seen since: for example, the video includes images of some of these newly-discovered tintype images.

New Episode: The 1880 Defective, Dependent and Delinquent Census

noreply@blogger.com (Genealogy Gems) — Tue, 01 May 2012 21:55:00 +0000

It only occurred once.

It's not very "PC."

It is invaluable to those genealogist's whose ancestors were affected.

I'm talking about the 1880 Defective, Dependent and Delinquent special census and in the newest Genealogy Gems Podcast episode published on April 26, 2012, you will learn all about it from professional genealogist and lecturer Jana Broglin CG, OGSF.

Also in this episode you'll hear from listeners like you:

Ashley shares how she discovered the importance of citing her genealogy sources ("It wasn't until I realized that one branch of my family tree had "traced" back to Julius Caesar, who was his own grandfather according to the tree, that I went ...WAIT A MINUTE!")
Jack in Newport News, VA asks what to do in his family tree database with the folks who may or may not be ancestors

and Challe gets some help with saving old family history books

Download the free Genealogy Gems Toolbar, get the app, or load up your mp3 player in iTunes and join me on the Genealogy Gems Podcast!

1940 U.S. Census Indexing Update from FamilySearch

noreply@blogger.com (Genealogy Gems) — Tue, 01 May 2012 21:32:00 +0000

Here's the latest from FamilySearch:

The 1940 U.S. census indexing project was launched this April as part of a broad online community effort. Images and indexing projects for all states and territories in the 1940 census are now online. Of all the different types of historic records available to index, volunteers love census records the most, and it shows in the record-breaking levels of activity we’ve seen in the past three weeks.

Over 85,000 volunteers have already completed 20 percent of the census project.
A record number of active indexers used the program in a single day—34,947 volunteers.
In one day more than 3.2 million records were indexed and 1.5 million were arbitrated.

Remember, this work is being accomplished by volunteers, and they keep coming: thousands are still signing up weekly. As a result, millions of people will soon be able to search every name that was recorded in the 1940 U.S. census. Follow this never before seen indexing progress at FamilySearch.org.

Current and Completed Projects

To view a list of currently available indexing projects, along with their record language and completion percentage, visit the FamilySearch indexing updates page. To learn more about individual projects, visit the FamilySearch projects page.

New Projects Recently Added

France, Diocèse de Coutances et Avranches—Registres Paroissiaux, 1796–1880 [3e partie]
Brasil, Rio de Janeiro—Cartões de Imigração, 1900–1965 [Parte 3A]
U.S., Hawaii—1940 Federal Census
U.S., Iowa—1940 Federal Census
U.S., Kentucky—1940 Federal Census
U.S., New Mexico—1940 Federal Census
U.S., South Carolina—1940 Federal Census
U.S., West Virginia—1940 Federal Census
U.S.—Index to Service Records of Soldiers in the War with Spain, 1898
U.S., Alaska—1940 Federal Census
U.S., Nevada—1940 Federal Census
U.S., New Jersey—1940 Federal Census
U.S., North Dakota—1940 Federal Census
U.S., Tennessee—1940 Federal Census
U.S., Vermont—1940 Federal Census
U.S., Connecticut—1940 Federal Census
U.S., District of Columbia—1940 Federal Census
U.S., Idaho—1940 Federal Census
U.S., Maine—1940 Federal Census
U.S., Michigan—1940 Federal Census
U.S., North Carolina—1940 Federal Census
U.S., Rhode Island—1940 Federal Census
U.S., Washington—1940 Federal Census
U.S., Wisconsin—1940 Federal Census
U.S., Wyoming—1940 Federal Census
U.S., Arizona—1940 Federal Census
U.S., Arkansas—1940 Federal Census
U.S., Georgia—1940 Federal Census
U.S., Missouri—1940 Federal Census
U.S., Missouri—1940 Federal Census [Part A]
U.S., Montana—1940 Federal Census
U.S., Ohio—1940 Federal Census
U.S., South Dakota—1940 Federal Census
U.S., Illinois—1940 Federal Census
U.S., Indiana—1940 Federal Census
U.S., Maryland—1940 Federal Census
U.S., Massachusetts—1940 Federal Census
U.S., Nebraska—1940 Federal Census
U.S., New York—1940 Federal Census
U.S., Texas—1940 Federal Census
U.S., Alabama—1940 Federal Census
U.S., California—1940 Federal Census
U.S., Minnesota—1940 Federal Census
U.S., Pennsylvania—1940 Federal Census
U.S., Florida—1940 Federal Census
U.S., Louisiana—1940 Federal Census
U.S., Mississippi—1940 Federal Census
U.S., Oklahoma—1940 Federal Census
U.S., Virginia—1940 Federal Census

