The December meeting of the Chula Vista Genealogical Society Research Group had 10 members in attendance. It was a lively group!
Randy discussed some of the news from the last month - the DNA test deals with 23andMe and FamilyTreeDNA, plus the Geno 2.0 announcement, and the RootsMagic 6 announcement. He also shared the SDGS Seminar announcement for 14 January 2013 with David Rencher speaking. Randy showed off his new free website (http://my.rootsmagic.com/rjseaver/) with ancestors, sources, photos and documents. He also showed his "cousin bait" reports online at Scribd (www.scribd.com) (free) with 10 generations for each of his great-grandparents. He also discussed how he used the free 1000Memories site (www.1000memories.com) to put his family photographs online. Lastly, he went through the process of finding and saving New York land records from the FamilySearch record collections.
In the second hour, each person in the group shared their challenges, successes and questions, including:
* Joanna was very excited after several sessions on Wednesday mornings with John. They found a 1910 article online (in an Ancestry Member Tree) that was a biography of her great-grandfather. It discussed his life and work, and his family - parents, grandparents, and children too. There was a statement that he was related to Roger Williams. A photograph of the family in the 1920s was also found and displayed. The plan is to use the census to find out more about these families, and to contact the cousin who posted the information.
* Jaye is reviewing the research material that she has, and is writing down ideas for further research. She hopes to avail herself of John's expertise on Wednesday mornings, also. She told a story about a relative who died, but had no known next of kin. The funeral home found a $100 bill sewn into his coat that covered the burial cost. Jaye wants to know more about this man, and the group suggested she look in census records, city directories, newspaper archives, online trees, Google, Find A Grave, and more.
* Karen had a Christmas card from a cousin asking about cousin Sylvia, who did family history research but is now deceased. An article was found in a Dallas area newspaper online about her.
* Ralph's friend had obtained World War II medals for his father from NPRC in St. Louis, so Ralph investigated the process and submitted the SF180 form for his own father.
* Bobbie wants to set goals for 2013, including upgrading her DNA tests to get more information on her mitochondrial DNA; adding data to her five-generation chart; use a paid researcher to obtain more information about her Bavarian ancestors; they plan a research trip to Buffalo, N.Y.
* Mary Lou found Turner surname ancestral fmailies from 1830 in Ohio to the 1890s in Nebraska, but some entries were Truman or Furner rather than Turner. She is looking for more information about her Irish great-grandfather Harnett born in County Cork in about 1840, who served in the Civil War from Illinois. She has found many records, including a pension record, but none of them list his birthplace or his parents names. The group suggested local historical society holdings, looking at alternate surname spellings, and pursuing siblings and children's vital records, etc.
* John has enjoyed helping Joanna with her research on Wednesdays from 10 a.m. to 12 noon in the Family Research area of the Chula Vista Civic Center Branch Library. He hopes that others will stop by and consult with him when possible.
The next meeting of the CVGS Research Group will be Wednesday, 9 January in the Conference Room at the Chula Vista Civic Center Branch Library (365 F Street in Chula Vista.
Friday, December 14, 2012
Wednesday, December 12, 2012
2012 Holiday Luncheon Highlights
The Chula Vista Genealogical Society celebrated another successful year of serving the Chula Vista area genealogical community with the annual Holiday Luncheon on Tuesday, 11 December, at the Chula Vista South Branch Library.
After a moment of silence for the CVGS members who passed away in 2012, and for our armed forces everywhere, the assembled crowd of 30 hungry members and guests dug into the feast prepared and organized by the Hospitality Committee. The society provided ham, turkey and beverages, and the attendees brought everything else as potluck. There was plenty of great food and wonderful conversation at the tables as we enjoyed the meal.
President Gary Brock narrated "Steps in Time," a slide show presentation of CVGS historical highlights - mainly involving food and holiday parties, it seemed, from 1986 to 2003. Many of the persons shown were identified on the slides, and most others were named by attendees at the luncheon during the show.
Gary next introduced the two new Honorary Life Members of the Chula Vista Genealogical Society - cited for their long membership and service to the society. Dottie Johnson and Helen Thompson were introduced through short photo presentations, then introduced and honored.
The outgoing Board officers present were honored with certificates, applause and gratitude - Bobbie Lane, Mary Lou Montez, and Virginia Taylor.
The outgoing Committee Chairs present were also honored with certificates.
Gary then introduced and swore in the 2013/2014 Officers - Diane DeVincenzo (Treasurer), Karen Yarger (Secretary), Barbara Ibaibarriaga (Second VP), Ralph Munoz (First VP) and Virginia Taylor (President). A notebook containing the Bylaws, Standing Rules, and Officer Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) were presented to each Officer.
There were a number of door prizes, including a Father Christmas, a Nutcracker, and a Christmas Angel. The table decorations were won in the opportunity drawings. Lastly, the bring one-get one gift exchange was held.
The attendees donated a large amount of canned food and children's toys for the Salvation Army. All in all, this was an excellent, and filling, holiday luncheon.
After a moment of silence for the CVGS members who passed away in 2012, and for our armed forces everywhere, the assembled crowd of 30 hungry members and guests dug into the feast prepared and organized by the Hospitality Committee. The society provided ham, turkey and beverages, and the attendees brought everything else as potluck. There was plenty of great food and wonderful conversation at the tables as we enjoyed the meal.
President Gary Brock narrated "Steps in Time," a slide show presentation of CVGS historical highlights - mainly involving food and holiday parties, it seemed, from 1986 to 2003. Many of the persons shown were identified on the slides, and most others were named by attendees at the luncheon during the show.
Gary next introduced the two new Honorary Life Members of the Chula Vista Genealogical Society - cited for their long membership and service to the society. Dottie Johnson and Helen Thompson were introduced through short photo presentations, then introduced and honored.
Above: Dottie Johnson and Gary Brock
Above: Gary Brock and Helen Thompson
The outgoing Board officers present were honored with certificates, applause and gratitude - Bobbie Lane, Mary Lou Montez, and Virginia Taylor.
Above: Virginia Taylor, Bobbie Lane, Gary Brock and Mary Lou Montez
The outgoing Committee Chairs present were also honored with certificates.
Above (left to right): JoAnn Bonner, Dorothy Alvord, Kevin Brown, Gary Brock, Olive Lenane and Janice Nevills receive certificates of appreciation.
Gary then introduced and swore in the 2013/2014 Officers - Diane DeVincenzo (Treasurer), Karen Yarger (Secretary), Barbara Ibaibarriaga (Second VP), Ralph Munoz (First VP) and Virginia Taylor (President). A notebook containing the Bylaws, Standing Rules, and Officer Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) were presented to each Officer.
Above: The 2013/2014 Officers (left to right): Barbara Ibaibarriaga, Diane DeVincenzo, Karen Yarger, Ralph Munoz and Virginia Taylor.
There were a number of door prizes, including a Father Christmas, a Nutcracker, and a Christmas Angel. The table decorations were won in the opportunity drawings. Lastly, the bring one-get one gift exchange was held.
The attendees donated a large amount of canned food and children's toys for the Salvation Army. All in all, this was an excellent, and filling, holiday luncheon.
Thursday, December 6, 2012
Holiday Luncheon on Tuesday, 11 December 2012
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 11th HOLIDAY LUNCHEON
from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
At
Chula Vista South Branch Library (389 Orange Avenue)
It’s
December, so the annual CVGS Holiday Luncheon is fast approaching.
The event will feature installation of the 2013-14 Officers. The
theme this year is “Steps
In Time and Those Who Guide The Way.”
The
luncheon will have turkey, ham, and drinks provided by CVGS. The pot
luck breakdown for the rest of the meal will be coordinated by JoAnn
Bonner (phone 619-421-3628, email jabonner13@gmail.com)
and Dorothy Alvord (phone 619-469-3483, email dja1224@cox.net)–
please contact them before 1 December to coordinate potluck dishes.
The potluck schedule is:
- A to F surnames: Potatoes (Irish or Sweet), Veggies, Casseroles
- G to K Surnames: Desserts
- L to P Surnames: Salads, rolls, Butter
- Q to Z Surnames: Snack trays, Condiments, Olives, Pickles, Cranberry Sauce, etc.
There
will be a free door prize drawing, and a gift exchange ($10 limit).
If you wish to participate in the gift exchange, please bring a gift.
Attendees are requested to bring canned food and/or unwrapped toys
for donation to the Salvation Army.
Happy
Holidays and a Happy New Year!
Monday, December 3, 2012
28 November Program Summary - Georgie Stillman "Heirloom Discovery Day"
Georgie Stillman conducted her sixth annual "Heirloom Discovery Day" for the Chula Vista Genealogical Society program on Wednesday, 28 November. In this program, CVGS members presented some of their heirlooms to Georgie for her expert evaluation and appraisal.
She noted that markets reflect what people will buy, and that values of heirloom items have changed in recent times. She noted that "Insurance companies now pay for replacement market costs, not for new item costs, and places like eBay, AmVets, and Goodwill Industries are sources for heirlooms and antiques." She also said "for wealthy people now, old things don't signify class and wealth."
For each item, each person provided a brief summary of what they brought for appraisal and its' known provenance. Georgie then described what the item was, the approximate time it was created, and its approximate value. The CVGS members who had their heirlooms evaluated included:
* Nancy presented her handwoven ABC sampler from 1836 made by her great-grandmother at age 13 in Kentucky. Georgie noted that this was part of girls being taught to be good housewives, and that this sampler used vegetable dyes. Some samplers of this type sell for about $100.
