Can't Believe You Sent 150 New Names

admin — Tue, 26 Jun 2012 06:50:05 +0000

"She was so happy she almost hugged me!" "I can't believe you sent 150 new names! That is wonderful!" "Thank you so much for your recent project. I was so happy to so many names. I really appreciate your help with my family's genealogy. Please keep working on these lines." "I really enjoyed your researcher's help and she ave me solid leads and direction. Thank you"

Diane, Just Start !

admin — Sat, 09 Jun 2012 06:51:15 +0000

I remember a time when I would get so overwhelmed with the myriad of chores that needed to be done that I would just sit and stare. One such time, my brother was living with us and he said a phrase that has motivated me since that time....He said, "Diane, just start!" He was right! When I started, things started falling into place and the momentum continued until everything was done. I have found the same phrase works with genealogy. Anytime I have started a new project or entered new unfamiliar genealogical territory, and fell overwhelmed, +- i tell myself, "Diane, just start!" It is amazing how everytime, the way seems to open, the comprehension deepens and the confusion surrounding genealogical problems begins to clear. I like to call it the "Red Sea" principle. The Red Sea wasn't already open and ready to cross when Moses and his people approached it. It was a serious problem! BUT, with faith and by stepping in, the seas cleared and they were able to cross. Sooooooo......when confused and overwhelmed, "Just Start!"

Summary of Best Kept Secrets Thread

admin — Sat, 02 Jun 2012 06:52:52 +0000

This is a summary of the BEST KEPT SECRETS thread posted on Price and Associates Facebook page.

UNITED STATES

ALABAMA WPA Alabama Writer's Project includes 6,900 pages of material including ex-slave tales, life histories, short stories and folklore of Alabama life. (Digitized by Genealogical Society of Utah in 2007). The website also has a Civil War Soldiers database, 1867 Voter Registration database and a digital archive with all name search engine. http://www.archives.alabama.gov/searchcoll.html ALASKA The Alaska State Historical Library has had a Newspaper Project underway for a number of years with the object of capturing all the newspapers from 1866-1998 on microfilm. http://www.library.state.ak.us/hist/newspaper/newspaper.html Also see the Digital Collection available at the Sealaska Heritage Institute website http://www.sealaskaheritage.org/collection/digital%20collections.htm ARIZONA Arizona is one of the few states with free online access to birth and death records. Births 1855-1936 and deaths 1844-1961. http://genealogy.az.gov/ ARKANSAS Genealogical “diamonds” in Arkansas. Their website CARAT (Catalog of Arkansas Resources and Treasures) includes: Biodex (a file which provides access to much of the state archives’ holdings including obituaries, vertical files and the small manuscript collection), Arkansas land records, Arkansas confederate pensions and home records, World War I discharge papers, and an index to County records. http://www.ark-ives.com/ CALIFORNIA The virtual Museum of the City of San Francisco has online information regarding those who perished in the San Francisco Earthquake of April 18, 1906. They also have records of the California Gold Rush, interment of the Japanese during World War II and more. http://www.sfmuseum.org/ COLORADO The Colorado State Archives has an online index of records including marriage, military, inheritance tax, penitentiary, divorce, probate records and more! (http://www.colorado.gov/dpa/doit/archives/online.htm ) CONNECTICUT Connecticut Historical Society Unveils “New” Resources for Historians & Genealogists http://www.chron.com/business/press-releases/article/Connecticut-Historical-Society-Unveils-New-3595050.php NORTHERN NEW YORK This website has fully indexed historical newspapers for the counties of Clinton, Essex, Franklin, Jefferson, Lewis, Oswego and St. Lawrenve. http://news.nnyln.net/ OKLAHOMA The Indian-Pioneer Papers oral history collection spans from 1861 to 1936. It includes typescripts of interviews conducted during the 1930s by government workers with thousands of Oklahomans regarding the settlement of Oklahoma and Indian territories, as well as the condition and conduct of life there. Consisting of approximately 80,000 entries, the index to this collection may be accessed via personal name, place name, or subject. http://digital.libraries.ou.edu/whc/pioneer/ WASHINGTON The Washington State Digital Archives “the nation's first archives dedicated specifically to the preservation of electronic records from both State and Local agencies that have permanent legal, fiscal or historical value.” http://www.digitalarchives.wa.gov/Home EUROPE

AUSTRIA AND PASSAU, GERMANY Online church records for Austrian and Passau,Germany at Matricula www.matricula-online.eu

SHEFFIELD, ENGLAND Sheffield (England) Indexers. Their mission is to “provide, via the internet, accurate indexed transcriptions of genealogical records for access by all, free of charge.” Projects include the 1841 Census index, parish registers, school admission registers, BMD certificates. http://www.sheffieldindexers.com/ GERMANS FROM RUSSIA AHSGR.org and Volgagerman.net provide a wealth of information surrounding the villages and inhabitants of the Volga River Germans who emigrated from Russia. (www.ahsgr.org and www.volgagerman.net )

Happy Clients!

admin — Thu, 17 May 2012 06:53:21 +0000

Richard I really appreciated the oral report you gave us on your research on the Engeman/Gaertner lines and I felt good about continuing research with your German researcher. Today I have spent several hours carefully going over the work you did and I am even more impressed. I think you have done a wonderful job. I'll be meeting with my brother and cousin the 1st of June and will give a report and also inform them that I have asked you to continue with your German Researcher…The attractive covers add to the work. You probably use a standard cover but this one was black, with a gold tree and roots on the cover, and the title Our Family History. Again I would like to complement you on your work. It's the most thorough that we have had done since I've been involved with our lines and I'm so glad we got in touch with you and I'm also glad of our association at BYU.

Lawson Franklin Earles Part 3

admin — Wed, 16 May 2012 06:53:44 +0000

FUN WITH MILITARY RECORDS And now we pick up again with the law sliding antics of Lawson. Shortly before his death in 1931, Lawson applied for a confederacy pension in Oklahoma for the Civil War military service. But, remember, Lawson was born in 1862 so he would have had to been a gun toting toddler in order to have participated in this war. Lawson applied for this pension under the name of Richard N. Earls and was eventually approved. Richard N. Earls, the one being impersonated, was actually Lawson’s half cousin and he DID participate in the Civil War and also received a pension in Texas. Lawson kept up this ruse even through his death. At first, his death certificate was not found because, as it turned out, it was under the name of Richard N. Earles. The following is his obituary in the Billings, Oklahoma newspaper: Civil War Veteran Dies at Home of Son Monday Billings – R.N. Earls, 86 years old Civil War veteran, died at the home of his son four miles east of Billings Monday morning. Earls and his wife were inmates of the Old Soldiers home at Ardmore and were visiting their son for a few days. Funeral services were held at 10 o’clock Tuesday from the Long funeral home with Rev. O.W. York, pastor of the First Methodist church in charge. Burial was made in the Billings cemetery. (Died 13 July 1931 in Billings, Noble County, Oklahoma). We know this is Lawson because the death dates and events surrounding his death fit the family history of Lawson's death, and the tombstone in the Billings Cemetery has the date of death as 13 July 1931 with Lawson’s actual name inscribed on it.

Lawson Franklin Earles Part 2

admin — Mon, 14 May 2012 07:10:24 +0000

FUN WITH FEDERAL COURT RECORDS The following record was found in the Ft. Smith Criminal Case Files held at the National Archives, Southwest Region in Fort Worth, Texas. (spelling is preserved as written) Ardmore Mch 10, 1889 Col. Jno. Carroll. Dear Sir, Please send writs for the following parties committed Mch 8, 1889 L.F. Earles charge assault with intent to kill and larceny of one hog valued at $20.00 twenty dollars. Witnesses William Lesslie and Wilson Parker. Also for James Day committed Mch 7, 1889 larceny of bacon valued at $10.00 ten dollars. Witnesses Wiley Johnson Old man Day and Lony Robreson. I saw the witnesses. They are good ones. They both say they will plead guilty. The one that stole the hog, Earles was skinning of it when the owner rode up on him. The hog was branded. When he seen those parties he grabed his Winchester and commenced to shoot at them he fired 4 shots at them and they ran and got away. They both claim to be guilty and say they are a going to ask the mercy of the cort and get as light a sentence as possible. Send writs to me at Ardmore at once and oblige yours. John Swain Dpty U.S. Marshal

Lawson Franklin Earles Part 1

admin — Fri, 11 May 2012 07:13:08 +0000

During the Civil War, 25 Nov 1862, Lawson Franklin Earles was born to Caroline Earles in White County, Tennessee with father unknown. The first colorful part of Lawson’s life is recorded in the court records of White County, Tennessee. In the 1876 October term, when Lawson is just about fourteen years old, he is accused of the malicious stabbing of John Whitenburg. In October 1876 the Grand Jurors for the State of Tennessee “on their oath present that Lawson Earles on the 1st day of October 1876 in the county and state aforesaid did unlawfully and feloniously commit an assault and battery upon John Whittenburg with a certain large knife in his right hand, then and there held in and upon the body of the said John Whittenburg unlawfully maliciously and feloniously stab, cut, and wound the said John Whittenburg against the statute in such cawse made and provided and against the peace and dignity of the State.” (John Whittenburg did not die) A year and a half later Tuesday 29 January 1878 the “defendant says he is not guilty and for trial puts himself upon the county and the attorney General doth the like.” So, a jury is called of “good and lawful men.” A day later on Wednesday 30 January 1878 the jury “not having agreed upon a verdict they were respited until tomorrow morning and placed in the charge of their officer.” Thursday 31 January 1878 the jury, “upon their oath do say they find Defendant guilty of assault and battery and assess the fine at fifty dollars and recommend him to the mercy of the court.” Friday 1 February 1878 “the court being of opinion that the facts in the case do not merit the fine of fifty dollars as found by the jury remits all of said fine except five dollars”……….HOWEVER … “the Defendant is insolvent. It is therefore considered by the Court the costs accrued in this cause on the part of the State be allowed and paid out of the Treasury of the State of Tennessee” IN OTHER WORDS….. young Lawson is accused of malicious stabbing, claims he is not guilty, found guilty by a jury and fined $50.00. The motion is overturned and Lawson is only charged $5.00 by the court. Then he is found to be insolvent so the fine is paid out of the Treasury of the State of Tennessee. Check back later for part 2 of the Law Some of the time Earles.

Finding Genealogical Jewels in Court Records

admin — Mon, 07 May 2012 07:15:20 +0000

Contention and disputes are not pleasant ordeals, but in genealogical research, we often hope our ancestors had some kind of legal disagreement which would have put them in the records. Teresa Barker discovered a jewel in the Lincoln County, Kentucky court records. A lawsuit was found in 1807 between Marquis Followell and Marquis Helm. Marquis Followell was trying to get possession of land he lived on that he believed belonged to his deceased father, John Followell. (Jewel #1 - the name of the father of Marquis Followell). Part of the story stated John Followell left the county to raise corn and while he was gone Marquis Helm took care of Followell’s wife because she was his sister. (Jewel #2 - the maiden name of John Followell’s wife and that she is the sister of Marquis Helm). In the body of the complaint, Marquis Helm was accused of keeping all the land since John Followell died in July of 1783. (Jewel #3 a death date for John Followell). Another lawsuit between Marquis and Abram Followell, heirs of John Followell, against Marquis Helm in 1810-1811 mentions a deceased mother and also John, Marquis, Abraham and William Followell. Always check the court records where an ancestor lived because there may be a valuable jewel hidden among the dark disputes.

Property in Wills Connects Three Generations

admin — Tue, 01 May 2012 07:25:08 +0000

William Houghton, born 1727, was a schoolmaster of Prescot, Lancashire County, England who left a will in 1811 with property listed including offices, shop and school. His ancestry was not known prior to the find of another will dated 1734. This new will, dated 1734, was for William Houghton, shoemaker of Prescot. It stated that his property had been acquired from the “freeschool of Prescott” and consisted of buildings to which William had made alterations so that he could rent them out to tenants. This property was given to his grandson, William Houghton, of Prescot, watchtoolmaker. According to the Prescot church registers, there was only one William Houghton who was a watchtoolmaker living in Prescot at the time this 1734 will was made. The watchtoolmaker’s inherited property likely automatically descended to his heir since a probate record for the watchtoolmaker had not been found. The property named in William Houghton, the shoemaker’s will, is very similar to the property listed in William Houghton, the schoolmaster’s will, therefore the conclusion reached was that the correct father of William, the schoolmaster was William the watchtoolmaker of Prescot and the great grandfather for William, the schoolmaster, was William Houghton, the shoemaker, of Prescot. Thus, because of the careful comparison of two wills, this line was extended three generations. Apryl Cox was responsible for this research.

SUCCESS!

admin — Wed, 14 Mar 2012 07:29:52 +0000

SUCCESS! That is what we hope for when searching for our ancestors. There is almost nothing more thrilling than finding an elusive or previously unfound ancestor. Just yesterday, as I was researching some descendants of an ancestor, I came across a family in which the father had disappeared and the children were living with his brother. The mother was unknown and the family could not be found in a previous or subsequent census. The million dollar question was "WHO was the mother?" Marriage, death and any other pertinent records were searched in pursuit of this Mom. Finally, I threw the names of the children out on google in hopes something might appear..... and, lo and behold, something appeared! An entire biography of the son of the disappearing father was on line and, yes, it named his mother, indicating she died shortly after the last child was born. This is just a short introduction to many success stories which will follow in our blog. They are not only fun to read, but sometimes help give ideas for future research.

There Are No Coincidences In Genealogy!

admin — Wed, 18 Jul 2012 05:39:08 +0000

Dear Family Today I got a packet from a researcher I had hired to find what he could on your 4th great grandparents who came from Germany. You can’t believe what I received!! Last year I had been frustrated for some time. I had done all I could in the United States and needed to go back into Germany. I can’t read German and so I hired a professional a considerable amount of money to locate Conrad Geis and Theresa Schuler (I think she is the Jew) I knew Conrad was born in 1810 and Theresa was born in 1807. I knew they came to New York in about 1837 and moved to Chicago about 10 years later. He was the first furniture dealer in Chicago. My professional could find nothing!! One day I got on the Trax. There was only one seat left. I sat down next to a gentleman and started telling him all my family history problems. Why?? I had never seen him before in my life?? He said “Maybe I can help you.” This was a different genealogy researcher. I told him I needed all the help I could get. About four months later he calls me up to tell me he has found the parents, brothers and sisters, and grandparents of Conrad Geis in Wirtheim, Germany in Catholic Church records. Just last week he calls me again to tell me he has found six more families connected to Conrad Geiss. I was so happy I cried. Today I got the package. 58 new persons were found who are directly related, with an additional 22 persons of the same name in this little Catholic Church in Wirtheim, which means they are most certainly related. Do these people want to be found?? Yes. They are the reason there was only one seat on that Trax. Love, Mama

Obituary Proves Attorneys Can Be Loved By ALL!

admin — Wed, 08 Aug 2012 10:19:12 +0000

This obituary is one that must be shared. It is for a fairly young attorney who died from a sudden illness. In our current day, attorneys and lawyers are often the brunt of jokes regarding dishonesty and fraud, so it is heartening to read of an honest attorney who was loved by all. "Friends Pay Last Tribute " "Funeral Services for Deceased Attorney Held at Residence on East Fourth Street. The large concourse of friends which attended the last rites for the late RWM, yesterday afternoon, marked the high esteem in which the deceased was held. An Appreciation. (The following 'Appreciation' written by Judge Peter J. Blosser, by request, was read by Rev. A. b. Riker during the funeral service:) "No early clinging, No lingering gaze, No strife at parting, No sore amaze; But sweetly, gently, He passed away From the world's dim twilight, To endless day." In the death of RWM this community has lost a sterling citizen; the Ross County bar, a prominent member; his family a loving, devoted and wise counselor; and many friends an incomparable companion. Through a long line of substantial ancestry came an inherent honesty and a patriotism amounting almost to a religion. He always sponsored any cause which he believed to be the good of the community the state, or the country. Well educated and well read, he had clear cut and original ideas on all matters of government, politics and topics of the day. When, through careful reading and fair reasoning, he arrived at a conclusion, he remained true to his convictions. He did not listen with a kindly ear to many of the new fangled ideas of government which have been advanced from time to time. He clung to, and was a strong advocate of those sound fundamental principals upon which the forefathers founded the nation. Having a pleasing personality, an alert mind and an unusual gift of wit and repartee, he possessed the qualities of a great trial lawyer. And although he did not specialize as an advocate he acquitted himself with great credit when he appeared in court in that capacity. Of a retiring nature he did not devote himself to this branch of the law, though, had he done so he would, no doubt, have ranked second to none as a trial lawyer. While recognized as a good lawyer, a man of many interests, and a public spirited citizen in full sympathy with all movements for the upbuilding and betterment of the community, it is in the capacity of kind friend and cheerful companion that he will be most deeply missed and most happily remembered. By his many acts of kindness, his delight in helping others, his optimistic spirit and his gentle sarcasm he lightened the burdens of others. He was a good man, and, in the larger sense a true Christian. "For inasmuch as ye have done it unto the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me." For years the younger members of the bar have not hesitated to apply to him for counsel and advice, and it was always freely and cheerfully given. It seemed to be a pleasure and a privilege for him to lend a helping hand. He was most interesting conversationalist and charming companion. With his keen sense of humor, ready wit, cheerful disposition and abundant store of anecdotes, he possessed a rare combination of qualities which make up an unusual and delightful personality. His outstanding characteristics were honesty and fidelity - fidelity to duty, to friends and to any trust, however large or small. Those who have enjoyed his friendship can testify to his loyalty - unswerving under all conditions and circumstances. After the death of his wife eight years ago, nothing could be more beautiful than this devotion to his son as a fatherly adviser and brotherly companion. So while RWM has gone to his eternal reward, he has left an everlasting legacy of good deeds and pleasant memories, and his spirit lives on. 'To live in hearts we leave behind, is not to die.'"

Cousins You Didn't Know You Had ....

admin — Tue, 21 Aug 2012 10:44:08 +0000

As a practically life long researcher, I have discovered that the more research that is done, the more likely cousins will be found who also share the passion of family history. And the wonderful thing is that they are all friendly and fun! The following expresses the joy in finding living family through researching those who have gone on before. Hi Rick, Thanks so much for all this. I can't tell you what an impact you've had on my wife's family. My father in law can't get over it. It's amazing that he probably has a bunch of living first cousins that he never knew about. If you have any suggestions about how we might go about finding them, please let me know.

You went way above and beyond what you were obligated to do, and I really appreciate that. I'm sorry it took so much of your resources. But, on the other hand, I'm happy you did.

We Cannot Do It All Alone

admin — Wed, 10 Oct 2012 05:06:33 +0000

After looking at the records you sent yesterday, I marvel at how you can possibly keep it all straight...I contacted you concerning the research because I am excited to begin the work that is needed...I have done work for others throughout the years, now it is time to find my own ancestors and pull them all together. I appreciate your careful consideration for each individual and the effort to be sure that each is in his/her proper place as a relative to my own family lines... Thank you again for your great efforts. I never could do all of this myself. It pays to have a knowledgable person at the helm...and you're it! I imagine that it is rewarding to you also to find people heretofore not found.

Lost Ancestors Found

admin — Sat, 27 Oct 2012 12:31:01 +0000

Email from a client: "When the material arrived we had a houseful of company. I was frustrated that I could not view it any sooner. What is very helpful are the pedigree charts that you include...I do want to continue with more work...I still have more lost ancestors. You may be doing this for some time! When we finish one line then another and another. I will appreciate a fully complete pedigree chart for as far as we can go...You do a wonderful job. I am having fun learning about them, thanks to your diligent efforts."

Finding The Elusive Ancestral Homeland

admin — Sat, 17 Nov 2012 03:48:59 +0000

Finding an immigrant ancestor's homeland can be a challenge. Obituaries, death certificates, naturalization records, as well as family histories are some ways of discovering that elusive hometown. Also, a census record may give a general time of arrival which will lead to a search in Ship Passenger Lists. Later passenger lists often name the village of birth or origin, but even earlier passenger lists are helpful, especially if the ancestor left from the port of Hamburg. The Hamburg Lists have survived over the years and they usually will name the last town of origin for the passenger. Knowing even the the last place of origin can begin a search which may lead in generations of ancestors. Usually, it takes a combination of these sources to find where the family actually originated as can be seen in this research story....... Thomas Schneider's obituary stated he was from the village of Dorf Schorenburg in Scheswig Holstein, Germany. Shouts of HOORAY dim quickly when this particular place cannot be found in the German gazetteers. So, back to the drawing board. A check of the 1900 census showed that Thomas immigrated in 1877. A sister (named in his obituary) and her husband who are living in the same town as Thomas in 1900 also state they immigrated in 1877. Thomas' mother is enumerated in his family on the same 1900 census and her immgration date was 1880. Thomas' brother, Herman, (also named in his obituary) has an immigration date of 1880. Armed with this information, the Ship Passenger Lists were searched for these individuals. These are fully indexed and found at at some websites. As it turns out, Thomas and his sister with her husband are on the same ship...in 1877.....entering the port of New York and departing from the port of Hamburg. Thomas' mother, along with his father, another sister and the brother Herman are on another ship....in 1880...also entering the port of New York and departing from the port of Hamburg. YES! Hamburg! Now to the Hamburg Passenger Lists which are generally very easy to navigate, once a general date of departure and the name of the ship is known, which was found on the Ship Passenger Lists. Thomas, his sister and brother in law are quickly found in these valuable lists with Thomas stating his last residence was Kiel and his sister and husband stating they were last living in Schönberg, Holstein. Thomas' parents with their daughter and son were also found in the Hamburg lists for 1880 and all of them state they were from Schönberg in Holstein. There are more than one villages named Schönberg, but only one that is close to the larger city of Kiel. Now, remember the obituary. Where did it state Thomas was from? Schorenburg, quite likely the same place as Schönberg with an Americanized pronunciation. Thus, the family of Thomas Schneider is most likely from the town of Schönberg and so the German parish records may now be searched for their baptisms and marriages. Note that it took more than one source to track down this town of origin. Check all possible sources and you may find that home sweet home of your ancestor.

Valentine's Day Sale

admin — Thu, 13 Feb 2014 23:13:25 +0000

admin — Mon, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

Your Tour of Duty: Find your Kindred Dead from World War I Many of us remember the older generation in our family that served in World War I. With this Sunday being the 100^th anniversary of the end of hostilities of one of the most horrific bloodbaths in world history, it is fitting that we should honor their service and learn a little more about them. The armistice, which became Veterans Day in the United States, was signed on the 11^th hour of the 11^th day of the 11^th month, 1918, in a railway car in Compiègne, France. Many words and cultural symbols have entered our vocabulary from “the war to end all wars,” such as: Great War, doughboy, Flanders Field, Meuse-Argonne, Somme, Château-Thierry, Belleau Wood, pillbox, tank, sniper, over the top, shrapnel, poppies, and much more. Often in genealogy, we focus on the end-of-the-line generation, always trying to push back further in time. That is great, but there is so much between the present and the distant past that is worthy of our attention and documentation. The stories are memorable and will always attract a new generation of readers. So many families were affected by World War 1—4.7 million Americans served, 116,700 died, and 204,000 were wounded.[1] It is a stark statistic when one realizes that the number of deaths sustained by United States forces represents 2% of the total number of deaths among the Allied or Entente powers, not to mention the deaths among the Central powers. Commemorative events are scheduled across America and Europe. In Pershing Square this weekend, near the White House, there will be “A First Look” event at the upcoming National World War I Memorial. Across this land, there will be Veterans Day runs, parades, and centennial commemorations. You can participate in the Bells of Peace right at 11 a.m. local time on November 11^th. If you are in Kansas City, the National World War I Museum and Memorial would be a great place to visit. For an animated family movie, consider watching Sgt. Stubby: An American Hero, which was released in April of this year. This Bull Terrier was the mascot of the 102^nd Infantry Regiment and served in seventeen battles.[2] As you embark on your tour of duty or reconnaissance in pursuit of your World War I soldier, these online resources and listings will deploy you to your field of combat (to recover the memory of your kindred dead):

World War I United States Military Records, 1917 to 1918: This is an extensive compilation of websites covering a wide range of relevant topics. The timeline of the American Expeditionary Forces is particularly useful.
Brigham Young University hosts an outstanding webpage called Links to Other WWI Sites with links to information on the involvement of men and women from many countries in the war. It includes genealogical resources, literature, maps and atlases, music, visual arts, films, photographic collections, and much more.
For your British forces ancestor, The Great War 1914-1918 is a good place to begin.
It is a sad reflection to learn that 80% of the U.S. Army records from 1912 to 1960 were destroyed in the July 1973 fire at the National Personnel Records Center (NPRC) in St. Louis, Missouri.[3] This is where surviving Official Military Personnel Files (OMPF) can be obtained by submitting an application. You can download the SF-180 request form here. Unfortunately, 16 to 18 million OMPFs were lost in the fire. The NPRC holds 100 million OMPFs of veterans, but these go well beyond WWI. Some destroyed files were reconstructed in order to provide services to veterans. Many veterans retained their own copies of discharge papers, and some of these still survive among their descendants. The National Archives has a good introductory page for genealogists. Looking beyond personnel service records, general histories and unit histories can be found at many research agencies, institutes, archives, and records centers scattered around the country, with several major Record Groups found in Washington, D.C.


World War I draft registration cards

Ancestry’s collection, S., World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918 contains 24 million images of draft cards of American men born from 1872 to 1900 and represents 25% of the American population. It is a fantastic genealogical resource of men who were eligible for the draft, but it does not mean they were actually called up. These records contain names, residences, birthplaces and birthdates, occupations, employers, citizenship status, the nearest relatives, and more. There were three registrations, each pertained to men of different age groups. The number of questions varied as well from one group to another. This collection can also be found on FamilySearch for free.
It is not just national sources that should be considered. State World War I records contain a treasure trove of information. See also, United States World War I State and Local Histories. These are not all held in one place. They can be found at state archives, offices of state adjutants general, genealogical and historical societies, and university research libraries. Many returning soldiers deposited their discharge papers at their county courthouse for a permanent record of their honorable service. Local publications may include brief biographies of your ancestors.
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) records are not held in St. Louis. Their website contains the Nationwide Gravesite Locator of the National Cemetery Administration. This includes national and state veterans’ cemeteries, and even private cemeteries, if an official government grave marker was issued. If your ancestor was buried overseas, you will want to consult the American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) website, where you can search by name. The ABMC maintains American cemeteries outside the United States. Soldiers who fought for Great Britain, and who died overseas, are listed with the Commonwealth War Graves Commission.
Fold 3: This outstanding website focuses largely on American military records. For World War I, it contains 121 million records across 71 collections. Many are British records, such as War Diaries. The WWI Canadian Soldiers database contains document images for each soldier and there is a good prospect of finding your Canadian ancestors in it. On Ancestry, which owns Fold 3, see the “Canada, WWI CEF Attestation Papers, 1914-1918.” Within the World War I collection on Fold 3, a search by name is likely to bring results on your ancestors. Always check for siblings and other relatives, as collateral research often breaks through brick walls.
Family Ties: This is a place where you can preserve stories of the military service of your family members who served in World War I. See The United States World War One Centennial Commission website for an explanation. You can even “Donate an Artifact” if you have one.
There are lots of ways to educate yourself or a group of people on the war, including the lesson plans at the World War I Centennial Commemoration Curriculum
Many World War I soldiers in May 1918 were given an expedited path to citizenship. The residency requirements and Declarations of Intention were waived. Soldiers were able to file petitions and complete their naturalization both on the same day. Copies should be on file in the local court where the event occurred and in the records of the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS). On FamilySearch, see the collection “United States Index to Naturalizations of World War I Soldiers, 1918.” This index also came from Fold 3.


