....
Susi Pentico presented "The Lost Colony" today at the monthly program meeting of the Chula Vista Genealogical Society. She said that she had enough material for three presentations, and we believe her!
The "Lost Colony" was Sir Walter Raleigh's colony that was established on Roanoke Island in August 1587 in the Outer Banks of what is now the state of North Carolina. 115 men, women and children were left there in late 1587, and the ship sailed back to England for more supplies. The ships didn't return until May 1590, and there was no sign of the colonists, except for the word "Croatoan" carved on a post. Nobody knows for sure what happened to the English colonists - were they killed, did they assimilate with a local Indian tribe, or did they move on to another site, or all of the above? A serious search for any survivors was not made until 1607 when Jamestown was settled by Englishmen. The Lumbee tribe of Native Americans (that currently resides in this area) has oral traditions about being descendants of the Lost Colony, and some had blue eyes, light hair, and European features.
Susi used overheads to present summary statements about the timeline and the events before, during and after the settlement. She had four pages of handouts from the Lost Colony Genealogy and DNA Research Group with the mission of the group, the surnames of the early Roanoke colonists, and information about the Research Group. Several of Susi's ancestral families are from this area of North Carolina and are on the surname list.
The Lost Colony Genealogy and DNA Research Group is trying to prove that some of the colonists survived by comparing DNA samples from descendants of early Outer Banks ancestors with those in England or other parts of the USA. You can read more information on the Group web site at http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~molcgdrg/.
There is more information about the Lost Colony at http://www.lost-colony.com. There is a Lost Colony blog at http://the-lost-colony.blogspot.com .
This was an informative and interesting talk about an aspect of early American colonial history that does not get much attention in the history books. Perhaps that is because it is a real history mystery.
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Sunday, February 22, 2009
CVGS Meeting is Wednesday, 25 February - Susi Pentico is Speaker
....
The next Chula Vista Genealogical Society program meeting is on Wednesday, 25 February at 12 noon in the Auditorium of the Chula Vista Civic Center Branch Library (365 F Street, Chula Vista).
After the CVGS Annual Meeting, Susi (Jones) Pentico will present "Black History and the Lost Colony Connection."
Susi's grandfather got her started in genealogy research at age 12, and she was in deep by age 19 when her first child was very ill and the doctor needed family health information.
Susi enjoys learning and sharing about genealogy and family history with other researchers. She teaches a Beginners/Intermediate Class at the Lemon Grove library, and works with community organizations to promote a better community for youth and adults. Susi has been a Host on AOL for Genealogy and the Golden Gate Forum. She has extensive research experience in the mid-Atlantic states region.
She is fascinated by all of the links within and between groups of people. Susi finds genealogy research to be rewarding, relaxing, vexing and frustrating. She belongs to the NEHGS, NGS, SDGS and has held many offices in the Chula Vista Genealogical Society over the past 20 years. Susi has made many presentations to CVGS on many topics.
CVGS welcomes guests and visitors. Please enter the Auditorium through the Conference Room in the east hallway of the library so as to register your attendance, gather handouts, have a snack, buy a raffle ticket, and talk with your CVGS colleagues.
The next Chula Vista Genealogical Society program meeting is on Wednesday, 25 February at 12 noon in the Auditorium of the Chula Vista Civic Center Branch Library (365 F Street, Chula Vista).
After the CVGS Annual Meeting, Susi (Jones) Pentico will present "Black History and the Lost Colony Connection."
Susi's grandfather got her started in genealogy research at age 12, and she was in deep by age 19 when her first child was very ill and the doctor needed family health information.
Susi enjoys learning and sharing about genealogy and family history with other researchers. She teaches a Beginners/Intermediate Class at the Lemon Grove library, and works with community organizations to promote a better community for youth and adults. Susi has been a Host on AOL for Genealogy and the Golden Gate Forum. She has extensive research experience in the mid-Atlantic states region.
She is fascinated by all of the links within and between groups of people. Susi finds genealogy research to be rewarding, relaxing, vexing and frustrating. She belongs to the NEHGS, NGS, SDGS and has held many offices in the Chula Vista Genealogical Society over the past 20 years. Susi has made many presentations to CVGS on many topics.
CVGS welcomes guests and visitors. Please enter the Auditorium through the Conference Room in the east hallway of the library so as to register your attendance, gather handouts, have a snack, buy a raffle ticket, and talk with your CVGS colleagues.
Monday, February 16, 2009
CVGS Survey Results - Summary
....
The Chula Vista Genealogical Society (CVGS) conducted a member survey of genealogy and computer skills and interests during December 2008 and January 2009. The purpose of this survey is to help the Board provide classes that help educate our members and improve their skills, and to sense if the society's programs and groups are meeting the needs of the members. We had 22 responses to our survey - about 25% of our membership.
Here are the posts with the responses the questions posed:
* CVGS Program Survey Results
* CVGS Member Survey Results - Post 1 (experience in genealogy)
* CVGS Member Survey Results - Post 2 (geographical areas of interest)
* CVGS Member Survey Results - Post 3 (use of repositories)
* CVGS Member Survey Results - Post 4 (computer usage for genealogy)
* CVGS Member Survey Results - Post 5 (use of web sites)
* CVGS Member Survey Results - Post 6 (CVGS activities)
* CVGS Member Survey Results - Post 7 (societies, magazines, software)
The Chula Vista Genealogical Society (CVGS) conducted a member survey of genealogy and computer skills and interests during December 2008 and January 2009. The purpose of this survey is to help the Board provide classes that help educate our members and improve their skills, and to sense if the society's programs and groups are meeting the needs of the members. We had 22 responses to our survey - about 25% of our membership.
Here are the posts with the responses the questions posed:
* CVGS Program Survey Results
* CVGS Member Survey Results - Post 1 (experience in genealogy)
* CVGS Member Survey Results - Post 2 (geographical areas of interest)
* CVGS Member Survey Results - Post 3 (use of repositories)
* CVGS Member Survey Results - Post 4 (computer usage for genealogy)
* CVGS Member Survey Results - Post 5 (use of web sites)
* CVGS Member Survey Results - Post 6 (CVGS activities)
* CVGS Member Survey Results - Post 7 (societies, magazines, software)
Sunday, February 15, 2009
CVGS Member Survey Results - Post 7
....
The Chula Vista Genealogical Society (CVGS) conducted a member survey of genealogy and computer skills and interests during December 2008 and January 2009. The purpose of this survey is to help the Board provide classes that help educate our members and improve their skills, and to sense if the society's programs and groups are meeting the needs of the members.
We had 22 responses to our survey - about 25% of our membership. Here are their responses to some of the questions posed:
23. What other genealogy societies do you belong to? (22 responses, numbers add to more than 100%)
* None - 11 (50%)
* San Diego Genealogical Society (SDGS) - 4 (18%)
* New England Historic Genealogical Society (NEHGS) - 4 (18%)
* National Genealogical Society (NGS) - 3 (14%)
* Computer Genealogy Society of San Diego (CGSSD) - 1 (5%)
* German Research Association (GRA) - 1 (5%)
* California Society Genealogical Alliance (CSGA) - 1 (5%)
* New York Genealogical & Biographical Society (NYGBS) - 1 (5%)
* Central New York Genealogical Society - 1 (5%)
* Genealogical Society of Pennsylvania (GSP) - 1 (5%)
* Ohio Genealogical Society (OGS) - 1 (5%)
* Indiana Genealogical Society (IGS) - 1 (5%)
* Connecticut Society of Genealogists (CSG) - 1 (5%)
* New York Jewish Genealogical Society - 1 (5%)
24. What genealogy magazines or periodicals do you subscribe to? (22 responses, numbers add to more than 100%)
* None - 12 (33%)
* Family Tree Magazine - 6 (27%)
* Internet Genealogy - 3 (14%)
* Everton's Genealogical Helper - 2 (9%)
* Ancestry Magazine - 2 (9%)
* Family Chronicle - 1 (5%)
* The American Genealogist - 1 (5%)
25(a). What genealogy database software do you use? (22 responses, numbers add to more than 100%)
* None - 2 (9%)
* Family Tree Maker Versions 8 to 16 - 15 (68%)
* Family Tree Maker Versions 2008/2009 - 1 (5%)
* Reunion - 3 (13%)
* Legacy Family Tree - 2 (9%)
* Ancestry Online Tree - 1 (5%)
The Chula Vista Genealogical Society (CVGS) conducted a member survey of genealogy and computer skills and interests during December 2008 and January 2009. The purpose of this survey is to help the Board provide classes that help educate our members and improve their skills, and to sense if the society's programs and groups are meeting the needs of the members.
We had 22 responses to our survey - about 25% of our membership. Here are their responses to some of the questions posed:
23. What other genealogy societies do you belong to? (22 responses, numbers add to more than 100%)
* None - 11 (50%)
* San Diego Genealogical Society (SDGS) - 4 (18%)
* New England Historic Genealogical Society (NEHGS) - 4 (18%)
* National Genealogical Society (NGS) - 3 (14%)
* Computer Genealogy Society of San Diego (CGSSD) - 1 (5%)
* German Research Association (GRA) - 1 (5%)
* California Society Genealogical Alliance (CSGA) - 1 (5%)
* New York Genealogical & Biographical Society (NYGBS) - 1 (5%)
* Central New York Genealogical Society - 1 (5%)
* Genealogical Society of Pennsylvania (GSP) - 1 (5%)
* Ohio Genealogical Society (OGS) - 1 (5%)
* Indiana Genealogical Society (IGS) - 1 (5%)
* Connecticut Society of Genealogists (CSG) - 1 (5%)
* New York Jewish Genealogical Society - 1 (5%)
24. What genealogy magazines or periodicals do you subscribe to? (22 responses, numbers add to more than 100%)
* None - 12 (33%)
* Family Tree Magazine - 6 (27%)
* Internet Genealogy - 3 (14%)
* Everton's Genealogical Helper - 2 (9%)
* Ancestry Magazine - 2 (9%)
* Family Chronicle - 1 (5%)
* The American Genealogist - 1 (5%)
25(a). What genealogy database software do you use? (22 responses, numbers add to more than 100%)
* None - 2 (9%)
* Family Tree Maker Versions 8 to 16 - 15 (68%)
* Family Tree Maker Versions 2008/2009 - 1 (5%)
* Reunion - 3 (13%)
* Legacy Family Tree - 2 (9%)
* Ancestry Online Tree - 1 (5%)
Saturday, February 14, 2009
CVGS Member Survey Results - Post 6
....
The Chula Vista Genealogical Society (CVGS) conducted a member survey of genealogy and computer skills and interests during December 2008 and January 2009. The purpose of this survey is to help the Board provide classes that help educate our members and improve their skills, and to sense if the society's programs and groups are meeting the needs of the members.
We had 22 responses to our survey - about 25% of our membership. Here are their responses to some of the questions posed:
17(a) How often do you go to the CVGS web site (www.rootsweb.com/cacvgs2/)? (20 responses)
* Weekly - 7 (35%)
* Monthly - 11 (55%)
* Occasionally - 2 (10%)
17(b) Do you read the CVGS Newsletter at the CVGS Web Site? (22 responses)
* Yes - 19 (86%)
* No - 3 (14%)
18. How often do you read the Chula Vista Genealogy Cafe blog (http://cvgencafe.blogspot.com/)? (22 responses)
* Daily - 1 (5%)
* Weekly - 5 (23%)
* Monthly - 6 (27%)
* Rarely - 4 (18%)
* Never - 6 (27%)
19. Have you posted messages on either the Rootsweb/Ancestry or GenForum surname or locality message boards? (22 responses)
* Yes - 12 (55%)
* No - 10 (45%)
20. Do you subscribe to any Rootsweb email lists for surnames or localities? (22 responses)
* Yes - 8 (36%)
* No - 14 (64%)
21(a). Have you attended the CVGS Research Group? (22 responses)
* Yes - 17 (77%)
* No - 5 (23%)
21(b). If so, how often? (16 responses)
* Monthly - 7 (44%)
* Regularly - 6 (38%)
* Twice - 2 (12%)
* Once - 1 (6%)
22(a) Have you attended the CVGS computer Group? (22 responses)
* Yes - 16 (73%)
* No - 6 (27%)
22(b). If so, how often? (15 responses)
* Monthly - 7 (47%)
* Regularly - 6 (40%)
* Once - 2 (13%
The Chula Vista Genealogical Society (CVGS) conducted a member survey of genealogy and computer skills and interests during December 2008 and January 2009. The purpose of this survey is to help the Board provide classes that help educate our members and improve their skills, and to sense if the society's programs and groups are meeting the needs of the members.