* Diane displayed a beautiful oil painting of a cabin by a stream with mountains and clouds in the background. Georgie noted the commercial frame and that it was typical of 1970s decorative commercial art, not fine art.
* Jaye showed her grandmother's mug inherited from her grandmother that came her Missouri family. Georgie noted that it was semi-vitreous heavy clay from the 1920s or earlier.
* Wilma presented a set of 6 colored glass coasters from the 1951 "Festival of Britain." Georgie said that this type of set doesn't resonate with the public as a coronation or Olympics set would, and the value is limited.
* Helen had a plate featuring a bird in flight, with "Sterling China" on the back. Georgie thought it was from the late 1800s to early 1900s in the Midwest. Helen also had a small plate "the house that Jack built" which was a 1905 wedding gift to her grandmother. Georgie said it was fine porcelain from Central Europe (Bavaria/Austria) and was probably worth $30 to $40.
* Janice displayed her quilt of the 48 states with the state flag and state bird on the squares, handed down through four generations. Georgie thought it was made between 1912 and the 1930s, and had only family value. Janice also had a cut glass vase that was probably Scandinavian, German or Czech from the 1920s, and might be worth $25 to $35.
* Sherry showed her mother's pitcher from about 1900 from Trenton, NJ, which is famous for its pottery. The pitcher had a Spanish-American War design that might bring $150 to $200 on eBay. Sherry also had a Limoges plate from Plainfield NJ with gold trimming from the 1880 to 1900 time frame.
* Claude showed a framed newspaper page commemorating the battle of Vicksburg in 1863 which was printed on wallpaper. Georgie noted that it was a souvenir copy, not a real newspaper page.
* Joanna had a handmade wooden utensil box. Georgie noted that it was made by a good carpenter, probably in New England by hand, and was a utilitarian box that might be worth $300 to $400. Joanna also had a small Limoges cup or pitcher from the 1870s. Georgie said for the single decorative piece that it might be worth $35 to $40.
* Joan presented her blue glass vase. Georgie thought that it was not a collectible, and was art deco from the mid-20th century.
* Virginia displayed her child's rocker with horses carved on the side panels. Georgie said it was 19th century, with machine parts made using steam power, and was a collectible worth about $500 to $600.
As always, the time went very quickly, and Georgie displayed her ability to assess and discuss a wide variety of heirlooms. Georgie's style is informal, enthusiastic and interesting - she really enjoys seeing these types of artifacts and "stuff" because they are, in the main, from middle-class homes from the Victorian era and later. She is used to appraising high-end items for collectors and estates. It is fascinating to see an expert appraiser at work - the words seem to flow effortlessly and I am awestruck by the knowledge level.
She noted that markets reflect what people will buy, and that values of heirloom items have changed in recent times. She noted that "Insurance companies now pay for replacement market costs, not for new item costs, and places like eBay, AmVets, and Goodwill Industries are sources for heirlooms and antiques." She also said "for wealthy people now, old things don't signify class and wealth."
For each item, each person provided a brief summary of what they brought for appraisal and its' known provenance. Georgie then described what the item was, the approximate time it was created, and its approximate value. The CVGS members who had their heirlooms evaluated included:
* Nancy presented her handwoven ABC sampler from 1836 made by her great-grandmother at age 13 in Kentucky. Georgie noted that this was part of girls being taught to be good housewives, and that this sampler used vegetable dyes. Some samplers of this type sell for about $100.
* Diane displayed a beautiful oil painting of a cabin by a stream with mountains and clouds in the background. Georgie noted the commercial frame and that it was typical of 1970s decorative commercial art, not fine art.
* Jaye showed her grandmother's mug inherited from her grandmother that came her Missouri family. Georgie noted that it was semi-vitreous heavy clay from the 1920s or earlier.
* Wilma presented a set of 6 colored glass coasters from the 1951 "Festival of Britain." Georgie said that this type of set doesn't resonate with the public as a coronation or Olympics set would, and the value is limited.
* Helen had a plate featuring a bird in flight, with "Sterling China" on the back. Georgie thought it was from the late 1800s to early 1900s in the Midwest. Helen also had a small plate "the house that Jack built" which was a 1905 wedding gift to her grandmother. Georgie said it was fine porcelain from Central Europe (Bavaria/Austria) and was probably worth $30 to $40.
* Janice displayed her quilt of the 48 states with the state flag and state bird on the squares, handed down through four generations. Georgie thought it was made between 1912 and the 1930s, and had only family value. Janice also had a cut glass vase that was probably Scandinavian, German or Czech from the 1920s, and might be worth $25 to $35.
* Sherry showed her mother's pitcher from about 1900 from Trenton, NJ, which is famous for its pottery. The pitcher had a Spanish-American War design that might bring $150 to $200 on eBay. Sherry also had a Limoges plate from Plainfield NJ with gold trimming from the 1880 to 1900 time frame.
* Claude showed a framed newspaper page commemorating the battle of Vicksburg in 1863 which was printed on wallpaper. Georgie noted that it was a souvenir copy, not a real newspaper page.
* Joanna had a handmade wooden utensil box. Georgie noted that it was made by a good carpenter, probably in New England by hand, and was a utilitarian box that might be worth $300 to $400. Joanna also had a small Limoges cup or pitcher from the 1870s. Georgie said for the single decorative piece that it might be worth $35 to $40.
* Joan presented her blue glass vase. Georgie thought that it was not a collectible, and was art deco from the mid-20th century.
* Virginia displayed her child's rocker with horses carved on the side panels. Georgie said it was 19th century, with machine parts made using steam power, and was a collectible worth about $500 to $600.
As always, the time went very quickly, and Georgie displayed her ability to assess and discuss a wide variety of heirlooms. Georgie's style is informal, enthusiastic and interesting - she really enjoys seeing these types of artifacts and "stuff" because they are, in the main, from middle-class homes from the Victorian era and later. She is used to appraising high-end items for collectors and estates. It is fascinating to see an expert appraiser at work - the words seem to flow effortlessly and I am awestruck by the knowledge level.
Saturday, December 1, 2012
Genealogy Days in Chula Vista - December 2012
The Chula Vista Genealogical Society events for December 2012 include:
** Saturday,1 December, 1 p.m.to 3 p.m., Bonita-Sunnyside (County) Library (4375 Bonita Road) -- Outreach Workshop meets in Community Room. Shirley Becker will present "New York Resources."
** Tuesday, 11 December, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Chula Vista South Branch Library (389 Orange Avenue) -- CVGS Holiday Luncheon in the Conference Room. Officers will be installed, and a fine holiday party will be enjoyed by all.
** Wednesday 12 December, 12 noon to 2 p.m., Chula Vista Civic Center Branch Library (365 F Street) -- CVGS Research Group meets in the Library Conference Room, led by Randy Seaver. We will review the latest genealogy news, share success stories and information, and discuss members research problems, and potential solutions, based on the collective knowledge and wisdom of the group.
** Wednesday, 19 December, 12 noon to 1:30 p.m., Chula Vista Civic Center Branch Library (365 F Street) -- CVGS Computer Group meets in the Library Conference Room, led by Shirley Becker. Sharpen your computer skills and investigate online genealogy resources. Bring your laptop and use the library wi-fi.
The Chula Vista Civic Center Branch Library is located at 365 "F" Street in Chula Vista - between Third Avenue and Fourth Avenue, midway between I-5 and I-805 (take the "E" Street exit from the freeways).
The Bonita-Sunnyside (County) Library is located at 4375 Bonita Road in Bonita - turn left on Billy Casper Way, just west of the Otay Lakes Road intersection with Bonita Road, on the north side of Bonita Road.
We welcome guests and visitors to our CVGS programs and events - if you are in the greater San Diego area and want to attend our events - please come and introduce yourselves.
** Saturday,1 December, 1 p.m.to 3 p.m., Bonita-Sunnyside (County) Library (4375 Bonita Road) -- Outreach Workshop meets in Community Room. Shirley Becker will present "New York Resources."
** Tuesday, 11 December, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Chula Vista South Branch Library (389 Orange Avenue) -- CVGS Holiday Luncheon in the Conference Room. Officers will be installed, and a fine holiday party will be enjoyed by all.
** Wednesday 12 December, 12 noon to 2 p.m., Chula Vista Civic Center Branch Library (365 F Street) -- CVGS Research Group meets in the Library Conference Room, led by Randy Seaver. We will review the latest genealogy news, share success stories and information, and discuss members research problems, and potential solutions, based on the collective knowledge and wisdom of the group.
** Wednesday, 19 December, 12 noon to 1:30 p.m., Chula Vista Civic Center Branch Library (365 F Street) -- CVGS Computer Group meets in the Library Conference Room, led by Shirley Becker. Sharpen your computer skills and investigate online genealogy resources. Bring your laptop and use the library wi-fi.
The Chula Vista Civic Center Branch Library is located at 365 "F" Street in Chula Vista - between Third Avenue and Fourth Avenue, midway between I-5 and I-805 (take the "E" Street exit from the freeways).
The Bonita-Sunnyside (County) Library is located at 4375 Bonita Road in Bonita - turn left on Billy Casper Way, just west of the Otay Lakes Road intersection with Bonita Road, on the north side of Bonita Road.
We welcome guests and visitors to our CVGS programs and events - if you are in the greater San Diego area and want to attend our events - please come and introduce yourselves.
