Paula's Genealogical Eclectica

Salt Lake Institute of Genealogy

PaulaStuartWarren@gmail.com (Paula Stuart-Warren, CG) — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 21:42:00 +0000

The discount registration deadline for this wonderful week of courses right in the backyard of the Family History Library is tomorrow, November 16th. You save $25.00 if you register today or tomorrow! For all the course details click here. If you wish to read my previous lengthier blog entry about SLIG, click here.

Diocese of St. Augustine archive hosts oldest American documents

noreply@blogger.com (Paula Stuart-Warren) — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 21:15:00 +0000

The Catholic News Agency recently distributed a story with that title about the Diocese of St. Augustine in Florida. The opening paragraph stated "The oldest extant European documents written in U.S. continental territory are now hosted at the Archives of the Diocese of St. Augustine."

The story also said "One of the earliest documents, dated Jan. 24, 1594, is a handwritten record by Fr. Diego Escobar de Sambrana. It describes the marriage of soldier Gabriel Hernandez to Catalina de Valdes in St. Augustine." So why can't we find "modern" marriage records for some of our ancestors! The material in the archives was brought back to one place from a variety of other archives.

On September 22d, a new archives building was dedicated. "Curators intend to digitize the archives so that they can be easily and safely used by researchers." Unfortunately, the article does not give any time line for that process. Diocesan archives information can be found here and that includes their list of rules for researchers. "The diocese maintains Episcopal archives (1857-1967) and the parish registers of the Cathedral-Basilica (1594-1881). The archives also handles requests for genealogical research and the history of Catholicism in Florida."

The Association of Professional Genealogists elects new officers and board

noreply@blogger.com (Paula Stuart-Warren) — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 00:27:00 +0000

Its been a bunch of years since I was an officer of the Association of Professional Genealogists. The elections go on year after year and bring in new officers and board members to lead the organization. The results of the recent election were released today. Congratulations to you all and you have my support and thanks for serving. I know it is a big volunteer commitment, but it is worth it. A big thanks to all the outgoing officers and board members and to the others who ran in this election.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
13 November 2009

Laura G. Prescott Elected APG President

WESTMINSTER, Colo., November 13 - Laura G. Prescott of Brookline, New Hampshire, has been elected president of the Association of Professional Genealogists (APG), the world's leading professional organization of family history and related professionals. Prescott is genealogist for the Nickerson Family Association and a consultant for Footnote.com. She will succeed Jake Gehring of Salt Lake City, Utah.

Prescott, reflecting on her upcoming tenure, said "I'm very excited about the next two years. We have a diverse and enthusiastic group of people on the board. This enthusiasm, coupled with the momentum from the current administration, will surely bring benefits to our members. Chapters will continue to play a vital role in reaching members and genealogists on a local level, while we try innovative ways, nationally and internationally, to educate and inform the membership, as well as aspiring genealogists. As professionals, we have a responsibility to set an example and support each other in making positive contributions to the entire genealogical community and to the profession."

APG members also elected three members of the board's executive committee to two-year terms, eleven of its nineteen regional directors, and two members to one-year terms on the nominating committee.

Kenyatta D. Berry of Santa Monica, California, a genealogist, entrepreneur, and lawyer with more than 12 years of experience in genealogy research and writing was elected vice president of the nearly 2,000 member organization. Andrew M. "Drew" Smith, MLS, of Odessa, Florida, president of the Florida Genealogical Society of Tampa, and co-host of the Genealogy Guys Podcast was elected secretary. Current APG treasurer, Gordon Gray of Colorado Springs, Colorado, was re-elected. He owns GrayLine Group, a genealogical/family history research business and is the president of the International Society for British Genealogy & Family History.

Eleven regional director positions will be filled by:

West Region:
Suzanne Russo Adams, AG, of Utah, specialist in Italian research and employee of Ancestry.com. James Ison, AG, CG, of Utah, president of the APG Salt Lake Chapter and manager of Strategy and Planning for the Family History Library.

Midwest Region:
Mary Clement Douglass, Salina, Kansas, former museum curator and co-founder of the APG Heartland Chapter. Jay Fonkert, CG, St. Paul, Minnesota, genealogical educator and writer, and president of the Minnesota Genealogical Society.

Southeast Region:
Alvie L. Davidson, CG, a Florida-based Private Investigator and Circuit Court qualified expert. Craig Roberts Scott, CG, President and CEO of Heritage Books, Inc. Melanie D. Holtz, of North Carolina, specialist in Italian research.

Northeast Region:
Debra Braverman, New York, national speaker and forensic genealogist who regularly testifies as an expert witness. Pamela S. Eagleson, CG, Maine, researcher, writer, and teacher focusing on New England, the mid-Atlantic, and Midwest.

International Regions:
Michael Goldstein of Israel, traces roots worldwide, specializing in family reunification, heir searches, and holocaust research. Carole Riley, a professional genealogist based in Sydney, Australia with a background in computer applications.

David McDonald, CG, of Wisconsin, currently serving as a trustee of the Board for Certification of Genealogists and a director of the National Genealogical Society; and Donna M. Moughty, Florida, speaker and writer were elected to one-year terms on the nominations committee.