We had 22 responses to our survey - about 25% of our membership. Here are their responses to some of the questions posed:
17(a) How often do you go to the CVGS web site (www.rootsweb.com/cacvgs2/)? (20 responses)
* Weekly - 7 (35%)
* Monthly - 11 (55%)
* Occasionally - 2 (10%)
17(b) Do you read the CVGS Newsletter at the CVGS Web Site? (22 responses)
* Yes - 19 (86%)
* No - 3 (14%)
18. How often do you read the Chula Vista Genealogy Cafe blog (http://cvgencafe.blogspot.com/)? (22 responses)
* Daily - 1 (5%)
* Weekly - 5 (23%)
* Monthly - 6 (27%)
* Rarely - 4 (18%)
* Never - 6 (27%)
19. Have you posted messages on either the Rootsweb/Ancestry or GenForum surname or locality message boards? (22 responses)
* Yes - 12 (55%)
* No - 10 (45%)
20. Do you subscribe to any Rootsweb email lists for surnames or localities? (22 responses)
* Yes - 8 (36%)
* No - 14 (64%)
21(a). Have you attended the CVGS Research Group? (22 responses)
* Yes - 17 (77%)
* No - 5 (23%)
21(b). If so, how often? (16 responses)
* Monthly - 7 (44%)
* Regularly - 6 (38%)
* Twice - 2 (12%)
* Once - 1 (6%)
22(a) Have you attended the CVGS computer Group? (22 responses)
* Yes - 16 (73%)
* No - 6 (27%)
22(b). If so, how often? (15 responses)
* Monthly - 7 (47%)
* Regularly - 6 (40%)
* Once - 2 (13%
Friday, February 13, 2009
CVGS Member Survey Results - Post 5
....
The Chula Vista Genealogical Society (CVGS) conducted a member survey of genealogy and computer skills and interests during December 2008 and January 2009. The purpose of this survey is to help the Board provide classes that help educate our members and improve their skills, and to sense if the society's programs and groups are meeting the needs of the members.
We had 22 responses to our survey - about 25% of our membership. Here are their responses to some of the questions posed:
13(a) Have you used the LDS http://www.familysearch.org/ web site? (22 responses)
* YES - 16 (73%)
* NO - 6 (27%)
13(b) If so, how often do you use it? (16 responses)
* Daily - 1 (6%)
* Weekly - 4 (25%)
* Monthly - 2 (12%)
* Occasionally - 9 (56%)
14(a) Have you used the http://www.usgenweb.org/ web site? (22 responses)
* YES - 15 (68%)
* NO - 7 (32%)
14 (b) If so, how often do you use it? (12 responses)
* Daily - 1 (8%)
* Weekly - 4 (33%)
* Monthly - 3 (25%)
* Occasionally - 4 (33%)
15(a) Do you subscribe to http://www.ancestry.com/? (22 responses)
* Yes - 12 (55%)
* No - 10 (45%)
15(b) If so, how often do you use it? (12 responses)
* Daily - 5 (42%)
* Weekly - 2 (17%)
* Monthly - 2 (17%)
* Occasionally - 3 (25%)
16(a) Have you used Google (http://www.google.com/) to find genealogy data? (22 responses)
* Yes - 14 (64%)
* No - 8 (36%)
16(b) If so, how often do you use it? (14 responses)
* Daily - 3 (21%)
* Weekly - 5 (36%)
* Monthly - 1 (7%)
* Occasionally - 5 (36%)
The Chula Vista Genealogical Society (CVGS) conducted a member survey of genealogy and computer skills and interests during December 2008 and January 2009. The purpose of this survey is to help the Board provide classes that help educate our members and improve their skills, and to sense if the society's programs and groups are meeting the needs of the members.
We had 22 responses to our survey - about 25% of our membership. Here are their responses to some of the questions posed:
13(a) Have you used the LDS http://www.familysearch.org/ web site? (22 responses)
* YES - 16 (73%)
* NO - 6 (27%)
13(b) If so, how often do you use it? (16 responses)
* Daily - 1 (6%)
* Weekly - 4 (25%)
* Monthly - 2 (12%)
* Occasionally - 9 (56%)
14(a) Have you used the http://www.usgenweb.org/ web site? (22 responses)
* YES - 15 (68%)
* NO - 7 (32%)
14 (b) If so, how often do you use it? (12 responses)
* Daily - 1 (8%)
* Weekly - 4 (33%)
* Monthly - 3 (25%)
* Occasionally - 4 (33%)
15(a) Do you subscribe to http://www.ancestry.com/? (22 responses)
* Yes - 12 (55%)
* No - 10 (45%)
15(b) If so, how often do you use it? (12 responses)
* Daily - 5 (42%)
* Weekly - 2 (17%)
* Monthly - 2 (17%)
* Occasionally - 3 (25%)
16(a) Have you used Google (http://www.google.com/) to find genealogy data? (22 responses)
* Yes - 14 (64%)
* No - 8 (36%)
16(b) If so, how often do you use it? (14 responses)
* Daily - 3 (21%)
* Weekly - 5 (36%)
* Monthly - 1 (7%)
* Occasionally - 5 (36%)
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
CVGS Research Group Meeting - 2/11/09
The Chula Vista Genealogical Society Research Group met at the library today, with 13 in attendance, including three visitors. We introduced ourselves and went around the table discussing our present research adventures, and then worked a bit on Pamela's research problem in more depth.
* John F. is working on the 7th generation of his daughter-in-law's English ancestry, and is having fun doing it. He's using Ancestry Library Edition down at the Bonita Public Library in his searches. John also found the Mary and John 1630 Clearinghouse web site and is finding interesting material on some of his colonial ancestors.
* Dick M. mentioned Judy Helton's Adult Ed class on genealogy (Mondays at 2:30 p.m. in Chula Vista) needs new students - has access to Ancestry.com, Family Tree Maker 2009, and Photo software. He had luck using Google Books search at http://books.google.com/
* Pam B. has been finding records for early Wethersfield CT in colonial times - maps, histories, church records, etc. - in order to find more detail ion her ancestors there.
* Dolores N. (a visitor) is coming back to genealogy and finding the Internet genealogy world. She has cousins finding her, and hopes to work on adding to and improving the family history books she wrote years ago.
* Joan L. has family information about Jane Orr's immigration in 1832, at age 16, into Philadelphia, but cannot find a passenger list record. She even knows the ship's name! Since Orr was a married name, and she died in 1917 in Minnesota, she needs to find Jane's maiden name from a death or marriage record.
* Dearl G. ordered books about Irish and Scottish Roots, and is glad that his son is working on his mother's ancestry.
* Pat and Marcia (visitors) are sisters and genealogy newbies, trying to start their research while attempting to find family records back in Iowa. They have
family records for their father's side, but their mother's records are closely held by a cousin in Iowa. The group suggested a road trip to Iowa and sweet-talking the cousin into letting them see and copy the family records of interest. Chocolate, ice cream and pies were recommended as bribes.
* Randy S. briefly discussed his Hoax and Lamphere research, his work on Legacy 7 and FTM 2009, and finding interesting family history for a correspondent. He also passed around a naturalization certificate from 1903 and a five-page Georgia Confederate Pension application.
After going around the table, we asked Pam B. to tell us about her research problem in Connecticut. She has Abiel Sherman born in 1818 in Norwich CT to Benjamin (1787-1853) and Anna (Johnson) Sherman, but cannot connect Benjamin Sherman to an earlier ancestral family. She thinks that his parents are Benjamin and Rebecca (Cole) Shepard (obtained from online family trees), but is uncertain due to a lack of original source records. The group recommended looking for deeds, probate, town and newspaper records in the towns where they lived (since CT is a state where many records are kept by the town rather than a county). She has a subscription to the Godfrey Memorial Library, and is pondering subscribing to NEHGS.
All in all, this was a lively group and the two hours went by quickly. The next CVGS Research Group will be on Wednesday, 11 March at 12 noon at the Chula Vista Civic Center Branch Library Conference Room.
* John F. is working on the 7th generation of his daughter-in-law's English ancestry, and is having fun doing it. He's using Ancestry Library Edition down at the Bonita Public Library in his searches. John also found the Mary and John 1630 Clearinghouse web site and is finding interesting material on some of his colonial ancestors.
* Dick M. mentioned Judy Helton's Adult Ed class on genealogy (Mondays at 2:30 p.m. in Chula Vista) needs new students - has access to Ancestry.com, Family Tree Maker 2009, and Photo software. He had luck using Google Books search at http://books.google.com/
* Pam B. has been finding records for early Wethersfield CT in colonial times - maps, histories, church records, etc. - in order to find more detail ion her ancestors there.
* Dolores N. (a visitor) is coming back to genealogy and finding the Internet genealogy world. She has cousins finding her, and hopes to work on adding to and improving the family history books she wrote years ago.
* Joan L. has family information about Jane Orr's immigration in 1832, at age 16, into Philadelphia, but cannot find a passenger list record. She even knows the ship's name! Since Orr was a married name, and she died in 1917 in Minnesota, she needs to find Jane's maiden name from a death or marriage record.
* Dearl G. ordered books about Irish and Scottish Roots, and is glad that his son is working on his mother's ancestry.
* Pat and Marcia (visitors) are sisters and genealogy newbies, trying to start their research while attempting to find family records back in Iowa. They have
family records for their father's side, but their mother's records are closely held by a cousin in Iowa. The group suggested a road trip to Iowa and sweet-talking the cousin into letting them see and copy the family records of interest. Chocolate, ice cream and pies were recommended as bribes.
* Randy S. briefly discussed his Hoax and Lamphere research, his work on Legacy 7 and FTM 2009, and finding interesting family history for a correspondent. He also passed around a naturalization certificate from 1903 and a five-page Georgia Confederate Pension application.
After going around the table, we asked Pam B. to tell us about her research problem in Connecticut. She has Abiel Sherman born in 1818 in Norwich CT to Benjamin (1787-1853) and Anna (Johnson) Sherman, but cannot connect Benjamin Sherman to an earlier ancestral family. She thinks that his parents are Benjamin and Rebecca (Cole) Shepard (obtained from online family trees), but is uncertain due to a lack of original source records. The group recommended looking for deeds, probate, town and newspaper records in the towns where they lived (since CT is a state where many records are kept by the town rather than a county). She has a subscription to the Godfrey Memorial Library, and is pondering subscribing to NEHGS.
All in all, this was a lively group and the two hours went by quickly. The next CVGS Research Group will be on Wednesday, 11 March at 12 noon at the Chula Vista Civic Center Branch Library Conference Room.
Genealogy News Summary for February
....
Here's the genealogy news for late January and early February compiled from several genealogy news sources and my own research:
1. INTERESTING GENEALOGY WEB SITES
a) http://www.scribd.com - Scribd is a place where you publish, discover and discuss original writings and documents. More than 50 million people each month are finding or sharing documents of all sorts. Scribd accepts documents about most any topic, including genealogy. With Scribd's iPaper document reader, you can easily upload and immediately share their original works. There are two levels of access for Scribd documents: "public" and "private."
b) http://www.flickr.com/photos/boston_public_library/sets/72157607471461913/ - The Old Boston Collection, a series of late 19th century photographs of historic Boston sites, was rediscovered by the Boston Public Library (BPL) in 2007.
c) http://www.archive.org/details/Allen_County_Public_Library - The Internet Archive of books. This link is for genealogy books from the Allen County (IN) Public Library collection (4,771 items).
d) http://www.AllCensusRecords.com - a collection of links and information about the USA, Canada and UK census records available online.
