VGS News & Events: May 2 through May 8, 2021

UPCOMING SIG MEETINGS

Monday, May 3
Jewish Genealogy SIG
10:00am – 11:50am
Coordinator:  Herb Siegel
Programs:  Phil Goldsmith

Monday, May 3
Italian SIG
Zoom Meeting – 1:00pm
Coordinator:  Mary Frances Gerace

Monday, May 3
RootsMagic SIG
Meeting Time:  2:30pm – 4:20pm
Meeting Location:  New Smyrna Beach Room @ Seabreeze Rec Center
Coordinator:  George Zitterell

Tuesday, May 4
Adoption & Missing Kin SIG
Zoom Meeting – 9:30am
Coordinators:  Anne Berg & Marcella Zorn

Wednesday, May 5
French Canadian Genealogy SIG
Meeting Time:  10:00am – 12:00pm
Meeting Location:  La Hacienda – Carmen Miranda Room + Zoom
Coordinator:  Jean Coleman

Thursday, May 6
Eastern European Genealogy SIG
Zoom Meeting – 1:00pm – 2:50pm
Coordinators:  Carol Myers & Marie Musialek

Friday, May 7
British Genealogy SIG
Zoom Meeting – 9:30am – 11:20am
Coordinators:  Pay Adams & Phyllis Sample

Saturday, May 8
African American Genealogy SIG
Zoom Meeting – 2:30pm – 4:20pm
Coordinator:  Carol LaSalle

NEWS & ANNOUNCEMENTS

Enter the #MomsInMyFamily Challenge for a Chance to Win!

blog.myheritage.com

With Mother’s Day around the corner, it’s time to celebrate our matriarchs with a new challenge! We want to see photos of the moms in your family, going as far back through the generations as you can. The winners will receive a free MyHeritage Complete plan! Continue reading …

WEBINARS

Comparing Australian Content on the Giant Genealogy Websites
Tuesday, May 4 @ 10:00pm (EDT)
Presenter:  Sunny Morton
What Australian records are available on different genealogy websites? See a comparative analysis of Australian historical record content and educational tools at MyHeritage, FamilySearch, Ancestry and Findmypast. This is a free FamilyTree webinar –– advance registration required –– click HERE.

Solving a Brick Wall with DNA – A Case Study
Wednesday, May 5 @ 2:00pm (EDT)
Presenter:  Larry W. Thomas
How I used both Mitochondrial and Autosomal DNA to prove a great grandmother’s maternal line. This is a free FamilyTree webinar –– advance registration required –– click HERE.

Researching the Descendants and Ancestors of the Weeping Time People
Friday, May 7 @ 2:00pm (EDT)
Presenter:  Brian Shelley
1859 bore witness to the largest single sale of human beings in the United States’ history. 440 people were sold over a 3 day period by Pierce Mease Butler to settle his enormous debts. This presentation covers the process in researching the descendants of the 400 souls who were sold, as well as the descendants of the 400+ enslaved people Pierce Mease Butler did not sell. This is a free FamilyTree webinar –– advance registration required –– click HERE.

EDUCATION

Upstairs, Downstairs

findmypast.com

Would you like to explore the history of the real Downton Abbey? Or perhaps Princess Diana’s childhood home? Choose a historical house to step back in time.

Downton Abbey (Highclere Castle)

Princess Diana’s Home (Althorp House)

RESEARCH

Is Accuracy Important in Genealogical Research?

genealogysstar.blogspot.com

You may wonder why I have to ask whether or not accuracy is important in genealogical research? The simple answer is that apparently there are a lot of people who simply ignore the fact that the information they enter into online family trees is not only inaccurate but entirely unsupported by a valid genealogical source document. Every item of information asserted in a family tree should be adequately supported by the historical record. In the case of almost all genealogy … continue reading

VGS News & Events: April 11 through April 17, 2021

UPCOMING VGS EVENTS

Monday, April 12

The Time Machine: Offbeat Resources for Family Historians

Live Zoom Webinar – 7:00 to 8:00 pm (EDT)

Guest Speakers:  Dear MYRTLE & Cousin Russ

Registration is required; visit the Coming Events page on our website for the registration link.