Thursday, November 29, 2012
1 December Workshop: New York Resources
The Saturday, 1 December 2012 CVGS Workshop (1 p.m. to 3 p.m. at the Bonita-Sunnyside Library (4375 bonita road, turn left at the Billy Casper Way light) features CVGS Member Shirley Becker on "New York Resources."
This will be a brief overview of the peculiar setup New York has for keeping records – the town system. Shirley will explain the way it is set up and then provide links and areas to look for online records. She will also emphasize joining local societies in the area they are researching and suggest they try to get member to do the research for them. It is cheaper then going to the area for those of us on a low budget.
Wednesday, November 21, 2012
"Heirloom Discovery Day" on 28 November
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 28th PROGRAM
from 12 Noon to 2 p.m.
at Chula Vista Civic Center
Branch Library (365 F Street) in the Auditorium
Speaker:
Georgie Stillman, ASA
“Heirloom
Discovery Day”
Our November 28th program will feature Georgie Stillman, ASA, presenting an “Heirloom Discovery Day.” Georgie will evaluate, provide some historical background and estimate a value of family heirlooms brought in by CVGS members. Her expertise is in evaluating and appraising silver, china, glass ware, furniture, artworks, quilts and samplers.
Georgie
Stillman (http://georgiestillman.com/bio.htm)
has worked as a professional appraiser in London, England, Phoenix,
and San Diego since 1971.
She has served as president of the American Society of Appraisers
(ASA), vice president of the San Diego chapter, and was founding
director of the International Society of Appraisers. She has received
numerous awards for her outstanding service, including Appraiser of
the Year. Besides being a professional instructor at various
colleges, she
has made many radio/TV guest appearances and written
articles for many publications, teaching audiences about antiques and
art.
If
you would like your item evaluated by Georgie, please contact
Virginia Taylor (619-425-7922, or email IrishDoll@cox.net
)
to get on the evaluation list -- there are a limited number of
spaces on the list. Virginia has a form for members to complete and return by November 21st.
Monday, November 19, 2012
Research Group Summary - 14 November Meeting
The November 14th meeting of the Chula Vista Genealogical Society Research Group had 13 in attendance.
In the first hour, Randy reviewed Dick Eastman's Online Genealogy Newsletter as a source for genealogy and technology news, talked about the Family Tree DNA sale (through December), and described the Probate Records on FamilySearch, including how to use the Russell Index.
Bobbie briefly described and handed out the two surveys and the volunteer form that will be available at the meetings in November and December.
In the second hour, the attendees described their research problems and successes:
* Jaye is organizing her research papers so that she can focus on specific research problems. She will attend John's Wednesday morning Table Talk sessions to try to advance her research. She had a question about scanning photographs; the group said to scan them as TIFF files at 600 dpi, then edit them (crop, rotate, sharpen, brighten, etc.) and save them as JPEG files at 300 dpi.
* Jeanne's California family lost contact with their Belgian Van Orshoven family decades ago, but because of a note on the Chula Vista Genealogy Cafe blog, she was contacted by a distant cousin in Belgium. They are sharing information - the cousin has records back to the 1400s, and Jeanne is updating him on the California family.
* Jeanne described her visit to the National City Public Library and the closure of the Kile Morgan Local History Room, which is shut to the public. There was discussion of the wealth of material in this room - the URL is http://www.nationalcityca.gov/index.aspx?page=211.
* Sam found old pictures from his parents collection and is scanning them. He has had contact with a cousin in Tennessee and hopes to gain family information. He is planning a trip to Germany in 2013 and wants to learn more about German research. The group noted that SDGS has a German group he should contact, and he should check CyndisList (www.CyndisList.com) and the FamilySearch Wiki.
* John is finding a lot of colonial family information in the 13 volumes of the Essex Antiquarian on the shelf at the Chula Vista library, including the will of John Cutting and the descendants of John Brown.
* Virginia has a contact on MyHeritage for her John Dunlop family and is pursuing that.
* Ralph is entering his family history information into RootsMagic, including information from emails and letters. Some of his families were in South Texas, and may not have been Roman Catholic.
* Diane's Italian grandfather was found only in the 1940 US Census with his family. She asked how she could find his parents names. The group suggested the Social Security application, a Massachusetts death certificate, and a World War II draft registration. Randy went online and found the draft registration card, which listed the grandfather's birth date, birth place and parents names, on Ancestry.com.
* Bobbie has been learning more about Haplogroup X, which is in her mitochondrial line. She bought four DNA books, and has done some research on ancestral migrations at www.RootsForReal.com. Her husband will order Y, mitochondrial and autosomal tests through the new National Geographical Society Geno 2.0 Project.
The next Research Group meeting will be on Wednesday, 12 December in the Conference Room of the Chula Vista Civic Center Branch Library (365 F Street).
In the first hour, Randy reviewed Dick Eastman's Online Genealogy Newsletter as a source for genealogy and technology news, talked about the Family Tree DNA sale (through December), and described the Probate Records on FamilySearch, including how to use the Russell Index.
Bobbie briefly described and handed out the two surveys and the volunteer form that will be available at the meetings in November and December.
In the second hour, the attendees described their research problems and successes:
* Jaye is organizing her research papers so that she can focus on specific research problems. She will attend John's Wednesday morning Table Talk sessions to try to advance her research. She had a question about scanning photographs; the group said to scan them as TIFF files at 600 dpi, then edit them (crop, rotate, sharpen, brighten, etc.) and save them as JPEG files at 300 dpi.
* Jeanne's California family lost contact with their Belgian Van Orshoven family decades ago, but because of a note on the Chula Vista Genealogy Cafe blog, she was contacted by a distant cousin in Belgium. They are sharing information - the cousin has records back to the 1400s, and Jeanne is updating him on the California family.
* Jeanne described her visit to the National City Public Library and the closure of the Kile Morgan Local History Room, which is shut to the public. There was discussion of the wealth of material in this room - the URL is http://www.nationalcityca.gov/index.aspx?page=211.
* Sam found old pictures from his parents collection and is scanning them. He has had contact with a cousin in Tennessee and hopes to gain family information. He is planning a trip to Germany in 2013 and wants to learn more about German research. The group noted that SDGS has a German group he should contact, and he should check CyndisList (www.CyndisList.com) and the FamilySearch Wiki.
* John is finding a lot of colonial family information in the 13 volumes of the Essex Antiquarian on the shelf at the Chula Vista library, including the will of John Cutting and the descendants of John Brown.
* Virginia has a contact on MyHeritage for her John Dunlop family and is pursuing that.
* Ralph is entering his family history information into RootsMagic, including information from emails and letters. Some of his families were in South Texas, and may not have been Roman Catholic.
* Diane's Italian grandfather was found only in the 1940 US Census with his family. She asked how she could find his parents names. The group suggested the Social Security application, a Massachusetts death certificate, and a World War II draft registration. Randy went online and found the draft registration card, which listed the grandfather's birth date, birth place and parents names, on Ancestry.com.
* Bobbie has been learning more about Haplogroup X, which is in her mitochondrial line. She bought four DNA books, and has done some research on ancestral migrations at www.RootsForReal.com. Her husband will order Y, mitochondrial and autosomal tests through the new National Geographical Society Geno 2.0 Project.
The next Research Group meeting will be on Wednesday, 12 December in the Conference Room of the Chula Vista Civic Center Branch Library (365 F Street).
Saturday, November 17, 2012
CVGS Newsletter for November 2012 Published
The November 2012 issue of the Chula Vista Genealogical Society Newsletter was published last week. You can read it online, in a PDF format - use the Newsletter link at www.CVGenealogy.org
The Table of Contents lists:
The Table of Contents lists:
page 1 - November
28th Program – Georgie Stillman
page 2 - President’s
Message
page 3 - Holiday
Luncheon Information
page 3 - Membership
Report
page 3 - 1
December workshop
page 3 - Lemon
Grove Research Group News
page 4 - Research
Group News
page 4 - Library
Assistance Reinstated
page 4 - Computer
Group News
page 5 - October
31st Program Review - Randy Seaver
page 6 - October
7th Workshop Review – CeCe Moore
page 7 - Revised
By-Laws and Standing Rules Approved
page 7 - Officer
Election Slate
page 7 - November
4th Workshop Review – Randy Seaver
page 8 - Book
Donations to CVGS and CVPL
page 9 - CVGS
Society Information
page 9 - San
Diego Genealogy Events
page 10 - Genealogy
Days in Chula Vista
Tuesday, November 13, 2012
Revised CVGS Bylaws Approved
The
Chula Vista Genealogical Society By-Laws were revised by the
By-Laws Review Committee headed by Olive Lenane, and presented to the society members on 1 October via email and postal mail. They were approved by the
members attending the 31 October CVGS General Meeting. The revised CVGS By-Laws are available on the CVGS website – see http://www.cvgenealogy.org/ in the “Resources” tab (or see http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~cacvgs2/includes/ByLaws_adopted_121031.pdf).
The
Standing Rules, which contain the supporting information for each of
the Articles of the By-Laws, were approved by the Board of Directors
at the 7 November Board meeting. They are available to review on the CVGS website – see http://www.cvgenealogy.org/ in the “Resources” tab (or see http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~cacvgs2/includes/ByLaws_standing_rules_120905.pdf).
The ByLaws Review Committee is working on Standard Operating Procedures for the elected Officers, and hopes to create Standard Operating Procedures for all of the Committee Chair positions also.