View the FamilySearch Projects page to see the full list of available projects and to learn more about how to participate.

Recently Completed Projects

(Note: Recently completed projects have been removed from the available online indexing batches and will now go through a final completion check process. They will be published at familysearch.org in the near future.)

Belgique—Registres Civile, 1851–1900 [Partie C]
Canada, Prince Edward Island—Baptism Card Index, 1721–1885
Deutschland, Mecklenburg, Schwerin—1867 Volkszählung
Guatemala, Guatemala—Registros Civiles 1800–1900
Österreich—Wiener Meldezettel
Russland, Sankt Petersburg—Kirchenbuchduplikat 1833–1885
South Africa, Cape Province—Church Records 1660–1970
Sverige, Örebro—Kyrkoböcker, till 1860 [Del 5]
UK, England and Wales—1871 Census for London and Surrey [Part C]
UK, England and Wales—1871 Census for London and Surrey [Part D]
U.S., Alabama—County Marriages, 1809–1950 [Part C]
U.S., Colorado—1940 Federal Census
U.S., Delaware—1940 Federal Census
U.S., Indiana, Noble County Marriages—1811–1959
U.S., Kansas—1940 Federal Census
U.S., Michigan—Port of Detroit Manifests, 1906–1954
U.S., New Hampshire—1940 Federal Census
U.S., Oregon—1940 Federal Census
U.S., Oregon, Roseburg—National Homes for Disabled Soldiers, 1866–1938
U.S., Tennessee—County Marriages, 1790–1950 [Part F]
U.S., Texas—Deaths, 1890–1976 [Part A]
U.S., Utah—1940 Federal Census
U.S., Virginia—1940 Federal Census
U.S.—WWI Draft Registration Cards, 1917–1918 [Part 1A]

Angela Lansbury, Tony LaRussa and Richard Meier Honored at 2012 Ellis Island Family Heritage Awards

noreply@blogger.com (Genealogy Gems) — Wed, 25 Apr 2012 23:15:00 +0000

Actress Angela Lansbury, center right, architect Richard Meier, left, and baseball manager Tony La Russa, right, joined by event host Meredith Vieira, second left, pose together at the 11th annual Ellis Island Family Heritage Awards where they were honored for their contributions to the American experience, Thursday, April 19, 2012, in New York. (Photo by Diane Bondareff for The Statue of Liberty-Ellis Island Foundation)

From Ellis Island Press Release:

April 19, 2012 (Ellis Island, NY) – Today in the historic Great Hall on Ellis Island three esteemed individuals were honored by The Statue of Liberty-Ellis Island Foundation, Inc. for the contributions they have made to this “Nation of Immigrants.”

Celebrating the 120^th year of Ellis Island, the 11^th Annual Ellis Island Family Heritage Awards were hosted by NBC’s Meredith Vieira in an 11:00 a.m. ceremony. This year’s event featured an opening tribute to R.M.S. Titanic, marking the centennial of the maritime tragedy.