UPCOMING SIG MEETINGS

Monday, April 12

Italian Genealogy SIG

Meeting Time:  1:00pm – 2:20pm

Coordinator:  Mary Frances Gerace

Tuesday, April 13

Preserving Family History SIG

Zoom Meeting:  2:30pm – 4:20pm

Guest Speaker:  Bob Koltnow

Coordinators:  Nancy Schulta & Sharol Lewis

Wednesday, April 14

Irish Genealogy SIG

Zoom Meeting:   10:00am – 11:50am

Coordinator:  Tom Voyles

Wednesday, April 14

New to Genealogy SIG

Zoom Meeting:  2:30pm - 4:20pm

Coordinator:  Carol LaSalle

Thursday, April 15

New England Genealogy SIG

Zoom Meeting:  12:00pm – 1:30pm

Coordinator:   Christine Courtwright

Friday, April 16

Scandinavian Genealogy SIG

Zoom Meeting:   10:00am – 11:50am

Coordinator:  Per Andersson

OTHER EVENTS OF INTEREST

Thursday, April 15

Using PERSI Like a Pro

Live Webinar – 7:00 to 8:00 pm (EDT)

Presenter:  Cari A. Taplin, CG

Hosted by The Florida State Genealogical Society. Registration is required; visit FSGS for the registration link.

TECHNOLOGY

Have I been pwned?

This website came about after what was, at the time, the largest ever single breach of customer accounts – Adobe. All the data on this site comes from “breaches” where data is exposed to persons that should not have been able to view it. Find out if your email or phone is in a data breach. Click here.

How to Drop a Pin in Google Maps on Your Computer or Phone

howtogeek.com

There are two ways to drop a pin on a location in Google Maps on your Windows 10 PC or Mac. You can use the search bar to drop a pin automatically, or you can drop a pin on any location on the map manually. To start, open the … continue reading.

WEBINARS

The New and Improved Legacy Family Tree Webinars Website

Tuesday, April 13 @ 2:00pm (EDT)

Presenters:  Daniel Horowitz & Geoff Rasmussen

The genealogy webinar experience just got a whole lot better! Join Geoff Rasmussen as he guides you through the new look and layout of the Legacy Family Tree Webinars website. You’ll enjoy the same exception content with a friendly new interface that’s super easy to use. This is a free FamilyTree webinar – advance registration required – click HERE.

Jewish Genealogy with JewishGen.org

Wednesday, April 14 @ 8:00pm (EDT)

Presenter:  Deborah J. Kroopkin

Debbie Kroopkin will explain the structure and purpose of the many components of the website. She will address how to connect with other researchers, how to identify and learn about your town overseas, and how to search for ancestors. Her presentation will provide details that will help researchers glean as much information as possible from JewishGen.org. This is a free FamilyTree webinar – advance registration required – click HERE.

An African Canadian Family History Mystery

Friday, April 16 @ 2:00pm (EDT)

Presenter:  Mags Gaulden

A question about a family lore leads a scientist to question his surname. “Is my surname really my surname or is the lore correct, that my 2nd great grandfather was adopted?” Solving a 220 year old mystery using DNA turns this family upside down and introduces them to each other and to a rich family history with connections to slavery. This is a free FamilyTree webinar – advance registration required – click HERE.

RESEARCHING

FamilySearch.org

FamilySearch expanded its free online archives in March of 2021 with over 32 million new indexed family history records from all over the world. New historical records were added from Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Croatia, Denmark, the Dominican Republic, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ecuador, El Salvador, England, Finland, Franch … continue reading

Ancestry.com

During the week of 3 - 9 April, 2021, Ancestry.com added and updated their collections. New records include U.S. Confederate Officers Card Index, 1861-1865; Iowa, Grand Army of the Republic Membership Records, 1861-1949; North Carolina Revolutionary Pay Vouchers, 1779-1782; Arkansas Confederate Soldier Home, 18901963; Arkansas Ex-Confederate Pension Records, 1891-1939; Box Butte County, Nebraska, U.S., Funeral Home Records, 1919-1976; Nebraska, U.S., Index to Deaths, 1904-1955; and Nebraska, U.S., Index to Marriages, 1909-1955. To see the complete list which includes newly updated records, click HERE.

United States Census Bureau

Interactive Apportionment Map Preview Now Available (March 22, 2021)

The U.S. Census Bureau launched a new online map ahead of the 2020 Census apportionment results release. The “Historical Apportionment Data Map” currently displays apportionment results for each census from 1910 to 2010. 2020 Census apportionment results will be added to the map as they become available. Continue reading …

Sourcing history

legalgenealogist.com

Like any other research …

Like every good genealogist who ever lived, The Legal Genealogist is a history geek. We need to be able to properly understand our research subjects –– and the records they left –– in the context of their time and place where they lived and where those records were created. So it’s fun to sometimes just sit back and do a quick search to see what happened on a particular day in history. There are, after all, lots of websites out there that will present a list of … continue reading.

