VGS News & Events: November 22 through November 28, 2020

Learn more about the seminar here... 

Coming Events:

Monday, November 23

Technology SIG Meeting Canceled  (Technology SIG)

Gene Clark, coordinator

Tuesday, November 24

Midwest SIG Meeting  (Midwest SIG)

2:00 pm

Online Zoom Meeting

Dona Black & Laurie Sarauer, coordinators

Topic: “Researching Your Midwestern Collateral Family Lines” with Dona Black Weber

 

SIG members will receive an email.

Contact the coordinator, through their SIG web page, for the link to this meeting.

Gen News and Announcements:

RootsTech Connect 2021 Announces First of Keynote Speakers:

FamilySearch

"RootsTech Connect 2021—the world’s largest family celebration event—announced its first wave of keynote speakers hailing from Australia, Italy, Mexico, and the United States.

RootsTech Connect, February 25–27, 2021, is a free online conference to discover, share, and celebrate family and heritage connections."

Continue reading...

FindMyPast On Sale:

FindMyPast

"Explore the largest collection of British and Irish records online."

Learn more...

A Beginner's Guide to Searching for Records on FindMyPass

FindMyPast

"Getting started with Findmypast's records is easy. Our billions of individual records are divided into nine broad categories. Here's a summary of what you can expect to find in each and how they'll help your family research. "

Continue reading...

2020’s Hardest Decision

The Legal Genealogist

"Sigh — it has taken a major catastrophe — this crazy pandemic — to ensure that none of us will be outside of our immediate families (our “pods” in today’s parlance) for the holidays in 2020. "

Continue reading...

Mixtiles and MyHeritage Photos Opening

Genealogy's Star

" MyHeritage.com has recently entered into a partnership with Mixtiles.com, the photo wall-art company. You can order prints directly from Mixtiles from your photos on your family tree on the MyHeritage website. "

Continue reading...

The Worry about DNA privacy and GEDmatch

Kitty Cooper

"Many of my matches at ancestry.com are afraid to upload their raw data to GEDmatch because of their fears about DNA privacy. Here is what I want to say to all of them. "

Continue reading...

Technology:

Holiday 2020: The Best Portable Battery Packs

How-to Geek

"No one likes a dead battery, so a portable battery is an excellent tech gift for everyone on your list. But one thing that will be different from person to person is what type of battery they need, so we found battery packs that cover everyone’s needs to fill out your shopping list this holiday season. "

Continue reading...

Education:

Famous Civil War Battlefields:

Ancestral Findings

"So, if you’re planning on trekking to one of the famous Civil War battlefields across the country, which ones should be on the top of your list?"

Listen now...  6.22 minutes

Webinars:

MyHeritage Mobile App: All New Features From 2020

Legacy Family Tree

"The MyHeritage Mobile App makes building your family tree easier and more portable than ever. Learn about the new features MyHeritage added to the app that enhance your genealogy research on the go."

Tuesday, November 24, 2020, 2:00pm Eastern

Presenter: Daniel Horowitz

Learn more or Register for this event...

VGS News & Events: September 6 through September 12, 2020

For the foreseeable future, The Villages Genealogical Society will continue to conduct virtual monthly general meetings using our GoToWebinar facilities and they will be recorded. Special Interest Groups may use our GoToWebinar facilities if they are available. All SIG's also have access to Zoom Video Communications for their meetings.  The most accurate list of up coming meetings can be found on our website under "Coming Events."

Zoom access information will not be posted on our website for security reasons. Contact the SIG coordinator directly for Zoom meeting access information. Contact information can be found on their SIG web page.

Coming Events:

Monday, September 7

Italian Genealogy SIG Meeting

1:00 pm

Online Zoom Meeting

Mary Frances Gerace, Coordinator

Contact the coordinator, through their SIG web page, for the link to this meeting. 

Monday, September 7

RootsMagic Special Interest Group Meeting

2:30 pm

Online Zoom Meeting

Val Harris & George Zitterell Co-Coordinators

Leading the discussion:  Ken Macomber "Using Narrative Reports in RootsMagic  7"
To attend, contact Val Harris (vharriskokomo66@yahoo.com) and request the Zoom Meeting log-on instructions.

Tuesday, September 8 Preserving Family History SIG Meeting Online Webinar Nancy Schultz and Sharol Lewin, Coordinators Topic: "Get Organized to Write Your Family Story" Guest Speaker: Annette Burke Lyttle Register at: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/1312114703576531983 Wednesday, September 9 New to Genealogy SIG Meeting 2:30 pm Online Zoom Meeting Carol LaSalle, Coordinator For Members with less than 2 years of genealogy experience. Contact the coordinator, through their SIG web page, for the link to this meeting.   Thursday, September 10 German Genealogy SIG Meeting  (German SIG) 9:30 am Zoom Meeting Dianne Fedderson & Steven Buhrow, coordinators Contact the coordinator, through their SIG web page, for the link to this meeting.  Friday, September 11 Genetic Genealogy SIG Meeting 10:00 am Zoom Meeting Sherry Bean and Diann LaRosa, coordinators Topic: "DNA Painter" Contact the coordinator, through their SIG web page, for the link to this meeting.  Saturday, September 12 African American SIG Monthly Meeting Online Zoom Meeting Carol LaSalle, Coordinator Contact the coordinator, through their SIG web page, for the link to this meeting.

