Blogger of Honor: Colorado Family History Expo

Thank you Family History Expos for making me a Blogger of Honor at the upcoming Colorado Family History Expo. It is an honor to be named as part of this wonderful group.

From the E-Mail Bag: Help a Reader Out

Earlier this week, I received an email from a blog reader named Marjorie. She was asking for advice. I was going to email her privately, then thought a blog reply would help others in the same boat. Also, I don’t have very good answers for her location questions, so I’m hoping you readers will provide your input in the comment section. Thanks Marjorie for letting me publish your question, which is below:

For a few years I have just been collection names and filling my tree. Now I want to get serious, so I am going back and basically starting over and doing it properly. My question is what would be a reasonable budget for one doing their personal family history and where should I invest and what should I avoid. My research is primarily in Mass., Iowa, Missouri, Illinois, and Oregon. What books, societies and publications should I invest in? I am learning much from your blog and others. Thank you for your time.

I must admit, I could write a book-length answer to them without even blinking.

The “reasonable budget” will depend on your definition of getting serious. What are your goals? A basic family genealogy for your relatives? A well-sourced personal family history? Publication? Education? Professional pursuits? Each goal varies, so will the price. Whatever you choose, you’re going to have to pay for some vital records and the cost and access vary by state/county/jurisdiction.

As for societies: do you want local interaction and face-to-face how-to instruction, or national publications? The societies you choose will depend on what you want out of the experience. I belong to a local society for social interaction (I have no ancestors in this area) and distant societies where I have an ancestral interest. I can’t attend meetings at the distant societies, but I enjoy and value their publications.

Personally, I wouldn’t run out and buy a bunch of books just yet. Get a feel for your research interests and weaknesses. Consult Cyndi’s List page for beginners. If you have access to a public library, ask a librarian for some genealogy books at their location or others. Sample the books that way, then buy the ones you can’t live without.

Now let’s talk fee-based websites. Ancestry.com is the biggie. I’m a subscriber and use it often. Many libraries have a special version that card holders can access for free, so check on that. I pay for a subscription because I do so much at home and the fee-based version has all the bells and whistles. Before paying for any genealogy site, read some reviews and opinions. Also, don’t forget the great (currently) free resource FamilySearch.org. I like the FamilySearch Pilot page. Some societies give members free access to certain fee-based databases. I know Footnote.com occasionally offers free access to some of their collections for a limited time so check there often. When you sample the freebies, it will help you figure out what you need in your genealogy tool box and what you can live without.

The states of interest to you: MA, IL, MO, IA, OR are not states in which I have significant research interest, so I am hoping some readers and friends leave comments that may help you. One great resource is at Miriam Midkiff's AnceStories blog. Each week, she publishes a set of online resources for a particular state. She's doing it in alphabetical order, so MA, MO, and OR are just around the corner. Click Iowa and Illinois for great online resources.

I realize I didn’t answer a lot of your questions, but much of it depends on your interests, goals and location. Also, I wasn't kidding when I said I could write a book on this. At some point, I just have to hit "publish." 

By reading genealogy blogs, you’ll learn a lot about what is essential and what's just luxury. Ask lots of questions because bloggers are really friendly and helpful. At the very least you’ll get enough information to lead you to the offline resources that may hold the answers.

So what do you think, readers? Have anything to add to this giant question with lots of possible answers? Help Marjorie out!

Free Ancestry.com Webinar

Ancestry.com is hosting a free webinar about "advance topics" in Family Tree Maker 2010. If you've never attended a webinar, check it out. It's just an online meeting with someone else dong the talking. Easy to sign up and attend.

Click here to register and for further details.

Disclosure: None. Nobody asked me to post this. I'm just doing it because I like FREE things and I figure you do too.

Exhibit A: The Kindness of Genealogists

Do you know the value of having a genealogy blog? I know my fellow bloggers do. However, when I mention my blog outside this circle, I occasionally get blank stares, excuses, dismissal. It's very easy to blow off something one doesn't understand, so I present to you Exhibit A, the value of having a genealogy blog:

Once upon a time, I came upon a blog called Hesch History. I did a double take when I saw someone else researching Luxembourg and Minnesota just like my Lenertz ancestors' path. Like a good social blogger, I left comments and my information. Larry replied with a gold mine including the Luxembourg birth record of my third-great grandfather. Larry and I weren't ancestrally connected. He just did this to help me. He saved me hours of searching page-by-page in a foreign language, and bolstered my faith in the kindness of genealogists.

Fast forward a few months to yesterday. I decided to finally transcribe and translate the birth record written in old German. After about an hour, I knew that the document was dated 1826 and not much else. I put a call out for help, which was immediately answered by Gini of Ginisology.

