What I Did This Week

This week I did lots of little activities. Each task is not worthy of its own post, but I thought I'd write them down anyway.

On Wednesday, I went to my local family history center and ordered some microfilms. I'm looking for the marriage record of Harry Baerecke and Mary/Mollie/possibly Amelie Schmitz/Schmidt. I am hoping there might be some information on the bride's parents. I ordered a second set of films in relation to death records for Harry Baerecke. He died five years after his marriage. So sad. Hopefully these items arrive in time for my proof argument assignment for ProGen, because that was my motivation for requesting them at this time.

On Thursday, I turned in my ProGen assignment. The topic this month was evidence analysis. The task was to collect and analyze the documents we had that will be used in the upcoming proof argument. I also tweaked this blog a bit, simplifying the valuable real estate to the right of the text and switching to a tag cloud.

On Friday, I worked on a special project I am doing for someone else. I haven't talked about it here. I am hoping when it's done, I can write about it. What I can say is that it is very fun and the person to whom it will be delivered will be pleased.

So that's what I've been doing in the genealogy world this week. Little things that may lead to big rewards.

52 Weeks to Better Genealogy: Week 4

Here is this week's challenge in the 52 Weeks to Better Genealogy series:

Learn about your local public library’s inter-library loan (ILL) policy. Pick a genealogy-related book that you want to read that is not in your library’s collection. Ask the librarian how to request the book from another library. Find the different library systems from which you can request books through your own library, as this can dramatically increase the number of genealogy books to which you have access. If you have a genealogy blog, write about your experience with requesting items through your library’s ILL service.

My closest library is a tiny suburban branch in the much larger Harris County Public Library system. Thus, I often request items from other branches. About 1/3 of the items I receive through ILL are books. The majority are CDs.

For this week's challenge, I requested a book I heard about on a genealogy discussion list. Several people recommended it, so I checked to see if my library system had it and they did:

They Came in Ships

by John P. Colletta, PHD

I received the second edition. There is a more recent edition, so I may have to hunt further with the help of the reference librarian in order to acquire the latest copy. A quick glance at WorldCat shows that Houston Public and Montgomery County Public systems have the third edition. .

This book traveled from the LaPorte Library for my ILL request. It is in the collection due to the generosity of the Friends of the LaPorte Library, so I feel compelled to show them some love:

I requested this book online. Any item in the HCPL system can be requested online. If you are requesting items from other library systems, you must go to your branch and fill out a request form. It's an easy process.

Inter-Library Loan has been a very handy service for me as a patron. My library is just too small to have all the books I want to read, and they have very few genealogy books at all. ILL connects me with those items and allows me to read the latest in genealogy--with the exception of They Came in Ships, in which case I'm a little behind.

A Last Look at My First Family History Expo

Now that I'm all caught up at home from my long weekend in Mesa, I can gather my thoughts and share observations about my experience at the Arizona Family History Expo, which is part of the Family History Expos series. Here's what I liked about this event:

1. It's affordable.

Compared to other national genealogy conferences, a Family History Expos event is a deal. On top of that, their locations are usually in smaller cities (like Mesa instead of Phoenix) meaning hotel costs are less as well.

2. It's fun.

I've never been to a bad genealogy conference, but some are funner than others. It was nice to attend a banquet where we were encouraged to let our hair down. I also felt like the Expo staff were genuinely happy to have me as an attendee, and they thanked me again and again for being part of their event.

3. The speakers are accessible.

At one major conference I attended last year, the large rooms and overall design of the conference didn't make for easy (or any) interaction with speakers. They had a role, they spoke, and then they went to dinner with other speakers. At the Arizona Family History Expo, the speakers were fellow attendees, they were vendors, they were bloggers, and they were easy to approach. I had dinner with some speakers. They were my friends. We extended the discussion of genealogy topics outside the sessions, and that's my favorite way to exchange information.