Gen News and Announcements:

Finding Your Ancestors in United States Church Records:

FamilySearch

"If you’re hitting a brick wall with your United States ancestors, consider looking for them in church or synagogue records. Many people affiliated with a religious institution, even if they didn’t attend regularly. Churches often recorded the names of members and those who were married or eulogized by the clergy or who participated in church rites."

Continue reading...

FamilySearch Announces RootsTech Connect 2021: A Free Global Virtual Event

FamilySearch

"FamilySearch is thrilled to announce that the RootsTech 2021 conference previously planned for February 3–6, 2021, in Salt Lake City, Utah, will now be held on February 25–27, 2021, as a free, virtual event online. RootsTech Connect 2021 will enable attendees to participate from around the world and will feature inspiring keynote speakers, dozens of classes in multiple languages, and a virtual marketplace. Reserve your place today at RootsTech.org."

Continue reading...

Our Commitment to Preserving the Memory of the Holocaust:

Ancestry

"As we commemorate the 75th anniversary of the end of World War II, fewer than 400,000 Holocaust survivors are still alive, and by 2030, there could be fewer than 100,000. We are at a critical time, where the impact and memory of the Holocaust is in danger of being lost."

Continue reading...

Ancestry and the Longest Segment:

Kitty Cooper

"Ancestry now shows the longest segment on a DNA match’s profile page which could be very useful to help decide which matches to pursue and which ones to ignore."

Continue reading...

When is a Brick Wall not a Brick Wall?

Genealogy's Star

 "In this post, I am going to try to identify the type of situations that cannot be classified as "brick walls" for a variety of reasons. Unfortunately, there is no consistent and universally accepted definition for what is and what is not a brick wall."

Continue reading...

How to Store Print Photographs So They Last for Generations:

Wirecutter

"In the age of boundless digital photograph storage, it can feel a bit old fashioned to worry about maintaining a print photograph collection. But experts we spoke with from the Smithsonian Institution Archives and National Geographic agree: A print photograph can serve as a crucial backup to your digital collection and act as a way to interact with history, both for this generation and for those to come."

Continue reading...

Technology:

What’s New in Chrome 85, Available Now:

How-to Geek

"Chrome 85 arrived on the stable channel Aug. 25, 2020. The latest version of Chrome promises to speed up page loads on your computer and take advantage of more RAM on Android phones."

Continue reading...

Education:

Quick Genealogy Tip: Genealogical Proof Standard

"In this quick genealogy tip I discuss the Genealogical Proof Standard, a system to measure the plausibility of a genealogical conclusion. Another way to see it is the standard to judge proof of a genealogical conclusion."

Listen now... 6.16 minutes

Webinars:

New Historical Records Available on MyHeritage:

Legacy Family Tree

"MyHeritage is constantly adding new historical records to SuperSearch™. Learn about the latest additions to the collection and the value they can add to your family history research."

Tuesday, September 8, 2020 at 2:00 p.m. Eastern

Presenter: Dana Drutman

Learn more or Register for this event...

Cyndi's List in Practice:

Legacy Family Tree

"Sometimes overwhelming to beginners and sometimes underused by veterans, Cyndi's List is a research tool that is robust with resources helpful in everyone's research. Using specific examples for beginners, as well as more advanced researchers, we will explore the site and point out how to make the most of the categories and the links found within."

Wednesday, September 9, 2020 at 8:00 p.m. Eastern

Presenter: Cyndi Ingle

Learn more or Register for this event...

VGS News & Events: February 16 through February 22, 2020

Coming Events:

Tuesday: February 18, 2020

Family Tree Maker Users SIG Meeting

1:00 PM in the Patriot Room at the Mulberry Grove Recreation Center
Topics: "Filters & Using FamilySearch" + Your Questions answered.

Wednesday: February 19, 2020

Annual Seminar

9:00 AM - 3:00 PM at the Savannah Recreation Center
Doors open at 8:00 a.m.

Thursday: February 20, 2020

New England Genealogy SIG Meeting

Noon in the New Smyrna Room at the Sea Breeze Recreation Center

Friday: February 21, 2020

Scandinavian Genealogy SIG Meeting

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

Gen News and Announcements:

FREE ACCESS to Marriage Records at MyHeritage!

MyHeritage
"February 14–18, 2020 only!  Their collections contain over 440 million records from the United States and around the world.  I just downloaded information from a 1945 marriage in England."
Search now...

New Free Historical Records on FamilySearch: Week of 10 February 2020

FamilySearch
"FamilySearch.org has added millions of free historical church and civil records to its collections from Denmark, France, and Pennsylvania USA. Millions more are now easily searched from Africa, American Samoa, the United Kingdom, Chile, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, Gibraltar, Brazil, the Dominican Republic,  Nova Scotia, and the United States."
Search now...

New Free Historical Records on FamilySearch: Week of 4 February 2020

FamilySearch
"This week, over 2 million Pennsylvania birth records (1709 to 1950) were added to FamilySearch.org. More new, free, historical records this week include almost 600k Swedish marriage records, Argentine baptisms, Barbados marriages, Chilean deaths, Oxfordshire parish registers, Guatemalan civil registrations, Georgia christenings, and World War II draft registration cards from Virginia. More records from American Samoa, Australia, Austria, the Bahamas, Brazil, Canada, Colombia, Guatemala, Peru, Puerto Rico, Sierra Leone, South Africa and the United States."
Search now...