Men of the 127th Spruce Squadron, including the grandfather of this writer, and his dog tags.

Different wars and time periods generate different records. Military personnel records often include information on conscription (draft), enlistments, training, postings, transportation (embarkation), casualty reports, disciplinary actions, promotions, awards and medals, muster rolls, service, discharge, unit histories, bonus applications, hospitalization, disability, POW status, soldiers’ homes, and burials. While pension records were common in earlier American wars, by the 20^th century they were not offered. Some states, and the federal government in the 1930s, offered bonuses for service. When you see words like attrition, camouflage, flamethrower, gas mask, machine-gun, mustard gas, tank, trench warfare, u-boat, ace, Tommy, over there, liberty cabbage (sauerkraut), or unknown soldier, let’s remember the brave and often scared soldiers of the past.[4] But, even more importantly, let’s remember the service men and women of the present generation, and especially those who sustained disabilities during their military service, for their heroism in defending liberty. Just as stories of previous generations of veterans need to be recorded for posterity, so do the living memories of those who our country has asked to place their lives in modern-day crucibles of war. What may seem common today, will be commemorated as extraordinary to our children and to their children. Not that long ago, World War I veterans could be found everywhere, but now they honor the pages of history books and of our family histories. May we do our part to ensure that they are not forgotten and that we cherish the liberties they left us. Greg 5 November 2018 If you have been thinking of someone in your family who served in World War I, now may be a good time to prepare a written account of their service and their life. This was an epic conflict, and tragic in so many ways. The expert researchers at Price Genealogy can assist you in discovering your family’s part of the story.


Honorable Discharge papers & Enlistment record of the grandfather of this writer— He served as a private in the 127^th Squadron of the A.S.A.P.

[1] “World War I casualties,” Wikipedia (accessed 5 November 2018). [2] “Sergeant Stubby,” Wikipedia (accessed November 2018). [3] “The 1973 Fire, National Personnel Records Center,” National Archives (https://www.archives.gov/personnel-records-center/fire-1973 : accessed 5 November 2018). [4] “100 Words that Define World War I,” OED: Oxford English Dictionary (https://public.oed.com/blog/june-2014-update-100-words-that-define-world-war-i/# : accessed 5 November 2018).

Paleography is the study of old handwriting

admin — Fri, 19 Apr 2019 14:33:55 +0000

Paleography is the study of old handwriting. Throughout our history, different styles of handwriting were used at different points in time. Unless you are skilled in particular writing styles, they can be entirely illegible. Knowing what script was common in different regions and in different time periods, is vital for successful genealogical research. With this knowledge, it is possible to determine the time period when a document was written, what region it came from, and what was written. From a genealogical point of view, to understand the implications it is necessary to know the record keeping practices of the time. Throughout Europe, the responsibility of keeping and documenting birth, marriage, and death events fell directly upon the clerics.[1] Before the standardization of spelling, names and places were spelled out phonetically (how they sounded). Civil registration records, kept by a civil servant rather than clerics, began at different times throughout Europe. For example, in France, civil registration began in 1792. In Italy, by 1809 most places had adopted the practice. But Italian law did not require civil registration until 1866. England and Wales introduced civil registration in 1837.[2] As was the case everywhere, records were handwritten in Great Britain for centuries. Spelling was not standardized much before 1900. Four main styles or “scripts” were used. They were called Round, Italic, Secretary and Court.[3] The scripts were used at different times. Round Hand scripts were popular in the 17^th and 18^th centuries. Italic scripts used from the 1500s to the early 1800s. Secretary script was used from about the 1400s and was mostly obsolete by 1750. Prior to that, the Court script was in use from the late Middle Ages until it was banned by law in 1731 for use in English courts.[4] The structure of writing was very different than the writing of today. For example, upper case letters were used to begin nouns as well as to begin sentences. The lower case “s” was written in an elongated form. It is often confused with the letter “f.” Abbreviated words with superscripts and contractions were very common. In words like “the,” a “y” could also be “th” and the “e” would be superscripted. It looked something like this “y^e.” Here is an example of this technique in a document dated around 1745.[5] Even once a script is learned, abbreviations and unusual marks will often cause difficulty. Online tutorials offer great resources for abbreviations, including examples. One of those is the abbreviations section of the BYU English Script Tutorial. Medieval and early modern Court Hand script featured letters packed closely together and had long ascenders and descenders, with the descenders occasionally having sweeping crescent shaped curves.[6]^,[7]Language used in legal documents can be confusing for more reasons than terminology and handwriting style. Until 1733 many government documents in England were written in Latin.[8] Carolingian Miniscule is a script that was popular in continental Europe.[9] It was used during the Holy Roman Empire between 800 and 1200.[10] Spencerian script was developed by Platt Rogers Spencer in 1840.[11]^.It is characterized by its use of oval shapes and by the script’s rapid, graceful lines of connected letters. This script is impressive because its influence can be found in the commercial world today. Some notable examples are the style of lettering used by Coca Cola and Ford.^5,[12] The paper they used most often was vellum, a fine grade parchment prepared from the skin of a calf or kid. If the document was particularly important, the vellum was dyed purple.[13] The pen most used was a quill. A quill could be made from the feather of any large bird, most commonly from a goose. The ink was black, and the main coloring agent used to make it was soot.[14] See Dianne Tillotson’s “Index of Scripts.”[15] Tips that may help in reading the documents include:

Write out the alphabet using the scribe’s handwriting or trace the strokes of each letter.
Transcribe the document and leave blanks for words or letters you cannot read. Then come back to it later.
Read the entire document to see if it makes sense.
Compare words and letters.
Recognize that spelling, punctuation, and capitalization may not have been standardized at the time the document was written.
Become familiar with common contractions and abbreviations that were used for words and names.
Locate words that commonly appear in specific documents types. For example, search Google for common phrases and words in wills. Once you recognize a few words, you can compare those words and letters to others, and decipher the rest of the document.

The following online tutorials are useful: BYU Script Tutorial Paleography: reading old handwriting 1500-1800 English Handwriting 1500-1700 How to Read 18th Century British American Handwriting Scottish Handwriting Rediscovering Rycote Paleography Tutorial After sufficient practice, experience, and use of resources, understanding even the most difficult paleography is possible. Useful skills include a knowledge of cursive writing, attention to detail, perseverance, and creativity. The professionals at Price Genealogy are experts at understanding handwriting in various styles and languages. Please contact us today to inquire about reading or transcribing any records with which you may be having difficulty. We are happy to help! Billie and Michael [1] “Vital,” Merriam Webster Dictionary (http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/vital : 4 April 2019). [2] Leslie Albrecht Huber, “Understanding your ancestors: Other Western European Records: Civil Registration Records,” Understanding Your Ancestors (http://www.understandingyourancestors.com/ar/otherCivilRegistrationRecords.aspx : 18 April 2019). [3] “The Hands,” BYU Script Tutorial: Making Sense of Old Handwriting (https://script.byu.edu/Pages/English/en/hands.aspx : accessed 4 April 2019). [4] “Court hand,” Wikipedia (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Court_hand : accessed 17 April 2019). [5] Martha Ballard’s Diary Online, 1785-1812, DoHistory ((http://dohistory.org/diary/1785/01/17850123_img.html : accessed 4 April 2019). [6] Dianne Tillotson, home page, Medieval Writing (http://medievalwriting.50megs.com/writing.htm : accessed 31 March 2019). [7] "File: Court hand alphabet and abbreviations.png," Wikimedia Commons (https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Court_hand_alphabet_and_abbreviations.png&oldid=132644867 : accessed March 31, 2019). [8] “Latin,” BYU Script Tutorial: Making Sense of Old Handwriting (https://script.byu.edu/Pages/English/en/Latin.aspx : accessed 18 April 2019). [9] “Carolingian minuscule,” Wikipedia (https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Carolingian_minuscule&oldid=808982172 : accessed 31 March 2019). [10] “Page of text (folio 160v) from a Carolingian Gospel Book (British Library, MS Add. 11848), written in Carolingian minuscule. — The text is Vulgate Luke 23:14-26.” (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carolingian_minuscule : accessed 5 April 2019). [11] “Platt Rogers Spencer,” Wikipedia (https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Platt_Rogers_Spencer&oldid=851773159 : accessed March 31, 2019). [12] "Spencerian script," Wikipedia (https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Spencerian_script&oldid=885846453 : accessed 5 April 2019). [13] “Parchment,” Enclyclopedia.com (https://www.encyclopedia.com/science-and-technology/technology/technology-terms-and-concepts/parchment : accessed 18 April 2019). [14] Dianne Tillotson, “Glossary,” Medieval Writing (http://medievalwriting.50megs.com/glossary2.htm : accessed 18 April 2019). [15] Diane Tillotson, “Index of Scripts,” Medieval Writing (http://medievalwriting.50megs.com/writing.htm : accessed 18 April 2019). Click on “Index of Scripts” in the left sidebar.

How To Develop a Genealogy Research Plan in 6 Easy Steps

admin — Tue, 11 Jun 2019 17:45:55 +0000

When building your dream home, you don’t go in without a plan. You meet with a general contractor, architect, and engineers to draw up the best plan in order to get you your desired end result. Each contractor working on your home works from these plans. It’s not a random process at all. It is thoroughly thought out and planned. Just like a blueprint and a construction plan, it’s best to go into your genealogical research with a plan. Research plans are not just to-do lists, they are plan of attack on a process that can be frustrating and help you stay on track, focused, and more productive. Here’s how you can build your own genealogy research plan in just 6 simple steps.

Set Your Goals

In keeping with the home building analogy, when starting to build your home, you’re likely to go into your first few meetings with a wish list. This list contains the things you want most out of your home. Similarly, you need to take your “wish list” into your research. What are your main goals for your research? Set a clear goal for yourself.

Assess Previously Gathered Information

Prior to building, you and your general contractor are going to assess the situation before you break ground. The ground where you’ll build will be surveyed, your budget will be evaluated, etc. Before you begin your research, assess the information you’ve already found. This helps reset a clear picture in your mind.

Fill in the Gaps

Now that your general contractor has looked as the land, they understand what grading needs to happen, if any retaining walls need to be built, etc. Once you have a general idea of where you stand with your already gathered information, you can assess what needs to happen before you pour your foundation. There may be holes in your research that need filling before moving forward to accomplish your goal.

Assess What Happens Next

The interior and exterior design process is one of the most fun parts of building a new home. Just like with building, here’s where your research plan gets fun! You’ve set clear goals, you’ve reviewed what you know, and now you need to compare the two. Brainstorm ideas on how you can get the answers. Which materials do you need to explore? Does this involve cluster genealogy? Researching different records? Here’s where you get to design your plan of attack and your to-do list.

Break Ground on Your Research

Now that you have a solid plan, you get to break ground on building your dream home! Here’s where you get to start digging into your research and checking off items on your to-do list — the really fun part.

Reassess and Try Again

While a research plan is incredibly helpful, they are not always 100% effective or fruitful and will not always produce results. Sometimes you need to reassess and try again. If this happens to you, don’t give up! A research plan may not always ensure answers, but it does ensure an organized, thorough way of efficient research.

Fun Things To Know About Our Researchers!

admin — Sun, 16 Dec 2012 09:41:52 +0000

We truly have some of the best and most sought after researchers in the country. When you put your genealogy in our hands, it is handled carefully, expertly and with genuine concern for solving the puzzle. It might also be fun to know that besides being excellent genealogical researchers, they have wonderful personalities and are quite fun to know. At a recent activity we learned some little known true facts such as......... She swam with sea turtles He climbed inside one of the pyriamids at Giza He drove up a volcano in South America She rode a camel in Africa He is a helicopter pilot He ran four marathons He swam in the North Sea George Washington saved their ancestor's life during the Revolutionary War She used to be a figure skating instructor She spent time working at an archeological dig site He participated in a Christian CHurch service held ina Mosque in Bethlehem with a Jewish person lighting the candles. She read every word of War and Peace and loved it She once worked a graveyard shift as a pastrami-hanger and wiener-peeler at a Meat company She traveled to three places on her bucket list. She camped next to Loch Ness

Just For Fun!

admin — Wed, 09 Jan 2013 13:00:54 +0000

Since it has recently been Christmas, I thought it would be fun to do the 12 days of Christmas genealogy style. This genealogy "song" refers to many of the records available, particularly through familysearch.org as well as referring to pricegen's list of databases on our website. There are so many records available now for countries throughout the world as well as for the United States. 1st day of Christmas my true friends gave to me – Genealogy records for our tree: 2nd day of Christmas my true friends gave to me – Two down unders loved Australia New Zealand *See familysearch.org 3rd day of Christmas my true friends gave to me – Three islands’ kin Guam Micronesia Samoa *See familysearch.org 4th day of Christmas my true friends gave to me – Four calling words Cote d’loire Ghana South Africa Zimbabwe *See familysearch.org 5th day of Christmas my true friends gave to me – Five Golden Kings United Kingdom and Irish Collections Vital Records Irish Civil Registration – over 21 million Births - over 70 million Marriages – over 20 million Deaths – over 15 million Census England and Wales– 1841, 1851, 1861, 1871, 1881, 1891, 1901, 1911 Scotland - 1841, 1851, 1861, 1871, 1881, 1891 Parish Registers and more for Bristol, Cheshire, Cornwall, Derbyshire, Durham, Dorset, Essex, Kent, Lancashire, Norfolk, Northumberland, Plymouth, Warwickshire, West Devon, Westminster, Yorkshire. Also, Isle of Man and the Channel Islands Irish Estate Court Files, Prison Registers and Tithe Applotment Books Miscellaneous records *See Familysearch.org *See Pricegen.com Resources / Links to over 500 important databases 6th day of Christmas my true friends gave to me – Six records staying Census Birth Marriage Death Records Catholic Church Records Miscellaneous ….for the Mexican states of: Baja California, Campeche, Chiapas, Chihuahua, Coahuila, Colima, Distrito Federal, Durango, Guanajuato, Guerrero, Hidalgo, Jalisco, Mexico, Michoacan, Morelos, Mexico, Nayarit, Nuevo Leon, Oaxaca, Puebla,Queretaro, Quintana Roo, San Luis Potosi, Sonora, Tabaso, Tamaulipas, Veracruz, Yucatan, Zacatecas *See Familysearch.org 7th day of Christmas my true friends gave to me – Seven Asians’ brimming China India Indonesia Japan Korea Philippines Sri Lanka *See familysearch.org 8th day of Christmas my true friends gave to me – Eight records building Civil Church Military Immigration Emigration Census Estate Miscellaneous records …for the European countries of: Armenia, Austria, Belgium, Croatia, Czech, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Germany, Gibraltar, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Moldova, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Russia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Ukraine *See familysearch.org 9th day of Christmas my true friends gave to me – Nine provinces branching Canadian provinces of: British Columbia, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, Ontario, Prince Edward Island, Quebec, Saskatchewan *See familysearch.org 10th day of Christmas my true friends gave to me – Ten countries leaping South American countries of: Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Columbia, Ecuador, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay, Venezuela *See familysearch.org 11th day of Christmas my true friends gave to me - Eleven Typers Typing Central and South American Countries of: Bahamas, Barbados, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Grenada, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, Jamaica, Nicaragua, Panama, Puerto Rico *See familysearch.org 12th day of Christmas my true friends gave to me – Twelve image groups coming Birth, Marriage, Death, Census, Church, Military, Land, Probate, Court, Cemetery, Naturalization, Immigration for…. All 50 states except Alaska *See familysearch.org Historical Records Collection *See wiki.familysearch.org Digital Records Collections

Our Researchers are the BEST!

admin — Thu, 10 Jan 2013 10:45:25 +0000

Recently one of our researchers delved into Danish records which had no parish registers. Not having birth, marriage and death records can bring quite a challenge when searching for ancestors. However, our diligent and brilliant researcher used wills, the census and other records to piece together families to the point where he was able to add EIGHT direct line ancestors. This is simply amazing and often happens with the excellent researchers we are blessed to have working for us!

Summary of Best Kept Secret - Delaware Through Louisiana

admin — Wed, 16 Jan 2013 23:44:05 +0000

DELAWARE: The State of Delaware exhibits and documents on line. (http://archives.delaware.gov/exhibits/document/index.shtml) FLORIDA: WPA Church Records (http://www.floridamemory.com/collections/churchrecords/) GEORGIA: Georgia's Virtual Vault (http://cdm.sos.state.ga.us:8888/) HAWAII: Genealogy Indexes for marriages, divorces, deaths and citizenship (http://ulukau.org/gsdl2.7/cgi-bin/algene) IDAHO: Idaho Biographies (http://history.idaho.gov/idaho-biographical-index) ILLINOIS: Illinois State Archives - IRAD (http://www.cyberdriveillinois.com/departments/archives/IRAD/iradregn.html) INDIANA: Periodical Source Index - (https://www.familysearch.org/learn/wiki/en/Periodical_Source_Index_(PERSI) IOWA: Iowa Biographies - (http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~iabiog/) KANSAS: Kansas Historical Society Names Index (http://www.kshs.org/p/genealogy-combined-names-search/15899) KENTUCKY: Kentucky Biographies - (http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~kygenweb/kybiog/index.html) LOUISIANA: Acadian-Cajun Genealogy - (www.acadian.org) or (http://www.acadian-cajun.com/)

Happy Clients!

admin — Tue, 05 Feb 2013 07:18:29 +0000

Dear Richard, Thank you for your very kind note and excellent work. I was very touched at the mention of 1620 names. Client

English Wills and Other Probate Records

admin — Fri, 12 Jul 2013 22:28:14 +0000

As a genealogist, there are few public records that are more exciting than a will. Only a small percentage of the population left wills prior to the 20th century, although some sources speculate that during the 15th century as much as 70% of men did. By the late 17th century, however, as few as two percent of common citizens left a will. During this time in England, the succession of land was rather straightforward. Land generally passed from husband to wife (for the course of her life) and then to children and heirs. English women were barred from owning land until 1883, and even after, women rarely left wills unless they were widowed. Regardless, this document can offer us a great deal of information. The creation of a will was left almost entirely to attorneys, who would be summoned by the property holder and given specific instructions. Once the will had been completed, the testator would sign in the presence of the attorney and two witnesses. In the case of more common folks, a parson or curate would often step in to record last wishes due to the sole fact that they were literate. Prior to 1837, when England passed the Wills Act, it was not uncommon for attorneys to forge signatures, especially if the testator was ill or incapacitated. The Wills Act also made it illegal for beneficiaries to witness the signing of a will. Some of the more customary practices found in these wills include the donation of assets to churches and charities, which society saw as a moral obligation. This custom now helps lend genealogists important clues about testators– like where he grew up, attended school, apprenticed, or a number of other associations or organizations in which he may have participated. In the medieval times, it was customary to divide assets three ways, with a third going to each; the man’s wife, his oldest son and to charities, bells and masses. While typically the oldest son received the largest portion of assets, it was not unlikely for younger sons to receive smaller inheritances, or for daughters to receive a cash sum to serve as a dowry. However, all children are not always included or named within a will. This is especially true of married children, who would have received their inheritance at the time of marriage. In the case of unmarried men, we have found that landladies, nurse-keepers and others who have offered them care and nurturing, are frequently chief beneficiaries. Furthermore, the description of relatives within the will can lend some confusion. In English records as well as early North American probate records, the term “son-in-law“ or “daughter-in-law” usually denoted a step-child, while those who married trueborn children are recognized simply as a son or daughter. Additionally, the word cousin may refer to any sort of relative. For example, Shakespeare described his granddaughter as his niece. Before 1858, a large variety of courts proved wills. Most of these were ecclesiastical courts belonging to the Church of England. The Prerogative Courts of Canterbury or York held probate records of the wealthy and important. As genealogists, the indexes to these higher courts are always worthy of a search, as the courts were not confined to the wealthy. The best resource for wills is the Prerogative Court of Canterbury (P.C.C.), which took precedence of all other jurisdictions in England and Wales and holds records dating from 1383. Lower courts of the diocese or peculiar or other jurisdictions exist in virtually every county, and many of these wills are now available online. Virtually all English and Welsh probate records are on microfilm at the LDS Family History Library. While the use of English and Welsh probate courts can be complicated, you can learn how to utilize these valuable resources by consulting the following sources: www.genuki.org.uk – Click on the country, then the county, then Probate records wiki.familysearch.org – Type in Wales Probates or England Probates to find articles with detailed descriptions of the British probate records. www.ancestry.co.uk – Click on Search, then Wills & Probates The National Wills Index is the largest on-line resource for pre-1858 English and Welsh probate material containing indexes, abstracts and sources documents, most not available anywhere else online. These date from the 14th century. It can be accessed at www.origins.net. After 1858, all English and Welsh wills were proved and housed in a central location. These are all indexed and the calendars are available on Ancestry.co.uk. Wills can be a wonderful resource to assist you in your search for possible ancestors. You should always check for a will, regardless of the socioeconomic class of the individual or family. For more details: Bettridge, Helen, ed. Derbyshire Wills and Where to Find Them. Derbyshire Family History Society. 144 (March2013): 21-25. Eastman, Richard W. Eastman’s Online Genealogy Newsletter, Plus Edition. “Lichfield Consistory Court Wills Index 1650-1700 Online.” (Announcement written by Origins.net). vol. 18 no. 26 July 1, 2013. Herber, Mark. Ancestral Trails: The Complete Guide to British Genealogy and Family History. 2nd ed. Sparkford, Somerset: Sutton Publishing Limited, 2004.

Busting Through the Genealogical “Wall”

admin — Wed, 03 Jul 2013 22:33:30 +0000

When you’re in the business of genealogy, you sometimes have those cases that really try your research skills. That was definitely the case with William Dickins Cockerill. For many years, William’s paternity was a mystery. He was born in England, but immigrated to England as a young man. All William knew of his family was that his father was “Mr. Dickins” and his mother was “Mary Cockerill.” With only that small seed of information to feed our search, we were able to locate William’s christening records in Kislingbury, Northamptonshire. According to record, William was christened on April 28 or 1823. Christening records during this time period reflect illegitimacy differently, and the father of the child is only sometimes identified. In the case of William, who was born out of wedlock, only his mother, Mary Cockerill is listened in the records. Disappointed in the lack of information the christening records presented, we started digging deeper. We combed through documents from the Northamptonshire Country Record Office. These included the Quarter Sessions Record Books, Quarter Sessions Rolls and Kislinbury Charity Account. The charity accounts detailed payments to the poor within the parrish, but unfortunately, there was no mention of a Mary Cockerill or her child. However, we knew that Northampton, less than five miles from Kislingbury, held its own court of Quarter Sessions, and we wondered if perhaps Kislingbury might have fallen under the jurisdiction of Northampton Town Quarter Sessions, although we already knew that fewer records had survived this court than many others. Figuring it was worth a shot, we opened a Northampton records box marked “1823” and inside found a sheet of parchment dated “April 1823.” The document contained the recognizance:

25 March 1823 William Dickens the younger of the town of Northampton, Tailor, and William Dickens the elder of the same town, builder, personally came before me….one of the Justices of our said Lord the King and acknowledged themselves to owe the sum of 40 pounds each of good and lawful money of Great Britain to be made and levied of our goods and chattels, lands and tenements respectively to the use of our said Lord the kind his heirs and successors if default shall be made in the condition hereupon endorsed. Whereas Mary Cockerill of the parish of All Saints in the said town, single woman, hath in and by her voluntary examination taken in writing….declared that she is with child and that the said child is likely to be born a bastard and to be chargeable to the said parish of all Saints and that the within bounden William Dickens the younger is the father of the said child.

We were thrilled to finally locate proof of lineage for William! We now know that William Dickins the younger (tailor) was the father of William Dickins Cockerill and it is likely that the child's grandfather was William Dickens the elder (builder). It is moments like these that make all the hard work involved in the business of family history worth our efforts. The Dickins/Cockerill family line is now another step closer to complete.

