VGS News & Events: 1 October 2017 through 7 October 2017

October Is Family History Month:

September 2017 Tech SIG Meeting
Note: This was taken with and iPhone using the new iOS 11 software.
I had to convert this file before I could use it. See why under Technology in this post.

Coming Events:

Monday: October 2, 2017
Jewish Genealogy SIG Meeting:
10:00 AM in the MacArthur Room at the Eisenhower Recreation Center

Topic: "My Sephardic Links" Herb Siegel

Wednesday: October 4, 2017

French Canadian Genealogy SIG Meeting:

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

Thursday: October 5, 2017

Eastern European Genealogy SIG Meeting:

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

Friday: October 6, 2017

British Genealogy SIG Meeting

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

VGS Announces Western Caribbean Cruise

January 5 - 12, 2019
Aboard the Norwegian Cruise Line "EPIC"
More info and to Download the Cruise Info Packet HERE...

Latest News & Announcements:

Shared cM Project 2017 Update Combined Chart:

DNAeXplained
"The original goal of Blaine Bettinger’s Shared cM Project was to document the actual shared ranges of centiMorgans found in various relationships between testers in genetic genealogy. Previously, all we had were academically calculated models which didn’t accurately really reflect the data that genetic genealogists were seeing."
Continue reading...

Maine Irish fundraise to bring Ancestry DNA tests to Galway:

IrishCentral
"The Maine Irish are funding DNA testing for locals in Carna, Co. Galway, in attempts to link  900-plus members of the Maine Gaeltacht Project with their Irish heritage and ancestry."
Continue reading...

New England Genealogy: Tips from David Lambert:

Amy Johnson Crow
"New England genealogy research is different than that in other areas of the United States. I recently spoke with David Allen Lambert, Chief Genealogist of the New England Historic Genealogical Society for his tips on getting started."
Continue reading...

Family Tree DNA Sale, MyHeritage Transfers and Hurricane Fundraiser:

DNAeXplained
"As many of you know, the owners of Family Tree DNA, a Houston company, have committed a percentage of their sales during the month of September for donation to hurricane Harvey disaster relief efforts. A daily running total is displayed at the top of their page."
Continue reading...

Recording Your Research in Easy Steps:

Genealogists.com
"Recording family history research is probably the one area that many beginners think little about. They may add a tree online with companies such as Ancestry etc., but there is so much more you can do to keep your research organised."
Continue reading...

How to Conduct Successful Google Searches:

Genealogists.com
"The first thing fledgling genealogists do if they have disposable income is to subscribe to any or many of the fee-based databases for genealogical research.  It makes sense.  These are the companies that collect, index, and disseminate information we so passionately want.  But is this the wisest path for amateur or professional genealogists?"
Continue reading...

WHO WAS SHE? A DNA TEST ONLY OPENED NEW MYSTERIES.

The Washington Post
"Five years ago, Alice Collins Plebuch made a decision that would alter her future — or really, her past.
She sent away for a “just-for-fun DNA test."
Continue reading...
Editor's Note: If you are interested in DNA and/or adoption, this is a must read.

PBS’ Finding Your Roots Returns October 3 at 8/7c:

Ancestry
"A brand new season of PBS’ hit show Finding Your Roots, hosted by Henry Louis Gates, Jr., premieres on Tuesday, October 3 at 8/7c.
This star studded season features some of our favorite comedians, journalists, and A-list celebrities. Catch the season teaser HERE:"
Continue reading...

Citrus County Genealogical Society Meeting:

CCGS
"The Citrus County Genealogical Society will meet October 10 at 10:00 AM at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 3474 W. Southern St., Lecanto. The presentation will be “Exploring Ancestry Academy on Ancestry.com. The Academy offers 116 short videos of a few minutes on a variety of topics. We will view a few of them. Also there are 44 nationally known genealogy instructors who present longer video classes. We will view one of these. Guests are welcome to attend. For information go to www.citrusgenealogy.com or call Mary Ann Machonkin at 382-5515"

Technology:

iOS 11's New Image Format Might Pose Problems For PC Users:

The Verge
"Apple is launching iOS 11 today, which means millions of iPhone users are about to upgrade their device’s software. Every iOS update comes with a host of changes, but some are not immediately obvious. Apple upgraded millions of iOS devices to a new modern file system earlier this year, and today it’s starting to roll out a new image file format with iOS 11 that could be troublesome to Windows users."
Continue reading...

Family Tree Maker Update:

MacKiev Software
1. A full German language edition of FTM 2017 is underway.
2. It's been two months since the official release of FTM 2017 and we're finishing up a free update (version 23.1) for release in the next three weeks or so.
3. October 1st is the last day to upgrade to FTM 2017 for a 50% discount if you haven't already. Now is the time to make your move — upgrade from ANY previous edition for just $39.95 (vs. $79.95 regular price).

