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Legacy Tip: Ages

Wow, was I ever startled at what I learned when I pressed Control-A recently. Control-A, of course, being the shortcut in Legacy to open the person's Ages screen.

Ages

After all of these years of studying Asa Brown's family, it wasn't until I popped up his Ages screen that I learned that he died on his 34th wedding anniversary. That little bit of information added quite a bit of color to his family's story.

The Ages screen displays the following for both the husband and the wife:

  • Birth date, and how long it's been since their birth
  • Christening date, and their age
  • Marriage date, and how old each were at the date of their marriage
  • Death date, and their age at death
  • Burial date, and how long since their birth this event occured
  • The length of the couple's marriage

Access the Ages screen by:

  • Pressing Control-A in Legacy's Family View
  • or go to View > Ages button

Register for Webinar Wednesday: Photography for Genealogy by Nicka Smith

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Do more than let the camera figure things out. Learn the basics of photography and ways you can creatively incorporate it into your existing genealogy or family history project.

Join us and Nicka Smith for the live webinar Wednesday, February 1, 2017 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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About the presenter

NickaSmith-144x144Nicka Smith is a professional photographer, speaker, and documentarian with more than 17 years of experience as a genealogist. She has extensive experience in African ancestored genealogy, reverse genealogy, and family reunion planning and execution. She is also an expert in genealogical research in the Northeastern Louisiana area, sharing genealogy with youth, documenting the ancestral journey, and employing the use of new technology in genealogy and family history research.

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Going Deeper Into U.S. Maritime Records, Part 2: Deserters, Casualties, and Shipwrecks

Going Deeper Into U.S. Maritime Records, Part 2: Deserters, Casualties, and Shipwrecks


What does a genealogist do when an individual seems to fall off the face of the earth? Look high and low for them of course, but it’s even more important to find records of why they seemingly disappeared. This is relatively common with ancestors who worked in the maritime industry; an industry that operated with a high rate of desertion and casualties. The other challenge is that when tracing maritime ancestors, you are operating within a very large geographical area, much more so than in most research cases. Fortunately, for genealogists and researchers, there are a number of record sets and resources that can help with researching these types of incidents in the maritime industry.

U.S. Customs Service and State Department Records

Starting in 1803, the U.S. Government required the collectors at the customs house keep a record of all personnel serving on commercial and merchant ships. Crew lists and articles of agreement filed with the U.S. Customs Service are at the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) under Record Group 36. However, there may be earlier crew lists in archives and special collections. Under oath, a captain of a ship presented a true copy of the crew list to the collector at the port of embarkation and subsequently, all ports of arrival. If the captain failed to do so, he was punished with a heavy fine. A ship could have made several stops along a particular route or voyage. It’s important to examine these crew lists for amendments like names crossed off or the letter “D” for deserted. These are strong clues that they left the voyage mid-journey.

Many seamen would desert, become ill, or fall overboard halfway along the voyage. When this occurred, the captain was required to report the incident to the local U.S. consul of that port and which subsequently was forwarded back to the customs collector at the port of embarkation. Records of U.S. Consuls are located in NARA Record Group 59, General Records of the Department of State and are organized by the embassy or station where they served. The State Department also kept a separate series of American seamen who did not desert, but rather were impressed or forcefully detained by British naval powers. These records can be found only on microfilm at the National Archives:

M2025 . Registers of Applications for the Release of Impressed Seamen, 1793-1802, and Related Indexes. More information can be found here (pdf).

M1839. Miscellaneous Lists and Papers Regarding Impressed Seamen, 1796-1814

Checking both Customs Service and State Department Records for these types of records will ensure an exhaustive search because a copy of the notice may exist in one or both places. While indexing NARA’s microfilm records for the U.S. Custom House in Salem, Massachusetts, I found many examples of desertion and casualty notices sent from ports across the U.S. and the world.

Fig 1. A list of men who didn’t return on the 1828 voyage of the Brig Reaper of Salem, Massachusetts. Two of the crew died at sea and four deserted the vessel. The notice was forwarded to the collector of the district of Salem from the collector of the district of Newport, Rhode Island.
Fig 1. A list of men who didn’t return on the 1828 voyage of the Brig Reaper of Salem, Massachusetts. Two of the crew died at sea and four deserted the vessel. The notice was forwarded to the collector of the district of Salem from the collector of the district of Newport, Rhode Island.