The 2012 Ellis Island Family Heritage Award recipients are:

TONY LA RUSSA — Sports

Born in Tampa, Florida, where his paternal grandparents had settled after arriving from Sicily through Ellis Island in 1906, Tony La Russa spent 32 years at the helm of the Chicago White Sox, Oakland Athletics, and St. Louis Cardinals, winning six league championships and three World Series titles. A staunch advocate for animal rescue, he and his family founded ARF (Animal Rescue Foundation) in 1991, which aids abandoned animals and uses them to rescue people in need.

RICHARD MEIER— The Arts/Architecture

This Pritzker Prize-winning architect, born in Newark, New Jersey, landed "the commission of the century" designing the Getty Center in Los Angeles. His distinct style of uncompromising minimalism enhances the cityscape from Atlanta to Barcelona to Rome. His maternal grandfather Joseph Kaltenbacher, cofounder of Seton Leather in Newark, came from Germany through Ellis Island in 1896.

ANGELA LANSBURY — B.C. Forbes Peopling of America® Award – Entertainment

This beloved London-born actress, currently on Broadway in Gore Vidal's “The Best Man,” fled Britain with her family in 1940, just days before the London blitz. A star of film, stage and television for seven decades, Ms. Lansbury has received five Tonys, six Golden Globes, three Oscar nominations, and over 15 Emmy nominations. The “Murder She Wrote” star became a naturalized U.S. citizen in 1951.

Each honoree received a framed copy of the original ship’s passenger manifest documenting the arrival of their family through Ellis Island or another port of entry. The Foundation’s database of ship’s passenger records available online at www.ellisisland.organd in the American Family Immigration History Center® at Ellis Island documents the arrival of the more than 17 million immigrants, as well as travelers and crew members, who came through Ellis Island and the Port of New York between 1892-1924.

The Ellis Island Family Heritage Awards are given annually to a select number of immigrants or their descendants to celebrate the Golden Door to America for the 17 million immigrants who came through the Port of New York and Ellis Island. The B.C. Forbes Peopling of America® Award, sponsored by the Forbes Family, honors immigrants who arrived at another time or through another port of entry.

About The Statue of Liberty-Ellis Island Foundation, Inc.

The Statue of Liberty-Ellis Island Foundation, Inc. is a non-profit organization founded in 1982 to raise funds for and oversee the historic restorations of the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island, working in partnership with the National Park Service/U.S. Department of the Interior. Its endowment has funded over 200 projects at the islands.

Genealogy News Alert: Ancestry to Acquire Archives.com

noreply@blogger.com (Genealogy Gems) — Wed, 25 Apr 2012 21:04:00 +0000

After coming out of the "shadows" with a more public image at RootsTech earlier this year, Archives.com has made a name for itself in conjunction with the 1940 census roll out. It's not surprising therefore that Ancestry.com has had an eye on the start up.

Today Ancestry.com announced it's plans to acquire Archives.com in the following press announcement. The press release I received included an additional note from Tim Sullivan, CEO of Ancestry:

"In some ways, we view our deal with Archives.com as a coming-of-age moment for the online family history category....We very much view the acquisition of Archives.com as a way for us to accelerate our strategy of serving multiple customer segments with well differentiated offerings. I want to emphasis that our plan is to keep Archives.com as a distinct brand and site, to continue to nurture its existing partnerships, and to continue to invest in new content, product and technology."

It's clear now that Archives.com considered it's "customer segment" to be family history newbies, offering affordable pricing and emphasis on more commonly known and available records. If Ancestry keeps Archives in tact as is the stated plan, Archives will offer Ancestry a unique portal for beginners that can then funnel them up to Ancestry membership.

Do you see this as a positive or negative for the genealogy marketplace? I look forward to your comments.

ANCESTRY.COM INC. TO ACQUIRE ARCHIVES.COM

PROVO, Utah, April 25, 2012 – Ancestry.com Inc. (Nasdaq: ACOM) announced today it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Archives.com, a family history website, for approximately $100 million in cash and assumed liabilities.

