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The Search For Missing Friends

Irish Research - The Search For Missing Friends

The voices of Irish immigrants ring clearly through the information wanted advertisements they placed in the Boston Pilot. Catherine (Burns) Doyle, originally from Mucklow, County Wicklow who with her husband immigrated to St. Andrews, New Brunswick, sought “great comfort” in learning what happened to her brother Matthew Burns because she had not received a letter from him for years.[1] Others, like Bridget Galvin of Danielsonville, Connecticut, used the advertisement to find her husband and father of her two children, Thomas Galvin of Killbegnet near Creegs, Paris, County Galway, who deserted them in July 1863.[2] For 89 years, the Boston Pilot served as a voice for many Irish men, women, and families who sought to find a piece of home and stability in an unfamiliar world.

The Irish came to the United States in the millions during the 19th and early 20th century. Famine, economic and social conditions, and religious persectuion would have a deep impact on the citizens of Ireland. The Great Famine migration in particular, tore through families and a chaotic migration overseas left many family members separated from one another. The result of this migration, along with family dynamics and personal motivations put family members thousands of miles from another, such as the Waughans from the parish of Clonakilty, County Cork, Ireland. Daniel lived in Ansonia, New Haven County, Connecticut and was looking for his son Thomas who was last seen in New Orleans. Other Waughans mentioned were Michael of the townland Twanies, Clonakilty parish, County Cork and John of Waverly, Morgan County, Illinois.[3] It was probably Daniel’s intention to include more family members in the advertisement to increase the likelihood someone could establish a connection and write to one of them.

With a collection of 40,594 advertisements from 1831-1920, the data only represents a small fraction of the Irish diaspora that included some four and a half million people. However, this collection is very useful to descendants of Irish working on their genealogy. The Boston Pilot column gained international recognition and includes Irish living all across the United States, Canada, and Ireland, so it’s far from limited to the city of Boston.

The value in these records is the immense amount of information they provide on Irish origins. In particular, they often mention the townland of origin for each ancestor and his/her family. Identifying the townland is the ultimate prize for any Irish researcher. Townlands are smaller divisions that exist within the civil registration districts and parishes of Ireland that go back over a thousand years. They range greatly in size, but are essentially a place name inhabitants used to identify the land they lived on. The more specific detail you have on someone’s origin or location, the easier it is for you to identify the family. While it is possible to identify an ancestor from Ireland with just the county or parish, it can be more difficult.

There are of course other valuable nuggets of information in these records, such as approximate time of emigration, addresses, names of parents, and other facts that can be added to your Irish family’s story. All the information helps in confirming their identity when you search in records made in Ireland. An ancestor can elude our research and some types of genealogical records don’t go beyond saying they are simply from the country of Ireland. Often these advertisements will list there last known whereabouts and migratory patterns, presenting researchers with invaluable clues. James Coughlan noted that his five Coughlan relatives, James, John, Margaret, William, and Ellen of Kilworth, County Cork, Ireland, were known to be in Great Barrington, Massachusetts fourteen years ago and believed to have moved to Wisconsin.[4]

There are several websites which allow you to search the advertisements, originally transcribed and published in 8 volumes.[5] Ancestry.com, AmericanAncestors.org, and Boston College have versions of this database. You can sort the information with different parameters including point of origin and address within the United States. When I’m researching an Irish family, I always curious about the origins of other families living nearby and want to see if any patterns exist. I could filter results by just county or city, to see if multiple families are originating from a particular parish or townland. When I filter all advertisements with addresses in Berskhire County, I receive 226 results on Ancestry’s version and notice the people represent many of the counties. Flipping this concept, I can restrict to one point of origin in Ireland, and see how inhabitants of that townland may be spread throughout the United States. This is a good example of how to use databases to support your research without typing in any names.

One other publication is Voices of the Irish Immigrant: Information Wanted In “The Truth Teller” New York City, 1825-1844. This is still in print, with the exception that the Hathitrust Library allows users to search within the text for names and keywords for pages that include a matching word or phrase. Many other newspapers would host these types of advertisements where people requested information on relatives, so you never know where a find like this will appear.

Even if your Irish ancestor is not mentioned in the Boston Pilot advertisement, consider how this database could help provide evidence to support your conclusion about your ancestor’s point of origin in Ireland.

Need help getting start with your Irish research? Watch Legacy Family Tree's 6-part Foundations of Irish Genealogy series by Irish scholar John Grenham .

 

[1] “Searching for Missing Friends: Immigrant Advertisements Placed in “1831-1920,” online database with images, Ancestry (http://www.ancestry.com), Vol.1 (1831-1850), p. 386.

[2] Ibid., Vol.5, p.206.

[3] Ibid., Vol 6, p. 291.

[4] Ibid., Vol 6, p. 291.

[5] The Search for Missing Friends: Irish Immigrant Advertisements Placed in the Boston Pilot (New England Historic Genealogical Society, Boston, 1989-1993), edited by Ruth-Ann M. Harris, Donald M. Jacobs, Dominique M. Pickett, and B. Emer O’Keeffe.

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Jake Fletcher is a professional genealogist, educator and blogger from Massachusetts. He currently volunteers as a research assistant at the National Archives in Waltham, Massachusetts and is Vice President of the New England Association of Professional Genealogists (NEAPG).


California Genealogy - New Legacy QuickGuide now available

Legacy QuickGuidesTM have quickly become one of the more popular resources for genealogists. Each guide contains four (sometimes five, sometimes more) pages of valuable information covering a variety of genealogy research topics, dozens of clickable links, and are written by genealogists and family historians who are experts in the subject areas. We've added another new Legacy QuickGuide: California Genealogy by Gena Philibert-Ortega. Now choose from 84 Legacy QuickGuides!

California GenealogyCalifornia Genealogy - 2.95  

First explored in 1542 by Europeans, California has a rich history of opportunity and diversity. California was colonized by Spain, Russia, and Mexico before becoming a state in 1850. A wave of fortune seekers arrived with the discovery of gold in 1848 and would continue to come for work, opportunities, and the weather. The history of the people of California begins with its Native American population and continues with immigrants who make California their home today.
 
Looking to find those elusive Golden State ancestors? The California Genealogy Legacy QuickGuide™ contains useful information including a timeline of California history events, tips on California research strategy, outline of major migration routes, and more. Also included are links to websites and resources covering vital records, church records, census records, as well as general California resources. This handy 6-page PDF guide can be used on your computer or mobile device for anytime access.
 
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An Introduction to BillionGraves - free webinar by Garth Fitzner now online for limited time

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The recording of today's webinar, "An Introduction to BillionGraves" by Garth Fitzner is now available to view at www.FamilyTreeWebinars.com for free for a limited time.

