Happy Easter!

Cousin Adelia, Zumbrota, Minnesota to Rena Lerfald, Mandan, North Dakota. Postcard, postmarked 20 Mar 1913. Lerfald-Westaby Postcard Collection, digitized and privately held by Miriam Robbins Midkiff, [ADDRESS FOR PRIVATE USE,] Spokane, Washington. Original collection privately held by Troy W. Midkiff, [ADDRESS FOR PRIVATE USE,] Vancouver, Washington. 2011.

No Scanfest in April

I apologize for the last-minute notice, but there will be no Scanfest in April.

Originally, I was going to bump it from the last Sunday in April (the 24th), which happens to be Easter Sunday, to the third Sunday, the 17th. However, I just discovered late last night that the summer camp reunion I planned to attend this weekend will be held on Sunday and not Saturday, as I previously thought.

I briefly considered having Scanfest on Saturday, the 16th, but realized I need a day to rest up and recover from a long week of work...the first week of school after Spring Break!

The next Scanfest will be held Sunday, May 22nd from 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM, PDT. This is one week earlier than normal, due to the Memorial Day weekend. See you then!

P.S. If you're just dying to talk with your chat buddies before May, check out Geneabloggers Radio Friday evenings and Dae Powell's chats.

Free Access to Some Subscription Websites' Databases

Two subscription websites are offering free access in one form or another for a limited time:

1. In honor of the 150th Anniversary of the Civil War, which began April 12th, 1861, Ancestry is offering free access to its 1850 and 1860 Federal Censuses and its Civil War Records Database through April 14th. You will need to register with an email address (no credit card required!).

2. In honor of National Library Week, Gale Cenage is offering free access to several (not all) databases through April 24th. Normally, individuals cannot subscribe to Gale; only libraries and institutions can, and then you can access it if your participating library, university, or other institution of which you are a member has subscribed. The six databases they are offering access to are: Global Issues in Context (GIC); Gale NewsVault; GREENR; PowerSpeak Languages; Science in Context; and Slavery and Anti-Slavery. Check them out here.

See all special offers here.

March 2011 Scanfest

Scanfest is Tomorrow!

 Just a quick reminder, as I did not do a formal one earlier this week: we WILL have Scanfest tomorrow here at AnceStories from 11 AM to 2 PM, PDT.

See you then!

Follow Friday: Blood and Frogs: Jewish Genealogy and More by Phillip Trauring

How can a title like Blood and Frogs not catch your attention?! I came across Phillip's blog when it was listed in Cyndi's List Mailing List of New Websites, a daily e-newsletter to which I've subscribed (Interested? Sign up here.). What caught my eye was a description of the B&F (free!) Forms System, and being a sucker for organizational tools, I immediately headed over for a visit.

I wasn't disappointed. Besides explaining the forms system and offering free PDF forms to use on your computer or print out, there are some interesting and well-written articles on Jewish and Polish genealogy, preservation (which warms this Scanfest hostess' heart!), doing genealogy on a Mac, and general genealogy techniques. Some of the general topics covered are FindAGrave, historical online newspapers, and mailing lists.

I'm looking forward to what Phillip will be blogging about in the future, and have subscribed to Blood and Frogs: Jewish Genealogy and More in Google Reader. You can also follow along in Twitter and Facebook, too!

As for the term, blood and frogs? Think back to your childhood Bible stories or the movie The Ten Commandments, and remember the first two plagues to strike Egypt!

February 2011 Scanfest

Scanfest is Coming!

The February 2011 Scanfest will take place here at AnceStories this coming Sunday, February 27th, from 11 AM to 2 PM, Pacific Standard Time.

What is Scanfest? It's a time when geneabloggers, family historians, and family archivists meet online here at this blog to chat while they scan their precious family document and photos. Why? Because, quite honestly, scanning is time-consuming and boring!

Scanfest is a great time to "meet" other genealogists, ask questions about scanning and preservation, and get the kick in the pants we all need on starting those massive scanning projects that just seem too overwhelming to begin.