The Association of Professional Genealogists (http://www.apgen.org), established in 1979, represents nearly 2,000 genealogists, librarians, writers, editors, historians, instructors, booksellers, publishers, and others involved in genealogy-related businesses. APG encourages genealogical excellence, ethical practice, mentoring, and education. The organization also supports the preservation and accessibility of records useful to the fields of genealogy, local, and social history. Its members represent all fifty states, Canada, and thirty other countries.

The new Archivist of the United States is now on the job!

noreply@blogger.com (Paula Stuart-Warren) — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 16:47:00 +0000

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 13, 2009

DAVID FERRIERO SWORN IN AS 10TH ARCHIVIST OF THE UNITED STATES

Washington, DC. . . David Ferriero, the former Andrew W. Mellon Director of the New York Public Libraries and a leader in the field of research librarianship, was sworn in today as the tenth Archivist of the United States at a small ceremony at the National Archives at College
Park. Mr. Ferriero will move to Washington and assume his duties full-time in the very near future.

At his swearing-in ceremony, Mr. Ferriero said, "I'm very excited about being here. I am looking forward to jumping in with both feet to work with the staff at the National Archives on the important issues that we face in a world increasingly dependent upon information and
technology."

Ancestry.com: Additional Military Records + free access through Friday, November 13th.

noreply@blogger.com (Paula Stuart-Warren) — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 21:01:00 +0000

Ancestry.com Publishes for the First Time Online Collection of Twentieth-Century Navy Records Site Celebrates Veterans Day with Free Access to Entire U.S. Military Records Collection

PROVO, UT (Nov. 11, 2009) - Ancestry.com today added more than 600 Navy cruise books to its online collection of military records to commemorate Veterans Day. This historic effort is the result of an agreement between Ancestry.com, the world's largest online resource for family history, and the United States Navy. As part of the agreement, Ancestry.com set up scanners on location at the Navy Department Library in Washington, DC, and has spent several months digitizing the cruise books for this occasion.

The collection of Navy cruise books, available exclusively online at Ancestry.com, represents nearly 40 years of cruises following World War II (1950-1988) and chronicles an estimated 450,000 servicemen deployed at sea during that time. Styled after yearbooks, the cruise books include the names and photographs of individuals who served aboard the ship and highlight not only significant milestones that took place during the cruise, but also the day-to-day life on board ship. While not every Navy cruise was documented in a cruise book, the Navy Department Library has on file an estimated 3,500 cruise books, which Ancestry.com plans to digitize and add to this collection over time.

"When Ancestry.com approached the Navy about digitizing these cruise books for online access, we were thrilled," said Captain Charles Todd Creekman, Jr., USN (Ret.) Executive Director of the Naval Historical Foundation. "A cruise book offers an insider's perspective into what these sailors experienced, and the strong camaraderie they established, while serving their country at sea."

The Navy cruise books are part of Ancestry.com's U.S. Military Collection, which includes 100 million names that span more than three centuries of American military service. "When you have a family member who has served in the Armed Forces, you can't help but be proud," said Tim Sullivan, CEO of Ancestry.com. "This Veterans Day, we're celebrating America's military heroes of yesterday and today and invite every American with military roots to see if they can learn something new about their family member on Ancestry.com."

In honor of America's military heroes, the entire U.S. Military Collection on Ancestry.com can be searched free through Nov. 13. To begin exploring your family's military heritage, visit www.ancestry.com/military.

New Archivist of the United States

noreply@blogger.com (Paula Stuart-Warren) — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 20:12:00 +0000

This press release was just received from the U.S. National Archives. I hope this bodes well for all types of researchers and the preservation of and true access to the records.

David Ferriero Confirmed by U.S. Senate as 10th Archivist of the United States

Washington, DC. . . Today, the United States Senate voted to confirm David Ferriero as the 10th Archivist of the United States. Mr. Ferriero was the Andrew W. Mellon Director of the New York Public Libraries and is a leader in the field of library science. Mr. Ferriero, who was nominated by President Obama on July 28, 2009, will succeed Professor Allen Weinstein who resigned as Archivist in December 2008 for health reasons. Deputy Archivist Adrienne Thomas is serving as the Acting Archivist until Mr. Ferriero assumes his duties.

As the Andrew W. Mellon Director of the New York Public Libraries (NYPL), Mr. Ferriero was part of the leadership team responsible for integrating the four research libraries and 87 branch libraries into one seamless service for users, creating the largest public library system in the United States and one of the largest research libraries in the world. Mr. Ferriero was in charge of collection strategy; conservation; digital experience; reference and research services; and education, programming, and exhibitions.

Among his responsibilities at the NYPL was the development of the library's digital strategy, which currently encompasses partnerships with Google and Microsoft, a web site that reaches more than 25 million unique users annually, and a digital library of more than 750,000 images that may be accessed free of charge by any user around the world.

Before joining the NYPL in 2004, Mr. Ferriero served in top positions at two of the nation's major academic libraries, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in Cambridge, MA, and Duke University in Durham, NC. In those positions, he led major initiatives including the expansion of facilities, the adoption of digital technologies, and a reengineering of printing and publications.

Mr. Ferriero earned bachelor's and master's degrees in English literature from Northeastern University in Boston and a master's degree from the Simmons College of Library and information Science, also in Boston. After serving in the Navy during the Vietnam War, he started in the humanities library at MIT, where he worked for 31 years, rising to associate director for public services and acting co-director of libraries.

