VGS Latest News & Tips: 15 March 2017

Reminders:
Today: March 15, 2017

Mid-Atlantic States SIG Meeting

9:30 AM in the Defender Room at the Lake Miona Recreation Center
Topic(s): Researching New York & New Jersey, and a report on Karen's recent genealogy cruise.

Today: March 15, 2017

New to Genealogy SIG Meeting

2:30 PM in the Chateaugay Room at the Chatham Recreation Center
Presenter: John DeAngelo
Topic: "Genealogy Software"

Tomorrow: March 16, 2017

New England Genealogy SIG Meeting

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

Gen News:

Find Your Family Stories in Free Online Newspapers: Webinar

FSGS
"Beyond birth, death and marriage notices, historic newspapers can provide information that brings your ancestors and their world to life. Many of these newspapers are available on line at no cost. Learn how to find and use these valuable resources in your family history research."
Join us for this informative presentation.
Tonight: Thursday, March 16, 2017
8:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. ET
Guest Speaker is Annette Burke Lyttle
Annette owns Heritage Detective, LLC, providing professional genealogical services in research, education, and writing. She speaks on a number of genealogical topics at the national, state, and local levels and loves helping people uncover and share their family stories. Annette is a member of the Association of Professional Genealogists and the Genealogical Speakers Guild, as well as a number of national, state, and local societies.
She is also the Vice President of The Villages Genealogical Society!
You must pre-register to attend:
Click HERE to register...

There is no fee to attend. You will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.

What DNA Ancestry Testing Can (and Can’t) Tell You:

yes! Magazine
"As a descendant of enslaved Africans, I’ve always wondered where on the massive continent does my family have its roots. As I aged, I became more uneasy with the phrase “descendant of enslaved Africans.” Where in Africa and from whom, specifically? Millions of people from several different regions were brought to this land."
Continue reading...

Ancestry FREE ACCESS to Irish Records:

Ancestry
"Access to the records in the featured collections will be free until March 19, 2017 at 11:59 p.m. ET. After the free access period ends, you will only be able to view the records in the featured collections using an Ancestry World Explorer or All Access paid membership.
View the Irish data collections being offered for this offer HERE...
Download FREE guide "Finding Your Immigrant Irish Ancestors"

Tech:

Seven Useful Chromebook Tricks You Should Know About:

How-to-Geek
"Chromebooks aren’t like traditional laptops. While they’re much simpler, they still have various useful features you may not know about. From accessing remote computers and printing to wiping your personal data, recovering Chrome OS, and installing desktop Linux, these tricks will help you get the most out of your Chromebook."
Continue reading...

7 Tips to Improve iPhone Security:

Lifewire
"When we talk about iPhone security, we're not talking about quite the same thing as security on a desktop or laptop computer. Sure, everyone wants to keep their data safe from people who they don't want to have access to it, but traditional computer security concerns like anti-virus software aren't really issues for iPhone and iPod touch owners."
Continue reading...

Education:

The Real Truth Behind Coats of Arms and Family Crests:

Ancestral Findings Podcast
"Are you interested in knowing more about your family coat of arms? First, be sure your family actually has one. Here is the truth behind family coats of arms."
Listen now...

VGS Latest News & Tips: 30 January 2017

Gen News:

AncestryDNA – The Irish Connection:

Ancestry
"Recently my friend Harry asked me if I could look at his AncestryDNA Ethnicity Estimate, as he was a little puzzled by the results. The puzzle for him was he had a fair amount of Irish in his estimate even though he wasn’t aware of any Irish ancestors. I asked him if he had any Scottish ancestry and it turns out his mother is from Edinburgh. In Harry’s case, my hypothesis was that his 37% Irish could be due in part to his Scottish ancestors."
Continue reading...

The Hundred-Year Walk:

Ancestry
"When my mother found my grandfather’s notebooks, tucked away at the back of a bookcase, it changed my family’s life. My mother sat stunned at the dining room table, momentarily muted by the discovery."
Continue reading...

Join Us On The AncestryUK Blog:

AncestryUK Blog
"We’re excited to announce that we have launched a local blog for our customers in Ireland and the UK.
The Ancestry UK blog will be bringing you all the same DNA and Ancestry updates that you enjoy on our global blog, while also focusing on specific news relevant to our UK and Irish communities."
Continue reading...

