VGS Latest News and Tips: 14 July 2017

Reminder:
Today: July 14, 2017

Genetic Genealogy SIG Meeting
10:00 AM in the Rhett Butler Room at the Savannah Center

Topic: "Using Third Party Online Tools"

Gen News:

Using DNA in Your Genealogy: Tips from Blaine Bettinger:

Amy Johnson Crow
"DNA is a powerful tool to use in our genealogy research. It can also feel incredibly overwhelming. I sat down with Blaine Bettinger, the Genetic Genealogist, for his tips on how to get started, what to keep in mind, and how to work through all of those matches that we have."
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5 Steps to Proving an Ancestor Is Related to You:

Rootstech
"In her RootsTech 2017 Presentation, Crista Cowan, corporate genealogist at Ancestry, talked about the Genealogical Proof Standard and quoted a statement from the Board for Certification of Genealogists: “Proof is a fundamental concept in genealogy. In order to merit confidence, each conclusion about an ancestor must have sufficient credibility to be accepted as proved.”
But what does this mean for you?
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Interview Questions:

Ancestry
"Here is a list of questions that can serve as prompts for your personal history, or as the basis for an interview of a family member."
Download now...

Tech:

Wi-Fi vs. Ethernet: How Much Better Is a Wired Connection?

How-to-Geek
"Wi-Fi is obviously more convenient than wired Ethernet cables, but Ethernet still offers significant advantages. Join us as we take a look at the pros and cons of wired and wireless connections."
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How to Disable the New Transparency Effects in Windows 10:

How-to-Geek
"With Microsoft’s new Fluent Design, announced alongside the Fall Creators Update, Windows 10 is gaining more and more transparency—or, technically, translucency. If you don’t like this effect, you can flip a switch to disable transparency in all parts of Windows 10, from the taskbar and Start menu to apps like Calculator and People."
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Education:

How to Use Google Chrome to Identify Old Photos and Images for Genealogy and Family History:

Genealogy Gems
"Here's how to use Google Chrome to identify some of your photos and imagesfor family history and genealogy research. Google Chrome attempts to match the image you upload to other images on the web. This is great for distinct or well-known images, such as a location or perhaps an important person in your family tree."
Listen now... 4.23 minutes

Webinar Reminder:

Tips for Snapping Pics: How to Take Perfect Family Photographs

Legacy Family Tree Webinars
"Make your next family portrait the one you will be proud to hang on the wall or mail for the holidays. Learn from professional photographer, Jared Hodges, how to compose and shoot the perfect shot. You will learn about proper lighting, the right poses, what to wear, and more."
Friday, July 14, 2017 at 2:00 p.m.
Presenter: Jared Hodges
Learn more or Register for this webinar...

VGS Latest News & Tips: 25 April 2016

The AncestryDNA Kit Deconstructed:
AncestryDNA
"It’s Earth Day, which means it’s a great time to think about how we can reduce our impact on the planet. Ancestry has already brought genealogy into our homes which we’d like to think has reduced the carbon footprint of traveling around to archives around the world. Although, we don’t think anyone has measured the impact of midnight oil burning away as our members hunt down ancestors into the wee hours…"
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FREE Book! "DNA & Genetics for Genealogy"
FW Publications
15 pages, pdf format.
Download now...

United Empire Loyalist Research:

Ancestry

"Sometimes when we are researching our ancestors we find ourselves in a time and/or place that isn’t familiar. Recently I found myself having to learn about a very fascinating period of Canadian history – the American Revolution and the Loyalists in around the Kingston/Napanee area of Ontario."Continue reading...

How To Search For Your Criminal Ancestors In The Historic Newspapers:
FindMyPast
"Our England & Wales, Crime, Prisons and Punishment records can reveal incredible levels of detail about your criminal ancestors, including the exact nature of the crimes they committed, where and when they took place and the sentence they received."
Continue reading...

30 Questions To Get Started Recording Family History:
Amy Choate-Nielsen: 
"I had a professor in college who once told me that the first step to preparing for any interview was to make a list of 10 questions.
You couldn’t just have them in your head; you had to write them down. And if you turned in an assignment with fewer than 10 questions on it, you failed.
I started writing down my 10 questions then, and I’ve never stopped — but I learned something, in time.
You have to ask the right questions."
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Are you getting the most out of DNA results?
myAJC
"For those who have tested either with familytreedna.com, ancestry.com, or 23andme.com, are you getting the most out of your results?"
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This Day In History: 25 April
1719: Daniel Defoe’s novel Robinson Crusoe is published in London.
1792: The guillotine is first used to execute highwayman Nicolas J. Pelletier.
1898: The United States declares war on Spain.
1908 Birthday: Edward R. Murrow, war correspondent and newscaster.

VGS News & Tips: 5 April 2016

Today: Tuesday: April 5, 2016

Italian Genealogy SIG Meeting

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

Note: Different Date... This meeting replaces the April 19th meeting...

John DeAngelo, guest speaker.

Tomorrow: Wednesday: April 6, 2016

French Canadian Genealogy SIG Meeting:

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

DNA and Family Tree Research:
Maurice Gleeson
"Practical guidance on how to use DNA to advance your genealogy research."
Continue reading...