4. You'll get your tech fix.

The Family History Expos staff encourage the integration of technology and genealogy. That's the reason I was able to blog, use Twitter, and bring the conference to those who could not attend. The Expos event also held classes to help genealogists learn how to use online tools. You should have seen the attendees at Thomas MacEntee's Twitter and blogging sessions. They really wanted to understand these tools. The demand for tech classes is there and the Expos staff are making sure the need is met. I can't say that for all of the large genealogy conferences I've attended in the past year.

5. You'll always learn something new.

The Family History Expos staff are very generous in that they are always interested in giving new speakers a chance. This allows for many varied topics and subjects you may not find at other conferences. The field of genealogy is evolving, and the Expos staff seem to be responding to the change faster than planners of other conferences.

Though the Family History Expo staff provided me with a little swag, the opinions above are my own; simply observations of a serial genealogy conference attendee. In the past year, I went to the conferences of the National Genealogy Society, the Southern California Genealogy Society (Jamboree), the Association of Professional Genealogists (day conference), the Federation of Genealogical Societies conference and this Arizona Family History Expo. My opinions of the Expo are based on my experiences at these events.

The Family History Expos are all over the country now. Check out their schedule and see if there is one near you.

Now I just need to build up some babysitting credits so I can attend another Expo.

Anatomy of a Military Pension File, Part 9

Previously, I reported on the acquisition of my great-great-great grandfather's military pension file. The documents contained within pant a picture of a man and his family about which I knew very little. I've decided to share this 103-page treasure chest of information with you a few pages at a time.

Page 23: Examination report. This document provides the details of the physical examination for Max Baerecke. Based on the information provided at the top, this event is for a pension application in regard to the Mexican War (remember, Max was in two wars and had 2 pension applications). The examination date was 26 May 1886. Below are the key details. Handwritten answers will be in quotes.

We hereby certify that in compliance with requirements of the law we have carefully examined the applicant who states that he is suffering from the following disability incurred in the service, viz: "results of yellow fever."

Pulse rate per minute "92;" respiration, "20;" temperature, "98 1/2;" height: "5" feet "4" inches; weight, "150" pounds; age "59" years.

He makes the following statement upon which he bases his claim for "original complains of pain in head + eyes, also pain (in?) stomach, feels weak + unable to work."

Upon examination we find the following objective conditions: "We find absolutely no signs of disease of any kind, the (man?) looks well [unreadable] has a ruddy look, good muscular development. Area over ---ness over liver and spleen normal. temps + heart healthy body is well several by a----- tri---. His (gums?) are somewhat ulcerated but ---- dirty + no doubt as cause of that, some trouble with digestion. Eyesight + hearing normal, he is bright + intelligent.

From the existing condition and the history of this claimant, as stated by himself, it is, in our judgment, _[left blank]__ probable that the disability was incurred in the service as he claims, and that it has not been prolonged or aggravated by vicious habits. He is, in our opinion, entitled to a "0" rating for disability caused by "results of yellow fever" for that caused by __[blank]__."

Page 24: Secondary page of medical examination. This record include several drawings of male figures, presumably so doctors can document exactly where the pension applicant suffered injury. For example, if someone lost an arm, you could show exactly which arm and where the amputation occurred. In Max's case, his claim of yellow fever could not be documented using this form, so it is blank.

What did I learn from this document? A lot! I got some physical characteristics of my great-great-great grandfather. Based on the doctor's assessment, Max was "bright and intelligent." From other records not in this file, I know Max once owned a saloon, so he was able to work at some point. I also know he wasn't much of an actor, as his claim of yellow fever disability was denied. Now we know why is was left off his next pension application.

Coming up, Max's medical history in his own words. Stay tuned....

On to part 10.

Maintenance

The text on my blog looks funky on my netbook. Not sure how it looks on a full-size computer. I'll check it out when I get home. Until then, just bear with it. Sorry for the inconvenience.