Webinar Description

BillionGraves.com strives to preserve precious records found in cemeteries throughout the world. Using modern technology to capture images of headstones with their GPS locations, the site provides access to these records. This webinar will discuss how to use the site, the technology, and how you can help.

View the Recording at FamilyTreeWebinars.com

If you could not make it to the live event or just want to watch it again, the 1 hour 46 minute recording of "An Introduction to BillionGraves" is now available to view in our webinar library for free for a limited time. Or watch it at your convenience with an annual or monthly webinar membership.

Cemetery ResearchCemetery Research Legacy QuickGuide - 2.95

The Cemetery Research Legacy QuickGuide™ contains useful information including tips and tricks, a list of different types of cemeteries, terminology, and more. This handy 4-page PDF guide can be used on your computer or mobile device for anytime access.

For the genealogy researcher, cemeteries are considered “museums” providing a link with the past which reflect the culture, history, art, architecture and attitudes of an ancestor’s era. Data found through cemetery visits, as well as through online and/or offline cemetery research, may unearth clues about an ancestor and about the time and place where an ancestor lived. 

Click here to purchase for 2.95.

Webinar Memberships/Subscriptions

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Introductory pricing:

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  • Monthly membership: $9.95/month

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Register for our upcoming webinars (free)

  • Strategies to Find the Most Challenging Ancestors with Autosomal DNA Data by James M. Baker, PhD, CG. January 4.
  • Tips and Tricks to Organizing Your Genealogy by Shannon Combs-Bennett. January 11.
  • Legacy Family Tree for Complete Beginners by Geoff Rasmussen. January 13.
  • Writing Up Your Research by Michael J. Leclerc, CG. January 17.
  • Create a Free Google Earth Historic Map Collection for Your Research by Lisa Louise Cooke. January 18.
  • Playing Nice In The Genealogy Sandbox by Thomas MacEntee. January 25.
  • Photography for Genealogy by Nicka Smith. February 1.
  • The WHO of Genetic Genealogy by Blaine Bettinger. February 8.
  • Deciphering German Script by Gail Blankenau. February 10.
  • Be Your Own Digital Archivist: Preserve Your Research by Cyndi Ingle. February 15.
  • Weaving DNA Test Results into a Proof Argument by Karen Stanbary, CG. February 21.
  • Finding Missing Persons With DNA Testing by Diahan Southard. February 22.
  • Apprentices, Indentured Servants, and Redemptioners: White Slavery in America by Peggy Clemens Lauritzen, AG. March 1.
  • 50 Websites Every Genealogist Should Know by Gena Philibert-Ortega. March 8.
  • Home on the Range: Kansas Research Tips by Cari Taplin, CG. March 10.
  • Why are Irish records so weird? by John Grenham. March 15.
  • Are You My Grandpa? Men of the Same Name by Rebecca Whitman Koford, CG. March 21.
  • Picture This: Images You Can Freely Use by Judy G. Russell, JD, CG, CGL. March 22.
  • Introduction to Quaker Genealogy Research by Craig Scott, MA, CG, FUGA. March 29.
  • Preserve, Share, and Search Your Digital Pictures with Google Photos by Geoff Rasmussen. April 5.
  • Your Whiteboard in the Cloud: Trello for Genealogists by Lisa Alzo. April 12.
  • Complete Photo Restoration in 4 Easy Steps by Eric Basir. April 14.
  • The Genealogy in Government Documents by Rick Sayre, CG, CGL, FUGA. April 18.
  • Neighborhood Reconstruction: Effective Use of Land Records by Mary Hill, AG. April 19.
  • Finding and Using Land Ownership Maps by Rick Sayre, CG, CGL, FUGA. April 26.
  • Researching Criminal Records by Ron Arons. April 28.
  • Take Me Back to Where I Belong: Transportation Records of the Freedmen’s Bureau by Angela Walton-Raji. May 3.
  • Beginning Danish Research by Charles Fritz Juengling, AG. May 10.
  • New York City and State Governmental Vital Records by Jane Wilcox. May 12.
  • MAXY DNA: Correlating mt-at-X-Y DNA with the GPS by Debbie Parker Wayne, CG, CGL. May 16.
  • Remember Me: Lifestreaming and the Modern Genealogist by Thomas MacEntee. May 17.
  • WikiTree: Free for All without a Free-for-All by Eowyn Langholf. May 24.
  • The Great War: Researching Your World War I Ancestors by Michael L. Strauss, AG. May 31.
  • Researching Your Minnesota Ancestors by Paula Stuart-Warren, CG, FMGS, FUGA. June 7.
  • How Harry Potter Can Teach You About DNA by Blaine Bettinger. June 14.
  • What Now? Your Next Steps with Autosomal DNA Testing by Diahan Southard. June 16.
  • Beating the Bushes: Using the GPS to Find Jacob Bush's Father by Elissa Scalise Powell, CG, CGL. June 20.
  • Virtual Family Reunions: Super Easy, Super Fun by Pat Richley and Russ Worthington. June 21.
  • Canada's Top 10 by Kathryn Lake Hogan. June 28.
  • Censational Census Strategies by Mary Kircher Roddy. July 5.
  • Google Books: the tool you should use every day! by Lisa Louise Cooke. July 12.
  • Tips for Snapping Pics: How to Take Perfect Family Photographs by Jared Hodges. July 14.
  • Analyzing Documents Sparks Ideas for Further Research by Angela Packer McGhie, CG. July 18.
  • The Firelands, The Connecticut Western Reserve, and the Ohio Territory by Peggy Clemens Lauritzen, AG. July 19.
  • Family History Adhesive: The Science of Why History Binds Families and the Simple Tech of How to Do It by Janet Hovorka. July 26.
  • Tracing Your West Country Ancestors by Kirsty Gray. August 2.
  • A Taxing Matter: Using Tax Lists in Genealogy by Judy G. Russell, JD, CG, CGL. August 9.
  • Using Pictures with Legacy Family Tree by Geoff Rasmussen. August 11.
  • Analyzing Probate Records of Slaveholders to Identify Enslaved Ancestors by LaBrenda Garrett-Nelson, JD, LLM, CG. August 15.
  • Finding Your Ancestors in German Directories by Ursula C. Krause. August 16.
  • How to do Mexican Research and Be Successful by Jonathan Walker. August 23.
  • Getting Started with Evidentia by Edward A. Thompson. August 30.
  • Top Tech Tips for the Technologist and the Genealogist by Geoff Rasmussen. September 6.
  • Finding Isaac Rogers by Nicka Smith. September 13.
  • The ABCs and 123s of Researching Your Ancestor's School Records by Melissa Barker. September 15.
  • When Does Newfound Evidence Overturn a Proved Conclusion? by Tom Jones, Ph.D, CG, CGL. September 19.
  • WolframAlpha for Genealogists by Thomas MacEntee. September 20.
  • Quick Guide to Texas Research by Deena Coutant. September 27.
  • No Easy Button: Using “Immersion Genealogy” to Understand Your Ancestors by Lisa Alzo. October 4.
  • Southern States Migration Patterns by Mary Hill, AG. October 11.
  • Is Your Society Growing? Social Media may be your saving grace by Pat Richley. October 13.
  • Databases, Search Engines, and the Genealogical Proof Standard by David Ouimette, CG. October 17.
  • The WPA: Sources for Your Genealogy by Gena Philibert-Ortega. October 18.
  • Midwestern & Plains States Level Census Records by Paula Stuart-Warren, CG, FMGS, FUGA. October 25.
  • Is this the End? Taking Your German Brick Walls Down Piece by Piece by Luana Darby and Ursula C. Krause. November 1.
  • New York City Genealogical Research: Navigating Through The Five Boroughs by Michael L. Strauss, AG. November 8.
  • Using Non-Population Schedules for Context and Evidence by Jill Morelli. November 10.
  • British and Irish research: the differences by Brian Donovan. November 15.
  • Research in Federal Records: Some Assembly Required by Malissa Ruffner, JD, CG. November 21.
  • Understanding Alabama by Rorey Cathcart. November 29.
  • Finding Your Roots in Catholic Records by Lisa Toth Salinas. December 6.
  • I Thought He Was My Ancestor: Avoiding the Six Biggest Genealogy Mistakes by James M. Baker, PhD, CG. December 13.
  • Finding Your Nordic Parish of Birth by Jill Morelli. December 15.
  • The Law and the Reasonably Exhaustive (Re)Search by Judy G. Russell, JD, CG, CGL. December 19.
  • Palmetto Pride - South Carolina for Genealogist by Rorey Cathcart. December 20.
  • Problems and Pitfalls of a Reasonably Shallow Search by Elissa Scalise Powell, CG, CGL. December 27.