Friday, November 9, 2012
Chula Vista Library "Table Talk" with John Finch on Wednesdays
CVGS
member, and a former society President, John Finch has volunteered to provide research assistance and
advice ("Table Talk") in the Family Research section of the Chula Vista Civic Center
Branch Library (365 F Street in Chula Vista, on the south side of the library, past the library
Help desk and the CD/DVD section, near the collection of genealogy
books and periodicals).
John
will be there on Wednesdays from 10 a.m. to 12 noon to help members
and community people with their genealogy and family history research.
The Chula Vista Civic Center Branch Library has over 3,000 books and periodicals in the Family Research collection, and there are more books in the Circulating collection. If you have not visited the collection recently, you should - you might find useful resources for your research.
Tuesday, November 6, 2012
CVGS RootsMagic Workshop #2 Summary
The second Chula Vista Genealogical Society RootsMagic 5 Workshop was held on Sunday, 4 November at the Bonita-Sunnyside Library with 14 in attendance, including several guests.
Randy Seaver conducted this workshop, which was a follow-on to the 4 August workshop.
In the first hour, Randy described and explored several of the more advanced features of RootsMagic 5, including:
* The Web Search feature - how to search from within RootsMagic to find records on online sites like Ancestry, FamilySearch, etc. Records found can be downloaded to the user's computer, and added to the Media Gallery.
* The To-Do List - how to create and maintain To-Do items for a person or family (the To-Do button in the Edit Person window), and how to print them out for everyone, for selected persons or for selected repositories (using Reports > Research Reports > To-Do List).
* The Research Manager - how to create and maintain research logs (the Research Log button in the Edit Person window), and how to print them out (using Reports > Research Reports > Research Log).
* Problem Reports - how to find potential errors in your database using Tools > Problem Search > Problem List.
* Media Gallery - how to manage media, including tagging persons and events. Fixing Broken Links was described and demonstrated.
Randy Seaver conducted this workshop, which was a follow-on to the 4 August workshop.
In the first hour, Randy described and explored several of the more advanced features of RootsMagic 5, including:
* The Web Search feature - how to search from within RootsMagic to find records on online sites like Ancestry, FamilySearch, etc. Records found can be downloaded to the user's computer, and added to the Media Gallery.
* The To-Do List - how to create and maintain To-Do items for a person or family (the To-Do button in the Edit Person window), and how to print them out for everyone, for selected persons or for selected repositories (using Reports > Research Reports > To-Do List).
* The Research Manager - how to create and maintain research logs (the Research Log button in the Edit Person window), and how to print them out (using Reports > Research Reports > Research Log).
* Problem Reports - how to find potential errors in your database using Tools > Problem Search > Problem List.
* Media Gallery - how to manage media, including tagging persons and events. Fixing Broken Links was described and demonstrated.
*
Book Publisher - how to create a book about your family,
including media, charts, etc. Randy created a five generation book, including a Cover, Table of Contents, Pedigree Chart, Ahnentafel List, Ancestors Report, Descendants Report, a Scrapbook for one person, and an Index.
In the second hour, Randy answered questions about, and demonstrated the process of, crafting Source Citation templates for vital record certificates and Scottish Old Parish Registers records (from FHL microfilm), and how to change relationships between parents and adopted or step-children.
Another RootsMagic workshop may be scheduled to early 2013.
Saturday, November 3, 2012
CVGS Program Summary - 31 October 2012
The 31 October General Meeting of the Chula Vista Genealogical Society featured CVGS member Randy Seaver presenting "Discovering Jane's Roots in California, Australia and England."
In this case study, Randy described his search for the ancestry of Jane (Whittle) McKnew (1847-1921), who was born in Australia of English parents, married Elijah McKnew in 1865 in Tuolumne County, California, moved to San Francisco in about 1875, and raised a family of 11 children there. One daughter, Edna McKnew (1884-1974) was Randy's wife's grandmother.
The story starts with a large 1906 photograph, rescued from the trash bin by Linda's brother, of the McKnew family outside their home after the 1906 earthquake. In the California records, the search included Jane's death certificate (which listed her parents as Joseph Whittle and Rachel Moore), census records from 1920 back to 1860, San Francisco City Directories, California Voting Registers, and early California newspapers (all online). In the search, a Joseph Whittle in San Francisco (died in 1871) was found, as was a Joseph Whittle born in Australia in census records in Calaveras County. The key find was the 1852 California State Census that included a Rachel "Wadle" in San Francisco (born in England), with three children - Elizabeth born in England, Joseph and Jane born in Australia.
The Australian records, all found on the Internet, included birth records for five Whittle children in Sydney, New South Wales, including Jane Whittle in 1847. However, their parents were listed as Alexander and Rachel Whittle. Articles in the Sydney newspapers in the 1840s indicated that Alexander and Rachel owned a pub, and that Alexander left for California (gold fever?) in 1850. The key puzzle piece was the ship passenger list from England to Australia in 1841 - it listed Alexander Whittell and Rachel Morley, both from Bolton in Lancashire, with a daughter Elizabeth.
Back to California records, Randy found articles about Rachel in San Francisco and Sacramento, indicating that she married again in 1854 and was arrested for being drunk, disorderly and more. A newspaper article in 1853 documented Alexander Whittle's suicide in Angel's Camp in Calaveras County.
In English records in Lancashire, the marriage of Alexander Whittle and Rachel Morley in 1840 was found, and their baptism records were found in parish registers. Rachel was born out of wedlock to widow Jane Morley (formerly Haslam and Bury) in 1821. The ancestry of Alexander going back several generations and the parents of Jane (Haslam) (Bury) Morley were also found in parish registers, as was the out-of-wedlock birth of Rachel Morley's first child, Elizabeth, in 1839.
During the presentation, Randy showed the newly found information of Jane's roots using a pedigree chart. At the end, he summarized the families of Elizabeth, Joseph and Jane, and showed a comparison of the house in the 1906 photograph with the same building in Google Maps Street View. He also noted that posting his research online on his blog (www.geneamusings.com) really helped solve the challenges - readers suggested resources and even did research.
Lessons learned included:
* There is a wealth of vital records, church records, census records, immigration records, historical newspapers, city directories, etc. in online record collections (both free and subscription)
* There is a wealth of records available on Family History Library microfilms.
* Many paper records are held in National Archives, State Archives, county/city/town archives, public/private/university libraries, historical/genealogical societies, businesses, churches, schools, homes, etc.
* Not every record is available online or on microfilm. Maybe 5% are online, and maybe 40% are
on microfilm?
* Posting information online (in a message board, a blog, an online tree, etc.) can provide “short circuit” help – advice on resources, links to online collections, lookups in records
* Many records have inaccurate information – do a Reasonably Exhaustive Search for every record possible, apply the Genealogical Proof Standard to evaluate evidence to draw conclusions.
* The “sins of the father...” can be overcome by descendants even in the first generation.
In this case study, Randy described his search for the ancestry of Jane (Whittle) McKnew (1847-1921), who was born in Australia of English parents, married Elijah McKnew in 1865 in Tuolumne County, California, moved to San Francisco in about 1875, and raised a family of 11 children there. One daughter, Edna McKnew (1884-1974) was Randy's wife's grandmother.
The story starts with a large 1906 photograph, rescued from the trash bin by Linda's brother, of the McKnew family outside their home after the 1906 earthquake. In the California records, the search included Jane's death certificate (which listed her parents as Joseph Whittle and Rachel Moore), census records from 1920 back to 1860, San Francisco City Directories, California Voting Registers, and early California newspapers (all online). In the search, a Joseph Whittle in San Francisco (died in 1871) was found, as was a Joseph Whittle born in Australia in census records in Calaveras County. The key find was the 1852 California State Census that included a Rachel "Wadle" in San Francisco (born in England), with three children - Elizabeth born in England, Joseph and Jane born in Australia.
The Australian records, all found on the Internet, included birth records for five Whittle children in Sydney, New South Wales, including Jane Whittle in 1847. However, their parents were listed as Alexander and Rachel Whittle. Articles in the Sydney newspapers in the 1840s indicated that Alexander and Rachel owned a pub, and that Alexander left for California (gold fever?) in 1850. The key puzzle piece was the ship passenger list from England to Australia in 1841 - it listed Alexander Whittell and Rachel Morley, both from Bolton in Lancashire, with a daughter Elizabeth.
Back to California records, Randy found articles about Rachel in San Francisco and Sacramento, indicating that she married again in 1854 and was arrested for being drunk, disorderly and more. A newspaper article in 1853 documented Alexander Whittle's suicide in Angel's Camp in Calaveras County.
In English records in Lancashire, the marriage of Alexander Whittle and Rachel Morley in 1840 was found, and their baptism records were found in parish registers. Rachel was born out of wedlock to widow Jane Morley (formerly Haslam and Bury) in 1821. The ancestry of Alexander going back several generations and the parents of Jane (Haslam) (Bury) Morley were also found in parish registers, as was the out-of-wedlock birth of Rachel Morley's first child, Elizabeth, in 1839.
During the presentation, Randy showed the newly found information of Jane's roots using a pedigree chart. At the end, he summarized the families of Elizabeth, Joseph and Jane, and showed a comparison of the house in the 1906 photograph with the same building in Google Maps Street View. He also noted that posting his research online on his blog (www.geneamusings.com) really helped solve the challenges - readers suggested resources and even did research.
Lessons learned included:
* There is a wealth of vital records, church records, census records, immigration records, historical newspapers, city directories, etc. in online record collections (both free and subscription)
* There is a wealth of records available on Family History Library microfilms.