RootsTech 2020 Announces Free Livestream Schedule:

FamilySearch
"RootsTech 2020 announced its free online streaming schedule. Starting Wednesday, February 26, 2020, at 8:00 a.m. MDT, a select number of classes and events, including the daily keynote speakers, will be broadcast live at RootsTech.org. View the free streaming schedule for each day. Join or follow RootsTech social media conversations using #NotAtRootsTech. Sessions will be available to view on-demand after the livestream ends.
Purchase or add on the Virtual Pass and get access to 30 recorded classes from the event."
Continue reading...

Colorize Your Heritage:

My Heritage
"Colorize your black & white family photos automatically with the world’s best deep learning technology."
Continue reading...

6 Signs It’s Time to Get Help From a Professional Genealogist:

Family History Daily
"How do you know when it’s time to take the leap and bring an expert into your research? Here are 6 signs to watch out for."
Continue reading...

Technology:

How to Switch to a Local User Account on Windows 10:

How-To Geek
"Windows 10’s setup process now forces you to sign in with a Microsoft account. If you’d rather use a local user account, Microsoft says you should switch from Microsoft to a local user account afterward. Here’s how."
Continue reading...

Education:

The Ten Best Genealogy Websites for Beginners:

Ancestral Findings
"These ten websites are among the best for genealogy beginners. Everyone has to start somewhere, and in the era of modern genealogy, you can do much without having to leave your house. Join me today and I’ll suggest using ten beginner websites to get you off to the best start."
Listen now...   7.28 minutes

Webinars:

A Convincing Argument or a Convoluted Mess:

Legacy Family Tree
"You’ve done the research and have the strongest available evidence. Now you just need that soundly reasoned, coherently written conclusion based on that evidence."
Tuesday, February 18, 2019 at 8:00 p.m. Eastern
Presenter:  Barbara Vines Little, CG, FNGS, FVGS
Learn more or Register for this webinar...

Newspapers for People of Color Genealogy Research:

Legacy Family Tree
"Newspapers can be a goldmine for genealogy, especially in the case of records destruction or when all other avenues have failed to yield findings on an ancestor. In this session, we’ll discuss all you need to know to get the most out of using periodicals as genealogical resources for people of color communities."
Wednesday, February 19, 2019 at 2:00 p.m. Eastern
Presenter: Nicka Smith
Learn more or Register for this webinar...

VGS News & Events: 18 March 2018 through 24 March 2018

Coming Events:

Wednesday: March 21, 2018

Board of Directors Meting

9:00 AM at the Pinellas Library

Wednesday: March 21, 2018

Mid-Atlantic States SIG Meeting

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

Wednesday: March 28, 2018

Family History Expo
Savannah Center: 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Gen News and Announcements:

Four Historical and Geographical Tips to Help You Trace Your Irish Ancestors:

LegacyTree Genealogists
"Irish research can be difficult. Although the island is small–about the same size as the state of Indiana–its violent history and many divisions makes research complicated. In addition, many United States records simply report that our ancestors were from Ireland with no indication of the county of their birth. However, knowing a little bit about the history and geography can provide the necessary clues. Here are four tips that can help you trace your Irish ancestors from the United States back to Ireland."
Continue reading...

New Historic Records on FamilySearch: Week of March 12, 2018

FamilySearch
"Find your ancestors with new historic records published on FamilySearch this week from Austria, BillionGraves, Brazil, England, France, Germany, Guatemala, Idaho, Illinois, Mexico, Spain, and Texas. Search these new free records by clicking on the collection links."
Search now...

Why You Should Start Using Pinterest for Genealogy Right Now (and How to Do It):

Family Daily History
"If you’re one of the 175 million people around the world who use Pinterest every month, you probably already know that there’s a lot to love. Maybe you think of Pinterest as a great place to collect clever home decor ideas or as the best spot to peruse beautiful images of tasty food (who doesn’t?) – but did you know that Pinterest is so much more than that? It may be the free genealogy tool you’ve been missing."
Continue reading...

Here’s How to Find Tens of Thousands of Family History Books for Free:

Family Daily History
"One of the most exciting things about doing family history research is moving beyond names and dates to begin exploring the stories of our ancestors’ lives. There are many ways to do this. Records like pension applications, wills and obituaries can provide details that allow us a special glimpse into the important events and personal relationships of our forebears."
Continue reading...

When Did Americans Stop Marrying Their Cousins? Ask the World’s Largest Family Tree

The New York Times
"Before the Industrial Revolution in the United States, Canada and Europe, you might have ended up married to a fourth cousin. People didn’t travel far to find a spouse, and the closer you were to home, the more likely it was you’d marry within your family."
Continue reading...

Debunking Common Genealogical Myths:

LegacyTree Genealogists
"Doing genealogy often means piecing together scraps of information from various compiled family stories and documents to reconstruct our family history. Sound genealogical research demands that we, as researchers, place each fact into proper context and evaluate each piece in light of the whole picture. This valuable gathering of facts and supporting them through documentation can be side-railed if we allow common genealogical myths to dictate our research conclusions."
Continue reading...

Unusual Sources for Finding Female Ancestors:

Amy Johnson Crow

"Name changes and a society that emphasizes men in the records can make finding female ancestors tough. Note that I said "tough," not "impossible." Let's consider some valuable sources that we might be overlooking."

Continue reading...

