After my successful Windows 8 installation just minutes ago, the first thing I checked was its compatibility with Legacy Family Tree. It runs perfectly! No problems at all.

I can launch Legacy from the normal desktop mode, or from Windows 8's new Tile Mode. Here is what it looks like:

I have not yet done any customization. On the left are the default tiles, and on the right are my most popular apps/programs. Clicking once on the Legacy icon, Legacy opened as expected.

This is going to be fun! I'll keep you posted on what I learn.

This morning I ordered Windows 8 and began its download. While I write this article my download is 35% complete, with a little over 7 minutes remaining. So far the process has been very simple. For those interested, here's the step-by-steps:

1. At http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows/download-shop, I clicked on the Buy Windows 8 button. It downloaded a small file which launched the compatibility wizard.

2. It found 54 apps and devices which were compatible, and 9 that I needed to review:

3. It showed the list of what was compatible, and what was not.

4. It asked me what files I wanted to keep. Of course I selected the first option.

5.Next I was presented with the opportunity to purchase Windows 8 Pro. At $39.99 it was a bargain compared to previous upgrade prices.

6. The next screen:

7. Filled in my billing address:

8. And my payment information:

9. They accepted my credit card, and presented me with my Product Key. I clicked on the View Receipt link and printed it. I was also emailed a copy.

10. Then it began the large download.

It's now at 96%, with 28 seconds to go. I'll keep you updated on what I learn today. If I do not write another article in the next couple of hours, it's because I either 1) uninstalled Windows 8, 2) really liked it and am still playing, or 3) went to my 5th grader's awards assembly at the school. I know I'll do number 3, but am unsure about #s 1 or 2.

What about you? Have you installed Windows 8 yet?

...a few minutes later...

Oops, I spoke too soon. I ended with this screen:

Just prior to this, my AntiVirus program gave me a warning. Maybe this software interfered with the download and installation. Most software installation procedures recommend to disable AntiVirus and Firewall software prior to installation. I'm going to do that now and see if it makes a difference for my second try. Back to work....

9:25am Update...that seemed to do the trick. It is now in the process of "getting files ready."

Hmm...which should I choose. Let's go with the first one. I wish there were a "what does this mean" link next to each option:

Next, agree to the license terms. I know...boring...but I wanted you to see the entire process:

OK, I guess I won't be able to write anymore until installation is done. See you soon!

10:46am update - just got back from my son's award's assembly. He got straight A's and made the Principal's List!

When I returned home, the installation wizard asked me a few questions about my favorite colors and preference selections. I'm now working with Windows 8! It has both a desktop mode (which looks identical to Windows 7, but without the Start menu) and the Tile mode. I'm nervous for the Tile mode, mostly because it's so new and different, but am looking forward to exploring. So far so good.

Tell us about your experience below. Have you made the upgrade yet? Why or why not?

Where do you turn when you can't find your Irish ancestors in civil registration, church records or what few censuses survive? Experienced researchers dive right in to the Irish estate records. There is a surprising array of material in estate records that can be used to document the tenants who lived on the estates that covered rural Ireland. In this webinar you will learn how to identify the estate where your ancestor lived, repositories where estate records might be found, and what types of records were kept.

Join us for the live webinar on Wednesday, October 31, 2012 at 2pm Eastern U.S. Register today to reserve your virtual seat. Registration is free but space is limited to the first 1,000 people to join that day. Before joining, please visit www.java.com to ensure you have the latest version of Java which our webinar software requires. When you join, if you receive a message that the webinar is full, you know we've reached the 1,000 limit, so we invite you to view the recording which should be published to the webinar archives within an hour or two of the event's conclusion.

About the presenter

Judith Eccles Wight graduated from Brigham Young University. She is an AG (Accredited Genealogist researcher) specializing in Irish and Scottish research. From 1990-2001 she worked as a British Reference Consultant at the Family History Library. She is a published author in many genealogical periodicals and is a popular genealogical lecturer and teacher. She is founder, past president and forever board member of Ulster Project-Utah, an ecumenical peacemaking organization that brings Catholic and Protestant teens from Northern Ireland to various established centers in the U.S.

