VGS News & Events: May 30 through June 5, 2021

 

UPCOMING SIG MEETINGS
Monday, May 31
Italian SIG
Zoom Meeting – 1:00pm
Coordinator: Mary Frances Gerace

OTHER EVENTS OF INTEREST

Southern California Genealogical Society: GENETIC GENEALOGY 2021

VIRTUAL CONFERENCE  – Friday & Saturday, June 4th & 5th

A world-class DNA conference! Get in on the latest discoveries through sessions from 20 genetic genealogy experts including keynote speaker Roberta Estes, MBA. Other notable presenters include Maurice J. Gleeson (MD of Genetic Genealogy, Ireland), Leah La Perle Larkin, PhD (creator of WATO), and DNA authors Emily Aulicino, MEd, and Richard Hill, MBA. Complete details and registration links can be found on the SCGS Jamboree website.

WEBINARS

Solving Family Mysteries with mtDNA Projects

Wednesday, June 2 @ 2:00pm (EDT)
Presenter:  Mags Gaulden

Working your mother's mother's mother's line. We will work a case study of how adoption was disproven in this family from the dark recesses of Appalachia. We will follow the maternal line of a family from the mountains of South Carolina, North Carolina, Georgia and Tennessee, to solve this family mystery. This is a free webinar – advance registration is required – click HERE.

African Americans in the U.S. Revolutionary War

Fridayday, June 4 @ 2:00pm (EDT)

Presenter:  Janice Lovelace

Nearly 10,000 people (mostly men) of African ancestry fought in the Revolutionary War on both sides of the conflict – hoping that freedom from slavery would come with the end of the eight year war. What records exist and how can genealogists discover them? This is a free webinar – advance registration is required – click HERE.

TECHNOLOGY

How to Install Windows 10’s May 2021 Update (21H1)

howtogeek.com

Windows 10’s May 2021 Update was released on May 18, 2021. As always, Microsoft is slowly rolling this update out to Windows 10 PCs, bit by bit. Windows Update should automatically install the 21H1 update on your PC, but it may take a few weeks. Here’s how to get it right now … continue reading

RESEARCHING

New English and Welsh Parish Records Are Ready to Search

findmypast.com

Another Findmypast Friday, another fresh batch of family history records and newspaper pages for you to enjoy. Take a look at what’s new … continue reading 

Transcribing History

legalgenealogist.com

The Citizen Archivist Program

There can be no better time than the Memorial Day weekend to join the ranks of the transcription warriors. No better time than this to add the brainpower of the genealogical community to the Citizen Archivist program of the U.S. National Archives (NARA).

The program offers all of us — The Legal Genealogist included — a chance to add to the findability and usefulness of records held by NARA. All it takes is a little bit of time, a little bit of effort and an interest in history.

History like, for example, one set of records particularly apt for this Memorial Day Weekend: the Escape and Evasion Reports from World War II, now featured as a Citizen Archivist Mission. This is a project where any of us can transcribe “reports that typically include typed or handwritten narrative …” continue reading

It’s time to say good-bye to the VGS Blog.

Due to low subscriber and readership levels, and the discontinuation of the free email subscription service provided through Blogger,

this edition of the Blog will be our last.

VGS News & Events: 9 September 2018 through 15 September 2018

Reminders:

Monday: September 10, 2018

Family Tree Maker Users SIG Meeting

1:00 PM in the Patriot Room at the Mulberry Grove Recreation Center
Have a question about Family Tree Maker?  Attend this meeting to get your question answered.
Monday, September 10, 2018
(A VGS Live Webinar)

“Sources or Clues? Pitfalls of Using Published Genealogies and Online Trees.”

7:00 pm to 8:00 pm

Our first presentation in this new series , will be presented by Julie Miller, CG, CGL, FNGS. 

Her presentation is: “Sources or Clues? Pitfalls of Using Published Genealogies and Online Trees.”

Presentation description: Is it okay to use published genealogies and online trees in the search for our ancestors? Published genealogies and online trees are abundant, they are found in many places and in many different forms. But what happens when we just copy and use what is in published genealogies and online trees? This case study illustrates the confusion and the problems that may result if precautions are not taken.

