VGS Latest News & Tips: 28 October 2015

Today: Wednesday, October 28, 2015

Brick Wall SIG Meeting

8:30 AM in the Atlanta Room in the Savannah Center
Today: Wednesday, October 28, 2015

General Monthly Meeting

10:00 AM in the Atlanta Room in the Savannah Center

Exploring Your Options: 10 Fantastic Resources for Family History Education!
FindMyPast
"When it comes to family history, there are thousands of options online to explore. You can spend hours just sifting through the "how-to" articles alone. The team at Findmypast got together and decided to make this step a bit simplier, so here are ten resources for getting you going, and continuing the flow of learning."
Continue reading...

U.S. National Archives Virtual Genealogy Fair Online:
National Archives
"Welcome to the U.S. National Archives and Records Administration 2015 Virtual Genealogy Fair! This was a live broadcast on October 21 & 22, 2015."
Day 1: Watch Video... (Over 4 hours)
Day 2: Watch Video... (Over 5 hours)

Six Unbelievable, But True, Facts About Colonial Life:
Ancestry.com
"For Americans living today, the Colonial era is a time of myth and legend. Because the days when the Founding Fathers lived are so central to our country’s history, we sometimes forget what life was like for ordinary colonists. Today we might find it hard to believe that like modern generations, the colonists dealt with premarital sex, pregnancy, and blended families, along with some hardships (short lifespans, dying children) that we might have a hard time understanding. By searching your family’s history, you might be able to uncover how many of these startling issues your own ancestors encountered and survived. "
Continue reading...

Genealogy Roadshow Returns:
Season 3 will begin airing on your local PBS station on May 17, 2016 at 8:00 pm EST featuring Boston, Providence, Miami, Houston #Albuquerque and Los Angeles. More details later...

The Real Reasons Why Your Immigrant Ancestors Changed Their Names:
Crestleaf
"You’ve probably heard this story from at least one of your family members: “Your ancestors’ names were changed by inspectors at Ellis Island.” Though this theory behind ancestral name changes is still a popular one, there is historical evidence that tells a different tale."
Continue reading...

This Day In History: October 28
1793: Eli Whitney applies for a patent on the cotton gin, a machine which cleans the tight-clinging seeds from short-staple cotton easily and effectively–a job which was previously done by hand.
1863: In a rare night attack, Confederates under Gen. James Longstreet attack a Federal force near Chattanooga, Tennessee, hoping to cut their supply line, the "cracker line." They fail.
1886: The Statue of Liberty, originally named Liberty Enlightening the World, is dedicated at Liberty Island, N. Y., formerly Bedloe’s Island, by President Grover Cleveland
1914 Birthday: Jonas Salk, U.S. scientist who developed the first vaccine against polio.This Day In History: October 28

VGS Latest News & Tips: 23 October 2015

A New, Easier Way to Start a Skype Conversation and Invite Anyone to Join:
Skype
"Today, we’re excited to announce something new – a small change that will make a big difference to how people use Skype every day. We’ve started to roll-out the ability for users to invite anyone to join a Skype chat by sharing a unique link – send it however you want, in an email, on Facebook, WhatsApp, Messenger or Twitter."
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Send Us Your Stories for a Chance to Win a Kindle!
MyHeritage
"Do you have a family history discovery story that you'd like to share? We'd love to hear it! Share your story for a chance to win one of three Kindles, and to have your story featured on our blog! To enter, send us an email with your story, to stories@myheritage.com by October  31."
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Census Search Secrets:
Ancestry.com
"In the case of censuses, census enumerators would have had to pass rigorous exams, be multi-lingual, and have perfect penmanship. Alas, this was not the case. Enumerators were often political appointees who just happened to have the right connections, and anyone who has worked with census records can attest that nice handwriting was definitely not a requirement!"
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12 Months of Fascinating Family Finds: September 2015 Recap:
Crestleaf
"The Most Fascinating Family Finds for September 2015. We’re happy to see so many of you stepping up to the plate by researching your family history and documenting your findings along the way."
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71 Forgotten Recipes for Pancakes and Cereal:

Barry Elwell

"Recipes in this sampling represent over 50 cookbooks from 1832 to 1928 and are represented exactly as they were presented in in the original cookbook.  No correction has been made for grammar, spelling, or punctuation. The recipes are provided for your enjoyment. If you choose to try any recipes, you do so at your own risk without guarantee of satisfaction."