In 1996, Mr. Ferriero moved to Duke University, where he served as University Librarian and Vice Provost for Library Affairs until 2004. At Duke, he raised more than $50 million to expand and renovate the university's library and was responsible for instructional technology initiatives, including overseeing Duke's Center for Instructional Technology.

As Archivist of the United States, Mr. Ferriero will oversee the National Archives and Records Administration, an independent Federal agency created by statute in 1934. The National Archives safeguards and preserves the records of the U.S. Government, ensuring that the people can discover, use, and learn from this documentary heritage. The National Archives ensures continuing access to records that document the rights of American citizens, the actions of federal officials, and the national experience.

Wordless Wednesday: The Stuart Grandchildren Christmas 1962

noreply@blogger.com (Paula Stuart-Warren) — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 02:36:00 +0000

Christmas 1962 at 1080 Bowdoin in St. Paul

All the grandchildren of Earl James and Olga Theodora (Toots) (Carlsen) Stuart.

Purdue year books online

PaulaStuartWarren@gmail.com (Paula Stuart-Warren, CG) — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 04:07:00 +0000

Did you, an ancestor, or other family member attend Purdue University? The Purdue yearbooks from 1889 through 2007 are now online according to a November 1st article at BoilerStation.com.

"Sammie Morris, head of archives and special collections at Purdue, said the library staff saw a need to scan the yearbooks due to the many requests that come from out-of-town individuals searching for information. And, she said, month-to-month statistics show hundreds of thousands of visits to the site since its launch in February."

It is possible to search by a name, topic, building name, or other ways. An advanced search capability is offered for this and other digitized items. Checking year after year shows a changing view of the campus, courses, activities, and of course, the students.

The 1907 edition shows very few women but has an interesting entry on page 173 for one of the men, Lester Elliot Gunn from Toledo, Ohio. "He expects to enter the employ of the Wabash Railroad and we all hope to see him President some day." Sadly, there is a handwritten addition to his entry "Deceased October 2, 1918." In 1907 the thesis topic of each graduate is listed.

Read the full online article by clicking here. The name of the yearbook? Debris. No, I did not check for the reasoning behind that name. Any Purdue grads want to explain?

2010 Salt Lake Institute of Genealogy (SLIG)

PaulaStuartWarren@gmail.com (Paula Stuart-Warren, CG) — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 00:14:00 +0000

Please share the following with your genealogy friends:

Five days of learning. Five days of discovering ways to find your ancestors. Five days of networking. Five days of techniques to break through brick walls. Five days of fun. Five days of working on your own family. Five days of making new friends.

And to top all that off, you will be near the Family History Library in Salt Lake City. SLIG classes take place in the downtown Radisson Hotel which is less than 2 blocks from the library. Heck, you don't ever have to venture out if you don't want to. Stay at the hotel and take the elevator or stairs to the classroom and to the restaurant. If you decide that you do want to visit the library (is there any doubt?) there is usually no problem walking on downtown SLC sidewalks even in winter. I am always amazed at how clean those are kept no matter the time of year. You may hear weather forecasts of big snow in the area but that is up in the mountains not down in the valleys. Traditionally, SLIG draws students from all over the United States and some from Canada. If you don't normally get to see snow in the winter months, you might be lucky enough to see a couple inches that week but it doesn't always happen.

Live locally? Take the Trax to within 1 block of the library. Don't make enough use of the library that is practically in your own backyard? This is a great opportunity to learn from instructors who are very familiar with the FHL.

Registrations made by November 16th save $25.00 off the full price. For your fee you receive all the classes in the course you choose, course materials, an orientation breakfast and the Friday night banquet. Optional evening classes and additional dinner tickets are extra. To see the full and varied list of courses click here.

I am in charge of Course I that is an intermediate level course on U.S. resources titled American Records and Research: Focusing on Families. The 2010 classes focus on topics related to researching individuals and families in the 19th-21st centuries. Sixteen informative classroom hours on significant U.S. records and strategies take you beyond basic research tools. In addition, for this course only, 6.5 hours of help in the Family History Library during the Institute week provide hands-on assistance and guidance. This totals 22.5 hours for your one fee. Time in the library will also include mini-tours and instruction on the recently expanded number of digital scanners for capturing your own images from microfilm.

7,000 books with no place to go

PaulaStuartWarren@gmail.com (Paula Stuart-Warren, CG) — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 23:38:00 +0000

I just read a story about the Sequoia Genealogical Society in Tulare, California. The society owns between 5,000 - 7,000 books that have been housed in the public library in Tulare since 1976. They were recently informed that they are being "evicted" even before moving into the new city library. The space for the genealogy section had been on the drawing board for the new library. The library says it needs to serve more people. "The library now plans to use that space for a learning center, which would offer tutoring, job training and community group activities."

I wonder if the library ever did anything to promote the genealogy section that was staffed by volunteers? Click here to read the full article. The genealogy section is included on the library's website here. The website says it is "one of the largest collections of genealogical materials between Los Angeles and San Francisco."

