Randy Seaver of Genea-Musings mentioned an article that discusses the Pro Gen group of which I am now a part. The piece by Stefani Evans explains exactly what Pro Gen is better than I can, so I am putting it here for you.
Pro Gen groups 1 and 2 are discussed in the article. I am a member of the brand new Pro Gen 3.
Online groups help genealogists study, by Stefani Evans for the Las Vegas Sun. Wednesday, 25 Feb. 2009.
Saturday, February 28, 2009
Friday, February 27, 2009
Naming Names
Craig at GeneaBlogie had the wise notion to publicize the names he was searching and see if anyone else knows something about them. This is a great idea. I can't believe I never did it before, but I'm posting them here now:
Baerecke, Barecke (WI, IL)
Bean (TN, AR)
Bourgaux, Bourgeaux (Acadia Parish LA, Gilly Belgium)
Bourland (KY, TX, OK)
Brauckman (Germany)
Brigance (TN, AR)
Brigham (TN, AR)
Clingman (AR)
Cloyd (TN, VA)
Colbert (Chickasaw, Indian Territory, OK, MS)
Degreve (LA, Belgium)
Eldridge (St. Landry LA, Milan County TX, KY)
Hood (KY, TX)
Howorth, Howarth (SC, TX)
Jones (Chickasaw, TX, NC, OK, Indian Territory)
Jost (Austria, PA)
Legoffe (France, LA)
Lenertz (IA in 1850's, MN, Luxembourg)
Lockweiler (poss. Luxembourg)
Menou (Acadia Parish, LA, France)
Moore (MS, OK, Indian Territory)
Mitchell (NC, AR)
Neilson (NC, TX)
Perkins (KY, TX, LA)
Quesenberry, Quesenbury (AR, NC)
Shokweiler (poss. Luxembourg)
Shukeveiler (or something like it)
Smith (LeSueur MN)
Sparks (AR, poss. TN)
Tate (NC, AR)
Thibodeaux (Acadia & St. Landry Parishes LA)
Turk, Tuerk (Germany)
Williamson (AR, TN)
Yost (PA, Austria)
Ok, now I have to use the word "genealogy" so search engines will pick it up and people searching for Eldridge genealogy or such will land on this blog.
My challenges are as follows:
Any indication of a Baerecke or Barecke in Chicago in 1892.
A death date for H. H. Baerecke/Barecke.
An idea of what H. H. stands for (I think it's Harry from WI but have no proof.)
Information on the following Lenertz's all born in the 1800's:
Alex Lenertz
Alexander Lenertz
Catherine Lenertz
Frank Lenertz
Henry Lenertz
John Lenertz
Joseph Lenertz
Margaret Lenertz
Mary Lenertz
Michael Lenertz
William Lenertz
Also in search of information on the Pierre Thibodeaux born in Louisiana in 1829, not the one born in 1835.
If you have any information on these folks, or you need more clarification, please email me using the email address provided in the right column of this blog.
Baerecke, Barecke (WI, IL)
Bean (TN, AR)
Bourgaux, Bourgeaux (Acadia Parish LA, Gilly Belgium)
Bourland (KY, TX, OK)
Brauckman (Germany)
Brigance (TN, AR)
Brigham (TN, AR)
Clingman (AR)
Cloyd (TN, VA)
Colbert (Chickasaw, Indian Territory, OK, MS)
Degreve (LA, Belgium)
Eldridge (St. Landry LA, Milan County TX, KY)
Hood (KY, TX)
Howorth, Howarth (SC, TX)
Jones (Chickasaw, TX, NC, OK, Indian Territory)
Jost (Austria, PA)
Legoffe (France, LA)
Lenertz (IA in 1850's, MN, Luxembourg)
Lockweiler (poss. Luxembourg)
Menou (Acadia Parish, LA, France)
Moore (MS, OK, Indian Territory)
Mitchell (NC, AR)
Neilson (NC, TX)
Perkins (KY, TX, LA)
Quesenberry, Quesenbury (AR, NC)
Shokweiler (poss. Luxembourg)
Shukeveiler (or something like it)
Smith (LeSueur MN)
Sparks (AR, poss. TN)
Tate (NC, AR)
Thibodeaux (Acadia & St. Landry Parishes LA)
Turk, Tuerk (Germany)
Williamson (AR, TN)
Yost (PA, Austria)
Ok, now I have to use the word "genealogy" so search engines will pick it up and people searching for Eldridge genealogy or such will land on this blog.
My challenges are as follows:
Any indication of a Baerecke or Barecke in Chicago in 1892.
A death date for H. H. Baerecke/Barecke.
An idea of what H. H. stands for (I think it's Harry from WI but have no proof.)
Information on the following Lenertz's all born in the 1800's:
Alex Lenertz
Alexander Lenertz
Catherine Lenertz
Frank Lenertz
Henry Lenertz
John Lenertz
Joseph Lenertz
Margaret Lenertz
Mary Lenertz
Michael Lenertz
William Lenertz
Also in search of information on the Pierre Thibodeaux born in Louisiana in 1829, not the one born in 1835.
If you have any information on these folks, or you need more clarification, please email me using the email address provided in the right column of this blog.
Lenertz DNA & Thibodeaux DNA Results
I received my Y-DNA test results. It sounds like something out of the Maury Povich Show (YOU ARE NOT THE FATHER!!), but it's not that dramatic.
I'm not male, so these really aren't my results. They are those of two male members of my family. They pertain to the direct Thibodeaux male line and the direct Lenertz male line. The DNA females pass down is/are different.
Both the Thibodeaux (mom's side) and Lenertz (dad's side) results put my ancestors in the "R1b Haplogroup." You can Google that in quotations and get a general answer to what it means. Loosely, they came from Europe a very long time ago, which I expected.
I was able to search for others based on my family's DNA results. For the Lenertz line, the nearest living relation was in Great Britian. We shared a common ancestor 250 years ago. All this really means (I think) is that not many people have taken DNA tests and are in the database. We should find closer connections as more people buy into this process.