Day 2 in Mesa

I was up bright and early for the second day of the Arizona Family History Expo in Mesa. I wanted to attend Thomas MacEntee's "Become a Genealogy Blog User" class. I was really curious as to how the audience would respond to the topic. I roll with a crowd of avid genealogy blog writers and readers. However, the big genealogy world isn't there yet in terms of tech experience. The good news is that they want to learn, if this class is any indication. Thomas talked about all aspects of blogs, shared some, showed Google Reader and more. The crowd took notes and I think we'll have some new blog readers and writers based on all the blogger conversation and exposure this weekend.

After Thomas' session, I went to sit in the Bloggers' Lounge. It's really just two tables and a power strip in the exhibit hall. There is a screen that scrolls live and past tweets about the conference. This Bloggers area was a good idea. We had a place to sit and focus on writing blog posts about the conference. At the same time, we were strategically placed in an area that conference attendees could come up and ask questions about blogs--and many did just that. Thomas took the brunt of the questions because he's a celebrity and the best teacher. I really did like this Blogger Lounge and the interaction it provided me. Other conferences should consider a similar set up.

In the afternoon, I hit the exhibits. I picked up a copy of Personal Historian from Roots Magic. I bought The Map Guide to the U.S. Federal Census: 1790-1920 from Leiland Meitzler. I sat some more in the Bloggers' area. It may sound lazy, but people stop and talk (even vendors). It's a great way to hear the latest news in the genealogy business world.

After the grand prize drawing (which I didn't win. They must have lost my ticket.), I thanked Holly Hansen for a wonderful Expo. Then I went to dinner with some of the great friends I have made through my genealogy blog and conference attendance. We had a good time.

Next up...a summary of my experience with my first Family History Expo, and a comparison of this event with other conferences I've attended.

Mesa: More on Day 1

Day one of the 2nd Arizona Family History Expo went really well. I attended Thomas MacEntee's "Twitter: It's Not Just for Breakfast Anymore." My main motivation was to see how the crowd reacted to Twitter. Thomas has a way of explaining technology that makes it less scary for the non-tech crowd. I have to say, the audience was very interested and stayed attentive with the presentation to the end. They also asked many questions--good questions--which is a sign of a good session.

In the evening, I attended the Family History Expos banquet. I am happy to say that people actually sat at my table. It wasn't empty and there were no extra desserts. We talked about blogs, and hopefully my tablemates will start to read more genealogy blogs.

After dinner, Lisa Louise Cooke did a live Genealogy Gems podcast in front of the audience. Gena Ortega, Bruce Buzbee, Thomas MacEntee and Anastasia Tyler were guests. Thomas made a grand entrance, delivering special Southwestern-themed Mardi Gras beads to the attendees. I declare it to be the best banquet entrance ever.

All in all, day one at the Family History Expo went really well. Now on to day 2...

Morning Sessions at Mesa

Lunch time at the 2nd Annual Family History Expo in Mesa. Luckily, there's a bloggers' lounge area in the exhibit hall so I can write posts from here.

The first session I went to was "German Genealogy on the Internet," taught by Baerbel K. Johnson, AG. She diverted slightly from her syllabus in order to share some of the latest web sites on German genealogy research. In her session, she mentioned www.genealogy.net, dilibri.de (digital library for Rheinland-Pfalz), and wiki.familysearch.org (go to "Germany", then "digital resources"). If you are at Mesa, but didn't attend this session, check out the syllabus. It's filled with great links about German research.

The second session I attended was "Avoiding Mistakes in German Research," also by Baerbel Johnson. Many of the main points about research mistakes really apply to all languages and regions. Johnson did provide some slides with records to show examples of how easy it is to make a mistake in German research.

I vow not to be intimidated by a language I don't understand. I'm glad I went to these German sessions and look forward to applying what I learned to my own research.

Now back to hanging out with the bloggers.

Greetings from Mesa

After a crazy storm and a busy registration morning, the Arizona Family History Expo in Mesa is underway. Expo staff have set up a "Bloggers Lounge," which is where I'm sitting right now.

The exhibit hall opened after Tim Sullivan's keynote address. The sessions officially start in about an hour.

