VGS News & Events: 25 February 2018 through 3 March 2018

Seminar 2017

Coming Events:

Monday: February 26, 2018

Technology SIG Meeting:

10:00 AM in the Destin Room at the Sea Breeze Recreation Center

Wednesday: February 28, 2018

Our Annual All-Day Seminar

Guest Speaker: Dr. John Colletta, PhD

9:00 AM in the La Hacienda Recreation Center

Doors open at 8:00 AM

No General Monthly Meeting or Brick Wall SIG Meeting today.

Friday: March 2, 2018

Genetic Genealogy SIG Meeting

10:00 AM in the Rhett Butler Room at the Savannah Center

Topic: "DNA Show and Tell"

Note Date Change for this meeting...

Gen News and Announcements:

It's Seminar Time!

The VGS

Our Annual All-Day seminar is next Wednesday. If you have registered to attend, be on the lookout on Monday, February 26 for an email reminder and some important things to know before you attend in order to make your day as comfortable as possible. Our guest speaker is Dr. John Philip Colletta, PhD from Washington, D.C. 

They Considered Themselves White, But DNA Tests Told A More Complex Story

The Washington Post
"As more Americans take advantage of genetic testing to pinpoint the makeup of their DNA, the technology is coming head to head with the country’s deep-rooted obsession with race and racial myths. This is perhaps no more true than for the growing number of self-identified European Americans who learn they are actually part African."
Learn more...

Not At RootsTech 2018? Here’s How to Participate Virtually

FamilySearch
"The world’s largest family history conference isn’t just for those who live close enough to go. In fact, many of the sights and sounds and much of the learning from the conference will be streamed live online for free."
Continue reading...

RootsFinder Delivers Powerful New Tools to Genealogists for Free:

Dick Eastman eogn.com
"I suspect this is going to be a major tool for all genealogists. The following announcement describes the latest project by several people, including Dallan Quass, a well-known software developer who has produced several excellent genealogy products in the past. He was the Chief Technology Officer of FamilySearch from 2002-2004 and the creator of WeRelate.org and GenGophers.com, two of FamilyTree Magazine’s top 101 genealogy websites."
Continue reading...

Inspiring At-Risk Youth Through Heritage and Art:

Ancestry
"Following the success of They Still Live in 2017, artist Thomas Evans wanted to make an impact on his Denver community by inviting young adults to explore their heritage through art, poetry, and photography."
Continue reading...

Imbue app: Turn Every Item Into A Time Capsule:

Imbue
"The Imbue app uses machine learning to identify your family treasures. You then add audio or video— to the items, explaining where they came from, who they belonged to and why they are special. Imbue connects the two permanently."
Learn more...

Technology:

5 Technology Tools That Will Revolutionize Your Genealogy Research:

Family Tree Magazine
"Find out how these award-winning genealogy technology tools, introduced at FamilySearch's RootsTech conference, will change how you do genealogy research."
Continue reading...

Technology for Genealogy Interest Group:

Facebook
"Turn Your Tablet Into a Lean, Mean Genealogy Machine
Learn about a variety of applications, or "apps" for your smartphone or tablet that can aid your genealogy research, family history writing, photography and organization. The presentation will focus on apps available for the iPad and iPhone."
Join group...
Note: You must have a Facebook Account to join this group.

Education:

The Genealogy of Blue People:

Ancestral Findings
"Have you ever heard of the blue people of Kentucky? They were real, and they really were blue, thanks to a recessive genetic condition. Join me today on the Ancestral Findings Podcast and I’ll share with you their fascinating story."
Listen now...  7.53 minutes

Webinars:

Find Your Roots in German Farm Histories:

Legacy Family Tree Webinars
"Until the early 1900s, the majority of the population in the Germanic states was engaged in agriculture. Thus, most of us with Germanic heritage will have at least some ancestors engaged in farming. German farm customs were different from those in America and German farmers were tied to their land in ways that American farmers were not. Particularly in the earlier years, the history of your family's farm was integral to the history of your family."
Wednesday, February 28, 2018 at 2:00 p.m.
Presenter: Gail Blankenau
Learn more or Register for this webinar...