Presenter bio: Julie Miller is a board-certified genealogist and genealogical lecturer who is a full-time professional researcher, speaker, and writer. She is the National Genealogical Society (NGS) Education Manager, was the conference chair of the 2010 and 2012 NGS conferences, and is an NGS fellow. Julie speaks on a wide variety of genealogy subjects both locally and nationally. Her articles have appeared in the NGSQ, NGS Magazine, and she was the genealogy columnist for the Broomfield Enterprise for ten years. Julie has been a volunteer at NARA-Denver for twenty years.

Please register for the webinar at:

https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/4171457348337485826

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.

Julie has given us permission to record her presentation. After the live broadcast, it will be available in the Members Only section of the VGS website for 90 days.

Tuesday: September 11, 2018

Preserving Family History SIG Meeting

2:30 PM in the Destin Room at the Sea Breeze Recreation Center
Topic: "Scraping Your Family History", presented by Peggy Best

Wednesday: September 12, 2018

Board of Directors Meeting

9:00 AM VGS Treasurer's Home

Wednesday: September 12, 2018

New to Genealogy SIG Meeting

2:30 PM in the Neptune Beach Room at the Sea Breeze Recreation Center

Thursday: September 13, 2018

German Genealogy SIG Meeting

9:30 AM in the Reliance Room at the Late Miona Recreation Center
Topic: "How the Hapsburgs & 30 Years War laid Foundation of Modern Europe" — Bernie Guenther

Friday: September 14, 2018

Genetic Genealogy SIG Meeting

10:00 AM in the Rhett Butler Room at the Savannah Center
Topic: “DNA Testing Basics”

Gen News & Announcements:

Findmypast Announces Free Weekend - 7th to 10th September 2018

FindMyPast
"6th September 2018 - Leading British & Irish family history website, Findmypast, has today announced that they will be opening up their archives and offering free access to billions of records from around the world. From 04:00 (EDT), on Friday September 7th until 18:59 (BST), on Monday September 10th more than 2.7 billion records ranging from censuses and parish registers to passenger lists and military service records will be completely free to search and explore."
More information...

National Archives Virtual Genealogy Fair 2018:

National Archives
October 24, 2018 - Save the date!
Sixth Annual Virtual Genealogy Fair
"Every year, the National Archives hosts a virtual Genealogy Fair via live webcast on YouTube. The sessions offer family history research tools on Federal records for all skill levels. Thousands of family historians participate in the live event.
As a virtual attendee, you can:

• Watch the entire day on YouTube.
• Join us – from wherever and whenever.
• Participate with the presenters and other family historians during the live event.
• Watch individual sessions and download the materials at your convenience -- live or after the event.
• Attend free of charge and registration!

Learn more...

A Genetic Study Using 23andMe Data Finds Link Between Schizophrenia and Cannabis Use:

Gizmodo
"There’s evidence of a connection between cannabis use and schizophrenia, but it’s unclear whether the drug leads to the disorder, or vice versa. A new study published Monday, which relies partly on genetic data from 23andMe volunteers, might offer a little clarity on that link. It found that people genetically at risk of schizophrenia are also more likely to start smoking pot, suggesting the disorder itself might cause cannabis use in some people."
Continue reading...

New Historical Records at FamilySearch, August 20, 2018

FamilySearch
"FamilySearch expands its free online archives this week with new records and images from the Dominican Republic, France, Honduras, Iceland, New Zealand, Portugal, Russia, Ukraine, Wales, and the United States (Delaware, Georgia, North Dakota, and Ohio.)"
Search now...

9 Places to Find Information About Your Ancestor's Death:

FindMyPast
"In genealogy it's often best to work backwards starting with the most recent events moving to the more distant. If you've hit a brick wall with one of your ancestors, here are nine places to find information about your ancestor's death to assist with your research."
Continue reading...

Family Tree Magazine’s 101 Best Websites 2018

Genealogy Gems
"Each year, Family Tree Magazine’s team of genealogy experts scour the web for the best of the best websites where you can discover family history information. Then they compile it in a handy list, organized by category for easy research reference.
This year, there are 16 categories and you’ll find Genealogy Gems in the “Best Genealogy News Websites & Blogs” category."
Continue reading...