New! North American Genealogy Records Online:

Lisa Louise Cook

"New North American genealogy records online this week! Featured are U.S. military, passenger and yearbook records (including WWII film footage); regional collections for New England and Great Lakes; Congressional statutes; and over 63 million Mexican genealogy records now free at FamilySearch.org."

Continue reading...

Technology:
Roots Tech 2018 Videos Online:
Roots Tech

Did you miss Roots Tech? I know I did but will I?  While I may not have been there I can still attend the hours of lectures online and they are FREE. All you need to do is set some time aside and click on the lecture you want to attend.
See what available...

Use Google Photos to Create a “Best of” Photo Album on FamilySearch

FamilySearch
"Did you know that you can import photos directly from Google Photos to FamilySearch to create a “best of” photo album? This is a great way to preserve and share a curated collection of classic photos that span a person’s lifetime or center on important life events."
Continue reading...

Education:

Resource Guide to Canadian Genealogy:

AncestralFindings
"Do you have Canadian ancestors you wish to research? Are you wondering where to start? On today’s episode, I’ll give you five of my favorite websites for doing Canadian genealogy online."
Listen Now... 8.25 minutes 

Webinars:

From Baltimore to Burlington: Hazen P. Day's Neighbors Bring Him Home:

Legacy Family Tree Webinars
"A Maryland resident claimed an 1816 Vermont birth to Vermont-born parents, but no known record provides his specific birthplace or his parents' or siblings' names. Studying his ties to his neighbors and those associates who shared close geographic, vocational, political and religious proximity brings a Maryland man home to his Vermont family. Learn how the presenter analyzed, correlated, and  assembled common and lesser-known records to build a persuasive case."
Tuesday, March 20, 2018 at 8:00 p.m.
Presenter: Catherine B. Wiest Desmarais, CG
Learn more or Register for this webinar...

Hands-On with MyHeritage DNA:

Legacy Family Tree Webinars
"Whether you upload your raw DNA data to MyHeritage or are ready to move forward with the results from your MyHeritage DNA test, this webinar will guide you through your ethnicity estimates, DNA matches and more. On hand to walk Geoff Rasmussen through his personal results is MyHeritage’s Director of DNA, Yoav Naveh."
Wednesday, March 21, 2018 at 2:00 p.m.
Presenter: Geoff Rasmussen
Learn more or Register for this webinar...

Introduction to DNA Testing in Genealogy and Family History:

Legacy Family Tree Webinars
"DNA is an increasingly important tool that can help us discover amazing things about ourselves and our families. This webinar will provide a brief refresher of human genetics and review the different types of DNA tests available today with an in-depth discussion of autosomal DNA tests and how these tests can be used to solve genealogical problems where evidence from traditional records in scarce."
Friday, March 23, 2018 at 2:00 p.m.
Presenter: Mike Mansfield
Learn more or Register for this webinar...

VGS News & Events: 25 February 2018 through 3 March 2018

Seminar 2017

Coming Events:

Monday: February 26, 2018

Technology SIG Meeting:

10:00 AM in the Destin Room at the Sea Breeze Recreation Center

Wednesday: February 28, 2018

Our Annual All-Day Seminar

Guest Speaker: Dr. John Colletta, PhD

9:00 AM in the La Hacienda Recreation Center

Doors open at 8:00 AM

No General Monthly Meeting or Brick Wall SIG Meeting today.

Friday: March 2, 2018

Genetic Genealogy SIG Meeting

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

Topic: "DNA Show and Tell"

Note Date Change for this meeting...

Gen News and Announcements:

It's Seminar Time!

The VGS

Our Annual All-Day seminar is next Wednesday. If you have registered to attend, be on the lookout on Monday, February 26 for an email reminder and some important things to know before you attend in order to make your day as comfortable as possible. Our guest speaker is Dr. John Philip Colletta, PhD from Washington, D.C. 

They Considered Themselves White, But DNA Tests Told A More Complex Story

The Washington Post
"As more Americans take advantage of genetic testing to pinpoint the makeup of their DNA, the technology is coming head to head with the country’s deep-rooted obsession with race and racial myths. This is perhaps no more true than for the growing number of self-identified European Americans who learn they are actually part African."
Learn more...

Not At RootsTech 2018? Here’s How to Participate Virtually

FamilySearch
"The world’s largest family history conference isn’t just for those who live close enough to go. In fact, many of the sights and sounds and much of the learning from the conference will be streamed live online for free."
Continue reading...

RootsFinder Delivers Powerful New Tools to Genealogists for Free:

Dick Eastman eogn.com
"I suspect this is going to be a major tool for all genealogists. The following announcement describes the latest project by several people, including Dallan Quass, a well-known software developer who has produced several excellent genealogy products in the past. He was the Chief Technology Officer of FamilySearch from 2002-2004 and the creator of WeRelate.org and GenGophers.com, two of FamilyTree Magazine’s top 101 genealogy websites."
Continue reading...

Inspiring At-Risk Youth Through Heritage and Art:

Ancestry
"Following the success of They Still Live in 2017, artist Thomas Evans wanted to make an impact on his Denver community by inviting young adults to explore their heritage through art, poetry, and photography."
Continue reading...

Imbue app: Turn Every Item Into A Time Capsule:

Imbue
"The Imbue app uses machine learning to identify your family treasures. You then add audio or video— to the items, explaining where they came from, who they belonged to and why they are special. Imbue connects the two permanently."
Learn more...

