As 2012 comes to a close, I am reminded of the great service that FamilySearch and its volunteer indexers have provided this year. Give back by signing up to index here. Below is their latest announcement.

FamilySearch added an additional 38.5 million new, free indexed records and images this week to its collection. Notable additions include the 6,095,759 indexed records in the new United States World War II Army Enlistment Records collection, the 4,068,907 indexed records for the new United States, Germans to America Index from 1850-1897, the 2,922,943 added to the England and Wales Census of 1871, and the 2,608,645 added to the Denmark Estate Records collection from 1436-1964. Other new searchable collections online were added this week for Brazil, China, England, Ireland, Italy, Russia, Spain, and the United States. See the table below for the full list of updates. Search these diverse collections and more than 3.5 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.

Thanks to guest blogger, Lisa Alzo, for the article below.

I don’t know about you, but I can’t believe that we are just days away from saying “so long” to 2012! The festivities surrounding New Year’s Eve often prompt us to make resolutions (I prefer to use “set goals”). If you’re looking to improve your genealogical research and writing skills in the New Year, here are 13 (for 2013) easy resolutions you can make and keep!

1. Make a plan. Do your past research habits include just randomly typing names into online databases, or Googling an ancestor’s surname? Then it may be time to change them. Developing a Research Plan to focus your research tasks and keep a research log to track your searches. Not sure how? “Plan Your Way to Research Success” (on CD) can help get you started.

2. Clean up your family tree. As genealogists, it’s useful to review our family trees for incomplete or incorrect data that can impede future research success. If you don’t have a copy of Legacy Family Tree 7.5, consider investing in it now, or if you’re already a Legacy 7.0 user, don’t forget about the free update.

3. Tidy your sources. Slacking off on those proper source citations? The New Year is the perfect time to remedy this bad habit. Learn how with a copy of Evidence Explained.

4. Back up your data. Start the year off right by backing up your family tree, digital images, and critical research documents. Make an appointment to do this regularly. Get advice from Thomas MacEntee’s Webinar-on-CD.

5. Contact those cousins! You never know who holds the missing pieces of your family history puzzle. Social media makes it easier than ever to reach out to relatives and find family—do it before it’s too late! Use Legacy Family Tree's Interview Questions (over 1,200 to choose from) to ask just the right questions.

6. Record family stories. This year, go beyond the “name gathering” and dig deeper to learn answers to the “Why?” questions. Using an app like Saving Memories Forever makes it easy.

7. Scan those photographs! In 2012, we were sadly reminded that disasters happen and how painful it is to lose precious family photographs. Learn how to scan and preserve them with a copy of Digital Imaging Essentials by Geoff Rasmussen.

8. Join a genealogical/historical society. Not everything is online! These organizations offer untapped resources and networking opportunities. Check with the Federation of Genealogical Societies or use Google to find one you like.

9. Explore a new resource. Using the same databases over and over? Learn about new resources and techniques for finding female ancestors, using land & property records, Croatian genealogy, and more, with Legacy Family Tree’s QuickGuides™.

10. Attend a conference. Whether it’s your local society’s seminar, or a national conference, try to make at least one 2013 event. Check Conference Keepers for a list. Can’t leave home? There are live streaming events (e.g. from RootsTech), and Legacy Webinars (see #13).

11. Attack a brick wall. Dedicate 2013 to defining a brick wall research problem and make plans to attack it head on. Get help from the Legacy Brick Walls Bundle CDs.

12. Publish your research. Take your research beyond the “boxes and lines” and considering sharing your findings in a blog or a book. Learn how with the “Ready, Set, Write!” CD.

13. Learn something new. Legacy Family Tree’s 2013 Webinar schedule has more than 40 classes from genealogy's leading educators. With over 60 hours of free genealogy education, there’s no excuse not to improve your knowledge or skills!

Wishing you an abundance of genealogical success in 2013!

Millennia Corporation is pleased to announce that registration is now open for its 2013 Legacy Family Tree Webinar Series. Choose from more than 40 classes from genealogy's leading educators (over 60 hours of free genealogy education) on topics ranging from genealogy technology to DNA to in-depth research methodologies and evidence analysis.

Sign up for one or for all of them today (so you don't forget later) and you will receive a reminder email both one day and one hour prior to the live event. Register at www.LegacyFamilyTree.com/webinars.asp.