Bastardy or Illegitimacy in England

admin — Wed, 17 Jul 2013 14:45:02 +0000

Bastardy or Illegitimacy in England (From Ancestral Trails, original edition and Tate’s The Parish Chest) Compiled Nov 2004 by Richard W. Price Bastard is properly the base child of a father of gentle or noble birth, but more generally any illegitimate child; child born out of wedlock, base-born child; basterino; pack-saddle child; natural child; of natural birth; unfathered, etc. Percentage of children born illegitimate in three different parishes in three different counties: 1588-1600 None 1601-1650 .69% 1651-1700 1.35% 1701-1750 1.96% 1751-1800 9.97% 1801-1835 6.18% A child born out of wedlock is legitimated by the subsequent marriage of his parents 1837-1965 about 4-7% of births were illegitimate It is suggested the increase in illegitimacy in the 18th century was caused by the rapid growth in ale houses 1730s to 1780’s. Peter Laslett in The World We Have Lost (1965) states” Our ancestors, by this test of bastards born and registered as such, were rather more moral sexually than are we ourselves.” Where to find records of illegitimate children – especially the name and identity of the father: The first and best place to locate information on illegitimacy, including the name of the father, was in the parish registers. 1538-present Civil registration (birth and marriage certificates) 1837-present might name father, although note laws referenced below. A parish Edgmond, Salop has a special bastard register 1797-1828 1614 Frendelesse the sonne of Joane Robinsonne base gotten as she saythe by one John Longe was baptysed the first day of November 1651 Roger ye sonne of I know not who was baptized I know not when 1652 12 June 1698 at Wolstanton, Staffs; Baptized Providence, an infant whom her father and mother abandoned; but God will take care of her Vestry Minutes: Bastardy bonds, bastardy orders or maintenance orders were often kept, showing the name of the father. Fathers of illegitimate children were obliged by the parish to care for the child financially. Each case was handled differently. Sometimes there was a lump sum demanded to be paid to the parish (which then would care for the mother and child until the child reached adulthood – age of 21/18) In 1800 in Stockton, Salop To indemnify the father of a bastard child no smaller sum shall be accepted than Eighteen pound eighteen shillings Poor law 1601-1834 included settlement and removal Act of 1732 ensures that any person after 24 June 1733 charged on oath with being the father of a bastard child shall be apprehended and committed to gaol until he gives security to indemnify the parish from expense. In 16th and 17th centuries the birth of an illegitimate child was an unusual event. Such events became commoner in the 17th century, still more common in the 18th, and so common as to create little surprise from 1750 onwards. An illegitimate child could not take legal residence in the parish of his father or mother because he was not legitimate; hence, his legal place of residence was the parish he or she was born in. 1834-1865 Poor law records were kept by Board of Guardians and parish overseers. Poor law documents since 1834 are held in the Guardians’ records at the County Record Offices or at the Public Record Office (now National Archives). To determine which poor law unions existed and where their records are, consult Jeremy Gibson’s guides to poor law unions of England and Wales and their records. [Jeremy Gibson & C. Rogers & C. Webb. Poor Law Union Records: 1. South East England and East Anglia, 2nd ed. FFHS, 1997. 2. The Midlands and Northern England, 2nd ed. FFHS, 1997. 3. South West England, the Marches and Wales, FFHS, 1993. 4. Gazetteer of England and Wales, FFHS, 1993. This Gazetteer helps to determine in which Poor law union a given parish lies.] 1865-1925 parish poor rates were replaced by a union rate, which was also collected by the overseers until their office was abolished in 1925. In 1817 there were 15 bastard children supported entirely by the parish of Bingham, at a weekly expense. The sum of 2 shillings only is paid weekly by the parish toward the support of two bastard children. Act of 1575 punished parents of bastard children. Father was committed to jail until the next Quarter Session unless he gives security to appear, when a fresh order shall be made. This act remained the basis of the law until 1834. They also could be recorded in Petty Sessions. Act of 1609-10 “Any lewd woman having had a bastard chargeable may be sent to the house of correction for a year. If she offends again she shall be sent tot her house of correction until she gives securities for good behaviour. These acts encouraged abortion and infanticide. Act of 1623-4 to kill a bastard is murder, and one witness at least is necessary to prove a still birth. Act of 1627 gave all justices of Peace power to enact punishment of such women. Act of 1662 states that when the mother and father of a bastard run away the overseers on the order of two justices may size their goods. It seems that women then kept quiet about their condition, hoping to dispose of the child quietly (sometimes a “doorstep baby”. Father often disputed paternity Law of 1732-4 ordains that a woman pregnant with a bastard child is to declare herself so, and to name the father. Act of 1743-4 a bastard born in a place where the mother is not settled is to have its mother’s settlement. The mother is to be punished by public whipping. Until about 1750 parish officers dealt with the problem without much fuss. It seems that few cases were brought before quarter sessions. The most general method was making the father responsible by bond for the keep of his child: another similar practice was to allow him to pay a lump sum in discharge of all responsibility. The problem the Justices faced was whether to force the father to marry the woman before the birth of the child, or to leave it to the father to provide for his offspring, or force the father to pay for the child’s keep under an order from justices or quarter sessions. All children born more than a month after marriage were legitimate. So some parishes appear regularly as suitors at quarter sessions, others not at all. Justices of the Peace were responsible to see they are financed. The vast majority of bastard births have no record save an entry in the baptismal register. Removal orders or settlement certificates or examinations. Examinations often indicate the woman and her illegitimate offspring; orders for the apprehension of putative fathers, etc. and above all, bonds if indemnification given by them to the parish. Records of illegitimacy and paternity of such children can be found in Churchwarden’s accounts, constable’s accounts and overseer’s accounts. Vestry minutes often contain agreements for the care of bastards, and the lists of apprentices and lists of newcomers to the parish are useful too (in determining paternity of bastards) Bond of Indemnification: 1747 “I Abraham Atkinson of Cambridge, Cambridge apothecary am held and firmly bound unto the Churchwardens of the parish of Littlebury in Essex and the Overseers of the Poor of the said parish in the sum of 50 pounds of good and lawful money If this man and his heirs promise to support the child and all manner of costs, charges and expenses which shall or may in any wise hereafter means of the birth maintenance or bringing up of the said Bastard Child – then his obligation to be void. Justices of Peace were usually wealth local landowners, were closely involved in parish affairs. They reviewed complaints from the poor that men had father illegitimate children but refused to pay for their maintenance The justices approved the placing, by parish officials, of pauper [or illegitimate] children as apprentices to local farmers or tradesmen. Hence, the accounts of parish officers were regularly checked by Justices of the Peace, hence both sets of records need be checked. If your ancestor was illegitimate, the father may not be named in the parish register or other surviving parish records, but the Justices may have questioned the mother as to the father’s identify and recorded the examination. Justices records may also include a complaint brought against the father (by the mother or parish officials) requiring him to pay maintenance for the child. From 1572 two members of the vestry were elected annually to act as Overseers of the Poor After monasteries were suppressed by Henry VIIII, a statue of 1536 made the parish responsible for the care of its poor, and the office of overseer of the poor was created in 1572. 1601-1834 the system of poor relief consisted of the levying of a poor rate, and the distribution of the income to needy parishioners. Overseers’ accounts may record the parentage of illegitimate children. i.e.: 1805 Cash received from George Gooch to exonerate him from a bastard child liable to be born on the body of Jane Pavitt Ten pounds Father’s names rarely appear on birth certificates of illegitimates 1837-1875, if the mother informed a registrar of an illegitimate child’s’ birth and also stated the father’s name, the registrar could record him as the father, but did not have to. Marriage certificates had a place for naming the father of the bride and groom. Illegitimate individuals often left the space blank. Others would name the father if they knew him. Others would fabricate a name, usually with their mother’s maiden name (and hence their own surname), or they would name their grandfather or an uncle as their father. This, again, would hide the fact of their own illegitimacy. From 1875-present a man could only be named as the father on a birth certificate if he consented and was also present when the birth was registered. Space for father’s name is usually left blank on birth certificates of illegitimates Father might be named in parish or poor law union records ch. 18 Or in Courts records chapters 23-24 An alleviate child usually took the mother’s surname, but could take the father’s surname even if they never married The father may agree to let the child take his name Sometimes a mother was embarrassed about the illegitimacy so she would fabricate the name of the father and call herself Mrs. Mary Jones when in fact she was unwed. Illegitimate children of the daughter of a family were often treated as younger children of the child’s grandparents If a woman marries shortly after the birth of an illegitimate child, it is possible the husband was father to the illegitimate child

English Probate Records

admin — Thu, 18 Jul 2013 13:45:52 +0000

ENGLISH WILLS AND OTHER PROBATE RECORDS As a genealogist, there are few public records that are more exciting than a will. Only a small percentage of the population left wills prior to the 20th century, although some sources speculate that during the 15th century as much as 70% of men did. By the late 17th century, however, as few as two percent of common citizens left a will. During this time in England, the succession of land was rather straightforward. Land generally passed from husband to wife (for the course of her life) and then to children and heirs. English women were barred from owning land until 1883, and even after, women rarely left wills unless they were widowed. Regardless, this document can offer us a great deal of information. The creation of a will was left almost entirely to attorneys, who would be summoned by the property holder and given specific instructions. Once the will had been completed, the testator would sign in the presence of the attorney and two witnesses. In the case of more common folks, a parson or curate would often step in to record last wishes due to the sole fact that they were literate. Prior to 1837, when England passed the Wills Act, it was not uncommon for attorneys to forge signatures, especially if the testator was ill or incapacitated. The Wills Act also made it illegal for beneficiaries to witness the signing of a will. Some of the more customary practices found in these wills include the donation of assets to churches and charities, which society saw as a moral obligation. This custom now helps lend genealogists important clues about testators– like where he grew up, attended school, apprenticed, or a number of other associations or organizations in which he may have participated. In the medieval times, it was customary to divide assets three ways, with a third going to each; the man’s wife, his oldest son and to charities, bells and masses. While typically the oldest son received the largest portion of assets, it was not unlikely for younger sons to receive smaller inheritances, or for daughters to receive a cash sum to serve as a dowry. However, all children are not always included or named within a will. This is especially true of married children, who would have received their inheritance at the time of marriage. In the case of unmarried men, we have found that landladies, nurse-keepers and others who have offered them care and nurturing, are frequently chief beneficiaries. Furthermore, the description of relatives within the will can lend some confusion. In English records as well as early North American probate records, the term “son-in-law“ or “daughter-in-law” usually denoted a step-child, while those who married trueborn children are recognized simply as a son or daughter. Additionally, the word cousin may refer to any sort of relative. For example, Shakespeare described his granddaughter as his niece. Before 1858, a large variety of courts proved wills. Most of these were ecclesiastical courts belonging to the Church of England. The Prerogative Courts of Canterbury or York held probate records of the wealthy and important. As genealogists, the indexes to these higher courts are always worthy of a search, as the courts were not confined to the wealthy. The best resource for wills is the Prerogative Court of Canterbury (P.C.C.), which took precedence of all other jurisdictions in England and Wales and holds records dating from 1383. Lower courts of the diocese or peculiar or other jurisdictions exist in virtually every county, and many of these wills are now available online. Virtually all English and Welsh probate records are on microfilm at the LDS Family History Library. While the use of English and Welsh probate courts can be complicated, you can learn how to utilize these valuable resources by consulting the following sources: www.genuki.org.uk – Click on the country, then the county, then Probate records wiki.familysearch.org – Type in Wales Probates or England Probates to find articles with detailed descriptions of the British probate records. www.ancestry.co.uk – Click on Search, then Wills & Probates The National Wills Index is the largest on-line resource for pre-1858 English and Welsh probate material containing indexes, abstracts and sources documents, most not available anywhere else online. These date from the 14th century. It can be accessed at www.origins.net. After 1858, all English and Welsh wills were proved and housed in a central location. These are all indexed and the calendars are available on Ancestry.co.uk. Wills can be a wonderful resource to assist you in your search for possible ancestors. You should always check for a will, regardless of the socioeconomic class of the individual or family. For more details: Bettridge, Helen, ed. Derbyshire Wills and Where to Find Them. Derbyshire Family History Society. 144 (March2013): 21-25. Eastman, Richard W. Eastman’s Online Genealogy Newsletter, Plus Edition. “Lichfield Consistory Court Wills Index 1650-1700 Online.” (Announcement written by Origins.net). vol. 18 no. 26 July 1, 2013. Herber, Mark. Ancestral Trails: The Complete Guide to British Genealogy and Family History. 2nd ed. Sparkford, Somerset: Sutton Publishing Limited, 2004.

LOOK at the SOURCE

admin — Fri, 26 Jul 2013 16:18:19 +0000

Today there is so much online that it is easy to take the information provided as being complete. Even without an actual record, the summary may appear to have all the pertinent information - but wait! Read the following story illustrating the value of looking at the source of an online summary.

Abel L. Gilson, born about 1802, married Mercy Sherman, 18 October 1829, in Marshfield, Plymouth County, Massachusetts, according to an online summary of Massachusetts marriages. Abel and Mercy had a son, Abel W. Gilson born 5 Dec 1830, who was consistent in stating he was born in Maine, though he married and lived in Massachusetts.

The goal was to find the father of Abel L. Gilson, who married in Massachusetts yet had a son who was born in Maine. Abel L. Gilson disappeared after the 1830 census, therefore a place of birth could not be substantiated for him. A general search in Maine and Massachusetts for Abel revealed an online book for Harrison, Cumberland County, Maine titled “Historical Sketches of the Settlement, Progress and Present Condition of the Town of Harrison, Maine” which included an interesting paragraph.

“Abel Gilson, 5th child of Levi Gilson, was born at Harrison, September 2, 1803; m. 'down east,' and after a few years started for New Hampshire, and stopped a night with his sister in Greenwood and was never afterwards heard from. It is thought his wife knew his whereabouts as she left a few years subsequently, as suddenly as he had done, probably to join him.”

Abel L. Gilson did marry “downeast” from Maine, yet had a son in Maine. Could this be the ancestral Abel L. Gilson? Something was needed to connect the Abel L. Gilson who married in Plymouth County, Massachusetts with the Abel Gilson who was born in Harrison, Maine.

Thus, the source of the online marriage came into play. The source was a microfilm at the Family History Library and on this film, in the section for Plymouth County, Massachusetts, there were two entries for Abel L. Gilson; one dealt with his published upcoming marriage and the other was for the actual marriage. In both of these entries appeared the statement, “Abel L.Gilson of HARRISON, Maine and Miss Mercy Sherman of Marshfield…” Finding this one actual source helped make the link between the Abel L. Gilson who married in Plymouth County, Massachusetts with the Abel Gilson of Harrison, Maine.

ALWAYS look at the source!

Family History – A Matter of Health

admin — Mon, 29 Jul 2013 04:54:47 +0000

You may have a laundry list of reasons you’ve been meaning to do your genealogy: record preservation, family heritage and religious convictions are among the top motivations we see. But your genealogy may be a little more useful than you’ve considered; studies are currently showing that knowing your lineage can actually give you some valuable insight into your family medical history – and offer you important warning signs and alert you to certain risks. Some medical professionals are now recommending that patients obtain a pedigree of at least three generations to help prevent or treat certain genetic diseases. For example, you may have recently read about Angelina Jolie’s decision to undergo a preventative mastectomy due to her strong family history of breast cancer. If your pedigree shows major risks of heart disease or diabetes, your physician may choose to recommend specific testing or even prescribe preventative treatment. Getting your family talking about mutual health problems can be a delicate matter, but your genealogical efforts can greatly help you in your search – and give you the ammunition you need to begin persuading other family members to participate in keeping a family medical history journal. Genealogical records, like death certificates and obituaries, can give you key insights into family medical histories. With these, you may be able to determine at what age an ancestor passed away and from what cause. Depending on the geographical area and time period, it may have been common for families to use the same doctor for generations. These records, if available, could be invaluable to your health and that of your posterity. Your genealogy says a lot about your past, but with the proper research, it can also tell you a lot about your future! Several resources are available to help you record and build your family’s medical history. These include familyhealthhistory.org and familyhistory.hhs.gov. Familyhealthhistory.org gives you tools and resources to help you start talking to your family and community about the importance of knowing your lineage. Of course, hiring a #professional genealogist can greatly simplify your efforts in finding your ancestors and family histories. Whatever your reasons are for determining your lineage and genealogical background, think about all the ways your health can benefit from it! For more details see “Doctors Want You to do Your Family History,” Deseret News, 21 July 2013, sec. A, pp. 1, 5.

Life With Herman - Introduction

admin — Tue, 06 Aug 2013 21:09:23 +0000

In light of the a talk heard at the BYU Family History conference regarding First Heart Then Chart, I would like to start a series on stories. Some of the best family stories I heard were from Grandma who had a wonderful sense of humor and her stories generally centered around Grandpa, who gave her great material to work with. Grandpa and Grandma raised their children during the depression years in the Chicago area and survived because Grandpa thought he could do anything and Grandma always found the thin line between comedy and tragedy. And so this series is called LIFE WITH HERMAN and will begin with just a short introduction by Grandma followed by a short paragraph leading us into a glimpse of Grandpa's personality. LIFE WITH HERMAN by Nettie Catherine Hallam Steinbeigle. My name is Herman Lee Francis Joseph Conrad Steinbeigle the third. I am the smartest person alive. Anything you can do, I can do better, faster, easier. I am a pattern maker, tool and die maker, mechanic, machinist, carpenter, painter, paperhanger, architect, and engineer. Truck driver, electrician, plumber and the world’s best fisherman. Anything you want to know just ask me. I am not bragging. I know what I am doing; that makes the difference. The Truck Driver “Hey Joe, want me to back that truck in for you? I’ll do it for a quarter.” “What do you mean by that? There ain’t a truck made I can’t handle. I was driving a truck when you were just a gleam in your father’s eye. I drove when it took a man to drive – no super highways or expressways. I drove from Chicago to New York, up and down mountains, over icy roads, and snow, and mud up over the cab. Took a real truck driver to make it.” “Oh, year, well same to you fella.”

Life With Herman - The Carpenter

admin — Wed, 07 Aug 2013 15:10:50 +0000

"WE BUILD A HOUSE Part 1" by Nettie Hallam Steinbeigle

Herman and Ray in front of the house they built. “Boys, we are going to build a house, don’t make any plans. I have drawn the floor plan’ I am going to order the lumber." “O.K. kids, today we start. Ray, hand me that hammer; Donnie, hand me the saw; Iris, bring the nails; Ma, bring the shovel. We are going to make the forms for the foundation.” So we build a house. “Hand me this, bring me that, fetch that over here, don’t touch that, don’t put that nail in there.” The house is finished. We stand back and look at our super boss man. He says, “That is a dam good looking house, but if I ever start to build another, I hope someone shoots me.” We all agree (that it is the best looking house, that is). So come now time to put in the furnace. So, George, another super German, decides to help. After living in the house two months and wondering why we would only get heat in the kitchen and bedroom, the two supers discover they have put the heating ducts to the other two rooms upside down. “Hell with it, we will live in the kitchen and bedroom during the cold months.” So we did. The kids wore their coats over their pajamas to go to bed. (side note: Herman’s son Ray became a successful architect)

"WE BUILD A HOUSE Part 1" by Raymond Lloyd Steinbeigle

The second floor was fine in the summer. We always had a cool breeze blowing through our window carrying the concerts of the crickets and frogs from the willow pond. ON some nights the lonesome wail of a train whistle would stir my hidden desire to travel. However, this same window that provided us with a cool breeze in the summer, let the snow sift through and pile up on the floor in the winter. Our rooms were extremely cold in the winter. We would dress for bed downstairs then charge upstairs and leap into bed. You have not lived until you have slipped between icy cold sheets on a sub zero night. My brother was somewhat of a practical joker. On one particularly bitter cold winter night, he snuck upstairs and short-sheeted my bed. I prepared for bed as usual….knees knocking and teeth chattering. I made an olympic dash up the stairs, jumped into bed and shrieked with horror when I realized I would have to make the bed. Meanwhile, Don, snug in his bed, was convulsing with muffled laughter. This was no time for retaliation. I was turning blue. I broke all records for making a bed. I gingerly slipped between the frigid sheets. Between gasps for air, I eventually began to thaw. My brow knurled, my eyes narrowed and my lips tightened as I plotted my strategy for revenge.

Life With Herman - The Mechanic

admin — Thu, 08 Aug 2013 13:12:15 +0000

THE MECHANIC By Nettie Hallam Steinbeigle

“That car is not running right, we will have to work on it today. Ray go over to George Stacey and get my box of tools,” Ray comes back, says, “Pa, George wants to know why you want the whole box of tools; why don’t you come and borrow what you need.” “Borrow,” screams Pa, “they are my tools! I’ll go get them myself.” He comes back with tool box, muttering and growling under his breath. “Let’s get going. Donnie, hand me the socket wrench; Ray, go get a pan of kerosene so I can wash the parts; Iris, ask Ma for some rags. Hand me the wrench, hand me the etc., etc. O.K. boys now we will drive it around the block and see how she sounds.” Away they go; come back. Pa says, “I’ll have to change the oil. Go ask Ma for a pan. I’ll get under the car and loosen the bolts.” He loosens the bolts and, splat, all the oil comes down in his face. I hear this loud noise, look out the window. Donnie is laying in the yard shaking. Ray is behind the garage leaning on the wall shaking. Iris and dog look on. I run out to see what is the matter. Thought Pa had lost his temper and beat the boys, but I discover they are laughing and Pa is cussing. He looks out from under the car, face all black with oil. “Bring me a towel!” he shouts. Kids can’t walk for laughing, so I fetch a towel. They finish with the car and start picking up tools. Ray says, “What are you going to do with all these parts you have left over?” “Just put them away, we will use them next time.” They try the car again, come back. Pa says she is purring like a kitten. He takes a bath, comes out in the hall in his shorts and goes into his dance; dances all thru the house. Says, “Kids, I am the best mechanic this side of the moon.” (Of course his dance in the winter time in his long johns is funnier.)

We Go To La Grange

admin — Fri, 09 Aug 2013 03:50:17 +0000

We Go To La Grange by Nettie Hallam Steinbeigle

After Pa (best mechanic in the world) finished working on the car and taken his bath (and dancing thru the house in his shorts) he said, “Come on everybody we are going shopping in LaGrange.” We all piled in the car; three kids, grandma, Pa and I. The dog, Tippee, and Junesy Poo (cat) tried to squeeze in too but we told Tippee he had to stay home and take care of the house and Junsey. Tippee sat down and Junsey sat between his legs and they looked at us with sad eyes. Watched us drive out of the drive way. The car was a 1924 Chevy. The hood had a hinge down the middle and you lifted up both sides to work on the engine. We started off everybody singing and in a jolly mood. Kids looking forward to going to the five and dime store. It really was a five and dime, you could buy things for a dime or nickel. We usually gave them a quarter; sometimes grandma would add a dime or fifteen cents. Ray usually bought a model airplane kit and comic book. Don just bought comic books. Iris would buy a book and a toy or clothes for a doll or a cut out doll with clothes. We were driving along merrily when all of a sudden the car stopped and refused to move. “O.K. everybody out and push,” says Pa. Out we got and start pushing. Pa steering the car. After about a mile of pushing and Pa’s French words the car sighed and seemed to say, “I guess I might as well start they are not going to let me rest.” We climbed back in the car and sat silently with fingers crossed until we got to La Grange. Pa let us out of the car. He went to the garage to see if he could find out the trouble. After two or three hours of shopping Pa said, “Are you ready to go home?” Everyone said “Yes,” with fingers crossed behind our backs. We get in the car, it jerked, stopped, started, jerked some more all thru town until we hit the highway heading for home. Then the car started purring like a kitten. The closer we got home the better it ran, until we felt like we were flying, and looked it too - both sides of the hood came loose and were flapping in the wind. That broke the silence and everyone started laughing and singing again. I broke out my coconut bon bons (my favorite). The kids took out their candy bars and we flew all the way home and when we drove in the yard, stopped the car, the dog and cat were happy to see us. After we were in the house awhile we heard a noise; looked out the window and the front door of the car had fallen off. Ah happy days!

Life With Herman - We Paper the Living Room

admin — Mon, 12 Aug 2013 13:05:34 +0000

WE PAPER THE LIVING ROOM by Nettie Hallam Steinbeigle

Herman, his mother, Elizabeth, and his wife, Nettie. Ma says to Pa. “The holidays are coming. I think we should paper the living room. I think it would be nice.” He agrees. “Come on kids, we are going to paper the ceiling. Ray, fetch two step ladders and a board; we will use that as a scaffold. Donnie, bring the two saw horses and two boards; we will use it to cut the paper and paste it. Grandma, you mix the paste. Iris, fetch the scissors and yard stick. Ma, you hand me paper and brush when grandma gets the paste on.” Up on the scaffold goes father. I hand him the roll of paper and brush. He sticks one end on the ceiling; starts walking across the scaffold brushing the paper on ahead of him. Meanwhile, the paper comes loose in back of him and is falling as he goes along. We all stand with mouths open, watching, afraid to say anything. He gets to the end; turns around. The paper behind him hits him in the face and the end above him falls on his head. Silence for a minute. Then he lets out a roar and some fancy cuss words, takes the paper back, puts on more paste, says, “Ma you get the broom; Ray, you get the dust mop; Don, you get the floor mop. All of you stand up here behind me and hold the paper up when I paste it to the ceiling.” Meantime, Iris opens the door for the cat. She sees us all up on this board and thinks we are playin’ a game. She jumps up too. The dog sees the cat; thinks why should she be up there? I belong to this family too – so up he jumps. He is part collie and shepard – weighs 110 lbs. Crack goes the board! Down we all come: broom, mops, paper, kids, dog, cat, Pa and me. Everyone is laughing so hard they can’t get up. The dog heads for the door, the cat hides under the chair, grandma demands to know what in the heck is going on, and Iris runs to the neighbors. We pull ourselves together. “Donnie, go get another board; grandma, paste another piece of paper. O.K. now let’s try again.” So, we paper the ceiling. Pa in the lead and his three musketeers with broom and mops behind him. Three months later I very casually say, “Pa, let’s paper the walls in the living room.” He looks at me and says, “You are nuts.” Next day he comes home with paint and roller; says, “Here, enjoy yourself.”

Life With Herman - Strength of Character

admin — Fri, 16 Aug 2013 22:14:50 +0000

Life With Herman "Strength of Character" by his Grand Daughter

Grandpa Herman was a “character” as Grandma so humorously portrayed. He worked hard, loved his family and had a fun disposition. One thing not mentioned was that Grandpa struggled with alcoholism. Many of the difficulties experienced in the family were due to this addiction. But, here is where we see the true character of this great man. My father was Grandpa Herman’s oldest child and was the first child in the family to marry. Therefore, their first child was Grandpa Herman’s first grandchild; that would be me. The story has been told often of how when I was born, my father warned Grandpa that he would not be able to be around me if he did not do something about his alcoholism. Grandpa loved family more than he loved alcohol and so he made a decision to let himself be admitted to Manteno hospital in Chicago to “dry out” and get the needed help. Then he joined AA (Alcoholics Anonymous) and stayed close to this group for the rest of his life. Anyone who has struggled with or been around family members with addictions will know how much strength this took. It is like crossing an ocean with a small boat and one oar. Yet, he did it! He never touched alcohol again for the rest of his life. His example is prominent in my mind when I feel something is too hard. Too hard? Anything I have to deal with pales in comparison. Knowing that this kind of strength is in my genes; my DNA; gives me courage to keep going and trying when faced with my own oceans or mountains. If Grandpa conquered his nemesis, so can I.

Life With Herman - His Parents

admin — Sun, 25 Aug 2013 01:02:49 +0000

Herman was born 17 June 1906 in Christopher, Franklin County, Illinois to Joseph Steinbuchel (Steinbeigle) and Elizabeth Ann Wallwork. Both parents were immigrants with Joseph arriving from Germany around 1883 as a young boy of about five, and Elizabeth “Lizzie” arriving 6 June 1887, about 9 years old, on the ship Alaska. Elizabeth came with her mother, Jane, brothers Joseph and George and sister, Victoria. Their father, Joseph Wallwork, came a month later in July. Joseph Steinbuchel/Steinbeigle enlisted in the army during the time of the Spanish American War and served for a short time; long enough to receive a pension later in life when he was shot in the arm at the facility he owned in southern Illinois. Since Herman’s father, Joseph, mustered in and out in Alabama, it is presumed this is where he met Elizabeth Wallwork, whose family was also living in Alabama at the time. Both Elizabeth’s father and Joseph Steinbeigle were miners so may have had this connection. Joseph and Elizabeth married 26 May 1900 in Blocton, Bibb County, Alabama and were there for a few years before moving to Murray, Alameda County, California, where Joseph’s parents, Conrad and Francisca had been living. By 1920 the family was located in Franklin County, Illinois and this is the area Grandpa Herman remembered most.He attended school in Christopher with his brother Francis (Uncle Doby) and sister, Vivian. At least eight children were born to Joseph and Elizabeth Steinbeigle, but only three lived to adulthood. Conrad LeeRoy was the eldest born 4 February 1901 and died about 18 months later. Lillian May was next, born 6 May 1903 and died 27 December 1911. Two sweet pictures of her and Herman has been preserved through the years. Lillian and Herman Steinbeigle Herman was the third child, followed by Francis Jorelin, born 23 December 1908. Francis became affectionately known as Uncle Doby to his great nieces and nephews and was a cheerful man like his brother. Victoria Helan was born 12 May 1911 and died at the age of six. The third child who lived to adulthood was Vivian Jane, who was born 15 November 1914 and eventually married George Voelz. This couple were very influential in the life of my father, Ray. Ray writes about George: “It was his garage where we lived. He wrestled with me, played with me, introduced me to the Lutheran Church, and saw to my religious training.” The last two children were Elizabeth, born 4 December 1916 who died about the age of four, and Sadie Rosalie who was born 8 Jan 1919 and died before 1921. Not too much is known about Joseph Steinbeigle since he died at the fairly young age of fifty-four. However, Elizabeth lived with Herman and his family, so more of her personality is learned through stories Grandma Nettie told as well as those told by Elizabeth’s grandson, Ray. According to Grandma Nettie, Elizabeth had a bit of a temper, swore like a sailor, and was known to have chased Grandma Nettie with a chair. But, her grandchildren could do no wrong and she would do anything for them. Like the day her grandson, Ray, wanted his toy cork gun which was on the third floor of the house and he was on the ground floor. Ray tells the story: “After several minutes of strenuous yelling, Grandmother Steinbeigle answered my call. I asked her to lower the gun in my Easter basket. Good old Grandma was always a willing accomplice. The gun did not fit the basket too well. AS she was lowering the basket, gravity took over, the basket tipped and the gun toppled out. As the gun plummeted in my direction, grandma yelled for me to move…I sheepishly grinned at the two ambulance attendants. Six stitches later I was on the road to recovery.” Ray continued the story by telling about how Grandma Steinbeigle ran down the stairs and was furious at the gun for hurting her grandson. Elizabeth died in 1954 at the age of 76.