Print the 2017 webinar brochure here.

See you online!


BCG Webinar - No, no, Nanette! What negative evidence is . . . and isn't - now online for limited time

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The recording of tonight's webinar by Judy Russell and the Board for Certification of Genealogists, "No, no, Nanette! What negative evidence is . . . and isn't" is now available to view at www.FamilyTreeWebinars.com/BCG for free for a limited time.

Webinar Description

Negative evidence is the hardest type of evidence to understand or use in genealogical research. By definition, a “type of evidence arising from an absence of a situation or information in extant records where that information might be expected,” it is, as the fictional detective Sherlock Holmes told us in the short story “Silver Blaze,” the “curious incident . . . in the night-time”—the thing we would expect to see or hear but that just isn't there. Learn more about what negative evidence is—and what it isn't—and how to use it.

View the Recording at FamilyTreeWebinars.com

If you could not make it to the live event or just want to watch it again, the 1 hour 19 minute recording of "No, no, Nanette! What negative evidence is . . . and isn't" is now available to view in our webinar library for free for a limited time. Or watch it at your convenience with an annual or monthly webinar membership.

STDTrans200Genealogy Standards - 12.95

"Accuracy is fundamental to genealogical research. Without it, a family's history would be fiction. This manual presents the standards family historians use to obtain valid results.
 
These standards apply to all genealogical research, whether shared privately or published. They also apply to personal research for clients, courts, and other employers. The standards address documentation; research planning and execution, including reasoning from evidence; compiling research results; genealogical education; and ongoing development of genealogical knowledge and skills.
 
BCG [Board for Certification of Genealogists] offers these standards to the field as a guide to sound genealogical research and a way to assess the research outcomes that genealogists produce. They are standards for anyone who seeks to research and portray accurately people's lives, relationships, and histories.
 
Family historians depend upon thousands of people unknown to them. They exchange research with others; copy information from books and databases; and write libraries, societies, and government offices. At times they even hire professionals to do legwork in distant areas and trust strangers to solve important problems. But how can a researcher be assured that he or she is producing or receiving reliable results? This new edition of the official manual from the Board of Certification for Genealogists provides a standard by which all genealogists can pattern their work.
 
Paperback: 100 pages, 5.5" x 8.5"
 

Webinar Memberships/Subscriptions

Webinar Members get:

  • On-demand access to the entire webinar archives (now 454 classes, 631 hours of genealogy education)
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  • On-demand access to the live webinars' chat logs
  • 5% off all products at www.FamilyTreeWebinars.com (must be logged in at checkout)
  • Access to all future recordings for the duration of their membership
  • Chance for a members-only door prize during each live webinar
  • Access to register for bonus members-only webinars
  • Ability to view which webinars you are registered for
  • Use of the playlist, resume watching, and jump-to features

Introductory pricing:

  • Annual membership: $49.95/year
  • Monthly membership: $9.95/month

Click here to subscribe.

Register for our upcoming webinars (free)