Continue reading...

This Day In History: October 23:
1641: Rebellion in Ireland. Catholics, under Phelim O’Neil, rise against the Protestants and massacred men, women and children to the number of 40,000 (some say 100,000).
1918: President Wilson feels satisfied that the Germans are accepting his armistice terms and agrees to transmit their request for an armistice to the Allies. The Germans have agreed to suspend submarine warfare, cease inhumane practices such as the use of poison gas, and withdraw troops back into Germany.
1929: The first transcontinental air service begins from New York to Los Angeles.
1869 Birthday: John Heisman, American college football coach for whom the Heisman Trophy is named.

VGS Latest News & Tips: 21 October 2015

Today: Wednesday, October 21, 2015

New to Genealogy SIG Meeting

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

10 Simple Tips to Start Researching Your Family History:
Crestleaf
"The following guidelines will put you on a plan to kickstart your family history research, plus help you develop good research habits that you can pass on to your family members."
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BARNES OLD CEMETERY: An Abandoned Graveyard Being Reclaimed By Nature:
Flickering Lamps
"Most of the information to be found about the burial ground is negative.  One or two posts on online forums warn that it’s a known cruising spot, and others slam its state as being disrespectful to those buried there.  It was with some trepidation, then, that I made my way to Barnes Common in search of this abandoned cemetery."
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Tip: Finding Women in Civil War Photos:
Fold3
"Did you know that you can find photos of women in Fold3's collections Civil War Photos and Brady Civil War Photos?
While it's true that these collections are composed predominately of photos of men, there are numerous photos of women if you know how to look. One way to look is by simply browsing, but as it can take quite some time to go through the collections photo by photo, a faster way is to search, limiting your results to the Civil War photo collections."
Continue reading...

Firefox is Killing Support for Browser Plugins, and That’s a Very Good Thing:
How-to-Geek
"Firefox used to lead the charge when it came to making a better web experience, but these days they are a little behind — thankfully the good news is that they are catching up quickly. Google Chrome and Microsoft Edge have both abandoned plugins and integrated Flash in a more direct way to make sure that it stays updated, and now Firefox is joining the party." Whis is this happening? "Browser plugins are the biggest security risk on your computer at this point. If you download and run something bad, nothing can really protect you."
Continue reading...

This Day In History: October 21
1837: Under a flag of truce during peace talks, U.S. troops siege the Indian Seminole Chief Osceola in Florida.
1872: The U.S. Naval Academy admits John H. Conyers, the first African American to be accepted.
1879: After 14 months of testing, Thomas Edison first demonstrates his electric lamp, hoping to one day compete with gaslight.
1833 Birthday: Alfred Nobel, inventor of dynamite and founder of the Nobel Prizes.

VGS Latest News & Tips: 9 October 2015

19th Annual Central Florida Family History Conference:

November 7, 2015: 9:00 am to 3:45 pm
Olympia High School, Orlando, Florida
Admission is $20.00 and includes the Conference Notebook. A Panera Bread lunch is available for $10.00. Register now as seating is limited. Register HERE.

A state of the art bus will be available from The Villages for $20.00 per person. Members may also arrange their own car pool.   Hear more about the conference HERE.
Lectures to choose from...

Bus Information:
A state-of-the-art bus will pick up conference goers about 7am on Saturday, Nov. 7 at the Wal-mart on Rt.27. It will also stop in Leesburg at the Palm Plaza shopping center (in front of Publix).

Return trip will start at 5pm. Cost is only $20 round trip. Send check made out to Karen Jorgensen, and mail to Karen Jorgensen, PO Box 1713, Windermere, FL 34786. No refunds. Your seat is not reserved until your check is received! Only 58 seats available so hurry! It will be fun! Call Karen at 407-299-5882 if you have questions!
Download: Conference Flyer

Editor's Note: I have attended this conference several times and it is one of the best annual seminars in Florida every year.