To get started, you need to know the basics about scanning:

1. Don't use commercial glass cleaners (i.e. Windex) or paper towels to clean your scanner's glass plate. Use a soft, clean cloth, preferably microfiber. If you must use a liquid, use water sprayed directly onto the cloth  and make sure to let the plate dry thoroughly before placing photos or documents on it.

2. Wear cotton gloves (available at many art and/or photography supply shops) when handling photos and old documents.

3. Don't slide the photos around on the glass plate. Place them exactly where you want them. Photos should NEVER be scanned by a scanner that feeds the document through the machine, but ALWAYS on a flat-bed scanner.

4. Set your scanner to scan at no smaller than 300 dpi (dots per inch). Many experts recommend 600 dpi for photographs.

5. Photographs should ALWAYS be scanned and saved as .tif files. Use "Save As" to reformat the .tif file to a .jpg file for restoration and touchups, emailing, or uploading to an online photo album. ALWAYS retain the original scan as a .tif file.

6. Documents can be scanned as .pdf files or .tif files.

7. When you are done scanning your photos, don't put them back in those nasty "magnetic" photo albums. Place them in archival safe albums or boxes found at websites such as Archival Products or Archival Suppliers. Do NOT store any newsprint (articles, obituaries, etc.) with the photos. The acid from the newspaper will eventually destroy the photograph.

Now about the chatting part of Scanfest:

We will be using Cover It Live, a live blogging format that you access right here at AnceStories.

On Sunday at 11 AM, PST, come right here to AnceStories and you'll see the CoverItLive live blog/forum in the top post. It's not really a "chat room," per se, it's more like a live forum and anyone visiting this site can read and see what is happening in the forum.

You will not need to download any software.

Up to 25 individuals can be invited to be Producers. Producers are participants who have the extra capability of sharing photos, links, and other media within the forum (great for sharing the photos you're scanning!). You must have Internet Explorer 6.0+ or Firefox 2.0+ to be a Producer.

We can also have up to 25 other Participants who can comment freely in our conversation, but will not be able to share media. You can have any kind of browser to be a Participant, except AOL. Those who normally access the Internet with AOL may wish to download Firefox or Explorer ahead of time to be able to participate on CoverItLive.

In addition, any other readers of this blog can drop on by and view/read what is happening at Scanfest. If the 25 Participant spaces are full, those readers will not be able to comment, unless someone else drops out.

Confused? Have questions? Go to CoverItLive and check out 6. Try It Now to see live blogs in action or 7. Demos to see videos demonstrating how to use CIT (especially the ones titled "How do my readers watch my Live Blog?" and "Adding Panelists and Producers").

If you would like to be a Producer, please e-mail me no later than Saturday, February 26th at 4 PM, PST and I'll send you an invitation. Preference will given to previous Scanfesters. You must set up an account (free!) ahead of time to be a Producer. This account will be good for all future Scanfests. You can do some practices ahead of time by going to My Account and clicking on the link under Practice your live blogging. Again, you must have IE 6.0+ or Firefox 2.0+ to be a Panelist.

As a Producer, Participant or simply a reader, if you would like an e-mail reminder for Scanfest, fill out the form below and choose the time frame for which you would like to be reminded (if you're reading this through Google Reader, Bloglines, or some other RSS feed reader, you will need to go to my blog and view this post there to see and utilize the form).

It really is easier than it sounds, and I'm looking forward to seeing you all there and getting some scanning done!

January 2011 Scanfest

Surname Saturday: WILBOURN

WILBOURN is my children's father's Great-grandmother MIDKIFF's maiden name. Alternative spellings include WILBORN and WILBURN. There is not a lot of known history (at this point) on this surname, although I've been able to find quite a bit of genealogy on female lines that marry into this family. It also has what is a unique-- at least to me--migration pattern from the Eastern U.S. to the Midwest to the Southwest and then West.

Stories and History:

Ahnentafel #68 - William WILBOURN, Sr. (b. 1770) - born in Orange Co., North Carolina, he married Mary WILKES (1770 - bef 1840) by 1799. They had at least ten known children. The oldest child's information is unknown; the second child was born in Virginia, and the third child was born in Campbell Co., Virginia. The youngest seven children were all born in Orange Co., North Carolina, like their father. It's not known exactly when or where William died; his youngest child was born in 1821 in Orange County, and Mary died before 1840 in Marion Co., Illinois. Many, if not all of their surviving children migrated to Marion County (three were married in that county in 1831), and some of them in turn, migrated to Cooke Co., Texas.