Judy is the author of:

• The Three Cs of Irish Research: Civil Registration, Church Records, and Census webinar-on-CD.

Add it to your Google Calendar

With our Google Calendar button, you will never forget our upcoming webinars. Simply click the button to add it to your calendar. You can then optionally embed the webinar events (and even turn them on and off) into your own personal calendar. If you have already added the calendar, you do not have to do it again - the new webinar events will automatically appear.

Webinar time

The webinar will be live on Wednesday, October 31, 2012 at:

• 2pm Eastern (U.S.)
• 1pm Central
• 12pm Mountain
• 11am Pacific/Arizona
• 6pm GMT

Or use this Time Zone Converter.

Here's how to attend:

1. Register at www.LegacyFamilyTree.com/webinars.asp today. It's free!
2. You will receive a confirmation email containing a link to the webinar.
3. You will receive a reminder email during the week prior to the webinar.
4. Calculate your time zone by clicking here.
5. Make sure you have the latest version of Java installed on your computer. Check at www.java.com.
6. Check your GoToWebinar connection here by clicking on the "Test Your GoToWebinar Connection" link.
7. Click on the webinar link (found in confirmation and reminder emails) prior to the start of the webinar. Arrive early as the room size is limited to the first 1,000 arrivals that day.
8. Listen via headset (USB headsets work best), your computer speakers, or by phone.

We look forward to seeing you all there!

The major new upgrade from Microsoft, Windows 8, will be available for your computer or tablet starting Friday, October 26, 2012. While I am usually first in line to upgrade to the latest and greatest, I may hold off a little while on this one. But again, I might not.

Windows 8 is so completely different than what we are used to - it does not even have a Start button anymore. And since it is optimized for computers and tablets with touch screens, many early testers recommend to stick with Windows 7 if you do not have a touch screen or tablet.

Legacy Family Tree works well on Windows 8 and Windows 8 Pro. It does not (now) run on tablets running Windows RT. For a comparison of the three versions of Windows, click here. Or take a tour of Windows 8 here.

Having said all this, you will probably find me at the computer store early Friday morning. What about you? Are you taking the plunge, or will you wait for a while? 

[Editor’s note: Wondering what to do with all those scanned family photos? Flip-Pal mobile scanner ambassador Thomas MacEntee shares his ideas to help spark your creativity this holiday season. Republished with permission.]

I know what you’re saying…“It’s too early for Christmas!” or “I can’t believe the holidays are here already!” I often feel the same way around the end of October and I tend to get cranky when I see television commercials advertising the holiday gift-buying season or hear Christmas songs on the radio.

During the holiday season I also feel pressure to not only find unique gifts for family members, but to also share family photos and my genealogy research. So I’ve found a few solutions that take some of the pressure off and help me enjoy the season with my family and friends.

Holidays Are Closer Than They Appear!

Before getting busy with the “crafty” or creative part of the solutions, I have to scan those photos sitting in the boxes and albums. I can’t put it off, otherwise I won’t have the digital images I need to create great gifts. I’m also scanning at the highest possible resolution on the Flip-Pal mobile scanner—600dpi. This ensures that the images in my gifts will be clear and really stand out on the items I’ll be creating.

Over the past few nights I’ve been busy using my Flip-Pal mobile scanner to digitize my old family photos while I have watching television in my living room. I have been able to scan about 50 or so photos each night to create a library of content that I can then turn into a variety of gifts.

Don’t delay! The process of going from scanned photo to great gift will take at least a week before you can even receive the item you create—and that’s if you work at lightning speed. Most people will need more time, so scan those photos now!

A Variety of Gift Possibilities

Once you have your photos digitized, what can you create to give to family and friends for Christmas, Hanukah and other holidays (any time of the year, actually)? Here’s a list:

• 2013 Calendars: Create desktop or wall calendars with a different family photo for each month. Use your genealogy research to write a brief description about the people or places depicted in the photographs. Also, don’t forget to include those birthdates and anniversaries on each day!