So far, it looks like a good crowd despite the rain.

More later!

52 Weeks to Better Genealogy: Week 3

Below is task #3 in the 52 Weeks to Better Genealogy challenge. I originally wrote this one so people wouldn't forget their own lives and accomplishments because they were so busy documenting the history of others. If your own personal history page is pretty blank, don't worry. Mine is as well. Now it's time to change that.

Week 3:

Assess yourself! You’re great at researching everyone else’s history, but how much of your own have you recorded? Do an assessment of your personal records and timeline events to ensure your own life is as well-documented as that of your ancestors. If you have a genealogy blog, write about the status of your own research and steps you may take to fill gaps and document your own life.

This task is so incredibly easy for me, and that's not a good thing. In both my private Ancestry.com tree and my lovely all-sourced RootsMagic database, I am the home person. I've used my birth certificate as proof of my existence, but all the little details are missing.

Since I really have nothing to assess for this task, I've decided to add some of my own life details to my database. RootsMagic 4 has a "personal knowledge" source template, and I feel comfortable following that format when I connect sources with facts.

In the coming week (post-Mesa), I will get my own history at least in a timeline. Someday, many generations down the road, someone will be glad I did.

Mesa Bound

Today I am on my way to Mesa for the Arizona Family History Expo, which starts tomorrow.

The event organizers have made it very easy for those not in attendance to follow along with some of the people who are. Here are two ways to ensure you don't miss a beat this weekend:

1. Read the posts of the Bloggers of Honor. We will be writing about the classes, the exhibits and more.

2. Follow the #fhexpo Twitter stream. You do not need a Twitter account to do this. Simply click this link for #fhexpo and you'll get only tweets about the Expo (and not all the other madness on Twitter.)

If you happen to be going to Mesa, do come find me. I come bearing gifts.

The One with the Disclaimer

When you have a blog and a company gives you something, you have to disclose the details or you can get into trouble with someone somewhere. Clearly you can see how serious I am about the subject. For a genealogy blog it seems like overkill, but apparently some bloggers in other fields get some hefty freebies in exchange for fake praise or whatever. Lord knows I don't want the government knocking at my door. There's more money between my couch cushions than the cashola I've made from this blog. However, someday I'll be a Rich and Famous Genealogist so I better cross my i's and dot my t's along the way.

With that in mind, here is what I've been told I will receive as a "Blogger of Honor" at the 2nd Annual Family History Expo in Mesa:

1. A pass that entitles me to free admission to the classes.

2. A ticket to the Friday night banquet.

Family History Expos has provided me with a social media policy (and a good one at that), but has not asked me to blog or make specific statements about their events or products. What you read will be my own take on the conference.

At the Friday banquet, I have been asked to sit at a "designated table" and talk about blogs & social networking with my tablemates. This will be really fun because these are two of my favorite genealogy topics. My only fear is that with all the other awesome bloggers in attendance, who the heck would want to sit at my table? But you know what? If my table is empty, I'm cool with that because that means there will be extra desserts for me.

So there it is, my "disclaimer" as they say. You may refer to it at any time. From this point forward though, coverage of the conference will be mine all mine and not influenced by anyone or anything (though extra desserts go a long way--wink, wink).

Onward to Mesa.

The Cornerstone of My Research

The newspaper article below is about a Duncan, Oklahoma DAR chapter member finding a scrapbook that shed some light on the history of the town's post office:

Scrapbook reveals history of post office (originally published by the Duncan Banner on August 20, 2009).

What's nifty about the article is that it says my great-great grandfather, Frank Jones, assisted in the placement of the cornerstone of the post office. In that stone is a time capsule of sorts. I would love to see what's in there!

This article is a few months old. When I get back from Mesa, I'll try to track down someone at the Duncan DAR chapter and see if I can learn more about the scrapbook, and maybe more about Frank Jones.

Now I simply must plan a road trip back to Oklahoma. On my to-do list will be a visit to that Duncan building and its corner stone.