January 2013

• In the Trenches: Successful On-site Research by Marian Pierre-Louis. 1/16
  
• Best Internet Resources for East European Genealogy by Lisa Alzo. 1/23
• Inheritance in Scotland - Wills, Testaments, and Land Records by Marie Dougan. 1/30

February 2013

• Online Genealogy: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly by Linda Woodward Geiger. 2/1
• YouTube Your Family History by Devin Ashby. 2/6
• Pre-1850 U.S. Research Methodologies by Karen Clifford. 2/13
• Making the Most of Canadian Census Records by Kathryn Lake Hogan. 2/20
• Annie Moore of Ellis Island - A Case of Historical Identity Theft by Megan Smolenyak. 2/27

March 2013

• Behind the Cheese Curtain: A Look at Wisconsin Genealogy Resources by Thomas MacEntee. 3/6
  
• Blogs: Easy-to-Make Web Pages by DearMYRTLE and Carrie Keele. 3/8
• Breaking Down Your Irish and Scottish Brick Wall in the New Poor Law Records of Scotland by Judith Eccles Wight. 3/13

April 2013

• Evidence: Guidelines for Evaluating Genealogical Evidence by Linda Woodward Geiger. 4/3
• That First Trip to the Courthouse by Judy Russell. 4/10
• A Treasure Trove of Irish Websites by Judith Eccles Wight. 4/17
• What's New at FamilySearch by Devin Ashby. 4/24

May 2013

• Researching your Roots in Rhode Island by Maureen Taylor. 5/1
• Blogging for Beginners with DearMYRTLE. 5/3
• Land Records Solve Research Problems by Mary Hill. 5/15
• Ten Hidden Resources Every Genealogist Should Know by Lisa Alzo. 5/22
• The New Frontier in Genetic Genealogy: Autosomal DNA Testing by Ugo Perego. 5/29

June 2013

• The Genealogy of Your House by Marian Pierre-Louis. 6/5
• Get What You Came For: New Search Options Let You Target Obituaries, Photos, Passenger Lists, Births, Marriages, and More by Tom Kemp. 6/12
• Next Exit: Your New Jersey Ancestors by Thomas MacEntee. 6/19
• How Knowing the Law Makes Us Better Genealogists by Judy Russell. 6/26

July 2013

• Canadian Ports of Entry: Ship Passenger Lists, Immigration Records, and Border Crossing Records by Kathryn Lake Hogan. 7/10
• Research in the Old Line State: An Overview of Maryland Genealogy by Michael Hait. 7/17
• Top Ten Techniques for Finding More in Library Catalogs by Barbara Renick. 7/19
• Top 21st Century Genealogy Resources - A Baker's Dozen by Tom Kemp. 7/24
• Direct Your Research with City Directories by Maureen Taylor. 7/31

August 2013

• Captured For All Time: Recording Family Voices to Preserve and Pass Down by Marian Pierre-Louis. 8/7
• Digital Research Guidance, Research Logs, and To Do Lists: FamilySearch, Research Wiki, and Legacy FamilyTree by Geoff Rasmussen. 8/14
• Colonial Immigrants: Who They Were and Where They Came From by Mary Hill. 8/28

September 2013

• Getting the Most from Your Records: Putting Them Through the Wringer! by Linda Woodward Geiger. 9/4
• More Blogging for Beginners with DearMYRTLE. 9/6
• You Use WHAT for Genealogy? by Thomas MacEntee. 9/11
• Don't Be an Audio Hog: Free and Easy Ways to Share Your Audio Files by Marian Pierre-Louis. 9/18

October 2013

• Using Church Records to Identify Ancestors by Mary Hill. 10/23
• Using Court Records to tell the Story of our Ancestors' Lives by Judy Russell. 10/30

November 2013

• Ancestry Trees Can Jump Start Your Research by DearMYRTLE. 11/1
• Researching with Marian! Creating a Research Plan with YOUR Research by Marian Pierre-Louis. 11/6
• Researching Your Ohio Ancestors by Lisa Alzo. 11/13
• Mind Mapping Your Research Plans and Results by Thomas MacEntee. 11/20

December 2013

• How Computers & Gadgets are Changing Genealogy by Barbara Renick. 12/4
• Overcoming Lost Records Using Technology by Karen Clifford. 12/18

Webinar Brochure

Print the webinar brochure to share with your friends, genealogy society, or Family History Center.

Webinar-on-CD Library

If you missed one of our previous webinars, you can purchase its CD for just $9.95 (or less when purchasing more than 5). Choose from 68 different classes - most come with several pages of handouts with clickable links. Click here to browse the library.

Add it to your Google Calendar

Click here to add the Legacy Family Tree Webinar Series to your Google Calendar.