Herman, Elizabeth and Nettie Steinbeigle

Life With Herman - His Ancestors

admin — Thu, 29 Aug 2013 14:44:45 +0000

Life With Herman - His Ancestors

How To Find The Ancestral Village

For many years the Herman’s German village of origin was unknown. His father, Joseph’s military record was consistent in stating he was from Koln, Germany. A search for records of Joseph’s birth in Koln produced nothing. It appeared that saying he was from Koln was like someone saying they were from Dallas, when in actuality the town was in the general vicinity. However, this quest all ended one day while working on another project in the same county in which Joseph Steinbeigle married Elizabeth Wallwork; Bibb County, Alabama. The marriage records were examined and while searching, a female appeared with the name of Francis Steinbuchel. Immediately, I was at full attention because this was the original spelling of our family name and Francis was the name of Joseph’s mother. I knew she had to be related so set out in earnest to learn everything I could about Francis Steinbuchel who married John Funken 31 December 1893 in Bibb County, Alabama. I tracked the family to Illinois; the same county where the Steinbeigle’s eventually settled, but Francis disappeared. I searched and searched for her and finally decided to get some sleep since it was, at that time, the wee hours of the morning. As I laid my head down, the thought came, “she went back to Germany.” I sat up bolt right, ran to the computer and began looking at passenger lists. Yes, she did, indeed, go back to Germany with all of her children and returned shortly after. The advantage of finding an ancestor on a ship passenger list in the 1900s is that the last place of residence is named as well as the place of birth. The entry for Francis included all of this information! She was born in Borbeck, Rhineland. Unfortunately, the Family History Library did not have microfilm for this village so a letter was written to the local record holder in Borbeck for a search of the birth and marriage records of Herman’s grandparents, Conrad Steinbuchel and Francisca Koch. Within a month, precious birth and marriage records were received into my hands. The village of origin of the Steinbuchel family had finally been found! The genealogical research message from this is: ALWAYS check the records in which your ancestor is found for similar surnames. When I originally found the marriage record for Joseph Steinbeigle and Elizabeth Wallwork in Bibb County, Alabama, it was years and years ago before I knew much about genealogical research. I did not check for possible relatives in the area. As it turned out, this “possible” relative was a sister to Joseph and she led us to the home village in Germany.

Tracing and Planting Roots: The Life of a Genealogist

admin — Fri, 15 Nov 2013 16:18:02 +0000

It may be odd to picture a six year-old carefully filling out his pedigree chart, but perhaps that’s what drove Richard W. Price, Sr. to pursue genealogy as a full-time profession. That, and the fact that his father was passionate about genealogy and practiced it as a hobby throughout his life. At 12, Richard began collecting his own genealogies. Taught by his grandfather to search the records of the Mesa, Arizona genealogical library, Richard soon began making fascinating connections and associations within his own family. For instance, on one trip to the library, he discovered that both of his parents were descendants of the Reverend John Lathrop, an early New England cleric. Continuing his fascination in family history as a hobby throughout his childhood and high school years in Arizona, it was a trip to Boston with his parents at age 16 that helped cement his passion for genealogy. For two weeks, Richard studied at the New England Historic and Genealogical Society. When he entered college at Brigham Young University (BYU), it was only natural that one of his selected courses was genealogy. Advised by a professor not to make family history his primary collegiate study (because there was no money in the business), Richard pursued an undergraduate degree in psychology. Despite his training in psychology, Richard continued his genealogical pursuits as a hobby, visiting England and Wales in his early twenties for two weeks in order to explore record offices and genealogical societies and studying cemeteries. In 1976 he visited the Institute of Family Research (IFR) in Salt Lake City in order to find out more about one of his family lines. During his visit, Phil McMullin, president of IFR, offered Richard a job. Since he needed a summer job anyway, he began his first paid job in genealogy. Richard worked for IFR for six years, with Dean McLeod his trainer and mentor. While there, he earned accreditation in English research and even served as president of the Utah Genealogical Association, Professional Chapter. In 1979 he and several friends began meeting several hours a week to establish a professional genealogical organization, later named the Association of Professional Genealogists (APG). Richard served both as vice president and president of APG, which has grown to more than 2,400 members. Richard started Price & Associates, Inc. his own genealogy company, in 1982. With a wife and young family at home, he earned an M.A. in Family and Community History at BYU in 1984, with a master’s thesis titled Child-Naming Patterns in the English Villages, 1558-1740: Whickham, Durham; Bottesford, Leicester; and Hartland, Devon. His genealogy business has taken Richard on research trips all over the world, including England, Scotland, Wales, Germany, Canada and many areas in the United States. This research has helped him fill in some of the gaps to records available in the Family History Library in Salt Lake City. Richard has become skilled and versed in searching the records and manuscripts in local churches and archives throughout Europe. Remembering some of these trips, Richard said: “How can one express the feelings, the chills that descend on you when you’re visiting an ancestral home? When I first visited Ludlow, Shropshire, where my Price ancestors originated, a still, sacred reverence fell upon me. I walked the same roads, churches, markets and shops that my forefathers sojourned. This was holy ground to me.” Of course, those trips were also not without a bit of characteristic mirth. On one occasion, while jogging through the cobblestone streets of Lincoln, England, Richard fell and broke his leg. He had six weeks left on his research trip and was told he could not bend his leg for two months. While driving a stick shift on the “wrong” side of the road through the English countryside, Richard somehow found a way to go about his work. Another time, Richard stayed at a large bed and breakfast with traditional shared bathrooms. Always an early riser, Richard went into the bathroom at 5 a.m. with a towel wrapped around his waist to get ready for the day. After his shower he returned to his room to find it locked, with the wrong key in his hand. Having no other choice, he walked down five flights of stairs and sat in the lounge wearing nothing but a towel until the owner awoke – but not before a non-English speaking foreigner came upon the odd site in the lounge. With no way to explain himself, Richard simply let the foreigner get a great laugh out of the obvious predicament. Today, Richard continues in his quest to help clients trace their lineage and understand their ancestors and their lives. Married to Nancy Knudsen Price since 1976, the couple has raised five children together in Utah. To Richard, ancestral or immediate, family really is everything.

English Indexes at the Family History Library

admin — Thu, 21 Nov 2013 15:00:06 +0000

Whenever I look at an English problem I usually think of marriage indexes. Most counties have their marriages indexed at least 1800-1837 and some 1538-1837. To make certain, I went to the Family History Library in Salt Lake and checked on the CD databases availalbe. There is a great collection that is easy to use. For a brief review: Berkshire has a probate index and many Christenings, marriage and burial indexes (CMB) Cambridge has Christenings, marriages and burials, poor law index and many other records. Cheshire marriage indexes 1754-1837 and many misc. records Cornwall has many records. Cornwall is also available at parish clerks on line (http://www.cornwall-opc.org/) and their Christening, marriage and burials are indexed on the Cornwall FHS web site. Derbyshire has many miscellaneous CDs. Their marriages are 100% indexed on line (http://www.derbysmarriages1538-1837.co.uk/) Devon has criminal records, Christening, marriage and burial indexes by deanery - many parishes; land tax, Plymouth records, etc. Essex has many monumental inscriptions Gloucester has Bristol Christening and marriages Gloucestershire Marriage index 1800-1837; christenings 1813-1837; non comformist index Gloucestershire burial index Hampshire has monumental inscriptions Wills 1483-1653 Christenings 1660-1841 Burials 1400-1837 Marriages 1538-1837 100% coverage Herefordshire marriage index 1837-1957 Monumental inscriptions index Huntingdonshire many par reg, Burial index 1538-1837 Marriage index 1538-1837 I think 100% coverage Kent has many parish registers Lancashire has many parish registers. Of course the parish clerks-on-line is fantastic for Lancashire (http://www.lan-opc.org.uk/) and Familysearch.org has over 1 million names Leicestershire has a marriage index complete 1754-1852 and another 1800-1837 Leicestershire and Rutland burial indexes perhaps complete Lincoln probate index 1700-1910 Marriage bond and allegation index Settlement certs index Burials 1813-1900 Marriage index 1700-1837 Apprenticeship 1711-1810 Military 1795-1845 Non-conformist index London Probate Index - looks like it is possibly complete. Many military records Norfolk Norwich burials Norwich marriages Northampton bap 1700-1750 indexed 1650-1700 indexed 1813-43 indexed Burials 1700-1812 Burial index 1700-1812 Marriage index 1700-1860 Marriage pre-1700 partial index Nottingham marriage index Oxford parish register transcripts Rutland marriage index Shropshire marriage index Staffordshire onumental inscriptions Marriage index, burial and christenings are easily ordered on line (http://www.bmsgh.org/search/sea1.html) Suffolk burial index Marriage index 1813-1837 Marriage index by deanery Surrey burial index Marriage index to 1837 Sussex poor law indexes Monumental inscriptions Wiltshire mar index Non-conformist index Land tax Wills beneficiary index 1800-1858 Yorkshire Burial index 1813-37 Burial index by deanery Monumental inscriptions Many parish registers West riding burials 1780-1837

What Should You Look For When Hiring a Professional Genealogist?

admin — Tue, 21 Jan 2014 19:51:35 +0000

People hire professional genealogists for a wide variety of important projects. Over the course of the year, we may be asked to help someone finally start mapping their family tree, conduct research that’ll be published in a book, assist with finding a rightful heir, or help crack a particularly complex genealogical mystery. From basic research to decoding an entire lineage, a professional genealogy firm can help you efficiently tackle the most difficult historical family research. But many clients ask: what should we look for when hiring a genealogy researcher? Questions to ask before hiring a professional genealogical firm Asking the right questions will help you quickly assess the two most important points in hiring a genealogist. First, you want to ensure that you’re hiring a professional that is experienced with research and communications related to genealogical matters. Second, it’s important to ensure that he or she possesses any specific expertise that may be required to complete your project such as the ability to speak a foreign language or contacts in other countries who can help gather important documents. Some questions to ask during your interview include:

How many years have you been conducting professional genealogical research?
What’s your educational background?
What specific genealogical training have you received?
What are your research specialties?
Can I review testimonials and/or speak with client references?
What kind of peer-reviewed accreditation or certifications do you hold?
Have you published books, scholarly pieces, articles, or online publications on the topic of genealogy?
May I view a sample genealogical report that you’ve developed? If possible, may I see an example that contains both a narrative and an explanation of your research methods?
Do you give lectures at genealogical conferences or teach classes to your peers or to the public?

How to evaluate their answers Anyone can call themselves a professional genealogist today, particularly online. But just a bit of digging will help you quickly determine whether you’re speaking to someone who is well-qualified to help you. The best genealogists have years of experience; specialties that give them unique perspectives on certain projects; training and certifications that demonstrate their commitment; publications or speaking expertise that affirms their expertise; and a history of happy clients willing to speak on their behalf. Here’s a closer look at what to consider in each of these critical areas. Experience: One of the most important areas to delve into is experience. Many of our researchers have more than thirty years of experience as full-time professional genealogical researchers. That experience shows in multiple ways. They have the ability to communicate findings in an interesting and concise way. Their methodological approach is sound, and they have insights and approaches that they apply to difficult problems based on years of experience that a novice wouldn’t have. Finally, they’re efficient and able to accomplish significantly more in the hours of research and writing that they dedicate to your project. Education, genealogical training, and certifications: Many accomplished genealogists have graduated college; a significant percentage hold advanced degrees. This education helps develop sharply honed research skills. Some academic programs, such as the BA in Family History/Genealogy at Brigham Young University, offer dedicated academic training. Inquire about what specific genealogical training they’ve received. The best in the field attend ongoing professional training and conferences to learn new techniques and broaden their areas of expertise. It’s also helpful to look for membership and certifications in organizations such as the Board for Certification of Genealogists, the International Commission for the Accreditation of Professional Genealogists, and Association of Professional Genealogists. These organizations maintain stringent guidelines for members, typically including peer reviewed assessments of previous work prior to allowing them to join. Expertise: It’s helpful as a client if you evaluate the project you have in mind, and determine any specific skills that might be helpful. For many clients just getting started, a generalist will do excellent work. But there are some instances where a more in-depth expertise is a helpful asset. Some examples might include the ability to speak French if your ancestors are from Quebec, experience conducting LDS family research projects, or a deep knowledge of Colonial New England family records and documents. The more specific your project, the more helpful unique expertise will be in getting the result you’re looking for. Budget and project scope: Clients often have a specific budget range that they’d like to work within. In other cases, they have a well-defined project scope that they’d like to work on. A professional genealogist will offer both hourly rates and packages, and recommend an option that’s right for you. From a couple of hours of genealogical instruction to get you started on your journey to completing a major research initiative on your behalf, professional genealogists have the resources to help you achieve your goals. When entrusting your family research to a professional, asking the right questions will ensure that you choose a professional that’s right for you. If you’re ready to get started with a family history research project, contact us today to set up a free initial consultation.

5 Documents That Tell Your Family’s History

admin — Mon, 27 Jan 2014 16:22:03 +0000

For many people interested in learning more about their family history, the process that professional genealogists go through to uncover the identities of ancestors and put together their stories is a bit of a mystery. Historical research is a true adventure, taking researchers to unexpected nations, into the lives of surprise famous connections, and more. Genealogists rely on the paper trail your ancestors left behind to help assemble the details of their lives. Ideally, your understanding of your ancestors will go beyond just a name and can tell you a bit about who they were, how they lived their lives, and where they spent their time. Here’s a closer look at five types of documents genealogists find helpful in crafting family history narratives. Immigration documents: For the majority of Americans, our ancestors came to the US from other places within the last few hundred years. Shipboard records and other details help us understand immigration patterns, as well as the individual stories of how people emigrated from one country to another. Ship’s registries or passenger lists have a varied amount of detail. Some documents include just the basics such as names and cities of origin, while others are a treasure-trove with detailed physical descriptions, possession lists, and profession or trade information. Death records: Genealogists rely heavily on records that note important events such as births, marriages, and death. Death records are extremely helpful, giving insight into when and where someone lived. Researchers consult a number of different sources to learn more about death dates. Typical death records include death certificates, which provide the name, date, and place of death. Obituaries may give additional context such as family names, details of the person’s life, and insights into how they died. Wills offer details into the material possessions, relationships, and final thoughts of the deceased. Tombstones and sexton’s records (details maintained by the people that oversee cemeteries) can also be helpful. Military records: If any of your ancestors fought in wars or served in the military during peaceful times, military records can offer unique insights into their lives. Most US military records are housed at the National Archives and Records Administration. Some are available electronically, while others from wars prior to WWI have been archived. Examples of military records that could be consulted include enrollment records, discharges, muster lists, pension records, and draft registration cards. Depending on the details of your ancestor’s service, hospital records, prison records, or military cemetery records may also be useful. Marriage records: Marriage records are vitally important to genealogy work, as they help us trace both sides of our ancestry. Marriage records often serve as one of the best clues to women’s maiden names. Common marriage records include marriage licenses, wedding certificates, newspaper articles, and more. As you move back through time, banns announcements (where the names of the betrothed were read in church for subsequent Sundays), dowry information, and private notations by pastors, ship captains, and justices of the peace that performed marriage ceremonies may also be helpful. Family bibles and letters: Many families used their Bible or other holy books to record important information such as births, deaths, and marriages. These details can be extremely helpful to genealogists on the trail of additional information. After noting the date that the book was printed, researchers will review any information that’s been recorded. One aspect that’s helpful to determine is whether details were recorded at the time of the event or significantly afterwards. Other family papers, such as letters, daybooks, diaries, and autobiographies can provide additional context and significant detail for family research when they exist. There are numerous sources to help uncover your ancestry, from the recollections of aging relatives to following the paper trail through archives around the globe. Genealogists explore many avenues to help bring together the story of your ancestors into cohesive narratives that help you to understand where you come from. If you’re ready to explore your own ancestry in-depth, contact us today to set up an initial consultation. image courtesy of www.freedigitalphotos.net

The Mystery Grandfather: DNA Evidence Links Broken Family Bonds

admin — Wed, 05 Feb 2014 23:14:49 +0000

Chad Lott is a Sugar House, Utah-based hairstylist. My wife, sister, cousin and all of my daughters have had Chad cut, color, style, generally improve their hair for a number of years, and now consider him a great friend. Just last year, Chad told Nancy, my wife, that he was looking for a very special gift to commemorate his mother’s 80^th birthday. Of course, he knew that I was a genealogist and knew that his mother would find no gift so priceless as a knowledge of her family history. Jacqueline Sorenson, Chad’s mother, was born to Mildred Underwood and John Tomsick. About the time of Jacqueline’s birth, her father left and Mildred never heard from him again. At the time, Mildred and Jacqueline lived in Los Angeles. Mildred had some basic information on Jacqueline’s father. His name was John Tomsick (or Thomsick), and he was a shipping clerk from Colorado that helped deliver goods between Colorado, Utah and California. John died in the 1950’s. The only relative or friend of John’s that Mildred remembered was named Lee. With this basic information in-hand, we began researching Chad’s family – namely the father of whom Jacqueline had no memory and very little knowledge. We found a John Tomsick in the Los Angeles 1940 census. This John was a Colorado-born shipping clerk, and was around the same age as Mildred. We felt pretty good about this lead so accelerated our research. We learned that this John Tomsick was the son of Frank and Clara Tomsick of Colorado and that he had six brothers. In public records, we found photographs of John when he married Juanita Latham about three years after Jacqueline was born. We then found that John died on August 25, 1958 in Los Angeles. From what little we knew of John, we felt very encouraged by this information. Our next step was to begin communicating with John’s family. Lee Tomsick’s wife, Pauline, posted much of the Tomsick family information online. When we spoke to Pauline, she answered a number of questions and was very helpful. According to her, the Tomsick family had no idea that John had fathered a child before he married Juanita. While we felt confident that our John Tomsick was Chad’s grandfather, we didn’t have proof. I met Chad for the first time when I went to deliver the research and received a haircut at the same time. When I walked into the salon to meet him, I literally got chills when I saw him. The photographs I’d seen of the Tomsick family were not as clear as we’d hoped, but Chad had a strikingly similar build and facial features of the Tomsick men. All about 5’7” and 140 pounds or so, Chad Lott would fit in with any Tomsick. This was very exciting to us, but we knew that the only way to prove the identity of Chad’s grandfather was to perform a DNA comparison. We compared Jacqueline’s DNA with that of John Tomsick’s family. This process took several months, but the DNA analysis indicated there was a 99.5 percent probability that Jacqueline was, in fact, the daughter of [or at least very closely related to] our John Tomsick, born in Colorado of Polish parents. The connection had been proven. What’s more, Jacqueline also found out that her half-brothers Stuart, Albert, Lee, Leroy and Ronnie Tomsick are still alive. Thanks to God and science, it’s possible for us as genealogists to complement research efforts by using the infallible procedure of DNA comparison and link broken families ties. Happy 81^st birthday Jacqueline! Richard Price MA Accredited Genealogist

Another Family Tree Revealed

admin — Wed, 05 Feb 2014 23:15:17 +0000

By Richard Price, MA, AG We recently completed another successful research project at Price & Associates. M.R. of Ogden, Utah wanted more information on his ancestors. During the research process, we identified 31 new direct-line ancestors in Germany and added 126 new individuals to M.R.’s database. These 126 people were all relatives of the 31 new ancestors. Of the new names, we identified 97 individuals in need of temple work. We are thrilled with the success of this research and to M.R. for having a desire to know and discover his lineage and ancestors.

The Role of DNA in Genealogy

admin — Tue, 18 Feb 2014 18:30:40 +0000

The Role of DNA in Genealogy

Within the last five years, a number of services have come on the market that are changing the relationship between DNA and genealogy. Traditionally, family history research was restricted to what written documents could tell us. But new services can give additional insights into the web of connections that make up our genealogical stories. Here’s a closer look at the different tests on the market, and how they can add to your quest to learn more about your family history. How DNA testing works for genealogical research DNA testing for genealogical research tests a subject’s DNA and compares specific segments of that DNA to comparative samples. The results are then compared to other living individuals’ DNA, as well as to specific ethnic group results. Depending on what you’re trying to achieve, DNA tests can give you a wide range of genealogical insights. It’s important to know, however, that this testing is different than genetic testing for diseases or medical risks. These services focus specifically on helping answer questions such as whether you are descended from or related to a specific person, or if your genetic makeup includes similarities to populations from Switzerland or the Cherokee Nation. The testing process If you’re not familiar with DNA testing, the process is fairly simple. In most instances, once you purchase the service a DNA kit will be mailed to you. Many include a simple swab, similar to a Q-tip, that’s rubbed against the inside of your cheek. The swabs are then placed in a sterile tube and mailed back to the lab. Other services may use methods such as spit cups and mouthwash. Samples are tested when they arrive at the laboratory. In terms of privacy concerns, some labs keep samples on file for future testing. Others dispose of samples after a set period of time. All labs will destroy samples at a customer’s request, and most reputable services have a standard process for making that request. What is being tested There are three types of genetic tests that are currently available for use in genealogical research. These include autosomal testing, mitochondrial DNA testing, and Y-chromosome testing. Without getting too technical, each type of testing yields a unique set of information. Autosomal testing is most frequently used in ethnic testing. These products will return a result that suggests your ancestors were of Italian, English, and Scottish descent, for example. Mitochondrial DNA goes deeper, testing the DNA that’s been passed along from mother to child. It can be conducted on a man or a woman, and show specific biological relationships through a common female ancestor, as well as information about geographic origins. Y-chromosome testing can only be conducted on males, and gives insight into a family’s paternal lineage. Understanding the underlying processes is useful because it can assist you in choosing the right testing product for your needs. The kinds of genealogical questions DNA can help answer Haplogroup research: National Geographic pioneered a project that uses matrilineal DNA to take a closer look at the early origins of specific groups, called Haplogroups. Through extensive research, it is believed that this DNA information can provide insights into the migration patterns of your earliest ancestors from Africa or the Middle East through Europe or other regions. If your interests extend to ancient history, the results can be intriguing. Ethnicity: For many people whose families have been in the United States or Canada for an extended period of time, their ethnic makeup is murky at best. One individual may find that his or her ancestry includes people from the British Isles, Scandinavia, Latin America, Asia, and Native American tribes. Whether you’re trying to confirm family lore of a Wampanoag ancestor or just get a better picture of your ancestry, tests that offer insight into your ethnicity can be both fun and interesting to explore. Living relative connections: Many of the specific tests on the market are designed with one function in mind: to help give you an idea if you’re related to a specific person. For example, if your DNA research leads you to the conclusion that a specific person might be an ancestor but the details are unclear, DNA testing can help. By comparing your results with a known descendent of theirs, you can usually definitively answer the question. DNA tests can be an important tool in resolving this kind of issue, and adding additional verification to what the paper records indicate. Community-based genealogy: As genealogy sites have become more popular, a trend has arisen of community-based genealogy. As a field, genealogists tend to be a helpful bunch. Two people pursuing the same line can often share information, confirm suspicions, and open up new fields of inquiry. Sites with a community function often show whether you have genetic relatives that are also in the system and give you the opportunity to connect. If you’re interested in learning more about DNA testing for genealogy, the following is a list of companies offering these services. It’s not comprehensive and we have a clear preference for Family Tree DNA. Family Tree DNA www.23andme.com DNA.ancestry.com The Genographic Project The decision of whether to use your DNA in your genealogical projects is highly personal. Many have privacy or personal concerns that lead them to not participate. Others find that the tests, which usually cost at least $100 to complete, may be unaffordable. That’s a completely acceptable decision, and good old-fashioned genealogical detective work can help you answer the same questions. But for people that are curious, there are a number of tools on the market that you can explore and get a different perspective on the unique blend of ancestors that make up your family history. Contact Price & Associates today for assistance with your most pressing genealogical questions.

How To Track Down a Female Ancestor

admin — Mon, 24 Feb 2014 17:51:28 +0000

One of the genealogist’s unique challenges comes in the form of tracking down female ancestors. In earlier times when record keeping was spotty at best, many records of major events were incomplete. Women didn’t often vote, hold jobs, own property, or perform other activities that would routinely generate a paper trail before the early 20^th century. This wasn’t always the case, and many times researchers will find that women’s information was more complete. But it’s a common enough challenge that comes up in genealogical work that we decided to explore it more. What’s a family history researcher to do when they’re working on tracking down a female ancestor and the data is limited? Understand the context Prior to the early to mid-1900s, women’s identities were often very intertwined with those of their husbands, fathers, and sons. By law, in many places, women were not allowed to vote, hold property, or work outside the home. Even when it was allowed, female independence was a somewhat isolated event. Further, men of the times were in charge of writing the histories and keeping track of the information that was recorded. These things combined to create the situation where records on some female ancestors either don’t exist or don’t contain basic information that researchers are seeking. It’s led some genealogists to call women our “invisible ancestors.” Today, this context is both sad to reflect on and frustrating from a research perspective. But it’s also the reality, and genealogists have developed several creative ways of learning more about female ancestors. Here’s a closer look at some of the tricks of the trade. Look at the marriage records Marriage records are an important source of your female ancestors’ maiden name. Typically, this information would be recorded on the marriage license. It would also be preserved on church or government records announcing the marriage, recording the marriage, and performing the marriage. Genealogists consult records as diverse as family bibles, wedding licenses, church registers, banns, and marriage applications that could be held at the town, county, or provincial level (depending on the country). Once a researcher has obtained a marriage record, there are several pieces of important information that can be gleaned. These include the bride’s maiden name, her parent’s names, place of birth, the date of the marriage, and the location that the wedding was performed. Each of these clues helps fill important gaps in the genealogical picture. Divorce records can also provide similar information where applicable. Cemetery records Another valuable location for records about female ancestors are cemetery records. A gravestone is often one of the most concrete records that an individual has left behind of his or her life. Cemetery records often list some information, and a visit to the cemetery in question can provide additional perspective. The insights gleaned range from inscriptions to the quality of the stone to the proximity of the burial in relation to other individuals. You can also get secondary confirmation of names, birth and date death, spouse’s name, and even parental status (e.g. from inscriptions such as “beloved mother”). It’s important to remember that cemetery records have variable reliability, depending upon who has reported the information that’s been inscribed. Government census records A government census record is another avenue to pursue. Government census records may not list your ancestor’s maiden name, but may provide important context clues to her life. For example, it may list her spouse, children, age, the value of their estate, if she worked outside the home, her basic levels of education, and more. Tracing a female ancestor across the decades of her life through the census can give an idea of how her life unfolded. When you find an ancestor in the census, take a detailed copy of the information on that page and surrounding pages. Information about neighbors and other household members can be important clues to the bigger picture. Other records In some areas, women owned property independently or in common with a husband. She may have received a dowry from her father when she married, or a dower from her husband’s estate when he passed on. Women may be mentioned in wills, or have wills of their own. Baptism records for a woman or her children; probate details related to inheritance; church attendance rolls; military service and pension records; jail records; and obituaries and other newspaper clippings are additional sources of information that should be examined. Tracking down details on a missing female ancestor can be a challenge. Following the usual paper trails may not be enough. But a persistent researcher is likely to find evidence of maiden names, birth and death dates, and other details if they’re willing to be creative about finding new sources of information. If you’re interested in professional assistance locating information about a female ancestor or anyone in your family history, contact Price & Associates today to arrange a personal consultation.