2. NEW GENEALOGY DATABASES
a) at www.Ancestry.com - subscription site (US = $155.40, World = $299.40) - now available for FREE at San Diego FHC (Ancestry Institution with World databases) or San Diego City or County Public Libraries (Ancestry Library Edition). Ancestry has over 7 billion names in over 27,100 databases. See new content at http://www.ancestry.com/search/rectype/recent.aspx. New databases this month include:
* US Homes for Disabled Volunteer Soldiers, 1866-1938
* Georgia Confederate Pension Applications, 1879-1960
* US Civil War Soldier Records and Profiles
* Historic Land Ownership and Reference Atlases Collection, 1507-2000 (updated )
* Kansas State Census Records, 1855-1925 (Updated)
* US City Directories (Updated)
* US School Yearbooks (updated)
* Selected US Naturalization Records, 1794-1974 (updated)
* US World War II Army Enlistment Records, 1938-1946 (updated)
* England and Wales Birth Indexes, 1837-2005 (updated)
What's coming soon at Ancestry? Check out http://landing.ancestry.com/comingsoon/.
b) www.WorldVitalRecords.com - subscription site (US = $39.95 for 1 year, World = $119.95 for 1 year) -- now available for FREE at the San Diego FHC. Over 11,000 databases, over 1.35 billion names. Recently added content is at http://www.worldvitalrecords.com/recentcontentlisting.aspx. New US items are FREE at WVR for 10 days. New databases include:
* 15 collections of British records from the Anguline Research Archives (ARA), including birth, marriage, and death records, stories and histories, maps, atlases, and gazetteers. (World subscription required)
* 20 newspaper databases from Mexico and Canada. The databases range from 1833-1994. (World subscription required)
c) www.Footnote.com - subscription site ($69.96 annual retail, $11.95 monthly) - now available for FREE at San Diego FHC. They offer 7-day FREE trial. 455 Titles; over 50 million images, over 1 million free; over 90 million Footnote Pages. Content list at http://www.footnote.com/documents.php. Information added this month includes:
* African-American Collection (http://go.footnote.com/blackhistory/) launched, including:
-- Service Records for Colored Troops in the Civil War – Records for the 2nd-13th infantries including enlistment papers, casualty sheets, oaths of allegiance, proof of ownership and bills of sale.
-- American Colonization Society – Letters and reports relating to this colony established in 1817 for free people of color residing in the U.S.
-- Amistad Case – Handwritten records of this landmark case beginning in 1839 involving the Spanish schooner Amistad, used to transport illegal slaves.
-- Southern Claims Commission – Petitions for compensation resulting from the Civil War.
* Indian Census Rolls, 1885-1940. Most of the records include the English and/or Indian name of the person, roll number, age or date of birth, sex, and relationship to head of family. Beginning in 1930, the rolls also show the degree of Indian blood, marital status, ward status, place of residence, and sometimes other information. Only persons who maintained a formal affiliation with a tribe under Federal supervision are listed on these census rolls. There is not a census for every reservation or group of Indians for every year. You can learn more at: http://www.footnote.com/documents/171116633/indian_census_rolls_18851940/?xid=395.
d) www.GenealogyBank.com - subscription site (trial $9.95 for 30 days, $69.95 for 12 months). It has archives for over 2,500 U.S. historical newspapers in all 50 states, from the 1600s to the present day, with over 224 million family history records, over 30 million obituaries from more than 1,150 newspapers in more than 139 million historical newspaper articles, and more than 11,700 historical books.
* Added 170 titles from 31 states
e) http://pilot.familysearch.org/ - the LDS FREE site for indexed and browsable databases -- recently completed projects:
* Massachusetts Death Records 1906-1915
* Guanajuato 1930 Mexico Census
* New Hampshire Early to 1900 Births
* Arizona– 1920 US Federal Census
* Illinois– 1920 US Census
* Florida– 1920 US Census
* Massachusetts– 1920 US Federal Census
* Arkansas Marriages [Part 1]
* Prince Edward Island 1861 Census
* Nova Scotia 1861 Census
* New Brunswick 1861 Census
* Kentucky– 1870 US Census (Part 2)
* Guerrero– Censo de Mexico de 1930
* Queretaro– Censo de Mexico de 1930
* San Francisco CA Funeral Home Records, 1835-1931
3. GENEALOGY EDUCATION
a) The 40th Annual Genealogy Jamboree, hosted by the Southern California Genealogical Society, will be held Friday through Sunday, June 26-28, 2009, at the Burbank Airport Marriott Hotel and Convention Center, in Burbank, California. Jamboree will offer over 100 lecture sections over the three days, nearly 25% more sessions than were offered in 2008. For up-to-the-minute Jamboree information, read the Genealogy Jamboree Blog at www.genealogyjamboree.blogspot.com. Sign up to receive your copy of the Jamboree program here: http://tinyurl.com/SendJamboreeStuff.
b) The Federation of Genealogical Societies conference titled “Passages Through Time” is 2-5 September, 2009, hosted by the Arkansas Genealogical Society in Little Rock, Arkansas. The FGS conference registration system is www.FGSConference.org. Choose from more than 160 lectures, workshops, and other learning opportunities presented by speakers from all over the U.S. over the course of four days. The Conference Blog www.FGSConferenceBlog.org has more conference details.
c) NBC TV will bring the television program "Who Do You Think You Are?" to American viewers, starting April 20 - now delayed until summer 2009. The show will feature American celebrities, including Lisa Kudrow, Sarah Jessica Parker and Susan Sarandon, as they unearth their family trees. series will examine a star's family tree and uncover stories about love, secrets and triumphs in his or her family's past, while also weaving the family story into the larger narrative of American history.
d) Wholly Genes, Inc., of Columbia, Maryland, announced the 2009 Genealogy Conference and "Land Cruise," 26-30 August 2009. Prompted by economic conditions, the company has broken from the tradition of its annual conference on a cruise ship and is hosting this year's event in the pastoral setting of an historic hotel in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia, about 2 hours west of Washington D.C. See http://www.WhollyGenes.com/conference.htm.
4. SOFTWARE
a) Family Tree Maker 2009 has a free upgrade for registered users. It adds Book Building, source citation Templates and several other features.
GenSmarts (www.gensmarts.com) has a free upgrade to version 1.1.1.68 or 2.1.1.68. Version 2 handles Family Tree Maker 2008 and 2009, and RootsMagic 3. Version 1 is used for all others.
b) Howard H. Metcalfe has released an updated version of Personal Ancestry Writer II (PAWriter II), a free genealogy program for Macintosh systems. Two versions are available: one for the OS X operating system and another for OS 9. Personal Ancestry Writer II is modeled on the old LDS Personal Ancestral File program (PAF) for the Macintosh (for which all development stopped a few years ago after release 2.3.1). However, Personal Ancestry Writer II now contains features such as automatic generation of web pages in HTML, word processing files in RTF for AppleWorks and other word processors, and desktop publishing files in MML for FrameMaker. The generated report files include genealogical dictionaries, registers, ahnentafels and lineages, as well as a variety of text files and pedigree charts. You can learn more about Personal Ancestry Writer II at: http://www.lanopalera.net/Genealogy/AboutPAWriter.html.
5. ANNOUNCEMENTS
a) Ancestry, in partnership with FreeBMD, has made 134 million General Records Office (GRO) UK birth records for England and Wales, dating from 1837 to 2005, available online for the first time, fully searchable by name, registration date and district. This collection will be available to Ancestry World Deluxe members.
b) Library and Archives Canada (LAC) announced the launch of a new online database, Census of Canada, 1891. Researchers can access digitized images of original census returns featuring the name, age, country or province of birth, nationality, religion, and occupation of Canada's residents at the time of the 1891 Census. The database is available at: www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/databases/census-1891/index-e.html
c) Ancestry.com, has reduced the prices of its genetic genealogy DNA tests. The 33-marker paternal lineage test is now only $79 (down from $149). The paternal lineage test analyzes DNA in the Y chromosome, which is passed virtually unchanged from father to son.
Here's the genealogy news for late January and early February compiled from several genealogy news sources and my own research:
1. INTERESTING GENEALOGY WEB SITES
a) http://www.scribd.com - Scribd is a place where you publish, discover and discuss original writings and documents. More than 50 million people each month are finding or sharing documents of all sorts. Scribd accepts documents about most any topic, including genealogy. With Scribd's iPaper document reader, you can easily upload and immediately share their original works. There are two levels of access for Scribd documents: "public" and "private."
b) http://www.flickr.com/photos/boston_public_library/sets/72157607471461913/ - The Old Boston Collection, a series of late 19th century photographs of historic Boston sites, was rediscovered by the Boston Public Library (BPL) in 2007.
c) http://www.archive.org/details/Allen_County_Public_Library - The Internet Archive of books. This link is for genealogy books from the Allen County (IN) Public Library collection (4,771 items).
d) http://www.AllCensusRecords.com - a collection of links and information about the USA, Canada and UK census records available online.
2. NEW GENEALOGY DATABASES
a) at www.Ancestry.com - subscription site (US = $155.40, World = $299.40) - now available for FREE at San Diego FHC (Ancestry Institution with World databases) or San Diego City or County Public Libraries (Ancestry Library Edition). Ancestry has over 7 billion names in over 27,100 databases. See new content at http://www.ancestry.com/search/rectype/recent.aspx. New databases this month include:
* US Homes for Disabled Volunteer Soldiers, 1866-1938
* Georgia Confederate Pension Applications, 1879-1960
* US Civil War Soldier Records and Profiles
* Historic Land Ownership and Reference Atlases Collection, 1507-2000 (updated )
* Kansas State Census Records, 1855-1925 (Updated)
* US City Directories (Updated)
* US School Yearbooks (updated)
* Selected US Naturalization Records, 1794-1974 (updated)
* US World War II Army Enlistment Records, 1938-1946 (updated)
* England and Wales Birth Indexes, 1837-2005 (updated)
What's coming soon at Ancestry? Check out http://landing.ancestry.com/comingsoon/.
b) www.WorldVitalRecords.com - subscription site (US = $39.95 for 1 year, World = $119.95 for 1 year) -- now available for FREE at the San Diego FHC. Over 11,000 databases, over 1.35 billion names. Recently added content is at http://www.worldvitalrecords.com/recentcontentlisting.aspx. New US items are FREE at WVR for 10 days. New databases include:
* 15 collections of British records from the Anguline Research Archives (ARA), including birth, marriage, and death records, stories and histories, maps, atlases, and gazetteers. (World subscription required)
* 20 newspaper databases from Mexico and Canada. The databases range from 1833-1994. (World subscription required)
c) www.Footnote.com - subscription site ($69.96 annual retail, $11.95 monthly) - now available for FREE at San Diego FHC. They offer 7-day FREE trial. 455 Titles; over 50 million images, over 1 million free; over 90 million Footnote Pages. Content list at http://www.footnote.com/documents.php. Information added this month includes:
* African-American Collection (http://go.footnote.com/blackhistory/) launched, including:
-- Service Records for Colored Troops in the Civil War – Records for the 2nd-13th infantries including enlistment papers, casualty sheets, oaths of allegiance, proof of ownership and bills of sale.
-- American Colonization Society – Letters and reports relating to this colony established in 1817 for free people of color residing in the U.S.
-- Amistad Case – Handwritten records of this landmark case beginning in 1839 involving the Spanish schooner Amistad, used to transport illegal slaves.
-- Southern Claims Commission – Petitions for compensation resulting from the Civil War.
* Indian Census Rolls, 1885-1940. Most of the records include the English and/or Indian name of the person, roll number, age or date of birth, sex, and relationship to head of family. Beginning in 1930, the rolls also show the degree of Indian blood, marital status, ward status, place of residence, and sometimes other information. Only persons who maintained a formal affiliation with a tribe under Federal supervision are listed on these census rolls. There is not a census for every reservation or group of Indians for every year. You can learn more at: http://www.footnote.com/documents/171116633/indian_census_rolls_18851940/?xid=395.
d) www.GenealogyBank.com - subscription site (trial $9.95 for 30 days, $69.95 for 12 months). It has archives for over 2,500 U.S. historical newspapers in all 50 states, from the 1600s to the present day, with over 224 million family history records, over 30 million obituaries from more than 1,150 newspapers in more than 139 million historical newspaper articles, and more than 11,700 historical books.