[Note: I found this article somewhat by accident. An impromptu search of "Frank Jones" "Duncan Oklahoma" (quotations included) and scrolling through many irrelevant links finally led me to the piece. Sometimes patience and creative searching is what it takes to find little treasures like these.]

Anatomy of a Military Pension File, Part 8

Previously, I reported on the acquisition of my great-great-great grandfather's military pension file. The documents contained within pant a picture of a man and his family about which I knew very little. I've decided to share this 103-page treasure chest of information with you a few pages at a time.

Page 20 - Notations on the back of another page. It is difficult to read the handwriting. On top of that, someone has crossed out what was written. This looks like a note regarding information needed for Max's veteran pension to turn into Amelia's widow's pension. There are comments regarding marriage and proof of marriage.

Page 21 - Examination cover page. This document (photo below) appears to be an introductory page regarding a physical examination of Max Baerecke for pension application purposes. Part of the small print reads: It is desired in this case that the examination be made with special reference to "disease of eyes" [portion in quotes was handwritten]. There is also a handwritten note which states:

Make a careful examination of both eyes and describe all abnormalities present of structure and function. Do you find any incident of vicious habits.

Page 22 - Notes from widow's words. The handwritten notation states:

Claimant owing to her age, alleges she can't remember dates of enlistment and discharge, but remembers soldier's service in Civil War as in Co. "I" 26 Wisc. Inf. As she was married to soldier in 1850 her statements to the effect of the above named service being all soldier performed in Civil War would appear to be sufficient. [Signature looks like "Holden."]

What do these documents tell me? I learned about what pension applicants have to provide in order to request a pension. Max had to be examined to prove he had a real ailment. Amelia had to prove she was married to a veteran (and was the only wife). This is an interesting side note in history.

Coming up: Max's physical examination. What will the doctor find? Is it enough to qualify Max for a disability pension? Stay tuned....

On to part 9.

52 Weeks to Better Genealogy: Week 2

This is my entry for Week 2 of the "52 Weeks to Better Genealogy" challenge, created by a crazy lady with too many cats and graciously hosted by GeneaBloggers.com.

Go to your local public library branch again. Examine the local history, archives and/or special collections section. Ask a librarian if you don’t know if your library has special collections or where they are located. Be sure to check the reference section, too, as many of the newer and more valuable books are held in that area. If you have a genealogy blog, write about what you find in your library’s local history and special collections.

If you read my week 1 entry, you know my closest library is just a suburban baby branch in a large county system. With that in mind, I knew there wouldn't be much in the special collections department. The area's "history" is about 30 years old and is marked by the first houses being built. There is no real past here, just a lot of trees.

I did inquire about newspaper archives, however. We have a little community paper and I was wondering if back issues exist and are accessible at the library. The answer I got was that the collection was "sporadic" depending on what they received.

Soon, the library will move to a new building that is 2 1/2 times larger than its current size. I am hoping this means that we'll get a little more room for unique collections. Until then, I have to mosey down the road to Humble for my local history fix.

Sticking Another Toe in the DAR Pool

Wow! I'm really surprised at the interest generated by my post titled Sticking My Toe in the DAR Pool. Based on the feedback, I have a little update.

I was contacted yesterday by a representative from DAR. I can't tell if it's a national membership committee, a Texas-based committee, or something else. It appears that my declaration of interest I submitted to the national web site was delivered through proper channels to someone who is familiar with the chapters in my state and that's the person who contacted me.

She shared with me four chapters in my area that I may be interested in. Actually, given this massive city, there are probably a dozen chapters I could join, but I'll concentrate on these four. Several people have told me to attend different chapters' meetings and see which one fits me. I'm not quite sure how you get permission to attend a meeting, so I asked that question in my return email. We'll see what happens next.

I'd like to attend a meeting of each local chapter. I'm still not quite sure what is emphasized. Is it history? Patriotism? Volunteer service? What is expected of me? Without the details, I will continue to get in this pool one digit at a time instead of just diving in with a full commitment.