Eating lunch while learning

PaulaStuartWarren@gmail.com (Paula Stuart-Warren, CG) — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 10:25:00 +0000

It's good to eat a sensible lunch and it's even better if you pack it yourself. Accompany that lunch with a historical lecture and you are feeding both mind and body. Historical societies and libraries often have noontime "Brown Bag Lectures." Yes you may need to take some extra time from your day to attend the full lecture but most run about an hour. This is a great way to gain education while eating. That lecture might even be at a place where you need to do some research. Maybe a co-worker would be willing to accompany you to the lecture (and while on the way to and from you can tell how the lecture relates to family history research). Some are free and others have a small fee. Many offer some liquid refreshments to accompany your lunch. Here are a variety of places with such lectures:

Idaho Historical Society, Boise, Idaho
The Brown Bag programs occur the second Tuesday each month from September through May from 12:00 noon to 1:00 p.m. at the Idaho State Historical Museum.

Nebraska State Historical Society, Lincoln, Nebraska
November 19: Saving Native American Artifacts at the Museum of Nebraska History
Presenters: Tina Koeppe, NSHS Collections Technician and Jessica Waite, NSHS Conservation Technician. Learn how staff at the Museum of Nebraska History are working to save over 3000 Native American artifacts from the ravages of time.

University of Mississippi, University, Mississippi

November 16: Brown Bag Lecture/Film: 'Makin Do: Rural Women Coping with Difficult Times'
"This film captures women's lives in depression-era Union County. Topics include midwifery, birth and bartering, as well as farm and factory women. The documentary was produced by the Department of History and the Center for Media and Documentary Studies. Moderated by Elizabeth Payne, professor of history."

Birmingham Public Library, Birmingham, Alabama
November 1: Guest Lecture and Exhibit Opening for Digging Out of the Great Depression-Federal Programs at Work

Ohio County Public Library, Wheeling, West Virginia
December 15: A History of the Wheeling Fire Department

Do you have Pillsbury family connections?

PaulaStuartWarren@gmail.com (Paula Stuart-Warren, CG) — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 19:03:00 +0000

Do you have an ancestral connection to the Pillsbury family (England, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Minnesota)? If you have a bit of change lying around you might be able to bid for the Pillsbury home on Lake Minnetonka, just west of Minneapolis, Minnesota. It even has a connection to the restoration of Ellis Island.

The estate, Southways, was sold out of the family in 1991. It could be that the 40,000 square foot mansion that sits on 13 acres is not large enough for you. The price has been 53.5 million dollars from the current owner but it has not sold and the next tactic is to sell it via auction. Sealed bids are due by December 9th.

The Ellis Island connection is that the current owners "commissioned New York City-based architects Beyer Blinder Belle, famous for restoring Ellis Island and Grand Central Station" to restore the mansion.

If you are the successful bidder, I am available for luncheon when you move in. According to Google Maps I can be there in 19 minutes and I am familiar with the area. There would be space for a very nice genealogy library and even for some meetings. The closest I have been to the Pillsbury family is buying a bag of their flour and doing some minimal research on them.

To read the full story click here. Photos of the house and grounds are here. Lake Minnetonka is a beautiful area.

Another kind of electronic obituaries

PaulaStuartWarren@gmail.com (Paula Stuart-Warren, CG) — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 00:10:00 +0000

Many years ago a notice about a funeral may have appeared somewhere in the town square, in the local post office, or the info was passed by word of mouth. Then we had printed newspaper funeral notices and obituaries. Today we also have online obituaries via newspapers and funeral home websites.

Change has come once again. A funeral home in Des Moines, Iowa is posting obituaries on billboards. Yes, you read that correctly. I had to reread the article about it.

They appear on electronic billboards and rotate with other advertising. I can see it now. Attend John Q. Smith's funeral followed by the ads for BBQ ribs, a local "gentlemen's" club, the all-you-can-eat buffet, and then one for the 10:00 news team. How did obituaries ever escape the Burma Shave style series roadside ads? That could have said --

Friday 4:00
Stop to see
John Q. Smith
Don't be late
Oaks Funeral Home

"Jessica Koth, spokeswoman for the National Funeral Directors Association in Brookfield, Wis., said it's the first time she's heard of a funeral home displaying service information on a billboard." Read the Associated Press article by clicking here.

October 24th, Pittsburgh PA Seminar

PaulaStuartWarren@gmail.com (Paula Stuart-Warren, CG) — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 00:42:00 +0000

My next lecture stop is the 2009 Fall Conference of the North Hills Genealogists on Saturday, October 24th at the Christ Episcopal Church, 5910 Babcock Blvd., Pittsburgh, PA 15237. Sandra MacLean Clunies, CG, CGL is also presenting at this event.

For more info check the North Hills Genealogists website. http://www.northhillsgenealogists.org/

My topics:

Tho’ They Were Poor, They May Have Been Rich in Records
Lord Preserve Us! Church Records for Family History Research
NUCMC & Its Cousins: Keys to "Lost" Ancestral
A Baker’s Dozen: Easy Ways to Begin Writing Your Family History

Sandy's topics:

Jump the Pond: Tracing Immigrant Families
Research in Washington, DC, from Home

The end of the day features a Wrap-Up Session: Panel Discussion with an opportunity to ask the speakers questions during a panel discussion moderated by Elissa Scalise Powell, CG.

CG, CGL, Certified Genealogist and Certified Genealogical Lecturer are Service Marks (SM) of the Board for Certification of Genealogists and are used under license after periodic evaluations by the Board.

