VGS News & Events: 4 November 2018 through 10 November 2018

Did you remember to change your clock? Backup your data too!

Coming Events:

Monday: November 5, 2018

Jewish Genealogy SIG Meeting has been canceled
Monday: November 5, 2018

Roots Magic SIG Meeting:
2:30 PM in the New Smyrna Room at the Recreation Center

Tuesday: November 6, 2018

Adoption & Mystery KIN SIG Meeting

9:00 AM at the Lake Miona Recreation Center

Tuesday: November 6, 2018

Italian Genealogy SIG Meeting

1:00 PM in the Atlanta Room in the Savannah Center

Wednesday: November 7, 2018

French Canadian Genealogy SIG Meeting:

9:00 AM in the Julio Iglesias Room at the La Hacienda Recreation Center

Thursday: November 8, 2018

German Genealogy SIG Meeting

9:30 AM in the Reliance Room at the Late Miona Recreation Center

Topic: "What Every  Genealogist Should Know About German and It's Impact on Surnames" —  Ken Weaver-President, Southwest Florida German Genealogical Society

Friday: November 9, 2018

Genetic Genealogy SIG Meeting Canceled

Saturday: November 10, 2018

22nd Annual Florida Family History Conference

You’re invited to the 22nd Annual Florida Family History Conference on Saturday, November 10th, 2018 from 9am – 4:00pm. We are one of the largest family history conferences on the East Coast of the United States! This east coast event brings world-class speakers from all over the country to help you find your family’s history! Our goal is to bring you the latest news on where to find information on your ancestors as well as big, new changes to Internet research sites.

Location: We are proudly holding the conference again at OLYMPIA HIGH SCHOOL at 4301 S. Apopka Vineland Road, Orlando, FL 32835.

Our Keynote Speaker again this year features Crista Cowan, Corporate Genealogist at Ancestry.com!!
Learn more including how to register, cost and bus info...

Gen News and Announcements:

3 Quick FamilySearch Tricks to Help You Find Elusive Ancestors:

Family History Daily
"While most people find FamilySearch's site pretty intuitive, there are a few buried elements that many overlook - ones that can have a huge impact on your research. It only takes a minute to try them out. Go see how they can help your research today!"
Continue reading...

New Free Historical Records on FamilySearch: Week of October 22, 2018

FamilySearch
"FamilySearch expands its free online archives this week with almost 2 million new searchable names from the 1915 Kansas State Census and nearly 1 million marriage records in the newly published Western States Marriage Index. New indexed records are also available from Chile, Colombia, France, French Polynesia, Germany, Italy, New Zealand, and Spain, and the United States (California, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Louisiana, Montana, North Dakota, and Ohio)."
Search now...

How to Save Money on DNA Testing: Get the Best Deal and Take Advantage of Free Reports:

Family History Daily
"DNA testing for genealogy is more common than ever, but it can also be expensive. Although we’ve seen prices drop quite a bit in recent years the cost is still too much for many to justify. If you’ve been holding off on testing your own DNA, or on expanding your testing to relatives whose information may help your research, the information in this article will help you overcome this cost-hurdle."
Continue reading...

Explaining Genealogic Germany – Some Notes On Civil Records"

Genealogists.com
"Most requests that reach me are dealing with the search for ancestors in the pre-civil record era but some are dealing with finding relatives during the time period the German Empire was existing or for finding relatives today."
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Familypedia: the Biggest Genealogy Site You Probably Never Heard Of:

Dick Eastman
"Are you familiar with Familypedia, a web site with 242,770 online articles about deceased individuals plus another 366,615 genealogy-related pages?"
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Some of Hawaii’s Most Important Documents Are Going To Be Available Online.

Hawaii News
"Behind a 6-inch-thick bank vault door and inside a locked safe are some of the rarest documents in Hawaii history. There, under the control of the state Archives, you’ll find Queen Liliuokalani’s handwritten song book, including “Aloha Oe”; a Hawaii customs form for the first men on the moon; and a contract with King Kamehameha the Great’s signature in 1818 — only an 'X' since Hawaiian was not yet a written language."
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Technology:

Does A Genealogist Need A Smartphone?

Genealogy's Star
"I am guessing that the title to this post is no longer a major issue with current statistics showing that 95% of people own some kind of cell phone and smartphone use in the United States is at 77% of the population. That means that about 3 out of every 4 people in the United States now own a smartphone. But are there some particular uses for smartphones for genealogy that make them a particularly desirable device?"
Continue reading...
Education:

Alternative Sources for Tracking Your Ancestors:

Ancestral Findings
"Do you feel like you've reached a point where you have no other resources to search for your ancestors? Don't forget about alternative sources. They may just have the clues you need to move forward.  Today you’ll learn how to use these sources."
Listen now...   5.07 minutes

Webinars:

Using Voting and Election Records to Find Your Ancestor:

Legacy Family Tree Webinars
"Our ancestors voted in local, state and federal government elections. Many of our local, state and national archives, libraries and genealogical societies have election and voting records that could help genealogists find their ancestors. These records could include the polling places where your ancestor voted and even your ancestor's signature."
Wednesday, November 7, 2018 at 2:00 p.m.
Presenter: Melissa Barker
Learn more or Register for this webinar...