3 Great Reasons Why Every Genealogist Should Use Flickr:
Crestleaf
"The popular photo and video hosting website, Flickr, is a tool that has been added to my “genealogy toolbox.” It has a wealth of possibilities for the genealogist. (Did I mention Flickr is free?!)"
Continue reading...

Missouri Digital Collections:
"More than 9 million records can be accessed through Missouri Digital Heritage, including the collections of the Missouri State Archives, the Missouri State Library and other institutions from across the state." Hint: Click on "Quick Links" on their menu bar.
Start your research...

Top 9 Family Heirlooms:
MyHeritage
"Family heirlooms are artifacts that provide comfort and a sense of connection to our heritage. They illustrate our family histories and provide memories of our loved ones."
Continue reading...

Genealogy: Researching Church Records:

Barry Elwell
"Church registers are often the only way to determine birth, marriage, and death dates in the years before states started to keep vital records. They are a valuable substitute when vital records do not exist. Most churches keep their own records, but libraries usually have a number of books, copies of church records, a few manuscript volumes of original records, and microfilmed church records."
Continue reading...

Your Family Story Could Be The Best Thing On Television:
Ancestry.com
We heard some amazing customer stories for our recent TV campaign. And we'd love to hear yours, too.
Make a simple, short video sharing how you used Ancestry and AncestryDNA together to find your family history and you could star in our upcoming TV commercial. Deadline is October 13, 2015.
Continue reading...

This Day In History: 9 October
1781: Americans begin shelling the British surrounded at Yorktown.
1825: The first Norwegian immigrants to America arrive on the sloop Restaurationen.
1888: The Washington Monument, designed by Robert Mills, opens to the public.
1940 Birthday: John Lennon, musician, singer, songwriter; one of the Beatles ("Imagine," "Give Peace a Chance").

VGS Latest News & Tips: 8 October 2015

Today: Thursday, October 8, 2015

German Genealogy SIG Meeting

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

Citing Genealogical Sources Correctly: Why It’s Crucial to Your Research:
Crestleaf
"Researching your family history can be quite the eye-opening and rewarding experience. And it isn’t for the faint of heart, either! Whether you’re new to genealogy research or a seasoned family historian, you know how much time and dedication is needed to uncover the hidden mysteries of your family and fill in the branches of your family tree."
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University of Manitoba’s Digital Archives Contain Newspapers, Military, and Prairie History:
Genealogy à la carte
"If you have an ancestor who lived in Manitoba you should definitely explore the University of Manitoba’s UM Digital Collection that contains more than 75,000 digital materials, such as newspapers, correspondence, photos, books, and film."
Continue reading...

Manage your Research with Evernote and Tags:
MCG
"Evernote is an amazing tool for managing genealogical research. With Evernote you’ll not only have all your research with you wherever you go, but you can have any item of information in front of your eyes in just seconds."
Continue reading...

Rachel Dolezal isn't Alone – My Family History Proves Choosing a Racial Definition is Hard:
Theguardian
"How do you determine who is black? Is it simply a matter of inheritance – you are what your parents are? Does having a black grandparent make a person black? Must she have been raised as black, in a black community? Is one black ancestor, one drop of blood, enough?"
Continue reading...

This Day In History: 8 October
1871: The Great Chicago Fire begins in southwest Chicago, possibly in a barn owned by Patrick and Katherine O’Leary. Fanned by strong southwesterly winds, the flames raged for more than 24 hours, eventually leveling three and a half square miles and wiping out one-third of the city. Approximately 250 people were killed in the fire; 98,500 people were left homeless; 17,450 buildings were destroyed.
1918: US Army corporal Alvin C. York kills 28 German soldiers and captures 132 in the Argonne Forest; promoted to sergeant and awarded US Medal of Honor and French Croix de Guerre.
1921: First live radio broadcast of a football game; Harold W. Arlin was the announcer when KDKA of Pittsburgh broadcast live from Forbes Field as the University of Pittsburgh beat West Virginia University 21–13.
1890 Birthday: Eddie Rickenbacker, U.S. fighter pilot in World War I, aviation pioneer.