 Many immigrants worked on ships as a way to bypass processing by officials and enter the United States. The Immigration Acts of 1917 and 1924 required that all alien crew members be processed by the captain and immigration officials. National Archives microfilm publication A3417, Index To Alien Crewmen Who Were Discharged or Who Deserted at New York, New York, May 1917 – November 1957 includes the names of 600,000 men and will help in researching the original lists from NARA microfilm T715.

U.S. District Court Records

Genealogists and researchers may be able to find wonderful records of their seafaring ancestors in federal court records, a record set that is often under utilized. Since 1789, the United States District Court has held jurisdiction over what are called admiralty cases. In colonial America, there was a separate admiralty court which heard cases pertaining to the shipping industry. In 1872, Congress appointed the Federal Courts to handle claims related to deceased or deserted seamen. The National Archives have these case files separately as “Deceased Seamen Case Files.” The contents of the case files vary, from a one page summary or account of their wages and effects, to a variety of documents including wills, affidavits, and correspondence from family members. I was very excited when I first surveyed these records in person at the National Archives because of their enormous genealogical value and wrote a post on my personal blog. The case files for Massachusetts and Maine courts can be browsed as images on FamilySearch.

Finding a court case for your ancestor’s ship is not always easy. District Court records are held in NARA Record Group 21, Records of The United States District Court. None of these cases include full name indexes and some background research will need to be performed to find if such a case exists. If you think the district court records contain a case related to your ancestor’s ship or voyage, try contacting the regional branch of the National Archives that has court records for that state. The NARA online catalog doesn’t always reflect the entire scope of the collection because NARA facilities have an internal index of all the cases they have on file. Usually an admiralty case will be under the name of the vessel or the master, while deceased seamen’s files are under the seamen’s name.

Records Related To Shipwrecks

An ancestor may very well been lost at sea because they died during a shipwreck. Storms and poorly calculated decisions have led to thousand of shipwrecks. How does a genealogist find out if their ancestor was a victim of one of these tragedies? Newspapers are always a good place to try, not just for shipwrecks, but for maritime research in general. Some publications were specific to the maritime industry like Lloyd’s List (dating back to 1741!) and The Marine Review. There are also many online projects that have compiled data on shipwrecks both in the U.S. and internationally. A good list of these can be found here. At NARA, wreck reports for U.S. vessels are dispersed among records of the U.S. Customs Service (RG 36) and Records of the United States Coast Guard (RG 26). The U.S. Life-Saving Service was created in 1878 and it’s records (part of RG 26) include logs and wreck reports. Some wreck reports from the late 19th and 20th century are also on microfilm at NARA:

T720A-B. U.S. Coast Guard Reports of Assistance to Individuals and Vessels, 1916-1940. (Indexes are T719-T721)

T729. Marine Casualties of The Great Lakes, 1868-1873.

T925. U.S. Coast Guard Casualty and Wreck Reports, 1913-1939. (T926 is in the index to this series)

P2262. Wreck Reports Filed with Collectors of Customs in the Districts of Alaska, 1898-1912; Oregon 1874-1915; and Puget Sound (Washington)

A4237. Abstracts of Vessels, 1836-1841, and Wreck Reports, 1874-1924, from the Records of the Collectors of Customs of Oswegatchie District, New York.

Fig 2. U.S. Life Saving Service wreck report for the Schooner William H. Marshall (24 Apr 1878). 
Fig 2. U.S. Life Saving Service wreck report for the Schooner William H. Marshall (24 Apr 1878). 

Feeling like you are under water because you’re not able to find that long lost seafaring ancestor? Bring your head to the surface and start with the multitude of resources available in this post! While not every family tree contains seafaring ancestors, genealogical research in maritime records demonstrates that brickwalls can be solved if researchers examine records related to their ancestor’s occupation.

Don't miss your chance to read part 1 : Going Deeper into US Maritime Records.

---

Jake Fletcher is a professional genealogist, educator and blogger. He currently serves as Vice President of the New England Association of Professional Genealogists (NEAPG).