* Added 170 titles from 31 states
e) http://pilot.familysearch.org/ - the LDS FREE site for indexed and browsable databases -- recently completed projects:
* Massachusetts Death Records 1906-1915
* Guanajuato 1930 Mexico Census
* New Hampshire Early to 1900 Births
* Arizona– 1920 US Federal Census
* Illinois– 1920 US Census
* Florida– 1920 US Census
* Massachusetts– 1920 US Federal Census
* Arkansas Marriages [Part 1]
* Prince Edward Island 1861 Census
* Nova Scotia 1861 Census
* New Brunswick 1861 Census
* Kentucky– 1870 US Census (Part 2)
* Guerrero– Censo de Mexico de 1930
* Queretaro– Censo de Mexico de 1930
* San Francisco CA Funeral Home Records, 1835-1931
3. GENEALOGY EDUCATION
a) The 40th Annual Genealogy Jamboree, hosted by the Southern California Genealogical Society, will be held Friday through Sunday, June 26-28, 2009, at the Burbank Airport Marriott Hotel and Convention Center, in Burbank, California. Jamboree will offer over 100 lecture sections over the three days, nearly 25% more sessions than were offered in 2008. For up-to-the-minute Jamboree information, read the Genealogy Jamboree Blog at www.genealogyjamboree.blogspot.com. Sign up to receive your copy of the Jamboree program here: http://tinyurl.com/SendJamboreeStuff.
b) The Federation of Genealogical Societies conference titled “Passages Through Time” is 2-5 September, 2009, hosted by the Arkansas Genealogical Society in Little Rock, Arkansas. The FGS conference registration system is www.FGSConference.org. Choose from more than 160 lectures, workshops, and other learning opportunities presented by speakers from all over the U.S. over the course of four days. The Conference Blog www.FGSConferenceBlog.org has more conference details.
c) NBC TV will bring the television program "Who Do You Think You Are?" to American viewers, starting April 20 - now delayed until summer 2009. The show will feature American celebrities, including Lisa Kudrow, Sarah Jessica Parker and Susan Sarandon, as they unearth their family trees. series will examine a star's family tree and uncover stories about love, secrets and triumphs in his or her family's past, while also weaving the family story into the larger narrative of American history.
d) Wholly Genes, Inc., of Columbia, Maryland, announced the 2009 Genealogy Conference and "Land Cruise," 26-30 August 2009. Prompted by economic conditions, the company has broken from the tradition of its annual conference on a cruise ship and is hosting this year's event in the pastoral setting of an historic hotel in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia, about 2 hours west of Washington D.C. See http://www.WhollyGenes.com/conference.htm.
4. SOFTWARE
a) Family Tree Maker 2009 has a free upgrade for registered users. It adds Book Building, source citation Templates and several other features.
GenSmarts (www.gensmarts.com) has a free upgrade to version 1.1.1.68 or 2.1.1.68. Version 2 handles Family Tree Maker 2008 and 2009, and RootsMagic 3. Version 1 is used for all others.
b) Howard H. Metcalfe has released an updated version of Personal Ancestry Writer II (PAWriter II), a free genealogy program for Macintosh systems. Two versions are available: one for the OS X operating system and another for OS 9. Personal Ancestry Writer II is modeled on the old LDS Personal Ancestral File program (PAF) for the Macintosh (for which all development stopped a few years ago after release 2.3.1). However, Personal Ancestry Writer II now contains features such as automatic generation of web pages in HTML, word processing files in RTF for AppleWorks and other word processors, and desktop publishing files in MML for FrameMaker. The generated report files include genealogical dictionaries, registers, ahnentafels and lineages, as well as a variety of text files and pedigree charts. You can learn more about Personal Ancestry Writer II at: http://www.lanopalera.net/Genealogy/AboutPAWriter.html.
5. ANNOUNCEMENTS
a) Ancestry, in partnership with FreeBMD, has made 134 million General Records Office (GRO) UK birth records for England and Wales, dating from 1837 to 2005, available online for the first time, fully searchable by name, registration date and district. This collection will be available to Ancestry World Deluxe members.
b) Library and Archives Canada (LAC) announced the launch of a new online database, Census of Canada, 1891. Researchers can access digitized images of original census returns featuring the name, age, country or province of birth, nationality, religion, and occupation of Canada's residents at the time of the 1891 Census. The database is available at: www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/databases/census-1891/index-e.html
c) Ancestry.com, has reduced the prices of its genetic genealogy DNA tests. The 33-marker paternal lineage test is now only $79 (down from $149). The paternal lineage test analyzes DNA in the Y chromosome, which is passed virtually unchanged from father to son.
Monday, February 9, 2009
CVGS Member Survey Results - Post 4
....
The Chula Vista Genealogical Society (CVGS) conducted a member survey of genealogy and computer skills and interests during December 2008 and January 2009. The purpose of this survey is to help the Board provide classes that help educate our members and improve their skills, and to sense if the society's programs and groups are meeting the needs of the members.
We had 22 responses to our survey - about 25% of our membership. Here are their responses to some of the questions posed:
9(a). Do you have and use a computer system in your genealogy research? Which operating system do you use? (22 responses)
* Windows - 82%
* Macintosh - 18%
9(b). Do you have a laptop computer? (22 responses)
* Yes - 36%
* No - 64%
10. How would you describe your Internet skills (none, poor, fair, good, great, expert) (21 responses)
* None - 0%
* Poor - 5%
* Fair - 38%
* Good - 43%
* Great - 14%
* Expert - 0%
11. How often do you go on the Internet to pursue genealogy research? (22 responses)
* Daily - 18%
* 2-5 times a week - 18%
* Once a week - 18%
* Monthly - 32%
* Just occasionally - 14%
12(a). Have you posted your genealogy research on a family tree or social network web site? (22 responses):
* Yes - 32%
* No - 68%
12(b). If so, which site? (7 responses, total more than 100%):
* Ancestry.com - 57%
* GenCircles.com - 14%
* Rootsweb WorldConnect - 14%
* WeRelate.org - 14%
* MyHeritage.com - 14%
* Geni.com - 14%
The Chula Vista Genealogical Society (CVGS) conducted a member survey of genealogy and computer skills and interests during December 2008 and January 2009. The purpose of this survey is to help the Board provide classes that help educate our members and improve their skills, and to sense if the society's programs and groups are meeting the needs of the members.
We had 22 responses to our survey - about 25% of our membership. Here are their responses to some of the questions posed:
9(a). Do you have and use a computer system in your genealogy research? Which operating system do you use? (22 responses)
* Windows - 82%
* Macintosh - 18%
9(b). Do you have a laptop computer? (22 responses)
* Yes - 36%
* No - 64%
10. How would you describe your Internet skills (none, poor, fair, good, great, expert) (21 responses)
* None - 0%
* Poor - 5%
* Fair - 38%
* Good - 43%
* Great - 14%
* Expert - 0%
11. How often do you go on the Internet to pursue genealogy research? (22 responses)
* Daily - 18%
* 2-5 times a week - 18%
* Once a week - 18%
* Monthly - 32%
* Just occasionally - 14%
12(a). Have you posted your genealogy research on a family tree or social network web site? (22 responses):
* Yes - 32%
* No - 68%
12(b). If so, which site? (7 responses, total more than 100%):
* Ancestry.com - 57%
* GenCircles.com - 14%
* Rootsweb WorldConnect - 14%
* WeRelate.org - 14%
* MyHeritage.com - 14%
* Geni.com - 14%
Sunday, February 8, 2009
CVGS Member Survey Results - Post 3
....
The Chula Vista Genealogical Society (CVGS) conducted a member survey of genealogy and computer skills and interests during December 2008 and January 2009. The purpose of this survey is to help the Board provide classes that help educate our members and improve their skills, and to sense if the society's programs and groups are meeting the needs of the members.
We had 22 responses to our survey - about 25% of our membership. Here are their responses to some of the questions posed:
9a. Have you done research at the San Diego Family History Center? (21 responses)
* Yes - 90%
* No - 10%
9b. If so, how often do you go there? (19 responses)
* Once a year - 47%
* 2-4 times a year - 26%
* 5-10 times a year - 21%
* more than 10 times a year - 5%
7(a). Have you done research at the Family History Library in Salt Lake City? (22 responses)
* Yes - 14%
* No - 86%
7(b). If so, how often have you been there? (3 responses)
* Once - 33%
* 3 times - 33%
* 11 times - 33%
8(a). At what San Diego County libraries have you done genealogy research? (22 responses, total more than 100%):
* Chula Vista Public Library: 77%
* San Diego Public Library: 41%
* San Diego Genealogical Society Library: 27%
* Carlsbad Public Library - 68%
* None - 9%
The Chula Vista Genealogical Society (CVGS) conducted a member survey of genealogy and computer skills and interests during December 2008 and January 2009. The purpose of this survey is to help the Board provide classes that help educate our members and improve their skills, and to sense if the society's programs and groups are meeting the needs of the members.
We had 22 responses to our survey - about 25% of our membership. Here are their responses to some of the questions posed:
9a. Have you done research at the San Diego Family History Center? (21 responses)
* Yes - 90%
* No - 10%
9b. If so, how often do you go there? (19 responses)
* Once a year - 47%
* 2-4 times a year - 26%
* 5-10 times a year - 21%
* more than 10 times a year - 5%
7(a). Have you done research at the Family History Library in Salt Lake City? (22 responses)
* Yes - 14%
* No - 86%
7(b). If so, how often have you been there? (3 responses)
* Once - 33%
* 3 times - 33%
* 11 times - 33%
8(a). At what San Diego County libraries have you done genealogy research? (22 responses, total more than 100%):
* Chula Vista Public Library: 77%
* San Diego Public Library: 41%
* San Diego Genealogical Society Library: 27%
* Carlsbad Public Library - 68%
* None - 9%
Saturday, February 7, 2009
CVGS Member Survey Results - Post 2
....
The Chula Vista Genealogical Society (CVGS) conducted a member survey of genealogy and computer skills and interests during December 2008 and January 2009. The purpose of this survey is to help the Board provide classes that help educate our members and improve their skills, and to sense if the society's programs and groups are meeting the needs of the members.
We had 22 responses to our survey - about 25% of our membership. Here are their responses to some of the questions posed:
4(a). In what areas of the USA do you have ancestry? (22 responses, totals won't add to 100%)
* New England - 50%
* NY, NJ, PA - 64%
* MD, VA, WV, NC, SC - 27%
* GA, FL, AL, MS - 5%
* KY, TN - 9%
* OH, MI, IN, IL, WI - 59%
* MN, IA, MO, KS, NE, SD, ND - 18%
* TX, OK, AR, LA - 14%
* MT, ID, WY, CO, UT, NM - 0%
* CA, AZ, NV, WA, OR - 14%
* AK, HI - 0%
4(b). Have you done research in at least one of those locations? (16 responses)
* Yes - 81%
* No - 19%
5(a). In what foreign countries do you have ancestry? (22 responses, total won't add to 100%)
* England/Wales - 68%
* Scotland - 18%
* Ireland - 46%
* Germany - 50%
* France - 9%
* Holland/Benelux - 18%
* Scandinavia - 14%
* Central Europe - 9%
* Northern/Eastern Europe - 14%
* Armenia - 5%
* Canada - 23%
5(b). Have you been to any of these countries to perform research? (15 responses)
* YES - 20%
* NO - 80%
The Chula Vista Genealogical Society (CVGS) conducted a member survey of genealogy and computer skills and interests during December 2008 and January 2009. The purpose of this survey is to help the Board provide classes that help educate our members and improve their skills, and to sense if the society's programs and groups are meeting the needs of the members.