VGS News & Events: 15 October 2017 through 21 October 2017

Coming Events
Monday: October 16, 2017

Roots Magic SIG Meeting

1:00 PM at the Pinellas Library

Tuesday: October 17, 2017

Italian Genealogy SIG Meeting

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

Wednesday: October 18, 2017

Mid-Atlantic States SIG Meeting

9:30 AM in the Defender Room at the Lake Miona Recreation Center

Thursday: October 19, 2017

New England Genealogy SIG Meeting

Noon in the New Smyrna Room at the Sea Breeze Recreation Center

Friday: October 20, 2017

Scandinavian Genealogy SIG Meeting

10:00 AM in the Clearwater Room Sea Breeze Recreation Center

Wednesday: October 25, 2017

General Monthly Meeting

9:30 AM in the Atlanta Room in the Savannah Center

A Live Webinar: 

Presentation: "What Do You Mean There’s No Record?! Using Vital Records Substitutes"  Guest Speaker: Amy Johnson Crow, CG

If you are unable to attend this meeting you can view this presentation remotely but you must register.

Register Here...

Latest News & Announcements:

Imputation Matching Comparison:

DNAeXplained
"In this article, I want to discuss only one topic, and that’s the results of imputation as it affects matching for genetic genealogy. DNA.Land is one of three companies known positively to be using imputation (DNA.Land, MyHeritage and LivingDNA), and one of two that allows transfers and does matching for genealogy
This is the second in a series of three articles about imputation.
Continue reading...

Why We Need Family History Now More Than Ever:

FamilySearch
"The United States celebrates October as National Family History Month and for good reason. Knowing, recording, preserving, and sharing our family histories can provide countless benefits to individuals, families, and entire societies."
Continue reading...

New Historic Records on FamilySearch: Week of September 25, 2017:

FamilySearch
"Good news to those with South Africa roots--over 1 million free images of historic records were published this week. Many more were published from Australia, Austria, England, Find A Grave, France, Ireland, Italy, Paraguay, and Peru!"
Continue reading...

Find Ancestors in AL GA KY NC SC TN & VA:

Georgia Pioneer Families
"Merged its 8 genealogy websites to offer a better platform to help genealogists find ancestors in Alabama, Georgia, Kentucky, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia using a single password. Databases consist of: images of wills, estates, deeds, marriages, military records, bible records, cemeteries, births, deaths, obituaries and over 5,000 traced families. To learn more,click on any of the links (above) and examine the contents of individual databases on each site."
Continue reading...

World Archives Project:

Ancestry
"With a few keystrokes, you could bring a family together.
You can play an important role in helping people find their family history. And all it takes is a computer, some basic software we provide and a little of your time."
Continue reading...

Professional genealogist offers advice on tracing African-American roots:

Ancestry
"Genealogical research in America’s Deep South can be challenging under the best of circumstances, but the task can be even more daunting for an African American family looking to fill in gaps in their family tree. While some families have had remarkable success in tracing their ancestors through the period of slavery and its aftermath, many unique obstacles exist."
Continue reading...

Developing a DNA Testing Plan:

FamilySearch
"You have taken your DNA test and you have your ethnicity estimate, but how does genetic testing actually help you with your genealogy? Where do you begin?"
Continue reading...

RootsTech 2018:

RootsTech
"We’re thrilled to announce that RootsTech 2018 will officially begin a day earlier than our prior conferences, on Wednesday, February 28, 2018. Join us for class sessions beginning on Wednesday morning at 9:30 a.m. MST. Classes will also be offered at 11:00 a.m., 1:30 p.m., and 3:00 p.m.
Following these class sessions, the General Session will begin at 4:30 p.m., featuring popular speaker Steve Rockwood, CEO of FamilySearch International."
Continue reading...

New on Ancestry.com

Ancestry
Derbyshire, England, Church of England Baptisms, Marriages and Burials, 1538-1812:
This collection contains images of Church of England baptism, marriage, and burial records for the years 1538–1812 from Derbyshire, England.
View this collection...
Derbyshire, England, Church of England Baptisms, 1813-1916:
This collection contains images of Church of England baptism records for the years 1813–1916 from Derbyshire, England.
View this collection...
California, County Birth, Marriage, and Death Records, 1849-1980:
This collection includes birth, marriage, and death records from various counties throughout California that took place between the years of 1849 and 1980.
View this collection...
Montana, Birth Index, 1870-1986:
Index to birth records from Montana between 1870 and 1986.
View this collection...

Technology:

How to Set Up a Facebook Page:

How-to-Geek
"Facebook Pages are a great way to promote your business, a cause, or just your hobby. Unlike Groups, which are more of a community feature, Facebook Pages work mostly like a regular Facebook Profile. You can use them to share posts, photos, videos, and whatever else you want. You can also send and receive messages. It’s basically just a profile but for something that’s not human. The biggest difference is that any number of people can Like and Follow the page."
Continue reading...