  • An Introduction to BillionGraves by Garth Fitzner. December 21.
  • Strategies to Find the Most Challenging Ancestors with Autosomal DNA Data by James M. Baker, PhD, CG. January 4.
  • Tips and Tricks to Organizing Your Genealogy by Shannon Combs-Bennett. January 11.
  • Legacy Family Tree for Complete Beginners by Geoff Rasmussen. January 13.
  • Writing Up Your Research by Michael J. Leclerc, CG. January 17.
  • Create a Free Google Earth Historic Map Collection for Your Research by Lisa Louise Cooke. January 18.
  • Playing Nice In The Genealogy Sandbox by Thomas MacEntee. January 25.
  • Photography for Genealogy by Nicka Smith. February 1.
  • The WHO of Genetic Genealogy by Blaine Bettinger. February 8.
  • Deciphering German Script by Gail Blankenau. February 10.
  • Be Your Own Digital Archivist: Preserve Your Research by Cyndi Ingle. February 15.
  • Weaving DNA Test Results into a Proof Argument by Karen Stanbary, CG. February 21.
  • Finding Missing Persons With DNA Testing by Diahan Southard. February 22.
  • Apprentices, Indentured Servants, and Redemptioners: White Slavery in America by Peggy Clemens Lauritzen, AG. March 1.
  • 50 Websites Every Genealogist Should Know by Gena Philibert-Ortega. March 8.
  • Home on the Range: Kansas Research Tips by Cari Taplin, CG. March 10.
  • Why are Irish records so weird? by John Grenham. March 15.
  • Are You My Grandpa? Men of the Same Name by Rebecca Whitman Koford, CG. March 21.
  • Picture This: Images You Can Freely Use by Judy G. Russell, JD, CG, CGL. March 22.
  • Introduction to Quaker Genealogy Research by Craig Scott, MA, CG, FUGA. March 29.
  • Preserve, Share, and Search Your Digital Pictures with Google Photos by Geoff Rasmussen. April 5.
  • Your Whiteboard in the Cloud: Trello for Genealogists by Lisa Alzo. April 12.
  • Complete Photo Restoration in 4 Easy Steps by Eric Basir. April 14.
  • The Genealogy in Government Documents by Rick Sayre, CG, CGL, FUGA. April 18.
  • Neighborhood Reconstruction: Effective Use of Land Records by Mary Hill, AG. April 19.
  • Finding and Using Land Ownership Maps by Rick Sayre, CG, CGL, FUGA. April 26.
  • Researching Criminal Records by Ron Arons. April 28.
  • Take Me Back to Where I Belong: Transportation Records of the Freedmen’s Bureau by Angela Walton-Raji. May 3.
  • Beginning Danish Research by Charles Fritz Juengling, AG. May 10.
  • New York City and State Governmental Vital Records by Jane Wilcox. May 12.
  • MAXY DNA: Correlating mt-at-X-Y DNA with the GPS by Debbie Parker Wayne, CG, CGL. May 16.
  • Remember Me: Lifestreaming and the Modern Genealogist by Thomas MacEntee. May 17.
  • WikiTree: Free for All without a Free-for-All by Eowyn Langholf. May 24.
  • The Great War: Researching Your World War I Ancestors by Michael L. Strauss, AG. May 31.
  • Researching Your Minnesota Ancestors by Paula Stuart-Warren, CG, FMGS, FUGA. June 7.
  • How Harry Potter Can Teach You About DNA by Blaine Bettinger. June 14.
  • What Now? Your Next Steps with Autosomal DNA Testing by Diahan Southard. June 16.
  • Beating the Bushes: Using the GPS to Find Jacob Bush's Father by Elissa Scalise Powell, CG, CGL. June 20.
  • Virtual Family Reunions: Super Easy, Super Fun by Pat Richley and Russ Worthington. June 21.
  • Canada's Top 10 by Kathryn Lake Hogan. June 28.
  • Censational Census Strategies by Mary Kircher Roddy. July 5.
  • Google Books: the tool you should use every day! by Lisa Louise Cooke. July 12.
  • Tips for Snapping Pics: How to Take Perfect Family Photographs by Jared Hodges. July 14.
  • Analyzing Documents Sparks Ideas for Further Research by Angela Packer McGhie, CG. July 18.
  • The Firelands, The Connecticut Western Reserve, and the Ohio Territory by Peggy Clemens Lauritzen, AG. July 19.
  • Family History Adhesive: The Science of Why History Binds Families and the Simple Tech of How to Do It by Janet Hovorka. July 26.
  • Tracing Your West Country Ancestors by Kirsty Gray. August 2.
  • A Taxing Matter: Using Tax Lists in Genealogy by Judy G. Russell, JD, CG, CGL. August 9.
  • Using Pictures with Legacy Family Tree by Geoff Rasmussen. August 11.
  • Analyzing Probate Records of Slaveholders to Identify Enslaved Ancestors by LaBrenda Garrett-Nelson, JD, LLM, CG. August 15.
  • Finding Your Ancestors in German Directories by Ursula C. Krause. August 16.
  • How to do Mexican Research and Be Successful by Jonathan Walker. August 23.
  • Getting Started with Evidentia by Edward A. Thompson. August 30.
  • Top Tech Tips for the Technologist and the Genealogist by Geoff Rasmussen. September 6.
  • Finding Isaac Rogers by Nicka Smith. September 13.
  • The ABCs and 123s of Researching Your Ancestor's School Records by Melissa Barker. September 15.
  • When Does Newfound Evidence Overturn a Proved Conclusion? by Tom Jones, Ph.D, CG, CGL. September 19.
  • WolframAlpha for Genealogists by Thomas MacEntee. September 20.
  • Quick Guide to Texas Research by Deena Coutant. September 27.
  • No Easy Button: Using “Immersion Genealogy” to Understand Your Ancestors by Lisa Alzo. October 4.
  • Southern States Migration Patterns by Mary Hill, AG. October 11.
  • Is Your Society Growing? Social Media may be your saving grace by Pat Richley. October 13.
  • Databases, Search Engines, and the Genealogical Proof Standard by David Ouimette, CG. October 17.
  • The WPA: Sources for Your Genealogy by Gena Philibert-Ortega. October 18.
  • Midwestern & Plains States Level Census Records by Paula Stuart-Warren, CG, FMGS, FUGA. October 25.
  • Is this the End? Taking Your German Brick Walls Down Piece by Piece by Luana Darby and Ursula C. Krause. November 1.
  • New York City Genealogical Research: Navigating Through The Five Boroughs by Michael L. Strauss, AG. November 8.
  • Using Non-Population Schedules for Context and Evidence by Jill Morelli. November 10.
  • British and Irish research: the differences by Brian Donovan. November 15.
  • Research in Federal Records: Some Assembly Required by Malissa Ruffner, JD, CG. November 21.
  • Understanding Alabama by Rorey Cathcart. November 29.
  • Finding Your Roots in Catholic Records by Lisa Toth Salinas. December 6.
  • I Thought He Was My Ancestor: Avoiding the Six Biggest Genealogy Mistakes by James M. Baker, PhD, CG. December 13.
  • Finding Your Nordic Parish of Birth by Jill Morelli. December 15.
  • The Law and the Reasonably Exhaustive (Re)Search by Judy G. Russell, JD, CG, CGL. December 19.
  • Palmetto Pride - South Carolina for Genealogist by Rorey Cathcart. December 20.
  • Problems and Pitfalls of a Reasonably Shallow Search by Elissa Scalise Powell, CG, CGL. December 27.

Print the 2017 webinar brochure here.

See you online!


Register for Webinar Wednesday: An Introduction to BillionGraves by Garth Fitzner

Register

BillionGraves.com strives to preserve precious records found in cemeteries throughout the world. Using modern technology to capture images of headstones with their GPS locations, the site provides access to these records. This webinar will discuss how to use the site, the technology, and how you can help.

Join us and Garth Fitzner for the live webinar Wednesday, December 21, 2016 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.

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No worries. Its recording will be available for a limited time. Webinar Subscribers have unlimited access to all webinar recordings for the duration of their membership.

About the presenter

GarthFitzner-144x144Garth Fitzner works as a Family History Consultant in Alberta, Canada, and has served for more than 25 years in the scouting organization. He is the head of procurement for a North American industrial construction company.

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  8. Listen via headset (USB headsets work best), your computer speakers, or by phone.

We look forward to seeing you all there!


Register for BCG Webinar by Judy Russell: No, no, Nanette! What Negative Evidence Is . . . and Isn't

Register for BCG Webinar by Judy Russell: No, no, Nanette! What Negative Evidence Is . . . and Isn't

Negative evidence is the hardest type of evidence to understand or use in genealogical research. By definition, a “type of evidence arising from an absence of a situation or information in extant records where that information might be expected,” it is, as the fictional detective Sherlock Holmes told us in the short story “Silver Blaze,” the “curious incident . . . in the Board for Certification of Genealogistsnight-time”—the thing we would expect to see or hear but that just isn't there. Learn more about what negative evidence is—and what it isn't—and how to use it.