The same is the case with my Thibodeaux test. The nearest relative and I had a common ancestor 700 years ago. I really thought the Thibodeaux line would have more action. Guess not.
So now my family readers are asking "what does this mean?" Short answer: nothing. I just wanted to get the DNA testing done while we were all alive and kicking. I didn't expect any shocking conclusions.
In time, I expect more people will test their ancestral DNA and we will find more in common with others. Now I have to figure out how to get our info on the Internet so others can compare their DNA to ours.
I'm not male, so these really aren't my results. They are those of two male members of my family. They pertain to the direct Thibodeaux male line and the direct Lenertz male line. The DNA females pass down is/are different.
Both the Thibodeaux (mom's side) and Lenertz (dad's side) results put my ancestors in the "R1b Haplogroup." You can Google that in quotations and get a general answer to what it means. Loosely, they came from Europe a very long time ago, which I expected.
I was able to search for others based on my family's DNA results. For the Lenertz line, the nearest living relation was in Great Britian. We shared a common ancestor 250 years ago. All this really means (I think) is that not many people have taken DNA tests and are in the database. We should find closer connections as more people buy into this process.
The same is the case with my Thibodeaux test. The nearest relative and I had a common ancestor 700 years ago. I really thought the Thibodeaux line would have more action. Guess not.
So now my family readers are asking "what does this mean?" Short answer: nothing. I just wanted to get the DNA testing done while we were all alive and kicking. I didn't expect any shocking conclusions.
In time, I expect more people will test their ancestral DNA and we will find more in common with others. Now I have to figure out how to get our info on the Internet so others can compare their DNA to ours.
Thursday, February 26, 2009
Back to School: Report Card
I received assginments 2 and 3 back from my NGS American Genealogy course (with graded option).
Apparently, you don't really get grades. You get feedback, and if you've met the requirements of a given assignment it gets marked "complete."
My feedback was all complimentary. My query letter was "near perfect." I can't decide if NGS graders try just to focus on the positive, or I really did everything right.
I have no idea why assignment 1 didn't come back with the others. It included a family chart. Maybe they keep those for their records? I don't care to get my work back, but I want that "complete" stamped on my card. I'll wait a couple weeks to see if it rolls back here, then I'll ask for it.
I'm still working on assignment 4, slowly but surely. I try to carve out 1 hour a day for reading and such but it doesn't always turn out that way. I need to report on a library this time. The assignment will require two visits. The library is 45 minutes away. That's why it takes me so long to do an assignment.
So far, so good on this whole NGS course experience. The graded papers came back quickly and I'm having fun. That's really all that matters.
Apparently, you don't really get grades. You get feedback, and if you've met the requirements of a given assignment it gets marked "complete."
My feedback was all complimentary. My query letter was "near perfect." I can't decide if NGS graders try just to focus on the positive, or I really did everything right.
I have no idea why assignment 1 didn't come back with the others. It included a family chart. Maybe they keep those for their records? I don't care to get my work back, but I want that "complete" stamped on my card. I'll wait a couple weeks to see if it rolls back here, then I'll ask for it.
I'm still working on assignment 4, slowly but surely. I try to carve out 1 hour a day for reading and such but it doesn't always turn out that way. I need to report on a library this time. The assignment will require two visits. The library is 45 minutes away. That's why it takes me so long to do an assignment.
So far, so good on this whole NGS course experience. The graded papers came back quickly and I'm having fun. That's really all that matters.
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
My Lenertz Cup Runneth Over
This past weekend I had TWO different people contact me about the Lenertz line. I still can't believe it. I've been emailing strangers for months, asking for Lenertz information while trying not to appear stalkerish. This effort had a zero percent success rate.
Then Saturday I wake up to an email from someone connected to Michael Lenertz. Woo hoo! That's John's brother. John is my great-great grandfather.
I still wasn't finished being giddy about the email when on Sunday another person contacted me. He says he has information on Alexander's eldest daughter, which--if it's who I think it is--is great because I have almost no information on her. She would be John's sister.
The Sunday email also provided a bit of a surprise: Alexander's wife Margaret may be two people. He married two women named Margaret. The first Margaret died and he took the second one pretty quickly. On census records, you can't even tell there was a wife change. The few documents I have tend to support this two-Margaret theory, but I didn't notice it until the possibility was pointed out by my new friend.
Now I have correspondence with two other people interested in the Lenertz name. This is so great.
AND...as if this wasn't enough...I received Alexander Lenertz's will in the mail yesterday. It is very easy to read. I will transcribe it here shortly. The information contained within also supports the two Margarets theory. I am also thrilled to have this document because it lists John as being a child of Alexander. Since John doesn't have a death certificate, the only other records I have are census page copies of John being in the family. Next stop, an attempt to locate church records for the Alexander Lenertz family.
Then Saturday I wake up to an email from someone connected to Michael Lenertz. Woo hoo! That's John's brother. John is my great-great grandfather.
I still wasn't finished being giddy about the email when on Sunday another person contacted me. He says he has information on Alexander's eldest daughter, which--if it's who I think it is--is great because I have almost no information on her. She would be John's sister.
The Sunday email also provided a bit of a surprise: Alexander's wife Margaret may be two people. He married two women named Margaret. The first Margaret died and he took the second one pretty quickly. On census records, you can't even tell there was a wife change. The few documents I have tend to support this two-Margaret theory, but I didn't notice it until the possibility was pointed out by my new friend.
Now I have correspondence with two other people interested in the Lenertz name. This is so great.
AND...as if this wasn't enough...I received Alexander Lenertz's will in the mail yesterday. It is very easy to read. I will transcribe it here shortly. The information contained within also supports the two Margarets theory. I am also thrilled to have this document because it lists John as being a child of Alexander. Since John doesn't have a death certificate, the only other records I have are census page copies of John being in the family. Next stop, an attempt to locate church records for the Alexander Lenertz family.