6m Free British Family Notices Now Online:

Genealogy Gems
"Nearly 6 million British family notices are now free to explore online! Find your ancestors from England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales in more new and updated records, too: newspaper articles, British almanacs and directories, clandestine marriages, Liverpool Catholic and Warwickshire Church of England records, military collections (especially WWI) and Scotland death notices."
Continue reading...

German Place Names: Find Your Ancestors’ Hometown With This Free Online Tool:

Genealogy Gems
"German Place Names have changed dramatically over time, so it can be challenging to identify your German ancestors’ place of origin. This free online tool helps family historians navigate changes in German place names, jurisdictions, and boundaries."
Continue reading...

Tech:

What is a DMG File (And How Do I Use One)?

How-to-Geek
"DMG files are containers for apps in macOS. You open them, drag the app to your Applications folder, and then eject them, saving you the hassle of the dreaded “Install Wizard” of most Windows apps. So if all they are is a folder for an app, why do we use them instead of just downloading the app itself?"
Continue reading...

Education:

What are Some of the Best Genealogy Magazines Out There?

Ancestral Findings
"Do you read genealogical magazines? If not, you should. They are invaluable resources for learning new skills, connecting with other researchers of your family lines, and discovering historical secrets that will tell you more about your ancestors and how they lived. Today on the Ancestral Findings Podcast I’ll give you seven best ones you should have on your reading list."
Listen now...  8:28 minutes

Webinar(s):

Examining Migration & Researching Migrants in the British Isles:

Legacy Family Tree Webinars
"In this presentation we shall examine the reasons for migration and focus on the individual migration groups coming to the British Isles. The United Kingdom is in an interesting position in that it sits within Europe and yet also has been a focal point of Empire, some of which influenced migrants. We shall also explore some of the research opportunities for each of those migration groups."
Wednesday, September 12, 2018 at 8:00 p.m.
Presenter: Julie Goucher
Learn more or Register for this webinar...

Slave Narratives: Telling the Story of Slavery and Families:

Legacy Family Tree Webinars
"The WPA Federal Writers' Project (FWP) of the late 1930's provides us with more than 2,300 first person accounts of former slaves. The slave narratives, with their autobiographical accounts, can provide insight into the institution, rich context, and clues for family research. But how can we use this rich resource? Can they be relied upon? Some of the questions we will discuss are: What is the  history of the slave narratives?Before, during, and after the Civil War. When were they taken? Who were the interviewers? What are the limitations of the narratives? Where can I find the narratives? Offline and Online. How can they be used for research? Names of family members, names of plantations, owners, and their family members; birth, marriage and death information for individuals; context for daily life in particular places."
Friday, September 14, 2018 at 2:00 p.m.
Presenter: Ann Staley, CG, CGL
Learn more or Register for this webinar...

VGS Latest News & Tips: 19 Sep 2016

National Archives Virtual Genealogy Fair

"On October 26 & 27, 2016 (Wednesday & Thursday), the National Archives is hosting a two-day, virtual Genealogy Fair via webcast. Viewers have the opportunity to participate with the presenters and other family historians during the live event on YouTube. All of the session videos and handouts will be available from this web page free of charge. You can watch the sessions and download the materials at your convenience. Registration is not required."
Continue reading...

3 Tips for Choosing a DNA Relative to Test:
Genealogy Insider
"Genetic genealogy, using DNA to study ethnicity and identify genetic cousins, is becoming an essential part of doing genealogy. If you’ve tested yourself and want to explore DNA tests for family, which relative should you ask to take a DNA test? Are some cousins or relatives better to test? "
Continue reading...

It’s Time to Backup and Enjoy Your Summer Family Photos:

Ancestry
"How many pictures did you snap this summer? Digital cameras and smartphones make it easy to take pictures, but it’s not always so easy to “develop and process” those photos. Instead, we tend to procrastinate photo management and end up with a device filled with images instead of an album of vacation photos to share."
Continue reading...

Join the Cause! Index Every Marriage Record in the United States:
FamilySearch
"The U.S. Marriages Project, a joint initiative between findmypast.com and FamilySearch.org, is actively working to save the marriage records from every state in the United States. Through the indexing efforts of online volunteers across the U.S, this service project will create a high quality, searchable database of nearly every marriage recorded in the United States since the early 1800s."
Continue reading...