• Christmas Tree Ornaments: What’s nice about photo ornaments is that they are brought out each year and bring back memories. As you can see from the photo above, I’ve scanned my family photos, mounted them on cardstock, and then, using a glue gun, I’ve decorated them with preserved cedar and dried rosebuds for a Victorian look.

• Wearables and Other Gifts: Online stores such as Café Press and Zazzle let you upload photos to create t-shirts, sweatshirts and more. Don’t forget that you can also create mouse pads, tote bags, buttons and even iPhone cases using those same photos. A nice aspect of using these online stores is that once the holidays are over, family members can go and order the items they want at any time!

• Printable Fabric: Local fabric and hobby stores carry cotton fabric that you can print with your ink jet printer, just like paper. It is colorfast and can make great wall hangings, throw pillows, or even a heritage quilt.

• Photobooks: The self-publishing concept has become so much easier by using sites like Lulu, My Canvas, Blurb and even superstore sites like Costco and Walmart. Upload your photos, select a template, a paper type and a binding format and you’re on your way to creating a memorable book.

These ideas are just the beginning of endless possibilities for gifts using your photos scanned with the Flip-Pal mobile scanner.

FREE Webinar: 10 Ideas for Great Gifts Using Your Family Photos

Need more inspiration? On Friday, November 16, 2012, at 2:00 p.m. Eastern Time ⁄ 11:00 a.m. Pacific Time, you can attend a live online presentation entitled 10 Ideas for Great Gifts Using Your Family Photos presented by Flip-Pal and Legacy Family Tree.

I’ll be co-hosting this 90-minute presentation along with Diane Miller, Technical Marketing and Genealogy Account Manager for Flip-Pal mobile scanner. Here is what the webinar will cover:

Once a precious family photo is scanned using the Flip-Pal mobile scanner, you can do more than just send the image to friends and family or add it to your family tree. We will quickly cover how to scan an original and then print the scanned image for use in gift projects. A few of the ideas we will share using these prints include ornaments, sweat shirts, quilts, wall hangings and holiday decorations. This seminar will be packed with ideas and step-by-step instructions from these two creative individuals. We’ll also discuss how you can use various sites such as Zazzle, Café Press and even superstore sites such as Costco, Walmart and Walgreens to create calendars and photo books as gifts.

Click here to register for this FREE online webinar: https://www3.gotomeeting.com/register/403700638

You can learn more about Legacy Family Tree webinars by downloading their latest flyer here.

The recording of today's terrific webinar, Your Civil War Ancestors: Beginning Your Research, by Michael Hait, is now available to view in our webinar archives. As Michael stated, the records of the Civil War are indeed the greatest record collection for U.S. genealogists!

Here's just a few of the resources Michael talked about:

• 1890 U.S. Veteran's schedule
• Tombstones
• Obituaries
• Fold3
• Civil War Soldiers & Sailors System
• Compiled service records
• Pension applications
• and much more

View the recording

If you could not make it to the live event or just want to watch it again, the 1 hour 33 minute recording of Your Civil War Ancestors: Beginning Your Research is now available to view in our webinar archives for a limited time. Visit www.LegacyFamilyTree.com/webinars.asp to watch.

Pre-order the webinar-on-CD

Own your own copy of Your Civil War Ancestors: Beginning Your Research by purchasing the webinar-on-CD for just $9.95. It includes the complete 1 hour 33 minute recording of the class, and 3 pages of handouts. Click here for more information or to purchase.

Michael's book, Online State Resources for Genealogy (784) pages is available here for just $15.99.

Special discount coupon

The special discount coupon of war that was announced during the webinar is valid for 10% off anything in our online store through Monday, October 29, 2012.