Tech:

Why Is "Find My iPhone" Not Working?

Lifewire
"If you need to use Find My iPhone, you're probably already in a stressful situation. That situation gets worse if Find My iPhone isn't working. But if you're using Find My iPhone to track down your device and it's not working, try these tips."
Continue reading...

Kindle vs. Paperwhite vs. Voyage vs. Oasis: Which Kindle Should You Buy?

How-to-Geek
"Amazon’s Kindle lineup has expanded: there are now four different models, with different features at different price points. That means deciding which one you want is more difficult than ever. Let’s look at what separates the four Kindles and how to work out which one is right for you."
Continue reading...

Education:

Irish Genealogy - Part 2 - Cluster Genealogy

Finding Grandpa
"This is part 2 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...  13.03 minutes

VGS Latest News & Tips: 24 November 2016

Happy Thanksgiving

History of Thanksgiving:

History Vault
"In 1621, the Plymouth colonists and Wampanoag Indians shared an autumn harvest feast that is acknowledged today as one of the first Thanksgiving celebrations in the colonies. For more than two centuries, days of thanksgiving were celebrated by individual colonies and states. It wasn’t until 1863, in the midst of the Civil War, that President Abraham Lincoln proclaimed a national Thanksgiving Day to be held each November."
Continue reading...

Turkey and All the Trimmings:

Ancestry
"This article originally appeared in Ancestry Magazine, November-December 2007.
Since Abraham Lincoln’s presidency, Americans have enjoyed Thanksgiving celebrations on the last Thursday of November. That is until 1939. Because of the Great Depression, retailers and businesses pressured President Franklin D. Roosevelt to move Thanksgiving up one week, thus extending the holiday shopping season and, hopefully, increasing sales. FDR complied and, surprisingly, was met with intense opposition.
Continue reading...

Thanksgiving:

History
"Each year on the fourth Thursday in November, Americans gather for a day of feasting, football and family. While today’s Thanksgiving celebrations would likely be unrecognizable to attendees of the original 1621 harvest meal, it continues to be a day for Americans to come together around the table—albeit with some updates to pilgrim’s menu."
40 short video's...
Continue reading...

Gift Ideas for the Genealogist:

The Willards
"Every family has at least one person interested in genealogy – whether it is your spouse, an old aunt, or a sibling. Like most, however, this individual probably has enough “stuff” so buying for him or her for the holidays presents a unique problem. Well, here are a few recommendations that might make the task a little easier."
Members can download a copy from our website: Members Only>Secure Downloads>The Willards

How to Save Money on Smarthome Products:

How-to-Geek
"Smarthome products aren’t cheap, and completely outfitting your house with these devices can be an expensive endeavor. However, here are some things you can keep in mind if you’re looking to save some cash when you go to upgrade to a smart thermostat, smart lights, and more."
Continue reading...

Do These 12 Things First When You Get a New iPhone:

Lifewire
"When you get a new iPhone—especially if it's your first iPhone—there are literally hundreds (maybe even thousands) of things to learn how to do. But you need to start somewhere, and that somewhere ought to be the basics."
Continue reading...

This Day In History: 24 November

1859: Charles Darwin publishes The Origin of Species by Means of Natural Selection, or The Preservation of Favored Races in the Struggle for Life. The first printing of 1,250 copies sells out in a single day.
1902: The first Congress of Professional Photographers convenes in Paris.
1963: Jack Ruby fatally shoots the accused assassin of President John Kennedy, Lee Harvey Oswald, in the garage of the Dallas Police Department.
1784 Birthday: Zachary Taylor, general during the Mexican War, 12th President of the United States.

State Timelines:

Even though it is hard to tell what made people move or disappear, these are just a few possibilities.
Kentucky:
1818: Western part of the state annexed
1819: Panic of 1819 ruined many banks
1824: Tornadoes destroy many towns

VGS Latest News & Tips: 31 October 2016

Upcoming Free Webinar:

Legacy Family Tree

 Read More and/or Register...

Celebrate Halloween With These Characters From The Records:

Ancestry
"Yes, Halloween is upon us and whether you love it or couldn’t give two witches’ hats about it, there’s never a more apt time to start digging up the past than on All Hallows Eve."
Continue reading...