Bless her heart, she got her mother on the phone who patiently guided me through the document and the nuances of the German language.

Without the generosity of others, I would still be searching blindly through Luxembourg. Now I have a town, a name, and roots across the pond. These friends asked for nothing in return, but you can bet I'll be paying it forward any way I can.

So to those who don't quite see the value of blogs and networking in research, I present Exhibit A, and Larry, Gini, her mother and all the kind folks out there willing to lend a hand.

Thank you.

Register for APG 2010 Professional Management Conference

Below is an announcement for the Association of Professional Genealogists' 2010 Professional Management Conference. This is a one-day conference that is held right before the Federation of Genealogical Societies conference. If you're going to FGS, why not consider attending APG PMC as well? I will be there, so let me know if you're going and well meet up.
- -  -
Charting Your Path to Success – APG PMC, 17 August 2010, Knoxville, Tennessee

As professional genealogists we must educate ourselves on business issues, methodology, technological advances, and many other issues related to research. Conferences offer formal training opportunities as well as the ability to network with other professionals. Lunchtime and after–hours are often great times for networking. Put education at the top of your priority list and join us at this upcoming event.

The 2010 APG Professional Management Conference (PMC) on 17 August 2010 in Knoxville, Tennessee offers great educational opportunities. Register by 1 June and save $20.00. For more information see:
http://www.apgen.org/conferences/index.html

The topics for the 2010 PMC include:

*From the Trenches: How We Manage Clients, Time, and Projects*
Laura Prescott

*A Key to Success: Your Online Presence*
D. Joshua Taylor

*Overcoming Obstacles that Interfere with Genealogical Research*
Anne J. Miller, PhD

*Expand Your Revenue: Produce and Sell Your Lectures in Video Format*
Donna M. Moughty

*Niche Planning and Marketing*
Paula Stuart Warren, CG

*Choosing the Best Continuing Education Opportunities*
Elissa Scalise Powell, CG

*Get Published in Magazines!*
Leslie Albrecht Huber

*Notice*: There are two important changes to remember about the 2010 PMC. Prior PMCs were held on the Wednesday before the FGS conference started, but this year the PMC is a day earlier. The 2010 PMC is scheduled for Tuesday, 17 August. Lunch is included this year and is not a separate registration item.

Go to http://www.apgen.org/conferences/index.html for program details.

To register, go to http://www.fgsconference.org/. In order to attend the PMC, individuals must also
register for at least one day of the Federation of Genealogical Societies (FGS) Conference.

For Facebook members, information and a list of some attendees is available on the event page:http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=302267319423

Tombstone Tuesday: First Name as Last Edition

Family plot of

Phillip Amy

Lula Bourgeois Amy

E. Thelma Amy

St. Joseph Cemetery

Iota, LA

Upcoming Events at NEHGS

Below is an announcement about upcoming events at the New England Historic Genealogical Society:

NEHGS Genealogy Research Center Orientation

Wednesday, June 7 @10 AM- 11 AM

Saturday, July 10 @10 AM- 11 AM

Wednesday, August 4 @10 AM- 11 AM

Let New England Historic Genealogical Society help you begin your family history.  Researching your family’s past may seem a little daunting at first, but NEHGS can provide assistance to genealogists of every level. In this orientation, you will have the opportunity to learn more about our resources, discuss your research interests with one of our expert genealogists on staff, attend a FREE thirty-minute introductory lecture and have a tour of our library’s vast holdings.  Founded in 1845, NEHGS is the country’s oldest and largest non-profit genealogy library and archive, with more than 28 million artifacts, books, manuscripts, microfilms, journals, photographs, records, and other items.  Begin learning about your genealogy with this great tour.

FREE of charge

Located in NEHGS Research Center

Come Home to New England, Session I

June 14- June 19

You are invited to join NEHGS for a week of guided research at our 99 Newbury Street library in Boston. You’ll have access to personalized one-on-one consultations, morning lectures, and special participant-only admission hours. The week’s lectures include an orientation to the NEHGS collections, methodology seminars, and daily topical discussions of understanding record sources. The program includes group social events to meet other members, discuss your research, and share your stories. This program fills up every year, so make your plans to attend soon.

Learn more about the schedule: http://www.newenglandancestors.org/9064.asp

Tuition and Registration

*Early registration discount: (postmarked or emailed by April 1, 2010)
$675 per researcher
$100 per non-researching guest

*Standard registration: (postmarked or emailed after April 1, 2010)
$750 per researcher
$125 per non-researching guest

Using NewEnglandAncestors.org

Wednesday, July 7 @10 AM

With over 110 million names in 2,200 databases, NewEnglandAncestors.org is the primary internet resource for New England genealogy. This free lecture will offer an overview of the Society’s website and online databases.