 


Playing Nice In The Genealogy Sandbox - free webinar by Thomas MacEntee now online for limited time

2017-01-25-image500blog

The recording of today's webinar, "Playing Nice In The Genealogy Sandbox" by Thomas MacEntee is now available to view at www.FamilyTreeWebinars.com for free for a limited time.

Webinar Description

Genealogy is all about connecting with your ancestors. As part of this process, we often need to connect with other genealogists and share research. It isn’t always as easy as it seems! Learn the best ways to connect with other family historians and share resources including research, documents and research strategies. Discover the various methods of locating other researchers and the best practices to ensure that your work is shared and credited in a responsible manner.

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 44 minute recording of "Playing Nice In The Genealogy Sandbox" PLUS the after-webinar party 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.

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The Genealogy Do-Over Workbook by Thomas MacEntee - 3.99

Back in December 2014, I made a big announcement online and in social media: Genealogy and I are parting ways. Done. Finished. Game over.
 
Have you ever said to yourself, “That’s it! I’ve had it and it just isn’t worth it anymore!” Well, have you? Sort of like the character Howard Beale in the movie Network when he says, live on air, “I’m mad as hell and I’m not going to take it anymore!”
 
By the end of 2014, after more than 25 years of researching my own family history, that is how I felt.

My Past Genealogy Research Frustrates Me!
 
While many who read my post thought that I was leaving the genealogy community or closing down my genealogy business, I had to clarify what I meant by “leaving:” Starting in 2015, I planned on setting my 20+ years of genealogy research aside and starting over. From scratch.
 
Seriously. How many times have you thought about doing the same thing? Did you start your research the same way I did, by just collecting names, grabbing stuff from other online trees, or pasting text into your genealogy software? Lately, has the prospect of going back and citing sources or proving facts and evidence brought you down and ruined your genealogy buzz? Do you throw up your hands and say, “I give up!” only to return to the same review and edit process days or weeks later?
 
If you are like me, you need a genealogy makeover. Better yet, a Genealogy Do-Over. That is what I decided to call the journey upon which I embarked in early 2015. Now I want you to come along.

The Genealogy DoOver WorkbookGenealogy Do-Over: A New Journey of Genealogical Discovery
 
Here is the short summary of The Genealogy Do-Over: I set aside everything* related to my genealogy research including notebooks, papers, and even digitized files and my genealogy database files and START OVER. I’m hitting the reset button. I’m allowing myself to have a do-over! (* certain items such as vital records ordered and paid for or research gathered on long-distance trips can be retained).
 
Since I started my initial research, much has changed in the areas of genealogy research methodology and education. I now realize the need to collect facts and track them properly, including the use of source citations. I now understand the process of analyzing evidence and proving facts to reach a conclusion. In essence, I know a lot more about the “process” of genealogical research and I want to put it to use.
 
This is not to say that I have not been following proven guidelines when it comes to finding family history. For my research clients (mostly pro bono), I actually employ all the methods advocated by many in the genealogy community. However, when it comes to my own research from years ago, I am not walking the walk . . . I have just been talking the talk.
 
It is not always easy to “walk backwards” and review every bit of information gathered over the years. Instead, I wanted to do more than re-walk a trodden path: I wanted to head out from the same starting point and see where the journey took me. I knew I would have access to better tools, better knowledge and be better equipped for each twist and turn. Now, I encourage you to join me on this journey.
 
The Genealogy Do-Over journey is constructed of 12 mileposts or journey markers that are laid out over one year. You can choose to pace yourself differently. You can even decide to drop some of the less important tasks and add your own. Do whatever it takes to ensure that you are on a firm footing to finding your ancestors.
 
A short synopsis of the route:
  • Take inventory of what you have, box up the physical items and set them aside.
  • Move all digital genealogy files into a HOLD folder.
  • Gather tools to research.
  • Set research goals.
  • Start with your own knowledge and write it down.
  • Start tracking research.
  • Interview family members.
  • And more!
And then, month by month, continue with research, add more skills and areas of focus including citing sources, tracking searches, building a research toolbox, creating an educational plan, researching offline as well as online, and more.
 