We had 22 responses to our survey - about 25% of our membership. Here are their responses to some of the questions posed:
4(a). In what areas of the USA do you have ancestry? (22 responses, totals won't add to 100%)
* New England - 50%
* NY, NJ, PA - 64%
* MD, VA, WV, NC, SC - 27%
* GA, FL, AL, MS - 5%
* KY, TN - 9%
* OH, MI, IN, IL, WI - 59%
* MN, IA, MO, KS, NE, SD, ND - 18%
* TX, OK, AR, LA - 14%
* MT, ID, WY, CO, UT, NM - 0%
* CA, AZ, NV, WA, OR - 14%
* AK, HI - 0%
4(b). Have you done research in at least one of those locations? (16 responses)
* Yes - 81%
* No - 19%
5(a). In what foreign countries do you have ancestry? (22 responses, total won't add to 100%)
* England/Wales - 68%
* Scotland - 18%
* Ireland - 46%
* Germany - 50%
* France - 9%
* Holland/Benelux - 18%
* Scandinavia - 14%
* Central Europe - 9%
* Northern/Eastern Europe - 14%
* Armenia - 5%
* Canada - 23%
5(b). Have you been to any of these countries to perform research? (15 responses)
* YES - 20%
* NO - 80%
Friday, February 6, 2009
CVGS Member Survey Results - Post 1
....
The Chula Vista Genealogical Society (CVGS) conducted a member survey of genealogy and computer skills and interests during December 2008 and January 2009. The purpose of this survey is to help the Board provide classes that help educate our members and improve their skills, and to sense if the society's programs and groups are meeting the needs of the members.
We had 22 responses to our survey - about 25% of our membership. Here are their responses to some of the questions posed:
1(a). How many years have you been pursuing genealogy research? (22 responses)
* 0-2 years: 9%
* 3-5 years: 23%
* 6-10 years: 18%
* 11-20 years: 18%
* over 21 years: 32%
1(b). How many years have you been a member of CVGS? (22 responses)
* 0-2 years: 32%
* 3-5 years: 18%
* 6-10 years: 14%
* 11-20 years: 18%
* over 21 years: 4%
2. What caused you to start doing genealogy research? (22 responses)
* Family member - 3
* Interest in family - 3
* Family papers - 2
* Curiosity - 2
* Find my grandfather's name - 2
* Doing my memoirs - 1
* Interest in ancestors - 1
* History buff - 1
* Find ethnicity - 1
* I'm oldest in family - 1
* Join the DAR - 1
* I love research - 1
* Family medical reasons - 1
* Doing a photo project - 1
* Took a genealogy class - 1
3. How often do you do some genealogy research activity (e.g,. daily, weekly monthly): (22 responses)
* Daily - 18%
* 2-6 times a week: 18%
* Weekly - 23%
* 2-4 times a month - 14%
* Monthly - 14%
* Occasionally - 9%
* Rarely - 5%
The Chula Vista Genealogical Society (CVGS) conducted a member survey of genealogy and computer skills and interests during December 2008 and January 2009. The purpose of this survey is to help the Board provide classes that help educate our members and improve their skills, and to sense if the society's programs and groups are meeting the needs of the members.
We had 22 responses to our survey - about 25% of our membership. Here are their responses to some of the questions posed:
1(a). How many years have you been pursuing genealogy research? (22 responses)
* 0-2 years: 9%
* 3-5 years: 23%
* 6-10 years: 18%
* 11-20 years: 18%
* over 21 years: 32%
1(b). How many years have you been a member of CVGS? (22 responses)
* 0-2 years: 32%
* 3-5 years: 18%
* 6-10 years: 14%
* 11-20 years: 18%
* over 21 years: 4%
2. What caused you to start doing genealogy research? (22 responses)
* Family member - 3
* Interest in family - 3
* Family papers - 2
* Curiosity - 2
* Find my grandfather's name - 2
* Doing my memoirs - 1
* Interest in ancestors - 1
* History buff - 1
* Find ethnicity - 1
* I'm oldest in family - 1
* Join the DAR - 1
* I love research - 1
* Family medical reasons - 1
* Doing a photo project - 1
* Took a genealogy class - 1
3. How often do you do some genealogy research activity (e.g,. daily, weekly monthly): (22 responses)
* Daily - 18%
* 2-6 times a week: 18%
* Weekly - 23%
* 2-4 times a month - 14%
* Monthly - 14%
* Occasionally - 9%
* Rarely - 5%
Thursday, February 5, 2009
CVGS Program Survey Results
....
The Chula Vista Genealogical Society requested the members to fill out a Program Survey Form in December 2008 and January 2009 to better help the Program Chairman and the Board provide meaningful and helpful program speakers during the next two years.
The survey requested that members check the topics they would like to have a speaker present on, and to highlight their top five topics of interest. Not everyone followed directions exactly right, but we did get a good response.
There were 22 respondents (about 25% of our membership) to this survey. In the results below, there are two numbers - the first number is how many want a program on this topic, and the second number is how many had it highlighted). Here are the top 25 topics that our members wanted to have presented during a program meeting:
1. Newspaper Records: 14 - 6
2. Land Records: 13 - 3
3. Immigration/Passenger List Records: 13 - 0
4. British Isles Research: 12 - 6
5. Problem Solving workshop: 12 - 5
6. Citizenship/Naturalization Records: 12 - 0
7. File Organization: 11 - 5
8. Probate Records: 11 - 4
9. Military Records: 11 - 4
10. Research Techniques: 11 - 3
11. Vital Records: 10 - 0
12. Church Records: 10 - 0
13. Western European Research: 9 - 5
14. Internet Resources/Searches: 9 - 3
15. New England Research: 9 - 2
16. Cemetery/Mortuary Records: 9 - 1
17. Rootsweb.com Resources: 9 - 1
18 LDS FamilySearch.org Resources: 9 - 0
19. Ancestry.com Resources: 8 - 1
20. Hereditary Organizations: 8 - 1
21. USGenWeb.org Resources: 7 - 1
22. City/County Directories: 7 - 0
23. Midwest States Research: 6 - 2
24. Footnote.com Resources: 6 - 1
25. Canadian Research: 5 - 3
There were 20 more choices and the opportunity was offered to write in topics.
The Chula Vista Genealogical Society requested the members to fill out a Program Survey Form in December 2008 and January 2009 to better help the Program Chairman and the Board provide meaningful and helpful program speakers during the next two years.
The survey requested that members check the topics they would like to have a speaker present on, and to highlight their top five topics of interest. Not everyone followed directions exactly right, but we did get a good response.
There were 22 respondents (about 25% of our membership) to this survey. In the results below, there are two numbers - the first number is how many want a program on this topic, and the second number is how many had it highlighted). Here are the top 25 topics that our members wanted to have presented during a program meeting:
1. Newspaper Records: 14 - 6
2. Land Records: 13 - 3
3. Immigration/Passenger List Records: 13 - 0
4. British Isles Research: 12 - 6
5. Problem Solving workshop: 12 - 5
6. Citizenship/Naturalization Records: 12 - 0
7. File Organization: 11 - 5
8. Probate Records: 11 - 4
9. Military Records: 11 - 4
10. Research Techniques: 11 - 3
11. Vital Records: 10 - 0
12. Church Records: 10 - 0
13. Western European Research: 9 - 5
14. Internet Resources/Searches: 9 - 3
15. New England Research: 9 - 2
16. Cemetery/Mortuary Records: 9 - 1
17. Rootsweb.com Resources: 9 - 1
18 LDS FamilySearch.org Resources: 9 - 0
19. Ancestry.com Resources: 8 - 1
20. Hereditary Organizations: 8 - 1
21. USGenWeb.org Resources: 7 - 1
22. City/County Directories: 7 - 0
23. Midwest States Research: 6 - 2
24. Footnote.com Resources: 6 - 1
25. Canadian Research: 5 - 3
There were 20 more choices and the opportunity was offered to write in topics.
Monday, February 2, 2009
Genealogy Days in Chula Vista - February 2009
....
The Chula Vista Genealogical Society events for February 2009 include:
** Wednesday, February 11, 12 noon, Chula Vista Civic Center Branch Library (365 F Street) -- CVGS Research Group meets in the Library Conference Room. 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, February 18, 12 noon, Chula Vista Civic Center Branch Library (365 F Street) -- CVGS Computer Group meets in the Library Computer Lab. We will visit some helpful genealogy web sites. This is an opportunity for those members who haven't used computers for genealogy research to practice with a mentor to guide them.
** Wednesday, February 25, 12 noon to 2 p.m., Chula Vista Civic Center Branch Library - CVGS Program Meeting in the Auditorium. After a brief business meeting, the featured speaker will by Susi Pentico (CVGS member) who will speak on "Black History and The Lost Colony Connection."
** Monday afternoons (12 noon to 2 PM) - February 2, 9, 16, and 23 - Genealogy Table Talk with Dearl Glenn and John Finch in the Family Research section of the Chula Vista Civic Center Library. They are ready and willing to help people with their research, discuss a problem or success, or just tell stories.
The Chula Vista Civic Center 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).
We welcome guests and visitors to our CVGS programs and events - if you are in the Chula Vista area and want to attend our events - please come and introduce yourselves. If you have questions, please email Randy at rjseaver@cox.net or phone 619-422-3397.
The Chula Vista Genealogical Society events for February 2009 include:
** Wednesday, February 11, 12 noon, Chula Vista Civic Center Branch Library (365 F Street) -- CVGS Research Group meets in the Library Conference Room. 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, February 18, 12 noon, Chula Vista Civic Center Branch Library (365 F Street) -- CVGS Computer Group meets in the Library Computer Lab. We will visit some helpful genealogy web sites. This is an opportunity for those members who haven't used computers for genealogy research to practice with a mentor to guide them.
** Wednesday, February 25, 12 noon to 2 p.m., Chula Vista Civic Center Branch Library - CVGS Program Meeting in the Auditorium. After a brief business meeting, the featured speaker will by Susi Pentico (CVGS member) who will speak on "Black History and The Lost Colony Connection."
** Monday afternoons (12 noon to 2 PM) - February 2, 9, 16, and 23 - Genealogy Table Talk with Dearl Glenn and John Finch in the Family Research section of the Chula Vista Civic Center Library. They are ready and willing to help people with their research, discuss a problem or success, or just tell stories.
The Chula Vista Civic Center 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).
We welcome guests and visitors to our CVGS programs and events - if you are in the Chula Vista area and want to attend our events - please come and introduce yourselves. If you have questions, please email Randy at rjseaver@cox.net or phone 619-422-3397.
Sunday, February 1, 2009
CVGS Research Trip to San Diego FHC
Ten genealogy buffs went on the CVGS Research Trip to the San Diego Family History Center in Mission Valley on Saturday, 31 January. We carpooled from the Chula Vista parking garage - thank you Ann and Charlotte for driving!
We arrived just after 10 a.m. and surprised the staff with our crew. After signing in, Randy gave a brief overview of the books, microfilms, microfiches and equipment available at this FHC. He reviewed most of the subscription databases available on the computer stations (Ancestry World, Footnote, WorldVitalRecords, OneGreatFamily, HeritageQuestOnline, Godfrey Memorial Library, etc.) and demonstrated how images can be downloaded to a USB drive. Over half of the attendees had a USB drive with them.
The staff gave us ten computers all in one aisle to work on, which really helped Randy be visible for questions and help. He showed several researchers how to do screen captures into OpenOffice documents for download to the USB drive, searched for elusive ancestors in databases, and helped navigate the Family History Library Catalog and ordering microfilms of records.
We shared lunch out in the shade (it was sunny and warm) and talked about our finds so far, and discussed recent genealogy breakthroughs. We left the center after 2 p.m. and were back in Chula Vista by 2:45.
The next CVGS Research Trip will be on Saturday, 7 March, to the Escondido Family History Fair - a one-day seminar with notable speakers. The program begins at 9 a.m. All classes are free but a copy of the Syllabus ($12) or Box Lunch ($8) must be purchased in advanced to ensure availability. This Fair requires advance registration - see the registration form here. If you want to carpool with the CVGS group, please contact Randy at rjseaver@cox.net or 619-422-3397.
We arrived just after 10 a.m. and surprised the staff with our crew. After signing in, Randy gave a brief overview of the books, microfilms, microfiches and equipment available at this FHC. He reviewed most of the subscription databases available on the computer stations (Ancestry World, Footnote, WorldVitalRecords, OneGreatFamily, HeritageQuestOnline, Godfrey Memorial Library, etc.) and demonstrated how images can be downloaded to a USB drive. Over half of the attendees had a USB drive with them.
