VGS News & Events: 7 July through 13 July 2019

Coming Events:
Monday, July 8, 2019  (Live Webinar)
Writing the Family Narrative: A Strategy for Breaking Down Brick Walls
7:00 pm to 8:00 pm
Our guest speaker will be: Rebecca Whitman Koford, CG, CGL

Please register for the webinar here...

Thursday: July 11, 2019

German Genealogy SIG Meeting

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

Friday: July 12, 2019

Genetic Genealogy SIG Meeting

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

Gen News and Announcements:

What is the Difference Between BillionGraves and Find A Grave? Part I: For Researchers

Billion Graves
"This blog post is the first of a two-part series. It focuses on how the differences between BillionGraves and Find A Grave impact research for genealogists."
Continue reading...

What is the Difference Between BillionGraves and Find A Grave? Part II: For Volunteers

Billion Graves

"This blog post is the second in a two-part series and it focuses on how BillionGraves and Find A Grave are different for those who volunteer to take photos and record gravestone data."

Continue reading...

New Free Historical Records on FamilySearch: Week of 1 July 2019

FamilySearch
"FamilySearch added new, free, historical records this week from Australia, Belgium, Canada, England, Italy, Peru, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, and the United States, including Arizona, California, Michigan, Montana, New Jersey, Oregon, and Pennsylvania."
Search Now...

9 Surprising Things About the U.S. Census Every Genealogist Should Know:

Family History Daily
"U.S. census records are a critically important part of just about any genealogical project – at least those involving ancestors who lived in the United States between 1790 and 1940. But, as with other sources, information noted in a census record can’t always be taken at face value."
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How to Save Your Family Treasures Before It’s Too Late:

Amy Johnson Crow
"Where to begin? As tempting as it is to start “organizing” right away, there are some things you need to take care of first."
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23andme Basics and an Update:

Kitty Cooper
"My favorite capabilities at 23andme are: finding new relatives with DNA and comparing them in the chromosome browser, looking at my ancestry composition in depth, and having the ability to look up specific genes. Most of the recent changes at 23andme are to the ancestry composition tools, specifically there is more granularity in the areas it shows for your ancestors’ origins."
Continue reading...

Technology:

How to Search All Your PC’s Files in Windows 10’s Start Menu:

How to Geek
"Windows 10’s May 2019 Update finally adds the ability to search all your PC’s files directly from your Start menu. However, this feature is disabled by default. Here’s how to enable it for quicker, easier file searches."
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Education:

Finding Ancestors with Common Surnames:

Ancestral Findings
"Do you have an ancestor with an incredibly common surname or a surname that is a place, verb, or noun? These people can be tricky to identify in old records. Join me today on the Ancestral Findings Podcast and I’ll give you some tips for searching for them, and finding them, in old newspaper records."
Listen now... 8.22 minutes

Webinars:

Prince Edward Island Repositories and Records

Legacy Family Tree
"We will review the different databases, repositories, and record collections for Prince Edward Island, Canada ancestors. This session will focus on Irish immigrants and the records they left behind."
Wednesday, July 10, 2019 at 8:00 p.m. Eastern
Presenter: Melanie McComb
Learn more or Register for this webinar...

DNA, Genealogy, and Privacy: Handling the Double-Edged Sword

Legacy Family Tree
"Has your concern for privacy prevented you or a family member for taking a DNA test? What about sharing your genealogy research data online with practical strangers (even though you might be related)? Especially as personal DNA testing increases in popularity, and with increased media attention about cold cases solved using DNA data and the use of genealogy databases, today’s genealogist needs to stay on top of the latest information concerning privacy. We’ll review the current status of privacy practices by the five major DNA test kit vendors, current laws and regulations, the role of law enforcement, and what we might expect to see related to privacy in the future."
Friday, July 12, 2019 at 2:00 p.m. Eastern
Presenter: Thomas MacEntee
Learn more or Register for this webinar...

VGS Latest News & Tips: 15 November 2016

Today: November 15, 2016

Board of Directors Meeting

9:00 AM at the Pinellas Library

Today: November 15, 2016

Italian Genealogy SIG Meeting

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

Tomorrow: November 16, 2016

Brick Wall SIG Meeting

8:30 AM in the Atlanta Room in the Savannah Center

Tomorrow: November 16, 2016

Mid-Atlantic States SIG Meeting has been cancelled
Tomorrow: November 16, 2016

General Monthly Meeting

9:30 AM in the Atlanta Room in the Savannah Center
Note time change due to our election for VGS President & Vice-President

Guest Speaker: Michael Lacopo

Topic: "More than the Census - Our Families Did Exist Within Those 10 Year Intervals."
Tomorrow: November 16, 2016

Special Event

2:00 PM in the Atlanta Room in the Savannah Center

Guest Speaker: Michael Lacopo

Topic: "How to Overcome Brick Walls in German Records"

Note: You must be registered with the German SIG Coordinator for this event. There are no seats available.