VGS Latest News & Tips: 14 September 2015

Today: Monday, September 14, 2015

Family Tree Maker Uses SIG Meeting

2:30 PM at the Chatham Recreation Center
Note: Due to renovations at Mulberry Grove this month's meeting time and location have been changed.
Tomorrow: U.S. Probates and Will Records LIVE Facebook Chat:
Ancestry.com
"Join us for a live Facebook chat with our professional genealogists to have your U.S. Probates and Will questions answered! We will host a one hour chat on Tuesday, September 15th at 12PM PT / 3PM ET to 1PM PT / 4PM ET."
Continue reading...

How to Use Google Photos to Store an Unlimited Amount of Photos:
How-to-Geek

"Google Photos offers unlimited storage for your photos and videos, a slick website, and automatic-upload apps for Android, iPhone, Windows, and Mac. It’s a great option for storing your photos."
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7 Reasons Why You Can’t Find Your Ancestors Online:
Crestleaf
Can’t Find Your Ancestor? Avoid These Online Research Mistakes...
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1906-1912: Ellis Island Portraits
Mashable.com
"While most entrants to Ellis Island answered a few questions and passed through to the mainland within a few hours, some were detained on the island for longer periods. Augustus Francis Sherman was the chief registry clerk at Ellis Island, and an avid amateur photographer. He had special access to the immigrants who were temporarily detained while waiting on escorts, money or travel tickets. Sherman persuaded many of these immigrants to pose for his camera, encouraging them to put on their finest clothes or national dress."
Continue reading...

Legal battle over manuscript kept under lock and key since 1836:
The Guardian
"François-René de Chateaubriand instructed his memoir draft be destroyed and gave it to lawyers for safe keeping, now the firm wants to sell it. It has been described as a courtroom battle from beyond the grave: a complex literary saga of locked safes, secret keys and the 160-year-old question over who owns the original manuscript of the memoirs of the great French Romantic writer François-René de Chateaubriand."
Continue reading...

This Day in History: September 14
1812: Napoleon Bonaparte’s invasion of Russia reaches its climax as his Grande Armee enters Moscow–only to find the enemy capital deserted and burning, set afire by the few Russians who remained.
1814: Francis Scott Key writes the words to the "Star Spangled Banner" as he waits aboard a British launch in the Chesapeake Bay for the outcome of the British assault on Fort McHenry during the War of 1812.
1847: U.S. forces under Gen. Winfield Scott capture Mexico City, virtually bringing the two-year Mexican War to a close.
1921 Birthday: Constance Baker Motley, first African-American woman to be appointed a federal judge.

VGS Latest News & Tips: 20 August 2015

Tomorrow: Friday, August 21, 2015

Scandinavian Genealogy SIG Meeting

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

7 Reasons Why You Can’t Find Your Ancestors Online:
Crestleaf
"Researching your family’s history has become increasingly easier thanks to the power of the internet. Whether you’ve opted to search online census records, library collections, or Flickr for old family photos, you’ve likely found some ancestors along the way. But what if you continue to painstakingly search online for an ancestor, and are repeatedly unsuccessful?"
Continue reading...

Tonight: Florida State Genealogical Society Aug 20 Webinar - "Where You Are Depends on When You Are: Resources for Finding American Ancestors in Time&Space"
"Political boundaries change over time, and sometimes dramatically so. Our ancestors may never have moved, yet these boundaries could have shifted around them, causing them to live in multiple different jurisdictions even though they were born and died in the same house."
Join us for this informative presentation
Thursday, August 20, 2015
8:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. ET
Guest Speaker: KC Reid
KC Reid is a professional genealogist specializing in tracking American ancestral lines to the immigrant ancestors and creating narratives that reflect the lives and times of those ancestors.
You must pre-register to attend:
There is no fee to attend. You will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.
Register here...