Ahnentafel #34 - Dr. John Wilks WILBOURN (1809 - 1878) - born in Orange Co., North Carolina, he married Martha Susan DEADMOND (1813 - 1906) on 6 Oct 1831 in Marion Co., Illinois. They had nine children; the oldest six were born in Illinois, the youngest three in Texas (probably Grayson County). By 1850, Dr. WILBOURN had set up practice in Grayson Co., and in 1860 he is found specifically in Sherman Township. In 1870, he is found in neighboring Gainsville, Cooke Co., Texas. He died 12 Mar 1878 in Cooke Co., and his body was sent to Fulton Co., Illinois for burial. After his death, many of his children and grandchildren migrated west to Butte Co., California.

Ahnentafel #17 - Mary Emeline WILBOURN (1839 - 1923) - I've written about her on this blog here.


More about the WILBOURN family:

1. Online database: WILBOURN ancestors and relatives (I update this at least once a month; no info on living persons available)

2. Posts about WILBOURN ancestors and relatives on this blog

3. Some scanned WILBOURN photos


The WILBOURN Immigration Trail:

Orange Co., NC > Campbell Co., VA > Orange Co., NC > Marion Co., IL > Grayson Co., TX > Cooke Co., TX > Cleveland Co., OK Territory > Pottawatomie Co., OK > Delta Co., CO > Butte Co., CA > Custer Co., ID > Yakima Co., WA > Clark Co., WA > Spokane Co., WA

Scanfest is Coming!

The January 2011 Scanfest will take place here at AnceStories next Sunday, January 30th, from 11 AM to 2 PM, Pacific Standard Time.

What is Scanfest? It's a time when geneabloggers, family historians, and family archivists meet online here at this blog to chat while they scan their precious family document and photos. Why? Because, quite honestly, scanning is time-consuming and boring!

Scanfest is a great time to "meet" other genealogists, ask questions about scanning and preservation, and get the kick in the pants we all need on starting those massive scanning projects that just seem too overwhelming to begin.

To get started, you need to know the basics about scanning:

1. Don't use commercial glass cleaners (i.e. Windex) or paper towels to clean your scanner's glass plate. Use a soft, clean cloth, preferably microfiber. If you must use a liquid, use water sprayed directly onto the cloth  and make sure to let the plate dry thoroughly before placing photos or documents on it.

2. Wear cotton gloves (available at many art and/or photography supply shops) when handling photos and old documents.

3. Don't slide the photos around on the glass plate. Place them exactly where you want them. Photos should NEVER be scanned by a scanner that feeds the document through the machine, but ALWAYS on a flat-bed scanner.

4. Set your scanner to scan at no smaller than 300 dpi (dots per inch). Many experts recommend 600 dpi for photographs.

5. Photographs should ALWAYS be scanned and saved as .tif files. Use "Save As" to reformat the .tif file to a .jpg file for restoration and touchups, emailing, or uploading to an online photo album. ALWAYS retain the original scan as a .tif file.

6. Documents can be scanned as .pdf files or .tif files.

7. When you are done scanning your photos, don't put them back in those nasty "magnetic" photo albums. Place them in archival safe albums or boxes found at websites such as Archival Products or Archival Suppliers. Do NOT store any newsprint (articles, obituaries, etc.) with the photos. The acid from the newspaper will eventually destroy the photograph.

Now about the chatting part of Scanfest:

We will be using Cover It Live, a live blogging format that you access right here at AnceStories.

On Sunday at 11 AM, PST, come right here to AnceStories and you'll see the CoverItLive live blog/forum in the top post. It's not really a "chat room," per se, it's more like a live forum and anyone visiting this site can read and see what is happening in the forum.

You will not need to download any software.

Up to 25 individuals can be invited to be Producers. Producers are participants who have the extra capability of sharing photos, links, and other media within the forum (great for sharing the photos you're scanning!). You must have Internet Explorer 6.0+ or Firefox 2.0+ to be a Producer.