The staff gave us ten computers all in one aisle to work on, which really helped Randy be visible for questions and help. He showed several researchers how to do screen captures into OpenOffice documents for download to the USB drive, searched for elusive ancestors in databases, and helped navigate the Family History Library Catalog and ordering microfilms of records.
We shared lunch out in the shade (it was sunny and warm) and talked about our finds so far, and discussed recent genealogy breakthroughs. We left the center after 2 p.m. and were back in Chula Vista by 2:45.
The next CVGS Research Trip will be on Saturday, 7 March, to the Escondido Family History Fair - a one-day seminar with notable speakers. The program begins at 9 a.m. All classes are free but a copy of the Syllabus ($12) or Box Lunch ($8) must be purchased in advanced to ensure availability. This Fair requires advance registration - see the registration form here. If you want to carpool with the CVGS group, please contact Randy at rjseaver@cox.net or 619-422-3397.
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
Ken Kramer's "About San Diego" Program
The Wednesday, 28 January CVGS program featured Ken Kramer, the Channel 7/39 host of the "About San Diego" local history program. Ken's curriculum vitae was posted here.
We had 64 persons in attendance today - pretty good considering our membership is only 93. There were 23 visitors, including several genealogy spouses, and quite a few from the community who had seen the notice in the newspaper and a local email political newsletter.
Ken talked about the development of the TV show, his own career, many examples of interesting San Diego area stories, and showed three videos of South Bay stories. Few people in the audience were aware of the Otay River flood in 1916, the Otay Watch Works and the Salt Factory on San Diego Bay.
Ken said he grew up in Los Angeles watching "Ralph Story's Los Angeles" stories on Channel 2. His goal for the "About San Diego" show is to celebrate the history of the area, the beauty of the county, and give viewers a sense of place - so that they consider it "theirs" - they identify as a San Diegan. The vignettes are really about "who we are" - stories about people and places in our home town.
There are some stories that Ken said he gets asked about all of the time -
* the midget houses (built for the munchkins in "Wizard of Oz") on Mount Soledad (not true - they just look small from the road when you look down on them);
* the Belmont Park roller coaster that went off the track and crashed into the Jack-in-the-Box next door (not true, it was a Taco Bell...wait, not true at all, never happened);
* Thomas Edison stayed in the Hotel del Coronado around 1900 and when the lights dimmed he went to the basement and added coal to the boilers (not true - the electric works weren't in the Hotel basement).
He mentioned how several street names were derived:
* "Lanoitan Street" in National City: "National" backwards is "Lanoitan."
* "Espola Road" in North County is not a Spanish name - it is the first two letters of EScondido, POway and LAkeside put together
* Pomerado Road" in North County is not a Spanish name - it is a combination of POway, MERton and RAncho bernarDO put together.
There were true stories from long ago:
* In the late 1880's, the city of San Diego contracted for a flume to bring water from the Cuyamaca Mountains to the city. When it was built, the city mayor, California governor and other dignitaries were put in little boats and sent down the flume - a wild ride before Mr. Toad! At the San Diego terminus, the valve was opened and nothing came out. So they hooked the valve up to the old water system, opened the valve, and the politicians praised the fresh, er, brackish water they'd been drinking previously.
* In the 1960's, Regis Philbin had a local TV show and took a Marine Drill Instructor along to spend the night in the Whaley House in Old Town (which was supposed to be haunted). By 11 p.m., the Marine was out in the middle of the street and wouldn't go back in the house, and Regis said that he would never go in the house again.
* In 1916, the City hired a rainmaker, Charles Hatfield, to fill Lake Morena in the back country for $10,000. Hatfield set up his rainmaking apparatus and put chemicals into the air, and it started to rain soon after, and didn't stop for days. After 22 inches of rain, the rivers and streams overflowed, the Otay Dam broke and washed away farms, people and livestock in the river valley below the dam, resulting in $8 million in damages. Hatfield wanted his money, and the city agreed, but said Hatfield had to be liable for any damages. He left town quickly.
Ken's current television show, "About San Diego" airs on Saturday and Sunday nights at 6 p.m. on Channel 7/39. Original episodes are shown on Sunday nights, and the Saturday shows are repeats about three months later. He has just signed with KOGO-600 AM to do segments in the morning show. He is also working on a book "About San Diego" and hopes to have it published by Christmas. Ken promised to come back to Chula Vista for a book signing. And more stories "About San Diego."
The audience really enjoyed Ken's personality, his career stories and the stories about the places we live and work. There seems to be a thirst for knowledge about local history in the population, partially because most people are from someplace else, and partially because our busy lives prevent us from reading local history books at our leisure.
For our genealogy society, this was a superb program. It brought many community people in who are non-members. Hopefully, it will cause some of them to join our society and discover the fun of genealogy and family history.
We had 64 persons in attendance today - pretty good considering our membership is only 93. There were 23 visitors, including several genealogy spouses, and quite a few from the community who had seen the notice in the newspaper and a local email political newsletter.
Ken talked about the development of the TV show, his own career, many examples of interesting San Diego area stories, and showed three videos of South Bay stories. Few people in the audience were aware of the Otay River flood in 1916, the Otay Watch Works and the Salt Factory on San Diego Bay.
Ken said he grew up in Los Angeles watching "Ralph Story's Los Angeles" stories on Channel 2. His goal for the "About San Diego" show is to celebrate the history of the area, the beauty of the county, and give viewers a sense of place - so that they consider it "theirs" - they identify as a San Diegan. The vignettes are really about "who we are" - stories about people and places in our home town.
There are some stories that Ken said he gets asked about all of the time -
* the midget houses (built for the munchkins in "Wizard of Oz") on Mount Soledad (not true - they just look small from the road when you look down on them);
* the Belmont Park roller coaster that went off the track and crashed into the Jack-in-the-Box next door (not true, it was a Taco Bell...wait, not true at all, never happened);
* Thomas Edison stayed in the Hotel del Coronado around 1900 and when the lights dimmed he went to the basement and added coal to the boilers (not true - the electric works weren't in the Hotel basement).
He mentioned how several street names were derived:
* "Lanoitan Street" in National City: "National" backwards is "Lanoitan."
* "Espola Road" in North County is not a Spanish name - it is the first two letters of EScondido, POway and LAkeside put together
* Pomerado Road" in North County is not a Spanish name - it is a combination of POway, MERton and RAncho bernarDO put together.
There were true stories from long ago:
* In the late 1880's, the city of San Diego contracted for a flume to bring water from the Cuyamaca Mountains to the city. When it was built, the city mayor, California governor and other dignitaries were put in little boats and sent down the flume - a wild ride before Mr. Toad! At the San Diego terminus, the valve was opened and nothing came out. So they hooked the valve up to the old water system, opened the valve, and the politicians praised the fresh, er, brackish water they'd been drinking previously.
* In the 1960's, Regis Philbin had a local TV show and took a Marine Drill Instructor along to spend the night in the Whaley House in Old Town (which was supposed to be haunted). By 11 p.m., the Marine was out in the middle of the street and wouldn't go back in the house, and Regis said that he would never go in the house again.
* In 1916, the City hired a rainmaker, Charles Hatfield, to fill Lake Morena in the back country for $10,000. Hatfield set up his rainmaking apparatus and put chemicals into the air, and it started to rain soon after, and didn't stop for days. After 22 inches of rain, the rivers and streams overflowed, the Otay Dam broke and washed away farms, people and livestock in the river valley below the dam, resulting in $8 million in damages. Hatfield wanted his money, and the city agreed, but said Hatfield had to be liable for any damages. He left town quickly.
Ken's current television show, "About San Diego" airs on Saturday and Sunday nights at 6 p.m. on Channel 7/39. Original episodes are shown on Sunday nights, and the Saturday shows are repeats about three months later. He has just signed with KOGO-600 AM to do segments in the morning show. He is also working on a book "About San Diego" and hopes to have it published by Christmas. Ken promised to come back to Chula Vista for a book signing. And more stories "About San Diego."
The audience really enjoyed Ken's personality, his career stories and the stories about the places we live and work. There seems to be a thirst for knowledge about local history in the population, partially because most people are from someplace else, and partially because our busy lives prevent us from reading local history books at our leisure.
For our genealogy society, this was a superb program. It brought many community people in who are non-members. Hopefully, it will cause some of them to join our society and discover the fun of genealogy and family history.
Monday, January 26, 2009
"About San Diego and the South Bay" Program on Wednesday, 28 January
....
The next program meeting of the Chula Vista Genealogical Society is Wednesday, 28 January at 12 noon at the Chula Vista Civic Center Branch Library (365 F Street) in the Auditorium. There will be a brief business meeting before the speaker is introduced.
Ken Kramer is our featured speaker with his program "About San Diego and the South Bay." Ken is known to most San Diego residents for his "About San Diego" radio and television broadcasts that bring us interesting, humorous, historical and always entertaining anecdotes of our city and region. His series "About San Diego" has been honored by the Council of California History, the Save Our Heritage Organization, and has won several national awards for excellence in writing and reporting.
Ken has been in broadcasting since he was a kid and experimented with a home constructed radio broadcasting station. He now has more than 30 years experience and has won 10 "Golden Mike" Awards, 5 Emmy Awards and numerous local awards.
Currently, Ken is a contributing reporter for NBC, Channel 7/39 in San Diego. His "About San Diego" program airs at 6 p.m. on Saturdays. You can see video clips, take San Diego quizzes and learn more about Ken on his web page at http://www.nbcsandiego.com/station/features/aboutsandiego.html.
CVGS welcomes guests and visitors to all of our meetings. Please enter through the Conference Room door in the east hallway of the library in order to sign in, pick up handouts, have a snack and chat with genealogy friends and colleagues. The meeting will start in the Auditorium at about 12:20 p.m.
The next program meeting of the Chula Vista Genealogical Society is Wednesday, 28 January at 12 noon at the Chula Vista Civic Center Branch Library (365 F Street) in the Auditorium. There will be a brief business meeting before the speaker is introduced.
Ken Kramer is our featured speaker with his program "About San Diego and the South Bay." Ken is known to most San Diego residents for his "About San Diego" radio and television broadcasts that bring us interesting, humorous, historical and always entertaining anecdotes of our city and region. His series "About San Diego" has been honored by the Council of California History, the Save Our Heritage Organization, and has won several national awards for excellence in writing and reporting.
Ken has been in broadcasting since he was a kid and experimented with a home constructed radio broadcasting station. He now has more than 30 years experience and has won 10 "Golden Mike" Awards, 5 Emmy Awards and numerous local awards.
Currently, Ken is a contributing reporter for NBC, Channel 7/39 in San Diego. His "About San Diego" program airs at 6 p.m. on Saturdays. You can see video clips, take San Diego quizzes and learn more about Ken on his web page at http://www.nbcsandiego.com/station/features/aboutsandiego.html.
CVGS welcomes guests and visitors to all of our meetings. Please enter through the Conference Room door in the east hallway of the library in order to sign in, pick up handouts, have a snack and chat with genealogy friends and colleagues. The meeting will start in the Auditorium at about 12:20 p.m.
Thursday, January 22, 2009
CVGS Computer Group on 1/21/09
The Chula Vista Genealogical Society Computer Group meeting was held in the Library Conference Room on Wednesday, 21 January, because of a schedule conflict with another party that signed up for the computer lab. They didn't show up...but we stayed in our assined place. There were eight of us in the meeting.
Randy, Gary and Shirley had their laptops running, but no one could get a signal for the wireless Internet in the room. This is a constant frustration for us - we are so close... Randy started out hooked up to the projector.
Shirley opened the meeting asking if people had any computer-related problems that the group might be able to address.
A question was asked about Automatic Updates - how do you control when they are performed? We recommended going to Start>Control Panel>Automatic Updates and clicking the bullet for Automatic Updates and pick the day and time for them - pick the middle of the night if you leave your computer on all night. If you don't want to do that, then pick one of the other buttons to suit your pleasure.
A question was asked about accessing and using the Queries board on the Ohio USGenWeb web site. There is a Queries link in the top menu, and clicking that takes you to a query board. The user has to log in (if already registered) or register (fill out a form, wait for email confirmation and acceptance) and then will be allowed to use the Query Board.