CWGC Releases 600,000 Records of WW2 Casulties:
irish genealogy news
"To mark VJ Day* (15 August) the Commonwealth War Graves Commission has released some 600,000 records of Irish, British and Commonwealth casualties from the Second World War, together with records for most other nationals commemorated at CWGC sites: this includes the records for German soldiers."
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Genealogy: Symbolism on U.S. Military Headstones:
Barry J. Elwell
"The United States Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) maintains many cemeteries specifically devoted to veterans. Most have various rules regarding what must take place in order to be interred there. The VA only permits graphics on Government-furnished headstones or markers that are approved emblems of belief, the Civil War Union Shield, the Civil War Confederate Southern Cross of Honor, and the Medal of Honor insignia. The following is an overview of the symbolism of U.S. veteran graves:"
Continue reading...

How to Configure a POP3 Email Account in Windows 10:
How-to-Geek
"Even though most of the included Windows 10 apps have already garnered their fair share of negative press, some of the core pieces of the puzzle like the Mail and Calendar apps have proven themselves as worthy additions to the overall lineup. We’ve already shown you how to get your Gmail account working in the Mail app, however, if you run your own email server or rent one from another independent provider, setting up a POP3 email account can be a bit more complicated than a standard configuration."
Continue reading...

August 20: This Day In History
1619: The first group of twenty Africans is brought to Jamestown, Virginia.
1794: American General "Mad Anthony" Wayne defeats the Ohio Indians at the Battle of Fallen Timbers in the Northwest territory, ending Indian resistance in the area.
1913: 700 feet above Buc, France, parachutist Adolphe Pegond becomes the first person to jump from an airplane and land safely.
1833 Birthday: Benjamin Harrison, 23rd President of the United States and grandson of President William Henry Harrison.

VGS Latest News & Tips: 19 August 2015

If You Grew Up in the 1960s, You Definitely Wore These Things:
Crestleaf
"As you organize family photos to add to your family tree, it can be quite enjoyable to flip through old photo albums as you gawk and giggle at the clothing styles of yesteryear. But whether baby boomers know it or not, the popular fashion trends of the 1960s are making a big comeback in today’s fashion world."
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Online Historical Newspaper Collection of the Day - Peel's Prairie Provinces:
The Ancestor Hunt
"One of my two most favorite things about genealogical research is finding stories about my ancestors in old newspapers. These treasures can be found either via online searches or by browsing microfilm and/or newsprint at libraries and archives."
Continue reading...

Genealogy: 1920 U.S. Federal Census Tutorial
Barry J. Elwell
"This is a comprehensive tutorial for researching the 1920 U.S. federal census. You will be introduced to what I have used and shared with thousands to successfully find generations of family. Begin by learning how to use the census as a foundation to effective research, identify, map, and follow family through generations."
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Genealogy: 1920 Census Birth Year Reference Chart
Barry J. Elwell
"As you track your ancestor through the U.S. Federal Population Censuses, you can use age to help you."
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FamilySearch Undergoing Transformation That Will Change the Landscape of Genealogy:
LDS Living
"Brother Kehrer was a keynote speaker at the BYU Family History and Genealogy Conference Thursday morning, July 30. FamilySearch is a different organization today—focused on the customer and quickly delivering value,” he said. “Companies that change the fastest to meet customer needs today are the most effective.” Brother Kehrer said that FamilySearch is seeking to change the very landscape of genealogy."
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August 19: This Day In History
1692: Five women are hanged in Salem, Massachusetts after being convicted of the crime of witchcraft. Fourteen more people are executed that year and 150 others are imprisoned.
1812: The USS Constitution earns the nickname "Old Ironsides" during the battle off Nova Scotia that saw her defeat the HMS Guerriere.
1934: 38 million Germans vote to make Adolf Hitler the official successor to President von Hindenburg.
1931 Birthday: Willie Shoemaker, record-setting jockey (won 8,833 of 40,350 starts); received Mike Venezia Memorial Award for "extraordinary sportsmanship and citizenship" in 1990.