Sticking My Toe in the DAR Pool

Yesterday I went to the national Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) web site and filled out a Prospective Member Information Request Form. There are two reasons I did this:

1. My great-grandmother was a DAR member. Based on this fact and other records I hold, it's clear this ancestral line held family history in high regard. I know my grandmother would be pleased with my actions, so I did it for her.

2. Elizabeth, model DAR member and author of the wonderful Little Bytes of Life blog, was kind enough to locate and give me a copy of my great-grandmother's DAR application. I am so grateful for her gesture. I'm hoping this makes my application process easier, though I don't quite know what to expect. Without Elizabeth's efforts, it may have taken much longer for me to be ready to do this.

I filled out the basic contact information, patriot name and great-grandmother's DAR number. The form also asked about when the best time is for me to attend meetings. Um...hardly ever. I'm overextended as it is. I'm hoping I can fit this into my schedule.

After sending in the electronic form, I was given a reference number and the promise that someone will get back to me at some point. That works for me.

What does one do at a DAR meeting anyway? My local chapter websites don't give many details.

D-I-V-O-R-C-E

I have an informal one-name study of sorts for the surname Lenertz. I just want to keep track of the U.S.-based clusters and see of I can connect them.

Last night I was poking around GenealogyBank.com and I found a Lenertz hit on an Oklahoma newspaper. I thought my line was the only Lenertz in Oklahoma, but apparently not. I have to idea who these people are, but I got a kick out of the article, so I'm sharing the text of it here:

(The Tulsa Daily World, Friday, July 2, 1915. Courthouse Notes.)

Harry L. Lenertz yesterday filed suit in the superior court against his wife, Emma Lenertz, alleging that she had neglected her duty as a wife. The petition shows that on numerous occasions Mrs. Lenertz failed to leave the meals prepared when he returned from his work, and that sometimes it would require thirty minutes for her to cook the meal. This all helped to make life unpleasant, says the action, and together with her apparent lack of affection for him made his domestic life unbearable.

Hmm....there's more to this story than what is told in this blurb. I might be Team Emma here.

You know what I like? Harry's main complaint is that she won't cook his meals. The "apparent lack of affection" is secondary.

I thought I knew all the Lenertz's but apparently not. If I had all the money and time in the world, I'd research this case and find out what happened. Did Harry find a new woman who would put up with him? What happened to Emma? Maybe the answer will come out in time. Until then, I better get my hiney in the kitchen so I don't meet a similar fate.

Anatomy of a Military Pension File, Part 7

Previously, I reported on the acquisition of my great-great-great grandfather's military pension file. The documents contained within pant a picture of a man and his family about which I knew very little. I've decided to share this 103-page treasure chest of information with you a few pages at a time.

Page 17a (left): Document pertaining to an "Old War Invalid" pension. Possibly a cover for a file.

Page 17b (right): Document pertaining to Max's Civil War service pension.

Though document 17a refers to the "Old War," the information provided refers to Max's service in the Mexican War. It provides his name and current address in Milwaukee. It says he was a private in the 15th U.S. infantry. He enlisted 15 August 1847 and was discharged 20 April 1848. He filed his pension application on 8 October 1885, claiming "yellow fever and disease of eyes" as disabilities. A secondary notation says Max re-enlisted "I 26 Wis. Inf. Late War."

Page 17b is the same format. Max's name and address are provided again. His service is listed as "Private 'I' 26. Wis. Inf. [and] Mex War." He enlisted on 15 August 1862 and was discharged on 13 June 1865. He filed a pension application on 10 July 1890 citing "old age, disease of eyes, deafness."

It may seem confusing, but Max was a veteran of two different wars and sought pensions for both.

Page 18 contains two documents that appear to be the backs of the pages above. There are some notations, but they don't provide any valuable genealogical information.

Page 19 contains most of the same information as page 17.

The date of receipt for the Mexican War pension application is 25 March 1887. It is unclear of the difference in dates is due to a problem with the application or just part of government bureaucracy.