Randy had Family Tree Maker 2008 on the screen, and since almost everyone in the group used some version of FTM, he showed some of the features of FTM 2008. Unfortunately, the Places screen couldn't show the Microsoft Earth maps since the Internet wasn't available in the conference room. Likewise for the Web Search screen. He showed the People screen, the Publish screen, and the Media screen. He showed several different charts and reports from the Publish screen, including an ahnentafel report and a descendants report. On the Media screen, he brought a photograph of his father into FTM 2008 (from his My Pictures file) and made it the thumbnail photo for his father.
Gary then connected his laptop to the projector, and demonstrated the Family Tree Builder 3.0 program. He used this program to create large genealogy reports for his ancestry, and he scrolled through the created report.
We hope to be back in the Computer Lab next month for the Computer Group meeting. Unfortunately, the Lab computers are not equipped to access web pages using Flash technology in Internet Explorer, so that limits the use of some genealogy web sites like the Record Search on www.FamilySearch.org and www.Footnote.com.
Randy, Gary and Shirley had their laptops running, but no one could get a signal for the wireless Internet in the room. This is a constant frustration for us - we are so close... Randy started out hooked up to the projector.
Shirley opened the meeting asking if people had any computer-related problems that the group might be able to address.
A question was asked about Automatic Updates - how do you control when they are performed? We recommended going to Start>Control Panel>Automatic Updates and clicking the bullet for Automatic Updates and pick the day and time for them - pick the middle of the night if you leave your computer on all night. If you don't want to do that, then pick one of the other buttons to suit your pleasure.
A question was asked about accessing and using the Queries board on the Ohio USGenWeb web site. There is a Queries link in the top menu, and clicking that takes you to a query board. The user has to log in (if already registered) or register (fill out a form, wait for email confirmation and acceptance) and then will be allowed to use the Query Board.
Randy had Family Tree Maker 2008 on the screen, and since almost everyone in the group used some version of FTM, he showed some of the features of FTM 2008. Unfortunately, the Places screen couldn't show the Microsoft Earth maps since the Internet wasn't available in the conference room. Likewise for the Web Search screen. He showed the People screen, the Publish screen, and the Media screen. He showed several different charts and reports from the Publish screen, including an ahnentafel report and a descendants report. On the Media screen, he brought a photograph of his father into FTM 2008 (from his My Pictures file) and made it the thumbnail photo for his father.
Gary then connected his laptop to the projector, and demonstrated the Family Tree Builder 3.0 program. He used this program to create large genealogy reports for his ancestry, and he scrolled through the created report.
We hope to be back in the Computer Lab next month for the Computer Group meeting. Unfortunately, the Lab computers are not equipped to access web pages using Flash technology in Internet Explorer, so that limits the use of some genealogy web sites like the Record Search on www.FamilySearch.org and www.Footnote.com.
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
CVGS Research Group Summary - 14 January 2009
The Chula Vista Genealogical Society Research Group met at the library today. Twelve fun-loving genealogists were there to share their research experiences and offer help to several attendees.
Randy Seaver just returned from a visit to The Generations Network (TGN) and the Family History Library in Salt Lake City. He summarized his invited visit and tour of the TGN facilities, and the discussions with TGN staff about Ancestry.com, Family Tree Maker 2009, and more. He had two days at the FHL and got a lot of research done.
Gary Brock is still working on his Roff surname in western New York in 1805. He has been looking at Quaker records and New York records. He's going to look for other Roff families searching for ties to his line.
Joan Largey is starting to research her mother's line. A grandmother came from England in the late 1800's at age 14 with her family that settled in Minnesota. An obituary and death certificate provided her parents names, so she asked what records to find next. The group suggested death records for the parents, naturalization records for the father, immigration records, US and England census records, and the English civil Registration records for the parents (or parish registers if before 1837). The web site www.FindMyPast.com was recommended as a place to obtain records for a reasonable price per unit.
Rita Clamser has started researching her husband's family. Apparently, there are no photographs from the family because "we didn't like our picture taken." She has data on his father and grandfather (parents born in Holland). She wanted to know how to find where in Holland. The group suggested obituaries, death records, census, immigration and naturalization records to determine the ancestral home and family members.
Shirley Becker brought a large map of New York State from 1804, which she bought recently on a web site. It is absolutely beautiful, even in black and white, with all of the rivers and streams and townships as they were in 1804. She is also working more on file organization and hopes to have a presentation for CVGS in April.
Shirley Harper brought in an article on DNA research in the magazine Neurology and passed it around.
Virginia Taylor summarized the SDGS meeting on 10 January with Lloyd Bockstruck, who gave four presentations to about 200 people. One of the talks was about Illegitimacy, and that records can be found in churches, and in name changes approved by state legislatures.
Dave McCracken thinks that one of his great-grandfathers in PA was named Robert Huntsinger and had his name changed to Emanuel Lehr after being adopted by a Lehr family. The group suggested he search for guardianship and court records in the specific PA county.
Dick McNulty is still waiting for the FBI to send him more information about his uncle, a resident of Leavenworth Prison, McNeil Island prison in WA, and other state prison systems. The uncle was incarcerated for stealing stamps from post offices. Dick's son was fascinated by the 200 page file already available, but said it was "disgusting."
John Finch submitted a query to a Pennsylvania genealogical society and received an answer - they found nothing that would help him.
Randy Seaver finished off the meeting telling about his research "finds" at the FHL - marriage certificates for several of Ed M's ancestors, probate records for his Smith family in Andrew County MO, and deeds for his Vaux family in Andrew County, MO.
The next CVGS Research Group meeting will be on Wednesday, 11 February in the Chula Vista Civic Center Branch Library Conference Room (365 F Street, Chula Vista CA).
Randy Seaver just returned from a visit to The Generations Network (TGN) and the Family History Library in Salt Lake City. He summarized his invited visit and tour of the TGN facilities, and the discussions with TGN staff about Ancestry.com, Family Tree Maker 2009, and more. He had two days at the FHL and got a lot of research done.
Gary Brock is still working on his Roff surname in western New York in 1805. He has been looking at Quaker records and New York records. He's going to look for other Roff families searching for ties to his line.
Joan Largey is starting to research her mother's line. A grandmother came from England in the late 1800's at age 14 with her family that settled in Minnesota. An obituary and death certificate provided her parents names, so she asked what records to find next. The group suggested death records for the parents, naturalization records for the father, immigration records, US and England census records, and the English civil Registration records for the parents (or parish registers if before 1837). The web site www.FindMyPast.com was recommended as a place to obtain records for a reasonable price per unit.
Rita Clamser has started researching her husband's family. Apparently, there are no photographs from the family because "we didn't like our picture taken." She has data on his father and grandfather (parents born in Holland). She wanted to know how to find where in Holland. The group suggested obituaries, death records, census, immigration and naturalization records to determine the ancestral home and family members.
Shirley Becker brought a large map of New York State from 1804, which she bought recently on a web site. It is absolutely beautiful, even in black and white, with all of the rivers and streams and townships as they were in 1804. She is also working more on file organization and hopes to have a presentation for CVGS in April.
Shirley Harper brought in an article on DNA research in the magazine Neurology and passed it around.
Virginia Taylor summarized the SDGS meeting on 10 January with Lloyd Bockstruck, who gave four presentations to about 200 people. One of the talks was about Illegitimacy, and that records can be found in churches, and in name changes approved by state legislatures.
Dave McCracken thinks that one of his great-grandfathers in PA was named Robert Huntsinger and had his name changed to Emanuel Lehr after being adopted by a Lehr family. The group suggested he search for guardianship and court records in the specific PA county.
Dick McNulty is still waiting for the FBI to send him more information about his uncle, a resident of Leavenworth Prison, McNeil Island prison in WA, and other state prison systems. The uncle was incarcerated for stealing stamps from post offices. Dick's son was fascinated by the 200 page file already available, but said it was "disgusting."
John Finch submitted a query to a Pennsylvania genealogical society and received an answer - they found nothing that would help him.
Randy Seaver finished off the meeting telling about his research "finds" at the FHL - marriage certificates for several of Ed M's ancestors, probate records for his Smith family in Andrew County MO, and deeds for his Vaux family in Andrew County, MO.
The next CVGS Research Group meeting will be on Wednesday, 11 February in the Chula Vista Civic Center Branch Library Conference Room (365 F Street, Chula Vista CA).
Genealogy News Summary for January 2009
....
Here's the genealogy news for late December and early November:
1. INTERESTING GENEALOGY WEB SITES
* http://wardepartmentpapers.org/ - Papers of the U.S. War Department 1784-1800 are in this collection of more than 55,000 documents in a free, online format with extensive and searchable metadata linked to digitized images of each document, thereby insuring free access for a wide range of users.
* http://www.itrunsinmyfamily.com/ - The online Family Health History Tool allows people to create a comprehensive family health history report that can be used by a healthcare professional. It is capable of charting complex family relationships and storing pertinent family health information in standardized pedigree nomenclature. It will reduce the amount of time that doctors and other health professionals spend in collecting data, thereby allowing for more time to be spent in evaluation and defining treatment.
* http://askolivetree.blogspot.com/ - Ask Olive Tree Genealogy a Question. Do you need help finding an ancestor? Do you have a genealogy question you would like to ask Lorine Schulze McGinnis? Do you want to know where to find certain genealogy records?
* http://www.newenglandancestors.org/research/services/questionoftheday.asp - David Allen Lambert has started a Question of the Day feature on the http://www.newenglandancestors.org/ web site of the New England Historical and Genealogical Society (NEHGS).
* http://www.famouscensus.com/ - Michael John Neill's Find Famous People in the Census features contests (you can win valuable prizes) and examples of famous people found in the census records.
* http://www.identifinders.com/ - Sharon E. Sergeant and Colleen Fitzpatrick have a web site dedicated to describing forensic genealogy efforts to uncover fraudulent genealogy and family history claims.
* http://www.researchguides.net/census/state.htm - State census records finder (not a complete list).
2. NEW GENEALOGY DATABASES
a) at www.Ancestry.com - subscription site (US = $155.40, World = $299.40) - now available for FREE at San Diego FHC (Institution with World databases) or San Diego City or County Public Libraries (Ancestry Library Edition). Ancestry has over 7 billion names in over 27,100 databases. See new content at http://www.ancestry.com/search/rectype/recent.aspx. New databases this month include:
* 1900 U.S. Federal Census updated - includes revised index prepared by FamilySearch Indexing.
* US Naturalization Records 1791-1992 (World Archives Project) - This collection is currently being indexed by World Archives Project contributors. It contains images of paper indexes to naturalization records (primarily Declarations and Petitions) for various courts (primarily U.S. District and Circuit courts) and years.
* Wisconsin Divorce Records, 1965-1984
* Delaware Marriage Records, 1744-1912
* Florida State Census, 1867-1945
* Sweden Births from Sweden Death Index, 1947-2006 (in Swedish, need World subscription).
* U.K. City and County Directories, 1600s-1900s - This database is a collection of directories (street, commercial, trade, court, post office, etc.) for various areas of the United Kingdom from the 1600s to the 1900s. (need UK or World subscription)
* Netherlands Births and Christenings, 1608-1882; Netherlands Marriages 1637-1892 (in Dutch, need World subscription)
* Denmark Births and Christenings, 1631-1900s; Denmark Marriages, 1631-1900s (in Danish, need World subscription)
What's coming soon at Ancestry? Check out http://landing.ancestry.com/comingsoon/.
b) www.WorldVitalRecords.com - subscription site (US = $39.95 for 1 year, World = $119.95 for 1 year) -- now available for FREE at the San Diego FHC. Over 11,000 databases, over 1.35 billion names. Recently added content is at http://www.worldvitalrecords.com/recentcontentlisting.aspx. New US items are FREE at WVR for 10 days. New databases include:
* 25 titles of United Kingdom vital records from the Anguline Research Archives (ARA). Many of the databases in this collection contain parish registers.