We can also have up to 25 other Participants who can comment freely in our conversation, but will not be able to share media. You can have any kind of browser to be a Participant, except AOL. Those who normally access the Internet with AOL may wish to download Firefox or Explorer ahead of time to be able to participate on CoverItLive.

In addition, any other readers of this blog can drop on by and view/read what is happening at Scanfest. If the 25 Participant spaces are full, those readers will not be able to comment, unless someone else drops out.

Confused? Have questions? Go to CoverItLive and check out 6. Try It Now to see live blogs in action or 7. Demos to see videos demonstrating how to use CIT (especially the ones titled "How do my readers watch my Live Blog?" and "Adding Panelists and Producers").

If you would like to be a Producer, please e-mail me no later than Saturday, November 27th at 4 PM, PST and I'll send you an invitation. Preference will given to previous Scanfesters. You must set up an account (free!) ahead of time to be a Producer. This account will be good for all future Scanfests. You can do some practices ahead of time by going to My Account and clicking on the link under Practice your live blogging. Again, you must have IE 6.0+ or Firefox 2.0+ to be a Panelist.

As a Producer, Participant or simply a reader, if you would like an e-mail reminder for Scanfest, fill out the form below and choose the time frame for which you would like to be reminded (if you're reading this through Google Reader, Bloglines, or some other RSS feed reader, you will need to go to my blog and view this post there to see and utilize the form).

It really is easier than it sounds, and I'm looking forward to seeing you all there and getting some scanning done!

Memorial Grant to Assist Young Genealogists Attending 2011 SCGS Jamboree

January 5, 2011 – Student genealogists interested in attending the 2011 Southern California Genealogical Society Jamboree are invited to apply for the 2011 Suzanne Winsor Freeman Memorial Student Genealogy Grant established by friends and family to honor Suzanne’s Freeman’s lifetime of service to young people and to assist young genealogists seeking to advance their genealogical education.

Suzanne Freeman was the mother of blogger and writer Denise Levenick, The Family Curator, and a lifelong volunteer who worked with many youth organizations in the capacity of leader, organizer, and administrator. She also developed a strong interest in family history, and enjoyed the growing number of young student genealogists. At the time of her death in Tucson, Arizona August 28, 2010, Suzanne was still searching for her elusive Winsor cousins.

Genealogy bloggers came to know Suzanne the past two years at the SCGS Jamboree where she enthusiastically joined the GeneaBlogger Welcome Bag project, assisting in the assembly and distribution of gifts to attending genealogy bloggers.

To honor her support of the SCGS Jamboree, the first Suzanne Winsor Freeman Memorial Student Genealogy Grant will be awarded to a student attending the 2011 Jamboree. The grant includes a check for $500 toward conference expenses.

Applicants need not be a currently registered student, but must have been a enrolled at a college, university, or secondary school within the last twelve months, and be between the ages of eighteen and twenty-five.

Complete guidelines and application are available online at The Family Curator blog http://www.thefamilycurator.com/suzanne-freeman-grant. Deadline for applications is February 15, 2011; the award recipient will be announced March 1, 2011.

Suzanne Winsor Freeman was born January 5, 1933 in Olathe, Kansas to Arline (Kinsel) and Frank Ammi Brown, and grew up in Orange and Santa Ana after her family moved to California in 1937. She purchased property in Green Valley, Arizona in 1982 and became a full-time Arizona resident in 1997.

The Suzanne Winsor Freeman Memorial Student Genealogy Fund honors her love of service and of family history. The purpose of the fund is to assist young genealogists by offering grants to advance their genealogical education, including funds to attend genealogy conferences and workshops.

Suzanne enjoyed researching family history online and frequently posted queries that resulted in new family connections. She supplied stories and anecdotes for TheFamilyCurator.com, the blog written by her daughter Denise Levenick, and also appeared as a guest blogger at ShadesoftheDeparted.com.

Donations to the Suzanne Winsor Freeman Memorial Student Genealogy Fund may be made at any Wells Fargo Bank c/o Wells Fargo Bank, Green Valley, Arizona 520/625-1222.