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Tombstone Tuesday: Mardi Gras Edition
In January 2009, we took a family trip to New Orleans. One day, we rode the Canal Street trolley. There are several cemeteries at the end of the line. We briefly toured one, but rain was hampering the experience.
Before boarding a return trolley, several members of our group wandered off to the little coffee/ice cream/"tobacco supply" shop next to the cemeteries. While waiting for the others, I turned the corner of the store and wandered in to another cemetery. I found this little fellow waiting for someone:
Something about this frog makes me sad. I can't put my finger on it, just a vibe.
Before boarding a return trolley, several members of our group wandered off to the little coffee/ice cream/"tobacco supply" shop next to the cemeteries. While waiting for the others, I turned the corner of the store and wandered in to another cemetery. I found this little fellow waiting for someone:
Something about this frog makes me sad. I can't put my finger on it, just a vibe.
However, I can't leave this post on such a depressing note, so I will tell you that this guy is sitting on the other side of the Yrle crypt:
Laissez les bon temps rouler, y'all!
Blogger Word Verification Not Working
I'm not crazy! There is a real problem leaving comments on Blogger. Others are discussing it in the Something is Wrong Google Group.
I have tried to leave comments on at leats 10 Blogger blogs. My attempt gets stuck at the word verification prompt. There is no word in the verification window...it just says "Loading..." With no word to verify, I cannot leave a comment.
I turned off word verification on this blog until Google irons things out. Others may want to weigh doing the same, or miss out on comments.
I have tried to leave comments on at leats 10 Blogger blogs. My attempt gets stuck at the word verification prompt. There is no word in the verification window...it just says "Loading..." With no word to verify, I cannot leave a comment.
I turned off word verification on this blog until Google irons things out. Others may want to weigh doing the same, or miss out on comments.
Monday, February 23, 2009
What's Up with Blogger?
I've been reading and trying to comment on blogs today. After I write a comment draft on someone's blog, I get prompted for word verification but no word ever loads. I have nothing to verify. Thus, I am unable to leave a comment.
In case this is a bug, I'm turning off word verification for a bit so y'all can comment if you wish.
On the topic of "What's Up with Blogger?" I have 9 less people following me today. Ouch. Bye.
Update: Greta figured out why everyone's abandoning ship. Thanks for the heads up. I still want my 9 followers back. Quite a blow to the ego. :)
In case this is a bug, I'm turning off word verification for a bit so y'all can comment if you wish.
On the topic of "What's Up with Blogger?" I have 9 less people following me today. Ouch. Bye.
Update: Greta figured out why everyone's abandoning ship. Thanks for the heads up. I still want my 9 followers back. Quite a blow to the ego. :)
Scanfest
I attended my second Scanfest yesterday and it was so fun!
Scanfest is a live event where people chat with each other on the computer while they scan old photos or documents. Normally, scanning and preserving records can get a bit monotonous, so talking with others helps the time fly.
I really like the people who attend Scanfest. I get a collaborative vibe from them. The library world (my parallel life) is all about collaboration, the latest ways to organize and push information toward others. Then I start playing in the genealogy sandbox, and it's like a step back in time. It's been very frustrating to see where the genealogy field is as opposed to where it could be.
BUT...Scanfest is full of those collaborative types and it makes me happy to see them. They will be the ones to help genealogy grow up reach a larger crowd. I want to be one of those people.
The next Scanfest is March 29, 11:00 am-2:00pm PST. I highly recommend it if you want to meet some friendly folks who are happy to answer questions about genealogy, scanning, technology or just about anything else. See you there!
Scanfest is a live event where people chat with each other on the computer while they scan old photos or documents. Normally, scanning and preserving records can get a bit monotonous, so talking with others helps the time fly.
I really like the people who attend Scanfest. I get a collaborative vibe from them. The library world (my parallel life) is all about collaboration, the latest ways to organize and push information toward others. Then I start playing in the genealogy sandbox, and it's like a step back in time. It's been very frustrating to see where the genealogy field is as opposed to where it could be.
BUT...Scanfest is full of those collaborative types and it makes me happy to see them. They will be the ones to help genealogy grow up reach a larger crowd. I want to be one of those people.
The next Scanfest is March 29, 11:00 am-2:00pm PST. I highly recommend it if you want to meet some friendly folks who are happy to answer questions about genealogy, scanning, technology or just about anything else. See you there!
Saturday, February 21, 2009
Texas Genealogy Events: Week of February 23-March 1
Straight from the Texas Genealogy Events calendar, here's what is happening in Texas for the week of February 23-March 1, 2009:
February 23-28:
African-American Display Clayton Library Center for Genealogical Research (Houston)
Tuesday, February 24:
Austin Genealogical Society Meeting, 7:00 pm
Presenter: Karen Matheson. Topic: Give Me Your Tired & Your Poor: Researching U.S. Ships' Passenger Lists.
Thursday, February 26:
East Texas Genealogical Society Get Acquainted Luncheon, 11:30 am.
Heartland Ham Co., 3400-A South Broadway, Tyler 75701
Friday, February 27:
Bay Area Genealogical Society Meeting (Houston area), 7:00 pm.
Speaker: Bruce Lockett discusses Civil War History in East Texas, providing an update on steamboat salvage and archaeological finds.
Saturday, February 28:
Clayton Library/Family Search partnership (Houston), 2:00 pm.
Learn about this exciting digitization partnership that will bring more books to your fingertips than you ever thought possible. Reservations required, please call 832-393-2600. Adults/Teens.
Van Zandt County Genealogical Society Meeting (Canton), 2:00 pm.
Location: Van Zandt County Library
For further details on these events, please see the Texas Genealogy Events Calendar. Please confirm all dates and locations with the host societies and organizations.
Do you have an event you'd like to see on the calendar? Contact me using the email address at the right side of this blog. Events should occur in Texas or be of interest to Texans (neighboring states welcome). Speakers are encouraged to publicize their presentations.