This transaction will enable Ancestry.com to add a differentiated service targeted to a complementary segment of the growing family history category. In addition, Ancestry.com will welcome a team of talented engineers, digital marketers, and family history innovators into the Ancestry.com fold and also gain access to a proprietary technology platform that has supported Archives.com’s rapid growth.

Archives.com is owned and operated by Inflection LLC, a Silicon Valley-based technology company. Since Archives.com’s launch in January 2010, the site has rapidly grown to more than 380,000 paying subscribers who pay approximately $39.95 a year. Archives.com offers access to over 2.1 billion historical records, including birth records, obituaries, immigration and passenger lists, historical newspapers, and U.S. and U.K. Censuses.

“Archives.com has built a fantastic and fast-growing business that we think is highly complementary to Ancestry.com’s online family history offering,” said Tim Sullivan, President and Chief Executive Officer of Ancestry.com. “We love their focus on making family history simple and affordable, and we are excited to help the talented Archives.com team continue to grow alongside Ancestry.com, Fold3.com, and Family Tree Maker.”

“Family history remains a dynamic and growing online category,” added Sullivan. “Archives.com’s focus is consistent with our mission to help everyone discover, preserve and share their family history, which will help continue our efforts in delivering amazing discoveries to an even broader audience.”

Over the past two years, Archives.com has partnered with multiple well-known family history organizations that have helped build out Archives.com robust collection of family history records. Most recently, Archives.com partnered with the U.S. National Archives to provide free digital access to the recently released 1940 U.S. Federal Census.

“We are proud of the experience we’ve built with Archives.com and believe strongly in its future potential,” said Matthew Monahan, CEO and Co-Founder of Inflection. “Combining with Ancestry.com positions Archives.com to best capitalize on that potential, pairing complementary visions of the marketplace and the opportunity. We’ve long admired Ancestry.com’s content and technology and the innovations that the Ancestry.com team continues to bring to market. We’re excited to see how this transaction expands the reach of family history to an even larger audience.”

Upon completion of the transaction, which is subject to customary closing conditions, including expiration of the HSR waiting period, Ancestry.com will continue to operate Archives.com separately retaining its brand and website. Multiple Inflection employees, including key product and engineering executives are expected to join the Ancestry.com team.

About Ancestry.com
Ancestry.com Inc. (Nasdaq: ACOM) is the world's largest online family history resource, with more than 1.8 million paying subscribers. More than 9 billion records have been added to the site in the past 15 years. Ancestry users have created more than 34 million family trees containing approximately 4 billion profiles. In addition to its flagship site, Ancestry.com offers several localized Web sites designed to empower people to discover, preserve and share their family history.

About Archives.com
Archives.com is a leading family history website that makes discovering family history simple and affordable. The company has assembled more than 2.1 billion historical records all in a single location. Archives also partners with other leading family history websites to provide a comprehensive resource for researching your family history. Archives.com is free to try for seven days, allowing anyone to explore the benefits of membership without risk or obligation. For more information and to start discovering your family history, please visit http://www.archives.com/.

About Inflection
Inflection is a Big Data and e-commerce startup headquartered in the heart of Silicon Valley. Leveraging its proprietary technology platform, the company has built innovative data services likeArchives.com, PeopleSmart.com, and Identity.com. Inflection was founded in 2006 and is backed by tier-one venture capitalists Matrix Partners and Sutter Hill Ventures.