Technology:

5 Technology Tools That Will Revolutionize Your Genealogy Research:

Family Tree Magazine
"Find out how these award-winning genealogy technology tools, introduced at FamilySearch's RootsTech conference, will change how you do genealogy research."
Continue reading...

Technology for Genealogy Interest Group:

Facebook
"Turn Your Tablet Into a Lean, Mean Genealogy Machine
Learn about a variety of applications, or "apps" for your smartphone or tablet that can aid your genealogy research, family history writing, photography and organization. The presentation will focus on apps available for the iPad and iPhone."
Join group...
Note: You must have a Facebook Account to join this group.

Education:

The Genealogy of Blue People:

Ancestral Findings
"Have you ever heard of the blue people of Kentucky? They were real, and they really were blue, thanks to a recessive genetic condition. Join me today on the Ancestral Findings Podcast and I’ll share with you their fascinating story."
Listen now...  7.53 minutes

Webinars:

Find Your Roots in German Farm Histories:

Legacy Family Tree Webinars
"Until the early 1900s, the majority of the population in the Germanic states was engaged in agriculture. Thus, most of us with Germanic heritage will have at least some ancestors engaged in farming. German farm customs were different from those in America and German farmers were tied to their land in ways that American farmers were not. Particularly in the earlier years, the history of your family's farm was integral to the history of your family."
Wednesday, February 28, 2018 at 2:00 p.m.
Presenter: Gail Blankenau
Learn more or Register for this webinar...

VGS News & Events: 15 October 2017 through 21 October 2017

Coming Events
Monday: October 16, 2017

Roots Magic SIG Meeting

1:00 PM at the Pinellas Library

Tuesday: October 17, 2017

Italian Genealogy SIG Meeting

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

Wednesday: October 18, 2017

Mid-Atlantic States SIG Meeting

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

Thursday: October 19, 2017

New England Genealogy SIG Meeting

Noon in the New Smyrna Room at the Sea Breeze Recreation Center

Friday: October 20, 2017

Scandinavian Genealogy SIG Meeting

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

Wednesday: October 25, 2017

General Monthly Meeting

9:30 AM in the Atlanta Room in the Savannah Center

A Live Webinar: 

Presentation: "What Do You Mean There’s No Record?! Using Vital Records Substitutes"  Guest Speaker: Amy Johnson Crow, CG

If you are unable to attend this meeting you can view this presentation remotely but you must register.

Register Here...

Latest News & Announcements:

Imputation Matching Comparison:

DNAeXplained
"In this article, I want to discuss only one topic, and that’s the results of imputation as it affects matching for genetic genealogy. DNA.Land is one of three companies known positively to be using imputation (DNA.Land, MyHeritage and LivingDNA), and one of two that allows transfers and does matching for genealogy
This is the second in a series of three articles about imputation.
Continue reading...

Why We Need Family History Now More Than Ever:

FamilySearch
"The United States celebrates October as National Family History Month and for good reason. Knowing, recording, preserving, and sharing our family histories can provide countless benefits to individuals, families, and entire societies."
Continue reading...

New Historic Records on FamilySearch: Week of September 25, 2017:

FamilySearch
"Good news to those with South Africa roots--over 1 million free images of historic records were published this week. Many more were published from Australia, Austria, England, Find A Grave, France, Ireland, Italy, Paraguay, and Peru!"
Continue reading...

Find Ancestors in AL GA KY NC SC TN & VA:

Georgia Pioneer Families
"Merged its 8 genealogy websites to offer a better platform to help genealogists find ancestors in Alabama, Georgia, Kentucky, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia using a single password. Databases consist of: images of wills, estates, deeds, marriages, military records, bible records, cemeteries, births, deaths, obituaries and over 5,000 traced families. To learn more,click on any of the links (above) and examine the contents of individual databases on each site."
Continue reading...

World Archives Project:

Ancestry
"With a few keystrokes, you could bring a family together.
You can play an important role in helping people find their family history. And all it takes is a computer, some basic software we provide and a little of your time."
Continue reading...

Professional genealogist offers advice on tracing African-American roots:

Ancestry
"Genealogical research in America’s Deep South can be challenging under the best of circumstances, but the task can be even more daunting for an African American family looking to fill in gaps in their family tree. While some families have had remarkable success in tracing their ancestors through the period of slavery and its aftermath, many unique obstacles exist."
Continue reading...

Developing a DNA Testing Plan:

FamilySearch
"You have taken your DNA test and you have your ethnicity estimate, but how does genetic testing actually help you with your genealogy? Where do you begin?"
Continue reading...

RootsTech 2018:

RootsTech
"We’re thrilled to announce that RootsTech 2018 will officially begin a day earlier than our prior conferences, on Wednesday, February 28, 2018. Join us for class sessions beginning on Wednesday morning at 9:30 a.m. MST. Classes will also be offered at 11:00 a.m., 1:30 p.m., and 3:00 p.m.
Following these class sessions, the General Session will begin at 4:30 p.m., featuring popular speaker Steve Rockwood, CEO of FamilySearch International."
Continue reading...

New on Ancestry.com

Ancestry
Derbyshire, England, Church of England Baptisms, Marriages and Burials, 1538-1812:
This collection contains images of Church of England baptism, marriage, and burial records for the years 1538–1812 from Derbyshire, England.
View this collection...
Derbyshire, England, Church of England Baptisms, 1813-1916:
This collection contains images of Church of England baptism records for the years 1813–1916 from Derbyshire, England.
View this collection...
California, County Birth, Marriage, and Death Records, 1849-1980:
This collection includes birth, marriage, and death records from various counties throughout California that took place between the years of 1849 and 1980.
View this collection...
Montana, Birth Index, 1870-1986:
Index to birth records from Montana between 1870 and 1986.
View this collection...