How to Automatically Enable Do Not Disturb on Your iPhone While Driving:

How-to-Geek
"A new feature in iOS 11, “Do Not Disturb While Driving” figures out if you’re driving or not and toggles Do Not Disturb accordingly. Here’s how to enable the feature."
Continue reading...

How to Stop iPhone and iPad Apps From Asking for Ratings:

How-to-Geek
"Lots of iPhone and iPad apps ask for ratings, and they often don’t stop. Even if you do leave a review just to stop seeing the review requests, new apps you install will pester you for reviews, too. iOS 11 fixes this problem, limiting how often apps can ask for ratings and allowing you to stop these requests entirely."
Continue reading...

Education:

The Biggest Genealogy Research Mistakes You Don't Want to Make:

Ancestral Findings
"Don't let your genealogy research be incorrect. Make sure your genealogy is as true as it can be. Join me on and I’ll talk about the three biggest genealogy mistakes and how to avoid them."
Continue reading... 5.31 minutes

Upcoming Webinars:

Databases, Search Engines, and the Genealogical Proof Standard:

Legacy Family Tree Webinars
"With billions of indexed records available online, what methodologies should the researcher employ to best leverage these resources in keeping with genealogical standards?"
Tuesday, October 17, 2017 at 8:00 p.m.
Presenter: David Ouimette, CG
Learn more or Register for this webinar...

The WPA: Sources for Your Genealogy:

Legacy Family Tree Webinars
"The Works Progress Administration left behind a legacy that is used by family historians today. In this presentation we will discuss The WPA, projects under the WPA relevant to genealogy, and how you can research some of those records today."
Wednesday, October 18, 2017 at 2:00 p.m.
Presenter: Gena Philibert-Ortega
Learn more or Register for this webinar...

City and Rural Directories: More than Just Names:

American Ancestors
"City and rural directories can be incredibly useful resources for genealogists. They can help you pinpoint a time and place for ancestors on the move, offer occupational information, and even help give clues to death and marriage dates. Join Senior Genealogist Rhonda R. McClure to learn how these resources were created, what information is generally provided, where to locate these sources online or in print, and how to use these records effectively in your family history research."
Thursday, October 19, 2017 at 3:00p.m.
Presenter: Rhonda R. McClure, Senior Genealogist
Learn more or Register for this webinar...

VGS Latest News & Tips 3 November 2016

Today: November 3, 2016

Eastern European Genealogy SIG Meeting:

1:00 PM in the Daytona Room at the Sea Breeze Recreation Center

Tomorrow: November 4, 2016

British Genealogy SIG Meeting

9:30 AM in the Courageous Room at the Lake Miona Recreation Center

Prisoner 5527: Al Capone In Our New Collection Of Pennsylvania Prison Records:
Ancestry
"Despite being the most infamous Chicago gangster, Alphonse “Al” Capone’s first prison stint was nowhere near Chicago. It was reported that Capone was attending a meeting of the country’s top mafia men in New Jersey and while passing through Philadelphia on his way home, he was arrested on 16 May 1929."
Continue reading...

1901 Confederate Pension Applications:
“This collection contains 1901 Confederate pension applications from the holdings of the State Archives of North Carolina. Formally referred to as "Pension Bureau: Act of 1901 Pension Applications," these materials are part of the State Auditor's records. The digital collection holds 35,717 applications and contains all of the 1901 pension applications in the custody of the State Archives.”
Continue reading…

Federation of Genealogical Societies Announces 2016 Election Results:
GenealogyBlog
The Federation of Genealogical Societies (FGS) announces the results of its recent election for FGS officers and board members. The election was conducted online September 1-30, with all FGS delegates eligible to vote. Office terms for those elected will begin on January 1, 2017.
Continue reading…

Volstead Act Begins the Disastrous Era of Prohibition:
GenealogyBank
"Congress passed the Volstead Act on 28 October 1919, which defined “intoxicating liquors” to reinforce the Eighteenth Amendment, making Prohibition the law of the land. Formally called the “National Prohibition Act,” the Volstead Act was named for Andrew Volstead, chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, who sponsored the legislation."
Continue reading...

Technology Gift Ideas for the Holidays:
Pinellas Library
"Representatives from Best Buy will demonstrate the latest technology for the holidays."
November 16 at 10:30 a.m.
Register HERE...