Forward-looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements. These statements relate to future events or to future financial performance and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors that may cause our actual results, levels of activity, performance, or achievements to be materially different from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by the use of words such as "appears," "may," "designed," "expect," "intend," "focus," "seek," "anticipate," "believe," "estimate," "predict," "potential," "should," "continue" or "work" or the negative of these terms or other comparable terminology. These statements include statements concerning among other things, the proposed transaction between Ancestry.com and Archives.com, including the consummation and anticipated timing of the transaction as well as the expected benefits of the proposed transaction, and the effects of the proposed transaction on Ancestry.com, our subscriber base or reach. These forward-looking statements are based on information available to us as of the date of this press release. Forward-looking statements involve a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated by these forward-looking statements. Such risks and uncertainties include a variety of factors, some of which are beyond our control. In particular, such risks and uncertainties include the risk that the transaction does not close when anticipated, or at all; difficulties encountered in integrating acquired businesses and retaining customers, and the additional difficulty of integration when continuing the acquired operation; the adverse impact of competitive product announcements; failure to achieve anticipated revenues and operating performance; changes in overall economic conditions; the loss of key employees; competitors’ actions; pricing and gross margin pressures; inability to control costs and expenses; and significant litigation.

Information concerning additional factors that could cause results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements is contained under the caption "Risk Factors" in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011, and in discussions in other of our SEC filings. These forward-looking statements should not be relied upon as representing our views as of any subsequent date and we assume no obligation to publicly update or revise these forward-looking statements for any reason, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.

All WWII Content FREE thru April 30, 2012 at Fold3

noreply@blogger.com (Genealogy Gems) — Mon, 16 Apr 2012 22:45:00 +0000

If you've got 1940 on your mind now that the census has been released, why not take advantage of free access to WWII content to find out more about your family history? Here's what Fold3 has to offer:

From Fold3:

In 1940, Americans were recovering from the Great Depression and on the brink of entering a world war. The recently released 1940 U.S. Census gives us data snapshots of people and families poised between two of the most devastating world-wide events of the 20th century.

After you locate someone in the 1940 Census (on Ancestry.com), use that information to find records on Fold3, especially within the World War II Collection. Then build their personal histories with images and other details you've discovered.

Examples of what you might find include:

"Old Man's Draft" Registration Cards. Any man between the ages of 43 and 62 in 1940 would be required to register in 1942. It's called the "Old Man's" draft because it was a registration of an older generation with skills that would be useful on the home front, not in military action. (Hint: You can also use the addresses on these cards to help you search for people on the census before the index has been created.)
Missing Air Crew Reports recount riveting tales of planes shot down with and without survivors. Some of these reports include names and addresses of family members back home, as in this example for the men in this crash report.
War Diaries are official Navy accounts of command units' strategies and actions in battles on land, sea, and air, as well as between engagements.
European Theater Army Records. Shortly after the 1940 census, millions of Americans were serving in Great Britain and Europe. These records include virtually all administrative and strategic documents relating to U.S. operations in the European Theater during World War II.

There are also many compelling records and images within WWII Photos, the Interactive USS Arizona Memorial, WWII Hero Pages, and Holocaust Records. Pair the people you find in the 1940 Census to their service in World War II through documents, pages, and photos in Fold3's World War II Collection.

Get started at www.Fold3.com

Youth Program at the National Genealogical Society 2012 Family History Conference

noreply@blogger.com (Genealogy Gems) — Mon, 16 Apr 2012 03:13:00 +0000

(Arlington, VA)–The National Genealogical Society's thirty-fourth annual Family History Conference, The Ohio River: Gateway to the Western Frontier, will be held 9–12 May 2012 in Cincinnati, Ohio.
A highlight of the NGS 2012 Family History Conference will be the Genealogy Youth Kamp on Saturday, 12 May 2012, at the Duke Energy Convention Center from 8:30 a.m. until 12:00 p.m. The Kamp, designed to develop an understanding of family history, is intended for youth 8 to 16 years old. Scouts and 4-H groups are encouraged to participate in the event with their leaders. The morning will be composed of a variety of hands-on activities including a workshop focusing on genealogical merit badges. A special program is planned for interested parents, grandparents, and adults who are welcome to attend.