Home from Southern California.

PaulaStuartWarren@gmail.com (Paula Stuart-Warren, CG) — Sun, 18 Oct 2009 22:11:00 +0000

I just spent four wonderful days communing with other genealogists in Southern California. I was not expecting the 90 degree temps! As I reported earlier, I spoke on Wednesday evening to the Genealogical Society of North Orange County California and yesterday presented four lectures for the South Orange County California Genealogical Society. Both groups have a very dedicated segment of volunteers. Chairs, display tables, refreshments, microphone, and the needs of the speaker were taken care of quickly and professionally. The friendliness of the folks at both meetings made it difficult to say goodbye. I was also able to spend some quality time with long-time genealogy friends and had some wonderful meals.

I answered dozens of questions from audience members and that is another part of these events that I love. Quite a few folks mentioned that they read my blog so this is a special hello to them!

If you live in the Southern California area, watch for monthly events and annual seminars sponsored by both of these societies. They do a great job of making the audiences and speaker feel comfortable.

Where am I off to next? I will be in the Pittsburgh area -- watch here for details in a day or two.

DAR guide wins prestigious award

PaulaStuartWarren@gmail.com (Paula Stuart-Warren, CG) — Sun, 18 Oct 2009 22:03:00 +0000

This is a press release from the American Society of Genealogists:

FORGOTTEN PATRIOTS wins the Jacobus Award

At its meeting in Salt Lake City, Utah, on 10 October 2009, the American Society of Genealogists voted to give their annual Donald Lines Jacobus Award to Forgotten Patriots, African American and American Indian Patriots in the Revolutionary War: A Guide to Service, Sources, and Studies edited by Eric Grundset, Director of the DAR Library in Washington, D.C., and published by the DAR in 2008. wins the Jacobus Award

Researched by Briana L. Diaz, Hollis L. Gentry, and Jean D. Strahan, as well as by the editor, this substantial reference work has a general introduction, state-by-state introductions, sources, and bibliography, an alphabetical list of names with source codes, maps, photographs, and a glossary of obscure words found in the original records. Many appendices deal with topics such as documenting the color of soldiers and using names as clues to finding them. It is not a collection of biographies but a compilation of source references for individual soldiers that will greatly improve the breadth and accuracy of research. Since Revolutionary War service is often the starting point for research on families of color, this book opens new doors in an increasingly compelling field of genealogy.

The Donald Lines Jacobus Award was established in 1972 to encourage sound scholarship in genealogical writing. It is presented to a model genealogical work published within the previous five years. A list of the books receiving the award in previous years appears on the American Society of Genealogists website (www.fasg.org). Anyone planning to publish their own research, especially as a compiled genealogy or family history, would do well to study the format and style of these books.

Southern California here I come

PaulaStuartWarren@gmail.com (Paula Stuart-Warren, CG) — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 17:22:00 +0000

During this week, I will be making two appearances in southern California. I look forward to meeting blog readers. It is snowing here in my part of Minnesota and I will be happy to leave it. It will melt, but it's still so early to see this much. (At least in my mind!)

Wednesday, 14 October, Yorba Linda, California
An evening presentation for the Genealogical Society of North Orange County California. The title is Research Rewards in County Courthouse and Town Hall Records. Click here for details on the society's events for Family History Month.

Saturday, 17 October, Mission Viejo, California
I will be presenting an all -day seminar Locating those Illusive Ancestors for the South Orange County California Genealogical Society. For the full flyer and registration details click here. To see my previous post with the list of the lectures click here.

Equality among family history researchers

PaulaStuartWarren@gmail.com (Paula Stuart-Warren, CG) — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 21:30:00 +0000

Many scenarios come to mind. When you attend a genealogy meeting and "talk genealogy" with those sitting around you, what comes to mind about the other people? Is it their home life, life style, color of their skin, political leaning, or religious affiliation? Do you consider whether they are single, married, divorced, in a relationship, gay, straight, thin, fat, tall, short, have children, or drive only a red car? I bet these things don't come to mind. Genealogy is a great equalizer.

Yes, we might be concerned about someone's genetics -- but only to see if we might have some common genealogical background that DNA testing might help out. We might be interested in their religion if they live in a particular town and attend a particular church -- but only to see if they can obtain a copy of a christening record for you.

In that conversation one person mentions that they are German and their parents came to the U.S. from Germany. Ah -- you are now interested. Parents alive? Might they be able to help you translate a document?

If we ask what side the family fought on during a specific war, we aren't asking so that we know whether to shun them, but to see what kind of knowledge about history they might be able to tell you about or where some records might be.

When visiting a library or archives, those questions in the first paragraph don't really matter when we meet the librarian or archivist. We want to know if they have knowledge of the archives' records from the Civil War or if one of them could help read two faded words on a document.

If someone says that their great grandfather was in prison, we don't move to a different chair, we ask what prison and whether they were able to find any records.

As I have said many times, wouldn't it be great if the whole world operated like this? Hate crimes, political tirades, religious persecution, and so many other things could be distant memories. It's Family History Month. How can we get the rest of the people to think like genealogists?

