VGS Latest News & Tips: 5 May 2016

VGS members at the 2016 NGS Conference
The gentleman in the center is Gary Knell, President of the NGS

Today Thursday: May 5, 2016

Eastern European Genealogy SIG Meeting:
1:00 PM in the Triple Crown Room at Churchill Recreation Center

Tomorrow: Friday: May 6, 2016

British Genealogy SIG Meeting
9:30 AM in the Courageous Room at the Lake Miona Recreation Center

News from the NGS Conference:
The National Genealogical Society (NGS) honored excellence in the categories of newsletter editorship and service to the Society with the presentation of several awards at the Opening Session of the NGS 2016 Family History Conference in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, on 4 May 2016. Some are familiar names to The VGS membership.

The President's Citation is given in recognition of outstanding, continuing, or unusual contributions to the field of genealogy or the society. This year, the President’s Citation honors two individuals, Cyndi Ingle of Milton, WA, and Dick Eastman of Orlando, FL, who have given generously of their time and talents to benefit the genealogical community.

Cyndi Ingle will be our guest speaker at our 2017 annual seminar. Since 1996, Cyndi Ingle has published and maintained Cyndi’s List, a free, categorized, and cross-referenced online listing of genealogical sites. Cyndi’s List quickly became an indispensable resource for genealogists worldwide.

Dick Eastman was our annual seminar guest speaker in 2013 and was present at our 2015 and 2016 seminars as well. Also in 1996, Dick launched the Eastman Online Genealogy Newsletter. EOGN covers genealogy news, as well as issues of technology, privacy, digital rights, and access as they relate to genealogy. A trailblazer in the use of technology, Dick was an early promoter of the use of online forums to advance genealogical research. Today more than 75,000 people read his newsletter and benefit from his reviews and tutorials.

Criminal Records: Troublemakers In Your Family Tree:
Ancestry
"We’d all like to think that our ancestors were good, kind-hearted, upstanding citizens who followed the letter of the law. Unfortunately, that is not always the case, and sometimes we find a few leaves in our tree attached to troublemakers."
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How to Preserve Family Photos:
Amy Johnson Crow
"Family photos are the entry point into family history for many people. Keeping them safe is so important! I sat down and talked with Denise Levenick, The Family Curator, for her tips on how to preserve family photos."
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Google Keep: This Smart New Tool from Google is the Perfect Genealogy Research Assistant!
FamilyHistoryDaily
"With all of the amazing information now available at our fingertips it can be difficult to keep track of it all. Whether you’re on a research site perusing possible record matches, taking a family history course or reading helpful articles, it helps to have a program that can aid you in remembering and storing it all."
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How to Share Your iPhone Without People Snooping Around:
How-to-Geek
"Phones are private, full of personal data and messages. Guided Access allows you to share your iPhone with someone without being able to access that data–allowing them to look at photos, place a phone call, or play a game while your stuff stays hidden."
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This Day In History: 5 May
1494: Christopher Columbus lands on the island of Jamaica, which he names Santa Gloria.
1821: Napoleon Bonaparte dies in exile on the island of St. Helena.
1865: The 13th Amendment is ratified, abolishing slavery.
1899 Birthday: Freeman F. Gosden, radio comedy writer and performer (Amos ‘n’ Andy).