VGS Latest News & Tips: 13 August 2015

Today: Thursday, August 13, 2015

German Genealogy SIG Meeting

9:30 AM in the Reliance Room at the Late Miona Recreation Center.
Tomorrow: Friday, August 14, 2015

Genetic Genealogy SIG Meeting

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

The Start Menu Should Be Sacred (But It’s Still a Disaster in Windows 10:
How-to-Geek
"The Start Menu is a staple of the Windows experience and should be streamlined, efficient, and unmolested by the greater world beyond the operating system and programs it serves as a portal to. Microsoft brought the Start Menu back to the forefront in Windows 10 but they spoiled it in the process."
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City Directories are Fantastic Resources for Placing Your Ancestor at a Specific Place & Time:Ancestry.com
Search City Directories... You must be an ancestry.com subscriber.
Search now...

U.S. City Directories, 1821-1989: This database is a collection of directories for U.S. cities and counties in various years. The database currently contains directories for all states except Alaska.

5 Time-Saving Tips for Finding Ancestors’ Maiden Names:
Crestleaf
"If you’re deep into your family history research and are still unable to find some of your female ancestors, you’re not alone. There are actually good reasons as to why you and many others can’t seem to locate these elusive ladies from your familial past."
Continue reading...

12 Months of Fascinating Family Finds: July 2015 Recap:
Crestleaf
"A  couple months back, we announced our 12 Months of Fascinating Family Finds blogging challenge in hopes that we could give you a helpful nudge to stay on track with your family history research and blogging goals. We’re happy to see so many of you stepping up to the plate by researching your family history and documenting your findings along the way."
Continue reading...

This Day In History:1881: The first African-American nursing school opens at Spelman College in Atlanta, Georgia.
1889: The first coin-operated telephone is patented by William Gray.
1910: British nurse Florence Nightingale, famous for her care of British soldiers during the Crimean War, dies.

VGS Latest News & Tips: 12 August 2015

Tomorrow: Thursday, August 13, 2015

German Genealogy SIG Meeting

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

How to Prevent Windows 10 From Automatically Downloading Updates:
How-to-Geek
"Windows 10 PCs automatically check for updates and install any updates they find. You can take some control over this and have Windows 10 install updates on your schedule, but these options are hidden. Windows Update really wants to automatically update on Windows 10."
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Family Tree Maker 2014 SP6 Patch Notes :
A Patch was released for FTM2014 on 10 August 2015. It should be downloaded and installed.
More information can be found here...
If you need help with the update: look here...
Note: While I had no problem updating FTM on Windows 7 and 8.1, I am unable to upgrade FTM on Windows 10

Why You Should Be Searching Historic Newspapers Right Now:
Crestleaf
"Newspaper articles serve a dual purpose. One is that you can discover family relationships through obituaries, marriage announcements, birth announcements, etc. The second purpose is that you get a chance to discover family stories through articles about your ancestors."
Continue reading...

Try the Top 100 Genealogy Sites Mega-Search:
FamilyTree.com
"Do you have a favorite genealogy website that you frequently visit? Would you like to find more genealogy websites to check out? There is simple way to discover some that are brand new to you."
Continue reading...

1795 Time Capsule Opened, Centuries After Revere and Adams Buried It:
CNN
"More than 200 years after Samuel Adams and Paul Revere first buried it in Boston, it took an hour to remove all the objects crammed inside a tiny time capsule."
Continue reading...

Genealogists Share Heirlooms and Tell Stories from Their Family Tree:
FamilySearch Blog
"All families have heirlooms they hold dear. We cherish these physical objects because they represent a link to our past, a way to understand more about the people responsible for us being here today."
Continue reading...

This Day In History:
1896: Gold is discovered near Dawson City, Yukon Territory, Canada. After word reaches the United States in June of 1897, thousands of Americans head to the Klondike to seek their fortunes.
1898: The Spanish American War officially ends after three months and 22 days of hostilities.
1908: Henry Ford’s first Model T rolls off the assembly line.