VGS News & Events: April 4 through April 10, 2021

UPCOMING SIG MEETINGS

Monday, April 5

Jewish Genealogy SIG

Zoom Meeting:  10:00am – 11:50am

Coordinators:  Herb Siegel & Phil Goldsmith

Monday, April 5

RootsMagic SIG

Zoom Meeting:  2:30pm – 4:20pm

Coordinator:  George Zitterell

Tuesday, April 6

Adoption & Missing Kin SIG

Zoom Meeting:  9:30am – 11:20am

Topic:  Beginning Your Search for Unknown Relatives

Coordinators:  Anne Berg & Marcella Zorn

Wednesday, April 7

French Canadian Genealogy SIG

Zoom Meeting:   9:00am – 10:50am

Coordinator:  Jean Colman

Thursday, April 8

German Genealogy SIG

Zoom Meeting:  9:30am – 11:20am

Coordinators:   Dianne Fedderson & Steven Buhrow

Friday, April 9

Genetic Genealogy SIG

Zoom Meeting:   10:00am – 11:50am

Coordinators:  Sherry Bean & Diann LaRosa

Saturday, April 10

African American SIG

Coordinator:  Carol LaSalle

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Easter DNA Sale on Now!

MyHeritage.com

Happy Easter to all who celebrate! We’re excited to announce a great treat to sweeten your Easter – a fantastic sale on MyHeritage DNA kits. From April 1, 2021––April 5, 2021, MyHeritage DNA kits are on sale for just $59 US … continue reading

The 24-Hour Genealogy Webinar Marathon

April 8-9, 2021

Join us in making history as we embark on the second-annual 24-hour genealogy webinar marathon, where you will learn how to trace your ancestors from the world's top genealogists and educators. From creating your own YouTube channel to DNA, from Cherokee ancestry to Canada and England, there's something for everyone... in every time zone. And thanks to FamilyTreeWebinars.com and MyHeritage, the entire event is free! Pop in for a session or two, or stick around for the full 24 hours — it's completely up to you. There will even be time for Q&A and door prizes. If you can't join us in real time, we've got you covered: all recordings will be available absolutely free for a week. Details and registration links can be found HERE.

RESEARCH

FamilySearch Record Update for March 2021

FamilySearch expanded its free online archives in March with over 32 million new indexed family history records from all over the world. New historical records were added from Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Croatia, Denmark, the Dominican Republic, the . . . continue reading

TECHNOLOGY

howtogeek.com

How to Take Full-Page Screenshots in Microsoft Edge

There might be times when you need to capture a screenshot of an entire webpage, perhaps to share a recipe or a how-to from a website. Use Microsoft Edge’s built-in feature to capture … continue reading

Become a Gmail pro with these 10 tools and tips

cnet.com

Check out these Gmail tips for accessing multiple accounts at once, setting up filters and more. Continue reading … 

WEBINARS

Four More Sources for New Zealand Family History

Tuesday, April 6 @ 10:00pm (EDT)

Presenter:  Fiona Brooker

Add some more detail to your New Zealand Family History by checking four more sources for your research:  Military records, NZ Electoral Rolls, The Suffrage Petition and the Cyclopedia of New Zealand. This is a free FamilyTree webinar – advance registration required – click HERE.

DNA for Dog Lovers

Wednesday, April 7 @ 2:00pm (EDT)

Presenter:  Shellee Morehead, Phd, CG

Do you love genetic genealogy? Do you love your dog? Are you curious about your pooch’s antecedents for training purposes or for a rescue pup? Get your doggy’s DNA tested and learn about the science behind both human and dog DNA testing, ethnicity and breed estimates, pedigree analysis and health markers. This is a free FamilyTree webinar – advance registration required – click HERE.

VGS News & Events: March 7 through March 13, 2021

UPCOMING EVENTS

Monday, March 8

How Did My Pennsylvania Ancestors Get There? Migration Trails West

7:00 - 8:00 pm

LIVE ONLINE WEBINAR

Guest Speaker:  Elissa Scalise Powell, CG, CGL

Registration is required. Visit the "Coming Events" page on our website for the registration link.

Saturday, March 13

Irish Internet Site for Genealogical Research & Services

1:00 - 2:30 pm

VIRTUAL FREE WEBINAR using GoToWebinar

Hosted by the Kentucky Genealogical Society. 