February 23-28:
African-American Display Clayton Library Center for Genealogical Research (Houston)
Tuesday, February 24:
Austin Genealogical Society Meeting, 7:00 pm
Presenter: Karen Matheson. Topic: Give Me Your Tired & Your Poor: Researching U.S. Ships' Passenger Lists.
Thursday, February 26:
East Texas Genealogical Society Get Acquainted Luncheon, 11:30 am.
Heartland Ham Co., 3400-A South Broadway, Tyler 75701
Friday, February 27:
Bay Area Genealogical Society Meeting (Houston area), 7:00 pm.
Speaker: Bruce Lockett discusses Civil War History in East Texas, providing an update on steamboat salvage and archaeological finds.
Saturday, February 28:
Clayton Library/Family Search partnership (Houston), 2:00 pm.
Learn about this exciting digitization partnership that will bring more books to your fingertips than you ever thought possible. Reservations required, please call 832-393-2600. Adults/Teens.
Van Zandt County Genealogical Society Meeting (Canton), 2:00 pm.
Location: Van Zandt County Library
For further details on these events, please see the Texas Genealogy Events Calendar. Please confirm all dates and locations with the host societies and organizations.
Do you have an event you'd like to see on the calendar? Contact me using the email address at the right side of this blog. Events should occur in Texas or be of interest to Texans (neighboring states welcome). Speakers are encouraged to publicize their presentations.
Thursday, February 19, 2009
Diving Into the ProGen Pool
I'm officially part of ProGen3. The ProGen groups (1 and 2 so far), meet and collaborate online to discuss the chapters of Professional Genealogy. There are also readings, assignments and discussions on a monthly basis. (The chats might be weekly. I haven't figured that out yet.) The whole thing lasts 18 months.
I am completely insane for doing this. I'm just getting in to the groove of the NGS course and now I'm adding more to the plate. The original plan was to finish NGS, then sign up for a ProGen. I didn't realize one would be forming so quickly, but it did so here I am.
I am completely insane for doing this. I'm just getting in to the groove of the NGS course and now I'm adding more to the plate. The original plan was to finish NGS, then sign up for a ProGen. I didn't realize one would be forming so quickly, but it did so here I am.
An Award? For Me?
I was given an award! JoLyn of The Mount Timpanogos Graveyard Rabbit was kind enough to honor We Tree with the Kreativ Blogger Award, given to blogs she really enjoys reading. Thanks, JoLyn!
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
Mardi Gras Edition: Wordless Wednesday
Photo taken January 2009 at the cemetery next to the "tobacco" / coffee shop at the end of Canal Street, New Orleans. I believe it's the Odd Fellows Rest Cemetery, but not 100% sure.
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
Get Well, Ernie!
One of my favorite bloggers is in the hospital. Hoping for a quick recovery so he can get back to telling his stories. Get well soon, Ernie!
Mail Bag! Death Certificate for Eliza Eldridge
Louisiana is on the ball! I already received the death certificates I ordered earlier this month.
One of the certificates was for my great-great grandmother, Eliza Eldridge (1851-1937). For family members playing along, she was Floyd's father's mother. For regular We Tree readers, she was also the poor widow in the infamous "killing scrape" in my family tree.
She remarried, so her death certificate is under the name Matte (spelled Matt on the document).
Ms. Matte died in Port Barre, St. Landry Parish, Louisiana on August 12, 1937. The cause was "intestinal obstruction due to gall bladder condition." A contributing factor was "old age."
This certificate says Eliza was born in Milan County, Texas. This is news to me. Two censuses state she was born in Louisiana, but the 1930 census says Texas. Hmm...
The death certificate also says her father was Madison J. Eldridge, bithplace unknown. I have in my records James M. Eldridge. Maybe he was known by Madison? I'll have to explore that further.
Eliza's mother was Elizabeth Perkins. This I knew. However, the record also says that Elizabeth's birthplace was Louisville, Kentucky. News to me. The 1930 census for Eliza says both her parents were born in Kentucky.
The informant for Eliza's death certificate was her daughter Lula (Thibodeaux) McGee. Lula was living in Eunice, Lousiana at the time, so that's a nice tidbit of information for my timeline. This record also provided the undertaker's name and Eliza's burial location.
This is why getting death certificates in the mail is such a kick. My Thibodeaux branch of the tree, which I thought was so firmly entrenched in Louisiana for decades, might actually have a branch in Kentucky. I haven't done any research in Kentucky, but I'm happy to start. This goose chase will be fun.
One of the certificates was for my great-great grandmother, Eliza Eldridge (1851-1937). For family members playing along, she was Floyd's father's mother. For regular We Tree readers, she was also the poor widow in the infamous "killing scrape" in my family tree.
She remarried, so her death certificate is under the name Matte (spelled Matt on the document).
Ms. Matte died in Port Barre, St. Landry Parish, Louisiana on August 12, 1937. The cause was "intestinal obstruction due to gall bladder condition." A contributing factor was "old age."
This certificate says Eliza was born in Milan County, Texas. This is news to me. Two censuses state she was born in Louisiana, but the 1930 census says Texas. Hmm...
The death certificate also says her father was Madison J. Eldridge, bithplace unknown. I have in my records James M. Eldridge. Maybe he was known by Madison? I'll have to explore that further.
Eliza's mother was Elizabeth Perkins. This I knew. However, the record also says that Elizabeth's birthplace was Louisville, Kentucky. News to me. The 1930 census for Eliza says both her parents were born in Kentucky.
The informant for Eliza's death certificate was her daughter Lula (Thibodeaux) McGee. Lula was living in Eunice, Lousiana at the time, so that's a nice tidbit of information for my timeline. This record also provided the undertaker's name and Eliza's burial location.
This is why getting death certificates in the mail is such a kick. My Thibodeaux branch of the tree, which I thought was so firmly entrenched in Louisiana for decades, might actually have a branch in Kentucky. I haven't done any research in Kentucky, but I'm happy to start. This goose chase will be fun.