How To Find Your Irish Ancestors For St. Patrick’s Day

admin — Thu, 13 Mar 2014 16:45:28 +0000

With Patrick’s Day coming later this month and inspiring Irish pride around the world, many people become curious about their Irish roots. Whether you’ve found an O’Shaughnessy somewhere in your family tree or simply have family lore about Celtic royal ties or family that escaped the Great Famine, learning more about your Irish ancestors is a great way to celebrate this time of year. But researching ancestors in Ireland and abroad can present some special challenges. Here are five strategies and resources that can help streamline your search. Remember the concept of chain migration: Chain migration refers to the phenomena that often, a family or group of individuals would immigrate to the United States together. As they got established with places to live and jobs, members of their extended family, friends, and people from their community would often follow. There were strong trends – at least initially – for new immigrants to live with people that they knew or settle nearby. If you’re struggling to find details on a specific ancestor but know that they traveled with a sibling, parent, or friend, researching the people they knew may give you valuable insights into how and where they lived, worked, and traveled. Review documentation you may have on hand: One of the best places to start with your search for more detail about Irish ancestors is by looking through existing family papers. A family Bible may include names and dates of births and marriages. Letters, postcards, and other forms of correspondence with relatives back in Ireland may offer important clues on names and geographic information. Pinpointing the town or village, or even simply the parish that an ancestor emigrated from will help you focus your search and make it easier to find important records. Work to find birth names: For many immigrants traveling to the United States with names that were considered difficult to pronounce, spellings were changed upon arrival. Therefore, what started as O’Conaill may have changed to O’Connell, Connell, O’Connall, Conill, Cannell, or Connull (note: these were just a few versions that turned up for this particular surname during a recent search). You may find references in documents where spellings vary slightly. Different variations of one name may be used for the same person. Depending on your ancestor’s literacy level, it may be difficult to find a definitive confirmation of spelling; they themselves may have used different spellings at different times. The best way to work around this is to explore different spellings as part of your records searches, and provide notations in your research on any alternate spellings used for your ancestor or other members of his or her family. Focus on immigration records: Irish immigration peaked at the time of the Great Famine, with good reason. However, ship’s records and passenger lists may have been skimpy with details. This is doubly true if your ancestors traveled steerage (i.e. the cheapest way to make the Atlantic crossing). If you’re having trouble locating your ancestor on an Irish to America vessel, remember that many people crossed to Canada and then traveled south into the United States as it was often cheaper. It may also be helpful to cross-check immigration records via the US Census. Often, if a place of birth was listed as somewhere other than the United States, the census will note the year of immigration. This can help narrow down your records search. Use Irish specialty collections: There are a number of collections that are available which focus exclusively on Irish genealogy that can supplement your search. Some of these are free, and others paid. While not a comprehensive list, these resources can help you get started or break through a particularly challenging research problem. The National Archives of Ireland offers an extensive collection of historical and genealogical resources available for search. Origins.net is a specialized service for tracing British and Irish ancestors. The subscription services offers a Wills Index and the best online version available of Griffiths Valuation. Roots Ireland is an initiative of the Irish Family History Foundation, an Irish non-for-profit dedicated to genealogy, offering a searchable records index and digitized versions of original source materials. Finding your Irish ancestors can be a rewarding project to undertake in connection with St. Patrick’s Day. If you’re struggling to make progress or want assistance from an Irish genealogical specialist, contact Price & Associates today to set up a personalized consultation.

In Search of Sailors and Soldiers: Military Records and Genealogical Research

admin — Tue, 18 Mar 2014 15:31:45 +0000

Whether it’s a meticulously prepared Daughters of the American Revolution application or an enlistment record that transports you across the decades with descriptive details, military records are an important source of information in genealogical research. Military records help us understand when and where our ancestors fought and served, what wars they were part of, and whether they dedicated time to national security during times of peace. There are numerous types of military records that researchers encounter: draft accounts, muster rolls, detailed service records, pension documents, bounties, cemetery records and veteran's profiles. Here’s a closer look at how to interpret military records and how they can inform your genealogical search. Navigating military paperwork One of the advantages of conducting genealogical research with military records is that most militias across time and countries have been well-organized. Military service can be one of the richest sources of written details about the life and times of a specific ancestor. This is true whether your ancestor served in a distant navy or army, or more recently in branches like the Air Force and National Guard. It’s important to remember that military paperwork typically relates to different points in the service lifecycle:

Enlistment records: Records for new sailors and soldiers are often excellent, offering details such as the name, date of entry, location that the person joined, and biographical and descriptive details. These records can include draft cards during periods of compulsory service.
Muster Rolls: Muster rolls provide lists of individuals who served in a particular unit, including details of such as names and ages. Muster rolls go back hundreds of years, and can be an important record of service prior to the Civil War.
Ongoing service records: These records can relate to location and dates of service, the base your ancestor was stationed at or the ship your ancestor served aboard, or specific details related to honors he or she received.
Draft and war records: Draft records typically refer to compulsory service for males between the ages of 18 and 35. In some cases, much older individuals also signed up under the draft. Different collections offer searchable draft records for Canada and the US (currently available via Ancestry.com).
Bounty land records: Some soldiers received bounty land grants in exchange for service during the Revolutionary War and the War of 1812. There were also a number of other land grants filed prior to 1855.
Prison and hospital records: If something extraordinary happened during your ancestor’s service, there may be prison or hospital records to supplement their files. Prison and trial records can advise you if they were accused or convicted of a crime. Hospital records detail the nature of injuries and treatment.
Discharge and pension records: These types of records relate to how and when your ancestor left the service. They may also offer important insights into life after the military. Possible post-service records include honorable and dishonorable discharges, pension records, veterans support, and military burial details.

Accessing Military Records If you’re currently researching an ancestor that you know served in the military, accessing these records can greatly expedite your research. But if you don’t have personal experience with finding and reviewing military records, it can be a challenge to know where to get started. What follows is a list of several different options to launch your search. The National Archives: The National Archives stores records in two repositories, one in Washington DC and the other in St. Louis, Missouri. Their website outlines the procedures for visiting the archives and obtaining copies of specific records. Ancestry.com: Ancestry.com has digitized a significant portion of America’s military records prior to WWII. These include WWI draft cards and WWII draft cards. They also have collections of foreign national service records available. War Pensions: Fold3 has information available on Revolutionary War Pensions, Civil War Pensions, and Civil War Widows Pensions. Taking pride in your family’s military service and uncovering the details is one of the pleasures of genealogy. There’s a vast world of military records that can help fill in important gaps in your family narrative. If you need assistance locating and interpreting military records in your genealogical search, contact us today for a personalized consultation to find out how working with a professional genealogist can help.

How To Preserve Your Genealogical Records

admin — Mon, 07 Apr 2014 16:13:48 +0000

For many families, there’s a disaster preparedness plan in place in the terrible event that a fire or natural event strikes. Important everyday documents and valuables such as passports, stock documents, and jewelry may be safely ensconced in a fireproof safe. Your most valuable possessions are likely covered by your homeowner’s insurance or specialized policies. But your genealogical information could be damaged or lost in the event of a tragedy. Not only does that information represent important links to the past, but it also is the culmination of untold hours and even years of research, travel, and careful curation of information. Here are three tips to help you create a preservation and disaster protection plan for your genealogical information and family heirlooms. Digitize everything So much genealogical evidence is captured through complex paper trails. One of the most important aspects of this can be pictures, including older pictures and rare images that may represent the only photograph of a specific ancestor. Other important documents might include copies of out of print books, documentation such as birth and death records, and handwritten interview notes. Your best defense against losing any materials is a proactive approach: digitize everything. By creating digital copies of documents and photographs, you’ll be protected if any kind of emergency occurs. They’re also easier to share with interested relatives, organize, and publish your findings if that’s among your goals. Once you digitize, look for a reliable storage option that provides a back-up of your files. For example, consider using a remote cloud backup service or an external hard-drive to make a copy of your digital content. Use smart storage techniques When choosing the location to store your photographs and other precious family belongings, start by choosing acid free preservation boxes. Consider adding a desiccant package to any boxes storing delicate documents, which helps remove condensation or moisture that can accumulate. Another important consideration is where in your home to store these items. The best choice is somewhere that’s climate controlled and less subject to extremes of temperature, flooding, or other issues. This essentially removes areas such as your basement or attic. Instead, we recommend an interior closet without windows, ideally stored on a shelf that’s above floor level to prevent flood damage and curious children or pets. A water and fire protected box or safe will give you peace of mind. Your genealogical records are the culmination of significant effort and potential investment. Developing a plan to make sure that your hard work is preserved and protected from natural disasters is a critical component of an ongoing genealogical project. Invest the time now to consider storage, back-ups, and protecting rare family items – you won’t regret it!

Navigating New England Colonial Genealogical Records

admin — Mon, 21 Apr 2014 14:40:52 +0000

Does your family lore suggest that your ancestors came over on the Mayflower or were part of the group of people that settled and founded the original colonies? Digging into your earliest American roots through genealogy can provide a fascinating view into your relationship to the people that helped build this nation. But navigating your way through Colonial genealogical records can be a challenge. If you’re interested in investigating your colonial roots, here’s a closer look at some of our favorite archives, organizations, and search strategies. The General Context of New England Genealogy It’s been famously said that if you’re going to have American ancestors from anywhere, New England is a great place to do it. New England has also been described as the birthplace of American genealogy. While that’s up for debate (Utah certainly has played an important role in advancing the discipline!), it’s true that New England’s collections of genealogical materials are extensive. Families from Maine, Vermont, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Rhode Island and Connecticut are well-represented in genealogical resources and literature. Tips and Resources Every Colonial Genealogist Should Know About Study the history: The Colonial period was a fascinating time in American history, with multiple nations working to stake a claim on the region. Many Native American tribes were active during this period as well. Border disputes, conflicts, and changing loyalties were major trends of the period. The better you understand the forces that were governing life during this period, the better prepared you’ll be to interpret the information you find. Read established genealogies with a grain of salt: A significant amount of research has been done and published on families in New England. However, it’s safe to assume that not all published information is 100% correct. It’s important to take an evaluative stance on what you read. How well documented is the information provided? Do you have concerns about the author’s research design, or are you finding intuitive leaps that are based on less data than makes you feel comfortable? Always consult multiple sources and when in doubt do your own primary and secondary research to confirm what you find. Contact the right organizations: There are a number of organizations that specialize in the genealogy of these six New England States. Beginning your research there can help you identify resources and collections with information that’s germane to your research. These groups include: - Massachusetts Society of Mayflower Descendants - The New England Historic Genealogical Society - Massachusetts-Genealogy.com: A list of links to city specific resources within Massachusetts. - The Connecticut Society of Genealogists - The Connecticut State Library Genealogical Collections - The Vermont Historical Society Library - The Rhode Island Genealogical Society - New Hampshire Genealogical Society - National Society of the Sons of the American Revolution - Daughters of the American Revolution Library Connecting with your most distant American ancestors can sound like an insurmountable challenge. But if your family’s story in America began in New England, you’re well positioned to find excellent resources and documentations to help you in your work. If you’re interested in learning more about your roots in New England or need help navigating any of the other colonial genealogical records, contact us today. Price & Associates’ team includes colonial specialists who can help you get started or complete entire projects on your behalf.

Ancestry Family Trees: "Rooted" in Errors?

admin — Wed, 30 Apr 2014 20:29:02 +0000

For most novice or casual genealogists, Ancestry.com is the Wikipedia of family history; information is robust, easily accessible and often free. While this resource has opened the genealogical doors for many looking for information on their family history and where they’re from, it can also present a problem for those looking to uncover truth. That’s because Ancestry.com and other sites such as FamilySearch.org, WikiTree.com and myheritage.com provide user-entered records, called Ancestry Member Trees. Other sites call them Family Trees usually. While the idea of pooling genealogical resources sounds compelling, the truth of the matter is that these trees are often inaccurate.

In a recent article for the Jersey Journal, Daniel Klein describes the problem stemming from Ancestry.com’s Ancestry Member Trees. In Klein’s experience, an Ancestry.com search for his own family presents several egregious member trees. Of note, one Ancestry Member Tree lists his great-great grandfather born in 1858 and dying in 1859 of infantile cholera. This is likely because a novice genealogist used reputable data like the U.S. Census, but applied it to the wrong person. While their motives were likely harmless, untrained researchers may not have the innate discretion and skepticism of someone extensively trained in genealogy.

Of course, we cannot eliminate valuable resources like Ancestry.com, FamilySearch.org, WikiTree.com or other online genealogical databases. What we can do is become more discerning about the information we find. Like good scientists, we must take collected data and cross-reference, cross-check and validat it before accepting it as truth.

Ancestry Member Trees (and other similar online resources) pose a very real problem for genealogists. At Price and Associates, Inc. we frequently find erroneous information in family trees that our clients have already accepted as complete and correct. In fact, we recently worked for a California client to compile pedigrees to add to his ancestral file. Through Ancestry.com, we found two of the client’s family trees – an exciting discovery! Unfortunately, we determined shortly that both trees were erroneous, leaving us back where we started.

As genealogists, we love the idea that family history is becoming more accessible to hobby and novice researchers looking to discover information about their ancestors. That said, we encourage those researchers to be discriminating of the information they find – they may be discovering a “family” that’s not theirs at all!

Genealogy Scams: What You Need to Know About Generic Surname Histories and Coats of Arms

admin — Wed, 14 May 2014 15:38:43 +0000

For many families, the first foray into genealogy begins with their surname. You wonder about topics such as: what’s the ethnic origin, what’s the meaning, and what other interesting people have shared your last name? However, it’s easy to find out as you dive in that there are many unscrupulous companies that sell generic information that may not relate to your family at all. Since professional genealogists commonly hear questions such as “where can I learn why more about my surname’s history?” and “where can I find my coat of arms?” it’s important for those new to genealogy to have an understanding of commercial scams that have popped up around genealogy. Here’s a quick overview of some of the most common ones and how to avoid them. The Trouble with Surnames Depending on the part of the world your ancestors emigrated from, surnames may have been in use since approximately the 15^th century (Europe) or as early as 2000 BC (Asia). The origins are diverse, with some referring to locations and geographic features (e.g. Rivers or North), occupational details (e.g. Cooper or Fisher), titles (e.g. Lord), or patronymics (e.g. Anderson or Jameson – meaning son of Anders or son of James). Some general information can give you the broadest idea on the origin of your surname – for example, it was most likely Spanish or Irish. But the only definitive way to know the specific history of your family name is to begin with current generation and trace your way backwards to the original ancestor who took the name. It can be the genealogical project of a lifetime! Generic Surname Histories With that in mind, it’s easy to understand why people want to spend twenty dollars and get a “complete family history.” In fact, you’ve probably received emails or catalogs in the mail offering these products. However, most of the so called generic surname histories are of dubious quality. They often include general information about how to conduct genealogical research, a generic history of the surname in question, and then contact information extracted from public sources such as phone books of “your relatives.” There’s seriously limited value (or no value) in these products in terms of actually helping you learn more about your family history. If you’d simply like to get your bearings and find general information about your surname, a quick search of the internet will yield free data of comparable quality. Family Coats of Arms Another common genealogical scam is companies selling “family coats of arms.” These visual images of shields with added details are sold as prints suitable for framing or emblazoned on everything from windbreakers to key chains. However, in most cases, there is no such thing as a family coat of arms attached to a surname. While this varies by country and there are limited exceptions, in general a coat of arms is granted to a single person. Like a title or piece of property, it is something that is inherited by the eldest male heir directly along the paternal line. In most cases, if you hold a coat of arms, it’s something you’ll already be aware of. General coat of arms sites may show you a coat of arms design that was held by someone with your same last name. But the chances that it’s directly related to you are limited. That doesn’t mean that you can’t explore the topic, however. If you’re interested in learning more about Heraldry and researching coats of arms, two places to start are the American College of Heraldry and the Institute for Heraldic and Genealogical Studies. It’s natural to be curious about your surname’s origins when you first get involved in genealogy. However, your best strategies are to research your own line or talk to a qualified professional genealogist who can help you get started with your project. Save your money on generic surname histories and coat of arms mugs!

3 Steps To Finding A European Ancestor’s Town Of Birth

admin — Tue, 27 May 2014 15:05:32 +0000

For many genealogical researchers, one of the most fascinating streams of research takes you back to your family’s country of origin. Whether your family came to North America four hundred years ago from England or emigrated from a small town in coastal Italy in the early 20^th century, venturing across the sea and across time can help you connect with that ancestor’s life. While we’re lucky to have excellent genealogical resources in the United States, conducting research overseas is more complex. From missing details to language barriers to simply not knowing where to begin, international research can throw up unexpected barriers. The first step in many cases is identifying the birth place of your ancestor, which can be more complicated than you expect. Here are three strategies to help you get started.

Build a strong profile of the immigrant ancestor

Your strongest weapon in your effort to find your ancestor in their country of origin is to collect as much information as you can about them before you take your search abroad. It’s important to mine all the information at your disposal from familiar, US sources to help you understand who that ancestor was. The more distinguishing information that you have access to, the better you’ll be able to identify records about your ancestor when you find them. You’ll be shocked how many John Williams’ entered the US in the 19^th century from Canada or how many Maria Minettis came through New York in the same time period. Assume that you’ll need whatever information you can find. The most helpful details include:

The person’s full name, including first and middle names;
Maiden name, if applicable;
Date of birth;
Other important dates, such as christening or baptism, marriage or date of immigration;
Place of birth as specifically as you can find it – sometimes you’ll find a mention of a province or general region, if not a town or city;
List of names of close relatives, especially spouse, children, parents, and siblings. However, extended family and even neighbors can be helpful due to the fact that people often migrated in clusters;
Other identifying or distinguishing information, such as occupation, religion, previous military service, organizations in which they held membership, or schooling.

While you may not be able to formulate a full picture, the more details you have on hand from the list above the better position you’ll be in to obtain records in the country of origin 2. Ensure you’ve checked all the relevant sources If your ancestor is truly a mystery to you at this point, your head may be spinning at the thought of where to begin your search. After all, if you don’t have a birth certificate or birth record, the thought of locating a place of birth can be overwhelming. In many cases, it’s simply a factor of knowing where to look. If you haven’t started, use the list below as a reference point and should your search already be underway, the following list may provide a useful starting point for other ideas:

Consult the person’s death records, including death certificate and other reports for mention of a birth place and birth date;
Obituaries in local newspapers, and especially those published in ethnic community publications, may include more detailed information about place of birth;
Marriage records, especially if the ceremony was confirmed in the US, may contain the person’s place of birth and parents’ names;
US census records for throughout their lives may give insights into country of origin as well as other details like place of residence, age and occupation;
Immigration records, including those from point of entry and the ship’s register often include helpful hints;
Military records, fraternal order records, and other organizations may record personal details;
Family bibles, legends, autobiographies and the memories of older relatives can give important insights;
Church baptismal records of the person’s children may have more details about point of origin;
Published genealogies and local histories may include more detailed information.
Departure records such as Hamburg passenger lists.

Always consider these details a starting point and verify and document as much as you’re able to on your own. 3. Work to verify the information at the point of origin Once you’ve collected as much information as you can and leveraged US sources fully, it’s time to start searching foreign collections. Just a general note: Tracking down birth places can be tricky for several reasons. The first is that if you find reference to a location, it’s important not to assume that the town was where your ancestor was born. He or she may have emigrated within the country or to other countries prior to coming to North America. The second is that, particularly if the town listed is a major city, it may simply be the largest regional reference point. It’s similar to someone saying that they are from Boston or San Francisco, but actually living a short drive away in a nearby town. Finally, place names have changed and some local residents use shorthand to describe a specific area. For example, an ancestor in England might use a term for a village that’s subsequently been incorporated into a larger town. That’s why this kind of search often requires patience, ingenuity, and a bit of sleuthing. Once you’ve identified the information, you’re ready to take your search overseas. You can begin by consulting any sort of national index or census; contacting a regional genealogical or historical society; or reaching out to the town hall or city government to find out about historical records. If you need assistance solving a complex genealogical issue related to immigration or another topic altogether, contact us at Price & Associates today to arrange for a conversation to explore how a professional genealogist can help. We have research associates who specialized in various global locations ready to help find your immigrant roots.

Keeping The Family Spark Alive

admin — Tue, 10 Jun 2014 15:05:40 +0000

More than any other interest or vocation, genealogy requires true passion. Spending hundreds of hours chasing the names, dates, and details of the lives of your ancestors through dusty library stacks, endless computer databases, and convoluted correspondence with distant bureaucrats could only be called a labor of love. Many genealogists think about how to share that spark and keep the interests alive within future generations of their families. Here are some creative ways to get children, teenagers, and young adults interested in genealogy. Pull out famous connections: In general, as genealogists we want to minimize the impact of famous relatives. Every ancestor is important! But if you are the descendent of a famous general or have a literary genius in the extended family tree, use that as an entry point to engage kids. One family that discovered a great uncle was a famous American poet, for example, bought a book of his poetry and read it aloud with their family. They then used short biographies and photographs to create crafting opportunities for the children that centered on each one’s favorite poem that he had written. Connect your family history to curriculum: Tying genealogical research to a child’s school curriculum can help them make important connections. For example, colonial American ancestors may be more interesting after a child has studied the Mayflower and Pilgrims. A Daughters of the American Revolution application for one of your ancestors will mean much more to someone who has studied the late 1700s. Finding connections, especially based on subjects that interest the child in question, can help draw them in. Engage them in your quest for information: There are two ways to approach genealogical research. One is like homework, and the other is like a mystery where you’re hunting for important clues. Guess which one resonates more with kids? Choose an interesting piece of family history and define a clear research problem. Use kids’ natural facility with technology to search databases, explore online, and illustrate the role of technology in modern research. If you can bridge the idea that genealogy involves both technological innovation and creative thought, bright kids will be hooked. Use family photos to play games: Games are inherently fun, and photos are a terrific gateway into your family’s history. Use old photos to help explore the relationships between people. Show a picture of Grandma as a child, for example, and encourage them to guess who she is. Share stories of her time spending summers on Martha’s Vineyard, or how her father emigrated from Canada. You’ll receive bonus points for funny and exotic stories. Another approach is to use historic photos and ask kids to play detective. Can they guess the timeframe based on the clothing? Are there items in the picture that offer clues as to the place, period, or occupant of the featured person? Explain what it means to you: Take the time to explain to the children and young adults in your life why you became fascinated with genealogy. Did uncovering the stories of your ancestors help you feel deeply connected to past generations? Were you captivated by the story of an ancestor on a grand adventure, and want to learn more about them? Perhaps you stumbled across a photo that spoke to you across generations? Whatever your motivation, whatever your interests, take the time to share that. Your motivations can help kids recognize their own interests. Also take the time to share why you want them to be involved, and how and why it’s important to you that family stories continue on. Getting the next generation of your family interested in genealogy is a great way to make sure that your work carries on. Our professional genealogists are happy to help you teach the fundamentals of genealogy to young researchers, or work with you to document your family history in a format that’s easy to share. Contact us today to arrange for a personal consultation.

How To Use Religious Records In Your Genealogical Research

admin — Tue, 24 Jun 2014 18:06:47 +0000

Throughout the centuries and in locations ranging from early Europe to colonial America through the early 20^th century, churches have been the centers of lives and communities. In many cases, even if an individual wasn’t particularly religious, he or she still regularly attended services due to laws and social conventions. One of the central locations that life’s major events were recorded was by a person’s local church or parish. From baptisms to marriages to deaths, and in some cases even interesting life anecdotes, it’s possible to learn about your ancestors through church records. Here’s what you need to know to get started with genealogical research using religious records. But which church should I look at? With America’s blended families, it’s possible that you’ll find ancestors in the same family tree with a wide range of religious affiliations. In some cases, the answers will be more obvious than others. For example, ancestors from Rome are likely Roman Catholic; those from early Pennsylvania stand a good chance of being Quakers; in England, most people after the reign of Henry VIII belonged to the Church of England; family residing in Massachusetts in 1630 are likely to have been Calvinist; and the Salt Lake City region is a hot spot for LDS families. In other cases, it’s simply impossible to know. Regardless, there are some simple ways to determine religious affiliations:

In what cemetery is your ancestor buried? Often, cemeteries belonged to a specific denomination and even church.
Do you have information about other members of the family? Members of a family often share their faith.
Check obituaries, wedding announcements, and engagement listings for details of a church where the people were members or where ceremonies were held.
If you have detailed marriage records that include the name of the official, it may be possible to determine his or her religious affiliation through church or historical records.
Funerary cards and other items affiliated with mourning and funerals may suggest a church or presiding clergy.
Consider geography. What churches existed in your ancestor’s locale during his or her lifetime? It’s much more likely that they walked to the church that was 2 miles away each Sunday than the one that was 10 miles away.
In some cases, census records may contain religious information.

What to do with religious records Once you’ve determined your ancestor’s religious denomination, it’s important to determine which congregation he or she was part of. The individual church may maintain historical records, or be able to advise you of where they are stored. Depending on the religion, often individual churches are part of a larger organization (for example, a parish, ward, or diocese depending upon the denomination). Working at that level may also give you access to broader historical records, and help you clarify the evolution of that church in a specific region. Sending an email or written letter is often a great way to get started. It's helpful to remember that many churches are small and understaffed, or have no staff at all. Generally speaking, pastors and their assistants are helpful in responding to requests but you’re more likely to get a detailed response to a written query than to a phone call or an in-person visit, unless those are pre-arranged. Further resources The genealogical community has done an excellent job centralizing this truly dispersed aspect of genealogy research. We recommend the following reference points to get started in learning more about sources of information about religious records for your ancestors. Cyndi’s List: An outstanding web-based site that gives recommendations of where to find resources by denomination and religion. Church of Latter Day Saints Resources: The LDS Church has some of the most extensive genealogical collections in the world. Two helpful places to start include the LDS Genealogy Forum and Family Search. Catholic Resources: Helpful resources for those seeking Catholic ancestors include Catholic Genealogy and the Catholic Family History Society. Judaism Resources: If your family tree includes ancestors who were Jewish, begin your search at JewishGen.Org. If you’re working to locate historical or religious records related to an ancestor, consulting a professional genealogist may be the solution you’re looking for.

How To Conduct An Oral History Project

admin — Mon, 21 Jul 2014 15:18:47 +0000

One of the greatest assets available to you in your quest to understand your family may be sitting right next to you. As researchers, it’s easy to become enamored with histories compiled by other researchers and the primary documents from different eras. Yet as many researchers get older, they find themselves in the unfortunate situation of having failed to ask many of the questions they always wanted to know from people that passed on – parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, and so on. Here’s an overview of how a genealogical researcher can use oral histories to help inform her work. Be open to the idea that people’s lives may not have been as you expected: For many people, it’s hard to imagine a time when your grandparents were young, having grand adventures, traveling the world, and falling in love. Perhaps your beloved grandfather fought in a war overseas and remembers important moments of bravery. Maybe your most recent ancestors lived simpler lives, guided by a dedication to their work and a love of family. Whatever the stories are that emerge, they help you understand specifically where you come from and how members of your family overcame difficulties, achieved goals, and found moments of joy in their lives. Bring your curiosity to the conversation, but work hard to manage your preconceptions. Ask detailed questions about their lives: Use interview time to explore what their early lives were like. Where did they grow up and go to school? What was their family life like? Who were their friends and what did they do for fun? Discuss school, how they did, and what subjects they loved. How did they choose their career or professional life? If they married, how did they meet? What was courtship and marriage like? Ask questions about their children, grandchildren, and broader family connections: What funny stories do they remember, and what things have brought them great happiness or sadness throughout their lives? If there are specific questions you’ve always wanted to ask – like for example what made this person convert to a particular religion, become a vegetarian, or decide to spend time overseas – make the time to ask those now. Use their expertise of other family members: Ask your family member to share recollections of their parents, children, spouses, siblings, and other family members. Often their memories can help fill important gaps in your knowledge about specific relatives and create more complete pictures of their lives. You can also use your relative’s expertise to help identify the people in old family photos and learn more about them. Preserve your interviews: There are a number of different ways to preserve these interviews. Interviews can be recorded using audio or video equipment. You can also take detailed notes or transcribe your conversation. The more complete the preservation, the more accessible the information will be for generations to come. Are you interested in conducting oral histories with key members of your family but don’t feel like you have the time or expertise? Contact our offices today to discuss how one of Price & Associate’s professional genealogists can help you plan or conduct and analyze these important conversations.