FREE of charge

Summer Research Getaway

19th and 20th Century Immigrant Ancestors

July 15- July 17

NEHGS’ “Weekend Research Getaways” are among the most popular programs we offer.  Escape to 99 Newbury Street in downtown Boston and experience a guided program with one-on-one consultations and expert reviews of your research. Whether you are a new genealogist or a longtime member, this three-day onsite visit to NEHGS is certain to advance your research – and you make new friends too. Registration includes breakfast, daily lectures, and group dinners to share your progress.

Learn more about the schedule: http://www.newenglandancestors.org/9069.asp

Tuition and Registration

$300 full weekend program
$110 for single day registrations

Come Home to New England, Session II

August 9- August 14

You are invited to join NEHGS for a week of guided research at our 99 Newbury Street library in Boston. You’ll have access to personalized one-on-one consultations, morning lectures, and special participant-only admission hours. The week’s lectures include an orientation to the NEHGS collections, methodology seminars, and daily topical discussions of understanding record sources. The program includes group social events to meet other members, discuss your research, and share your stories. This program fills up every year, so make your plans to attend soon.

Learn more about the schedule: http://www.newenglandancestors.org/9065.asp

Tuition and Registration

*Early registration discount: (postmarked or emailed by May 1, 2010)
$675 per researcher
$100 per non-researching guest

*Standard registration: (postmarked or emailed after May 1, 2010)
$750 per researcher
$125 per non-researching guest

Anatomy of a Military Pension File, Part 22

In part 18 of this series, there was a letter sent to Lena Smith asking for a receipt. The letter also requested that her husband handle the complex task of replying and providing the documentation. Below is said letter and response from Lena's husband.

Page 39: Response from Charles Smith

Milwaukee, April 8, 1912


Gentlemen,


Enclosed please find the letter, and as there was no other statement enclosed, I sign this, and acknowledge all  payments made by Mrs. Lena Smith, my wife, in all former documents as being paid by her.


Respectfully,
Charles J. Smith.


What I learned from this document: not much. Lena Smith had to jump many hoops to get reimbursement and close out her father's (then mother's) pension file. She filled out all those forms only to get another letter asking her husband to sign off on her efforts. Your tax dollars at work.

On to part 23

How You Take Notes

Two weeks ago, I asked readers how they take notes in their genealogy research. I expected a couple good comments, which I would then summarize for a tidy blog post.

Instead, I received a TON of great feedback in too many comments to summarize. I want to thank all those who responded and shared their note-taking methods. For the rest I recommend you check out the comments on that previous blog post for some great advice.

Fun with CastleGarden.org

The other day I decided to poke around CastleGarden.org. I have several ancestors who immigrated before Ellis Island, and I occasionally steal a little *me* time to search for them.

This time I entered MENOU in the surname box and found my great-great-great grandparents and some kids:

Menou, Victor Francis (age 39)
Menou, Janne (age 37)
Menou, Marie (age 18)
Menou, Anne (age 15)
Menou, Francois (age 13)
Menou, Jules (age 10)

They arrived October 2, 1884 from Havre, France on the ship Marseille. They were bound for New Orleans.

I don't know who Marie, Anne and Francois are. Children? Nieces and nephews? The lack of an 1890 census doesn't help things. All I know is that I've never seen those names in family records. Jules I know.

But where is my great-great grandmother Emelie Menou? She would have been about 8. I sat there for a second, then a light bulb came on in my head. I searched the name MENON, which is a common error with this Menou surname. Guess what I found?

Menon, Pierrette (age 38)
Menon, Jane (age 17)
Menon, Emelie (age 8)
Menon, Josephine (age 6)
Menon, Pierre (age 3)

There's my great-great grandmother Emelie (erroneously listed as a male). I do not know who Pierrette and Jane are. I'm inclined to think Pierrette is a female name (though listed as a male) and maybe she is an aunt. The three youngsters are the children of Victor and Jeanne Menou above.

This second boat (Rhaetia) came from Havre, France on May 12, 1885. The group's destination was not known.

So it looks like my third-great grandparents came first with the oldest family members. Once they settled, they sent for the youngsters. The challenge now is figuring out who some of these people are.

Based on Jules Menou's obituary, the family spent some time in Seguin, Texas before eventually settling in Pointe Aux Loups, Louisiana (now Iota in Acadia Parish).

With an hour of research time and a hunch, I now have all these questions to answer and leads to follow, thanks to CastleGarden.org.