* Abstracts of Wills and Inventories, Fairfax County, Virginia, 1742–1801
Forks of Elkhorn Church: With Genealogies of Early Members Reprinted with Numerous Additions and Corrections
* Early New York Naturalizations: Abstracts of Naturalizations Records from Federal, State, and Local Courts, 1792–1840
* Families of Ancient New Haven, Volumes 1 and 2
* Barbour Collection of Connecticut Town Vital Records, 27 volumes of the 55-volume-set that covers 137 towns and includes 14,333 typed pages.
c) www.Footnote.com - subscription site ($69.96 annual retail, $11.95 monthly) - now available for FREE at San Diego FHC. They offer 7-day FREE trial. 455 Titles, over 48 million images, over 1 million free. Content list at http://www.footnote.com/documents.php. Information added this month includes:
* US City Directories for Newark, San Francisco, Pittsburgh
* World War II Collection - Interactive USS Arizona Memorial; WWII Hero Pages (over 8.8 million created); WWII Photos; WWII Documents
d) www.GenealogyBank.com - subscription site (trial $9.95 for 30 days, $69.95 for 12 months). It has archives for over 2,500 U.S. historical newspapers in all 50 states, from the 1600s to the present day, with over 224 million family history records, over 29 million obituaries from more than 1,140 newspapers in more than 130 million historical newspaper articles, and more than 11,700 historical books.
* Added 63 titles from 24 states
e) http://pilot.familysearch.org/ - the LDS FREE site for indexed and browsable databases -- new content includes:
* Arizona Death Certificates
* Hungary Obituaries, 1840-1990
* 1870 US Census 99% complete
f) http://www.1911census.co.uk/ - 1911 England and Wales census is online. The index is free. You have to register and pay, using pay-as-you-go credits, to view, download or print the actual records.
3. GENEALOGY EDUCATION
* http://www.pharostutors.com/ - The Guild of One-Name Studies and Pharos Teaching and Tutoring Ltd are pleased to announce a brand new five week introductory course on One-Name Studies, starting 27th April 2009. The course covers surnames and their history; core records needed for one-name studies; the analyses of one-name data and all the practical aspects of running a one-name study. The price of the course is £42.99.
* http://professional.bu.edu/cpe/Genealogy.asp - Outstanding faculty at Boston University teaches the Genealogical Proof Standard® in the new Ancestral Research and Genealogy Certificate Program. Classes will be held on Saturdays over a 14-week period starting January 17, 2009.
* National Genealogical Society Conference in the States is in Raleigh, North Carolina from 13 May to 16 May 2009. Registration forms are on Conference web page here. The Family History Conference program is listed here. The Program has tracks for BCG, Migration, Carolinas, GenTech, Working with Records, States, Ethnic, Methodology, NARA, Military, Workshops, Land, Libraries, Basics, etc.
* http://www.zroots.com/tutorials1.htm - two new Searching at Ancestry.com tutorials by Barbara Renick, a noted Southern California genealogist and conference/seminar lecturer.
4. SOFTWARE
* http://myblood-line.com/ - MyBlood is a brand new genealogy program from Belgium. It is currently in Alpha test. It is available in two versions: Windows and Macintosh. English, French, and Dutch versions are available today and the program includes a Translator Tool to help you translate everything in the application. MyBlood is a visual program: almost everything is oriented around pictures, graphs and historical timelines. It can import GEDCOM files so that you do not have to re-enter all your data into this new program. The Alpha version of MyBlood is free, but to be able to save changes, you need to register for a free license key. The program will be a commercial product once the regular version is released. Pricing has not yet been announced.
* Family Tree Builder 3 - MyHeritage, one of the world’s most popular family Web sites, today announced the launch of Family Tree Builder 3, a powerful software program that MyHeritage members can download and use to build family trees, research family history and add content like photos and videos. It is freely available on www.MyHeritage.com.
* http://www.tamurajones.net/ - Modern Software Experience: Tamura Jones' web site is comprised of original articles dealing with genealogy, browser, office and other software packages. In each article, he analyzes the program components and features, tests them with his own databases, and constructively criticizes the package - what does it do well, what could it do better, where is it dangerous, etc.
5. ANNOUNCEMENTS
* www.MyHeritage.com has limited free family tree databases to 500 persons. They offer a Premium ($3.95/month, up to 2,500 persons) or a Premium Plus ($9.95/month, unlimited database) plans.
* www.Geni.com has a Pro plan ($4.95/month) for additional benefits over basic account.
Here's the genealogy news for late December and early November:
1. INTERESTING GENEALOGY WEB SITES
* http://wardepartmentpapers.org/ - Papers of the U.S. War Department 1784-1800 are in this collection of more than 55,000 documents in a free, online format with extensive and searchable metadata linked to digitized images of each document, thereby insuring free access for a wide range of users.
* http://www.itrunsinmyfamily.com/ - The online Family Health History Tool allows people to create a comprehensive family health history report that can be used by a healthcare professional. It is capable of charting complex family relationships and storing pertinent family health information in standardized pedigree nomenclature. It will reduce the amount of time that doctors and other health professionals spend in collecting data, thereby allowing for more time to be spent in evaluation and defining treatment.
* http://askolivetree.blogspot.com/ - Ask Olive Tree Genealogy a Question. Do you need help finding an ancestor? Do you have a genealogy question you would like to ask Lorine Schulze McGinnis? Do you want to know where to find certain genealogy records?
* http://www.newenglandancestors.org/research/services/questionoftheday.asp - David Allen Lambert has started a Question of the Day feature on the http://www.newenglandancestors.org/ web site of the New England Historical and Genealogical Society (NEHGS).
* http://www.famouscensus.com/ - Michael John Neill's Find Famous People in the Census features contests (you can win valuable prizes) and examples of famous people found in the census records.
* http://www.identifinders.com/ - Sharon E. Sergeant and Colleen Fitzpatrick have a web site dedicated to describing forensic genealogy efforts to uncover fraudulent genealogy and family history claims.
* http://www.researchguides.net/census/state.htm - State census records finder (not a complete list).
2. NEW GENEALOGY DATABASES
a) at www.Ancestry.com - subscription site (US = $155.40, World = $299.40) - now available for FREE at San Diego FHC (Institution with World databases) or San Diego City or County Public Libraries (Ancestry Library Edition). Ancestry has over 7 billion names in over 27,100 databases. See new content at http://www.ancestry.com/search/rectype/recent.aspx. New databases this month include:
* 1900 U.S. Federal Census updated - includes revised index prepared by FamilySearch Indexing.
* US Naturalization Records 1791-1992 (World Archives Project) - This collection is currently being indexed by World Archives Project contributors. It contains images of paper indexes to naturalization records (primarily Declarations and Petitions) for various courts (primarily U.S. District and Circuit courts) and years.
* Wisconsin Divorce Records, 1965-1984
* Delaware Marriage Records, 1744-1912
* Florida State Census, 1867-1945
* Sweden Births from Sweden Death Index, 1947-2006 (in Swedish, need World subscription).
* U.K. City and County Directories, 1600s-1900s - This database is a collection of directories (street, commercial, trade, court, post office, etc.) for various areas of the United Kingdom from the 1600s to the 1900s. (need UK or World subscription)
* Netherlands Births and Christenings, 1608-1882; Netherlands Marriages 1637-1892 (in Dutch, need World subscription)
* Denmark Births and Christenings, 1631-1900s; Denmark Marriages, 1631-1900s (in Danish, need World subscription)
What's coming soon at Ancestry? Check out http://landing.ancestry.com/comingsoon/.
b) www.WorldVitalRecords.com - subscription site (US = $39.95 for 1 year, World = $119.95 for 1 year) -- now available for FREE at the San Diego FHC. Over 11,000 databases, over 1.35 billion names. Recently added content is at http://www.worldvitalrecords.com/recentcontentlisting.aspx. New US items are FREE at WVR for 10 days. New databases include:
* 25 titles of United Kingdom vital records from the Anguline Research Archives (ARA). Many of the databases in this collection contain parish registers.
* Abstracts of Wills and Inventories, Fairfax County, Virginia, 1742–1801
Forks of Elkhorn Church: With Genealogies of Early Members Reprinted with Numerous Additions and Corrections
* Early New York Naturalizations: Abstracts of Naturalizations Records from Federal, State, and Local Courts, 1792–1840
* Families of Ancient New Haven, Volumes 1 and 2
* Barbour Collection of Connecticut Town Vital Records, 27 volumes of the 55-volume-set that covers 137 towns and includes 14,333 typed pages.
c) www.Footnote.com - subscription site ($69.96 annual retail, $11.95 monthly) - now available for FREE at San Diego FHC. They offer 7-day FREE trial. 455 Titles, over 48 million images, over 1 million free. Content list at http://www.footnote.com/documents.php. Information added this month includes:
* US City Directories for Newark, San Francisco, Pittsburgh
* World War II Collection - Interactive USS Arizona Memorial; WWII Hero Pages (over 8.8 million created); WWII Photos; WWII Documents
d) www.GenealogyBank.com - subscription site (trial $9.95 for 30 days, $69.95 for 12 months). It has archives for over 2,500 U.S. historical newspapers in all 50 states, from the 1600s to the present day, with over 224 million family history records, over 29 million obituaries from more than 1,140 newspapers in more than 130 million historical newspaper articles, and more than 11,700 historical books.
* Added 63 titles from 24 states
e) http://pilot.familysearch.org/ - the LDS FREE site for indexed and browsable databases -- new content includes:
* Arizona Death Certificates
* Hungary Obituaries, 1840-1990
* 1870 US Census 99% complete
f) http://www.1911census.co.uk/ - 1911 England and Wales census is online. The index is free. You have to register and pay, using pay-as-you-go credits, to view, download or print the actual records.
3. GENEALOGY EDUCATION
* http://www.pharostutors.com/ - The Guild of One-Name Studies and Pharos Teaching and Tutoring Ltd are pleased to announce a brand new five week introductory course on One-Name Studies, starting 27th April 2009. The course covers surnames and their history; core records needed for one-name studies; the analyses of one-name data and all the practical aspects of running a one-name study. The price of the course is £42.99.
* http://professional.bu.edu/cpe/Genealogy.asp - Outstanding faculty at Boston University teaches the Genealogical Proof Standard® in the new Ancestral Research and Genealogy Certificate Program. Classes will be held on Saturdays over a 14-week period starting January 17, 2009.
* National Genealogical Society Conference in the States is in Raleigh, North Carolina from 13 May to 16 May 2009. Registration forms are on Conference web page here. The Family History Conference program is listed here. The Program has tracks for BCG, Migration, Carolinas, GenTech, Working with Records, States, Ethnic, Methodology, NARA, Military, Workshops, Land, Libraries, Basics, etc.
* http://www.zroots.com/tutorials1.htm - two new Searching at Ancestry.com tutorials by Barbara Renick, a noted Southern California genealogist and conference/seminar lecturer.
4. SOFTWARE
* http://myblood-line.com/ - MyBlood is a brand new genealogy program from Belgium. It is currently in Alpha test. It is available in two versions: Windows and Macintosh. English, French, and Dutch versions are available today and the program includes a Translator Tool to help you translate everything in the application. MyBlood is a visual program: almost everything is oriented around pictures, graphs and historical timelines. It can import GEDCOM files so that you do not have to re-enter all your data into this new program. The Alpha version of MyBlood is free, but to be able to save changes, you need to register for a free license key. The program will be a commercial product once the regular version is released. Pricing has not yet been announced.
* Family Tree Builder 3 - MyHeritage, one of the world’s most popular family Web sites, today announced the launch of Family Tree Builder 3, a powerful software program that MyHeritage members can download and use to build family trees, research family history and add content like photos and videos. It is freely available on www.MyHeritage.com.
* http://www.tamurajones.net/ - Modern Software Experience: Tamura Jones' web site is comprised of original articles dealing with genealogy, browser, office and other software packages. In each article, he analyzes the program components and features, tests them with his own databases, and constructively criticizes the package - what does it do well, what could it do better, where is it dangerous, etc.
5. ANNOUNCEMENTS
* www.MyHeritage.com has limited free family tree databases to 500 persons. They offer a Premium ($3.95/month, up to 2,500 persons) or a Premium Plus ($9.95/month, unlimited database) plans.
* www.Geni.com has a Pro plan ($4.95/month) for additional benefits over basic account.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)