Monday, February 16, 2009
SCGS 2009 Jamboree Schedule Now Online
The Southern California Genealogical Society has announced the schedule for the 2009 Jamboree. Lots of good sessions and speakers. Should be fun.
Sunday, February 15, 2009
iGene Awards: 66th Carnival of Genealogy
The topic for the 66th Carnival of Genealogy, hosted by Creative Gene is:
iGene Awards, The Best of The Best! It's Academy awards time... time for the Academy of Genealogy and Family History, aka AGFH, to honor their best blog posts of 2008 in the following 5 categories:
Best Picture - Best old family photo that appeared on your blog in 2008. Tell us which you liked best and why. And the winner is....the Snow Angel Marker photo in the story Snow Boy. Technically, this isn't an old picture. However, it shows my day job and the side of my life that's not usually part of this blog.
Best Screen Play - Which family story that you shared in 2008 would make the best movie? Who would you cast as your family members? And the winner is...The Adventures with Cordy travel diary series. Four of my more spirited senior ancestors embarked on a road trip in 1976 and someone was kind enough to record their mad cap adventures. This diary is most amusing to those who knew the Fearsome Foursome. Casting of this movie would require four actors in their sixties.
Best Documentary - Which was the best informational article you wrote about a place, thing, or event involving your family's history in 2008? And the winner is...Looking for Sargeant Jones, part 1 and part 2. Hands down, this post won by a landslide. I took a day trip to Cameron Parish, Louisiana and recorded my experience. I tried to describe the historical aspect of the area (Civil War battle location and monument) and the present condition of the area (decimated by recent hurricanes). Based on the feedback I recieved my point was made.
Best Biography - Which was the best biographical article you wrote in 2008? And the winner is...The Politics of Genealogy. This post required a lot of research on my part. I am proud of what I found and how I recorded it complete with sources. A planned trip to Little Rock, Arkansas this summer may add a second episode to the documentary.
Best Comedy - Which was the best funny story, poem, joke, photo, or video that you shared on your blog in 2008? And the winner is...Christmas Oddities. The title of my autobiography will be called "None of the Above," because my life never seems to fit in those tidy categories provided by surveys and what not. This was also the case when we were to share our holiday traditions on the Christmas Tour of Blogs. Everyone posted such pretty scenes! It just felt right for me to post the stranger side of holiday observance, and that's how Christmas Oddities came to be.
This concludes my entry in the AGFH awards show. No hideous gowns, boring stage numbers or drunken acceptance speeches. The AGFH is all about good writing. I hope you will read the entires and awards given to othr genealogy bloggers as well.
Texas Genealogy Events: Week of February 16-22, 2009
Straight from the Texas Genealogy Events calendar, here's what is happening in Texas for the week of February 16-22, 2009:
February 16-22 (all month)
African-American Display Clayton Library Center for Genealogical Research (Houston)
Monday February 17
Brazos Genealogical Society Monthly Meeting (Bryan)
Bryan Public Library, 7:00 p.m.
Wednesday, February 18
Clayton Library Presentation (Houston)
Discussion about the Chicago Defender ProQuest database.
Clayton Library Center for Genealogical Research, 6:30 p.m.
Saturday, February 21
Clayton Library Orientation (Houston)
Clayton Library Center for Genealogical Research, 11:00 a.m.
Genealogy Friends of Plano Libraries (Plano)
Saturday Seminar featuring Aaron Holt speaking about NARA, 10:00 a.m.
W.O. Haggard, Jr. Library, 2501 Coit Rd., Plano, Texas
Houston Genealogical Forum - 9:30 a.m.
Free Genealogical Problem Solving (Houston)
Holocaust Museum, 5401 Caroline, Houston
Rains County Genealogical Society Meeting (Emory)
Rains County Library, 1:00 p.m.
150 Doris Briggs Parkway
Emory, Texas 75440
Phone: (903)473-5000 ext 283
For further details on these events, please see the Texas Genealogy Events Calendar. Please confirm all dates and locations with the host societies and organizations.
Do you have an event you'd like to see on the calendar? Contact me using the email address at the right side of this blog. Events should occur in Texas or be of interest to Texans (neighboring states welcome). Speakers are encouraged to publicize their presentations.
February 16-22 (all month)
African-American Display Clayton Library Center for Genealogical Research (Houston)
Monday February 17
Brazos Genealogical Society Monthly Meeting (Bryan)
Bryan Public Library, 7:00 p.m.
Wednesday, February 18
Clayton Library Presentation (Houston)
Discussion about the Chicago Defender ProQuest database.
Clayton Library Center for Genealogical Research, 6:30 p.m.
Saturday, February 21
Clayton Library Orientation (Houston)
Clayton Library Center for Genealogical Research, 11:00 a.m.
Genealogy Friends of Plano Libraries (Plano)
Saturday Seminar featuring Aaron Holt speaking about NARA, 10:00 a.m.
W.O. Haggard, Jr. Library, 2501 Coit Rd., Plano, Texas
Houston Genealogical Forum - 9:30 a.m.
Free Genealogical Problem Solving (Houston)
Holocaust Museum, 5401 Caroline, Houston
Rains County Genealogical Society Meeting (Emory)
Rains County Library, 1:00 p.m.
150 Doris Briggs Parkway
Emory, Texas 75440
Phone: (903)473-5000 ext 283
For further details on these events, please see the Texas Genealogy Events Calendar. Please confirm all dates and locations with the host societies and organizations.
Do you have an event you'd like to see on the calendar? Contact me using the email address at the right side of this blog. Events should occur in Texas or be of interest to Texans (neighboring states welcome). Speakers are encouraged to publicize their presentations.
Thursday, February 12, 2009
Adequate Will Hunting
Did you see what I did there? (Points to the title)
I ventured to the web site for the Blue Earth County Historical Society the other day. In their search box, I entered the name "Lenertz," like I do with every search box on every genealogy/records web site. Normally, I get a "no results found" during this practice.
However, at BECHS, I got results! This is a good thing because my Lenertz line was all over Blue Earth County once upon a time.