How & Why To Talk to Family Members about DNA Testing

admin — Tue, 05 Aug 2014 15:27:01 +0000

The introduction of DNA services has opened up a whole new line of research and inquiry for genealogists. It’s also opened a can of worms for many researchers that are struggling to answer questions from family members when they’re discussing results or requesting a DNA sample. Frequent questions include: What do you mean you found a new cousin online? Why do I have to give a sample if we’re already related? (Hint: it’s because of gender and DNA). What do you do if you get surprise information from a test? Here’s a closer look at how to handle delicate questions about DNA testing and family research. What is family DNA testing? Many people in your family may be unfamiliar with how much information is looked at during the family history DNA process. While it varies by company, few on the market actually provide health information. In some cases, people object to their DNA being captured simply because they don’t want to know sensitive health information such as whether they’re at risk for dementia or cancer. Assure your relative that genealogical DNA doesn’t map individual DNA at that level. Instead, they’re looking for the markers that give clues to ethnicity and relationships. But no personal health information needs to be revealed. Why does gender matter? Another point of confusion for many people on genealogical DNA testing is why more than one person in a family might need to be tested. Consider the case of a brother and sister who share the same mother and father. On the surface, you’d expect the information revealed to be largely similar. This includes any data about existing relatives already in those database or ethnicities, for example. However, many people don’t realize that we carry DNA from both our mothers and our fathers; depending on our gender, this information is revealed differently in DNA tests. Testing women or men will reveal information about the mother’s DNA. But only through testing the male line will you be able to get specific information about your paternal DNA. That’s why families often invest in having a member of both genders tested. How closely are we related to specific people online? Many services provide the opportunity to let people being tested opt in their global database. If you do, you’ll be able to see if there’s anyone else related to you in the database. Other users could also theoretically find you. It’s often possible to opt in anonymously or to create a detailed profile with information such as your name, location, age, and details of your family’s heritage. Individual researchers and their families can make decisions about how much information to reveal, whether to contact relatives in the database, and how to respond to inquiries initiated by other users. What approach will we take to sensitive information? In some cases, families uncover unexpected information as a result of DNA tests. For example, a cherished family story about a Native American ancestor is challenged by a lack of DNA evidence. Or perhaps your tests revealed an ethnicity not known to be in the family mix. It’s important to remember that the technology is evolving, and each set of results is open to questions. Surprises in the family history can often be a delight, and with a bit of research you can learn the story behind these mystery connections. Are you considering options for including DNA research into your genealogical process, and want to discuss your choice with a professional? Contact Price & Associates today to discuss your research plans and what services might be the right solution for your needs.

How To Use Obituaries in Your Genealogical Search

admin — Tue, 19 Aug 2014 15:58:17 +0000

Finding detailed information about specific ancestors is one of the most challenging aspects of genealogical research. When you’re dealing with recent generations of ancestors, one of the most illuminating records that you can access is an obituary. Obituaries are often written by loved ones, or by professional journalists after interviewing the deceased’s family or friends. These documents may contain numerous details that streamlines your research, as well as anecdotes that bring an ancestor’s personality to life. Here’s a closer look at how researchers use obituaries in the genealogical research process, and a list of resources to help you track them down. Why obituaries are helpful Obituaries are typically published in newspapers after the death of an individual. Obituaries contain information such as full name, birth date, death date, locations, and the names of surviving family members. It may also contain additional details like place of birth, immigration status, military service, fraternal organization affiliations, and much more. It’s a genealogist’s dream to access these data points in one consolidated form, often related by the deceased’s closest kin or friends. Obituaries can help you focus in on your future research, developing hypotheses on specific areas for further inquiry. A note of caution It’s important to fact-check what you read in obituaries. Bereaved families may be relying on family lore, spotty records, and other unreliable sources when pulling together information. Details can become confused during the painful period following the death of a loved one. When relatives passed on who lived in times or locations without good record keeping, in many cases exact dates of birth were unknown. In other cases, the specificity of details might be unclear. For example, an obituary might report that an ancestor was born in London, England, but in truth they were born in one of the hundreds of villages in the immediate vicinity. Sometimes, family legends may obscure someone’s true origins such as focusing on a Native American ancestry claim that’s unsubstantiated. Obituaries can be helpful documents. But it’s important to remember that these are not primary records. Instead, they rely on fallible human memory. Your research will benefit if you treat obituaries as a reference, and then work to verify each data point in the document. Strategies for tracking down obituaries Finding obituaries isn’t always easy. It depends upon where and when your ancestor died, as well as their status, profession, and even religious affiliations in their community. What follows are some helpful resources to begin your search. ProQuest Historical Newspapers Database: The ProQuest database has digitized the archives of large newspapers such as The New York Times, The Christian Science Monitor, The Los Angeles Times, and papers of similar caliber. Your local or state library may offer access to this database. You’ll have the best luck if your ancestors lived in an urban area and were affluent or prominent in some way, as these newspapers typically charged a fee to run death notices. Chronicling America: Chronicling America is a project of the National Endowment of the Humanities and the Library of Congress to digitize more than 7 million small-town American newspapers. Editions of newspapers are constantly being added. The U.S. Newspaper Directory is particularly helpful. Ethnic NewsWatch: Ethnic newspapers may have obituaries for specific community members not featured in general publications. If your ancestor died after 1990, Ethnic NewsWatch offers a searchable database. Ethnic Newswatch: History covers from 1958 – 1989. Access to these databases may be available at your local library or through your state library system. Individual newspaper databases: In some cases, newspapers and publications have chosen to digitize their own collections. For example, the Times of London has made their archives from 1785 – 2008 available online. Check to see if area newspapers have handled their own digitization efforts. Subscription sites: Many subscription products offer access to collections of obituaries. One of the most extensive is GenealogyBank, which offers “modern” obituaries from the 1970s and historic American ones dating from the 1690s. Ancestry.com and similar programs also have access to these documents. Other resources: If your online searches are turning up dry in specialized databases, there are a few more directions that you can take. One is to search the Google News Archive, which digitized a large number of newspapers before abandoning the project. Another is to search state and county Death Indexes and obituary indexes. Finally, consider visiting the local library or town hall where your ancestor resided. Their obituary may be available on microfiche or through a locally searchable database. Do you need assistance finding obituaries or other death records in your genealogical research? Contact us today at Price & Associates to arrange for a personalized consultation to discuss your project and how our experienced team of genealogists can help.

Is a Family History Presentation Right for Your Reunion?

admin — Tue, 16 Sep 2014 15:05:28 +0000

A family history presentation is a great way to share what you’ve learned. If you come from a large family, chances are that your aunts, uncles, cousins, and even your own descendants are spread out across the state or country. Once, it was easy to get everyone together for Sunday dinner and share the latest news. Today, we rely on Facebook and infrequent emails to keep us connected and reinforce those family bonds. But if you’re interested in genealogy, you may be considering a family reunion. Not only will you get to see long lost relatives and receive updates on cousins you lost track of, but this could be the perfect venue to share your passion for genealogy and ignite the interest of other relatives and younger generations. How common are family reunions? You may be wondering if it’s even a good idea to propose a family reunion. After all, if you don’t have a standing tradition of doing so, it’s going to take a lot of communication and preparation to do so. Still, the statistics suggest that reunions are popular and possible to pull together with some planning. According to the organization Group Travel, most family reunions occur in the summer. It’s usually best to give yourself between 12 and 18 months lead time to get on everyone’s schedule and allow for event planning and travel logistics. Most events are big success. 57% of those surveyed had between 50 and 149 attendees. If you’ve decided to go ahead with planning a reunion, here are some fun ideas to incorporate genealogy as a central theme of the get-together. Ways to introduce genealogy into the program It’s important to make genealogy just one aspect of a bigger agenda. Family reunions are about creating ties between living members, after all. However, there is probably no better venue for getting together a group of people interested in their ancestry. The key is to avoid long, dry presentations. Instead, focus on the most interesting parts and break up individual subjects that will allow guest to self-select their participation. Consider a short presentation and a Q&A: Consider giving a highlights presentation that offers insights into high-level topics that everyone is likely to find interesting. What countries did your ancestors come from? When did they arrive in the United States, and what general paths have they taken across the country? Do you have any notable connections or famous ancestors? Were there any fascinating people in your lineage or funny stories that you could share? Illustrate your presentation with a simple PowerPoint presentation that features photos, maps, and copies of documents for more visually-oriented guests. Set up an info table: Consider manning an information table for people that want to learn more. Bring copies of core documents and photographs. Don’t bring originals or your only copies, in case they get lost or someone wanders away with them. You can focus your conversations on the topics that interest your relatives, talk about the research process, and use it as command central to talk with family members you have questions for. Display items such as family antiques, historical wedding dresses, or portraits of ancestors to draw people in. Create a giveaway: Often, family reunions involve some kind of take home gift that could include a jar of Grandma’s signature preserves or a simple T-shirt that boasts surnames. Consider adding some sort of genealogy-themed item. This could include a small collection of photograph copies of ancestors printed into postcards or a short narrative that you’ve written up to accompany your presentation. Don’t forget to add any requests that you might have, such as information on specific ancestors or offering to act as a repository for your family’s historical photos. Fun activities for kids: Another tip is to offer stations with age appropriate activities for kids. For example, you might have a coloring station where kids can make paper dolls from specific eras and tell little stories that relate to your family history. Another idea is to ask a crafty family member to make some simple costumes from different countries or time periods, and invite kids to put on a play. Make genealogy fun as a gateway to exploration and discussion. Are you considering a family history presentation at your next reunion? A professional genealogist can help you prepare or even give the presentation. Contact us at Price & Associates today to arrange for a personalized consultation and discuss how we can help make your get together memorable with a family history presentation.

Genealogical Records: A Guide For Hard to Find Documentation

admin — Wed, 24 Sep 2014 15:05:05 +0000

Genealogical records are the lifeblood of most research efforts. As researchers, we rely on everything from birth certificates to ship manifests to track down the life stories of the people that came before us. Thanks to the proliferation of technology and the growing interest in genealogical digitization, a large number of collections and records are available with a search and a click. But in many cases, not everything is available online. Small towns, older records, and remote locations haven’t come online yet. If you’re trying to track down a record that falls into a non-digitized category, what steps should you take to track them down? Prepare your information before you reach out The more specific the information that you can provide, the better chance you have of finding the records that you seek. If you know from other sources that you’re looking for the birth certificate of a “Robert Jones Smith, born in Boston on May 7^th, 1850 to Robert Sr. and Mary (formerly Jones)” you’re much more likely to track down the record. That’s, of course, the ideal scenario. In other cases, you may not have all the information at the ready. But the more details you have regarding names, dates, locations, other families, occupation and religion, the more effective you’ll be. Determine where the records are held Your next step is going to be determining where the records are held. It’s hard to give a list of resources on this topic, as it varies widely by record type, region, country, time period, and more. However, start your search in the following way. If you know that there are national level records, investigate the archives and available indexes to see what’s held at that level. Then work your way down to the state, province or equivalent level. Next, try the county level. Many records, especially land and probate records, are kept on the county level. Finally, determine if the records would have been kept locally. It’s also helpful to differentiate if you’re looking for records that would typically be recorded by the state or by the local church. Remember that local records may have been moved if towns consolidated or parishes merged. But this gives you a framework to understand how records are organized, and a starting point to plan your outreach to see what’s available. Send your request in writing if at all possible At a recent genealogy conference, an accomplished professional gave excellent advice to an eager attendee. Her recommendation was to send her request for assistance and records in writing, either by email or by post. When the younger woman pressed and said that using the phone would be faster, the genealogist shared an experience tracking down some records in Wales. They were held at the local church. The church had no staff except a clergyman who ministered to several congregations in the area. He was happy to help, but needed to prioritize accordingly. Send a brief but clear note that explains who you are, what you’re looking for, whatever background information you have, and a straightforward explanation of the end result that you’re hoping for (e.g. a photocopy or scan of an original birth certificate, for example). Provide contact information (phone and email is best, where possible) for follow up questions and of course, offer to pay any fees associated with the transaction. Finally, take a moment for a kind word, to offer your thanks and explain what this means to you or your family. Appealing to the person at the other end of the line is always a great idea. Work with a local researcher If you’re seeking records that are physically archived at another location, one of the best steps you can take is to work with a local professional researcher. In many cases, obtaining the records in question is much faster or only possible if you visit the town hall, archive, or library in person. A local genealogist will charge an hourly rate or a flat fee to physically go to that location and make a copy of the record that you’re looking for. It’s important when you’re hiring an overseas genealogist to select a reputable person. One of the easiest ways to do this is to partner with a firm in the US that maintains a global network of expert researchers to use selectively on projects as needed. Just because the records you’re seeking are not available online shouldn’t dissuade you from going after them. Follow the process outlined above, and allow adequate time for research, correspondence, and follow up. If you need help with a genealogical research project, contact us today to learn more about how our team of experienced researchers can help you locate even the hardest to find genealogical records.

How To Use The Census in Your Genealogical Research

admin — Tue, 14 Oct 2014 15:30:49 +0000

The census can offer you an intimate look at your ancestors’ lives in ten year increments. Typically, researchers focus on getting to know specific ancestors through their birth records, death records, and marriage certificates. While these details are excellent for putting a boundary around a person’s lifespan, they don’t tell you as much about their day to day lives. In contrast, the census can tell you where your ancestors lived, what they did for work, whether they were veterans, and more. Here’s a closer look at what the census is, the kinds of information that it contains, and how to use it in your genealogical research project. The History of the Census Many governments have used a census to help count their citizens and learn more information about them, including demographics, economics, and health data. The United States implemented its first formal, national census in 1790. The objective was simple: to understand who lived in the newly formed nation and how best to organize the nation’s services. From there, a new Federal census has been conducted every ten years. While the information that’s been collected has changed somewhat, the census offers a fair number of insights. By Federal law, the census can’t be released for 72 years after it has been completed to protect respondent privacy. The most recent census details available are from 1940, which were released in 2012. The Types of Census Information Researchers Gather Individual event records, such as a birth certificate, marriage information, or wills are often the best information that researchers can access. But a census collects additional information about their lives including job status, whether they could read and write, and whether they owned their homes. The census also provides context by allowing you to see that information for all of the members of a family, to put trends into perspective. In the 1930s, for example, the census was influenced by the Depression. Questionnaires began to ask about income levels and whether people were seeking work. It’s also possible to look at factors such as where respondents were born, where their parents were born, how long they were married and so forth. Often, you can garner dates and locations of birth or a general timeframe for marriage that makes it possible to find other supporting records that otherwise prove elusive. Seeing the Trends in the Census Using the census to track your family’s evolution in ten year increments can provide valuable insights. Did your ancestors put down roots in one area, or move around a lot? Did family units remain the same, with children moving out on a schedule that makes sense or did families live together in multi-generational homes? Can you see an ancestor’s wealth grow or career progress, or their fortunes take a downturn by following them through the census? In many cases, it’s possible to “check in” on each ancestor via the census between their birth and their death. One note, however: if your ancestor lived in 1890, with the exception of around 6000 records, you’ll be unable to view their entry. The records from that census were lost in a natural disaster, tragically. Do you need assistance with a genealogical research project? Contact us today to learn more about how Price & Associates’ experienced team can help you find your relatives through the census and other records.

Understanding Cousins: Extended Family and Genealogy Research

admin — Tue, 21 Oct 2014 15:05:21 +0000

Understanding cousins and extended family relationships can be one of the more archaic aspects of genealogical research. When your explorations move beyond your direct ancestors to encompass what their siblings or other children might have done, you invariably find someone who has lived a fascinating life. Then you start trying to puzzle out how you’re related. You’ve probably heard the term “third cousin, five times removed” used in at least one Downton Abbey episode. But what does that really mean? The basics of cousin relationships When you first think of your cousins, you probably think of the children of your mother’s or father’s siblings. These first cousins are a great illustration of cousin principles. Cousins have a common ancestor, and the level of “cousinhood” is determined by how many generations back the common ancestor was. For example, first cousins share two common grandparents, second cousins a common great-grandparent, third cousins share a great-great-grandparent, and so forth. Understanding “removes” A cousin will be “removed” if there is a difference in the number of generations between them and the shared ancestor. Consider two people who are first cousins, John and Jared. If John has a child, Becky, then that child becomes a first cousin once removed from Jared. This is because John and Jared share a common grandparent. But Jared’s and Becky’s relationship to the common ancestor is different, namely it’s Jared’s grandparent and Becky’s great-grandparent. If Jared also has a child, then that child and Becky would be second cousins. To simplify things, the term “removed” can typically be interpreted to mean generational differences. Two levels of generational differences would be described as “twice removed” and so forth. Determining cousinhood without getting confused There are a number of reasons that people want to understand cousinhood. In many cases, it’s simply to help make sense of genealogical information. In other cases, it’s for presentations or even for use in heir research cases. The simplest way to definitively determine the relationship between two people is to create a comprehensive family tree. Start with your shared ancestor and then map out each generation until the people represented are listed. Now, count back the generations for each person to the shared ancestor. Note those numbers and compare. Are you the same generation or is there a mismatch? This information will determine both degree of cousinhood and if there are removals. If you’re struggling to visually quantify the relationships, a family relationship chart in the form of a tale can be helpful to map out If you still have questions, this family relationships chart from Family History Magazine is a helpful reference material to have on hand when exploring this issue. Do you need assistance navigating a specific genealogical research question? Contact us today to discuss your specific research needs and how the Price and Associates team can help. Our services range from full-scale research projects to brief consultations to answer questions and help researchers understand everything from using genealogical databases to understanding cousin relationships.

Navigating Naturalization and Citizenship Genealogy Records

admin — Wed, 12 Nov 2014 16:05:50 +0000

Learning about your ancestors’ citizenship and naturalization through genealogical research is fascinating. When did your family come to America’s shores? There are many ways to learn this information, from immigration records to mining family lore. But another important question that many beginning researchers miss is when and if your immigrant ancestors became naturalized. Naturalization is the process where someone formally becomes a US citizen. Here is a closer look at how to navigate naturalization documentation. Derivative citizenship One of the most important concepts to understand about naturalization is that of derivative citizenship. The idea is simple: between 1790 and 1922, citizenship was automatically given to the wife of any man who became a US citizen. The same provisions were automatically made until 1940 for minor children below age 21. Unfortunately, the names or demographic details of wives and children were not always recorded – either in the requests for naturalization that were filed or in the subsequent government records. If your ancestor was an immigrant female that married an already naturalized male, she automatically received citizenship and there are unlikely to be specific records of that. Records varied widely 1906 was a game changing year for naturalization. In September of that year, the Basic Naturalization Act streamlined the naturalization process and centralized that authority with the Bureau of Immigration and Naturalization. Today that branch of the government is known as U.S. Citizenship and Immigrations Services (USCIS). Before that date, records of naturalization could be handled by any court including local, county, state, federal, criminal, or marine. Further, no uniform forms or process was used. After the Basic Naturalization Act, the vast majority of petitions were managed in federal court. The revised process was more uniform After 1906, the revised process for naturalization became more uniform and followed a predictable pattern. Luckily for genealogical researchers, this streamlined the paper trail as well. The first step was to file first papers, or a Declaration of Intention, usually soon after arrival in the United States. The final filing from the petitioner was made after residency requirements had been fulfilled, and this was also known as the formal Naturalization Petition. If the application was approved, a Certificate of Naturalization would be issued. Sometimes the census holds a clue If you’re having trouble tracking down specific records, check the Census. In 1870, the Census has a column for non-native males over the age of 21 who had been naturalized. A checked box would indicated naturalization prior to that year. Between 1900 and 1930, the census asked for the naturalization status and used abbreviations including Na. (naturalized), Pa. (paperwork file), and Ai. (alien resident). Sometimes language barriers, lack of education on the topic, or other motives may have encouraged people to self-report incorrect information on the census however. Challenges with naturalization records Besides the issues described above, researchers often find a number of other challenges with naturalization records. One is that the initial papers may have been filed in a different court than where the naturalization was granted, as your ancestor migrated. The result could be a trail that runs cold. Other issues include errors – whether honest mistakes or purposefully fudged details for whatever reason – on the court paperwork. Applicants have been known to change everything from name to date of birth to dates and locations of arrival for any number of reasons. Still, even with all the flaws in our naturalization process record keeping, finding these rare glimpses into the steps your ancestors took to become citizens can be deeply rewarding. If you’re interested in learning more or want professional genealogical assistance, contact Price & Associates today to arrange for a personalized consultation.

Planning a Visit to a Genealogical Research Library

admin — Tue, 25 Nov 2014 16:05:59 +0000

The role of the genealogical research library is sometimes called into question. Many of the most important records that researchers rely on are available online and comprehensive databases help researchers quickly make connections. But it’s helpful to remember that numerous genealogical collections haven’t been digitized yet. Whether they’re extensive niche collections or records stored at the local level, it’s useful to researchers to understand how to prepare for a visit to a genealogical research archives. Here is a quick guide to help you get started. Have a clear research agenda Many of today’s genealogical libraries offer access to digital databases and other resources that are difficult to access on your own. But the vast majority of these libraries rely (at least in part) on old-fashioned systems of indexes, stacks, card catalogs, and microfiche. As a result, visits tend to be more successful when you have specific guidelines on what you’re looking for. For example, you might be hoping to locate the birthdate or marriage records of a specific ancestor. The more specific you can be about what you need and the more supporting information you bring with you, the easier it will be for the archivists or librarians on site to help you. Consider batching your requests and having several different potential records or questions in mind for a visit, in case you run into a dead end. The more questions you’ve mapped out in advance, the best chance you have of a successful genealogical archive visit. Confirm logistics before you visit Digital genealogy offers the convenience of looking up records anytime and anyplace. But a visit to a genealogical library requires more planning. Find out where the records you’re looking for are being stored. In many cases, a city or state archive may divide records into different physical locations by year or by type. All the birth records for your state, for example, may be housed in different buildings with the only differentiating fact being a specific cutoff year. Call ahead to confirm the locations. Some archives require that you make an appointment or come during specific research time windows. Others charge fees for ongoing research privileges, individual visits, librarian assistance, or to make copies of records, so clarify costs in advance and know whether you need to have cash available. Onsite assistance can often dramatically reduce the time you have to spend looking, but may require an advanced appointment. Planning a visit to a genealogical research library can help expand your research horizons significantly. But it’s not always easy to get started. Do you need assistance navigating a records search as part of your genealogical research? Contact Price & Associates today to arrange for a personalized consultation and to discuss how our team can assist with visits to any genealogical research library.

How Professional Genealogical Researchers Track Down Ancestors Who Don’t Want to Be Found

admin — Tue, 09 Dec 2014 16:05:40 +0000

Occasionally, genealogical researchers find ancestors who are a complete mystery. It’s almost as if the specific ancestor doesn’t want to be found! They could have been on the move, lived during a time with limited record keeping, or legitimately have kept a low-profile for a wide variety of reasons. Encountering these situations is both frustrating and a fascinating puzzle to untangle. If you’re struggling to track down an ancestor who seems to have lived the equivalent of their time period’s “off the grid”, there are a number of techniques you can use to help track them down. Start with what you do know It sounds obvious, but begin the search by documenting what you do know. Any scrap of information may prove useful. A name, a date of birth, an intimation about where someone was born, a relative’s name, or an occupation or religious affiliation may be the detail that leads to a break in your research. Start by gathering all the information that’s available. Being systematic and organized will ensure that you don’t miss a critical detail that could ultimately help you track them down as you move further into the process. Employ the circling technique Often, dead ends occur when you’re hunting directly for an ancestor. Endless searches for a specific name prove fruitless. For example, one individual searching for her great-grandfather knew his name and birth city. Unfortunately, it turned out that several individuals sharing that common name had been born in the same year in his town. Without more information, it was impossible to distinguish them apart and then follow their lives forward. Yet in her case, once she uncovered his sister’s name she was able to ultimately follow the trail back to the original target. Understanding that ethnic groups often settled together, that families may have lived near each other, and even details about lifelong friends or neighbors can be enough to help you look at a research problem in a whole new way. Look outside the usual record types Another technique that researchers employ with some success is changing the order that they’re viewing records. For example, if you always bound your search by locating the birth and death certificates first, it may be useful to work on finding other sources of information. Does searching marital records, immigration records, military records, the archives of fraternal orders, or even prison records yield potential leads? Have you tried searching other available family trees online or looking for newspaper mentions? While you’ll ultimately need to source, document and verify everything, changing your research technique can help you find promising leads. Work with a professional genealogist A dead end in your research is the perfect situation to work with a professional genealogist. A professional genealogist has years of experience formulating research strategies and tackling the toughest research problems. He or she will be able to work with you to determine what you already know, to develop a research plan that takes advantage of available sources, and generally bring a fresh perspective to the table. While it’s not always possible to track down every ancestor, many researchers are happy to learn that their family’s stories are not lost to the ages. If you’re struggling to solve a complex family history challenge, contact Price & Associates today. Our professional genealogical researchers will help you determine how best to move forward with your search.

5 Creative Ways Genealogical Researchers Can Share With Family This Christmas

admin — Thu, 18 Dec 2014 16:05:52 +0000

Many genealogical researchers are looking for ways to share their love of family history with their families during the holiday season. Whether you’re trying to kindle the spark of interest in family members or looking for creative ways to satisfy their curiosity, there are a number of avenues to consider. Here’s a closer look at some of our favorite strategies for sharing your work with loved ones during the holiday season. Photograph ornaments Human beings are visual creatures. Even people who are overwhelmed with dates or a pile of documents will often show interest in family photographs. Images of your ancestors can be interesting for a variety of reasons. Perhaps they look like your current family members; or perhaps the antiquated clothing and context opens up interesting avenues of discussion. Many genealogists choose to celebrate the holiday by creating ornaments for loved ones that showcase photographs. Displaying photographs during family events or even making copies for everyone is also a thoughtful gesture. Display heirlooms If you’re in possession of family heirlooms, you’re very lucky. These could be books, such as a family bible; jewelry that might include wedding rings or period items like mourning jewelry; or even practical items like farm tools. Family heirlooms have the benefit of being tactile and physical reminders of the people that came before us. Sharing these items – by talking about their provenance or simply putting them on display during a family get-together over the holidays – can encourage your relatives’ interest. Family trees Many people associate genealogical research with traditional family trees. While a great deal more goes into fleshing out the story of how your ancestors lived and worked, a family tree is an easy place to start the discussion. If you share your entire family tree or even just a specific branch, a copy of the family tree can be a treasured gift that’s shared for generations to come. Heirloom inspired gifts Sometimes, genealogical researchers uncover bits of heirlooms that at first seem unusable: a wedding dress that’s beyond repair, for example, or some broken china. Today, crafty researchers are finding ways to remake these items into usable jewelry or other items. A wedding dress is encased in a glass necklace; broken china easily becomes stylish cufflinks. These gifts can be appreciated for their beauty, and enjoyed for their greater significance and connection to the past. Family history presentation If you’re sharing your family history with a larger group, consider hiring a genealogist to prepare a family history presentation. A presentation might focus on an overview of your ethnic history; an exploration of specific events from your ancestors’ lives; or even talking more about the time periods and locations that are of interest. Each presentation can be customized to your specific needs, and conducted during a family gathering such as a reunion. Sharing your family history research is a wonderful gift to give to your loved ones; it can be done in numerous ways. Think about what resources you have on hand and explore different ways to use them to engage your family. Contact Price and Associates today to learn more about how a professional genealogical researcher can help in your family history quest. They can even help you by finding the meaning and origin of family surnames.