The Genealogy Youth Kamp is free, but registration is required. Space is limited. Go to http://www.ngsgenealogy.org/cs/attendee_registration to register. After registering, please prepare for the Kamp by following the directions on the NGS Genealogy Youth Kamp web page http://www.ngsgenealogy.org/cs/conferences_events/annual_conference/youth_kamp

Get Some Extra Help Finding Your Family in the 1940 Census

noreply@blogger.com (Genealogy Gems) — Sun, 15 Apr 2012 18:35:00 +0000

News Release – For Immediate Release: April 4, 2012
Santa Monica, CA. April 4, 2012: The 1940 Census has finally been released and you can now browse the images online. But the waiting’s not over, since you still won’t be able to search the whole census by person until it’s fully indexed in several months.

Help, however, is at hand. Findmypast.com has come up with a way to make your search quicker and simpler – by offering to do the searching for you.

Findmypast.com is the new U.S. addition to the global network of findmypast family history websites, launched in a limited, early form in time for the 1940 Census. Its unique new, customized feature, created for the 1940 Census, is called “We’ll find them for you” and is now live.

All you have to do is to visit findmypast.com, submit the name of the person you’re searching for, plus some extra clues, and findmypast.com will email you as soon as the person’s records become available.

“We’re taking the hassle and delay out of searching”, says Brian Speckart, marketing manager of findmypast.com. “With this new feature, findmypast.com is going the extra mile to help you find your past as quickly and easily as possible.”

While the whole census won’t be searchable for several months, the records of individual U.S. states will be made searchable earlier, one state at a time. A couple of them are likely to be done by mid-April.

Some genealogy sites are offering to alert users simply when a particular state has been indexed. “But we’re going further and finding the particular individual you’re looking for”, says Speckart.

You have to tell findmypast.com in which state the person was living at the time of the 1940 Census. “As soon as that state is indexed, we run a program against the data to find the individual you’re looking for you and then email you the links we find”, says Speckart.

The job of indexing states one by one is being done by an army of volunteers under the banner of the 1940 Community Project, of which findmypast.com is a proud member.

Visitors to findmypast.com will be able to use the site’s new “We’ll find them for you” feature to submit details of the person they want to find.

Supplying the person’s first and last name and state where they were living in 1940 is all that’s required but providing additional clues will help findmypast.com narrow down the search results. Other helpful information includes approximate year of birth, likely birth city, place of residence in 1940 and names of other household members.

The new service isn’t just limited to family members either. Users can submit details of celebrities or other public figures and ask findmypast.com to find them too.
“So, if you happen to know that Marilyn Monroe’s real name was Norma Jean and which state she called home in 1940, we’ll find her for you too”, says Speckart.

MyHeritage releases mobile app for searching the 1940 census and more

noreply@blogger.com (Genealogy Gems) — Sun, 15 Apr 2012 18:32:00 +0000

Here is a nifty new tool for family history research on the go!

From the MyHeritage press release:

MyHeritage, the popular online family network, has announced the ability to search billions of historical records, including the 1940 U.S. Census, on-the-go via a new version of the free MyHeritage Mobile App for iPhone, Android and iPad. The new version 1.2 of the MyHeritage App also searches more than 22 million family trees, helping users with their family history research.

The MyHeritage Mobile App was first introduced in December 15, 2011 and has since amassed an install base of more than 500,000. In addition to searching historical content, it allows users to take their family tree on-the-go with an attractive display specially suited for mobile devices, capture family moments for future generations and stay in touch with family anytime, anywhere.

As millions of people rush to satisfy their curiosity and access the 1940 US census - one of the most significant sets of historical records ever to be released - MyHeritage is currently the only commercial player offering both a complete set of images from all US states and a preliminary searchable index, available via the new MyHeritage App and on www.myheritage.com/1940census. Access is completely free and no registration is required.

All 3.8 million images of the 1940 U.S. Census, and the initial collection of indexed records searchable by names, facts and other criteria, are now available to explore for free on the MyHeritage App, downloadable from the App Store or Google Play (formerly Android Market). The app can search the entire MyHeritage data collection of more than four billion records, many exclusive to MyHeritage, including birth, marriage, death, immigration and military records, census records, newspapers, yearbooks and much more. Available in more than 20 languages, the app enables family history lovers all over the world to explore their family’s history.