By the end of the year, hopefully you will have completed a review of a firm foundation in genealogy and family history research skill building. I realize that some focus areas may differ; anyone along for the journey has the freedom to add or remove content. This program has to work for you and should not be something that you dread each week or that you find you are working against.
 
You’re Invited – You Get a Genealogy Do-Over Too
 
I created The Genealogy Do-Over as a collaborative community effort to re-examine the way in which each of us has personally pursued our genealogical research. My intent was to be honest with myself without beating myself up. I wanted to feel the joy of looking at one small fact and perhaps realizing that I never looked at it from all angles. I wanted the discipline of not following a possible lead just because it shakes or makes more noise than other leads.
 
Most of all, I wanted to be open to all possibilities on my journey of genealogical self-discovery and to enjoy that journey. This has meant researching genealogy with a plan, with a purpose, with sound practices and with the support of my fellow researchers. I do not intend to make this journey again. The Genealogy Do-Over is my chance, and your chance, to get it right!
 
68 pages | Published 2015 | PDF (download-only) edition
 
image from news.legacyfamilytree.com

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Register for our upcoming webinars (free)

  • 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!


Tuesday's Tip - Recording Unknown Names

  Tuesday's Tip - Recording Unknown Names 

Tuesday's Tips provide brief how-to's to help you learn to use the Legacy Family Tree software with new tricks and techniques.

Tuesday's Tip - Recording Unknown Names

Tip Level: Advanced 

Here is a really nifty trick. Have you ever wanted to record an unknown surname?

I recommended [—?—] because that is how unknown surnames are normally handled in the National Genealogical Society Quarterly (NGSQ) but someone remarked that Legacy was hitting on that as a Potential Problem.

Here is a copy and paste from the Help File:

"If you are entering something into either the given names field or the surname to indicate that the name is currently unknown, such as [—?—], NN, or ??? or something similar, these entries will normally cause a potential problems alert. If you would like to avoid the alerts on these name entries, you can do so by creating a file called UnknownName.txt in the [My Documents]\Legacy Family Tree\_AppData folder. The file should contain two strings consisting of one or more terms separated by space between each one. The first line is for unknown names that might be found in the Given Names field and the second line pertains to the Surname field. For example:

Child ???
[—?—] NN ???

You can create this file using a text editor."

I have an UnknownName.txt file. In my file the first line is blank because I have no given names that I want Legacy to skip (I always leave the given name field blank if I don't know what it is). My second link only contains
[—?—]
because that is the only thing I use for unknown surnames. The Help File shows 3 variations that you are telling Legacy to skip but that is for illustrative purposes only. No matter what you choose you need to be consistent so your UnknownName.txt file should only contain one entry on the second line.

 

Find tech tips every day in the Facebook Legacy User Group. The group is free and is available to anyone with a Facebook account.

For video tech tips checkout the Legacy Quick Tips page.  These short videos will make it easy for you to learn all sort of fun and interesting ways to look at your genealogy research.

Michele Simmons Lewis is part of the technical support team at Millennia, the makers of the Legacy Family Tree software program. With over 20 years of research experience, Michele’s passion is helping new genealogists get started on the right foot through her writings, classes and lectures. She is the former staff genealogist and weekly columnist for the McDuffie Mirror and now authors Ancestoring, a blog geared toward the beginner/intermediate researcher.


Register for Webinar Wednesday: Playing Nice In The Genealogy Sandbox by Thomas MacEntee

  Register for Webinar Wednesday: Playing Nice In The Genealogy Sandbox by Thomas MacEntee

Genealogy is all about connecting with your ancestors. As part of this process, we often need to connect with other genealogists and share research. It isn’t always as easy as it seems! Learn the best ways to connect with other family historians and share resources including research, documents and research strategies. Discover the various methods of locating other researchers and the best practices to ensure that your work is shared and credited in a responsible manner.

Join us and Thomas MacEntee for the live webinar Wednesday, January 25, 2017 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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About the presenter

Thomas MacEnteeWhat happens when a "tech guy" with a love for history gets laid off during The Great Recession of 2008? You get Thomas MacEntee, a genealogy professional who's also a blogger, educator, author, social media connector, online community builder and more.