Researching Your Native American Roots

admin — Wed, 07 Jan 2015 16:05:02 +0000

Does your family lore include tales of Native American roots? Whether you’re part of a tribe and looking for more information or want to track down a distant ancestor who may have been a Native American, there’s good news. There are a number of different resources and strategies that can help you verify whether you had a native ancestor and learn more details about their life. While it’s one of the more complex areas to research, with a bit of planning and knowledge it’s often possible to gain some insights. Here are some tips on how to get started. Collect lore and available documents For many, the search for Native American ancestors begins with a family story or legend. It may be that the ancestor in question was far back in history and may be best connected with through documents. However, it’s also possible that he or she lived more recently. Start with what is known. Interview your relatives and collect as many details as possible. In particular, focus on gathering information that will help you determine tribal affiliations. Tribal affiliations are particularly helpful for tracking down records, and learning more about the life your ancestor may have lived. It’s important to remember that Native American groups have had a complicated and sometimes volatile history since colonists arrived, up to and including the forced removal of entire nations. Your research may take you further afield than you expect. Starting with details, documents, and insights you already have can help greatly focus and simplify the research process. Tribal research Once you’ve determined what tribe your ancestor may have been affiliated with, it’s time to develop an understanding for the context of the tribe’s history. What geographic areas did they live in, and during what time period? Some groups were nomadic. Others migrated as a result of colonization or were relocated due to government actions. A tribe’s location in 1700 might be vastly different than in 1900. The more you learn about the history, the more effectively you’ll be able to find and vet records. Another helpful source may be groups that interacted with specific tribes– missionaries, trappers, settlers, and Indian agents, among others. Historical context can help you ferret out these more elusive sources. Finding an individual ancestor Your best chance for finding records of your specific ancestor will be determining where their lives may have intersected with government records or church records. Did he or she marry within a church? Attend a government school? Take part in some other element of broader society? A number of obstacles may prevent you from finding detailed records: native tribes didn’t keep written records for much of their history. Records have been lost or damaged. Some Native Americans didn’t identify themselves as Indian for any number of reasons, or belonged to tribes that were too small or remote to be dealt with by the federal government. Further resources There are a number of good resources that can help you learn more about specific tribes. Look for research centers at nearby universities and information maintained by modern tribal members. Access Genealogy’s Native American History and Genealogy can be a helpful starting point. Ancestry.com also has a large Native American Collection. The United States Indian Census Rolls and Dawes Commission Records may provide another resource. Are you interested in learning more about your heritage? Contact Price & Associates today to arrange for a personalized consultation. Learn more about how our experienced team of professional genealogists can help you find information about your Native American roots.

Uncovering Genealogical Records for Deceased Children

admin — Wed, 04 Feb 2015 16:05:28 +0000

Uncovering genealogical records for young children that died can be a difficult part of the genealogical process. During earlier time periods – including as recently as within the last century – infant and child mortality rates were much higher than today. In part, that’s why many families had so many children; it was not uncommon for a family with six children to only see two or three thrive enough to reach adulthood. Common childhood illnesses, more serious infections and communicable diseases, accidents, birth injuries, and more drove up the rates of childhood deaths. What information can a genealogist expect to find in the case of a family member who passed away early in his or her life? Understanding the range of scenarios One of the first things that is important to understand is the wide range of scenarios that could have occurred. Different scenarios would likely have impacted families in unique ways, and also be reflected differently in the genealogical records. A child that was stillborn or died within moments of birth would have left minimal records, and in some case, no records. An infant that passed within his or her first few months of life was potentially baptized, depending upon the era. Others may have died later in childhood, but left more information about his or her short life. What’s important for the modern researcher to remember is that if you’re finding information about many children dying in a family, what you’re discovering is a tragic but not uncommon occurrence from certain historical periods. From there, you can move forward to determine what happened and develop theories on how it may have impacted the rest of the family’s story. Beginning with family and traditional records The best source of finding information about young children that died is following the traditional research path. Birth and death records can be particularly helpful. One important fact of note: if a baby died shortly after his or her birth, the child may not have been given a first name. As such, they may be listed in records as “Child Smith” “Baby Smith” “Daughter Smith” and so forth. If a family experienced the misfortune of losing multiple children, you may find reference to that in the way individuals are referred to by number, such as “Baby Smith 2 – deceased.” Census records can also be helpful, particularly during periods where mothers were asked how many children they had total as well as how many were still living. Family bibles, when they exists, also often record information regarding the birth and death of a young child. Other records that may prove fruitful include church records, such as baptismal notices and the local equivalent of parish rosters where the minister or priest may have taken note of births, deaths, and other details of changes in the congregation. Finally, it’s sometimes possible to find information about a child that has passed away by beginning with their final resting place. Permits for burial and the sexton’s or overseer’s records for family and church cemeteries may contain information on children that are buried – either on their own or in the plot of a family member, as was sometimes common. Learning about the realities of child mortality in your own family can be heartbreaking. But it’s part of piecing together the story of the generations that came before you. Finding documentation of these young lives isn’t always easy. If you’re running into challenges, consider hiring a professional genealogist to help with uncovering genealogical records. Price & Associates is an experienced team of genealogists ready to help you reveal your family tree.

Finding Your Swedish Ancestral Roots

admin — Thu, 12 Feb 2015 16:05:03 +0000

Do you have Swedish ancestral roots? If so, you’re not alone. It’s estimated that approximately 1.2 million people emigrated from Sweden to the United States between the Civil War and the stock market crash of 1929. A wide variety of factors contributed to encouraging immigration, including limited land, agricultural troubles, and rising rates of unemployment in the homeland. Immigrants arrived through New York and other ports in the Eastern United States, as well as coming through Canada and then crossing into the US. If you’re interested in learning more about your Swedish ancestors but you’re daunted by the language barrier, here’s what you need to know. Understanding Swedish Names One helpful starting point for researchers navigating Swedish records is understanding how surnames worked. Approximately 90% of individuals were named via a patronymic naming system. For example, if a father’s name was Johan Albinsson, he is “Johan, son of Albin.” When Johan has children, they would be Sven Johansson (for a boy, Sven the son of Johan) and Alva Johansdotter (for girls, Alva the daughter of Johan) respectively. Swedish members of the clergy generally have Latinized names such as Lars Eriksson becoming Laurentius Erici and may also include their birthplace such as Lauentius Erici Wattrangious (Wattranfius for Vattrang). Some individuals took place names as their surnames or received names based on traits or regimens in the military to help differentiate between individuals with similar names. Women also often kept their own names upon marriage. Keep these conventions in mind when reviewing records. Parish Information is Critical For tracing your ancestors in Sweden, knowing their place of birth and where they lived is absolutely vital. This is true no matter what nationality your ancestors are, but it’s the key to finding the right records in Sweden. Most of the records collected were actually kept and managed by the Lutheran Church at the local parish level. There is no centralized Index to Swedish historical records even when national records exist, and civil officials didn’t start registering the information that they collected until the 1950s. Lutheran Church Records The Lutheran Church has been the dominant religious force in Sweden since the 16th century. Records kept by the church (known as kyrkoböcker) span from the 1500s onward. Often this information recorded births, baptisms, marriages, deaths, household surveys that list individual members, and who moved in and out of the parish. The cleric’s notes may have also included details about church accounts, disciplinary actions, and much more. Accessing these records begins with understanding what parish your ancestor was born in or lived in during his or her life. Working backwards The best way to learn more about your Swedish ancestors is to start with the present and work backwards. Many Swedish immigrants ultimately headed west to settle in areas such as Minnesota, Illinois, and Iowa. The settlers were drawn by the promise of land for homesteaders and higher wages. Passenger manifests from Sweden – usually departing from Gothenburg – often contain information about an immigrant’s birthplace. The census and naturalization details of your ancestors may also have that data. Another helpful source is looking to see if your ancestor joined a parish of the Lutheran Church here in the United States; often they recorded detailed information about where members emigrated from. There are numerous collections of digitized records online for genealogical researchers interested in Sweden. One of the best places to start is the Swensen Swedish Immigration Research Center at Augustana College. If you’re interested in learning more about your Swedish heritage and are struggling with the language barrier or other issues, a professional genealogist can help. Contact us today to arrange for a personalized consultation and to discuss how our services can help you find your Swedish ancestral roots.

Making The Most of Genealogical DNA

admin — Fri, 27 Feb 2015 19:06:34 +0000

The widespread availability of genealogical DNA kits in genealogy circles is leading to some interesting scenarios. There are always the big surprises, such as learning one has been adopted or finding an unexpected sibling. But more often, genealogy fans are given the opportunity to connect with distant cousins and learn more about the bigger picture of their family’s journey. Consider the case of siblings that immigrated to the US, and then headed for different parts of the country. Today, descendants of one family could be spread throughout Massachusetts, North Carolina, Utah, and Oregon. Despite sharing a surname and exciting family history, known relationships no longer exist between these distant branches of the family tree. Genealogical DNA research and databases are helping to change that. What is genealogical DNA? Genealogical DNA kits typically involve a small package that gets mailed to a recipient. You collect a small amount of DNA through a method such as swabbing the inside of your cheek with a Q-tip. That material is then sent back to the lab and your DNA is decoded. From a genealogical perspective, information is often presented in two ways. The first is a general ethnicity breakdown. For example, a sample client might learn that she or he has English, German, and Japanese ancestry as well as the rough percentages of those breakdowns. Users can also elect to include their information in a database. If you opt to participate in those databases, you’ll be shown individuals in the database with shared ancestry and roughly how you’re related. Often you’re provided with a range, as well as whatever information the person has chosen to make public. A typical entry might include, “John Smith lives in Boston, MA. His family surnames include Smith and Jones. He is your distant cousin, between 3rd and 5th.” Where to go from there? If you’ve signed up for DNA test, received your results, and put your information into the database, you’ve opened up a new avenue for potential research and collaboration. Here are some tips – and cautionary notes – to help you make the most out of this opportunity. Fill out your profile: You’ll have the opportunity to provide base information about yourself, such as name, location, known ethnicities, geographies your family resided, surnames, and a short bio. Each provider’s options are a little different. Share as much as you feel comfortable, but remember that it’s wise to protect your personal information in public forums. Privacy settings Do you want the ability to be contacted by people who share your DNA? Most systems have the capability to set your profile as invisible, to allow people to send you a message, or to request more information. Sharing DNA Often systems allow two users to share their core DNA. From a genealogical perspective, it may help you determine in what way you’re related to someone. However, there are a variety of reasons that individuals would want to be cautious about sharing their DNA with strangers, so think carefully before doing so and examine different levels of sharing available through the service you’ve used to determine how you want to protect your information. Reaching out If the database indicates that you have a relative, it may be interesting to reach out. Whether you’re just saying hello or you’re striking up a conversation with a specific question in mind, keep your first interactions brief. Introduce yourself, provide a little background, and clarify your hopes for a conversation. Allow an adequate amount of time for a reply, as people don’t always check their mailboxes on these sites with the same frequency they check email. Collaborative research One of the most exciting outcomes of using a system like this is the ability to develop collaborative research relationships. For example, if you connect with the descendants of someone on your extended family tree you may have the potential to learn more about their lines and research. Finding extended family that shares your passion for genealogy can open up entirely new avenues for inquiry and enjoyment. Are you interested in learning more about how a professional genealogist can help with your genealogy project? Contact us today to arrange for a professional consultation to discuss research projects, genealogical DNA, and more.

Is it Worth Attending a Genealogical Conference?

admin — Fri, 06 Mar 2015 17:35:12 +0000

If you’ve ever wondered whether it’s worth attending a genealogical conference, you’re not alone. Genealogical research can be a deeply fulfilling but lonely endeavor. Attending events can help you mingle with individuals that share your passion, expand your knowledge of research techniques and resources, and spend time learning about the things you love. It can also be an investment that helps you crack tough research problems and meet one-on-one with professional genealogists that you might consider hiring. If you’re thinking about attending a national or regional genealogy conference, here are some tips to help make your trip a success. Define your goals As with every endeavor, the clearer your goals are the more likely you are to be successful with the outcome of attending a conference. There are numerous reasons to go to a genealogy event, from mere curiosity to networking to trying to identify experts or researchers to help you solve a specific problem. Decide in advance why you’re going. Do you want to make friends or expand your circle of acquaintances that share your interests? Are you hoping to gather specific research knowledge on an area to deepen your expertise on a subject, such as Scottish genealogy or examining criminal records? If you have multiple objectives, prioritize them. A clear list of goals will be helpful when you’re confronted with multiple options in the same time slot that seem enticing. Review the program Conferences typically publish the speaking schedule well ahead of time. Not only does this allow you to get a feel for who will be attending and speaking, but it will help you identify which sessions are of interest. A well-planned schedule can help you prioritize how you’re spending your time at the conference and making sure that you’re not missing valuable information. Themes and topics vary from conference to conference, but you can typically expect sessions on: strategies for planning your research, documenting your work, specific ethnic resources and approaches, new research pathways, and specialized topics such as maritime history and slave genealogical research. Take advantage of other opportunities It’s easy to get tied up during a conference running from session to session. Soaking up as much genealogical research knowledge as possible is a great investment of your time. But you can miss the chance to connect with other participants and take advantage of some of the specialized opportunities that conferences offer. One popular feature is the ability to consult with an established, professional genealogist on a research question. Often, they can recommend resources; help reframe your question; or otherwise give you tips to move forward with your work. Another is visiting the exhibition floor. A wide variety of tools and services are being promoted, which may be interesting to you in your work. Finally, find out which societies and groups are in planned attendance. Often specialized groups – such as the Irish Ancestral Research Association or Daughters of the American Revolution – may be represented at the conference. Taking the time to mingle and learn more may open up avenues of inquiry. Meeting the representatives is also a great, low-stress way to see if membership might be right for you. There are numerous reasons to attend a conference – from expanding your knowledge base to making new friends. If you’re struggling with a research problem that you can’t solve on your own, consider hiring a professional genealogist. Attending a conference they’ll be speaking at can be a great way to get the conversation started. Contact us today at Price & Associates to arrange for a personalized consultation.

Why Writing a Family History is A Good Time Investment

admin — Fri, 27 Mar 2015 15:05:36 +0000

Writing a family history can be a great way to capture all the information that you’ve worked on in your genealogical research. It’s also a great strategy to concisely convey the story of your family’s development over time in a way that’s easy to share with others – from members of your extended family to other genealogists and historians. But developing a family history, whether you write an entire book or you develop a more free flowing heritage album, is a significant amount of work. Here are some general guidelines to help you get started with conceptualizing your project. Determine a scope of work The starting point for any family history is determining a scope of work. It would be impossible to write one book that comprehensively covered everything you know. Instead, decide on a specific scope of work for the project. Do you want to document the life and times of one very specific, interesting ancestor? Perhaps you could tell the tale of your family’s migration to the United States? Or maybe you want to broadly develop a resource that explores the history of one family line or one geographic/historical location? The more clearly you determine what you’re trying to accomplish, the easier it will be to map out your narrative and select the right sources. Think about your style choices Even though a family history is a factual work of non-fiction, there are numerous ways to approach it. Will you use a story style or a more academic tone when approaching your project? Part of what drives your style choices can be determined by what you’re trying to accomplish. Is your goal to share your family stories or to provide a resource for other researchers? Determining who your audience is and how you’d like the project to help them, educate them, or entertain them will give you a good idea of the best style to use. Use and track a variety of sources A family history needs to strike the balance between providing a good story or reading experience and documenting the facts. Consider what sources you’ll use. Many writers incorporate oral histories, photographs, and more traditional genealogical research documentation. The important part is that as you incorporate sources, you have a clear plan for how to document and record them. In text citations, footnotes, and bibliographies are all options – sometimes in combination. Choose one approach and follow it throughout the text. Consider working with a professional Writing a family history can be a major undertaking. At various points, a professional may offer valuable assistance. Consulting with a professional genealogist can help you make important choices about what to cover, reflect on your text, or streamline your sourcing. An editor or copyeditor can proofread the document to give you the confidence of knowing that the text is clean and error-free. Do you need help developing a plan for writing up your family history? Contact Price & Associates today to arrange for a personalized consultation.

How a Genealogist Can Deal with Difficult Family History

admin — Tue, 31 Mar 2015 15:05:51 +0000

There comes a time in every genealogist’s research when they uncover a potentially difficult piece of history. Details vary – sometimes a beloved family story turns out to be unfounded, or an ancestor was convicted of a serious crime. Whatever details come to light, it can sometimes be enough to leave a researcher reeling and trying to find his or her equilibrium again to move forward with the work. One of the essential ways to approach these situations is to put on your research cap and make sure the details are appropriately contextualized to help you make sense of what you’re learning. Here’s a quick checklist for how to proceed when you discover a genealogical surprise. Ensure your documentation is in order One of the first things to keep in mind when you uncover unexpected information is to make sure you have all your information clearly outlined. Have you gathered all the possible documentation to help you really assess the story of what happened? Consider for example that you find out an ancestor served time in prison. The circumstances could be fairly benign. They may have been locked up for a short time due to a debt or a public disagreement. Of course, the charges may be much more serious. But gather all the information that you can find – including court records – to help you really understand the nuance and complexities of the situation. Try to understand the historical context Even if you find that an ancestor of yours had life events that you’re struggling to accept, make sure that your research takes into account the historical context. Someone convicted of theft may have been living in extreme poverty and trying to provide for their family, for example. If you determine that an ancestor was born out of wedlock, are there societal reasons that could explain why this fact was covered up? Throughout history and throughout our own family lines, there’s a wide range of people who are both good and bad. But the societal norms, pressures, and challenges of their lifetimes were often extreme and can sometimes help put specific life decisions and circumstances into perspective. Determine what’s upsetting to you If you’ve gathered all the research and historical context to understand the story and you’re still troubled by it, it’s important to determine what’s bothering you. For example, if your research upended a popular family tale, you may be struggling with a shift in your identity. If you determined that you’re directly descended from someone who was convicted of murder or another serious crime, it may be challenging your ability to imagine anyone in your family could commit such a crime. By determining what’s upsetting you, you’ll be better able to work through it and determine what kind of support is best. Should you lay this particular piece of family history aside? Explore it more in-depth with other family members to find acceptance? Find a professional to discuss your concerns with? A professional genealogist can help you navigate how best to process and contextualize information that you’ve found. Contact Price and Associates today to arrange for a personalized consultation and to discuss your work for a genealogist on our team.

How Are Genealogical Records Digitized?

admin — Mon, 06 Apr 2015 15:05:20 +0000

The process of getting genealogical records digitized is one of the most important technological innovations that has impacted the practice of genealogy today. Research no longer requires traveling around the world and visiting distant libraries or waiting weeks for reply by mail in order to get insights and original records. Increasingly, all kinds of collections from global sources – from ship’s passenger manifests to European Parish records – are being digitized and becoming searchable through subscription databases, free resources like FamilySearch.org or paid services like Ancestry.com. The development in genealogical technology is making it easier for amateur genealogists to conduct research and more efficient for professional genealogists to conduct client projects quickly and affordably. The scale of the effort The Church of Latter-day Saints (LDS) owns the resource FamilySearch.org and its related entities. The LDS Church has taken a leading role in the preservation of genealogical records, up to and including capturing an estimated 5 billion records over the last eighty years. Some of the records in question are captured on microfilm. Others, more recently, have been digitized. Today, FamilySearch and other organizations are partnering – including some major recognizable brands such as Ancestry and MyHeritage – are teaming up to accelerate the pace at which records are digitized and collected. How records are digitized Often, records are digitized by volunteers or professional genealogists that use an indexing system to transcribe the genealogical records. Indexing projects are organized in the following way. A collection of documents is outlined for digitization. For example, the list could be Maine state birth records from 1910 to 1920 or military records of the Civil War registrations from California. Those documents are then digitally scanned. If they’re from an era with variable handwriting, it’s much more difficult and often impossible to use scanning technology and original character recognition software to automatically transcribe those records. Instead, a human volunteer needs to read and interpret the record. Each collection will be broken down into batches which can be easily completed in a short amount of time. The indexer is shown an image of the file, and then asked to key in each field to an indexing system. The indexing system then uploads the documents to a central database. Over time, those records become integrated with searchable databases. Right now, the effort is being led by FamilySearch and is focusing on the existing 5 billion records (and growing) collection. In a recent interview, a manager affiliated with the program estimated that there are an additional 10 billion records from North America, South America, and Europe to be collected and digitized. More than 60 billion exist worldwide. If you’re regularly using online or subscription databases as part of your genealogical work, the background on how diverse historical collections are digitized can help add context to your experience. Often, knowing which database or collection to target can vastly expedite your research. Are you interested in hiring a professional genealogist? Contact Price and Associates today to arrange for a personalized consultation, including learn more about digitized genealogical records and how they can help in your search.

Genealogy Mysteries: Identifying Old Family Photos

admin — Tue, 21 Apr 2015 15:05:21 +0000

Nothing brings genealogy to life for researchers like staring into the face of a long gone ancestor. Often, it’s a small detail – perhaps the expression on their face or the resemblance that they bear to a loved one. Regardless of what captured your interest, old family photos are a treasure that helps connect past and present generations. They can hold even more meaning if you’re able to identify who is featured in the photograph. Here are five strategies that researchers can use to learn more about who might have been captured in family photographs. Look for written clues and ask older relatives In some cases, identifying a family photo may be as simple as flipping it over. Start your search for more information by looking on the photograph itself – including the back – for details. Names, dates, or locations can all be helpful even if you aren’t able to make an immediate association between that information and a specific person. Another strategy is asking older living relatives, who may recall what certain ancestors looked like or have seen the photos before. Consider the context Archeologists discuss “context” when learning more about the artifacts that they uncover. Basically, where was the item when it was found? In the case of family photos, context could refer to an album that might contain written information beneath or near the photo. It can also be helpful to note which photos are near each other, as there may be relationships between the people or they could be chronological photos of the same person. If the photos were uncovered in another way such as near specific letters or papers, the proximity between documents may offer clues. Determine the type of photo Photography has evolved significantly since it first developed. Understanding what type of photograph an image is offers hints as to the period it was taken. Daguerreotypes were common from 1839 until the early 1870s. Cabinet cards were more common from 1866 until the early 20th century. Color photos weren’t typically available until the 1940s, and weren’t widely available until the 1960s. A photography expert can help you determine what type of photograph you’ve got. Look for a photographer’s imprint Many photographers listed details on their work such as their name, business name, city, or an imprint (like a logo) of their business on each image they took. Check the image front and back, as well as any case or frame, for this information. If you can find it, researching details of the business can give you signs regarding the time period and location that the photograph was taken. Play visual detective Another way to gather information regarding family photos is to play visual detective. What can you learn about the people in the photo by looking at the scene and setting? Was the image taken at a hard scrabble farm, for example, or in a lush sitting room? Focusing on personal details of the people in the picture such as hair style, clothing, specific clothing styles and jewelry can also provide insights into when a photograph was taken. Any belongings or decorations in the picture can also be helpful. With all this information, you’ll often be able to narrow down the time period, general life circumstances, and other information of the people in your family photographs. Compare this information to the other details you have, and you’re likely to make important progress in identifying who is in the photo – or at least developing a hypothesis. Do you need assistance with research related to visual evidence or other genealogy projects? Contact Price and Associates today to arrange for a personalized consultation.

Using Nicknames in Genealogical Research

admin — Wed, 29 Apr 2015 16:30:15 +0000

Tracking down records in your genealogical research is one the biggest challenges to solving family history mysteries. Different spellings of specific names, the spontaneous changing of last names, and transcription errors can make the process even more complex. One area that many researchers encounter is the challenge of nicknames. If an ancestor had a nickname, it can sometimes be used interchangeably with their given name which can complicate the process of tracking down specific records or information. Here’s a closer look at some tips to navigate around this issue and how to approach it in your research when you think a nickname may be muddying your research. How nicknames enter the discussion Nicknames can be used on genealogical records for any number of reasons. In some cases, a family gives a child a formal name to honor a relative or religious figure, but calls them by a different name at all times. For example, in some cultures many children named Maria are actually called by their middle name. The person in question may end up using their nickname on formal documents. When family members are reporting information such as providing household details to a census taker verbally, they may refer casually to a sibling or child by a nickname or term of endearment. Think of how you refer to loved ones via nicknames and it’s easy to see how this comes into play. Identifying when nicknames might be the culprit There are some obvious cases in your genealogical research when nicknames might become important. Longer names tends to be reduced to their diminutive forms. Elizabeth quickly becomes Betsy, William is referred to as Will or Bill. Specific nicknames fall in and out of favor during certain periods, and there are often variations related to ethnicity, geography, and more. For example, Alexandra could be shortened to Alex, Andi, Sandra, Sandy, Alexa, or Allie (or numerous other variations). Because today’s digitized research archives are keyword based, it’s important to figure out if a nickname could be at the root of your struggles to track down information about specific ancestors. How to find nicknames When you’re having difficulty finding records related to an ancestor or puzzling out who “Polly” is when you’re expecting to find a “Mary,” consider whether a nickname could be the cause. Start by brainstorming all the common nicknames associated with a specific name that you can come up with. Vary the spelling. Lizzy, Lizzie, and Lizzi could all be viable depending on the details. For more inspiration, consult baby name books or online lists of nicknames. For example, in the example above, Polly was once a common nickname for Mary but not something that occurs to many modern researchers. The more variations you develop, the more widely you can search to put the pieces together. Consulting diverse sources can help you be creative, and may lead to the breakthrough you need to find an elusive ancestor. Are you struggling with aspects of your genealogical research? A professional genealogist can help. Contact Price and Associates today to arrange for a personalized consultation.

Genealogy: It’s Good for Your Health

admin — Wed, 13 Jan 2016 19:17:52 +0000

There are a lot of good reasons for you to look into your genealogy and do some family history. Some people want to know more about their heritage and ethnicity. Some people do it Because of religious beliefs regarding the afterlife. Some people do it to figure out how they came to be in the place they’re in. Some people do it just for the historical fun! But a compelling reason to do your family history is actually because it’s good for your heart. And, no, not just those warm fuzzy feelings you’ll get when you find a long-lost ancestor. Studies are showing that your family history can indicate health problems and concerns for you and your future family.