Go Inside the Titanic-Related Holdings at the National Archives in New York City

noreply@blogger.com (Genealogy Gems) — Tue, 10 Apr 2012 18:21:00 +0000

National Archives Launches New Video Short “Titanic at the National Archives – 100 Years”

Washington, DC. . . On the hundredth anniversary of the Titanic setting sail, the National Archives today is releasing its latest video short “Titanic at the National Archives – 100 Years,” taking viewers inside the Titanic-related holdings of National Archives at New York City. The 2:41 minute video is part of the ongoing “Inside the Vaults” series:

The film series is free to view and distribute on our YouTube channel at http://tiny.cc/Vaults. These videos are in the public domain and not subject to any copyright restrictions. The National Archives encourages the free distribution of them.

As the archival repository for the records for the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York, the National Archives at New York City holds records in the admiralty case files related to Titanic, specifically the petition filed by the Oceanic Steam Navigation Company, as the owner of Titanic, for limitation of liability. Among the documents are depositions of surviving passengers, blueprints of the ship, claims of loss and photographs. Often in the first person, they tell the story of the sinking in dramatic detail. In this video, National Archives archivist Bonnie Sauer, public programs specialist Dorothy Dougherty, education specialist Christopher Zarr, education technician Sara Pasquerello and volunteer William Roaka talk about their favorite Titanic documents in the holdings. The documents are available to the public in New York City, and many can also be viewed on the National Archives’ online research system, ARC.

Background on “Inside the Vaults”

“Inside the Vaults” is part of the ongoing effort by the National Archives to make its collections, stories, and accomplishments more accessible to the public. “Inside the Vaults” gives voice to Archives staff and users, highlights new and exciting finds at the Archives, and reports on complicated and technical subjects in easily understandable presentations. Earlier topics include the conservation of the original Declaration of Independence, and the 1297 Magna Carta, the transfer to the National Archives of the Nuremberg Laws, and the launch of a new National Archives user-friendly search engine. The film series is free to view and distribute on our YouTube channel at http://tiny.cc/Vaults

Parks and Recreation Star Discovers His Family History in Who Do You Think You Are?

noreply@blogger.com (Genealogy Gems) — Tue, 10 Apr 2012 02:20:00 +0000

I'm particularly looking forward to the next episode of NBC's Who Do You Think You Are? as it features one of my favorite actors from one of my all-time favorite shows, Parks and Recreation. Watch the following video to see how actor Rob Lowe ventures into his past to discover his family tree.

Learn how to research your family tree by listening to my free podcast Family History: Genealogy Made Easy. Available for free subscription through iTunes. Just search "family history"

Highlight and Deleted Scene Videos from Who Do You Think You Are?

noreply@blogger.com (Genealogy Gems) — Tue, 10 Apr 2012 02:12:00 +0000

Here are highlight videos and deleted scenes that follow Edie Falco as she learns more about her family’s history on NBC's Who Do You Think You Are? last Friday.

A Tree of Falsehoods
Edie learns that the known genealogical facts about her family tree are actually all incorrect:

Criminal Intercourse
Edie leans about the bitter divorce of her ancestors and the mudslinging that occurred during their contentious court battle:

A Battle for Divorce in Edie's Family History
Edie learns about the troubling details of her ancestors' contentious divorce and the fight over the custody of their children:

You can catch up with Edie Falco as she traces her roots with Friday’s episode here.

Genealogy Just Got More Exciting! The 1940 Census is Here

noreply@blogger.com (Genealogy Gems) — Tue, 03 Apr 2012 16:53:00 +0000

It's not every day that a new record group becomes available that will help you learn more about your family history. But yesterday, April 2, 2012 was one of those special days! Who will you be looking for? Do you plan on volunteering to help with indexing?