* Many paper records are held in National Archives, State Archives, county/city/town archives, public/private/university libraries, historical/genealogical societies, businesses, churches, schools, homes, etc.
* Not every record is available online or on microfilm. Maybe 5% are online, and maybe 40% are
on microfilm?
* Posting information online (in a message board, a blog, an online tree, etc.) can provide “short circuit” help – advice on resources, links to online collections, lookups in records
* Many records have inaccurate information – do a Reasonably Exhaustive Search for every record possible, apply the Genealogical Proof Standard to evaluate evidence to draw conclusions.
* The “sins of the father...” can be overcome by descendants even in the first generation.
Friday, November 2, 2012
Genealogy Days in Chula Vista - November 2012
The Chula Vista Genealogical Society events for November 2012 include:
** Sunday, 4 November, 1 p.m.to 3 p.m., Bonita-Sunnyside (County) Library (4375 Bonita Road) -- Outreach Workshop meets in Community Room. Randy Seaver will present "RootsMagic Workshop - Part 2."
** Wednesday 14 November, 12 noon to 2 p.m., Chula Vista Civic Center Branch Library (365 F Street) -- CVGS Research Group meets in the Library Conference Room, led by Randy Seaver. We will review the latest genealogy news, share success stories and information, and discuss members research problems, and potential solutions, based on the collective knowledge and wisdom of the group.
** Wednesday, 21 November, 12 noon to 1:30 p.m., Chula Vista Civic Center Branch Library (365 F Street) -- CVGS Computer Group meets in the Library Computer Lab, led by Shirley Becker. Sharpen your computer skills and investigate online genealogy resources.
** Wednesday, 28 November, 12 noon to 2 p.m., Chula Vista Civic Center Branch Library (365 F Street) -- CVGS General Membership Meeting in the Auditorium. Georgie Stillman will present "Heirloom Discovery Day."
The Chula Vista Civic Center Branch Library is located at 365 "F" Street in Chula Vista - between Third Avenue and Fourth Avenue, midway between I-5 and I-805 (take the "E" Street exit from the freeways).
The Bonita-Sunnyside (County) Library is located at 4375 Bonita Road in Bonita - turn left on Billy Casper Way, just west of the Otay Lakes Road intersection with Bonita Road, on the north side of Bonita Road.
We welcome guests and visitors to our CVGS programs and events - if you are in the greater San Diego area and want to attend our events - please come and introduce yourselves.
** Sunday, 4 November, 1 p.m.to 3 p.m., Bonita-Sunnyside (County) Library (4375 Bonita Road) -- Outreach Workshop meets in Community Room. Randy Seaver will present "RootsMagic Workshop - Part 2."
** Wednesday 14 November, 12 noon to 2 p.m., Chula Vista Civic Center Branch Library (365 F Street) -- CVGS Research Group meets in the Library Conference Room, led by Randy Seaver. We will review the latest genealogy news, share success stories and information, and discuss members research problems, and potential solutions, based on the collective knowledge and wisdom of the group.
** Wednesday, 21 November, 12 noon to 1:30 p.m., Chula Vista Civic Center Branch Library (365 F Street) -- CVGS Computer Group meets in the Library Computer Lab, led by Shirley Becker. Sharpen your computer skills and investigate online genealogy resources.
** Wednesday, 28 November, 12 noon to 2 p.m., Chula Vista Civic Center Branch Library (365 F Street) -- CVGS General Membership Meeting in the Auditorium. Georgie Stillman will present "Heirloom Discovery Day."
The Chula Vista Civic Center Branch Library is located at 365 "F" Street in Chula Vista - between Third Avenue and Fourth Avenue, midway between I-5 and I-805 (take the "E" Street exit from the freeways).
The Bonita-Sunnyside (County) Library is located at 4375 Bonita Road in Bonita - turn left on Billy Casper Way, just west of the Otay Lakes Road intersection with Bonita Road, on the north side of Bonita Road.
We welcome guests and visitors to our CVGS programs and events - if you are in the greater San Diego area and want to attend our events - please come and introduce yourselves.
Tuesday, October 30, 2012
CVGS Workshop on Sunday, 4 November: "RootsMagic Workshop 2"
The next CVGS Workshop will be on Sunday, 4 November from 1 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the Bonita-Sunnyside Library (4375 Bonita Road) in the Community Room.
The topic will be ”RootsMagic 5 Workshop – Part 2” led by Randy Seaver. We had the first workshop in August. Many users requested a second workshop devoted to answering questions about using RootsMagic 5 genealogy software on their PC or Mac computers.
* The Web Search feature - how to search from within RootsMagic to find records in online sites like Ancestry, FamilySearch, etc.
* The To-Do List - how to create and maintain To-Do items
* The Research Manager - how to create and maintain research logs
* Problem Reports - how to find potential errors in your database
* Media Gallery - how to manage media, including tagging persons and events
* Book Publisher - how to create a book about your family, including media, charts, etc.
Randy will solicit questions before the workshop, and during the workshop, about using RootsMagic 5. Bring your laptop with RootsMagic 5 installed so you can work along with Randy.
Saturday, October 27, 2012
Randy Seaver is Program Speaker on 31 October
The October general meeting of the Chula Vista Genealogical Society will be Wednesday, 31 October, at 12 noon in the Chula Vista Civic Center Branch Library Auditorium.
The Program Speaker is CVGS Member Randy Seaver, on “Discovering Jane's Roots in California, Australia and England”
In this presentation, Randy will explore the research journey to find the ancestors of his wife's great-grandmother, Jane (Whittle) McKnew (1847-1921). She married in Gold Country, had a family of 11 children, survived the 1906 San Francisco earthquake, and died in San Francisco.
Jane was born in Australia to parents who were born and married in England. Most of the research was done with online resources and in a collaborative environment. Come watch Randy unveil a fascinating family history worthy of a “Who Do You Think You Are?” television episode.
Randy Seaver is a native San Diegan. His ancestry is mainly colonial New England and Upper Atlantic, with some colonial German, French and Dutch forebears, and several 19th-century English immigrants. He has been pursuing his elusive ancestors since 1988, and has been online since 1992.
Randy is a former President of the Chula Vista Genealogical Society, and is currently the Newsletter Editor and Research Chair. He speaks to Southern California societies, libraries and groups, teaches "Beginning Computer Genealogy" adult classes at OASIS, and writes the Genealogy 2.0 column for the FGS FORUM magazine. He is a member of NGS, NEHGS, SCGS, SDGS, CGSSD and CVGS. Randy blogs daily about genealogy subjects at Genea-Musings (www.geneamusings.com) and the Chula Vista Genealogy Cafe (http://CVGenCafe.blogspot.com).
There will be a short business meeting before the speaker, and refreshments before and after the meeting at the back of the Auditorium.
Thursday, October 18, 2012
CVGS Newsletter for October 2012 published
The October 2012 issue of the Chula Vista Genealogical Society Newsletter was published last week. You can read it online, in a PDF format, at http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~cacvgs2/Newsletters/12_10_oct.pdf.
The Table of Contents lists:
The Table of Contents lists:
page 1 - October 31st Program
page 2 - President’s Message
page 3 - Sunday, Nov. 4 RootsMagic 5 Workshop
page 3 - Lemon Grove Research Group News
page 3 - Cemetery Committee News
page 3 - Rest In Peace, Helen Todd
page 4 - Research Group News
page 4 - Computer Group News
page 5 - September 26th Program Review
page 6 - Daughter of the Kings, and mtDNA Too!
page 6 - Read All About Us, by Olive Lenane
page 7 - CVGS Seminar Review “Show Me Your Roots”
page 8 - Important Notice from the President
page 8 - September 2012 Genealogy News
page 9 - CVGS Society Information
page 9 - San Diego Genealogy Events
page 10 - Genealogy Days in Chula Vista
Monday, October 15, 2012
Read all about CVGS!
Two new methods of obtaining information about Chula Vista Genealogical Society activities have been added to our previous information sources.
• The Chula Vista Community Calendar: www.chulavistaca.gov/apps/eventscalendar/Main.aspx
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ChulaVistaGenealogicalSociety
Previous sources:
• Website: www.rootsweb.com/~cacvgs2/
• Blog: http://CVGenCafe.blogspot.com
• Chula Vista Genealogical Newsletter: http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~cacvgs2/Newsletters/
• Quarterly Activities Pamphlet (via email)
• Email reminders to membership
Thursday, October 11, 2012
October Research Group Summary
The 10 October Research Group meeting of the Chula Vista Genealogical Society had 20 attendees.
In the first hour, Randy shared his mitochondrial (Ancestry), Y-chromosome (Ancestry) and autosomal DNA (FamilyTreeDNA and AncestryDNA) test results with the group so that they could see the process of receiving, matching and analyzing the test results.
Kitty shared her autosomal test results (from AncestryDNA), and had been contacted by a cousin who provided the identity of Kitty's 4th-great-grandfather.
In the second hour, we shared our recent research challenges, questions and successes:
* Connie is trying to write a letter to her adopted brother's relatives, and is struggling. The group suggested that she check the Adoption message boards for examples and advice.
* Olive's grandson needed family information on causes of death for a school project, and she helped him out.
* Kitty helped her granddaughter find a newspaper article about Kitty's stepfather's war medals.
* John found quite a bit of helpful information in The Essex Antiquarian, new on the shelves at the Chula Vista library.