Thomas was laid off after a 25-year career in the information technology field, so he started his own genealogy-related business called High Definition Genealogy. He also created an online community of over 3,000 family history bloggers known as GeneaBloggers. His most recent endeavor, Hack Genealogy, is an attempt to "re-purpose today's technology for tomorrow's genealogy."
 
Thomas describes himself as a lifelong learner with a background in a multitude of topics who has finally figured out what he does best: teach, inspire, instigate, and serve as a curator and go-to-guy for concept nurturing and inspiration. Thomas is a big believer in success, and that we all succeed when we help each other find success.

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Using the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) Online Catalog for Research

  Using the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) Online Catalog for Research


With the growing size of digital collections now available, an online catalog is simply no longer just a research tool. They are now online databases where you can do original research. I have used numerous online images from the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) catalog in past Legacy News posts as examples of documents that may include an ancestor. There are over four million images and digital objects in NARA’s catalog, a number that grows frequently, so it’s certainly worthwhile to at least check this site when researching. There’s great potential to find a lot of gems.

Before digging, I’d like to help you navigate NARA’s catalog and provide some tips on how to make the most of it. The NARA homepage presents users with the main search engine where you can start with a few keywords, such as a topic or even someone’s name.

Each time you click on a catalog entry in your search, you are presented with a page that has important descriptive information. The catalog is a research tool because you should consult this before doing in-person research to find relevant sources and create a research plan. Each catalog entry has:

  1. Record Group information
  2. ID number for that entry
  3. Microfilm publication number if the collection has been microfilmed
  4. The branch of NARA that has custody of the archived record and it’s contact information

National Archives Catalog Search

Fig 1 & 2. Screenshots of the information held in an online catalog entry for NARA. 
Fig 1 & 2. Screenshots of the information held in an online catalog entry for NARA. 


Remember that names will only appear in the catalog if they are included in the title or description. General keyword searches can present users with an overwhelming number of results, so using the refining tools allows us to focus on relevant entries.

All the refining tools are on the left side of the page. Limiting to only digital objects and images can be done on the top left under “Refine By: Data” and clicking “Archival Descriptions with Digital Objects.” To the right of these filters are additional filters where you can restrict results to only Images, Documents, Web Pages, and more. If a user is looking for records in a particular branch of NARA, this can be accomplished by clicking one of the locations under “Refine By: Location.” The advanced search, which is located to the right of the search bar offers even more refining tools. People who are acquainted with the division and hierarchy of record groups at NARA might want to try limiting results to a particular RG number. Users can also search for "tags" put on documents by other users. NARA's catalog offers crowdsourcing capabilities where users can tag and transcribe documents in the catalog. Any user can make a free account to do this as well as save their searches and specific entries. [1] 

Military records from the Revolutionary War to the late 20th century are available on NARA’s catalog. A favorite of genealogists would have to be the illustrated family records or frakturs from the Revolutionary War pension applications. There’s a little over 100 of these that were submitted as documentation for claimants and their families. Virginia patriot Dawson Cooke’s claim for service includes pages from the family bible of John Newcomb. The Newcombs were friends and associates of Dawson Cooke and his first wife Mildred. It includes four pages of genealogical information of not just the Newcomb and his descendants, but also a memorandum of the births of other families, who happened to be the Newcomb's family property.

 

Fig 3. Memorandum of the births of slaves of Joanna Newcomb from Dawson Cooke's Revolutionary War Pension File (National Archives and Records Administration, NAID 7455382). 
Fig 3. Memorandum of the births of slaves of Joanna Newcomb from Dawson Cooke's Revolutionary War Pension File (National Archives and Records Administration, NAID 7455382). 

 There are also thousands of other records from NARA’s military series including:

  • Compiled service record cards
  • World War I & II Casualty Lists, i.e. State Summary of War Casualties (Navy, Marine Corps, & Coast Guard) and World War II Honor List of Dead and Missing Army Air Forces Personnel
  • Muster rolls
  • Unit records
  • Correspondence

Many of the documents are digitized because they were deemed historically significant and some of them invoke painful times in our history. Among the digitized records of the Boston Navy Yard is a 150 page file on casualties in the Coconut Grove fire of 1942 that killed 495 people, including 35 personnel of the Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard.
 