This webinar is hosted and sponsored by the Board for Certification of Genealogists.

Join us and Judy G. Russell, JD, CG, CGL for the live webinar Tuesday, December 20, 2016 at 8pm 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.

Download the syllabus

In preparation for the webinar, download the supplemental syllabus materials here.

Registerbut 

Or register for multiple webinars at once by clicking here.

Not sure if you already registered?

Login to view your registration status for this webinar (available for annual or monthly webinar subscribers).

Test Your Webinar Connection

To ensure that your webinar connection is ready to go, click here.

Can't make it to the live event?

No worries. Its recording will be available for a limited time. Webinar Subscribers have unlimited access to all webinar recordings for the duration of their membership.

About the presenter

JudyRussell-144x144A genealogist with a law degree, Judy G. Russell is a lecturer, educator and writer who enjoys helping others understand a wide variety of genealogical issues, including the interplay between genealogy and the law. She has a bachelor's degree in political science and journalism from George Washington University in Washington, D.C. and a law degree from Rutgers School of Law-Newark, and holds Certified Genealogist and Certified Genealogical Lecturer credentials from the Board for Certification of Genealogists where she serves as a member of the Board of Trustees. She has worked as a newspaper reporter, trade association writer, legal investigator, defense attorney, federal prosecutor, law editor and, until recently Judy was an adjunct member of the faculty at Rutgers Law School. Judy is a Colorado native with roots deep in the American south on her mother's side and entirely in Germany on her father's side. Visit her website at www.legalgenealogist.com.

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 Tuesday, December 20, 2016 at:

  • 8pm Eastern (U.S.)
  • 7pm Central
  • 6pm Mountain
  • 5pm Pacific

Or use this Time Zone Converter.

Here's how to attend:

  1. Register at www.FamilyTreeWebinars.com today. It's free!
  2. You will receive a confirmation email containing a link to the webinar.
  3. You will receive a reminder email both 1 day and 1 hour prior to the live 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.
  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!


Tracing Your European Ancestors - free webinar by Julie Goucher now online for limited time

2016-12-16-image500blog

The recording of today's webinar, "Tracing Your European Ancestors" by Julie Goucher is now available to view at www.FamilyTreeWebinars.com for free for a limited time.

Webinar Description

A broad overview of research in Europe - a continent spanning more than thirty countries which has been subjected to wars, political unrest and border changes. Europe is a Continent with different languages, cultures and religions, all of which play a part in family history research. This presentation looks at the obstacles and pitfalls a researcher may encounter, and the major historical events & those that have had a marked effect on family history & are identified, especially the impact of the world wars and regional conflicts, border changes and movements of populations. Advice on broadly available sources is also discussed.

View the Recording at FamilyTreeWebinars.com

If you could not make it to the live event or just want to watch it again, the 1 hour 38 minute recording of "Tracing Your European Ancestors" is now available to view in our webinar library for free for a limited time. Or watch it at your convenience with an annual or monthly webinar membership.

Webinar Memberships/Subscriptions

Webinar Members get:

  • On-demand access to the entire webinar archives (now 453 classes, 630 hours of genealogy education)
  • On-demand access to the instructor handouts (now 2,089 pages)
  • On-demand access to the live webinars' chat logs
  • 5% off all products at www.FamilyTreeWebinars.com (must be logged in at checkout)
  • Access to all future recordings for the duration of their membership
  • Chance for a members-only door prize during each live webinar
  • Access to register for bonus members-only webinars
  • Ability to view which webinars you are registered for
  • Use of the playlist, resume watching, and jump-to features

Introductory pricing:

  • Annual membership: $49.95/year
  • Monthly membership: $9.95/month

Click here to subscribe.

Register for our upcoming webinars (free)

