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Is your computer ready for Windows 7?

A few years ago when Microsoft released Windows Vista, I was pretty quick to install the upgrade. I just like new software. But I was also pretty quick to uninstall it and moved back to Windows XP. However, those who have worked with pre-release editions of the new Windows 7 have reported that Microsoft's newest operating system upgrade, due to be released to the public on October 22, 2009, should be much smoother.…

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Added by Geoff Rasmussen on October 1, 2009 at 10:51am — No Comments

Marriage: John Scott & Rose Kelly-NYC

I am stumped. I am a descendent of an orphan train rider and would like to persue the biological line of my grandmother who was the orphan train rider. She was born in NYC in 1913 to the above couple (Rose Kelly used the last name of Scott on the birth certificate) as a legitimate birth. This Rose even had another child prior to the one given up. However, they could not care for her supposedly and relinquished her to the NewYork Foundling Hospital. I have all of that documentation. I've been to… Continue

Added by Margie Kosinski LaCerra on October 1, 2009 at 10:00am — 1 Comment

The Hairdresser and The Prairie

Some call it the Shelby County Weedpatch. The Illinois Nature Preserves Commission christened it the Margaret Guzy Pothole Wetlands Land and Water Reserve. The local Department of Natural Resources staff called it a surprise gift. But most people call it Guzy Prairie, in honor of the woman who donated this 159 acre wildlife sanctuary in 1991.

Guzy Prairie exemplifies how diverse a prairie can be and how quickly cropland can be restored after years of row crop production. The… Continue

Added by Judy Rosella Edwards on October 1, 2009 at 7:28am — No Comments

Wednesday's Cemetery Information" San Diego's Lost and Forgotten Cemeteries"

Today I went to a talk about cemeteries in San Diego County. Alas it was embarrassing to learn I have lived here for 35 + years this trip and to learn that as late as 1960's, Yes I was here then, that our city government and business people allowed people, groups and agencies to rip out head stones and destroy cemeteries. Keith's Resturant is on a cemetery, does anyone remember that. I think that the one missing in San Ysidro area is also paved over with free way or freeway interchange. A 95… Continue

Added by Susi (Susan C Jones) Pentico on September 30, 2009 at 9:20pm — 1 Comment

William Dikes Elusive Ancestor

William DIKES born 1835/6 Texas, father USA born via 1870 census

Here William in 1870 William is alive and dwelling with his family (although mispelt etc. )in 1870

Name: William Dike

Estimated Birth Year: abt 1837

Age in 1870: 33

Birthplace: Texas

Home in 1870: Burnham, Ellis, Texas

Race: White

Gender: Male

Value of real estate: View image

Post Office: Cummins Creek

Household Members: Name Age

William Dike 33

Ann Dike… Continue

Added by Ruth Elizabeth Hayley Himan on September 30, 2009 at 8:44pm — 1 Comment

Parade of States -- online digital genealogy resources -- Arizona

Arizona is not exactly perceived to be in the forefront of places where people do genealogical research but the collections listed below are mind boggling extensive. Arizona is perceived as a place where people from the Midwest go to live and to retire. To the contrary, our heritage (I live in Arizona) actually dates back hundreds of years to Native American and Spanish roots. Historically, the population has been sparse, but recently, with the boom in sun belt living, the state capital,… Continue

Added by James Tanner on September 30, 2009 at 6:03pm — No Comments

Overcome one, Encounter another

Well, now that I have tracked down relatives I'm anxious to find out more. Only to run into another brick wall (my head hurts). I am looking for anything for Minnie Myrick (Myrack). Born in Texas December 19, 1879. She married Milas Lemay in Bowie County, Texas, June 1, 1894. She died in November, 1953. This would be my Great Grandmother on my mom's dad's side. I believe Minnie had a sister named Susie Ann or Susie Anna. I have tracked down census records for 1910, 1920 and 1930 for Minnie and… Continue

Added by Pam McCreary on September 30, 2009 at 3:19pm — No Comments

The Houston Oral History Project, Houston, Texas

Yesterday Mayor Bill White and Dr. Rhea Brown Lawson, director of the Houston Public Library, launched the Houston Oral History Project (HOHP), a web-based archive that celebrates the many voices of Houston’s past.

Last summer Mayor White commissioned 100 initial interviews through the Houston Public Library. Well known civic, political and business leaders as well as witnesses to the historical events that shaped Houston were invited to visit libraries throughout the city to record… Continue

Added by Stefani Twyford on September 30, 2009 at 1:20pm — No Comments

Ever heard of Creative Genealogy?

We all love genealogy,

this is why we are here. I too have done extensive research to find my ancestors and go as back in time as possible.

I love genealogy so much that I decided to make it fun for my now still little children so that they would love it too.

Then I realized that when you make genealogy something more visual than just a pedigree chart, you get interest from any kind of person.