Fig 4. Patients at Chelsea Naval Hospital following the Coconut Grove fire of 1942 [names removed for privacy purposes]. (National Archives and Records Administration, NAID 30623174)
Fig 4. Patients at Chelsea Naval Hospital following the Coconut Grove fire of 1942 [names removed for privacy purposes]. (National Archives and Records Administration, NAID 30623174)

 Among the number of other types of digitized records include:

  • Court cases
  • Naturalizations
  • Indian census rolls
  • Maritime logbooks and personnel documents
  • Lists of patients at government hospitals
  • Maps
  • ….and so much more.

There are some microfilm publications, in addition to the World War II casualty lists, like NARA M862, Numerical and Minor Files Of The Department of State, 1906-1910, which include all the records made and kept by United States diplomats and consuls for that time period.

More than 99% of over four million images reproduced in The National Archives and Records Administration’s online catalog are “government works” and therefore, in the public domain.[2] You can easily download a series of documents for free by clicking the .pdf link or one at a time in .jpg format. I think it’s easier to view the images after downloading them. There are a few which have copyright restrictions, mostly because the copyright title belongs to someone outside of the National Archives. You can scroll past the image to view details and it will note any access restrictions. The restrictions are not only pertaining to copyright, but also accessibility of the originals to the public. Even if there is a document or photo that doesn’t directly include an ancestor, it’s nice to know that genealogists can use them freely to assist in telling the stories of their ancestor or to educate others. 

Fig 5. "Clerical force & U.S. Deputy Marshalls, U.S. Land Office, Perry, OkIa. Ter. Oct. 12, 1893." (National Archives and Records Administration, NAID 516459). 
Fig 5. "Clerical force & U.S. Deputy Marshalls, U.S. Land Office, Perry, OkIa. Ter. Oct. 12, 1893." (National Archives and Records Administration, NAID 516459). 

Remember that the NARA catalog isn’t the first or only place you want to stop and try this. Look for all the possible archival repositories in the area of your research and look to see what they have online for special collections. You never know how it might pertain to your family history.

 

[1] For more information, see National Archives and Records Administration, "Using The Catalog," (https://www.archives.gov/research/catalog/help/using.html: accessed 16 Dec 2016). 

[2] See 17 U.S.C. § 105 (https://www.copyright.gov/title17/92chap1.html#105: accessed 16 Dec 2016). See also “Copyright” under “National Archives Frequently Asked Questions” (https://www.archives.gov/faqs: accessed 16 Dec 2016).

 ---

Jake Fletcher is a genealogist, lecturer, and blogger.  He currently serves as Vice President of the New England Association of Professional Genealogists (NEAPG).

 


Create a Free Google Earth Historic Map Collection for Your Research - free webinar by Lisa Louise Cooke now online for limited time

2017-01-18-image500blog

The recording of today's webinar, "Create a Free Google Earth Historic Map Collection for Your Research" by Lisa Louise Cooke is now available to view at www.FamilyTreeWebinars.com for free for a limited time.

Webinar Description

Learn how to find free digital maps for your ancestral locations, add them as permanent overlays to Google Earth, and then organize them into your personal map reference collection. You’ll learn best practices for keeping them organized and enriching your research.

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 42 minute recording of "Create a Free Google Earth Historic Map Collection for Your Research" PLUS the after-webinar party 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 Coupon Code

Use webinar coupon code earth10 for 10% off anything in our online store including Legacy software, Legacy QuickGuides, webinar memberships and more. Coupon good through Monday, January 16, 2017.

Click here to browse the store.

Google_bundle_largeThe Google Toolbox Bundle - 43.95

The Genealogist's Google Toolbox, Second Edition print book and all 14 episodes of the Google Earth for Genealogy Video Series are available to you at one low cost. Both of these products are designed to guide and educate your journey through finding your family history and virtually walking in your ancestors foot steps.