Among my genealogy friends (aka genealogy family) I have tall friends, short friends, gay friends, straight friends, friends who don't know how to drive, friends with silver cars, friends with no religious affiliation, friends with advanced degrees, friends who struggle to spell correctly, friends who are young, old, retired, and just about any other label. But labels sometimes hurt and in genealogy there are few of those. Equality is important for everyone.

Hamm's Beer and Brewery History

PaulaStuartWarren@gmail.com (Paula Stuart-Warren, CG) — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 21:28:00 +0000

Hamm's Beer -- a name synonymous with the east side of St. Paul. The St. Paul Pioneer Press ran an article a couple days ago reminding me of the long history of this St. Paul institution. I don't think that I will ever get the song from the commercial out of my mind. I figured that I might find it on You Tube and here it is!

What's the genealogy connection? There is one. Years ago I was a subcontractor on a research project that involved the genealogy of the owner of a brewery in Brooklyn, New York. That was pre- online research days. I found that the beer collecting hobbyists have produced books to assist themselves and that much historical background is found in some of those. Books exist that tell about the history of beer cans, breweries, brewers, and even breweries in a given city or area. Visit Worldcat.org and type in terms such as "brewery history," been can collector," and similar search terms. Today a lot of that info is online but the books are generally better for genealogical purposes, especially those with source bibliographies.

A guide to beer cans, their provenance, and worth might detail the owners of a specific beer brand over the years. In the one I worked on, the books detailed the owners and even listed information from land tax records as to who owned the brewery.

If your ancestor wasn't the owner or brewer, your family history could still benefit from the history of a brewery where a family member worked.

Brewery Collectibles Club of America

Buffalo Brewery History

Roslyn Brewing Company (Washington State)

American Breweriana Association

A source for purchasing many such books: http://www.beerbooks.com

October is Archives Month, Family History Month, and a few other important designations

PaulaStuartWarren@gmail.com (Paula Stuart-Warren, CG) — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 17:40:00 +0000

Among many other valuable and some strange designations, October is Archives Month, Family History Month, and Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

Archives Month
Visit a local, state, national, religious, ethnic or other archive this month. Thank the archivists for taking care of historical records. Tell then you appreciate all that they do to preserve them. Acknowledge that they are generally working under stressful situations today as their budgets have been cut, hours slashed, and many other staff members are no longer employed there. Before you visit, check the archives' website to verify parking, hours, and check for an online catalog or other finding aids so you are better prepared for your visit.

Check out this interesting Blog centered on Wisconsin. I just saw this on another list I read. Lots to read about.

Family History Month
Does your genealogical or historical society have some special events or classes to celebrate family history month? Check the newsletters and websites for these organizations for notice of such activities.

This year to help celebrate October as Archives Month and Family History Month, plan some days where you drag yourself away from the computer and visit an archive and experience the joys of using original records. Nothing compares to holding an actual deed, will, or tax record in your hands or reading an old diary.

Breast Cancer Awareness Month
While you are thinking about all that, be sure that you do monthly self-exams and make sure you are up-to-date on mammograms or ask that question of the women in your life. I can still remember my mother sitting in my living room in the early 1970s and saying" by the way, I am going to the hospital for a mastectomy tomorrow." Early detection is important.

Historic Bridges

PaulaStuartWarren@gmail.com (Paula Stuart-Warren, CG) — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 17:12:00 +0000

A website for just about anything. That's the way it is in today's world. If you love historic bridges you might want to check this website, Historic Bridges of the United States. The website states, "This is a database of 32,527 historic bridges in the United States of America, past and present."

The pictures for some of the bridges are beautiful, but many more bridges are listed than have images. The site has instructions for providing pictures of bridges. The "News" section is interesting. Links on the right hand side of the website allow you to check by state, type of bridge, condition, and other categories including those on the Nation Register of Historic Places.

Of course I had to check Madison County, Iowa because of the Meryl Streep and Clint Eastwood movie, The Bridges of Madison County. Coincidentally, the movie is on a cable channel as I type this. I just checked on the date of this movie at imdb.com and found that it is a 1995 movie. That's 14 years ago. My does time fly.

You might be able to find details and a picture of a bridge that was in the town where great granny lived.

New Digital Holocaust Collection free through October

PaulaStuartWarren@gmail.com (Paula Stuart-Warren, CG) — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 17:01:00 +0000

This press release just arrived from the U.S. National Archives.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 29, 2009

National Archives and Footnote.com Announce New Digital Holocaust Collection

Collection includes Holocaust-related photos and records available online for first time

Washington DC and Lindon, UT -September 29, 2009 The National Archives and Records Administration and Footnote.com today announced the release of the internet's largest Interactive Holocaust Collection. For the first time ever, over one million Holocaust-related records - including millions of names and 26,000 photos from the National Archives- will be available online. The collection can be viewed at: http://www.footnote.com/holocaust

"We cannot afford to forget this period in our history," said Dr. Michael Kurtz, Assistant Archivist of the United States and author of America and the Return of Nazi Contraband: The Recovery of Europe's Cultural Treasures. "Working with Footnote, these records will become more widely accessible, and will help people now and in the future learn more about the events and impact of the Holocaust."

Included among the National Archives records available online at Footnote.com are:

Concentration camp registers and documents from Dachau, Mauthausen, Auschwitz, and Flossenburg

The "Ardelia Hall Collection" of records relating to the Nazi looting of Jewish possessions, including looted art

Captured German records including deportation and death lists from concentration camps

Nuremberg War Crimes Trial proceedings

Access to the collection will be available for free on Footnote.com through the month of October.