Register for our upcoming webinars (free)

• Ten Brick Wall Tips for Intermediate Researchers with Marian Pierre-Louis, October 17.
• Your Civil War Ancestors: Beginning Your Research with Michael Hait. October 24.
• Breaking Down Your Irish Brick Wall with Judy Wight. October 31.
• Researching Your Canadian Ancestors - an Overview with Claire Brisson-Banks. November 7.
• Genealogy for Novices: Where Do We Begin with Linda Geiger. November 14.
• The Big 4 U.S. Record Sources with Mary Hill. November 28.
• 10 Ideas for Great Gifts Using Your Family Photos with Thomas MacEntee and Diane Miller. November 30.
• Researching Your Irish Ancestors: Beyond the Basics with Judy Wight. December 5.

Click here to register.

See you online!

FamilySearch added 2.7 million indexed records and digital images to its growing collection, with a large portion being added to the Iowa County Marriages collection. The latest update to the Iowa County collection makes it 86 percent complete. The update includes 637,695 new images of marriage licenses and 1,623,576 new indexed records. Also of interest are the 198,938 new images and records added to the Dorset, England, Parish Registers collection and 428,000 Boston passenger lists for 1820 to 1891. Search these diverse collections and 3 billion other records for free at FamilySearch.org.

Searchable historic records are made available on FamilySearch.org through the help of thousands of volunteers from around the world. These volunteers transcribe (index) information from digital copies of handwritten records to make them easily searchable online. More volunteers are needed (particularly those who can read foreign languages) to keep pace with the large number of digital images being published online at FamilySearch.org. Learn more about volunteering to help provide free access to the world's historic genealogical records online at FamilySearch.org.

FamilySearch is the largest genealogy organization in the world. FamilySearch is a nonprofit, volunteer-driven organization sponsored by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Millions of people use FamilySearch records, resources, and services to learn more about their family history. To help in this great pursuit, FamilySearch and its predecessors have been actively gathering, preserving, and sharing genealogical records worldwide for over 100 years. Patrons may access FamilySearch services and resources for free at FamilySearch.org or through more than 4,600 family history centers in 132 countries, including the main Family History Library in Salt Lake City, Utah.

• England, Dorset, Parish Registers, 1538-1910
• Italy, Messina, Messina, Civil Registration, 1866-1910
• Mexico, Archdiocese of Guadalajara, Miscellaneous Marriage Records, 1605-1815
• Spain, Province of Lérida, Municipal Records, 1319-1940
• U.S., Iowa, County Marriages, 1838-1934
• U.S., Massachusetts, Boston Passenger Lists, 1820-1891

Thanks to our new guest blogger, Lisa A. Alzo, M.F.A., for today's article!

October is National Family History Month,* and a perfect time to discover your roots, or catch up on those family history tasks you’ve been meaning to work on. Although we’re already a couple weeks in, there are still plenty of days left. Here are ten great ways to celebrate.

1. Trace your family tree.  Use the month to build, edit, or update your family tree. Legacy Family Tree software makes this task easy to do. If you’re not yet a Legacy Family Tree User, download the free version standard version and give it a try. If you’re already using Legacy, explore its mapping features to track an ancestor’s migration, create any number of beautiful wall charts, or work on your source citations with the new Legacy SourceWriter™ to ensure proper formatting.

2.  Try a new tech tool.  Technology is always evolving and genealogists are finding new ways to integrate new tools and apps to help with research tasks. Explore a new app for your smartphone, or try out great cloud storage options like Dropbox.  Take advantage of all that Google has to offer (Docs/Drive, Books, Translate, and more), contribute to a Wiki such as the one at FamilySearch.org, or build one of your own. To learn more, check out Thomas MacEntee’s Legacy Webinars available on these topics.

3. Make connections.  No genealogist is an island, so the more you can connect with family members who may hold the answers to your family history questions the better.  Blogs are a great way to reach out. In fact, they are often referred to as “cousin bait.” Find more than 2,800 genealogy/family history blogs at Geneabloggers. And don’t forget social media (Facebook, Google Plus, Twitter, Pinterest) to help you find long lost relatives and connect with other researchers.