Tomorrow: November 16, 2016

New to Genealogy SIG Meeting

2:30 PM in the Chateaugay Room at the Chatham Recreation Center

Topic: "Using the Internet for Research"

An Elusive 2nd Cousin Match At Ancestry DNA:

Kitty Cooper
"When you are a genealogist with an extensive family tree and you get a 2nd cousin match at Ancestry DNA, you expect to be able to find the relationship fairly easily. Never mind that this is my 2nd cousin’s once removed MM’s kit and that the new match has no tree, surely such a close match will want be in touch and know more?"
Continue reading...

Introducing BillionGraves’ Veteran Finder:

BillionGraves
"BillionGraves is proud to announce the addition of the Veteran Finder tool on BillionGraves! This unique feature utilizes the power of GPS to locate Veterans in cemeteries all over the world!"
Continue reading...

Virginia Civil War Records Online:

Virginia Online
"The James I. Robertson Jr. Civil War Sesquicentennial Legacy Collection documents the people of our nation and commonwealth during the Civil War era as told through letters, diaries, photographs, and other manuscripts held in private collections."
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The Archive Lady: Framing Photographs:

The Archive Lady
"Judi from Tennessee sent in this question after reading the last installment of The Archive Lady: “I recently found this old family picture. I’d like to frame it (it is currently in an archival sleeve), but I am not sure what is needed to protect and preserve the photo!”
Continue reading...

How T-Mobile’s Free Music and Video Streaming Works:

How-to-Geek
"Data is data…except when it’s not. T-Mobile makes things a little confusing by giving you a certain amount of data, then offering unlimited music and video streaming that doesn’t count against the allowance–but only for certain services."
Continue reading...

This Day In History: 15 November

1626 The Pilgrim Fathers, who have settled in New Plymouth, buy out their London investors.
1777: The Articles of Confederation, instituting perpetual union of the United States of America, are adopted by Congress.
1805: Meriwether Lewis, William Clark and their party reach the mouth of the Columbia River, completing their trek to the Pacific.
1906 Birthday: Curtis LeMay, general in US Army Air Corps and later US Air Force; vice presidential running mate of George Wallace in 1968; credited with planning the strategic bombing campaign against Imperial Japan during WWII.

State Timelines:

Even though it is hard to tell what made people move or disappear, these are just a few possibilities.
Kansas:
1854: Kansas Territory established
1861: Admitted to the Union
1871: Kansas Pacific Railroad sole 47,000 acres in Dickinson County to the Scots, 32,000 in Clay County to the English and 19,000 in Riley County to the Welsh

VGS Latest News & Tips: 26 October 2016

Today: October 26, 2016

Brick Wall SIG Meeting

8:30 AM in the Rhett Butler in the Savannah Center

Today: October 26, 2016

General Monthly Meeting

10:00 AM in the Rhett Butler in the Savannah Center
Topic:"Little Known & Under Used Features of The VGS Website."

Today: National Archives Virtual Genealogy Fair:
NARA
"Today and tomorrow. the National Archives is hosting a two-day, virtual Genealogy Fair via webcast. Registration is not required."
More details...

Another Daniel Miller – A Y DNA Tale – 52 Ancestors #135
DNAeXplained
"Just when you think you have the family all straightened out, a left hook comes along, sneaks up and sucker-punches you."
Continue reading...

Explore Ancestry Videos, Ancestry DNA, and More!
Pinterest
"The world’s catalog of ideas..."
See what's available...
Editor's Note: You need a Pinterest account to view these files. It's free!

DNA + Genealogy = Adventure, Answers & Perspective:
Beyond the Branches
"Genetic genealogy has dramatically expanded the resource landscape for genealogists. Today DNA testing goes hand-in-hand with other genealogical records such as census’, wills and land grants as we follow the journey to learn about the lives of our ancestors.  Yet when it comes to  DNA,  it is far more personal."
Continue reading...

How to use the Billion Graves Index:
FindMyPast (Re-posted by Request)
"The Billion Graves index is a great resource if you're looking for information about your ancestor's death. The Billion Graves index includes over 12 million headstone records for the United States alone, and each entry includes a transcript of what's included in the record, a photograph of the gravestone, and GPS details of the location of the gravestone, so you don't have to leave the comfort of your home to see your ancestor's grave, which can save you a lot of time and money in your search."
Continue reading...

What Does "DAUGHTERED OUT" Mean?
familytree.com
"The phrase “daughtered out” is an interesting one because it combines concepts from genealogy and from sociology. The concept doesn’t have as big an impact today as it once did, mostly due to changes in how society views the importance of women."
Continue reading...