For More Information Contact: Denise Levenick, dmlevenick@gmail.com, 626/688-8974.
Suzanne Winsor Freeman Obituary: TheFamilyCurator.com and Green Valley News

Illinois State Genealogical Society Unveils New Website

Illinois State Genealogical Society Unveils New Website

New Design Features Illinois Resources for Genealogy Researchers

January 15, 2011 – Springfield, IL. The Illinois State Genealogical Society (ISGS) announces the debut of its newly redesigned website available to the public on Saturday, January 15, 2011.

Located at http://www.ilgensoc.org, the new ISGS website features links to ISGS projects as well as links to other records and resources throughout Illinois including those individual genealogical home pages with an Illinois connection!

Visitors are invited to explore the new ISGS website and enjoy these features:

·       The current issue of the ISGS Newsletter and archived copies back to 2008 

·       Listings of ISGS events and events for Illinois genealogical societies

·       Highlights of various ISGS projects and initiatives

·       Free databases filled with information on Illinois ancestors

·       A list of Illinois research resources

New Members Section
One of the new features of the ISGS website is a members-only section which will be populated with access to Illinois-related databases for those researchers with Prairie State ancestors. Over the course of the next few months, additional members-only databases will be added.

Stop By and Visit ISGS!
ISGS encourages everyone – ISGS members and the public – to stop by and explore. In addition, visitors are encouraged to leave their feedback with the ISGS webmaster at isgswebmaster@ilgensoc.org.

About Illinois State Genealogical Society
The Illinois State Genealogical Society (ISGS) was organized in October of the Illinois Sesquicentennial Year, 1968, and is a non-profit, educational organization. ISGS was established for the following purposes:

·       To stimulate an interest in the people who contributed to the establishment and development of the State of Illinois.

·       To seek, preserve, and make available data pertaining to individuals, families, and groups who lived in Illinois and to events which took place therein.

·       To inform people of the value of, and need for, preserving family and local history for posterity.

·       To encourage the formation of local genealogical societies and to coordinate and disseminate information.

The ISGS genealogical collection is located in the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library in Springfield and an administrative office is maintained in the Illinois State Archives. For more information visit http://www.ilgensoc.org.

Follow us on Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/ILgensoc), Twitter (http://www.twitter.com/ILgensoc) and on our blog at http://ilgensoc.blogspot.com.

My Fifth Blogiversary

Hard to believe, but today marks the fifth anniversary that I began writing this blog, over at the Bravenet Journal platform. I later switched to Blogger and transferred all my early posts over. My first post was Moses Crothers - possible son of John Crothers and Mary "Polly" Wyckoff?  I haven't yet proved Moses was John and Mary's son, but in the past five years I've met some amazing people, online and off, because of this blog. I've added to my family tree from research I've written about here or from relatives stumbling across this blog after a Googling a common ancestor. I've been featured twice in the local paper and had Google Books send a film crew to my home to make a video highlighting how I use Google Books in genealogy...all thanks to this blog and to my wonderful readers.

I've had ups and downs with blogging and even though right now is kind of a quiet time again for AnceStories, I appreciate those who faithfully and patiently stick with me and wait for my next post. So enjoy a piece of virtual cake and celebrate with me! Here's to all of you!

Tom Jones on Empathy and Analysis

New from NGS Video Productions:
Empathy and the Analytical Process
Featuring Thomas W. Jones, PhD, CG, CGL, FASG, FNGS, FUGA

4 January 2011 – The National Genealogical Society’s latest video for members, Empathy and the Analytical Process, is a short conversation with National Genealogical Society Quarterly co-editor Tom Jones. In this three minute film Tom reflects on the role of empathy in the analytical process, how it transports him from the 21st century into the lives of his ancestors and leads to solving genealogical problems. Produced by Kate Geis and Allen Moore.

To view the film, log in to http://www.ngsgenealogy.org, click on the Members Only tab, and then click on NGS Videos in the sidebar menu.