The collection also includes nearly 600 interactive personal accounts of those who survived or perished in the Holocaust provided by the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum. The project incorporates social networking tools that enable visitors to search for names and add photos, comments and stories, share their insights, and create pages to highlight their discoveries. There will be no charge to access and contribute to these personal pages.

"These pages tell a personal story that is not included in the history text books," said Russ Wilding, CEO of Footnote.com. "They give visitors a first-hand glimpse into the tragic events of the Holocaust and allow users to engage with content such as maps, photos, timelines and personal accounts of victims and survivors through over 1 million documents."

So that visitors may more easily access and engage the content, Footnote.com has created a special Holocaust site featuring:

Stories of Holocaust victims and survivors

Place where visitors can create their own pages to memorialize their Holocaust ancestors

Pages on the concentration camps - includes descriptions, photos, maps, timelines and accounts from those who survived the camps

Descriptions and samples of the original records from the National Archives

The Holocaust collection is the latest in a continuing partnership between Footnote.com and the National Archives to scan, digitize, and make historical records available online. The goal is to give more people access to these and other historical records that have previously only been available through the research room of the National Archives. This partnership brings these priceless resources to an even greater number of people and enables the National Archives to provide ever-greater access to these critical holdings.

About Footnote, Inc.
Footnote.com is a subscription website that features searchable original documents, providing users with an unaltered view of the events, places and people that shaped the American nation and the world. At Footnote.com, all are invited to come share, discuss, and collaborate on their discoveries with friends, family, and colleagues. For more information, visit www.footnote.com.

About the U.S. National Archives
The National Archives alone is the archives of the Government of the United States, responsible for safeguarding records of all three branches of the Federal Government. The records held by the National Archives belong to the public - and it is the mission of the National Archives to ensure the public can discover, use, and learn from the records of their government.

Professional genealogist or thinking about that occupation?

PaulaStuartWarren@gmail.com (Paula Stuart-Warren, CG) — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 16:54:00 +0000

Today must be a big day for press releases. This just came from APG:

The Twelfth Annual Association of Professional Genealogists Professional Management Conference took place September 2, 2009, in Little Rock, Arkansas. The Syllabus is available for sale while supplies last at http://www.apgen.org/catalog/products.html for $20 plus shipping and handling.

The PMC presentations included:

Writing Professionally by Tom Jones, CG, CGL, FASG

Solving Mysteries for Money: the Forensic Genealogist and Private Investigator by Mary Ann Boyle, Ph.D., CG

The Bachelor: Reconstructing a Solitary Life Using Obscure & Far-Flung Records by Mary Penner

Talking to the World by Sherry Irvine, CG

Elements of a Good Client Agreement by Richard Camaur, JD, CG

The Genealogy Consumer: Who Pays for Professional Research? by Natasha Crain, MBA

Publish! And Supplement Your Income by Desmond Walls Allen

Bull's Eye! Planning and Delivering a Winning Marketing Campaign by Heather Henderson

Get Paid For Your Passion: Becoming a Professional Genealogist by Elissa Scalise Powell, CG

Kathleen W. Hinckley, CG
Executive Director

APG presents awards

PaulaStuartWarren@gmail.com (Paula Stuart-Warren, CG) — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 03:17:00 +0000

This press release was received today from the Association of Professional Genealogists. Congratulations to the award recipients!

APG HONORS FIVE MEMBERS FOR OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTIONS AND ACHIEVEMENTS

WESTMINSTER, Colo., September 24 - The Association of Professional Genealogists (APG) honored five members for outstanding contributions and achievements at the 2009 Federation of Genealogical Societies (FGS) Conference held September 2-5 in Little Rock, Arkansas.

APG named Loretto Dennis Szucs as the recipient of the APG Professional Achievement Award. The award was created in 2007 to recognize a record of exceptional professional achievement with contributions to the field of genealogy through individual excellence and ethical behavior. Szucs has been involved in genealogical research, teaching, lecturing, and publishing for more than thirty years. Previously employed by the National Archives, she is currently executive editor and vice president of community relations for Ancestry.com. She has served on many archives and genealogical boards, and was founding secretary of the FGS. Currently, she serves as a director on the Board of the FGS.

Sandra MacLean Clunies, CG, received the Grahame T. Smallwood Jr. Award of Merit, an award honoring personal commitment and outstanding service to the APG organization. Clunies has served APG in several leadership roles since 1996, including two terms on the APG Board of Directors (2004-2008), National Capital Area Chapter President (2004-2008) and National Capital Area Chapter Vice President (1996-2000). In addition to her APG leadership
roles, Clunies has served as Director for the Genealogical Speakers Guild, Vice-President of GENTECH and an adjunct faculty member at the National Institute on Genealogical Research (NIGR) and the Institute of Genealogy and Historical Research (IGHR) at Samford University.

APG named Sharon E. Sergeant as the recipient of the APGQ Excellence Award, given to recognize excellence in submitted APG Quarterly material. Sergeant was honored for her article titled, "Holocaust Secret Exposed: How Forensic Genealogy Cracked the Misha Defonseca Case". She is the past Program Director and current Secretary of the Massachusetts Genealogical Council. She is an active lecturer, author, and conference planner.