* Shirley noted that Carlsbad library has removed periodicals from the shelves, and users need to request specific issues at the desk.
* Karen's grandson wanted information about his ancestry, and she forwarded links to the LeCompte family website to help him out.
* Helen is still searching the 1940 US census for her grandmother without success. She also noted that some California death certificates now have ethnic background included.
* Bobbie received her mitochondrial DNA results, and will join the X haplogroup.
* Marie's uncle had a piece of the roof from a Friends meeting house in Pennsylvania, and she hopes to receive it from the family.
* Ken had a hard drive failure, and needs to use Family Tree Maker to see the shaky leaves.
* Diane found a relative in Italy and they are now friends on Facebook.
* Ralph's trip to San Antonio was successful, he visited family, and found his grandparents marriage record.
* Sam recommends checking the "More results" link in Family Tree Maker Web Search )on Ancestry.com) - there may be additional records. Randy suggested using "list by category" instead of "sort by relevance" on Ancestry.
* Susi is working on her Mattison family from NY/MA. A Mattison cousin owned land in the 1870 census in Iowa, so she will try to obtain land records there to see if family information can be obtained.
* Randy mentioned that Adele had asked about what to do with her photo albums, since she has no close family. This is a common problem, and a local historical or genealogical society may be the answer.
* Randy noted that he was adding information to photo albums on 1000Memories, he's mining the Record Matches on MyHeritage, and that he has created 10 generation ancestral reports and saved them in PDF format to Dropbox and Scribd.com, where they are searchable.
The next CVGS Research Group will be Wednesday, 13 November at 12 noon in the Conference Room at the Chula Vista Civic Center Branch Library.
In the first hour, Randy shared his mitochondrial (Ancestry), Y-chromosome (Ancestry) and autosomal DNA (FamilyTreeDNA and AncestryDNA) test results with the group so that they could see the process of receiving, matching and analyzing the test results.
Kitty shared her autosomal test results (from AncestryDNA), and had been contacted by a cousin who provided the identity of Kitty's 4th-great-grandfather.
In the second hour, we shared our recent research challenges, questions and successes:
* Connie is trying to write a letter to her adopted brother's relatives, and is struggling. The group suggested that she check the Adoption message boards for examples and advice.
* Olive's grandson needed family information on causes of death for a school project, and she helped him out.
* Kitty helped her granddaughter find a newspaper article about Kitty's stepfather's war medals.
* John found quite a bit of helpful information in The Essex Antiquarian, new on the shelves at the Chula Vista library.
* Shirley noted that Carlsbad library has removed periodicals from the shelves, and users need to request specific issues at the desk.
* Karen's grandson wanted information about his ancestry, and she forwarded links to the LeCompte family website to help him out.
* Helen is still searching the 1940 US census for her grandmother without success. She also noted that some California death certificates now have ethnic background included.
* Bobbie received her mitochondrial DNA results, and will join the X haplogroup.
* Marie's uncle had a piece of the roof from a Friends meeting house in Pennsylvania, and she hopes to receive it from the family.
* Ken had a hard drive failure, and needs to use Family Tree Maker to see the shaky leaves.
* Diane found a relative in Italy and they are now friends on Facebook.
* Ralph's trip to San Antonio was successful, he visited family, and found his grandparents marriage record.
* Sam recommends checking the "More results" link in Family Tree Maker Web Search )on Ancestry.com) - there may be additional records. Randy suggested using "list by category" instead of "sort by relevance" on Ancestry.
* Susi is working on her Mattison family from NY/MA. A Mattison cousin owned land in the 1870 census in Iowa, so she will try to obtain land records there to see if family information can be obtained.
* Randy mentioned that Adele had asked about what to do with her photo albums, since she has no close family. This is a common problem, and a local historical or genealogical society may be the answer.
* Randy noted that he was adding information to photo albums on 1000Memories, he's mining the Record Matches on MyHeritage, and that he has created 10 generation ancestral reports and saved them in PDF format to Dropbox and Scribd.com, where they are searchable.
The next CVGS Research Group will be Wednesday, 13 November at 12 noon in the Conference Room at the Chula Vista Civic Center Branch Library.
Tuesday, October 9, 2012
Workshop Review - CeCe Moore on "Starting Out with Genetic Genealogy"
Genetic genealogist CeCe Moore provided an excellent tutorial on genetic genealogy with graphic examples in her presentation "Getting Started in Genetic Genealogy" to 28 members and guests of the Chula Vista Genealogical Society on Sunday, 7 October at Bonita-Sunnyside Library in Bonita.
In a relatively short 15 years, genetic genealogy has grown from the first Y-chromosome tests on Jewish priests to full genome tests for selected people. CeCe described the four genetic genealogy tests available for a fee at several genetic testing companies:
* mtDNA - mitochondrial DNA tests provide genetic information passed by a biological mother to her male and female children.
* Y-DNA - Y-chromosome DNA tests provide genetic information passed by a biological father to his sons.
* atDNA - autosomal DNA tests provide genetic information on 22 chromosomes passed to a person by his/her biological parents (contributed by all biological ancestors)
* X-DNA - specific X-chromosome tests are not available yet (passed by a biological mother to a child)
CeCe described the science of DNA - a mother's egg provides about half of a child's DNA, as does a father's sperm. Each human person has 46 chromosomes - 23 from each parent, including 2 sex chromosomes, which define the genetic characteristics of a person. The chromosomes are in the nucleus of each cell. The mitochondrial DNA is in the cytoplasm of each cell. The sex of a child is determined by the X or Y chromosome contributed by the father - an X chromosome creates a female child, and a Y-chromosome creates a male child.
The mtDNA test results can be used to define the matrilineal line (mother to child) for a person - a person with the same mtDNA results probably has a common female ancestor back in time. The Y-DNA test results can be used to define the patrilineal line (father to son, the surname line) for a male person - a person with the same Y-DNA results probably has a common male ancestor back in time.
Maternal or paternal Haplogroups contain similar characteristics for mtDNA and Y-DNA, respectively, and the results are classified by a letter and subgroups. These haplogroups can be used to identify human migration over the past 100,000 years.
Surname projects are available for Y-DNA testers that can help prove patrilineal lines by descent if there are nearly identical matches with other males with the same Y-DNA markers. If there are fewer matches of males with a common patrilineal ancestor, then either there is an adoption, a "non paternal event," or a person's genealogical research is wrong.
Autosomal DNA tests can be used to determine which genetic material was contributed by a specific ancestor by comparison of a person's test results with a relative's test results. However, autosomal tests can only indicate relationships as early as approximately 5th cousins.
CeCe described the autosomal tests provided by 23andMe (called Relative Finder), Family Tree DNA (called Family Finder) and AncestryDNA. These tests, with more than half a million markers, compare a person's results with those of reference populations, and results in a definition of "Deep Ancestry" (for example, 50% Europoean, 25% African, and 25% Asian) for the person tested.
Automsomal tests can also provide indications of relationships with other persons. CeCe provided comparisons of her test results with a number of close relatives. By testing several relatives, and knowing the genealogical relationships, the specific segments of DNA on specific chromosomes can be attributed to a specific ancestor.
There were many questions about the DNA tests, their costs, their results, and about genetic characteristics and medical problems. Only 23andMe tests for, and provides information for, medical problems. CeCe had an answer for everyone.
CeCe wrote four articles on the Geni.com blog about Getting Started in DNA Testing - see:
* Part 1 - http://www.geni.com/blog/dna-testing-for-genealogy-getting-started-part-one-375984.html
* Part 2 - http://www.geni.com/blog/dna-testing-for-genealogy-getting-started-part-two-376163.html
* Part 3 - http://www.geni.com/blog/dna-testing-for-genealogy-getting-started-part-three-376261.html
* Part 4 - http://www.geni.com/blog/dna-testing-for-genealogy-getting-started-part-four-376433.html
You can read CeCe Moore's blog - Your Genetic Genealogist - at www.YourGeneticGenealogist.com.
You can join (free) the International Society of Genetic Genealogy at www.isogg.org, and receive an invitation to join the DNA Newbie mailing list, which CeCe moderates.
This workshop was a two-plus hour session that passed a lot of information about DNA testing, and was well received by the attendees.
In a relatively short 15 years, genetic genealogy has grown from the first Y-chromosome tests on Jewish priests to full genome tests for selected people. CeCe described the four genetic genealogy tests available for a fee at several genetic testing companies:
* mtDNA - mitochondrial DNA tests provide genetic information passed by a biological mother to her male and female children.
* Y-DNA - Y-chromosome DNA tests provide genetic information passed by a biological father to his sons.
* atDNA - autosomal DNA tests provide genetic information on 22 chromosomes passed to a person by his/her biological parents (contributed by all biological ancestors)
* X-DNA - specific X-chromosome tests are not available yet (passed by a biological mother to a child)
CeCe described the science of DNA - a mother's egg provides about half of a child's DNA, as does a father's sperm. Each human person has 46 chromosomes - 23 from each parent, including 2 sex chromosomes, which define the genetic characteristics of a person. The chromosomes are in the nucleus of each cell. The mitochondrial DNA is in the cytoplasm of each cell. The sex of a child is determined by the X or Y chromosome contributed by the father - an X chromosome creates a female child, and a Y-chromosome creates a male child.
The mtDNA test results can be used to define the matrilineal line (mother to child) for a person - a person with the same mtDNA results probably has a common female ancestor back in time. The Y-DNA test results can be used to define the patrilineal line (father to son, the surname line) for a male person - a person with the same Y-DNA results probably has a common male ancestor back in time.