Also showing for our members

• Leslie Anderson, MSLS
• Laura DeGrazia, CG
• Elizabeth Shown Mills, cg, cgl, fasg, fngs, fuga
• David E Rencher, ag, cg, figrs, fuga
• Willis H. White, cg

Many other videos at http://www.ngsgenealogy.org are free for everyone, including:

• Thomas Adams, 2009 Rubincam Youth Award Winner
• Helen F. M. Leary, CG (EMERITUS), FASG, FNGS
• Paths to Your Past
• Home Study Course
• NGS Conferences
• Finding Your Family at the National Archives
• NGS & NARA

NGS wishes you a successful new research year!

Society of Genealogists' Collection Now Online at Findmypast.co.uk

January 5:

SOCIETY OF GENEALOGISTS’ COLLECTION NOW ONLINE AT FINDMYPAST.CO.UK

o Over 9 million family history records available online today

o Findmypast.co.uk to host Society’s collection in centenary year

Today the Society of Genealogists in London and leading family history website findmypast.co.uk have published online over 9 million records from the Society’s unrivalled collection at findmypast.co.uk.


Among the records going online today are:

• Boyd’s Marriage Index containing over 7 million names from 1538 to 1840
• Boyd’s London Burials 1538-1872 containing 240,000 names
• Faculty Office Marriage Licence Allegations 1701-1850
• St Andrew's Holborn Marriage Index 1754-1812
• Vicar-General Marriage Licences Allegations 1694-1850
• St Leonard Shoreditch Burials 1805-1858 and Workhouse Deaths 1820-1828, online for the first time
• Prerogative Court of Canterbury Wills Index 1750-1800

Today searchable indexes and transcripts have been added to the website, and customers will be able to order copies of the originals for some of the records from the Society of Genealogists.


In the coming weeks further records will be added to the website including Bank of England Wills Extracts containing 60,500 names, including images, and Apprentices of Great Britain containing 350,000 names.


Findmypast.co.uk has been working in partnership with the Society of Genealogists for a number of years to make the Society’s collection available to a wider, international audience. Earlier projects were Civil Service Evidence of Age and Great Western Railway Shareholder records.

Anyone with a full subscription to findmypast.co.uk will be able to access all the records within their existing package. Otherwise they can be viewed with PayAsYouGo credits.

Members of the Society of Genealogists will be able to view the records for free via their existing membership login to the Society of Genealogist’s own website at www.sog.org.uk . The records will be added gradually during 2011.

Debra Chatfield, Marketing Manager at findmypast.co.uk, said, “Findmypast.co.uk warmly welcomes the addition of these amazing records from the Society of Genealogists’ collection and looks forward to working with the Society on bringing these records to a wider, international audience in the Society’s Centenary Year and beyond. Family historians will find the records an invaluable aid to their research.”


June Perrin, CEO of the Society of Genealogists added: “The Society of Genealogists is delighted to be working with findmypast.co.uk in widening the audience for these wonderful resources. It is a great boost to the start of the Society’s 100th year. We hope the records prove extremely useful in the search for that ‘elusive’ ancestor.”

RootsTech News: RootsTech 2011 Early Bird Registration Ends January 15, 2011!

 January 5, 2011

The $99 Early Bird Registration for RootsTech 2011 in Salt Lake City Ends Soon!

· $99 early bird registration ends January 15, 2011 ($150 afterwards)
· Only $35 for students!
· February 10–12, 2011
· Salt Palace Convention Center, Salt Lake City, Utah
· Walking distance from the Family History Library


SALT LAKE CITY—The $99 early bird registration for the RootsTech 2011 Conference in Salt Lake City, Utah, ends January 15, 2011. RootsTech is a completely new conference focused on bringing technology creators together with genealogy technology users to learn together and identify solutions to family history research challenges. Genealogists and family historians will discover exciting new research tools while technology creators will learn the latest development techniques from industry leaders and pioneers.

The registration fee includes three full days of conference attendance, conference materials, entry to the Clarke Planetarium dinner event, extended access to the Family History Library, admission to the closing reception event, eligibility for prize drawings, and admission to the Community Zone (exhibition hall).