  • No, no, Nanette! What negative evidence is... and isn't by Judy Russell, JD, CG, CGL. December 20. Hosted by the Board for Certification of Genealogists.
  • An Introduction to BillionGraves by Garth Fitzner. December 21.
  • Strategies to Find the Most Challenging Ancestors with Autosomal DNA Data by James M. Baker, PhD, CG. January 4.
  • Tips and Tricks to Organizing Your Genealogy by Shannon Combs-Bennett. January 11.
  • Legacy Family Tree for Complete Beginners by Geoff Rasmussen. January 13.
  • Writing Up Your Research by Michael J. Leclerc, CG. January 17.
  • Create a Free Google Earth Historic Map Collection for Your Research by Lisa Louise Cooke. January 18.
  • Playing Nice In The Genealogy Sandbox by Thomas MacEntee. January 25.
  • Photography for Genealogy by Nicka Smith. February 1.
  • The WHO of Genetic Genealogy by Blaine Bettinger. February 8.
  • Deciphering German Script by Gail Blankenau. February 10.
  • Be Your Own Digital Archivist: Preserve Your Research by Cyndi Ingle. February 15.
  • Weaving DNA Test Results into a Proof Argument by Karen Stanbary, CG. February 21.
  • Finding Missing Persons With DNA Testing by Diahan Southard. February 22.
  • Apprentices, Indentured Servants, and Redemptioners: White Slavery in America by Peggy Clemens Lauritzen, AG. March 1.
  • 50 Websites Every Genealogist Should Know by Gena Philibert-Ortega. March 8.
  • Home on the Range: Kansas Research Tips by Cari Taplin, CG. March 10.
  • Why are Irish records so weird? by John Grenham. March 15.
  • Are You My Grandpa? Men of the Same Name by Rebecca Whitman Koford, CG. March 21.
  • Picture This: Images You Can Freely Use by Judy G. Russell, JD, CG, CGL. March 22.
  • Introduction to Quaker Genealogy Research by Craig Scott, MA, CG, FUGA. March 29.
  • Preserve, Share, and Search Your Digital Pictures with Google Photos by Geoff Rasmussen. April 5.
  • Your Whiteboard in the Cloud: Trello for Genealogists by Lisa Alzo. April 12.
  • Complete Photo Restoration in 4 Easy Steps by Eric Basir. April 14.
  • The Genealogy in Government Documents by Rick Sayre, CG, CGL, FUGA. April 18.
  • Neighborhood Reconstruction: Effective Use of Land Records by Mary Hill, AG. April 19.
  • Finding and Using Land Ownership Maps by Rick Sayre, CG, CGL, FUGA. April 26.
  • Researching Criminal Records by Ron Arons. April 28.
  • Take Me Back to Where I Belong: Transportation Records of the Freedmen’s Bureau by Angela Walton-Raji. May 3.
  • Beginning Danish Research by Charles Fritz Juengling, AG. May 10.
  • New York City and State Governmental Vital Records by Jane Wilcox. May 12.
  • MAXY DNA: Correlating mt-at-X-Y DNA with the GPS by Debbie Parker Wayne, CG, CGL. May 16.
  • Remember Me: Lifestreaming and the Modern Genealogist by Thomas MacEntee. May 17.
  • WikiTree: Free for All without a Free-for-All by Eowyn Langholf. May 24.
  • The Great War: Researching Your World War I Ancestors by Michael L. Strauss, AG. May 31.
  • Researching Your Minnesota Ancestors by Paula Stuart-Warren, CG, FMGS, FUGA. June 7.
  • How Harry Potter Can Teach You About DNA by Blaine Bettinger. June 14.
  • What Now? Your Next Steps with Autosomal DNA Testing by Diahan Southard. June 16.
  • Beating the Bushes: Using the GPS to Find Jacob Bush's Father by Elissa Scalise Powell, CG, CGL. June 20.
  • Virtual Family Reunions: Super Easy, Super Fun by Pat Richley and Russ Worthington. June 21.
  • Canada's Top 10 by Kathryn Lake Hogan. June 28.
  • Censational Census Strategies by Mary Kircher Roddy. July 5.
  • Google Books: the tool you should use every day! by Lisa Louise Cooke. July 12.
  • Tips for Snapping Pics: How to Take Perfect Family Photographs by Jared Hodges. July 14.
  • Analyzing Documents Sparks Ideas for Further Research by Angela Packer McGhie, CG. July 18.
  • The Firelands, The Connecticut Western Reserve, and the Ohio Territory by Peggy Clemens Lauritzen, AG. July 19.
  • Family History Adhesive: The Science of Why History Binds Families and the Simple Tech of How to Do It by Janet Hovorka. July 26.
  • Tracing Your West Country Ancestors by Kirsty Gray. August 2.
  • A Taxing Matter: Using Tax Lists in Genealogy by Judy G. Russell, JD, CG, CGL. August 9.
  • Using Pictures with Legacy Family Tree by Geoff Rasmussen. August 11.
  • Analyzing Probate Records of Slaveholders to Identify Enslaved Ancestors by LaBrenda Garrett-Nelson, JD, LLM, CG. August 15.
  • Finding Your Ancestors in German Directories by Ursula C. Krause. August 16.
  • How to do Mexican Research and Be Successful by Jonathan Walker. August 23.
  • Getting Started with Evidentia by Edward A. Thompson. August 30.
  • Top Tech Tips for the Technologist and the Genealogist by Geoff Rasmussen. September 6.
  • Finding Isaac Rogers by Nicka Smith. September 13.
  • The ABCs and 123s of Researching Your Ancestor's School Records by Melissa Barker. September 15.
  • When Does Newfound Evidence Overturn a Proved Conclusion? by Tom Jones, Ph.D, CG, CGL. September 19.
  • WolframAlpha for Genealogists by Thomas MacEntee. September 20.
  • Quick Guide to Texas Research by Deena Coutant. September 27.
  • No Easy Button: Using “Immersion Genealogy” to Understand Your Ancestors by Lisa Alzo. October 4.
  • Southern States Migration Patterns by Mary Hill, AG. October 11.
  • Is Your Society Growing? Social Media may be your saving grace by Pat Richley. October 13.
  • Databases, Search Engines, and the Genealogical Proof Standard by David Ouimette, CG. October 17.
  • The WPA: Sources for Your Genealogy by Gena Philibert-Ortega. October 18.
  • Midwestern & Plains States Level Census Records by Paula Stuart-Warren, CG, FMGS, FUGA. October 25.
  • Is this the End? Taking Your German Brick Walls Down Piece by Piece by Luana Darby and Ursula C. Krause. November 1.
  • New York City Genealogical Research: Navigating Through The Five Boroughs by Michael L. Strauss, AG. November 8.
  • Using Non-Population Schedules for Context and Evidence by Jill Morelli. November 10.
  • British and Irish research: the differences by Brian Donovan. November 15.
  • Research in Federal Records: Some Assembly Required by Malissa Ruffner, JD, CG. November 21.
  • Understanding Alabama by Rorey Cathcart. November 29.
  • Finding Your Roots in Catholic Records by Lisa Toth Salinas. December 6.
  • I Thought He Was My Ancestor: Avoiding the Six Biggest Genealogy Mistakes by James M. Baker, PhD, CG. December 13.
  • Finding Your Nordic Parish of Birth by Jill Morelli. December 15.
  • The Law and the Reasonably Exhaustive (Re)Search by Judy G. Russell, JD, CG, CGL. December 19.
  • Palmetto Pride - South Carolina for Genealogist by Rorey Cathcart. December 20.
  • Problems and Pitfalls of a Reasonably Shallow Search by Elissa Scalise Powell, CG, CGL. December 27.

Print the 2017 webinar brochure here.

See you online!


Utilizing Online Resources in Midwest Research Webinar Now Available

Utilizing Online Resources in Midwest Research

The recording of Wednesday's webinar, "From the Heartland - Utilizing Online Resources in Midwest Research" by Luana Darby is now available to view at www.FamilyTreeWebinars.com for free for a limited time.

Webinar Description

From Wisconsin to Missouri, many free online resources are available if you know where to look. This class will explore where to find and how to use these resources. Creative techniques for finding future sites will also be discussed.

View the Recording at FamilyTreeWebinars.com

If you could not make it to the live event or just want to watch it again, the 1 hour 34 minute recording of "From the Heartland - Utilizing Online Resources in Midwest Research" is now available to view in our webinar library for free for a limited time. Or watch it at your convenience with an annual or monthly webinar membership.

Webinar Memberships/Subscriptions

Webinar Members get:

  • On-demand access to the entire webinar archives (now 446 classes, 621 hours of genealogy education)
  • On-demand access to the instructor handouts (now 2,036 pages)
  • On-demand access to the live webinars' chat logs
  • 5% off all products at www.FamilyTreeWebinars.com (must be logged in at checkout)
  • Access to all future recordings for the duration of their membership
  • Chance for a members-only door prize during each live webinar
  • Access to register for bonus members-only webinars
  • Ability to view which webinars you are registered for
  • Use of the playlist, resume watching, and jump-to features

Introductory pricing:

  • Annual membership: $49.95/year
  • Monthly membership: $9.95/month

Click here to subscribe.