Why Your PC Hasn’t Received Windows 10’s Anniversary Update Yet and How to Get It:
How-to-Geek
"Windows 10 is supposed to automatically update itself. But it might take weeks or longer for a big update like the Anniversary Update to reach your PC. Here’s why that happens–and how to skip the wait."
Continue reading...

This Day In History: 19 September
1692: Giles Corey is pressed to death for standing mute and refusing to answer charges of witchcraft brought against him. He is the only person in America to have suffered this punishment.
1893: New Zealand becomes the first nation to grant women the right to vote.
1982: The first documented emoticons, :-) and :-(, posted on Carnegie Mellon University Bulletin Board System by Scott Fahlman.
1915 Birthday: Elizabeth Stern, Canadian pathologist who first published a case report linking a specific virus to a specific cancer.

State Timelines:
Even though it is hard to tell what made people move or disappear, these are just a few possibilities.
Connecticut:
1620: Dutch arrived at the mouth of the Connecticut River
1630: English colonists from Massachusetts arrived in Saybrook
1633-35: Hartford settled by English colonists from Massachusetts

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 Reminders: 12-16 October 2015

14 New Members joined at the September Genearl Meeting

Monday, October 12, 2015

Family Tree Maker Uses SIG Meeting

1:00 PM in the Patriot Room at the Mulberry Grove Recreation Center
Wednesday, October 14, 2015

Irish Genealogy SIG Meeting

10:00 AM in the Osceola Room at the Chula Vista Recreation Center
Thursday, October 15, 2015

German Genealogy SIG Meeting

9:30 AM in the Reliance Room at the Late Miona Recreation Center
Friday, October 16, 2015

Scandinavian Genealogy SIG Meeting

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

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.

National Archives Virtual Genealogy Fair:
The National Archives
"Please join the National Archives for the 2015 Virtual Genealogy Fair on October 21 & 22. This will be a live broadcast via YouTube so you can ask our genealogy experts questions at the end of their talks."
More Information...

This Day In History: 10 October
1789: In Versailles France, Joseph Guillotin says the most humane way of carrying out a death sentence is decapitation by a single blow of a blade.
1877: Lt. Col. George Armstrong Custer is buried at West Point in New York.
1871: The London Bridge, built in 1831 and dismantled in 1967, reopens in Lake Havusu City, Arizona, after being sold to Robert P. McCulloch and moved to the United States.
1900 Birthday: Helen Hayes, American actress.

VGS Reminders: 5-9 October 2015

Members sharing notes on Ancestry prior to the September General Meeting

Monday, October 5, 2015

Genetic Genealogy SIG Meeting

10:00 AM in the Rhett Butler Room at the Savannah Center
Note: Date change for this month only.

Wednesday, October 7, 2015:

French Canadian Genealogy SIG Meeting:

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

Thursday, October 8, 2015

German Genealogy SIG Meeting

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

National Archives Virtual Genealogy Fair:

The National Archives
"Please join the National Archives for the 2015 Virtual Genealogy Fair on October 21 & 22. This will be a live broadcast via YouTube so you can ask our genealogy experts questions at the end of their talks."
More Information...

This Day In History: October 3
1776: Congress borrows five million dollars to halt the rapid depreciation of paper money in the colonies.
1906: The first conference on wireless telegraphy in Berlin adopts SOS as warning signal.
1931: The comic strip Dick Tracy first appears in the New York News.
1800 Birthday: George Bancroft, historian, known as the "Father of American History" for his 10-volume A History of the United States.

VGS Latest News & Tips: 2 October 2015

Today: Friday, October 2, 2015:

British Genealogy SIG Meeting

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

"Genealogy: Search Strategies for Finding Names in the Census and Other Resources:
Barry Ewell
"If you can’t find the record, check if the name is spelled a different way.  It is wise practice when it comes to old documents; spelling doesn’t count, especially with names. Instead of narrowing the field of research with exact spelling, it is important to enlarge it with every possible spelling. "
Continue reading...

National Archives Virtual Genealogy Fair:
The National Archives
"Please join the National Archives for the 2015 Virtual Genealogy Fair on October 21 & 22. This will be a live broadcast via YouTube so you can ask our genealogy experts questions at the end of their talks."
More Information...