Facebook

Follow us on Facebook here.

See you online in 2013!

'Twas the night before Christmas
When all through the house
Not a creature was stirring,
Not even my spouse.

The dining room table with clutter was spread
With pedigree charts and with letters which said...
"Too bad about the data for which you wrote;
Sank in a storm on an ill-fated boat."

Stacks of old copies of wills and such
Were proof that my work had become too much.
Our children were nestled all snug in their beds,
While visions of sugarplums danced in their heads.

And I at my table was ready to drop
From work on my album with photos to crop.
Christmas was here, and such was my lot
That presents and goodies and toys I'd forgot.

Had I not been busy with grandparents' wills,
I'd not have forgotten to shop for such thrills,
While others bought gifts to bring Christmas cheers,
I'd spent time researching those birth dates and years.

While I was thus musing about my sad plight,
A strange noise on the lawn gave me such a great fright.
Away to the window I flew in a flash,
Tore open the drapes and yanked up the sash.

When what with my wondering eyes should appear,
But an overstuffed sleigh and eight small reindeer.
Up to the house top the reindeer they flew,
With a sleigh full of toys and 'ole Santa Claus, too.

And then in a twinkle, I heard on the roof
The prancing and pawing of thirty-two hoofs.
As I drew in my head, and bumped it on the sash,
Down the cold chimney fell Santa--KER-RASH!

"Dear" Santa had come from the roof in a wreck,
And tracked soot on the carpet, (I could wring his short neck!)
Spotting my face, good 'ole Santa could see
I had no Christmas spirit you'd have to agree.

He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work
And filled all the stockings, (I felt like a jerk).
Here was Santa, who'd brought us such gladness and joy:
When I'd been too busy for even one toy.

He spied my research on the table all spread
"A genealogist!" He cried!  (My face was all red!)
"Tonight I've met many like you," Santa grinned,
As he pulled from his sack a large book he had penned.

I gazed with amusement--the cover it read
Genealogy Lines for Which You Have Plead.
"I know what it's like as a genealogy bug."
He said as he gave me a great Santa hug.

"While the elves make the sleighful of toys I now carry,
I do some research in the North Pole Library!
A special treat I am thus able to bring,
To genealogy folk who can't find a thing."

"Now off you go to your bed for a rest,
I'll clean up the house from this genealogy mess."
As I climbed up the stairs full of gladness and glee,
I looked back at Santa who'd brought much to me.

While settling in bed, I heard Santa's clear whistle,
To his team, which then rose like the down of a thistle.
And I heard him exclaim as he flew out of sight,
"Family history is Fun!  Merry Christmas!  Goodnight!"

--Author Unknown

If you are looking to add a little sparkle to your pedigree, or if your paper files need an organizational face-lift, then Legacy Family Tree's color-coding is just what you need.

How to turn on the colors
Before you can view and print your pedigrees in full color, the color-coding needs to be turned on. Follow these simple steps:

1. In the Pedigree View, navigate to yourself. (You don't have to be in the Pedigree View, but it makes it easier to see the effect of the color-coding.
2. Click on Tools > Apply Ancestor Colors
3. Click on the Apply Color Coding button.

Done!

• You and your father's father's ancestors are now blue.
• Your father's mother's ancestors are now green.
• Your mother's father's ancestors are now red.
• Your mother's mother's ancestors are now yellow.

Choose the colors you want
The default colors are blue, green, red, and yellow. However, you can choose your own colors. Follow these steps:

1. Click on Options > Customize > View tab.
2. In the Ancestor Color Coding section, click on the Change button.
3. Select your desired colors, and click Save.

Print charts in color
Many of Legacy's charts/reports can be printed in color. For example, to print a color-coded pedigree chart, follow these steps:

1. Click on the Reports icon in the main toolbar. Click on thePedigree tab.
2. Click on the Color Text and Boxes button.
3. Click on the 4th option of 4 Line Colors. Click Save.
4. Preview or Print.

Organization by color-coding
You've probably learned that unless your paper files are in order, further genealogy research can be frustrating. You've also probably tried dozens of different organizational systems. Not every system works for everyone, which is why we have been publishing different methods via Legacy News.

Mary Hill developed a color-coding system for organization which has become very popular, and it works directly with Legacy's color-coding system. Her system is explained here.

Purchase Legacy Deluxe
To take advantage of Legacy's color-coding, you must be using the Deluxe Edition. To learn more about the Deluxe Edition click here. To purchase/upgrade to Legacy Deluxe, click here.