Register for our upcoming webinars (free)

  • Tracing Your European Ancestors by Julie Goucher. December 16.
  • No, no, Nanette! What negative evidence is... and isn't by Judy Russell, JD, CG, CGL. December 20. Hosted by the Board for Certification of Genealogists.
  • An Introduction to BillionGraves by Garth Fitzner. December 21.
  • Strategies to Find the Most Challenging Ancestors with Autosomal DNA Data by James M. Baker, PhD, CG. January 4.
  • Tips and Tricks to Organizing Your Genealogy by Shannon Combs-Bennett. January 11.
  • Legacy Family Tree for Complete Beginners by Geoff Rasmussen. January 13.
  • Writing Up Your Research by Michael J. Leclerc, CG. January 17.
  • Create a Free Google Earth Historic Map Collection for Your Research by Lisa Louise Cooke. January 18.
  • Playing Nice In The Genealogy Sandbox by Thomas MacEntee. January 25.
  • Photography for Genealogy by Nicka Smith. February 1.
  • The WHO of Genetic Genealogy by Blaine Bettinger. February 8.
  • Deciphering German Script by Gail Blankenau. February 10.
  • Be Your Own Digital Archivist: Preserve Your Research by Cyndi Ingle. February 15.
  • Weaving DNA Test Results into a Proof Argument by Karen Stanbary, CG. February 21.
  • Finding Missing Persons With DNA Testing by Diahan Southard. February 22.
  • Apprentices, Indentured Servants, and Redemptioners: White Slavery in America by Peggy Clemens Lauritzen, AG. March 1.
  • 50 Websites Every Genealogist Should Know by Gena Philibert-Ortega. March 8.
  • Home on the Range: Kansas Research Tips by Cari Taplin, CG. March 10.
  • Why are Irish records so weird? by John Grenham. March 15.
  • Are You My Grandpa? Men of the Same Name by Rebecca Whitman Koford, CG. March 21.
  • Picture This: Images You Can Freely Use by Judy G. Russell, JD, CG, CGL. March 22.
  • Introduction to Quaker Genealogy Research by Craig Scott, MA, CG, FUGA. March 29.
  • Preserve, Share, and Search Your Digital Pictures with Google Photos by Geoff Rasmussen. April 5.
  • Your Whiteboard in the Cloud: Trello for Genealogists by Lisa Alzo. April 12.
  • Complete Photo Restoration in 4 Easy Steps by Eric Basir. April 14.
  • The Genealogy in Government Documents by Rick Sayre, CG, CGL, FUGA. April 18.
  • Neighborhood Reconstruction: Effective Use of Land Records by Mary Hill, AG. April 19.
  • Finding and Using Land Ownership Maps by Rick Sayre, CG, CGL, FUGA. April 26.
  • Researching Criminal Records by Ron Arons. April 28.
  • Take Me Back to Where I Belong: Transportation Records of the Freedmen’s Bureau by Angela Walton-Raji. May 3.
  • Beginning Danish Research by Charles Fritz Juengling, AG. May 10.
  • New York City and State Governmental Vital Records by Jane Wilcox. May 12.
  • MAXY DNA: Correlating mt-at-X-Y DNA with the GPS by Debbie Parker Wayne, CG, CGL. May 16.
  • Remember Me: Lifestreaming and the Modern Genealogist by Thomas MacEntee. May 17.
  • WikiTree: Free for All without a Free-for-All by Eowyn Langholf. May 24.
  • The Great War: Researching Your World War I Ancestors by Michael L. Strauss, AG. May 31.
  • Researching Your Minnesota Ancestors by Paula Stuart-Warren, CG, FMGS, FUGA. June 7.
  • How Harry Potter Can Teach You About DNA by Blaine Bettinger. June 14.
  • What Now? Your Next Steps with Autosomal DNA Testing by Diahan Southard. June 16.
  • Beating the Bushes: Using the GPS to Find Jacob Bush's Father by Elissa Scalise Powell, CG, CGL. June 20.
  • Virtual Family Reunions: Super Easy, Super Fun by Pat Richley and Russ Worthington. June 21.
  • Canada's Top 10 by Kathryn Lake Hogan. June 28.
  • Censational Census Strategies by Mary Kircher Roddy. July 5.
  • Google Books: the tool you should use every day! by Lisa Louise Cooke. July 12.
  • Tips for Snapping Pics: How to Take Perfect Family Photographs by Jared Hodges. July 14.
  • Analyzing Documents Sparks Ideas for Further Research by Angela Packer McGhie, CG. July 18.
  • The Firelands, The Connecticut Western Reserve, and the Ohio Territory by Peggy Clemens Lauritzen, AG. July 19.
  • Family History Adhesive: The Science of Why History Binds Families and the Simple Tech of How to Do It by Janet Hovorka. July 26.
  • Tracing Your West Country Ancestors by Kirsty Gray. August 2.
  • A Taxing Matter: Using Tax Lists in Genealogy by Judy G. Russell, JD, CG, CGL. August 9.
  • Using Pictures with Legacy Family Tree by Geoff Rasmussen. August 11.
  • Analyzing Probate Records of Slaveholders to Identify Enslaved Ancestors by LaBrenda Garrett-Nelson, JD, LLM, CG. August 15.
  • Finding Your Ancestors in German Directories by Ursula C. Krause. August 16.
  • How to do Mexican Research and Be Successful by Jonathan Walker. August 23.
  • Getting Started with Evidentia by Edward A. Thompson. August 30.
  • Top Tech Tips for the Technologist and the Genealogist by Geoff Rasmussen. September 6.
  • Finding Isaac Rogers by Nicka Smith. September 13.
  • The ABCs and 123s of Researching Your Ancestor's School Records by Melissa Barker. September 15.
  • When Does Newfound Evidence Overturn a Proved Conclusion? by Tom Jones, Ph.D, CG, CGL. September 19.
  • WolframAlpha for Genealogists by Thomas MacEntee. September 20.
  • Quick Guide to Texas Research by Deena Coutant. September 27.
  • No Easy Button: Using “Immersion Genealogy” to Understand Your Ancestors by Lisa Alzo. October 4.
  • Southern States Migration Patterns by Mary Hill, AG. October 11.
  • Is Your Society Growing? Social Media may be your saving grace by Pat Richley. October 13.
  • Databases, Search Engines, and the Genealogical Proof Standard by David Ouimette, CG. October 17.
  • The WPA: Sources for Your Genealogy by Gena Philibert-Ortega. October 18.
  • Midwestern & Plains States Level Census Records by Paula Stuart-Warren, CG, FMGS, FUGA. October 25.
  • Is this the End? Taking Your German Brick Walls Down Piece by Piece by Luana Darby and Ursula C. Krause. November 1.
  • New York City Genealogical Research: Navigating Through The Five Boroughs by Michael L. Strauss, AG. November 8.
  • Using Non-Population Schedules for Context and Evidence by Jill Morelli. November 10.
  • British and Irish research: the differences by Brian Donovan. November 15.
  • Research in Federal Records: Some Assembly Required by Malissa Ruffner, JD, CG. November 21.
  • Understanding Alabama by Rorey Cathcart. November 29.
  • Finding Your Roots in Catholic Records by Lisa Toth Salinas. December 6.
  • I Thought He Was My Ancestor: Avoiding the Six Biggest Genealogy Mistakes by James M. Baker, PhD, CG. December 13.
  • Finding Your Nordic Parish of Birth by Jill Morelli. December 15.
  • The Law and the Reasonably Exhaustive (Re)Search by Judy G. Russell, JD, CG, CGL. December 19.
  • Palmetto Pride - South Carolina for Genealogist by Rorey Cathcart. December 20.
  • Problems and Pitfalls of a Reasonably Shallow Search by Elissa Scalise Powell, CG, CGL. December 27.