How to Change the Primary Email Address for Your Microsoft Account:
How-to-Geek
"The primary email address for your Microsoft account is what you use to sign into Windows and other Microsoft services. If you’d prefer to use a different address than the one you signed up with–even a non-Microsoft address–it’s an easy change to make."
Continue reading...

No Longer Forgotten: Project Brings Patients' Stories To Life:
Post Bulletin
"For more than a century, Skjordal's remains have rested, as time and encroaching vegetation all but obliterated the state hospital cemetery at Quarry Hill Park, as well as the memories of Skjordal and the more than 2,000 people who came to be buried there.
Until now."
Continue reading...

Family History Conference in Orlando: Event & Bus Information

Saturday, November 12

20th Annual Central Florida Family History Conference

9:00 am to 3:45 pm

Olympia High School. Orlando, FL

FEATURING Nationally Acclaimed LISA LOUISE COOKE from Dallas, Texas!

ADMISSION - $35.00 (Includes Conference Notebook with all handouts, schedule, map of the building, and much more!

Students 18 and under are FREE!  
LUNCHEON - $10.00 (Panera Bread tasty fresh turkey or ham sandwich, pickle, chips, & chocolate chip cookie (or bring your own lunch)
CD with ALL HANDOUTS for this conference plus for the last five years: $10.00
REGISTER NOW! www.familyhistoryconference.org 

Seating is limited in the classrooms!

BUS Information: $25.00 round trip - Download Bus Flyer

Webmaster, John DeAngelo will be the bus coordinator

Have a bus question? Contact John HERE

This Day In History: 3 November
1883: The U.S. Supreme Court declares American Indians to be “dependent aliens.”
1892: First automatic telephone exchange goes into operation in La Porte, Indiana.
1964: For the first time residents of Washington, D.C., are allowed to vote in a presidential election.
1794 Birthday: William Cullen Bryant, poet and journalist.

State Timelines:
Even though it is hard to tell what made people move or disappear, these are just a few possibilities.
Idaho:
1863: Mining began in Owyhees and the Boise Barracks established
1866-69: More gold discovered
1869: Transcontinental railroad completed

VGS Latest News & Tips: 9 June 2016

Planning a Genealogy Library Research Trip: 5 Tips to Help You Prepare:
Crestleaf
"With summertime just around the corner, planning a vacation is likely at the forefront of your mind. But instead of taking off for another typical getaway, you may want to think about heading out on a fascinating excursion to a genealogy library instead."
Continue reading...

7 Resources for African American Genealogy Research:
LegacyTreeGenealogists
"Researching family history can be challenging for African Americans and sometimes requires thinking outside of the box. There are several resources outside of U.S. Census records that can provide information or clues to further your research."
Continue reading...

The Rape Scenes in “Roots” Suggest Why DNA Studies of African Americans Are so Vital:
HNN
"Critics of the remake of Roots have mainly focused on the memorable characters we met decades ago: their struggle, survival, perseverance and identity. But there’s another way of looking at Roots and that’s through what it implies about the DNA of African Americans today, a subject that has recently drawn wide interest. Thus, it was unsurprising to see ads for Ancestry.com and 23andMe during the broadcast of Roots."
Continue reading...

16 Things to Write Down About Yourself for Posterity:
GenealogyInsider
"Genealogists are often so busy trying to find and record all the details about our ancestors' lives, that we forget our own history will eventually become family history."
Continue reading...

Why Has Windows 10 “Erased” All My Settings Every Time I Sign In?
How-to-Geek
"There are few things as frustrating as getting your Windows system all set up just like you want only to see all your hard work and custom settings gone the next time you log in. Just what is going on? Today’s SuperUser Q&A post has the solution to a very frustrated reader’s problem."
Continue reading...

This Day In History: 9 June
1534: Jacques Cartier sails into the mouth of the St. Lawrence River in Canada.
1931: Robert H. Goddard patents a rocket-fueled aircraft design.
1954: At the Army-McCarthy hearings, attorney Joseph Welch asks Senator Joseph McCarthy “Have you no sense of decency?”
1791 Birthday: John Howard Payne, American playwright and actor.

State Timelines:
Even though it is hard to tell what made people move or disappear, these are just a few possibilities.
West Virginia:
1732: Scots-Irish, Welsh & Germans began to settle
1744: Scots-Irish from Pennsylvania moved into Brooke County
1766: Morgantown destroyed by Indian raids