How to Change the Size and Color of the Mouse Pointer in Windows:
How-to-Geek
“Where the heck is my mouse pointer?” If you’ve asked yourself that question too many times, you can change the size and color of your mouse pointer to make it easier to find on the screen."
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This Day In History: 26 October
1774: The first Continental Congress, which protested British measures and called for civil disobedience, concludes in Philadelphia.
1825: The first boat on the Erie Canal leaves Buffalo, N.Y.
1881: Three Earp brothers and Doc Holliday have a shootout with the Clantons and McLaurys at the O.K. Corral in Tombstone, Arizona Territory.
1854 Birthday: Charles William Post, food manufacturer, creator of “Grape Nuts” and “Post Toasties.”

State Timelines:
Even though it is hard to tell what made people move or disappear, these are just a few possibilities.
Hawaii:
1852: Chinese contract laborers start to arrive
1860-1880: Chinese subject to public attacks
1870: Lepers transported to the island of Molokai

VGS Latest News & Tips: 4 October 2016

Tomorrow: October 5, 2016

French Canadian Genealogy SIG Meeting:

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

Genealogy News Episode 90:
Geneatopia
Patty Roy Podcast #90

• 23and Me
• Rockstar Genealogists Results
• Interview with Nathan Dylan Goodwin author of The Spyglass File
• More news reports
  Listen now...  35 minutes

How to use the Billion Graves Index:
FindMyPast
"The Billion Graves index is a great resource if you're looking for information about your ancestor's death. The Billion Graves index includes over 12 million headstone records for the United States alone, and each entry includes a transcript of what's included in the record, a photograph of the gravestone, and GPS details of the location of the gravestone, so you don't have to leave the comfort of your home to see your ancestor's grave, which can save you a lot of time and money in your search."
Continue reading...

Genealogy Tips: Debunking Myths About Cemetery Research:
GenealogyBank
"In this article, Gena Philibert-Ortega shows some steps to take when researching cemeteries to learn more about your ancestors."
Continue reading...

Local History: Unearthed Copley Headstone Is Mystery Beyond Grave:
Ohio.com
"While clearing an overgrown field, a Copley Township landowner has unearthed a mystery that goes beyond the grave. Huce Beach Jr., 70, of Akron, discovered a 19th century headstone buried in underbrush on the 1.8-acre tract that has belonged to his family for at least 60 years. "
Continue reading...

The Best New Features in iOS 10 (and How to Use Them):
How-to-Geek
"iOS 10 is one of the biggest upgrades Apple has made to their mobile operating system. If you’re overwhelmed by all the new and upgraded features in iOS 10 you’re certainly not alone–but have no fear, we’ve been playing with it for months, and we’re happy to highlight all the really great features you should be using right now."
Continue reading...

This Day In History: 4 October
1874: Kiowa leader Satanta, known as “the Orator of the Plains,” surrenders in Darlington, Texas. He is later sent to the state penitentiary, where he commits suicide on October 11, 1878.
1905: Orville Wright pilots the first flight longer than 30 minutes. The flight lasted 33 minutes, 17 seconds and covered 21 miles.
1957: Sputnik 1, the first man-made satellite, is launched, beginning the “space race.” The satellite, built by Valentin Glushko, weighed 184 pounds and was launched by a converted Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM). Sputnik orbited the earth every 96 minutes at a maximum height of 584 miles. In 1958, it reentered the earth’s atmosphere and burned up.
1822 Birthday: Rutherford B. Hayes, 19th president of the U.S. (1877-1881).

State Timelines:
Even though it is hard to tell what made people move or disappear, these are just a few possibilities.
District of Columbia:
1788: Congress given authority over district not to exceed ten square miles in size.
1792: Cornerstone of White House laid
1793: Cornerstone of Capital building laid
1800: Capital transferred from Philadelphia to Washington D.C.

VGS Latest News & Tips: 12 Mar 2015

Meeting Reminder - Tomorrow, March 13:

Genetic Genealogy SIG Meeting

10:00 AM in the Charleston Room at the Savannah Center.

NGS to Live Stream Conference: The National Genealogical Society will provide live streaming of two tracks of their upcoming conference in May. This will allow you attend the conference at a more affordable cost. Registration is required.

May 14th -- The Immigration & Naturalization Process
May 15th -- Methodology Techniques

Day One: The Immigration & Naturalization Process

Day one offers information on immigration and naturalization records, uncovering the immigrants story, and useful hints on how to discover their home town.

Day Two: Methodology Techniques

Join us for day two, which includes learning methodology techniques for use with historical context, forensic genealogy, DNA, and problem solving using a combination of resources.

Read more...

MyHeritage and BillionGraves Team Up to Digitally Preserve the World's Cemeteries: BillionGraves is a free iOS and Android application that lets users easily photograph and document gravestones, providing an important source of information for people intrigued about their ancestors and family history. All records collected are made available for free on the BillionGraves and MyHeritage websites. MyHeritage users will receive documentation about the project and will be able to download the application via a special website designed for this project.