Advancing technology is becoming an integral part of the future of genealogical research. Whether a person is new to genealogy or is an experienced researcher, RootsTech is the ideal place to discover the latest family history tools. In addition, technology creators will learn the skills needed to deliver innovative applications and systems, and they will have the opportunity to receive instant feedback from peers and users on their ideas and creations.

Keynote speakers at the conference include Shane Robinson, Hewlett Packard chief strategy and technology officer; Brewster Kahle, founder of the Internet Archive and digital librarian; Jay L. Verkler, CEO of FamilySearch International; and Curt Witcher, Historical Genealogy Department manager for Allen County Public Library.

About RootsTech

RootsTech is a new conference designed to bring technologists together with genealogists to learn from each other and find solutions to the challenges faced in family history research today. The conference’s activities and offerings are focused on content that will help genealogists and family historians discover exciting new research tools while enabling technology creators to learn the latest development techniques from industry leaders and pioneers.

New Video Lecture by Elyse Doerflinger

CONQUERING THE PAPER MONSTER LECTURE IS NOW AVAILABLE FOR DOWNLOAD

Learn to Organize Your Genealogy Papers

5 January 2011 - Los Angeles, CA. Elyse Doerflinger - author of the popular e-book Conquering The Paper Monster Once and For All - has released a video recording of the Conquering The Paper Monster Lecture. Elyse has presented this lecture at various genealogy societies and has finally recorded it for all the world to see!

This video lecture includes the presentation slides synced with Elyse’s voice audio to create a lecture that can be listened to in the comfort of your home. Along with the video, customers will receive a .pdf copy of the handout. Conquering The Paper Monster Video Lecture is available here for the price of $7.99.

In Conquering The Paper Monster Video Lecture, you’ll learn how to create a custom organizational system that is unique to your needs, wants, and personality. This lecture will walk you through the easy step-by-step process of organizing your genealogy papers. Organization is something nearly every researcher needs help with - and this lecture is perfect to help you finally “conquer the paper monster”.

About Elyse Doerflinger

Elyse Doerflinger is a rising young genealogist with a speciality in organization and technology. She is the author of Elyse’s Genealogy Blog, where she shares her knowledge and family history. Her love of sharing knowledge with others has inspired her to write for lecture for various genealogy societies and write for genealogy magazines. Connect with her through email, Facebook, or Twitter!

Ancestry.com Releases Family Tree Maker for Mac on the Mac App Store

ANCESTRY.COM RELEASES FAMILY TREE MAKER FOR MAC ON THE MAC APP STORE

Downloadable Version of the #1-Selling Family History Software Available Today

SAN FRANCISCO, Calif., January 6, 2011– Ancestry.com today announced the launch of Family Tree Maker® for Mac on the Mac App Store. Family Tree Maker for Mac provides an easy way to save and organize your family tree conveniently on your Mac and has a variety of tools that can help you share your discoveries with family and friends.

“We are excited that Family Tree Maker for Mac is now available for download on the Mac App Store,” ,” said Eric Shoup, Senior Vice President of Product for Ancestry.com. “We’re committed to making our Family Tree Maker products easily accessible to everyone and this is yet another resource available from Ancestry.com to enable everyone to discover, preserve and share their family history.”

Family Tree Maker for Mac combines intuitive tools with robust features and flexible options, making it ideal for family history novices and experts alike. A dynamic user interface and integration with Ancestry.com makes it simple to create family trees, record memories, and organize photos, videos and audio clips, plus share ancestors’ stories. It’s even possible to explore family migration paths by viewing timelines and interactive maps that highlight events and places in ancestors' lives.

Family Tree Maker for Mac is built on the functionality of Family Tree Maker 2010 , and is constructed from the ground up to take full advantage of the Mac platform in terms of technology and user experience.

System requirements for Family Tree Maker for Mac include:

• Mac OS X 10.5.8 or later
• Intel-based Mac
• Hard Disk Space: 500MB for installation
• Internet access is required for all Web integration

Family Tree Maker for Mac is now available for purchase and electronic download online on the Mac App Store for $99.99. The program is also available at http://www.familytreemaker.com and in select retail stores, including Apple’s retail stores, Amazon, Office Depot, and Office Max.