If you have an Irish brick wall, this webinar may be the most important class you've ever viewed. Judy Wight, our Irish expert, did a tremendous job today teaching us about difficulties with Irish names and places, which, when understood, can solve even the most difficult Irish research problems.

View the recording

If you could not make it to the live event or just want to watch it again, the 1 hour 29 minute recording of Researching Your Irish Ancestors: Beyond the Basics 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 Researching Your Irish Ancestors: Beyond the Basics by purchasing the webinar-on-CD for just $9.95. It includes the complete 1 hour 29 minute recording of the class, complete Question/Answer session, and 4 pages of handouts. Click here for more information or to purchase.

It is also available in our brand new Ireland webinar CD bundle which includes all three of Judy's Ireland webinars (about 4 1/2 hours and 13 pages of handouts). Click here to purchase.

Christmas Sale

Nearly everything in our online store has been discounted until December 31, 2012 - therefore there are no webinar coupon codes today.

2013 Webinars

Stay tuned to this blog for our big announcement about next year's webinar schedule. If you can believe it, we'll be taking it to an entirely new level of genealogy education. Thanks to all of our webinar speakers and attendees for making our Legacy Family Tree webinar series such a success!

Legacy QuickGuides^TM are quickly becoming one of the more popular resources for genealogists. Each guide contains four pages of valuable information covering a variety of genealogy research topics, and are written by genealogists and family historians who are experts in the subject areas. Today we announce the availability of three new Legacy QuickGuides: Using Historical Newspapers for Genealogy Research by Julie Tarr, Preserving Family Heirlooms by Denise Levenick, and Starting a Family Archive by Denise Levenick.

Using Historical Newspapers for Genealogy Research

Newspapers can be a goldmine for genealogists. Serving as the gateway to the past, historical newspapers help genealogists learn about the events and perceptions that affected a community. The Using Historical Newspapers for Genealogy Research Legacy QuickGuide™ contains useful information designed as an introduction to the wealth of information to be found in historical newspapers and how to overcome the challenges associated with newspaper research.

Available in a laminated 4-page printed guide or digital PDF.

Preserving Family Heirlooms

Are you the keeper of the “family stuff,” boxes of documents, photographs, and memorabilia? Get straightforward tips on how to care for and preserve your family treasures in the Preserving Family Heirlooms Legacy QuickGuide™. Learn the best storage strategies for scouting and military memorabilia, toys, china, documents, correspondence, photographs, and more. Discover online resources for appraisers, conservators, archival storage suppliers, and conservation experts. 

Available in a laminated 4-page printed guide.

Starting a Family Archive

A curator and a collector have a lot in common: both selectively acquire, care for, use, and display special things. A family curator is a collector of family artifacts and memorabilia. Like any kind of collection, even family treasures can become overwhelming if they are not effectively organized and stored for preservation. The Starting a Family Archive Legacy QuickGuide™ is packed with essential information and basic strategies to help you organize a family archive in your home and find resources for restoration, preservation, and disaster recovery. Preserve what is important to you, to your family, and to your community!

Available in a laminated 4-page printed guide.

Legacy QuickGuides

• Using Historical Newspapers for Genealogy Research - Printed or PDF
• Preserving Family Heirlooms - Printed
• Starting a Family Archive - Printed
• Finding Your Female Ancestors - Printed or PDF
• Land and Property Records - Printed or PDF
• New York Genealogy - Printed or PDF
• Canadian Genealogy - Printed or PDF
• Researching Your Loyalist Ancestors - Printed or PDF
• Genealogy for Kids - Printed or PDF
• Lineage Societies and Genealogy - Printed or PDF
• Czech Genealogy - Printed or PDF
• Slovak Genealogy - Printed or PDF

As difficult as Irish research is, we can overcome its hurdles if we have a better understanding of the idiosyncrasies of Irish given names, surnames, and place names. Our speaker, Judy Wight, solved the case of Delia Holland - in Ireland she was known as Bridget Houlihan. This webinar discusses situations you may encounter with names and places and provides resources for overcoming these problems.

Join us for the live webinar on Wednesday, December 5, 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.

She is the author of:

• The Three Cs of Irish Research: Civil Registration, Church Records, and Census Records webinar-on-CD
• Breaking Down Your Irish Brick Wall: Estate Records 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, December 5, 2012 at:

• 2pm Eastern (U.S.)
• 1pm Central
• 12pm Mountain/Arizona
• 11am Pacific
• 7pm 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!