National Archives Releases 1940 Census

Washington, D.C. . . Ever wondered where your family lived before WWII; whether they owned their home; if they ever attended high school or college; if they were born in the United States, and if not, where? Unlocking family mysteries and filling in the blanks about family lore became much easier today with the release of the 1940 census by the National Archives and Records Administration. By law the information on individuals in the decennial censuses, which is mandated by the U.S. Constitution, is locked away for 72 years.

In a 9 A.M. ceremony in the William G. McGowan Theater, Archivist of the United States David S. Ferriero declared the 1940 census officially open. This is the 16th decennial census, marking the 150th anniversary of the census. Performing the first search, Mr. Ferriero said, “It is very exciting for families across America to have access to this wealth of material about the 1930s. Many of us will be discovering relatives and older family members that we didn’t know we had, picking up threads of information that we thought were lost, and opening a window into the past that until now has been obscured We now have access to a street-level view of a country in the grips of a depression and on the brink of global war.”

Dr. Robert Groves, Director of the U.S. Census Bureau added: “Releasing census records is an odd event for us; we spend all our lives keeping the data we collect confidential. However, once every 10 years, we work with the National Archives and Records Administration to release 72-year old census records that illuminate our past. We know how valuable these records are to genealogists and think of their release as another way to serve the American public.”

For the first time, the National Archives is releasing an official decennial census online. The 3.9 million images constitute the largest collection of digital information ever released by the National Archives. The free official website http://1940census.archives.gov/, hosted by Archives.com, includes a database of Americans living within the existing 48 states and 6 territories on April 2, 1940.

“There is a great synergy between the National Archives and Archives.com stemming from our passion to bring history online,” said John Spottiswood, Vice President, Business Development, Archives.com. He continued, “It has been a tremendous opportunity to work with the National Archives to bring the 1940 census to millions of people, the most anticipated record collection in a decade. In a short period, we’ve built a robust website that allows people to browse, share, print, and download census images. We encourage all to visit 1940census.archives.gov to get started on their family history!”

The census database released today includes an index searchable at the enumeration district level. An enumeration district is an area that a census taker could cover in two weeks in an urban area and one month in a rural area.

To make the search for information easier, the National Archives has joined a consortium of groups to create a name-based index. Leading this effort, FamilySearch is recruiting as many as 300,000 volunteers to enter names into a central database.

Questions asked in the 1940 census, which reflect the dislocation of the Great Depression of the 1930s, will yield important information not only for family historians and genealogists, but also for demographers and social and economic historians. We learn not only if a family owned or rented their home, but the value of their home or their monthly rent. We can find lists of persons living in the home at the time of the census, their names, ages and relationship to the head of household. For the first time the census asked where a family was living five years earlier: on April 1, 1935. This information might offer clues to migration patterns caused by the Dust Bowl and the Great Depression. For the first time in the census, a question relating to wages and salary was asked. Persons 14 years old and over were asked questions regarding their employment status: Were they working for pay or profit in private or nonemergency government work during the week of March 24–March 30, 1940? Were they seeking work? How many hours did they work during the last week of March? How many weeks did they work in 1939? What was their occupation and in what industry?

Deleted Scenes from Who Do You Think You Are?

noreply@blogger.com (Genealogy Gems) — Tue, 03 Apr 2012 16:09:00 +0000

Can't get enough of NBC's Who Do You Think You Are? Grab the kleenex because here are more highlights and deleted scenes from last week's episode featuring actress Rita Wilson discovering her family history.

A Father's Hidden Family
Rita discovers her father had a secret family in Bulgaria that suffered a devastating tragedy.

The Great Escape
Rita learns about the harrowing escape her father made from the Bulgarian forced labor camp

Ethnic Tensions
Rita learns about the ethnic problems her father's family faced in the region of his youth.

Would you like to learn more about how to do genealogy research? Listen to my free podcast The Genealogy Gems Podcast, and subscribe for free in iTunes.