Entering Unknown Persons in Family Tree:Ancestry
"I know nothing about the parents of my 4x-great-grandmother Mrs. Betsey Ann Embody.
However, from a newspaper report shortly prior to her death, I do know that she was visited by a sister, "Mrs. Hodge of Herkimer." I can create a person named "Mrs. Hodge" in the FamilySearch Family Tree, but to link them as siblings, I need to create at least one person who is a parent to both of these women."
Continue reading...
Editor's Note: I'm often asked similar questions as today's. I prefer that you create a research log for this person. I would not enter the person into my database until I can confirm that there is indeed a relationship.

Puzzles That Challenged Our Ancestors:
GenealogyBank
"I’m starting to realize there is a link between genealogy and puzzle solving, and it turns out I’m not alone. This article from a 1938 Texas newspaper reports that genealogy research is like solving a crossword puzzle."
Continue reading...

Ancestry a Announces "WE'RE RELATED" App:
Ancestry
"Are you related to someone famous or one of your closest friends? We’re Related can show you the surprising, significant, or boast-worthy connections in your tree. Your coworker could be your cousin. Or your cousin could be an icon."
More information...

Absurd Propaganda Postcards Warning Men About The Dangers Of Women’s Rights, Early 1900s:
dangerousminds.net
"Here’s a collection of totally ridiculous vintage postcards and posters dated from around 1900 to 1914 warning men of the dangers associated with the suffragette movement and of allowing women to think for themselves. I think my favorite is the postcard where the woman is pinching the man’s ear and forcing him to clean the home. The nerve of her to request such a thing!"
Continue reading...

Quick Tip: Place Your iPhone Face Down to Save Battery Life:
How-to-Geek
"iOS 9 brought a useful new feature you may not have noticed yet. Known as “Facedown detection”, your iPhone can detect when it’s placed face down and won’t turn the screen on when notifications arrive. This can save a lot of battery power if you regularly receive notifications."
Continue reading...

This Day In History: 31 October
1517: Martin Luther nails his 95 Theses to the door of the church at Wittenberg in Germany. Luther’s theories and writings inaugurate Protestantism, shattering the external structure of the medieval church and at the same time reviving the religious consciousness of Europe.
1803: Congress ratifies the purchase of the entire Louisiana area in North America, adding territory to the U.S. which will eventually become 13 more states.
1941: After 14 years of work, the Mount Rushmore National Memorial is completed.
1860 Birthday: Juliette Low, founder of the Girl Scouts.

State Timelines:
Even though it is hard to tell what made people move or disappear, these are just a few possibilities.
Idaho:
1803: Becomes part of the Louisiana Purchase
1809: First fur trading post established
1820: Fort Boise established

VGS Latest News & Tips: 20 October 2016

Today: October 20, 2016

New England Genealogy SIG Meeting

Noon in the New Smyrna Room at the Sea Breeze Recreation Center
Topic: Webinar: "Get What You Came For" by Tom Kemp

Tomorrow: October 21, 2016

Scandinavian Genealogy SIG Meeting

10:00 AM in the Clearwater Room Sea Breeze Recreation Center
Topic: This month will be an open discussion. Bring your questions to help you get started with your Scandinavian research.

Genealogy News Episode 91:
Geneatopia
Topics:
New DNA Test Living DNA
FamilyTreeDNA Introduces Pedigree View
New Records at FamilySearch and more...
Continue reading...
Go directly to the podcast in a new window...
You can also download this podcast for listening convenience.

Editor's Note: I've been asked this question more than once... What's a podcast?
A podcast is a digital audio file made available on the Internet. It can be played directly from the website, or for downloading to a computer or portable media player, like your smartphone. They typically are available as a series with new installments received by subscribers automatically.

Civil War Signal Corps:
Fold3
"Both the Union and the Confederacy developed an army Signal Corps during the Civil War. The job of the Signal Corps in both the North and South was to quickly and accurately relay information and orders between the commanders of different units within the two forces (which was especially crucial during battles). The main way they did this was through the use of a flag system called wig-wag (not to be confused with semaphore), which was invented by Albert J. Meyer, an army surgeon, shortly before the war."
Continue reading...