Maternal or paternal Haplogroups contain similar characteristics for mtDNA and Y-DNA, respectively, and the results are classified by a letter and subgroups. These haplogroups can be used to identify human migration over the past 100,000 years.
Surname projects are available for Y-DNA testers that can help prove patrilineal lines by descent if there are nearly identical matches with other males with the same Y-DNA markers. If there are fewer matches of males with a common patrilineal ancestor, then either there is an adoption, a "non paternal event," or a person's genealogical research is wrong.
Autosomal DNA tests can be used to determine which genetic material was contributed by a specific ancestor by comparison of a person's test results with a relative's test results. However, autosomal tests can only indicate relationships as early as approximately 5th cousins.
CeCe described the autosomal tests provided by 23andMe (called Relative Finder), Family Tree DNA (called Family Finder) and AncestryDNA. These tests, with more than half a million markers, compare a person's results with those of reference populations, and results in a definition of "Deep Ancestry" (for example, 50% Europoean, 25% African, and 25% Asian) for the person tested.
Automsomal tests can also provide indications of relationships with other persons. CeCe provided comparisons of her test results with a number of close relatives. By testing several relatives, and knowing the genealogical relationships, the specific segments of DNA on specific chromosomes can be attributed to a specific ancestor.
There were many questions about the DNA tests, their costs, their results, and about genetic characteristics and medical problems. Only 23andMe tests for, and provides information for, medical problems. CeCe had an answer for everyone.
CeCe wrote four articles on the Geni.com blog about Getting Started in DNA Testing - see:
* Part 1 - http://www.geni.com/blog/dna-testing-for-genealogy-getting-started-part-one-375984.html
* Part 2 - http://www.geni.com/blog/dna-testing-for-genealogy-getting-started-part-two-376163.html
* Part 3 - http://www.geni.com/blog/dna-testing-for-genealogy-getting-started-part-three-376261.html
* Part 4 - http://www.geni.com/blog/dna-testing-for-genealogy-getting-started-part-four-376433.html
You can read CeCe Moore's blog - Your Genetic Genealogist - at www.YourGeneticGenealogist.com.
You can join (free) the International Society of Genetic Genealogy at www.isogg.org, and receive an invitation to join the DNA Newbie mailing list, which CeCe moderates.
This workshop was a two-plus hour session that passed a lot of information about DNA testing, and was well received by the attendees.
Thursday, October 4, 2012
CVGS Workshop on Sunday, 7 October: CeCe Moore on "Genetic Genealogy"
The October Chula Vista Genealogical Society (CVGS) Workshop is this Sunday, 7 October, from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. at the Bonita-Sunnyside Library (4375 Bonita Road in Bonita, turn left at Billy Casper Way, library is on the left) in the Community Room.
The workshop speaker will be CeCe Moore on "Getting Started in Genetic Genealogy."
Discover the fascinating world of genetic genealogy (DNA Testing for Genealogy). Genetic Genealogy is a wonderful resource for the family genealogist or historian and is growing daily! This presentation will provide you with an overview about DNA testing for genealogy by making the subject accessible and understandable for the non–scientist.
CeCe Moore is a full-time genetic genealogist, and author of the Your Genetic Genealogist blog. She is the Ancestry Ambassador for 23andMe, the Moderator for the ISOGG DNA Newbie List, on the Advisory Board for the Mixed Roots Foundation, the Co-Director of the Global Adoptee Genealogy Project, ISOGG Regional Coordinator for Southern California, Proctor DNA Project Administrator, Travis DNA Project Co-Administrator (FTDNA), and Administrator for the ISOGG Wikipedia (www.isogg.org/wiki).
The workshop speaker will be CeCe Moore on "Getting Started in Genetic Genealogy."
Discover the fascinating world of genetic genealogy (DNA Testing for Genealogy). Genetic Genealogy is a wonderful resource for the family genealogist or historian and is growing daily! This presentation will provide you with an overview about DNA testing for genealogy by making the subject accessible and understandable for the non–scientist.
CeCe Moore is a full-time genetic genealogist, and author of the Your Genetic Genealogist blog. She is the Ancestry Ambassador for 23andMe, the Moderator for the ISOGG DNA Newbie List, on the Advisory Board for the Mixed Roots Foundation, the Co-Director of the Global Adoptee Genealogy Project, ISOGG Regional Coordinator for Southern California, Proctor DNA Project Administrator, Travis DNA Project Co-Administrator (FTDNA), and Administrator for the ISOGG Wikipedia (www.isogg.org/wiki).
Monday, October 1, 2012
Genealogy Days in Chula Vista - October 2012
The Chula Vista Genealogical Society events for October 2012 include:
** Sunday, 7 October, 1 p.m.to 3 p.m., Bonita-Sunnyside (County) Library (4375 Bonita Road) -- Outreach Workshop meets in Community Room. CeCe Moore will present "Getting Started in Genetic Genealogy."
** Wednesday 10 October, 12 noon to 2 p.m., Chula Vista Civic Center Branch Library (365 F Street) -- CVGS Research Group meets in the Library Conference Room, led by Randy Seaver. We will review the latest genealogy news, share success stories and information, and discuss members research problems, and potential solutions, based on the collective knowledge and wisdom of the group.
** Thursday, 18 October, 12 noon to 1:30 p.m., Chula Vista Civic Center Branch Library (365 F Street) -- CVGS Computer Group meets in the Library Computer Lab, led by Shirley Becker. Sharpen your computer skills and investigate online genealogy resources.
** Wednesday, 31 October, 12 noon to 2 p.m., Chula Vista Civic Center Branch Library (365 F Street) -- CVGS General Membership Meeting in the Auditorium. Randy Seaver will present "Discovering Jane's Roots in Califronia, Australia and England."
The Chula Vista Civic Center Branch Library is located at 365 "F" Street in Chula Vista - between Third Avenue and Fourth Avenue, midway between I-5 and I-805 (take the "E" Street exit from the freeways).
The Bonita-Sunnyside (County) Library is located at 4375 Bonita Road in Bonita - turn left on Billy Casper Way, just west of the Otay Lakes Road intersection with Bonita Road, on the north side of Bonita Road.
We welcome guests and visitors to our CVGS programs and events - if you are in the greater San Diego area and want to attend our events - please come and introduce yourselves.
** Sunday, 7 October, 1 p.m.to 3 p.m., Bonita-Sunnyside (County) Library (4375 Bonita Road) -- Outreach Workshop meets in Community Room. CeCe Moore will present "Getting Started in Genetic Genealogy."
** Wednesday 10 October, 12 noon to 2 p.m., Chula Vista Civic Center Branch Library (365 F Street) -- CVGS Research Group meets in the Library Conference Room, led by Randy Seaver. We will review the latest genealogy news, share success stories and information, and discuss members research problems, and potential solutions, based on the collective knowledge and wisdom of the group.
** Thursday, 18 October, 12 noon to 1:30 p.m., Chula Vista Civic Center Branch Library (365 F Street) -- CVGS Computer Group meets in the Library Computer Lab, led by Shirley Becker. Sharpen your computer skills and investigate online genealogy resources.
** Wednesday, 31 October, 12 noon to 2 p.m., Chula Vista Civic Center Branch Library (365 F Street) -- CVGS General Membership Meeting in the Auditorium. Randy Seaver will present "Discovering Jane's Roots in Califronia, Australia and England."
The Chula Vista Civic Center Branch Library is located at 365 "F" Street in Chula Vista - between Third Avenue and Fourth Avenue, midway between I-5 and I-805 (take the "E" Street exit from the freeways).
The Bonita-Sunnyside (County) Library is located at 4375 Bonita Road in Bonita - turn left on Billy Casper Way, just west of the Otay Lakes Road intersection with Bonita Road, on the north side of Bonita Road.
We welcome guests and visitors to our CVGS programs and events - if you are in the greater San Diego area and want to attend our events - please come and introduce yourselves.
Thursday, September 27, 2012
CVGS Program Review - "The Civil War and the Onslaught of Modern Warfare"
CVGS Member John Finch presented "The Civil War and the Onslaught of Modern Warfare" for the regular Program Meeting of the Chula Vista Genealogical Society on Wednesday, 26 September at the Chula Vista Civic Center Branch Library.
John started his presentation with a definition of the Civil War (called the "War of Northern Aggression" in the southern states), and said it was a defining moment in American history. He reviewed some of his reference materials, including the Civil War PBS Series by Ken Burns, the book Killer Angels by Michael Schaara, and the book Prisoners of the Civil War by Douglas Westfall.
The statistics on casualties of the Civil War are horrific:
* 3.2 million persons served (2.21 million for the North, 1.05 million for the South)
* 524,000 died (364,000 for the North, 160,000 for the South)
* The population of the USA in 1860 was 32 million, so about 1 in 10 persons served.
* 17% of those that served died, and many more were wounded.
John noted that habeas corpus was suspended in 1862 by President Lincoln in order to prevent the Maryland and Delaware legislatures from meeting to secede from the Union, and thereby isolating Washington, D.C. The legislators spent the war in Fort Warren, a prison camp near Boston, as did the Governor of Kentucky.
He discussed the Battle of Gettysburg in some detail, using an excellent map showing the movements and battle lines with the Union troops on Cemetery Ridge and the Confederates in the valley to the west. He also described Joshua Chamberlain's heroics on Round Top on 2 July 1863 and on Cemetery Ridge on 3 July 1863.