4. Tell a story.  Don’t be just a name collector, or fact curator. When possible, interview family members and research the historical context of the time period, and then try your hand at writing your family’s story. Don’t know where or how to begin?  My Legacy webinars on “Ready, Set, Write: Your Family’s Story” and “Digital Writing Tools for Genealogists” can help get you started.

5. Do the DNA.  Hitting a brick wall in your research? Paper trail gone cold? DNA testing is a great way to dig a bit deeper to unlock family relationships, or to prove or disprove conflicting evidence in your research. Learn the basics and the various testing companies and options by watching the free Legacy webinars on “DNA Research for Genealogists: Beyond the Basics,” and “The Power of DNA in Unlocking Family Relationships.”

6. Go to the graveyard. Graveyards are really popular places in October thanks to Halloween. But don’t get spooked. If possible, visit your ancestors’ final resting places and photograph their tombstones. Using apps such as BillionGraves, or Resting Spot make the job much easier. If you are not able to physically travel to a cemetery, try searching the large virtual gravestones available on Find-a-Grave.com, or Interment.net.

7. Start a heritage craft.  With the holiday season just around the corner, why not consider giving your loved ones the gift of family history? Starting now will ensure you finish in plenty of time. For example, wall charts are wonderful ways to share your research (watch the free Legacy Webinar on “Further Your Research and Unify Your Family Reunion with Beautiful Genealogy Charts” to see all of the great ways to display your family tree). Other ideas include creating a memory book, heritage quilt, or ornament—the possibilities are endless. For more inspiration, visit Heritage Crafts on Pinterest.

8. Search a different database.  If you find yourself going back to the same genealogy databases or websites time and again, shake things up a bit and visit a new one. You can use a site such as TopTenReviews to view and compare a dozen of the most popular services (Note: not all databases are listed so you should explore others on your own or read the blogs of other researchers for more suggestions).

9. Prepare a favorite family dish.  Craving some of Auntie Ann’s apple crisp, or grandma’s chicken soup? Family recipes and traditions help us to more deeply understand and connect with our heritage. If you have recipes that were passed down, pick one or two of your favorites and make them during family history month. If the recipes are handwritten on old recipe cards, scan them and use a program like Evernote to save and organize them.

10.  Learn something new.  Legacy Family Tree is offering several great Webinars during the month of October to help you with your research problems. If you can’t listen live, you can watch the recorded versions for a limited time afterwards, purchase past webinars on CD, and register for future webinars.

It’s wonderful to have an entire month officially dedicated to the pursuit of family history. Use the ten suggestions above as a guide, and then come up with your own innovative ways to “show your roots” during October!

Lisa A. Alzo is a freelance writer, instructor, and lecturer who has been tracking her ancestors for more than 22 years. She is a frequent presenter for the Legacy Family Tree Webinars series and can be contacted via http://www.lisaalzo.com.

[*In 2003 the United States Senate officially recognized October as National Family History Month, a time “to encourage family history research, education, and the sharing of knowledge.”  The bill, [S.RES.175] was sponsored by Senator Orrin G. Hatch of Utah.  To read more, click here].

Learn how to identify your U.S. Civil War ancestors and what information can be found in the Civil War records in a free webinar by returning webinar speaker and board-certified genealogist, Michael Hait. This is one of my (Geoff's) favorite topics, and Civil War records are one of the greatest resources in America.

Join us for the live webinar on Wednesday, October 24, 2012 at 2pm Eastern U.S. Register today to reserve your virtual seat. Registration is free but space is limited to the first 1,000 people to join that day. Before joining, please visit www.java.com to ensure you have the latest version of Java which our webinar software requires. When you join, if you receive a message that the webinar is full, you know we've reached the 1,000 limit, so we invite you to view the recording which should be published to the webinar archives within an hour or two of the event's conclusion.