Technology:

How to Set Up a Facebook Page:

How-to-Geek
"Facebook Pages are a great way to promote your business, a cause, or just your hobby. Unlike Groups, which are more of a community feature, Facebook Pages work mostly like a regular Facebook Profile. You can use them to share posts, photos, videos, and whatever else you want. You can also send and receive messages. It’s basically just a profile but for something that’s not human. The biggest difference is that any number of people can Like and Follow the page."
Continue reading...

How to Automatically Enable Do Not Disturb on Your iPhone While Driving:

How-to-Geek
"A new feature in iOS 11, “Do Not Disturb While Driving” figures out if you’re driving or not and toggles Do Not Disturb accordingly. Here’s how to enable the feature."
Continue reading...

How to Stop iPhone and iPad Apps From Asking for Ratings:

How-to-Geek
"Lots of iPhone and iPad apps ask for ratings, and they often don’t stop. Even if you do leave a review just to stop seeing the review requests, new apps you install will pester you for reviews, too. iOS 11 fixes this problem, limiting how often apps can ask for ratings and allowing you to stop these requests entirely."
Continue reading...

Education:

The Biggest Genealogy Research Mistakes You Don't Want to Make:

Ancestral Findings
"Don't let your genealogy research be incorrect. Make sure your genealogy is as true as it can be. Join me on and I’ll talk about the three biggest genealogy mistakes and how to avoid them."
Continue reading... 5.31 minutes

Upcoming Webinars:

Databases, Search Engines, and the Genealogical Proof Standard:

Legacy Family Tree Webinars
"With billions of indexed records available online, what methodologies should the researcher employ to best leverage these resources in keeping with genealogical standards?"
Tuesday, October 17, 2017 at 8:00 p.m.
Presenter: David Ouimette, CG
Learn more or Register for this webinar...

The WPA: Sources for Your Genealogy:

Legacy Family Tree Webinars
"The Works Progress Administration left behind a legacy that is used by family historians today. In this presentation we will discuss The WPA, projects under the WPA relevant to genealogy, and how you can research some of those records today."
Wednesday, October 18, 2017 at 2:00 p.m.
Presenter: Gena Philibert-Ortega
Learn more or Register for this webinar...

City and Rural Directories: More than Just Names:

American Ancestors
"City and rural directories can be incredibly useful resources for genealogists. They can help you pinpoint a time and place for ancestors on the move, offer occupational information, and even help give clues to death and marriage dates. Join Senior Genealogist Rhonda R. McClure to learn how these resources were created, what information is generally provided, where to locate these sources online or in print, and how to use these records effectively in your family history research."
Thursday, October 19, 2017 at 3:00p.m.
Presenter: Rhonda R. McClure, Senior Genealogist
Learn more or Register for this webinar...

VGS Latest News & Tips: 17 March 2017

Reminder:
Today: March 17, 2017

Scandinavian Genealogy SIG Meeting

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

Topic: "Research Your Swedish Heritage using ArkivDigital"

Gen News:

Origin of “Kiss Me, I’m Irish” Saying:

Ancestry
"To get you ready for St. Patrick’s Day on March 17th, we wanted to share the story behind that famous phrase and discuss how the luck of the Irish might be in your DNA. And, this St. Patrick’s day might just be the right time for you to try AncestryDNA, if you haven’t already."
Continue reading...

A History of Irish Surnames: Is Yours Here?

Ancestry
"The earliest known Irish surname is O’Clery (O Cleirigh); it’s the earliest known because it was written that the lord of Aidhne, Tigherneach Ua Cleirigh, died in County Galway back in the year 916 A.D."
Continue reading...

Irish Names and Surnames:

Ancestry
"This database is an excellent resource for learning about the origin and patterns of Irish names and surnames. It includes a lengthy introduction explaining the history and evolution of Irish names as well as sections on the Irish naming system, English-Irish surnames and first names of men and women, and Irish-English surnames and first names of men and women. This database would be a valuable resource for any researcher of Irish descent."
Continue reading or search database...

Tech:

Can an iPad Replace My Laptop or Desktop PC?

Lifewire
"The iPad is becoming increasingly powerful with each new generation. The iPad Pro actually bridged the gap into laptop land, scorching past entry-level laptops into that mid-range of laptop in terms of pure performance. When you combine this with a lightweight operating system that contains some heavyweight features like the newly-added slide-over and split-screen multitasking and great productivity apps, the line between laptop and iPad is definitely blurred."
Continue reading...

The Best Cloud Storage Options for the iPad:

Lifewire
"Cloud storage is the easiest way to expand the storage capabilities of your iPad. Not only can you get precious gigabytes (GB) of storage space for free, cloud storage is also a built-in backup for your data. No matter what happens to your device, the files stored in the cloud will remain in the cloud ready for you to download them.
But cloud services aren't just about expanding your storage options.
Continue reading...

Education:

Organizing Tips to Help Tidy up Your Genealogy Home Office:

Ancestral Findings Podcast
"Is your genealogy work piling up in your research office? It's a common genealogy issue. Join me today on the Ancestral Findings Podcast and I’ll give you some powerful tips to get your research organized."
Listen now...