[Note to family and cousins not yet met, some of the information for this post came from Jules Menou Sr.'s obituary (1872-1941). Please contact me if you would like a copy.]

SCGS Jamboree Roll Call

Are you going to the Southern California Genealogical Society's 2010 Jamboree?

If the answer is yes, can you let me know (in email or comments) if:

1. You are a member of any past or present ProGen group.

2. You are a member of Geneabloggers and  have not RSVPed at the MeetUp site.

3. You are neither 1 or 2, but are going to Jamboree and we've never met.

I'm trying to get head counts for goodies, conference ribbons and what not for three separate groups. If you're not sure, just let me know. Better safe than sorry (and without goodies).

Thank you!

Henry Louis Gates Joins Archives As Advisor

Delivered to my mailbox from Archives.com:

"We are announcing a partnership with Henry Louis Gates Jr., Director of the W.E.B. Du Bois Institute for African and African American Research at Harvard University, and host of PBS's "Faces of America". What this means for Archives:

Professor Gates is now an official advisor of Archives.com. He’ll bring his vast experience and knowledge about African family history, helping Archives to provide tools and resources to help folks discover their African roots.

Archives launched the new African Heritage section. We’ll be updating and adding to these resources continually. We recognize the unique challenges of researching African heritage, our goal is to present a collection of resources and helpful links that will help beginners and experienced genealogists alike. 

Archives will also be publishing a set of unique African historical collections that have never before been available online."

You can read more about this announcement at the Archives blog.

[Disclosure: I was an Archives featured expert in April 2010.]

Everything You Want to Know About Facebook

The brains behind High-Definition Genealogy put together a great Facebook for Genealogists Cheat Sheet. The reason I like it (and am bringing it to you) is because it includes the good, bad and ugly of Facebook.

Facebook has helped me build an exponential genealogy network. I now have friends at every genealogy event I attend.

Facebook has received some negative press lately (and rightfully so) for their confusing privacy policies and settings. I keep my profile sparse and locked down for that reason. This Facebook Cheat Sheet will tell you how to do the same.

For me, the positives of genealogy networking still outweigh the negatives of maintaining a profile at Facebook.

Should you join in the fun, check out the Geneabloggers Facebook page and start building your own network of genealogists and friends.


[Disclosure: Thomas MacEntee is the brains behind High Definition Genealogy. He is my friend and professional colleague. I bring you his Cheat Sheet because I like it, not as a favor to Thomas. How did we meet? Through social networks like Facebook, of course.]

Wordless Wednesday: Baby Shoes Edition

Child's Grave with Baby Shoes

St. Joseph Cemetery

Iota, Louisiana

SS-5 Update

In my post SS-5 Waiting Game, I explained why I was ordering the SS-5 (application for a Social Security number) for my great-grandfather.

Well the record arrived today and delivered splendidly!

Here's the new information I learned from thus record:

Noel's middle name is spelled Holly. Some information I had said Hollie.

His birth year is 1889. Some records said 1886, but since Noel filled out this record himself, I'm counting it as the strongest source I've acquired so far.

Noel's father is Noel Sr.! I already knew this, but I had no record that directly said it. I had proof that Noel Jr.'s sister was Elizabeth. I had proof that Elizabeth's father was Noel Sr., but nothing that said the 2 Noels were connected. This seems obvious, but in Louisiana, Thibodeaux is a common name and you can't assume anything.

Noel had really neat penmanship. It's tidy capital letters. My grandfather and aunt write the same way.

This record was filled out June 11, 1937. It gives Noel Jr.'s residence and place of employment at that time. He was working construction in Calexico, California, right on the Mexico border. Wonder what he was building? This is a nice 1940 census substitute until I can get my hands on the real thing.

You can order SS-5s online. The whole transaction for me took less than the 20 business days advertised. It's easy, but not cheap.

Tombstone Tuesday: Sweet Baby Girl Edition

In March, I was in Iota, Louisiana, looking for the graves of my ancestors. Among all of the tidy above-ground monuments that are common in this cemetery, I found these two handmade stones marking the memory of one baby girl:

Maggie Lynn Smith

July 27, 1976

I really debated sharing these photos here, because it's one parent's tender and sad tribute. In the end, I decided to do so in order to preserve the record...and her memory. I figured this was the best place to do it, with an audience who understands the concept of being moved by the stories of complete strangers and the desire to keep their memories alive. You do understand, right?


[Photo taken March 2010 at St. Joseph Cemetery, Iota, Louisiana. Copyright me. Don't steal, borrow, or pretend the Internet is a free-for-all because it's not.]