About the presenter

Michael Hait, a board-certified genealogist, has over ten years of research experience on families from Connecticut to South Carolina to Tennessee. He serves as the vice-president of the National Capital Area chapter of the Association of Professional Genealogists. He is the author of The Family History Research Toolkit and the brand new Online State Resources for Genealogy. He is also the author and instructor for the "Research: African-American Ancestors" course at the National Institute of Genealogical Studies and the coordinator of the resource library for Lowcountry Africana.

Visit his website at www.haitfamilyresearch.com.

Michael is the author of:

• Online State Resources for Genealogy
• What is a 'Reasonably Exhaustive Search'? webinar-on-CD

Add it to your Google Calendar

With our Google Calendar button, you will never forget our upcoming webinars. Simply click the button to add it to your calendar. You can then optionally embed the webinar events (and even turn them on and off) into your own personal calendar. If you have already added the calendar, you do not have to do it again - the new webinar events will automatically appear.

Webinar time

The webinar will be live on Wednesday, October 24, 2012 at:

• 2pm Eastern (U.S.)
• 1pm Central
• 12pm Mountain
• 11am Pacific/Arizona
• 6pm GMT

Or use this Time Zone Converter.

Here's how to attend:

1. Register at www.LegacyFamilyTree.com/webinars.asp today. It's free!
2. You will receive a confirmation email containing a link to the webinar.
3. You will receive a reminder email during the week prior to the webinar.
4. Calculate your time zone by clicking here.
5. Make sure you have the latest version of Java installed on your computer. Check at www.java.com.
6. Check your GoToWebinar connection here by clicking on the "Test Your GoToWebinar Connection" link.
7. Click on the webinar link (found in confirmation and reminder emails) prior to the start of the webinar. Arrive early as the room size is limited to the first 1,000 arrivals that day.
8. Listen via headset (USB headsets work best), your computer speakers, or by phone.

We look forward to seeing you all there!

We are proud to announce a new addition to our Legacy Family Tree product line: Legacy QuickGuides^®. Each laminated guide contains four pages of valuable information covering a variety of genealogy research topics. Legacy QuickGuides are written by genealogists and family historians who are experts in subject areas. The first three are now available from our online store.

Legacy QuickGuide: New York Genealogy

In a New York genealogy state of mind? Looking for those elusive Empire State ancestors? The New York Genealogy Legacy QuickGuide contains useful information including a timeline of New York history events, tips on New York research strategy, a list of New York migration routes and more. Also included are over 140 links to websites and resources covering vital records, church records, census records, as well as general New York resources. This handy 4-sided laminated guide easily slips into a backpack or laptop bag for those genealogy research trips. Thomas MacEntee, author.

This is also a perfect companion to Thomas MacEntee's Researching Your New York Ancestors webinar-on-CD.

Click here to purchase for just $7.95.

Legacy QuickGuide: Genealogy for Kids

Are you a parent, teacher, librarian, genealogy society member or someone interested in sharing genealogy with children and getting them hooked? The Genealogy for Kids Legacy QuickGuide contains useful information including tips on getting started with a youth workshop, strategies for creating a workshop, workshop speaking suggestions, activities, groups to contact to engage the younger generation, and plenty of web-based and book resources to make your workshop the best it can be. This handy 4-sided laminated guide easily slips into a backpack or laptop bag for those genealogy research trips. Jennifer Holik, author.

This is also a perfect companion to Maureen Taylor's Children and Genealogy in the Classroom webinar-on-CD.

Click here to purchase for just $7.95.

Legacy QuickGuide: Finding Your Female Ancestors

Most historical records have been created for and about men, making it more challenging to research and write about female ancestors. The Finding Your Female Ancestors Legacy QuickGuide contains useful information including best places to find maiden names, locate women’s history resources, and other key strategies for tracing your maternal lines. This handy 4-sided laminated guide easily slips into a backpack or laptop bag for those genealogy research trips. Lisa Alzo, author.

This is also a perfect companion to Leland Meitzler's Chasing Women: Finding Your Female Ancestors webinar-on-CD.

Click here to purchase for just $7.95.