Watch #RootsTech 2017 Videos:

Ancestry Insider
"RootsTech 2017 was in the Salt Palace in Salt Lake City.I’ve written a lot about RootsTech 2017. Whew! That was quite the conference. According to FamilySearch, RootsTech reached 180,000 people around the world. More than 13,000 from most U.S. states and 43 countries gathered in person. More than 100,000 watched live via the Internet. On Saturday, 20,000 more gathered for the free Family Discovery Day. The Expo Hall had 170 vendors. There were more than 300 sessions.
Many of those sessions and classes are now available to watch online. Here are some of them..."
Continue reading...

VGS Latest News & Tips: 21 February 2017

Reminders:

Today: February 21, 2017

Italian Genealogy SIG Meeting

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

Tomorrow: February 22, 2017

Annual All-Day Seminar

9:00 AM at the La Hacienda Recreation Center

Doors Open at 8:15 a.m.

This event is sold out and you must have a reservation to attend.

Note: There is no regular monthly meeting in February and there is no Brick Wall SIG meeting prior to the seminar.

Gen News:

Open Ended Questions To Ask Older Generations Of Your Family:

Family Tree Tips
"Almost everyone will have older members in their family that might not be around for that much longer, so it’s great to ask them about their lives and the lives of their Siblings, Cousins, Aunties, Uncles, Parents and Grandparents. The majority of the time they will jump at the chance to give you what you’re after as long as you don’t go down the ‘survey’ avenue."
Continue reading...

DNA doings in 2017:

Judy G. Russell
"Lots of DNA developments are coming down the pike and RootsTech 2017 attendees got an eyeful and earful about — and sometimes a sneak peek at — what’s to come."
Continue reading...

New Oklahoma Index Site To Launch:

Judy G. Russell
"On Monday, January 9th, the Oklahoma State Department of Health (OSDH) is launching one of the most user-friendly comprehensive index sites for vital records available anywhere."
Continue reading...

Tech:

How to See Who’s Viewed and Screenshotted Your Snapchat Story:

How-to-Geek
"Snapchat is all about transparency. You can always see exactly who’s seen your Story and, most importantly, if anyone has taken a screenshot of it before it disappears."
Continue reading...

Is Microsoft Edge Really Safer than Chrome or Firefox?

How-to-Geek
"Microsoft is heavily pushing their Windows 10-exclusive browser, Edge. Ads built into Windows 10 are now claiming that Edge is “safer” than Chrome and Firefox. How did Microsoft determine that, and is it really true?"
Continue reading...

Education:

FamilySearch Indexing: Training - Screen Layout

YouTube
"Welcome to FamilySearch Indexing! As you start giving back to the genealogical community through this monumental initiative, you'll need to know what tools are available to you. Then you can index high-quality records and have the best time doing it and helping others grow their family tree."
Continue reading...

RootsTech 2017 Session Videos Now Available!
RootsTech
Did you miss Roots Tech 2017? Now you can view the recorded sessions right at home. Thanks to FamilySearch and Roots Tech for making this possible.
Wednesday: 9 Sessions; February 8, 2017
Thursday: 10 Sessions, February 9, 2017
Friday: 13 Sessions, February 10, 2017
Saturday: 8 Sessions. February 11, 2017

Reminders: 6-10 February 2017

Reminders:

Monday: February 6, 2017
Jewish Genealogy SIG Meeting:
10:00 AM in the MacArthur Room at the Eisenhower Recreation Center

Topic: "Exploring My Ancestors' European Roots - a 2012 Summer Odyssey" - Charlie Jacobson

Wednesday: February 8, 2017

Irish Genealogy SIG Meeting

10:00 AM in the Osceola Room at the Chula Vista Recreation Center

Thursday: February 9, 2017

German Genealogy SIG Meeting

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

Topic: Ken Weaver of the Southwest Florida German Genealogy Society will present: "Getting Through that !@#@!? German Handwriting"

Friday: February 10, 2017

Genetic Genealogy SIG Meeting

10:00 AM in the Rhett Butler Room at the Savannah Center
Topic: "DNA Show & Tell"

Gen News:

RootsTech 2017 Live Streaming Schedule:

Roots Tech
"Not able to attend in person? Several sessions at RootsTech 2017, including the general keynote sessions, will be streamed live on the home page of RootsTech.org. After the conference, recordings of these sessions will be posted on the website for a limited time.
Roots Tech Begins February 8, 2017 through February 11, 2017"
See the schedule...

The Big Game: A Bonding Experience to Remember:

Ancestry
"It’s almost time for The Big Game, and if ever there was an event that could pull families together in the middle of the winter, this is it. Whether you’re making a once-in-a-lifetime trip to see your team play for the trophy or just gathering everyone around the flat screen to watch the drama, it’s a day for making memories."
Continue reading...

When Life Gets in the Way of Genealogy:

Genealogy's Star
"I spent a pleasant afternoon helping a friend do some very complicated research concerning his Welsh ancestors. We ended up looking at three large rolls of microfilm that turned out to be all in Welsh (Cymraeg or y Gymraeg). Needless to say, my friend was discouraged. Of course, I just looked at the situation as normal."
Continue reading...

Tech:

How to Use Sticky Notes on Windows 10:

How-to-Geek

"Microsoft transformed the Sticky Notes app in with Windows 10’s Anniversary Update. The new Sticky Notes app supports pen input and offers reminders and other “insights”, thanks to Cortana. It’s a convenient, lightweight alternative to OneNote for taking quick notes."