One of the search items was a will for Alexander Lenertz. Hmmm...could that be my great-great-great grandfather? The 1879 date on the will sounds promising because that's the year he died.
I emailed the society and got a quote for the cost of recieving a copy of document. $13.00 and a request are on their way to Blue Earth County Historical Society this very day.
My Lenertz line is so difficult. I've yet to find anyone searching the same line as vigorously as I am. I feel like to lone U.S. Lenertz historian. I don't want to put any hopes on this record, but I could really use a breakthrough here.
I'll let you know how it goes...
I ventured to the web site for the Blue Earth County Historical Society the other day. In their search box, I entered the name "Lenertz," like I do with every search box on every genealogy/records web site. Normally, I get a "no results found" during this practice.
However, at BECHS, I got results! This is a good thing because my Lenertz line was all over Blue Earth County once upon a time.
One of the search items was a will for Alexander Lenertz. Hmmm...could that be my great-great-great grandfather? The 1879 date on the will sounds promising because that's the year he died.
I emailed the society and got a quote for the cost of recieving a copy of document. $13.00 and a request are on their way to Blue Earth County Historical Society this very day.
My Lenertz line is so difficult. I've yet to find anyone searching the same line as vigorously as I am. I feel like to lone U.S. Lenertz historian. I don't want to put any hopes on this record, but I could really use a breakthrough here.
I'll let you know how it goes...
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
School Daze
I just finished assignment 3 in my National Genealogical Society American Genealogy Course. This one had to do with interviews, letters and queries. Basically, I learned how to ask others for help.
When I got the course in the mail, it came with six self-addressed envelopes from NGS. In order to save envelopes and postage, I waited until I finished #3 before I sent my first two assignments in along with it.
I dropped everything off at the post office today. I'm curious to see how I am graded and what feedback I get.
So far, so good as far as the course goes. I'm still not thrilled with the lack of an online educational presence. However, the reading list for the course is very strong and I'm enjoying learning about the different resources out there.
Assignments 1-3 are done and now it's time to see what's in store for assignment 4. Onward!
When I got the course in the mail, it came with six self-addressed envelopes from NGS. In order to save envelopes and postage, I waited until I finished #3 before I sent my first two assignments in along with it.
I dropped everything off at the post office today. I'm curious to see how I am graded and what feedback I get.
So far, so good as far as the course goes. I'm still not thrilled with the lack of an online educational presence. However, the reading list for the course is very strong and I'm enjoying learning about the different resources out there.
Assignments 1-3 are done and now it's time to see what's in store for assignment 4. Onward!
Monday, February 9, 2009
The Feldzug Boys: 10th Edition of Smile for the Camera
The topic for the 10th edition of Smile for the Camera is: costume. This is not a Halloween theme, more like period costume. Genealogical word association made me think "uniform" when given the topic costume. This led to my selection for entry into the carnival. I call them The Feldzug Boys:
The sign at the center of the photo say the following:
Here's what I know about the photo: nothing. It was part of my great-grandfather's papers. Below is an image of what is written on the back of the photo:
According to Google Translate, "feldzug" is a German word that means "campaign."
The sign at the center of the photo say the following:
Feldzug 1914--?
L. I. Rgt. 29. I/2
Here's what I know about the photo: nothing. It was part of my great-grandfather's papers. Below is an image of what is written on the back of the photo:
According to Google Translate, "feldzug" is a German word that means "campaign."
I haven't figured out the first two lines of text in the second image. I'm pretty sure "zu Coln" is "to Cologne," meaning Germany, which is where my great-grandfather was from. 1915 may be the date the photo was taken...or not. The "D" word in the second line is probably the "from" town if Cologne is the "to" town.
There are some good clues on the front and back of the photo. In time, I hope to solve the mystery and find out exactly what The Feldzug Boys were doing, and give them the proper Smile for the Camera introduction they deserve.
Feb. 10, 2009: Update! Greta Koehl was kind enough to ask her husband, Mr. Greta Koehl, about the photo. She left this reply in my comments:
My husband said this would have been the ist battalion, 2nd company, 3rd Rhineland (Rheinisches) Regiment No. 29, aka Infantry Regiment Von Horn. It formed part of the 16th Infantry Division, under the Eighth Army of the Imperial German Army. Cologne was the regimental depot; the division HQ was Trier. The men were mostly recruited from Rhein province, from towns along the Rhine and Moselle rivers. He thinks the photograph was probably taken when they were mobilized. The division fought in the invasion of Belgium and France in 1914, ending at the Battle of the Marne. They were briefly on the Eastern Front in late 1914, but returned to the Western Front, where they remained until disbanded in 1919.
Thank you! This location matches what I know about where my great-grandfather came from. His naturalization papers say he left for America on August 5, 1914. It's possible that a family member (possibly brother?) is in the photo and sent it to my great-grandfather in America.
The kindness and generosity of other genealogists never ceases to amaze me.
Sunday, February 8, 2009
Texas Genealogy Events: Week of February 9-15, 2009
Straight from the Texas Genealogy Events calendar, here's what is happening in Texas for the week of February 9-15, 2009:
February 9-15 (all month)
African-American Display Clayton Library Center for Genealogical Research (Houston)
Monday February 9
Humble Area Genealogical Society Monthly Meeting & Speaker
Lonestar College - Kingwood Campus 7:00pm
Wednesday, February 11
Collin County Genealogical Society Monthly Meeting & Speaker:
Frederick E. Moss, JD, LL.M.,
W. O. Haggard, Jr. Public Library, Plano, 7:00pm
Thursday, February 12
Clayton Library / Family Search Partnership
Learn about the digitization partnership of these two organizations.
Clayton Library, Houston, 2:00pm
Denton County Genealogical Society Meeting
Denton Public Library, Denton, 6:30pm
Saturday, February 14
East Texas Genealogical Society Meeting
Speaker: Gwendolyn McMillian Lowe
Tyler Public Library, Tyler, 2:00pm
Clayton Library Friends Meeting. 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Houston. Speaker: Jane Watkins Cohen, PhD: "Robertson Colony in Texas"
For further details on these events, please see the Texas Genealogy Events Calendar. Please confirm all dates and locations with the host societies and organizations.