Page 19b (below) is another cover for an application. This time, Amelia Baerecke's name is on the front. The date of Max's death (15 Dec 1904) is on this page. This document may possibly be the cover to Amelia's widow's pension application. The date of filing is 23 December 1904.

What do these documents tell me? They show the grounds on which Max was requesting a pension. It is interesting that Yellow Fever is mentioned in the earlier document on page 17, but not later. I wonder why? Perhaps there is correspondence or records deeper in the pension file that will explain the change of heart.

Coming up, documents submitted to turn this veteran's pension into a widow's pension. Stay tuned...

On to part 8.

Surname Saturday: Baerecke / Barecke

The subject of this week's Surname Saturday is Baerecke, sometimes spelled Barecke. It is the maiden name of my great-grandmother, Gertrude Eleanor. I have traced the name back two more generations to my great-great-great grandfather Maximilian "Max" Baerecke.

If Max sounds familiar, it's because he is the subject of my Anatomy of a Military Pension File series.

Based on records in my possession, Max was born 24 August 1827. He gave his birthplace as Eisenach, Saxony, Germany. I have not yet done research across the pond. Max came to America, married and raised a family in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Baerecke / Barecke is an unusual surname (in the U.S.) that is misspelled countless different ways. In my research, I have seen other Baerecke records and people that don't appear to be related to my Max. Nonetheless, I am interested in corresponding with any other researchers who have Baerecke / Barecke / Barrecke or similar names in their lines.

Two Weeks and Counting Until the Arizona Family History Expo

Two weeks from today, I will be in Mesa for the Arizona Family History Expo. This is my first one and I am very excited. I have been looking at the schedule, trying to decide which sessions to attend. Some slots are very tough to choose. I want to learn more about German research and resources. Yet at the same time, I want to see my friends speak. What do I do when two friends are speaking at the same time? I may have to flip a coin.

52 Weeks to Better Genealogy: Week 1

This post is part of the "52 Weeks to Better Genealogy," written by a brilliant princess and graciously hosted by Geneabloggers.com. The week 1 challenge:

Go to your local public library branch. Make a note of the genealogy books in the collection that may help you gain research knowledge. Don’t forget to check the shelves in both the non-fiction section and the reference section. If you do not already have a library card, take the time to get one. If you have a genealogy blog, write about what you find in your library’s genealogy collection.

When I moved to Texas, I went and got a library card even before I got a new driver's license. Here is what mine looks like:

My nearest library is a small suburban branch that's part of the larger Harris County Public Library system. For most of the year, the bushes on the right are part of a glorious garden. In winter, not so much. The pointy green thing is a dragon. In a few weeks, the library is moving to a much larger brand new building. I do not know what will happen to the dragon.

This is my library's genealogy collection. I've circled the basic genealogy books in orange. They are all ones you've heard of, with no unique or unusual books on the shelf. We do have Emily Croom's works, including Unpuzzling Your Past, because she is a local author.

There are no genealogy books in the reference section, but there are a couple almanacs that might come in handy in my research.

Though the pickins are slim, this isn't a bad genealogy collection. The library is part of a bigger system, so I have access to all their books, too. Also, we are near the Clayton Library Center for Genealogical Research, so it's not like there's a shortage of genealogy books in the area.

Every few months, I go back to the little genealogy shelf and see what they've added. There's always a rotation. Always something new to learn.

Book Review: How to Do Everything Genealogy

“How to do Everything ___” is a popular series of books in the same vein as the “The Complete Idiot’s Guide to___” and “___For Dummies” introductory subject guides. George G. Morgan wrote the original How to Do Everything (with Your) Genealogy and also updated the second edition featured here.

The title is no joke. Morgan somehow manages to touch on every aspect one might encounter in the general genealogy field. Chapter subjects include topics on why one should do genealogy, family tree organization, traditional & electronic resources, accessing different types of records (military, land, etc.), DNA, problem solving, research trip planning, technology and more.