Presenter: David Rencher, head of the Family History Library in Salt Lake City and chief genealogical officer for FamilySearch, is one of the world’s leading Irish genealogical researchers. For more details and the registration link, CLICK HERE.

UPCOMING SIG EVENTS

Monday, March 8

Italian Genealogy SIG

Zoom Meeting   1:00 -2:20 pm

Coordinator:  Mary Frances Gerace

Tuesday, March 9

Preserving Family History SIG

Zoom Meeting: 2:30 - 4:20 pm

Topic:  Pins & Needles: Adding Social Media to Your Genealogy Repertoire

Speaker:  Tina Beaird

Coordinators:  Nancy Schultz & Sharol Lewin

Wednesday, March 10

Irish Genealogy SIG

Meeting Time:   10:00 - 12:00 pm

Meeting Location:  Osceola Room @ Chula Vista Recreation Center

This will be our first in-person meeting since March 2020. We will wear masks, and tables & chairs will be arranged to accommodate social distancing.

Coordinator:  Tom Voyles

Wednesday, March 10

New to Genealogy SIG

(for members with less than 2 yrs of genealogy experience)

Zoom Meeting:   2:30 - 4:20 pm

Coordinator:  Carol LaSalle

Thursday, March 11

German Genealogy SIG

Zoom Meeting:   9:30 - 11:20 pm

Coordinators:  Dianne Fedderson & Steven Buhrow

Friday, March 12

Genetic Genealogy SIG

Zoom Meeting:   10:00 - 11:50 am

Coordinators:  Sherry Bean & Diann LaRosa

Saturday, March 13

African American SIG

2:30 - 4:20 pm

Coordinator:  Carol LaSalle

NEWS & ANNOUNCEMENTS

Women’s History Month

womenshistorymonth.gov

Women’s History Month had its origins as a national celebration in 1981 when Congress passed Pub. L. 97-28 which authorized and requested the President to proclaim the week beginning March 7, 1982 as “Women’s History Week.” Throughout the next five years, Congress continued to pass joint resolutions designating a week in March as “Women’s History Week.” In 1987 after being petitioned by the National Women’s History Project, Congress passed Pub. L. 100-9 which designated the month of March 1987 . . . continue reading

Deep Nostalgia^TM is an Internet Sensation!

myheritage.com

In just one week since its release, Deep Nostalgia^TM, our new feature for animating family photos, has exploded in popularity and become an internet sensation. Over 10 million faces have been animated so far, and a few thousand photos are being … continue reading

Monthly Record Update for February 2021

FamilySearch.org

FamilySearch expanded its free online archives in February of 2021 with almost 34 million new indexed family history records from all over the world. New historical records were added from Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Croatia, Denmark, the Dominican Republic, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ecuador, El Salvador, England, Finland, France, French Polynesia, Germany, Guatemala, Liberia, Mexico, Micronesia, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Norway, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, the Philippines, Puerto Rico, Samoa, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, Uruguay, Venezuela, Zambia, and the United States, which includes … continue reading

WEBINARS

familytreewebinars.com

Using Different Family Tree Views for Your Research (MyHeritage)

Tuesday, March 9 @ 2:00pm (EST)   Presenter:  Uri Gonen

MyHeritage offers four family tree views, each of which can offer new perspectives on your family history. Learn about the different views, the advantages of each one, and how they can be of use to you at different stages of your research.

Researching Ancestral Locations in Prussian Genealogy Records

Wednesday, March 10 @ 8:00pm (EST)   Presenter:  Nancy E. Loe, MA, MLS

Were your ancestors German in one set of records and Prussian in another? Prussian research, especially locations, can be complicated by shifting borders, languages, and religions. Discover leading and lesser-known online resources to decipher geographic locations of German-speaking ancestors from Prussia.

These are free webinars but do require registration. For more details and to register, click HERE.

EDUCATION

Irish Genealogy & Heritage

johngrenham.com/blog

Bertie, you big eejit

I regularly berate my dog for rank stupidity (losing his ball/taking fright at the shape of a chimney-pot/barking at high-vis road signs …) But what I call him is an “eejit”. At first glance, this might seem like just a phonetic Irish-accent version of “idiot”, but it’s completely different. It’s much softer, more like an affectionate poke than an attack. Affectionately insulting people (and dogs) plays quite a large part in Irish life. What does this have to do with genealogy? Many (Gaelic) Irish surnames incorporate what appear to be tongue-in-cheek jibes. The Irish (Gaelic) for “bald” is maol, and this appears in many common surnames . . . continue reading