Certificates of appreciation were also awarded at the FGS in recognition of outstanding, continual or unusual contributions to APG, by a member or a non-member. This year, there were two recipients. Luke M. Muszkiewicz (of Pure Development, LLC) was honored for long-term contributions to the APG organization in the areas of technical advice, computer programming, web design, and customer service. Alvie L. Davidson, CG, was honored for continued generosity and involvement in the support, planning, and execution of APG's 30th Anniversary Celebration and the 2009 Professional Management Conference.

The Association of Professional Genealogists, established in 1979, represents over 1,800 genealogists, librarians, writers, editors, historians, instructors, booksellers, publishers, and others involved in genealogy-related businesses. APG encourages genealogical excellence, ethical practice, mentoring, and education. The organization also supports the preservation and accessibility of records useful to the fields of genealogy, local, and social history. Its members represent all fifty states, Canada, and twenty-six other countries.

Contact: Kathleen W. Hinckley, CG, Executive Director,
Association of Professional Genealogists
P.O. Box 350998, Westminster, CO 80035-0998
Phone 303-422-9371, fax 303-456-8825, e-mail
admin@apgen.org

Upcoming Events at the National Archives in the DC area

PaulaStuartWarren@gmail.com (Paula Stuart-Warren, CG) — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 21:13:00 +0000

This press release was just received from the U.S. National Archives. Oh, do I wish I were in the D.C. area for several of these!

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE September 23, 2009

Special Programs Highlight National Archives Records in October

Washington, DC. . . In October, the National Archives will feature programs highlighting records from its holdings. All programs are free and open to the public. The programs will be held in the National Archives Building in Washington, DC, and the National Archives at College Park, Maryland. Both buildings are fully accessible.

Visitors to all programs in the National Archives Building Research Center (Room G-24) should use the Pennsylvania Avenue entrance, between 7th and 9th Streets, NW. The National Archives at College Park, MD, is located at 8601 Adelphi Road. For directions to both locations, see: http://www.archives.gov/dc-metro.

Tuesday, October 1, 11 AM, National Archives at College Park, MD,Lecture Room B,
Using Footnote.com for Jewish Research
Laura Prescott, content editor at Footnote.com, explores recently scanned and Holocaust-related records made available by the National Archives partnership with Footnote. She will demonstrate how to use the Footnote.com site to access these records. (This lecture is a repeat of the September 29 program.)

Tuesday, October 6, 11 AM, National Archives Building, Room G-24, Research Center
Documenting Death in the Civil War
John Deeben, genealogy archives specialist at the National Archives, explores death records created during and after the Civil War by the War Department, examining how they documented personal circumstances of soldiers' deaths in various situations, including the battlefield and military hospitals and prisons. (This lecture will be repeated at the National Archives at College Park, MD, in Lecture Room B, on Thursday, October 8, 11 AM)

Wednesday, October 7, 11 AM, National Archives Building, Room G-24, Research Center
Introduction to Genealogy
Archives staff present a lecture on basic genealogical research in Federal records. This daytime lecture occurs the first Wednesday of the month: the next one is Wednesday, November 4.

Tuesday, October 13, 11 AM, National Archives Building, Room G-24, Research Center
World War II Enemy Aliens Program
Lynn Goodsell, archivist at the National Archives, discusses WWII enemy alien control programs and related records focusing on programs affecting individuals of German, Italian, and Japanese ancestry living in the United States and Latin America. (This lecture will be repeated at the National Archives at College Park, MD, in Lecture Room D, on Thursday, October 15, 11 AM)

Tuesday, October 20, 11 AM and noon, National Archives at College Park, MD, Lecture Room D
From the Records Book Group and Lecture
Following a related lecture at 11 AM, From the Records Book Group discusses Secret Empire: Eisenhower, the CIA, and the Hidden Story of America's Space Espionage by Philip Taubman. Please check the Archives Shop (202-357-5271) for book availability and a special discount for book group participants. November's book is The Whiskey Merchant's Diary: An Urban Life in the Emerging Midwest by Joseph J. Mersman.

Saturday, October 24, at 10 AM, National Archives Building, Room G-24, Research Center
Introduction to Genealogy
Archives staff present a lecture on basic genealogical research in Federal records. This Saturday lecture occurs on select Saturdays each month: the next one is Saturday, November 21.

Saturday, October 24, noon-4 PM, National Archives Building, Room G-24, Research Center
"Help! I'm Stuck"
Not sure where to begin? Has a genealogical problem stumped you? Would you like to explore new directions in your research? On select Saturdays, an archivist will be available from noon to 4 p.m. to answer questions. Look for the "Help! I'm Stuck" sign at the Research Center desk. This offer occurs on select Saturdays each month: the next one is Saturday, November 21.

Tuesday, October 27, 11 AM, National Archives Building, Room G-24, Research Center
Civil War Medicine
Archives specialist Rebecca Sharp and reference librarian Nancy Wing discuss The Medical and Surgical History of the War of the Rebellion, 1861-1865. This published source contains details of Civil War medical and surgical procedures, and information about individual patients. (This lecture will be repeated at the National Archives at College Park, MD, in Lecture Room B, on Thursday, October 29, 11 AM)