Print the 2017 webinar brochure here.

See you online!


Register for Webinar Friday - Tracing Your European Ancestors by Julie Goucher

Register

A broad overview of research in Europe - a continent spanning more than thirty countries which has been subjected to wars, political unrest and border changes. Europe is a Continent with different languages, cultures and religions, all of which play a part in family history research. This presentation looks at the obstacles and pitfalls a researcher may encounter, and the major historical events & those that have had a marked effect on family history & are identified, especially the impact of the world wars and regional conflicts, border changes and movements of populations. Advice on broadly available sources is also discussed.

Join us and Julie Goucher for the live webinar Wednesday, December 16, 2016 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.

Download the syllabus

In preparation for the webinar, download the supplemental syllabus materials here.

Registerbut 

Or register for multiple webinars at once by clicking here.

Not sure if you already registered?

Login to view your registration status for this webinar (available for annual or monthly webinar subscribers).

Test Your Webinar Connection

To ensure that your webinar connection is ready to go, click here.

Can't make it to the live event?

No worries. Its recording will be available for a limited time. Webinar Subscribers have unlimited access to all webinar recordings for the duration of their membership.

About the presenter

JulieGoucher-144x144A family historian for more than 25 years, Julie started her interest into her roots early, encouraged by a series of Great Aunts. Julie's ancestry is primarily from the southeast of England; Surrey, Sussex and Hampshire and her roots are deeply embedded within those three counties. She also has links to Warwickshire and various other parts of the globe – India, Australia and Canada. Julie is half Italian and it was during her pursuit of this part of her ancestry that she formed both a one-name and one-place study. Julie has been a member of the Guild of One Name Studies for over 10 years and is currently secretary and is the former Secretary and founder member of the Society for One-Place Studies. Julie was a founding member of the Anglo Italian FHS and was vice-chair for around 5 years. Having worked within the Pharmacy management profession for over 20 years, a move to Devon was the catalyst to return to study and complete a history degree. Julie is the writer and developer of the successful "Book of Me, Written by You" program, which has been popular as a series of workshops delivered to both professionals and historians, in addition to undertaking research for some clients. Julie is a regular contributor to The In-Depth Genealogist magazine with her column Across the Pond. Julie's book Tracing your European Ancestors is to be published in 2016 by Pen and Sword Books. When Julie is not working or researching her own ancestry she can be found reading, exploring the many National trust properties within the South of England or writing at her blog – Anglers Rest

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 16, 2016 at:

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

Or use this Time Zone Converter.

Here's how to attend:

  1. Register at www.FamilyTreeWebinars.com today. It's free!
  2. You will receive a confirmation email containing a link to the webinar.
  3. You will receive a reminder email both 1 day and 1 hour prior to the live 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.
  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!


Where does Newspaper Research fit into YOUR Genealogy?

Newspaperresearch

Never before have I discovered so many "juicy" tidbits about an ancestral family - wow am I glad I've finally made newspapers a major part of my research efforts. They've added so much flavor, even to my uninteresting families. Stories of regret, happiness, divorce, wealth, and even suicide have now made their way into my Brown family narrative. Here's a sampling of what I've found recently:

"I never felt so lonesome in my life and I never worked so hard in my life, but I never was so happy in my life."

"The money comes in so fast we actually don't know what to do with it. We had gold money, paper money, silver money and gold dust hidden in every nook and corner of the house. Loren tore up a plank from the kitchen floor, and we had over $5,000 in all kinds of money hidden there. It was an awful anxiety to have the stuff lying around like that, and it worried us more than the hard work we were doing. The place was full of people, dead broke and hungry, and they would cut one's throat for a dollar. We are just everlastingly fixed here to make money. I have heard of bonanzas, but I never dreamed we would strike one."

"The groom is well known in this city and county. At one time he was the owner of the land surrounding St. Anthony Falls, having conveyed it from the government years ago. Mr. Brown would have been immensely wealthy today had he held onto his purchase, but a desire to go farther west induced him to part with it."

"Nancy J. Brown has brought suit against her husband, Marsden Brown, on the ground of cruel and inhuman treatment and habitual drunkenness.

Our ancestors had their ups and their downs, just like we do. Yet, I never dreamed of learning these kind of details about one of the families I've come to love so much.

I often get asked, "if you could subscribe to just one or two online genealogy services, which would they be?" That's a tough call for lots of reasons. Perhaps the biggest of them all is you never know what you might be missing out on if you limit yourself to the one or two most well-known subscription services. To learn what I wrote about above, I had to turn to four different newspaper services:

  • GenealogyBank.com
  • Newspapers.com
  • NewspaperArchive.com
  • Chronicling America (free)

I began by doing a name search for Marsden Brown.

  • GenealogyBank.com - 92 results
  • Newspapers.com - 63 results
  • NewspaperArchive.com - 220 results
  • Chronicling America - 165 results

Of all of the relevant results, there were only two duplicates. Had I only searched my long-time favorite, GenealogyBank, I never would have learned about Marsden's land purchase that surrounded St. Anthony Falls. This story, part of the wedding announcement to his second wife, was only found in NewspaperArchive.  The announcement of Nancy's desire to divorce Marsden was only found in Newspapers.com. The letter, written by Marsden's daughter who struck it rich in the Alaska gold rush was republished in a couple of newspapers, and found only at GenealogyBank and in Chronicling America.

So if I had to choose just one newspaper subscription service, I don't know that I could. I would always be wondering if I was missing something. They each have exclusive content. Adding up the cost of each subscription was not in my budget, but then, I've gone for years wondering if my evidence for Marsden's second wife was strong enough. Because of this sentence in the marriage announcement I found last night, there is no longer any doubt I have the right relationships:

"They will pass their honeymoon with Mr. Brown's daughter, Mrs. Fred Puhler, of Ada, this state."

To summarize how I'm feeling today - YIPPEE! I love what I'm discovering about my family. And isn't it true, the more we learn about our past the more we know about who we are? I'm so glad I switched my major in college from Accounting to Genealogy.

Newspaper Resources

Webinars - 13 of them at www.FamilyTreeWebinars.com

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Book - How to Find Your Family History in Newspapers

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Legacy QuickGuide: Using Historical Newspapers for Genealogy Research

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