Continue reading...

How to Opt Out of Personalized Ads from Google:

How-to-Geek
"Ads are an unfortunate necessity on the internet—they’re how sites like this one are able to operate. But if you find personalized ads a little too creepy, you can tell Google (one of the internet’s biggest ad networks) to stop showing you personalized ads."
Continue reading...

Education:

Irish Genealogy - Part 7 - Griffith's Valuation

Finding Grandpa
"This is part 7 in a series of 9 videos called "Building the Bridge Back to Ireland". Using various websites to find documents that might show where in Ireland your ancestors are from, and where to look once you get "across the pond"."
Watch Video...  18.10 minutes

VGS Latest News & Tips: 28 November 2016

Today: November 28, 2016

Technology SIG Meeting:

10:00 AM in the Destin Room at the Sea Breeze Recreation Center
Topic: "Auditing Your Genealogy Data" also "An Overview of Scanners"

Save 30% on AncestryDNA:

Ancestry
This offer ends tonight at 11:59 p.m.
$69.00
Continue reading...

New Historic Records on FamilySearch: Week of November 21, 2016:

FamilySearch
"Maybe one of your ancestors is in one of the newly published 1916 Denmark census records, civil registrations from Hungary, Sweden church records, Ohio death, South Carolina birth, or Wyoming obituary records. Search these free records and more at  FamilySearch.org"
Continue reading...

5 More Reasons to Attend RootsTech 2017:

FamilySearch
"RootsTech 2017 is just around the corner. With more than 30,000 people expected to make the trek to Salt Lake City and the Salt Palace Convention Center, RootsTech has quickly grown to become one of the largest and most recognizable genealogy conferences in the world."
Continue reading...

Do You Have Your Great-Great-Great-Grandfather’s Nose?

FamilySearch
"DNA gave you the gift of your mother’s eyes or your father’s hair, your grandmother’s freckles or your grandfather’s nose. It’s fun and sometimes easy to see strong family traits connect the generations."
Continue reading...

English Parish Records: How to Access, Use, and Interpret Them:

FamilySearch
"Presented by Paul Milner Genealogy Vital records can be difficult to find, but the parish registers of England are excellent resources providing information on baptisms, marriages, and burials. They have remarkably good coverage because by law, everyone except Quakers and Jews was required to be married in the Church of England regardless of religious affiliation."
Continue reading...

How to Add Custom Text Shortcuts to iOS:

How-to-Geek
"Typing the same text over and over–email addresses, phone numbers, and so on–can get old. If you find yourself saying the same stuff repeatedly on your iPhone, there’s an easier way. By adding text shortcuts to the system, you can type full sentences with just a few letters."
Continue reading...

This Day In History: 28 November

1868: Mt. Etna in Sicily violently erupts.
1919: Lady Astor is elected the first woman in Parliament.
1925: The forerunner of the Grand Ole Opry, called the WSM Barn Dance, opens in Nashville, Tennessee.
1907 Birthday: Alberto Moravia, Italian novelist (The Conformist, Conjugal Love).

State Timelines:

Even though it is hard to tell what made people move or disappear, these are just a few possibilities.
Louisiana:
1699: French & French Canadian Catholics migrated into area
1718: New Orleans settled by French Acadians
1751: Missionaries introduced sugar cane

VGS Latest News & Tips: 28 October 2016

10 Things to Know About Quebec Notarial Records:
Ancestry
"Are you ready to learn more about your ancestors who lived in Quebec? Notarial records can provide you with the little details to understand more the life of your ancestor. Whether you’re just getting started or have been exploring those records for some time, our 10 Things to Know can give you the answers you need."
Continue reading...

4 Ways Voter Registration Records Can Aid Genealogy Research:
Crestleaf

"During this election season, you are probably thinking more about who you are voting for rather than the information you provide on your voter registration form. But if you take a closer look at the details these forms collect, you will soon realize that voter records hold a treasure trove of data that can be helpful in building a family tree."
Continue reading...

November Webinars from FamilySearch:
FamilySearch
"November Family History Library Webinars offer a variety of classes covering topics on everything from researching worldwide localities to the learning basics of FamilySearch products. To access the webinar, go to the web link below and click on the word Webinar to enter the classroom."
Continue reading...

5 Interesting Facts About LeVar Burton:
FamilySearch
"Yes, you heard correctly. LeVar Burton is coming to RootsTech 2017. On Friday, February 10, 2017, the wildly popular actor, producer, and director will grace the stage at RootsTech, the world’s largest family history and technology conference."
Continue reading...

How to Choose Which Files Windows Search Indexes on Your PC:
How-to-Geek
"The Windows Search feature provides fast file searches by building an index. This index is used by the Start menu, the search box in File Explorer and Windows Explorer, and even the Cortana assistant on Windows 10."
Continue reading...

This Day In History: 28 October
1768: Germans and Acadians join French Creoles in their armed revolt against the Spanish governor of New Orleans.
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: George Eastman announces the invention of the color photographic process.
1912 Birthday: Richard Doll, English epidemiologist who established a link between tobacco smoke and cancer.

State Timelines:
Even though it is hard to tell what made people move or disappear, these are just a few possibilities.
Hawaii:
1893: U.S. troops moved to annex Hawaii and Republic is formed a year later
1900: Hawaii becomes a commonwealth state
1901: Hawaiian Pineapple Company (Dole) founded