Education:

The Secrets of the 1840 Census, Revealed:

Ancestral Findings
"Have you explored the 1840 U.S. federal census in your genealogy research? If not, you should. Here is a list of amazing family history information it contains."
Continue reading... 4.34 minutes

Upcoming Webinars:

No Easy Button: Using “Immersion Genealogy” to Understand Your Ancestors:

Legacy Family Tree Webinars
"Learn how to go beyond the same old research strategies through “immersion genealogy” to further understand your ancestors’ lives."
Wednesday, October 4, 2017 at 2:00 p.m.
Presenter: Lisa Alzo M.F.A
Learn more or Register for this webinar...

October 6th is Family History Day at Legacy Family Tree Webinars:
You can attend as many as you want...

Sweden's Multiple Naming Systems and How They Changed in the 1800s:

Legacy Family Tree Webinars
"This lecture will demonstrate the complexity of names and potential pitfalls regarding names in one particular culture—Sweden. It will raise awareness about personal names and present a broadly applicable strategy for getting names right in genealogical work. Presented live at the Family History Library in Salt Lake City and sponsored by the Board for Certification of Genealogy."
Friday, October 6, 2017 at 11:00 a.m.
Presenter: Martha Garrett, CG
Learn more or Register for this webinar...

Past Conflict Repatriation: The Role of Genealogists and Methodology in Fulfilling Our Nation’s Promise:

Legacy Family Tree Webinars
"Learn about the repatriation program and the techniques genealogists use to locate family members and DNA reference samples for missing service members from past conflicts. Presented live at the Family History Library in Salt Lake City and sponsored by the Board for Certification of Genealogy."
Friday, October 6, 2017 at 12:15 p.m.
Presenter: Jeanne Bloom, CG
Learn more or Register for this webinar...

Reasonably Exhaustive Research of African American Families That Came Out of Slavery:

Legacy Family Tree Webinars
"The first component of the Genealogical Proof Standard is the conduct of reasonably exhaustive research. This lecture will highlight the sources and strategies available to meet this requirement in the case of African American ancestors who were enslaved."
Friday, October 6, 2017 at 1:30 p.m.
Presenter: LaBrenda Garrett-Nelson, JD, LLM, CG
Learn more or Register for this webinar...

Using Timelines for Correlation and Analysis:

Legacy Family Tree Webinars
"Timelines are one of many tools a genealogist can use to display evidence in the determination of proof arguments. This lecture explores the strategic aspect of the use of timelines and their relationship to the Genealogical Proof Standard, analysis and correlation."
Friday, October 6, 2017 at 3:30 p.m.
Presenter: Jill Morelli, CG
Learn more or Register for this webinar...

Land, Licenses, Love Gone Wrong, and Other Assorted Courthouse Records:

Legacy Family Tree Webinars
"This lecture explores the rich resources found within courthouse walls and examines how these records can add to the genealogical search. Presented live at the Family History Library in Salt Lake City and sponsored by the Board for Certification of Genealogy."
Friday, October 6, 2017 at 4:45 p.m.
Presenter: Ann Staley, CG, CGL
Learn more or Register for this webinar...

Systematically Using Autosomal DNA Test Results to Help Break Through Genealogical Brick Walls:

Legacy Family Tree Webinars
"A case study set in the early 1800s demonstrates methodology for using autosomal DNA test results to help solve longstanding genealogical problems. Presented live at the Family History Library in Salt Lake City and sponsored by the Board for Certification of Genealogy."
Friday, October 6, 2017 at 6:00 p.m.
Presenter: Tom Jones, Ph.D, CG, CGL
Learn more or Register for this webinar...

VGS Latest News & Tips: 1 November 2016

Tomorrow: November 2, 2016

French Canadian Genealogy SIG Meeting:

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

Seats Still Available For The Afternoon Special Event On November 16th.

2:00 pm to 3:20 pm

Rhett Butler Room at the Savannah Regional Recreation Center

Guest Speaker: Michael Lacopo

Presentation: "How to Overcome Brick Walls in German Records."

We still have room for about 50 people.

Contact Bernie Guenther at bdguenther39@gmail.com to get a seat assignment.

 

October was Family History Month!

But do you know how it began or who had the original idea? It was one of our very own members, Nancy Heydt.