Anatomy of a Military Pension File, Part 21

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


Page 37: Reimbursement form for medical and funeral costs for Amalia Baerecke (below)
Page 38: Cover of page 37 (no new information)

I call this page "The Cost of Dying in 1912." Sometimes I work so hard at blogging about this file and helping others that I forget the reality of it all: this is how much it cost my great-great-great grandmother to die.

What I learned from this page: 

This page appears to be a government form. Medical, pharmacy and funeral costs match those on previous forms I have shared in this series.

Amalia was receiving $12 a month for her widow's pension.

Reimbursement was to go to Lena Smith (daughter of Amalia). However, I don't understand the two different totals of approval: $173.70 and $36.40. Was Lena asking for the last pension payment ($12 x 3 months = $36), since Amalia died in 1912 but was last paid in 1911? What's the 40 cents? Interest?

Given all the signatures, it looks like reimbursement of these costs was approved. That gives me relief as I think my great-great-great grandparents were pretty broke and didn't have anything to leave to their children.

Coming up, Mr. Smith's reply to the U.S. Government's "Show us the bill" letter discussed in Part 18.

Stay tuned....

On to part 22.

How Do You Take Notes?

I have a question for you: what is your system for taking and making notes related to genealogy?

The reason I ask is because of something I saw in my group's ProGen assignment this month. One person shared a research report she wrote to herself. She went on a research trip and wrote up the details and results for her own reference in the future. It looked cool, but I don't know if I can incorporate something like that into my "Post-It" style of note taking.

Right now, all my notes are part of my RootsMagic database. In the paper world, I put little sticky notes all over everything. RootsMagic 4 (RM4) lets me do something similar in my database. I can add notes to anything or anyone.

For example, I'm making my way through the Los Angeles-area city directories in search of my great-grandfather. If he is not in a particular directory--like 1934--I make a note saying that I checked that directory and he's not there. That way I don't check it again. I have notes about records, details that don't fit neatly in the "fact" box, family lore, personality characteristics and stuff that shapes a person outside the timeline.

I like how RM4 lets me add notes or comments on anything I want. I've also taken advantage of the "to-do" lists there as well. What I can figure out is a way to gather all my notes and see them in one place. I can print out a to-do list though, but that's a subject for another time.

What about you? How do you take notes? I'm looking for ideas.

Wordless Wednesday: Sleeping Angel Edition

St. Joseph Cemetery

Iota, Louisiana

March 2010

Book Review of Who Do You Think You Are?

Who Do You Think You Are? is billed as a companion book to the television series of the same name. Author and “Chief Genealogical Consultant” Megan Smolenyak Smolenyak (yes, really) is the author of this book subtitled: The Essential Guide to Tracing Your Family History.

Here’s the blueprint: nine chapters covering research preparation, Internet use, record types, case studies and family history preservation. Also, in the middle of the book, there is a separate insert of highlights from the episodes of the first season of Who Do You Think You Are?

Smolenyak’s book touches on all major categories of genealogy records, but doesn’t go into depth into any of them. This observation isn’t really a criticism, as it’s pretty difficult to cover all the genealogical bases without publishing a multi-volume set. Given the size of the book, the author has included an impressive knowledge set including helpful Internet links. Readers will have exposure to all the big record groups, but will have to seek more texts for further study.

Learning the basics of genealogy can intimidate beginners. Smolenyak’s conversational tone is a comforting introduction to a field that asks us to remember a lot of details. The author is an accomplished professional genealogist who has delved into the family lines of many recognizable historical figures. Luckily for readers, she shares some of the records and stories she’s found along the way. Are you interested in seeing the Word War I draft registration for Al Capone or hearing about President Obama’s Irish roots? Both are included in this book.

Readers do not need to view the Who Do You Think You Are? show in order to benefit from the book of the same name. However, if these episodes do inspire you or others to begin research family history, this book makes a great introduction. At 204 pages, it’s an easy and entertaining read. 

Who Do You Think You Are?

by Megan Smolenyak Smolenyak

ISBN-13: 978-0670021635 

Anatomy of a Military Pension File, Part 20

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

Page 36: Bill/Statement from Amalia Baerecke's physician:

This is a bill for medical services related to the last days of my great-great-great grandmother's life. Five house calls and medicine for 11 bucks. 

What did I learn from this document?

I have Lena Baerecke Smith's place of residence on 27 February 1912.

I have a timeline of decline for Amalia Baerecke.

If I feel so inclined, I can look up Dr. William Sickles, his place of business and place of residence.

Coming up: the reimbursement form that spells out how much it cost to die in 1912. Stay tuned...

On to part 21