Who Do You Think You Are? Recap with Aisha Tyler: Headlining your History:
Ancestry
"Who Do You Think You Are? continues to draw millions of viewers in every season because each episode masterfully brings the past to life and tells an evocative story. “How can I find stories like that in my tree?” is the question we hear often at Ancestry, and the answer might be simpler than you think."
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Why don't genealogists ask more why questions?
Genealogy's Star
" Every single family line on every single online family tree eventually reaches a point where there is absolutely no documentation and successive generations are pure speculation or fantasy."
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Family Historian adds automatic record matching and ‘hints’ for Findmypast databases:
Family Historian 6
"LONDON – 2nd April, 2016 – Calico Pie today released a new version of Family Historian, the award-winning desktop genealogy program.  The new version includes automatic matching against records on Findmypast databases. Users are notified of matches with on-screen icons called ‘hints’."
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What’s New in Windows 10’s Anniversary Update, Coming This Summer:
How-to-Geek
"Windows 10’s next big update, dubbed the “Anniversary Update”, comes out this summer, and will be available for users of the Insider Preview builds today. Here are some of the new features coming in the update."
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This Day In History: 5 April
1614: Pocahontas marries English colonist John Rolfe.
1919: Eamon de Valera becomes president of Ireland.
1930: Mahatma Gandhi defies British law by making salt in India instead of buying it from the British.
1856 Birthday: Booker T. Washington, former slave, educator, founded the Tuskegee Institute.

VGS Latest News & Tips: 14 March 2016

Today: Monday: March 14, 2016

Family Tree Maker Uses SIG Meeting

1:00 PM in the Patriot Room at the Mulberry Grove Recreation Center

Does a 19th-Century Census Record Prove My Interracial Ancestry?
The Root
"I found a very interesting and perplexing detail in the 1880 census for Pike County, Mo.: Robert Biggs, a 50-year-old white farmer (son of Morris and Leah Biggs), is listed as head of household, while Harriett (age 70 and black) is listed as a servant; Lucy (age 40 and black) is listed as daughter; and 10-year-old George, a black boy who I believe may be my great-grandfather, is listed as son."
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Interview Questions and Tips:
Ancestry
"Our family’s story is a vital part of our family history, and recording our own personal history is just as important as compiling a pedigree. The stories passed down by older relatives may include vital clues that help you in the research process as well. Here are some questions to get you started."
Download guide...

If You Think Your Family is Strange, Just Look at These Awkward Vintage Family Portraits:
Crestleaf
"15 Pictures That Will Make You Appreciate Your Family."
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Don't let your international history go undiscovered. 
Ancestry
"Download our research guide to learn 3 steps to help discover your international ancestors, as well as our 7 tricks for tricky names."
Download guide...

Why Windows 10 Is Saying “Your Location Has Recently Been Accessed:How-to-Geek
"Applications can use Windows 10’s location services to view your physical location. You’ll see a system tray icon that reads “Your location has recently been accessed” or “Your location is currently in use” when this happens, and it can get a little annoying."
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This Day In History: 14 March

1743: First American town meeting is held at Boston’s Faneuil Hall.

1794: Inventor Eli Whitney receives a patent for his cotton gin.
1900: United States currency goes on the gold standard.
1879 Birthday: Albert Einstein, German-born mathematician best known for his theories on relativity.

VGS Latest News & Tips: 4 February 2016

Today: Thursday: February 4, 2016

Eastern European Genealogy SIG Meeting:

1:00 PM in the Triple Crown Room at Churchill Recreation Center

Tomorrow: Friday: February 5, 2016

British Genealogy SIG Meeting
9:30 AM in the Courageous Room at the Lake Miona Recreation Center

10 Disturbing Things in Your Family’s Genealogy, Part 2
Living with Beth
"People were treated poorly because of the color of their skin, their country of origin or their religion. Families regularly lost children to illnesses we now either prevent with vaccines or cure with antibiotics."
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RootsMagic and Ancestry: Working Together at Last:
RootsMagic
"Recently, the genealogy world was rocked with the news that Ancestry would be parting with their “Family Tree Maker” (FTM) genealogy software. Thousands of FTM users have since made the switch to RootsMagic. But the question everyone has been asking has been, “Will any other software be able to search and synchronize with Ancestry the same way that Family Tree Maker did?”
Today, we finally have an answer to that question- “Yes!” We’re pleased to announce that we will be working with Ancestry to bring these features to RootsMagic in the near future.
What does this mean for you?
Continue reading...

DNA lead me to my birth father: Louis Joseph Lee 1926-2004:
Williams – Thomas – Doran : A Genealogy Page
"On January 14, 2016  following a lifetime of wondering and almost a year of searching I finally found the missing piece of my genealogical puzzle. Ironically and paradoxically the mystery was solved rather effortlessly by my DNA cousin, Lucas McCaw. "
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7 Tips for Interviewing Relatives:
Geni
"As we conduct our genealogy research, it’s important not to neglect one of the most invaluable resources we have at our disposal: our relatives! Sharing family history and memories through the intimate knowledge of your family members is a great way to learn about earlier generations of your family."
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Family Memories: Favorite Genealogy Documents from Family Historians:
FamilySearch Blog
"As soon as you discover it, you know you have something special."
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This Day In History: 4 February1795: France abolishes slavery in her territories and confers slaves to citizens.
1889: Harry Longabaugh is released from Sundance Prison in Wyoming, thereby acquiring the famous nickname, “the Sundance Kid.”
1906: The New York Police Department begins finger print identification.
1902 Birthday: Charles Lindbergh, the first man to fly solo across the Atlantic.