To demonstrate the horror of typical battles, John showed about 10 minutes from the movie "Gettysburg." - beginning at the start of Pickett's charge up Cemetery Ridge. He also discussed the weapons and ammunition used in this war.
The military service record of John's relative, Charles H. Finch of the Pennsylvania 143rd Infantry Regiment, was presented - he was wounded at Gettysburg, sent to a hospital, furloughed home, and went back into the service. John obtained the papers from the National Archives.
The interesting service and subsequent lives of two different men were summarized:
1) William H.H. Clayton on the Union Iowa 19th Infantry Regiment, who served up and down the Mississippi River, was a prisoner of war after Vicksburg, sent to a Texas prison, furloughed back to Iowa, married, moved his family to Orange county, California, and founded the Sunkist company.
2) William T. Glassell was from Orange County, Virginia, but was serving in the U.S. Navy on the USS Hancock on the California coast when the war broke out. After a 7 month journey to Baltimore, he resigned from the US Navy, but was arrested and sent to Fort Warren. He was furloughed, went back to Virginia, enlisted in the Confederate Navy in an ironclad, boat. He was captured again, and sent to a prison camp in New York. After the surrender, he was furloughed, went back to his home in Virginia, but his brother had migrated to California, so Glassell went there, was granted a large tract of land in Orange County, and died there in 1879.
John briefly described the information that can be found online on the Civil War Soldiers and Sailors system (http://www.nps.gov/civilwar/soldiers-and-sailors-database.htm), on FamilySearch (www.familysearch.org), on Ancestry (www.ancestry.com) on the United States GenWeb (www.usgenweb.org), and on Fold3 (www.fold3.com). Original military records can be ordered, for a fee, from the National Archives on their website (http://www.archives.gov/research/genealogy/index.html).
John started his presentation with a definition of the Civil War (called the "War of Northern Aggression" in the southern states), and said it was a defining moment in American history. He reviewed some of his reference materials, including the Civil War PBS Series by Ken Burns, the book Killer Angels by Michael Schaara, and the book Prisoners of the Civil War by Douglas Westfall.
The statistics on casualties of the Civil War are horrific:
* 3.2 million persons served (2.21 million for the North, 1.05 million for the South)
* 524,000 died (364,000 for the North, 160,000 for the South)
* The population of the USA in 1860 was 32 million, so about 1 in 10 persons served.
* 17% of those that served died, and many more were wounded.
John noted that habeas corpus was suspended in 1862 by President Lincoln in order to prevent the Maryland and Delaware legislatures from meeting to secede from the Union, and thereby isolating Washington, D.C. The legislators spent the war in Fort Warren, a prison camp near Boston, as did the Governor of Kentucky.
He discussed the Battle of Gettysburg in some detail, using an excellent map showing the movements and battle lines with the Union troops on Cemetery Ridge and the Confederates in the valley to the west. He also described Joshua Chamberlain's heroics on Round Top on 2 July 1863 and on Cemetery Ridge on 3 July 1863.
To demonstrate the horror of typical battles, John showed about 10 minutes from the movie "Gettysburg." - beginning at the start of Pickett's charge up Cemetery Ridge. He also discussed the weapons and ammunition used in this war.
The military service record of John's relative, Charles H. Finch of the Pennsylvania 143rd Infantry Regiment, was presented - he was wounded at Gettysburg, sent to a hospital, furloughed home, and went back into the service. John obtained the papers from the National Archives.
The interesting service and subsequent lives of two different men were summarized:
1) William H.H. Clayton on the Union Iowa 19th Infantry Regiment, who served up and down the Mississippi River, was a prisoner of war after Vicksburg, sent to a Texas prison, furloughed back to Iowa, married, moved his family to Orange county, California, and founded the Sunkist company.
2) William T. Glassell was from Orange County, Virginia, but was serving in the U.S. Navy on the USS Hancock on the California coast when the war broke out. After a 7 month journey to Baltimore, he resigned from the US Navy, but was arrested and sent to Fort Warren. He was furloughed, went back to Virginia, enlisted in the Confederate Navy in an ironclad, boat. He was captured again, and sent to a prison camp in New York. After the surrender, he was furloughed, went back to his home in Virginia, but his brother had migrated to California, so Glassell went there, was granted a large tract of land in Orange County, and died there in 1879.
John briefly described the information that can be found online on the Civil War Soldiers and Sailors system (http://www.nps.gov/civilwar/soldiers-and-sailors-database.htm), on FamilySearch (www.familysearch.org), on Ancestry (www.ancestry.com) on the United States GenWeb (www.usgenweb.org), and on Fold3 (www.fold3.com). Original military records can be ordered, for a fee, from the National Archives on their website (http://www.archives.gov/research/genealogy/index.html).
Monday, September 24, 2012
CVGS Fall Seminar Summary - "Show Me Your Roots"
The Chula Vista Genealogical Society Fall Seminar was held on Saturday, 22 September 2012, at the bonita-Sunnyside Library. The title of this event was "Show Me Your Roots." There were two sessions with essentially the same planned events - one in the morning (10 AM to 12 noon) and one in the afternoon (1 PM to 3 PM).
The morning session had about 20 CVGS members and 12 non-members in attendance. The non-members ranged from beginners with a pedigree chart to intermediate researchers with some research background.
The morning session had about 20 CVGS members and 12 non-members in attendance. The non-members ranged from beginners with a pedigree chart to intermediate researchers with some research background.
After CVGS President Gary Brock welcomed the attendees, CVGS member Sam Seat made a 30 minute presentation about how to begin and progress in your genealogical and family history research. His points included:
- Buy a computer program for your family tree – Family Tree Maker (Win and Mac), RootsMagic (Win), Legacy Family Tree (Win), Reunion (Mac), MyHeritage (Win).
- There are many online video courses for Beginners and others – check out the FamilySearch courses/videos
- Fill out your pedigree chart – a skeleton of 5 generations of ancestors – with names, dates, and places
- Fill in the blanks on the chart – find records, family, local, repositories, online search
- Use free online searches and record collections such as Google, FamilySearch, USGenWeb, Rootsweb, Find-A-Grave
- Use online commercial subscription sites with record collections such as Ancestry, Archives, Fold3, GenealogyBank, etc.
- Be careful – don't believe everything you see, use “official” records to make sure data indexes and online trees are correct.
- What can you find – birth certificates, marriage certificates, death certificates, census records, city directories, wills/probate records, land records, military records, immigration records, SSDI, cemetery records, etc.
Sam provided some examples from his own research - images of vital record certificates, census records, wills, city directory pages, gravestones, draft registration, website story, etc.
Bonita-Sunnyside Librarian Hielde Kraus provided a short overview of the library genealogy holdings, including Ancestry Library Edition on the Catalog computers, access to local university
libraries with a library card, and the use of Inter-Library Loan to obtain books from other libraries.
At this point, the CVGS Mentors were introduced - Bernice (French-Canada),
Shirley (New York, Reunion), Sam, Randy (New England, RootsMagic), Susi (Mid-Atlantic, New England),
Karen (Norway, Maryland), Bobbie (French Canada,
Bavaria), Ken (Family Tree Maker), and Kevin (MyHeritage).
The plan was to have the mentors help the attendees to fill out their pedigree chart, but all of them had one already started, so the session quickly moved to helping the attendees with their software briefings and research questions.
Shirley, Randy and Ken discussed and demonstrated the programs to several persons. Other attendees had questions concerning genealogical resources and how to attack their research problems, and the CVGS members provided advice and went online using their laptops and mobile devices to find records that might help the attendee.
After lunch, the afternoon session had the same CVGS attendees, and five more C VGS members came to ask questions, see software demonstrations, and for help with their research problems.
Drawings were held after both sessions, with CVGS memberships and donations from local restaurants and attractions as door prizes.
Sunday, September 23, 2012
Civil War Program on Wednesday, 26 September
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 26th PROGRAM
from 12 Noon to 2 p.m.
at Chula Vista Civic Center Branch Library (365 F Street) in the Auditorium
John Finch: “The Civil War and the Onslaught of Modern Warfare”
This month's Chula Vista Genealogical Society program presentation will be “The Civil War; and the Onslaught of Modern Warfare" presented by CVGS member John Finch.
However, the title covers only a portion of the material. John will present statistics of the casualties of loss in the Civil War as compared to other wars. We will see how this destruction was carried out, how new weapons were introduced, and strategies developed to cope. We will examine the service of both a Union enlisted soldier and a Confederate Officer and how the War impacted their lives and their respective families lives. We will look at the plight of the women left behind. John will demonstrate how he researched Civil War Veterans in his family and he will offer some recommendations for your own research.
John has been a member of the Chula Vista Genealogical Society since 1999 and has served in several offices to include Membership Chair and Society President (2005 -2006). Currently, John is assisting with the Library Committee and the By-Laws Revision Committee. An admitted Family Research “junkie” he pursues some form of genealogy research almost every day.
Before retirement from the County of San Diego and a career as a Probation Officer, John had retired from the Navy with 20 years of service. He credits troubleshooting techniques performed on Navy countermeasures equipment and the criminal investigative practices, learned as a Probation Officer, as a background for successful methods in Family Research. John is married, with three sons and eight grandchildren. Life is good.
Please enter the Auditorium through the auditorium entry on the south library entryway. There will be refreshments before and after the meeting. There will be a short business meeting before the presentation.
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