If you would like an idea of what I mean… Continue

Added by Michelina Hall on September 30, 2009 at 8:00am — No Comments

Daniel Horowitz - Genealogy and Translation Manager of MyHeritage.com - August genealogy USA tour. Part II and final

Laurence Harris, Schelly Talalay Dardashti and Daniel Horowitz

Photo by Nancy Adelson

The Philly conference was also attended by Schelly Talalay Dardashti (who writes the… Continue

Added by Daniel Horowitz on September 30, 2009 at 6:00am — No Comments

Whatever happened to genealogical evidence standards?

Donald Lines Jacobus, FASG (1887-1970) is generally recognized as the founder of the modern school of genealogy in the United States. See NGS Genealogy Hall of Fame Members. He is credited with "elevating genealogy to the high degree of scholarship it now occupies." There were, of course, other researchers who were influential in setting a more professional standard for family history, such as Gilbert Cope in Pennsylvania, Colonel Lemuel Chester and Henry F. Waters from New England. Read more:… Continue

Added by James Tanner on September 30, 2009 at 4:46am — No Comments

Additional Stakes announced for New FamilySearch

According to the official Website, as of September 28, 2009, all of the Stakes in the Provo, Utah Temple District had access to New FamilySearch. Some of the Stakes in the Ogden, Utah Temple District also had access on that date, the remaining Stakes in the Ogden, Utah Temple District will gain access on October 5, 2009.
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Added by James Tanner on September 29, 2009 at 7:14pm — No Comments

Looking online for real information about your family

Sometimes when I am doing genealogical research online, I can't see the forest for the trees. Let me give an example. I enter a surname into a Google search, something common, like "morgan." In the first go around, I get over 15 million results. Now, who can actually use 15 million surnames? In the nature of search engines, the most popular results come up at the top of the list, so I get things like the Morgan Motor Company and Morgan Stanley financial services. Following my own advice, I try… Continue

Added by James Tanner on September 29, 2009 at 3:02pm — No Comments

Geneabloggers WebRing

Geneabloggers WebRing is a webring for Family, Home and Genealogy blogs. Family history blogging and genealogy carnivals. Exclusively for Geneabloggers! You can read more about this webring here.

Added by The Genealogy Box on September 29, 2009 at 2:27pm — No Comments

City Directories

Often people over look these sources of info. They can be very useful in pin pointing dates of death,places of work or exact home address.

With the absence of a 1890 census city directories can be a big help.

Not all smaller towns have them but at times combined with other small towns in the area or even with the county were they are located.

Most public librarys and historical groups have them. Pus they are available online at such sites as ancestry.com.…

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Added by Bob Mooney-Pa on September 29, 2009 at 9:21am — No Comments

What 15 Minutes Can Get You

With a full-time job and other obligations I find it hard to keep up with my genealogy research. So I've decided to spend at least 15 minutes a day doing some type of research or organization of my research. Tonight I opened up my Family Tree Maker software and focused on my third great grandfather Jacob Ruffing. Within ten minutes I struck upon a copy of his obituary courtesy of another user of Ancestry. I am totally stoked! The obit is posted below for your viewing pleasure.…

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Added by Sandra L Ruffing on September 29, 2009 at 7:54am — 1 Comment

Monday Madness is posted on Harvey Edward Foulk

Harvey was my Great Grandfather and a very interesting man he was. He was so interesting he disappeared.

Some time in the Mid 1930's Harvey decided to create a new life for himself and left his wife behind in Blackhawk Co. IA. The town of Washburn to be exact.

He came from good stock but he endured much in his life. I can almost understand the reason for the disappearance but it sure has become a stickler to locate his death records.

Family says IOWA under hay stack,… Continue

Added by Susi (Susan C Jones) Pentico on September 28, 2009 at 5:03pm — No Comments

Family Tree Connection - Update (27/Sep/2009)

Family Tree Connection has added the following genealogy items to its database:

Smith College 1929 Commencement Program - Smith College, Commencement, Monday, June Seventeeth, 1929, John M. Greene Hall, Northampton, Mass.

Johnstown Board of Trade 1902 Manual - Official Manual and Reference Book of the Board of Trade…

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Added by Illya Daddezio on September 27, 2009 at 3:30pm — No Comments

New FamilySearch after almost two years, a commentary

Almost two years ago, we were introduced to the New FamilySearch program. Since that time, I have spent a considerable time working with and teaching about, this interesting program. Although, it is still not available to those who do not belong to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS), and not even to all the members yet, the program has had a huge impact on the LDS community.
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Added by James Tanner on September 27, 2009 at 7:00am — No Comments

Genealogy Feeders, Readers and Changes

One of the questions I often get is how do I keep up with all of the different Websites. There is a huge amount of information out there on the Internet and it can be daunting to try to follow even one limited topic like online genealogy. However, there are a number of Web tools that make following blogs and other Websites manageable.
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Added by James Tanner on September 27, 2009 at 6:00am — No Comments