VGS Latest News & Tips: 22 Apr 2015

Today: April 22, 2015

Brick Wall SIG Meeting

8:30 AM at the La Hacienda Center.

Today: April 22 2015

General Monthly Meeting - Deborah Fleming Guest Speaker

10:00 AM at the La Hacienda Center.

Meeting Reminder - Tomorrow, April 23:

New to Genealogy SIG Meeting

2:00 PM in the Gladiola Room at the Allamanda Recreation Center.

7 Places to Find Photographs of Your Ancestors:

Crestleaf
All genealogists wish for photographs of their ancestors. When we look at their photographs we get a sense of connection. We experience a sense of identity. Our ancestors’ stories become more real to us. These men and women of our past are no longer just names and dates on a family tree. But… Where do you find photographs of your ancestors?
Read more...

First Americans were Black Aborigines:

Who were the first Americans? Where did they come from? When did they first arrive here? This BBC documentary answers those questions. Scientist were stunned to find evidence of civilization in Brazil dating to around 50,000 years ago.
Watch video: 49 minutes

Jimmy B. Parker SLIG Scholarship:

SLIG
The Salt Lake Institute of Genealogy, sponsored by the Utah Genealogical Association, is pleased to announce that applications for the Jimmy B. Parker Scholarship are now being accepted.
The scholarship recipient will receive full tuition to the Salt Lake Institute of Genealogy 2016.
Read more...

Hillary Clinton Family Tree a Wake-Up Call for Genealogy:

Megan Smolenyak
Think before you merging family tree data!
Read more...

This Day in History:

1998: Disney's Animal Kingdom opens at Walt Disney World, near Orlando, Florida.
1993: Version 1.0 Of the Mosaic web browser is released.
1864: The United States Congress passes the Coinage Act of 1864 that mandates that the inscription "In God We Trust" be placed on all coins minted as United States currency.

VGS Latest News & Tips: 21 Apr 2015

Today: April 21, 2015

Italian Genealogy SIG Meeting

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

Meeting Reminder - Tomorrow, April 22:

Brick Wall SIG Meeting

8:30 AM in the La Hacienda Center.

Meeting Reminder - Tomorrow, April 22:

General Monthly Meeting - Deborah Fleming Guest Speaker

10:00 AM in the La Hacienda Center.

DNA Day Live Facebook Chat:

Join us for a live Facebook chat with AncestryDNA product managers and science team members, Anna Swayne, Kenny Freestone and Ross Curtis, who will answer your DNA questions for one hour on Thursday, April 23rd at 3:00 p.m.

Read more: 

4 Great Benefits of Preserving Family Pictures Digitally:

Crestleaf
One of the most pleasurable experiences of creating your family tree is sifting through old photo album after old photo album as you reminisce with loved ones on fond family memories. It can be an enjoyable activity for all ages, that is, until someone comes across a slew of yellowed, faded photos of particularly special moments of days past. How disappointing it is when this happens! The good news is that digital preservation can be a simple way to ensure that every documented family memory stays intact and accessible for years to come.
Read more...

President Lincoln Assassinated!!: The Firsthand Story of the Murder, Manhunt, Trial, and Mourning:

US National Archives Video: 1 hour
Historian Harold Holzer recaptures the drama of Lincoln’s assassination, the hunt for the conspirators and their military trial, and the nation’s mourning for the martyred president. Using original eyewitness reports, medical records, trial transcripts, newspaper articles, speeches, diary entries, and poems, Holzer reveals of one the most shocking and tragic events in our history.
Watch Presentation:
Note: The actual presentation starts at 7:56 minutes

Getting the Most from Your New Ancestor Discoveries:

AncestryDNA
Ready to start exploring your new Ancestor Discoveries? Here is your guide in pdf format.
Download the guide...

This Day in History:

1989: In Beijing, around 100,000 students gather in Tiananmen Square to commemorate Chinese reform leader Hu Taobang.
1965: The New York's world's fair opens for its 2nd and final season.
1918: German fighter ace man Fred von Richthofen, known as "The Red Baron", is shut down and killed over Vaux-sur-Somme in France.