Nancy Heydt, formerly from NJ and now a member of The Villages Genealogical Society received an award in 2013 honoring her dedication to genealogy and genealogists.  Here’s the announcement made at the time …

... It is said that we stand on the shoulders of giants, that we do not walk this earth alone.  Nowhere is that more applicable than in historical and genealogical research.  So it’s with that thought in mind that the Monmouth County Genealogy Society has established the Barbara Carver Smith Distinguished Service Award. The award was named for one of our founding members who passed away in 2004.  Barbara Carver Smith was a certified genealogist (CG) and taught at adult schools and community colleges, and also organized genealogical workshops in the 1970’s.  She was a pioneer in the Monmouth County genealogical community.

The award “is bestowed upon an individual or organization which has, through exceptional efforts, dedication and scholarly research, advanced the knowledge of, access to and greater understanding of Monmouth County genealogy and family history, within this particular community and the public at large.”

Our inaugural recipient is Nancy Heydt.  She will be recognized at Monmouth County Archives Day on October 12, 2013.  Nancy was a founding member of the Monmouth County Genealogy Club, the forerunner of the Monmouth County Genealogy Society.   She was its first president, chaired several committees and co-served as President for a second time.   She wrote the Beekman Index, Updated, and was a frequent submitter to The Monmouth Connection, including many of the “Let’s Visit” columns.  She has also had articles published in national genealogy magazines.

The Speakers Bureau of MCGS was started in 1989 when Nancy spoke at the LDS workshop on “Writing Your Own Life Story”.  In 1983, before the organization of MCGS, Nancy started teaching classes in beginning genealogy during lunchtime at her place of work.  She also taught in the Neptune Adult School and in workshops given by the Church of Latter Day Saints in Toms River.  It was Nancy’s idea to start a Memoirs Group within MCGS, and she was instrumental in establishing the highly successful essay contest for 5th and 6th graders during Family History Month.

In 1990 it was Nancy Heydt who created the concept of October as Family History Month, which in the beginning was only celebrated in Monmouth County.  She then had it listed in Chase’s Book of Annual Events, and soon Governor Florio recognized it at the state level.  By 2001, Senator Orrin Hatch (R-UT) passed legislation that officially commemorated October as Family History Month, and the United States Senate made it a national celebration in 2002.  Nancy was then recognized by the Federation of Genealogy Societies with their Distinguished Service Award for fostering this important designation.  She was also awarded a Certificate of Excellence by the League of Historical Societies of New Jersey.

It all begins with a spark of genius and overwhelming dedication.  And so we stand on the shoulders of giants.  Congratulations Nancy.

Dozens of Canadian First World War Veterans’ Widows Still Get Pensions:Global News
"Almost a century after the First World War ended, 54 Canadian women are still getting veterans' benefits linked to the war, Global News has learned."
Continue reading...

Genealogy Eastern Caribbean Cruise with the Smiths, Eastman and Donna Moughty:
CruiseEverything
"Your hosts, Gary and Diana Smith, invite you to join them and other world renowned genealogists on one of our private genealogy cruise groups.  You will enjoy genealogy programming and learning aboard a luxury cruise ship with other amateur and professional genealogists.  Travel is arranged by one of the oldest and largest cruise only agencies in the world, Cruise Everything."
Dates: 26 February to 5 March 2017.
Aboard the Five Star Celebrity Cruises Ship Celebrity Silhouette
Continue reading...

Attention "Legacy Family Tree" Users:
LFT
Legacy Family Tree Version 9 will be coming soon and there is a new book.
"Legacy Family Tree 9 Unlocked" by Geoff Rasmussen.
Techniques, Tips and Step-by-Steps for Using Legacy Family Tree to Record Your Genealogy. You will learn how to better utilize some of Legacy’s best features by shadowing the research process of professional genealogist and Legacy Family Tree developer, Geoff Rasmussen.
Pre-order the printed book by November 11, 2016 and get the electronic (PDF) version of the book FREE ($14.95 value, instant download delivery).
Continue reading...

What Is the Dark Web?
How-to-Geek
"There are two webs. There’s the normal web most people use every day, which is easily accessible and indexed by search engines. And then there’s the “dark web”–hidden websites that won’t show up when you search Google, and can’t be accessed without special software."
Continue reading...

This Day In History: 1 November
1512: Michelangelo’s painting on the Sistine Chapel ceiling is exhibited for the first time.
1755: A great earthquake at Lisbon, Portugal, kills over 50,000 people.
1923: Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company buys the rights to manufacture Zeppelin dirigibles.
1871 Birthday: Stephen Crane, poet and novelist (The Red Badge of Courage).

State Timelines:
Even though it is hard to tell what made people move or disappear, these are just a few possibilities.
Idaho:
1840's: Additional military forts opened
1840-1860: California trail brought settlers
1855: Mormons established Fort Lemhi

Many of our members are attending our first effort on running a genealogical cruise. Hopefully we will get some pictures soon. Stay tuned!