FindMyPast releases Britain, Directories & Almanacs:
British Genes
"Britain, Directories & Almanacs allows you to explore 112 volumes of fascinating documents spanning three centuries. They include a wide variety of records ranging from trade directories and county guides to almanacs and general directories. Almanacs and directories are an excellent resource for anyone researching their family history and can provide unique insights into how your ancestors lived."
Continue reading...

Tips for Finding Your Ancestors in German Civil Registration Records on Ancestry:
Ancestry.com
"Ancestry has just launched more than 11.7 million new German records, the majority of which are birth, marriage, and death records. Initially, registrations of births, marriages, and deaths were kept by religious denominations, but a civil registry modeled on the French system was implemented on 1 October 1874 in Prussian provinces, and throughout the German Empire on 1 January 1876. Here are some tips to help you get the most from these new civil registration records."
Continue reading...

This Day In History: October 2
1870: The papal states vote in favor of union with Italy. The capital is moved from Florence to Rome.
1871: Morman leader Brigham Young, 70, is arrested for polygamy. He was later convicted, but the U.S. Supreme Court overturned the conviction.
1909: Orville Wright sets an altitude record, flying at 1,600 feet. This exceeded Hubert Latham’s previous record of 508 feet.
1890 Birthday: Julius Henry ‘Groucho’ Marx, comedian, one of the five Marx brothers (the others being Chico, Harpo, Zeppo and Gummo).

VGS Latest News & Tips: 25 September, 2015

Lawrence Peter “Yogi” Berra 5/12/1925 - 9/22/2015
The National Archives
"In memory of baseball icon Yogi Berra, our colleagues at the National Archives-St. Louis have shared his World War II and post-World War II-era selective service registration cards (DSS Form 1 and SSS Form 1). The registration cards were created to identify registrants, and to document the order registrants would be called to military service. Yogi’s WWII-era registration show that he was playing for the Norfolk Tars, a farm team for the New York Yankees, and his post-war registration card shows that he had made the big leagues and was playing for the Yankees. His post-war registration also shows his prior WWII service, as Yogi had served in the Navy from 9/30/1943-5/7/1946."
Continue reading...

How to Use CDs, DVDs, and Blu-ray Discs on a Computer Without a Disc Drive:
How-to-Geek
"Physical disc drives are going the way of the dodo. Modern laptops — and even many modern desktop PCs — are dropping disc drives. If you still have discs with software, music, videos, or anything else on them, there are still ways to use them."
Continue reading...

National Archives Virtual Genealogy Fair
October 21 & 22, 2015
"Please join the National Archives for the 2015 Virtual Genealogy Fair on October 21 & 22. This will be a live broadcast via YouTube so you can ask our genealogy experts questions at the end of their talks."
Continue reading...

Do DNA Tests Really Prove President Harding Fathered Illegitimate Child?
NewAmerican
"In mid-August, the media gleefully reported that DNA testing confirmed that conservative Republican President Warren Harding fathered an illegitimate child, a girl whom he didn't acknowledge while he was alive. Testing of a known descendant of Nan Britton, who claimed Harding fathered a child with her, and the descendants of known relatives of the former president “proved” that Harding fathered a child by Britton, about 30 years his junior. Or maybe not."
Continue reading...

How Given Names Can Help You Identify Your Ancestor:
AncestralFindings.com video 6.24 minutes
"Did you know first names can be big clues in your genealogy research? Here’s how they can be helpful, as well as an example of how to use them in your research."
Watch video...

This Day In History: September 25
1775: British troops capture Ethan Allen, the hero of Ticonderoga, when he and a handful of Americans try to invade Canada.
1789: Congress proposes 12 new amendments to the Constitution.
1804: The 12th Amendment is ratified, changing the procedure of choosing the president and vice-president.
1931 Birthday: Barbara Walters, television news personality and interviewer.

VGS Latest News & Tips: 2 Jun 2015

Windows 10 is Coming Soon...