About Ancestry.com

Ancestry.com Inc. (Nasdaq: ACOM) is the world's largest online family history resource, with nearly 1.4 million paying subscribers. More than 6 billion records have been added to the site in the past 14 years. Ancestry users have created more than 20 million family trees containing over 2 billion profiles. Ancestry.com has local Web sites directed at nine countries that help people discover, preserve and share their family history, including its flagship Web site at www.ancestry.com.

NEHGS--Upcoming Research Tours

I received this from Alessandra Magno of the New England Historic and Genealogical Society:

Dear Miriam,

I just wanted to reiterate that NEHGS is hosting several exciting Research Tours. Here is a list that you and your readers may find interesting:

Winter Weekend Research Getaway - Effective Use of Technology
NEHGS Weekend Research Getaways combine personal, guided research at the NEHGS Research Library with themed educational lectures to create a unique experience for every participant. Personal consultations with NEHGS genealogists throughout the program allow visitors to explore their own genealogical projects, under the guiding hand of the nation’s leading family history experts.

Our Winter Research Getaway, “Effective Use of Technology,” offers a variety of lectures surrounding “best practices” in using technology including researching online, software, and other topics relevant to any genealogist.

January 27, 2011 9:00AM – January 29, 2011 5:00PM

New England Historic Genealogical Society
99-101 Newbury St.
Boston MA, 02116
www.AmericanAncestors.org


English Heritage Long Weekend
Discover the rich heritage of London with NEHGS in February 2011. This unique long weekend will feature memorable events led by renowned scholars George Redmonds and John Titford, including talks, a guided tour of historic London churches, a visit to the College of Arms, optional side visits, special guests, and dinner at an exclusive private club. The weekend also includes up to three full days at Who Do You Think You Are? LIVE! — the largest family history event in the world. Space is extremely limited. In addition to events, the NEHGS English Heritage Long Weekend includes six nights lodging at the Hilton London Kensington Hotel, located at 179–199 Holland Park Avenue, London, daily coach service, and daily English breakfast for five days, and two additional group meals. Participants are responsible for their own travel arrangements to and from the Hilton London Kensington Hotel and optional activities and all other meals not included in scheduled tour events. Refer to AmericanAncestors.org for more information about the trip and accommodations.

February 22, 2011 – February 28, 2011 12:00PM

London, England


Washington, D.C. Research Tour
Research in the repositories of the nation’s capital with NEHGS as we return to Washington, D.C. Researchers will visit the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) Library, Library of Congress (LOC), and the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) during this intensive week of guided research, individual consultations, lectures, and group meal events. Featured consultants include Henry B. Hoff, David A. Lambert, and Rhonda R. McClure. Refer to AmericanAncestors.org for more information about the trip and accommodations.

March 6, 2011, 3:00PM – March 13, 2011, 12:00PM

Washington, D.C.


Allen County Public Library Research Tour—Fort Wayne, Indiana
Join NEHGS for our inaugural visit to Fort Wayne, Indiana, as we explore one of the world's largest genealogical collections at the Allen County Public Library (ACPL). Fort Wayne has been dubbed the “Best Read City” by Places Rated Almanac as ACPL holds more than 350,000 printed volumes and more than 513,000 items of microfilm and microfiche. Consequently, ACPL is a destination for every genealogist. The tour includes individual consultations, group meals, lectures, and other events. Please refer to our website, AmericanAncestors.org, for more information about the trip and accommodations.

May 22, 2011 3:00PM - May 29, 2011 11:00AM

Allen County Public Library
900 Library Plaza
Fort Wayne, IN 46802
For additional information contact education@nehgs.org or call 1-888-286-3447


Weekend Research Trip to Albany, New York
Searching for ancestors from New York State? Join NEHGS as we explore the vast resources of the New York State Archives. The weekend includes individual consultations, lectures, and a group dinner. Featured consultants include Henry B. Hoff, editor of the Register, and Christopher C. Child, Genealogist of the Newbury Street Press. Please refer to AmericanAncestors.org for more information about the trip and accommodations.

July 13, 2011 3:00PM - July 17, 2011 11:00AM

Albany, NY
For additional information contact education@nehgs.org or call 1-888-286-3447