Find A Grave Community Weekend Adds 211,655 New Photos:
Ancestry
"The third annual Find a Grave Community Weekend took place on October 7th through October 9th across the globe.  Thanks to the hundreds of volunteers across 175 cemeteries who:

• added 211,655 new photos
• fulfilled 8,232 photos requests
• added 203,448 new memorials"

Continue reading...

To the letter: Tracing The Footsteps Of A Victorian Postman:
Ancestry
"Born in Wollaston, a Northamptonshire shoe-making village in 1802, he’d settled in Leicester by the mid 1820s. Invariably he appears in the records as a shoemaker or, in his later years as a shoe warehouseman. His was a working life spent cutting leather, sewing uppers, nailing on soles ¬– one of thousands working in the boot and shoe industry for which Victorian Leicester was renowned.
It all seemed straightforward, until I spotted him in the 1851 census listed as a ‘Letter Deliverer’."
Continue reading...

Collection Spotlight: Matagorda County Texas School Records:
FamilySearch
"Most children, ages 4–5, in the United States attend free public schools beginning with preschool or kindergarten. While newer school records are not available to the public, some older public records created by schools are beginning to become available to researchers. Records kept by teachers may be found at historical societies or..."
Continue reading...

How to Stop Apple Pay from Opening on Your iPhone All the Time:
How-to-Geek
"If you don’t use Apple Pay, there’s no reason you should have to see it on your iPhone’s lock screen every time you accidentally double-click the Home button. Here’s how to turn that shortcut off, while still allowing access to Apple Pay when you need to."
Continue reading...

This Day In History: 20 October
1818: The United States and Britain establish the 49th Parallel as the boundary between Canada and the United States.
1903: The Joint Commission, set up on January 24 by Great Britain and the United States to arbitrate the disputed Alaskan boundary, rules in favor of the United States. The deciding vote is Britain’s, which embitters Canada. The United States gains ports on the panhandle coast of Alaska.
1924: Baseball’s first ‘colored World Series’ is held in Kansas City, Mo.
1931 Birthday: Mickey Mantle, baseball great who played for the New York Yankees

State Timelines:
Even though it is hard to tell what made people move or disappear, these are just a few possibilities.
Georgia:
1776: Became one of the 13 original colonies
1785-1820: Passports issued into Indian lands
1805: First land lottery when Creek Nation ceded land to United States

VGS Latest News & Tips: 24 July 2015

Why Your iPhone is Asking You To “Trust This Computer” (and Whether You Should):
How-to-Geek
"Plug your iPhone or iPad into a USB port and you may be asked whether you want to “Trust This Computer.” You may even see this message when you plug your iPhone or iPad into a USB charger."
Continue reading...

Organizing and Preserving a Family Photo Collection...
Ancestry.com
This is a guest post by Denise May Levenick, The Family Curator 
Photographs are the treasures of any family history collection. Documents can verify kinship and share the details of everyday life, but photos allow us to see firsthand the same eyes or broad smile we inherited from our forebears. Organizing all those photos may seem overwhelming, but with a simple plan you can organize and preserve your photos for the next generation.
Continue reading...

What Your Grandmother Was Like as a Teenager...
Ancestry.com
"Prior to the 1900s, many young people left school and worked, either on the family farm or at a job. But by 1900, some children were staying in school longer than before.
In 1895, the Connecticut State Board of Education actually started issuing certificates showing proof of age for children over 14 because children under 14 could no longer legally work."
Continue reading...

Women Soldiers in the Civil War: How Did They Get Away With It?
Ancestry.com
"Elizabeth Finnern’s gravestone sits in a tranquil cemetery in Indiana. Just a simple stone, marking a quiet spot where a husband and wife rest for eternity. But there is something quite unique about this particular headstone – the last line: “Both members of Co. D. 81 Reg. O.V.I.” and underneath, the explanation: “She served in male attire untill (sic) her sex was detected when she was detailed as a nurse serving 3 years.”
Continue reading...

This Day In History:
1567 - Mary Queen of Scots is forced to abdicate; her 1-year-old son becomes King James VI of Scots
1651 - Anthony Johnson, a free African American, receives grant of 250 acres in Vaginia
1824 - Harrisburg Pennsylvanian newspaper publishes results of 1st public opinion poll. Clear lead for Andrew Jackson