Do you have an event you'd like to see on the calendar? Contact me using the email address at the right side of this blog. Events should occur in Texas or be of interest to Texans (neighboring states welcome). Speakers are encouraged to publicize their presentations.
February 9-15 (all month)
African-American Display Clayton Library Center for Genealogical Research (Houston)
Monday February 9
Humble Area Genealogical Society Monthly Meeting & Speaker
Lonestar College - Kingwood Campus 7:00pm
Wednesday, February 11
Collin County Genealogical Society Monthly Meeting & Speaker:
Frederick E. Moss, JD, LL.M.,
W. O. Haggard, Jr. Public Library, Plano, 7:00pm
Thursday, February 12
Clayton Library / Family Search Partnership
Learn about the digitization partnership of these two organizations.
Clayton Library, Houston, 2:00pm
Denton County Genealogical Society Meeting
Denton Public Library, Denton, 6:30pm
Saturday, February 14
East Texas Genealogical Society Meeting
Speaker: Gwendolyn McMillian Lowe
Tyler Public Library, Tyler, 2:00pm
Clayton Library Friends Meeting. 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Houston. Speaker: Jane Watkins Cohen, PhD: "Robertson Colony in Texas"
For further details on these events, please see the Texas Genealogy Events Calendar. Please confirm all dates and locations with the host societies and organizations.
Do you have an event you'd like to see on the calendar? Contact me using the email address at the right side of this blog. Events should occur in Texas or be of interest to Texans (neighboring states welcome). Speakers are encouraged to publicize their presentations.
Saturday, February 7, 2009
Saturday in the Park
There was a Houston Genealogical Forum meeting today and I went to it. The meetings are held in a park community center, thus the name of the blog entry.
This was my first HGF meeting. I joined in January. The room was pretty full. The business part went fast. The speaker was Marjorie Lowe, who talked about het expertise with Native American research. Since I'm researching Chickasaw ancestors, the subject was timely.
Lowe discussed the resources at Clayton Library. It's been hard for me to do Chickasaw research there because I don't know what I don't know. I now have a better idea of what they have. Next time I go to the Clayton, I know what questions to ask.
There was mention of the Dawes Rolls, enrollment packets/land allotment packets and where to write to request copies. I obtained packets for my Jones and Bourland ancestors via Footnote. Lowe did mention this resource, but only in passing.
The best tidbit I learned before the presentation even began. There's a Phillips Petroleum Museum in Bartlesville, Oklahoma. That's where my grandfather grew up. His father was a lawyer for an "oil company" according to a census. I'll have to contact the museum and see if they have any records.
All in all, it was a good gathering. I will attend future meetings when I can. Saturdays are a challenge on the home front.
This was my first HGF meeting. I joined in January. The room was pretty full. The business part went fast. The speaker was Marjorie Lowe, who talked about het expertise with Native American research. Since I'm researching Chickasaw ancestors, the subject was timely.
Lowe discussed the resources at Clayton Library. It's been hard for me to do Chickasaw research there because I don't know what I don't know. I now have a better idea of what they have. Next time I go to the Clayton, I know what questions to ask.
There was mention of the Dawes Rolls, enrollment packets/land allotment packets and where to write to request copies. I obtained packets for my Jones and Bourland ancestors via Footnote. Lowe did mention this resource, but only in passing.
The best tidbit I learned before the presentation even began. There's a Phillips Petroleum Museum in Bartlesville, Oklahoma. That's where my grandfather grew up. His father was a lawyer for an "oil company" according to a census. I'll have to contact the museum and see if they have any records.
All in all, it was a good gathering. I will attend future meetings when I can. Saturdays are a challenge on the home front.
Friday, February 6, 2009
Calling Baton Rouge
I ordered three death certificates today. The first two were for my great-great grandparents Menou and Bourgaux.
The third record was for another great-great grandmother, Eliza Eldridge. She is best known as the poor wife at home in this pesky homicide incident where her husband was murdered for making eyes (among other things) with the neighbor's wife. Ahhhh, family.
This is my first foray into Louisiana records requests. Because these death certificates are over 50 years old, I can request them from the Louisiana State Archives for 5 bucks each. Not bad.
So we'll see how it goes. I don't expect any surprises from these records. Just getting my facts straight.
The third record was for another great-great grandmother, Eliza Eldridge. She is best known as the poor wife at home in this pesky homicide incident where her husband was murdered for making eyes (among other things) with the neighbor's wife. Ahhhh, family.
This is my first foray into Louisiana records requests. Because these death certificates are over 50 years old, I can request them from the Louisiana State Archives for 5 bucks each. Not bad.
So we'll see how it goes. I don't expect any surprises from these records. Just getting my facts straight.
Thursday, February 5, 2009
Hello, Riverside!
Pardon me while I speak to my family via blog:
There's a Genealogy Society of Riverside, if anyone's into that kind of thing. I would love to see if they have any old Mission Blvd. pictures, or anything tied to the family.
Also, is anyone interested in tracking down old issues of the Press Enterprise? I'm guessing the Riverside Public Library Main Branch will have microfilm copies, but I'm not 100% sure. Don't be afraid of the microfilm machine. I need obits.
That is all. Back to regularly scheduled programming.
There's a Genealogy Society of Riverside, if anyone's into that kind of thing. I would love to see if they have any old Mission Blvd. pictures, or anything tied to the family.
Also, is anyone interested in tracking down old issues of the Press Enterprise? I'm guessing the Riverside Public Library Main Branch will have microfilm copies, but I'm not 100% sure. Don't be afraid of the microfilm machine. I need obits.
That is all. Back to regularly scheduled programming.
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
We're Big in Luxembourg
The Bootcamp for GeneaBloggers blog has a great link to a site called PublicProfiler/worldnames. You can enter a surname and find its origin and prevalence.