The Genealogist’s Google Toolbox includes:
  • Google Search: Get all the latest on how to get the best search results possible. New chapter on searching for common surnames!
  • Google Alerts: Yous personal genealogy assistant.
  • Gmail: Never lose another email. Expanded!
  • Google Books: The world’s history at your fingertips. Includes expanded instructions on using My Library.
  • Google Translate: Explore foreign language websites and documents.
  • YouTube: Find your family history in action on video. And all new: Build your own free YouTube channel.
  • Brand new chapters on Google Scholar and Google Patents!
  • Google Earth: Rock your ancestor’s world!
Published 2015, Perfect-bound Paperback: 203 pages, 8.5" x 11", black and white with illustrations

Google Earth for Genealogy: Video Series includes
Previously on CD, now as a digital download!

Learn how to use Google Earth for genealogy in new and exciting ways! This set of tutorial videos by nationally known genealogist Lisa Louise Cooke brings you over 2 1/2 hours of easy-to-follow instructions. You'll be blown away at what you can do with Google Earth, and Lisa's project ideas will give your family members a new perspective and appreciation of family history.
 
Explore all 14 episodes!
  • Download and use Google Earth
  • Identify the locations of old photographs Part 1
  • Identify the locations of old photographs Part 2
  • Explore church record origins
  • Plot your ancestors' homesteads
  • Create your own custom historic map overlays
  • Save and share Google Earth images
  • Pinpoint Your Ancestors Property
  • Locate Original Land Surveys
  • Customize Place Marks and Add Photographs
  • Add Videos to Maps
  • Add Focus with Polygons and Paths
  • Incorporate 3D Models of Ancestral Locations
  • Create and Share family History Tours 
image from news.legacyfamilytree.com

Webinar Memberships/Subscriptions

Webinar Members get:

  • On-demand access to the entire webinar archives (now 467 classes, 648 hours of genealogy education)
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  • Access to register for bonus members-only webinars
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  • 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)

  • 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 - Writing Up Your Research - now online for limited time

  BCG Webinar - Writing Up Your Research


The recording of Tuesday's webinar by Michael Leclerc and the Board for Certification of Genealogists, "Writing Up Your Research" is now available to view at www.FamilyTreeWebinars.com/BCG for free for a limited time.

Webinar Description

Writing up our research is the best way to preserve it. We will examine different ways of writing and publishing, from blogs to books.

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 26 minute recording of "Writing Up Your 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.

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 466 classes, 646 hours of genealogy education)
  • On-demand access to the instructor handouts (now 2,148 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)

  • 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: Create a Free Google Earth Historic Map Collection for Your Research by Lisa Louise Cooke

Register

Learn how to find free digital maps for your ancestral locations, add them as permanent overlays to Google Earth, and then organize them into your personal map reference collection. You’ll learn best practices for keeping them organized and enriching your research. 

Join us and Lisa Louise Cooke for the live webinar Wednesday, January 18, 2017 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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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

LisaLouiseCooke-144x144Lisa Louise Cooke is the owner of Genealogy Gems, a genealogy and family history multi-media company.  She is producer and host of the Genealogy Gems Podcast, the popular online genealogy audio show as well as the Family History: Genealogy Made Easy podcast, both available at www.GenealogyGems.com, in iTunes, and through the Genealogy Gems app. Her podcast episodes bring genealogy news, research strategies, expert interviews and inspiration to genealogists and have been downloaded over 1 million times.

Lisa is the author of a variety of multi-media materials available to Genealogy Gems Premium Members and the books: Turn Your iPad into a Genealogy Powerhouse, How to Find Your Family History in Newspapers, The Genealogist's Google Toolbox, and Genealogy Gems: Ultimate Research Strategies, as well as producer of the video series Google Earth for Genealogy and over 60 videos at the Genealogy Gems YouTube Channel.

Lisa's offerings are not limited to online.  She is a sought after international genealogy speaker having regularly appeared at Who Do You Think You Are? Live in London, and webinar presenter.

Whether in person or online, Lisa strives to dig through the myriad of genealogy news, questions and resources and deliver the gems that can unlock each listeners own family history treasure trove!

Family is not just a priority professionally. Lisa is a doting wife to Bill, the proud mom of three daughters, and has added the role of Grandma to her resume.  She counts her blessings every day for the love, fulfillment and laughter that family brings to every aspect of her life.

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, January 18, 2017 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!