Today I found a new icon on my computer's task bar and when I hovered over it, it read "get Windows 10." If you have Windows 7 or Window's 8.1 installed on your desktop or laptop, you can register to receive Windows 10 for FREE. You only need your email address to register. Once registered you will wait until the release date, late July early August, and they will send instructions on how to download the software. You can install the software at your convenience. I think it would be prudent to wait a while to see what problems may be encountered with the new release.

Check to see if you have the icon on your task bar in the lower right. It looks like the icon above.

New DNA Relationship Statistics from Blaine Bettinger...
Kitty Cooper Blog
"The question I often see is are we really 2nd or 3rd or 4th cousins? The answer is usually “maybe.”
Read more...

United States Libraries and Societies Genealogists Use in Genealogy Research (51 resources):

Barry J. Elwell

"Have you ever wondered which libraries, archives and historical/genealogical society could help in your genealogical research? The following 51 articles highlight the libraries, archives, and societies where you will be able to find genealogical resources in the United States."

Read more...

Can a USB Flash Drive be Used Reliably as a Manual Backup Drive?
How to-Geek
"When it comes to backing up your files, you might find yourself debating which type of “drive” would best suit your needs. Which is better, a regular external hard-drive, an SSD, or a USB flash drive?"
Read more...

Using Ancestry.com to Access NARA Records:
US National Archives Video: 56 Min
"Anastasia Sutherland Harman from Ancestry.com gives an overview about how to use the online software."
Read more...

This Day In History:
1946: Birth of the Italian Republic: in a referendum, Italian devote to turn Italy from a monarchy into a Republic. After the referendum, King Umberto II is exiled.
1886: The U.S. President Grover Cleveland marries Frances Folsom in the White House, becoming the only president to wed in the executive mansion.
1731: Martha Washington, the first American "First Lady" was born. She died in 1802.

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.

VGS Latest News & Tips: 17 Apr 2015

Today, April 17:

Scandinavian Genealogy SIG Meeting

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

7 Tips on How to Find Elusive Ancestors in Newspapers:

GenealogyBank
"Forebears who didn’t hold public office, own property, or were married in churches or synagogues with lost or private records, are difficult to document. These elusive ancestors can also be difficult to find in historical newspapers, but sometimes they can be found in creative ways. This article gives seven search tips to help find those tricky ancestors in old newspapers."
Read more...

Know Your Records: Early Naturalization Records from New England States, 1790-1906

National Archives Video: 1Hr 9Min
"Broadcast from the National Archives at Boston, archives specialist, Joseph Keefe discusses how to use naturalization proceedings—from federal, state, county, and local courts—from Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont between 1790 and September 26, 1906."

How to Become the Boss of Your iPad:

about tech
"Do you sometimes feel like the iPad is the one in charge rather than the other way around?  It's easy to waste time fumbling around for apps or tapping out words on the on-screen keyboard, but with a few essential tips, you can be navigating the treacherous waters of iPad ownership like a pro."
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3 Powerful Ways Obituaries Can Help You Expand Your Family Tree:

FamilySearch Blog
"Obituaries often eloquently summarize the lives and times of those who pass, the words serving as testament to how people are remembered by family and friends."
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This Day in History:

17 Apr 1986: The Three Hundred and Thirty Five Years' War between the Netherlands and the Isles of Sicily ends.

17 Apr 1797: Sir Ralph Abercromby attacks San Juan, Puerto Rico in what would be one of the largest invasions of the Spanish territories in America.

17Apr 1524: Giovanni da Verrazzano reaches New York Harbor.

VGS Latest News & Tips: 2 Mar 2015

Native American Genealogy: The following is a post written by Anna LeMind: "DNA Analysis Shows That Native American Genealogy Is One of the Most Unique in the World." She writes "The question of whether Native Americans derived from a single Asian population or from a number of different populations has been a subject of research for decades. Now, having compared the DNA samples from people of modern Native American and Eurasian groups, an international team of researchers concluded on the validity of the single ancestral population theory."
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How Many Days Old Are You? This page tells you how many days old you are and on which day you were born. It also lists the number of weeks and months you have lived and the day of the week of your next birthday.
Give it a try...

Police probe video of possible data hack at the National Archives: In an article in "The Hill" by Elise Viebeck and Cory Bennett they write: "Law enforcement is investigating a possible data breach at the National Archives, after a hacker group released a video purporting to show a break-in on the agency’s website."
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