With every database, web site, or anything searchable in regard to genealogy, I always use Lenertz as my test surname. There aren't many Lenertz's to begin with and I know where they are. The results I get for Lenertz genealogy in any given search aid tell me how good the product is. I have to say, this time the end result was pretty close.
Here's what I learned:
Luxembourg is a Lenertz hub. There are 93.52 people named Lenertz or every million people there.
There are 1.88 people per million named Lenertz in the United States.
Minot, North Dakota and Mankato, Minnesota are the top U.S. cities for the name Lenertz. My Lenertz line hailed from Mankato, and originally came from Luxembourg. I knew there was a Lenertz pocket in North Dakota, but didn't realize it was so big. Also, I'm surprised Iowa didn't make the list.
Guess that settles that. Lenertz people are truly one in a million.
With every database, web site, or anything searchable in regard to genealogy, I always use Lenertz as my test surname. There aren't many Lenertz's to begin with and I know where they are. The results I get for Lenertz genealogy in any given search aid tell me how good the product is. I have to say, this time the end result was pretty close.
Here's what I learned:
Luxembourg is a Lenertz hub. There are 93.52 people named Lenertz or every million people there.
There are 1.88 people per million named Lenertz in the United States.
Minot, North Dakota and Mankato, Minnesota are the top U.S. cities for the name Lenertz. My Lenertz line hailed from Mankato, and originally came from Luxembourg. I knew there was a Lenertz pocket in North Dakota, but didn't realize it was so big. Also, I'm surprised Iowa didn't make the list.
Guess that settles that. Lenertz people are truly one in a million.
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
DNA Testing in Progress
I know enough about DNA testing in genealogical circles to realize that it's pretty important. I've spent the last few months trying to understand enough to pick the *right* test from the *right* place. However, all this time later and I still don't quite get it.
I'm the kind of person that lives for today. I assume I and everyone else will be hit by a bus tomorrow. This assumption does not sit well with the fact that I still haven't picked a DNA test for my family yet.
So when Ancestry dropped the price of it's Paternal Lineage Test to $79, I decided just to bite the bullet and get that one. I don't know if it's the best or the worst, but it will tell me something about branches of my family for which I know little.
My dad agreed to take one test. That will help with those lovable-yet-pesky Lenertz men that worked hard, moved often, and left little recordable information on this Earth.
The second test is destined for someone who doesn't know about it and might read this blog, so we'll just leave it at that until I can perfect my DNA-testing elevator speech.
So where are we at right now? The tests should be on their way to us shortly. I'll let you know how it goes. Let hope nobody gets hit by a bus before the tests get here.
I'm the kind of person that lives for today. I assume I and everyone else will be hit by a bus tomorrow. This assumption does not sit well with the fact that I still haven't picked a DNA test for my family yet.
So when Ancestry dropped the price of it's Paternal Lineage Test to $79, I decided just to bite the bullet and get that one. I don't know if it's the best or the worst, but it will tell me something about branches of my family for which I know little.
My dad agreed to take one test. That will help with those lovable-yet-pesky Lenertz men that worked hard, moved often, and left little recordable information on this Earth.
The second test is destined for someone who doesn't know about it and might read this blog, so we'll just leave it at that until I can perfect my DNA-testing elevator speech.
So where are we at right now? The tests should be on their way to us shortly. I'll let you know how it goes. Let hope nobody gets hit by a bus before the tests get here.
Sunday, February 1, 2009
Texas Genealogy Events: Week of February 2-8, 2009
Straight from the Texas Genealogy Events calendar, here's what is happening in Texas for the week of February 2-8, 2009:
February 2-8 (all month)
African-American Display Clayton Library Center for Genealogical Research (Houston)
Monday, February 2
Montgomery County Genealogical & Historical Society, Inc. Monthly Meeting. 6:30 p.m. in Conroe.
Tuesday, February 3
Ancestry & Hertiage Quest Demonstration at Houston Public Library. 7:00 p.m. - 8:30 p. m. (Same program is being offered Feb. 4)
San Angelo Genealogical and Historical Society Meeting, 7:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
Wednesday, February 4
Ancestry & Hertiage Quest Demonstration at Houston Public Library. 10:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. (Same program is offered Feb. 3)
Thursday, February 5
Mid Cities Genealogical Society Meeting. Euless, 7:00 p.m.-8:30 p.m.
Saturday, February 7
5th Annual Hill Country Family History Seminar. 9:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. Boerne.
Houston Genealogical Forum General Meeting. 9:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. Speaker: Marjorie Lowe Topic: "Finding the Five Tribes: The Top 10 Repositories."
Please click on the Texas Genealogy Events calendar, or the societies' web sites for more information. Do you have an event you'd like to add to the calendar? Just give me the details. My email address is on the right side of this blog.
February 2-8 (all month)
African-American Display Clayton Library Center for Genealogical Research (Houston)
Monday, February 2
Montgomery County Genealogical & Historical Society, Inc. Monthly Meeting. 6:30 p.m. in Conroe.
Tuesday, February 3
Ancestry & Hertiage Quest Demonstration at Houston Public Library. 7:00 p.m. - 8:30 p. m. (Same program is being offered Feb. 4)
San Angelo Genealogical and Historical Society Meeting, 7:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
Wednesday, February 4
Ancestry & Hertiage Quest Demonstration at Houston Public Library. 10:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. (Same program is offered Feb. 3)
Thursday, February 5
Mid Cities Genealogical Society Meeting. Euless, 7:00 p.m.-8:30 p.m.
Saturday, February 7
5th Annual Hill Country Family History Seminar. 9:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. Boerne.
Houston Genealogical Forum General Meeting. 9:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. Speaker: Marjorie Lowe Topic: "Finding the Five Tribes: The Top 10 Repositories."
Please click on the Texas Genealogy Events calendar, or the societies' web sites for more information. Do you have an event you'd like to add to the calendar? Just give me the details. My email address is on the right side of this blog.
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