Each chapter includes “Did You Know?”text boxes with handy facts for benefit of readers. Morgan also shares documents from his private collection and features them as examples throughout the book.

The center of How to Do Everything Genealogy contains a highlighted section that includes a brick-wall research problem. In “Getting Past Penelope Swords,” Morgan shares some hurdles in a genealogy quest and provides alternative research strategies readers can employ in their own family history pursuits.

The vast level of content covered in this book makes it a good starting point for those just beginning their genealogy quests. Morgan does not go into depth with these topics (there’s simply not enough room), but he introduces the terms, explains them and provides suggestions for further information. Intermediate researchers may also learn some new tricks and be reminded of old ones.

“Become an expert genealogical researcher,” claims the book’s cover. This ambitious statement is more likely from the publisher’s art department than the author himself. Reading How to Do Everything Genealogy will not make you an expert, but it will provide a solid foundation on which new genealogists can build.

How to Do Everything Genealogy by George G. Morgan

McGraw-Hill Osborne Media

ISBN-13: 978-0071625340

I May Already Be a Winner

Remember my super sad tale of Amy and the Empty Empty computer? I wrote it as an entry into a Geneabloggers.com drawing for a free copy of Handy Backup.

Well I received word today that I won! Granted, it was a random drawing, but I think the random gods just felt sorry for me. I'm lucky the library police didn't confiscate my degree for operating with a duct-tape backup system. Now I'm going streamlined!

Thank you Geneabloggers.com and Novosoft LLC (makers of Handy Backup).

2010 is already better than 2009.

Genealogy Gems Podcast App Now Available

[This press release came down the wire and I thought you might be interested. --Amy]

SAN RAMON, Calif. – January 4, 2009 - The Genealogy Gems Podcast, the #1 podcast in the genealogy category in iTunes has launched the first ever genealogy podcast app for iPhone and iTouch (in partnership with Wizzard Media). The Genealogy Gems Podcast app provides users with streaming genealogy audio and video on the go, and exclusive Bonus Content.

A free “online genealogy radio show,” The Genealogy Gems Podcast has provided innovative research strategies, family history expert and celebrity interviews, and genealogy news since 2007. These “gems” of genealogical information inspire family history researchers of all experience levels and helps them make the most of their valuable research time. The new app provides one more way for the popular podcast to reach it’s worldwide audience.

“Mobile technology is the wave of the future,” says Producer and Creator Lisa Louise Cooke. “At Genealogy Gems we strive to be out in front bringing the highest quality genealogy education to those seeking to enrich their lives through family history research. The app makes this possible on a whole new level.”

The app streams all the episodes (including show notes!), and new episodes are downloaded automatically. Bonus content on the new app includes exclusive material such as audio files and custom genealogy themed wallpaper, as well as Cooke’s 20 page pdf e-book 5 Fabulous Google Research Strategies for the Family Historian. New bonus content will be added as episodes are published. Cooke says users have much to look forward to, “There’s always something new coming to your iPhone and iTouch with the Genealogy Gems Podcast app!

About Genealogy Gems

Genealogy Gems is one of the leading producers of online quality genealogy-related media. Also found at the Genealogy Gems Web site http://www.GenealogyGems.TV , recognized as one of the 101 Best Web Sites for Family History 2009: The Family History: Genealogy Made Easy Podcast, the Genealogy Gems TV Channel at YouTube, the Genealogy Gems News Blog, Genealogy Gems Premium Membership including exclusive podcasts and videos, and The Genealogy Gems Podcast Toolbar.

Lisa Louise Cooke is the author of Genealogy Gems: Ultimate Research Strategies, and national genealogy speaker. She also produces and hosts The Family Tree Magazine Podcast, teaches online webinars, and writes and produces videos for the magazine.

[Note: if you do not have an iPod Touch or iPhone, you can still access these podcasts through iTunes or play them straight from the Genealogy Gems Podcast page. I did not receive compensation for this plug. I'm just a fan and a friend. --Amy]