Family health can be a tough subject. Many families avoid it altogether because the conversations can get a little scary at times. No one likes to talk about serious diseases or death, but wouldn’t it be better to talk about them and potentially prevent something? Everyone knows that there are a lot of serious medical conditions which are genetic - passed through family lines. Obviously looking to your parents is a great start, but of course some of their problems may have been passed on by THEIR parents, and so on and so forth! Genealogy can help you become a health detective in your family tree. It is common in the medical profession to recommend a multi-generational pedigree chart be created in order to look for genetic diseases. For example, there are women today who discover breast cancer several generations back in their family tree. Once discovered, these women can talk about the cancer with their doctors and determine the best course of prevention. Some women are even getting preventative mastectomies to avoid the cancer altogether! Amazing! Because of their family history health work they will live longer, happier, healthier lives. It is fairly common for heart disease, diabetes, and certain forms of cancer to run in family lines. If you are able to do some investigative health genealogy you may be able to find genetic issues like this in your family tree. While a little frightening, this is actually a great step towards prevention and lifelong health. Start by completing a family pedigree chart with at least 3-4 generations. Once you have a completed family tree, look into cause of death. This can be found on death certificates, obituaries, in journals, news articles, and other written materials you may be able to find. Note the age at which each ancestor passed away, and determine if that was normal or early for the time. Medical records, if possible to find, are the best indicator for your family. Once you have looked into your family history, you should share your findings with your own family - immediate and extended. Encourage everyone to share as much medical information as they are comfortable with, because it will ultimately benefit the family as a whole. There are plenty of resources such as familyhealthhistory.org and familyhistory.hhs.gov which can help you in your search. If you are hitting dead ends or are particularly motivated to dig deeper than you feel qualified, don’t hesitate to hire a professional genealogist to aid in your quest for family history health.

Oral History: A Hidden Treasure

admin — Thu, 11 Feb 2016 07:04:40 +0000

The Value of Oral Histories

In the novel, “The Nightingale” by Kristin Hannah, a son is shocked to discover that his mother and aunt were key figures in the French resistance during the German occupation during World War II. An educated doctor, he has lived under the assumption that he knows everything about his mother and her life, but quickly finds out how wrong he is. Like in “The Nightingale,” we would be wrong to assume we know everything about our parents, aunts, uncles, and grandparents. We are missing so much, and may need the help of a professional genealogist, but an oral history is one way to fill in the gaps out. While working on a particular branch of your family history, what would you give to be able to talk to one of those ancestors for an hour or two? The information would be invaluable. Sadly, many genealogists overlook the hidden value of their living ancestors. When considering living ancestors, don’t think birth dates, location, and general family information are the only pieces of information worth collecting. Future generations will long to know more about what your family was like during today. You can give them that information by compiling an oral history.

How to get started with your own oral histories:

1. Compile a detailed list of questions. Start with things you want to know about them and go from there. Write as many detailed questions as you can, even if you know there’s no way you’ll get to all of them. You can jump around your list based on their preferences, or maybe one or two questions will get them off to a great start. Don’t forget to include questions from different time periods of their life. Childhood, teens, adulthood, marriage, and parenthood will all provide plenty to talk about. 2. Go through their family tree with them. Ask them about each family member that they remember, and add memorable details to your records. If anything they tell you conflicts with existing records, make note of it. They may have a foggy memory - or your records may be incorrect. 3. Utilize images and the internet to enrich the interview. If they mention the name of their school, see if you can find a picture of it on the internet to show them. Not only can this help jog their memory, but it will also make their history more memorable and tangible to you. 4. Reserve judgement and keep an open mind. They may have had a completely different life than the one you pictured. The stories you’ve heard about them may be embellished or even completely untrue. Explain that you want an accurate picture of their life, and that telling true stories is vital for future generations. Be sensitive about military service or difficult times in their life. At the conclusion of the interview thank them for their openness with you and the life they have lived. 5. Record the interview. You can videotape them, use an audio recording, or take detailed notes. Try to save these interviews in more than one location for optimal safety and preservation. Leave them carefully labeled and accessible so that future generations can access these oral histories. After you've compiled your oral histories, if you have any additional questions or need help, be sure to visit our LDS genealogical services page or contact us to see how we might be able to help you.

A Link to the Past: Genealogy & DNA

admin — Thu, 03 Mar 2016 18:25:22 +0000

Recently there has been a push for people to identify their DNA characteristics relating to their heritage and genealogy. Many companies will mail you a DNA kit (usually a swab for your mouth) which you will complete and mail back to them. Within a few weeks or months, depending on their turnaround, you could receive the results of your DNA test which may answer questions you have or further inform your genealogy work. But what is the role of DNA testing in genealogy?

Ethnicity is one of the first and easiest things to determine from your DNA sample. If you’ve lived in the United States for a long time, have a foggy ancestry, were adopted, or suspect that you might have some other lines of ethnicity in your blood you may be interested in testing your DNA to reveal your past. Some people are surprised to find Asian or Latin American roots along with the Scandinavian heritage they always knew about.

Another helpful use of DNA in genealogy is to certify your educated guesses. If there’s a missing link in your family and you think you may have found the right piece of the puzzle then DNA testing can resolve the issue. If a living descendant is found and willing, you can compare your DNA to theirs to answer if they are related to you. This can be particularly helpful if you’ve hit a dead end but filling in a blank could help reignite your genealogical work. Often genealogists can use this when a child is born to unmarried parents, so the father was never connected to the child through documentation, but is suspected of being the parent. By connecting current day living relatives you may be able to determine a missing branch of the family tree.

If your family line goes back incredibly far then you may even be able to guess the migration patterns and development of your earliest ancestors in Africa and the Middle East - the Cradle of Civilization! Haplogroups are some of these early societies, and through matrilineal DNA scientists and genealogists have been able to determine some of the migration and societal patterns of ancient groups.

These DNA tests are, of course, optional and sometimes expensive. If you feel you know your genetic history well then you may never have a need of them. But whether you get DNA testing or not you may want to do your very best at conventional genealogical research first. Even if you do need to resort to DNA testing you will be better informed and be able to understand and actually use your DNA information to help your family and future genealogy work. Calling professional genealogists can be a great place to start if you’re a beginner, or an excellent resource if you’ve found yourself facing a tricky family history. The professionals at Price Genealogy have tools, training, and a fierce appreciation for genealogy that can help you discover your family. There is no issue too small or too challenging, and whether you use DNA testing or not - they offer the best services to help.

Getting Started on Your Family History

admin — Fri, 04 Mar 2016 18:26:29 +0000

When you’re searching for ancestors and family lines, your search will only be as good as the genealogical resources you use – and those resources are likely more numerous and varied than you know. Many websites offer free and paid services that assist novice genealogists in starting their family work. In fact, you’ve likely come across a few of these sites using a simple Google search. Of those that appear in your search list, you’ll probably recognize Ancestry.com, FamilySearch.org and several other popular family history resources. These sites can be very helpful to a newbie looking to uncover family lines, view public family trees and sift through census records. While some websites charge fees for use, many offer free services as well, so don’t be afraid to join sites that offer complimentary resources. That said, some sites offer only a free “trial membership,” after which it will charge a credit card with use fees. Before you sign up or enter payment details, be sure you know exactly what you’re signing up for. When you join a new site, jot down your user information so you can come back to it later – there are a lot of family history sites out there, and it’s easy to get them confused. If you’re planning to simply use the trial membership, take advantage of the time to search like crazy while you’ve got the free resource. Even if you’re using primarily digital or online resources to start your search, keeping a paper trail can be a good way to stay organized as your genealogy work continues. Generational charts are also a great way to keep your family generations organized, as well as enable you to easily share your family history work with relatives and loved ones. Remember, family history work really is work, and it takes time and patience. These wonderful resources can help you begin seeing the rewards of your efforts sooner.

Having a Baby? 5 Reasons Now is the Best Time to Start Genealogy

admin — Wed, 16 Mar 2016 17:28:57 +0000

If you’re expecting a new baby in your family its probable that the last thing you’re thinking about is researching your immigrant ancestors or the town where your great-great-great-Grandfather was born. Chances are you’re in your twenties or thirties, and while you’ve looked into your family history or heard your grandparents talk about it, it isn’t a priority to you. There are much bigger things going on! But, what you don’t know is that now is probably the best time to look into your genealogy and start learning more about your family tree.

5 Reasons to Start Researching Your Genealogy

1. Family is a chain.

A chain that you’re adding one more link to! You’re putting another leaf on the tree, and even if you don’t have a strong relationship with family, you’re still part of one - and your little baby will be too. You may not think about it, but you’re bringing a child into a family with a rich history. Now is the perfect time to do a little research to determine where you come from, so you can share that with your little one when they are ready.

2. Health Concerns.

You’re probably aware of your health and the traits you have the chance for passing on to the next generation. Ancestry DNA work is an incredible tool for your family history. Genealogy is a great way to find illnesses or genetic traits that run in your family, or to determine which family members appear to be the healthiest and why. This kind of genealogical research is a little more intensive, but can be incredibly helpful in discovering more about your own family.

3. Baby Names.

Choosing a name for a baby can be a stressful. You’re giving you baby a name they will carry forever! Many people find that turning to their family tree can help them with some name inspiration. Look on both sides of the family tree for potential names that you like. Don’t be afraid to use boy names for girls, last names for first names, or even to change the spelling if you like it better. Get creative, too: look at the names of towns where your ancestors lived, or the names of ships on which they sailed.

4. Bringing people together.

A child ties and perpetuates family like nothing else. If your family is a little scattered, you’re a single parent, you don’t know much about your spouse’s family, or you’re adopting or placing your child for adoption - genealogy work is a great way to feel a warm sense of family community, despite your circumstances. Especially if you have an unconventional family, you can still be proud of those who came before you and show your child the legacy of family behind them.

5. Filling missing links.

Most people expecting children have a newfound value in family relationships. Babies are so precious, even sacred. Can you imagine if this baby was lost or forgotten? Absolutely not! But some of your family in the past may be missing. This is great motivation to press a little harder into those “dead ends” on your family tree. Enlisting the help of a genealogical research firm can help you move past any obstacles that exist in your family history. Congratulations on adding a new member to your family tree! May it continue to grow healthy and strong! Use this chance to make a difference in your family history, and don't hesitate to seek help from a professional genealogist if you need to.

Top 3 Reasons to Choose Professional Genealogy

admin — Wed, 30 Mar 2016 17:29:31 +0000

Genealogy is growing increasingly popular in cultures around the world. Where it was once the hobby of historians and religious groups, now people everywhere are searching for their ancestors and completing family trees. This is great news for everyone, as it means more information is being made available and the world’s family tree is becoming slowly more complete as we trace family lines and identify connections. We highly encourage everyone to look into their family trees and begin filling in the gaps. Completing your family history is a vital part of understanding who you are and where you come from. However, one thing you need to be aware of as you start your family history is that it can never be totally completed. The reason for this is that there will always be dead ends, gray areas, or incorrect connections. While you can do a lot on you own, it’s very doubtful you will find everyone in your family tree. Thankfully, a professional genealogy should be able to help you in your search by bringing new insight, identifying new connections, and bringing new information to your attention, even if they aren’t able to identify every ancestor you have. If you haven’t been able to make progress in your genealogy and family history work, we have a few reasons you should consider hiring a professional.

Three Reasons A Professional Is Right For You

1. Dead Ends

People often hit dead ends on multiple branches of their family tree, creating frustration and apathy. Unfortunately, these feelings lead many to give up on ever doing their family history. If you’ve looked, searched, and scrounged for information with no success, hiring a professional genealogist can give your family history the jump-start it needs. Professional genealogists can find leads and new information that can revive your genealogy search and turn those dead ends into new prospects. If you think you’re stuck forever - think again! Give Price & Associates Genealogical Services a try. They can find people, resources, and dates that you may have missed or didn’t know to look for.

2. Inexperience

If you aren’t particularly good at family history or you have no idea where to begin, calling a professional is an excellent place to start. We go to tax professionals to file our taxes and mechanics to fix our cars because we recognize our weaknesses in these subjects. A professional genealogist is no different, and while there is a lot you can learn from the web they aren’t always the best resources to get you started off on the right foot. Hiring a professional genealogist is a great way to get a crash course in family history terms and skills, and they can help you find make a few tough discoveries right off the bat.

3. Time

Good genealogical work takes time, which you may not have. Between work, spending time with family and friends, hobbies, and social obligations your schedule is probably jam-packed. Simply put, you may not have time to look through old documents or click through computer screens trying to find your ancestors. Hiring a professional genealogical firm like Price & Associates can cut down on the hours you spend doing family history work and still allow you to make progress on your family tree. You can trust that the professionals will get it right and return to you with a beautiful and accurate family tree, with no wasted time or inaccuracies on your end. Hiring a professional genealogist is worth the effort, especially if you find yourself in any of these three situations. Feel free to contact Price & Associates or all our office at 800-288-0920 if you have any questions.

Military Records in Genealogy Work

admin — Wed, 13 Apr 2016 19:57:33 +0000

When you undertake the task of beginning your family history, you may find some basic information through your own family records. If you’re lucky a grandparent might have compiled a family tree or pedigree chart. You may be able to find a few generations worth of family members through journals, family documents, or the internet. But once that trail runs dry you might be confused about where to turn next. At that point, you may need to become a bona fide genealogical researcher and go find the documents you require to continue your family tree. Military records are an excellent place to turn. Nearly every family has a member who served in at least one war or conflict - or during peacetime service. You may have heard stories about your grandfather’s brave service, or an uncle who was a famed fighter pilot. Even if you feel that part of the family tree is complete, military documents can clarify gray areas and offer insight into the lives and traits of your family members. Military service is generally well documented, and there are many different types of records. One thing to remember is that many men and women forged or altered their documents in order to qualify for or avoid military service. Keep that in mind in case the military documents seem to contradict other research you have completed - it may be right, or it may be wrong. But it is helpful to have on file nonetheless. There are many different types of documents you can find regarding military service. Here are a few of the most common types which you can find in various public data collections:

Draft Registration Cards

These will include dates, ages, locations, and even general health information. Many of these men were never actually called into service, but their information was saved and documented in the event that they needed to be called up.

Casualties

Casualty lists include those who died or were injured in service of their country. Most include dates and sometimes even specifics about how or why the person died or was injured.

Soldier/Veteran/Prisoner Rolls

These lists are hit-or-miss depending on where they are coming from and who completed the rolls. Sometimes they contain ages, dates, positions, locations, and even daily information. Sometimes they only contain names. Either way, you can fill in some gaps or gray areas regarding your family’s military service.

Awards & Decorations of Honor

You would think that awards, honors, medals, etc., would be family heirlooms and proudly passed down physically or orally through generations. However, you’d be surprised at how many families have no idea that their ancestors attained high honors, medals, or special awards during their military service - especially if those family members died in service and didn’t live to tell the tale. Don’t forget to search carefully for these records in your family history. You can look through these items online or in libraries across the country, and sometimes you can even find them among your own possessions or family heirlooms. If you find yourself stuck or lost in your family history research you can find professional help if you contact a genealogical firm like Price & Associates.

What's in a Name?

admin — Tue, 03 May 2016 22:35:00 +0000

Romeo and Juliet may have thought a rose by any other name would smell as sweet, but in our business, the question, “what’s in a name?” is much more complex. That’s because, when it comes to genealogy, names are a critical part of finding and confirming your ancestors. But major life events affect names, and in turn, they determine how easy or difficult it can be to find your ancestors.

Birth

Generally speaking, children receive their father’s surname at birth. That said, children born illegitimately – or out of wedlock – are often given their mothers’ surname, and have for centuries. During the 1800s, it was common for parents of illegitimate children to marry eventually, at which point their children would take their father’s surname. Of course, that doesn’t mean there is a record of this change. For example, there might be a birth certificate on record for a “John Brown,” the illegitimate child of Susan Brown. When Susan married Benjamin Smith, John became “John Smith.” While his birth certificate may not reflect this change, his marriage certificate likely does. That said, in some cases, parish pastors christened children with the father’s name, even if they were illegitimate. What does this mean for your search? If your ancestor was illegitimate (which you may not even know), it’s possible that some – or all – of his or her records are filed under the mother’s surname, not the father’s. As you research, it’s critical that you include the surname of the father (if available) in your search.

Marriage

If you’re a woman who has been married, it’s likely you understand the headache associated with changing your last name. There are social security cards to update, driver’s licenses to change, passports to renew and financial institutions to notify. While the process may not have been quite so complex in earlier centuries, it still made public records a little more confusing. It’s easy to assume that a female ancestor took her husband’s name upon her marriage. That said, in many European countries, women continued to use their own surname – or maiden name – even after marrying. That means your ancestor’s records – even the death certificate – could be filed under her maiden name. To confuse matters further, records listed differently in different areas. Sometimes, birth records list the mother by her maiden name instead of her married name. Sometimes, the records don’t list the mother’s surname at all, instead listing her first name and corresponding relationship (for example: Mina, wife of Georg Albrecht). So marriage affects the names of your ancestors. But think about this; women often marry more than one time during the course of their lives. This was especially true during earlier centuries, when death rates among young people were much higher. This made many more young women and men widows and widowers, and made it more likely that they’d marry again – and they usually did so quickly. This means that your female ancestor’s records could be listed under her own surname, or the surname of any one of her spouses (assuming she was married more than once). As you research, keep careful track of the names of any additional spouses for a female ancestor – even if that spouse was not your ancestor. It’s also important to keep in mind that the children of a remarried ancestor often kept the surname given to them at birth, rather than adopting the surname of a stepfather. Names can certainly complicate the genealogy process, but they certainly don’t need to stand between you and your research. If you need help finding an ancestor and are unsure of the surname or surnames recorded, we can help. Contact us or give us a call today.

Researching The Genealogy of Cousins

admin — Wed, 11 May 2016 18:11:30 +0000

As you dive into your family history, you’re likely to find lots of different relationships and connections that confuse you. Sometimes your family tree can look more like a family pretzel! Many casual researchers are simply trying to fill in the blank spaces of their genealogy, and only look at their completed branches to be sure that all the basic information or religious work has been done for them. That is definitely a great place to start if you’re new to genealogy, but if you’re looking to get serious about your family’s genealogy then delving deeper into your existing family lines can be interesting and rewarding work. Because somewhere back there, you’re going to have a very interesting cousin or famous ancestor. Then comes the trouble of understanding exactly how you’re related to that fascinating individual. You’ve heard the terms “first cousin” or perhaps “third cousin once removed,” but what does that actually mean?

First, Second, Third Cousins

Think of your cousins. The defining characteristic of cousins is that they have a common ancestor who is not immediate family. Usually cousins share two grandparents, making them first cousins. Your first cousins are the sons or daughters of your parent’s siblings. Second cousins are the children of first cousins, meaning that when you have a child and your cousin has a child, your children will be second cousins to one another. Second cousins share great-grandparent. If your child has children, and their second cousins have children then those children are third cousins, sharing a great-great-grandparent. Confused yet? Now we get to move on to the “removed” level!

Cousins Who Are “Removed”

Genealogy is all about generations, and that’s what we mean when we say “removed.” When a cousin is labeled as “removed” it means that they are not on the same generational level as the other cousin. For example, if your first cousin Bill has a child named Bob then you are first cousins with Bill and Bob is your first cousin once removed. Bob is removed one generation from you, but is attached to your first cousin. Therefore: first cousin once removed. If you have a cousin who is once or twice removed, then you have a common ancestor in your genealogy, but the relationship will be different for you and your removed cousin (such as your grandmother being their great grandmother). Basically “removed” means a generational level.

How To Determine Your Cousins

You might find an interesting, famous, or otherwise critical ancestor in your family tree and want to label exactly how you’re related to them. It can be a little tricky, but you can do it! Go back and find your common ancestor. Count the generations back from you to the common ancestor, then the particular cousin back to the common ancestor. Counting the generations can tell you if you’re first/second/third/ cousins and how many generations removed you may be.

For additional help, coaching, or genealogical services you may consider hiring a genealogy professional like Price Genealogy to help you map out and complete your precious family tree.

The Importance of Sharing Family Stories

admin — Fri, 27 May 2016 17:15:40 +0000

Genealogy shouldn’t just be about names and dates plugged into an online family tree. It’s easy to get caught up in the dry, factual work of family history and spend hours searching for dates, names, relationships, cities, timelines, religious ceremonies, and other pieces of information that will help you flesh out the branches of your family tree. All of these factual leaves and branches are incredibly important, of course, and shouldn't be neglected. But if that's the only thing you do while researching your family history you're missing out on some of the most colorful and valuable parts, namely the stories, the faces, the experiences of your family. The biggest obstacle for enjoying your family history in this way can be finding or discovering these family stories. Sometimes the stories are completely lost. It has been predicted, and accurately so, that family stories are lost within three generations. What a tragedy! These family stories, the priceless work of genealogy, are so precious to your family history. Yet they can be completely lost if they are not carefully passed down. Have they been passed down? One way is to uncover everything that exists in your family’s history. Look for journals, news articles, letters, notes, and anything else that may hold the stories of your heritage. Discovering these stories can be rewarding, and you may find that you're related to a famous historical figure. The problem is that those resources either exist or they don’t. If your family hasn’t kept careful records of family life and stories, it unfortunately means that you may have lost those stories forever. If that's the case, the most important thing you can do now is to begin sharing the stories you do have - yours, your parent’s, your grandparent’s, and any other family member’s stories you may know. Share the stories with your spouse, your children, siblings, cousins, everyone you can! That is the first step to preserving your family history, and there are a few different ways to accomplish the task.

How To Preserve Your Family History & Family Stories

Make it a formal family event - once a week or once a month sit down with your family and share stories from your childhood, or the tall tales about your grandparents. Maybe during Sunday dinner each week you can tell stories about your favorite vacation as a child or the best memory you have of your grandfather.

Do it on the fly! You’d be surprised how many stories you can pass along simply by sharing them when they come to mind. When something happens to your children, or a particular food or smell brings back a powerful memory, try to more consciously recognize the connection to your past and share the stories with your family as soon as you think of them.

Record it permanently. Start a journal, write a family blog, or begin typing up your personal history for posterity. Start with scrapbooks or old pictures for inspiration. You can also find plenty of personal family history writing prompts to help you begin writing about your life and family. This is the critical work of genealogy, and the part that often takes a backseat to the names and dates you search for online.

Don’t get too caught up in names and dates from other centuries, and don’t forget how important your personal family history is to your genealogy. If you need any additional help, please contact us, browse the resources on our website, or give us a call.

How To Involve Youth In Genealogy

admin — Mon, 13 Jun 2016 19:01:36 +0000

For whatever reason, genealogy has been pegged as a mature adult’s game. Grandparents do genealogy, not teens. However, this is a myth that would be better corrected because of how much youth can bring to family history work. Involving youth is a great way to accelerate your family history work, strengthen family bonds, and build teen’s appreciation for their families. Getting involved in family history work can also benefit teens by helping them discover and craft their identities – providing them insight into who they really are and where they’ve come from. The most obvious reason to involve teens in genealogy is their prowess with technology. They can learn to use new programs, websites, and research techniques much faster than any other segment of the population because they have been raised using internet technology. Getting them on your genealogy team will fire up your work like never before and create exciting moments for you and for them. You’ll be stunned at how much of the internet teens will be able to cover in search of their family trees. You just need to get them started.

5 Ways to Involve Youth in Genealogy

1. Through Their Stomachs

It’s always the best way to get anyone’s attention. Have a culture night where you make a traditional food from your ancestral country. (If you want it to be successful, make sure it’s a yummy food and not too adventurous!) While you enjoy the delicious cultural food, talk about other customs from that country. Share the history of your ethnic group, and instill some pride in your teen.

2. A Field Trip or Vacation

Most teens learn best by experiencing things, and a field trip or vacation is something they’ll never forget. Try to get more creative than a cemetery with your family’s graves. Instead go to a museum or landmark that reflects your heritage, and talk about how it relates to your family. It will get through to them much easier than a family tree.

3. Tell Them The “Fun” Stories

Few teens will care about the names of their great great great aunts, but if one of them was arrested for moonshine during prohibition, or you had an ancestor that was royalty? They will eat that up! Share the genealogy stories that are most interesting to get teens excited about their family history.

4. Watch A Movie

There are movies or documentaries for nearly every ethnic group, every major historical event, or every country in the world. Find a good one that relates to your family in some way and watch it as a family with popcorn and candy for movie night! Follow it up with a brief discussion about their ancestors to complete the experience.

5. Make It A Game

Create some type of genealogy challenge for your teen or family to complete. Maybe they have to fill out a blank family tree, or find new research about an existing ancestor. You could provide a prize for the amount of names indexed in a week or month. Making family history a more interesting and rewarding hobby can turn it into a habit that will reward your family for years to come. We hope these tips are helpful for getting the youth in your family involved in family history and genealogy, and invite you to find more information on our site or contact us with any questions you have.

Worldwide Indexing Event

admin — Fri, 01 Jul 2016 16:01:11 +0000

A Great Opportunity To Start Your Family History Research

Whether you are a seasoned expert or a curious new researcher, genealogy is an excellent and rewarding hobby. Regardless of your skill, training, background, or family history, doing genealogy is always a unique challenge each time you sit down to do the work. There are many different types of family history work in which to engage, and they can all be helpful to your genealogy. The first, most basic genealogy work is to complete your family tree with basic names and dates as far back as you can go. Some people only do this type of genealogical work for their entire lives. Some genealogists work more as historians, looking for the details, photos, stories, and artifacts to become the leaves on the branches of the family tree. Finally, one of the newest fields of genealogy is indexing, and it’s become pretty popular in recent years. Anyone can do indexing, and it’s a great place to turn if you are stuck with your family tree or just getting started in genealogy. Indexing is a service-oriented form of genealogy, as probably all the names you index will be the ancestors of other people. These names are cataloged and made accessible for others to use in their genealogy work. It’s easy to do from home, and can be done for any amount of time - even if you only have 20 minutes. It can often give you ideas and information to help in your own genealogical work as well.

July's Worldwide Indexing Challenge

If you have yet to try indexing, now is a great time to try. Next month FamilySearch is hosting a worldwide indexing challenge - the goal is to get 72,000 people indexing as many names as possible for 72 hours! For this global event on July 15-17, people all over the world will be working simultaneously on photographed, handwritten documents like marriage certificates, passenger lists, census documents, and other items to record names, dates, locations, and other important information. This information will then be available and searchable online to help people in their search for their ancestors. Indexing is hugely helpful in genealogy work, because we often hit dead ends in our family tree. We are unaware of children born to a couple, or the name of a spouse. We may know that a certain ancestor came to America, but we may not know when. Suddenly, the information is available and online! How?! Indexing. Someone took the time to index names from ancient documents that included information about your ancestors. That’s why indexing is so important to people worldwide, especially genealogists. If you’re having difficulty with a family member you may also be able to turn to professional genealogists like we have at Price Genealogy Associates for some family history help, so feel free to contact us today. Mark your calendar for July 15-17, and download the software from FamilySearch now. Test it out if you can - it’s very easy genealogy work! Sign up to become one of the 72,000 doing indexing for 72 hours and make a difference in the world of genealogy.

Must Reads For Genealogy

admin — Mon, 11 Jul 2016 19:02:20 +0000

Genealogy is an interesting field for anyone to enter. It’s very easy for just about anyone to jump in with absolutely no knowledge or experience. With everything online you can begin doing your own family history in about thirty seconds flat. Its available to all ages and ability levels, which is incredible! One thing you should know about genealogy, though… it’s addictive! You will begin by casually filling out your family tree and before you know it you’re searching high and low for that missing ancestor.

The good news is that genealogy is a hobby that is easy to learn and progress within. You can begin with next to no training, and slowly work your way up to becoming a genealogy expert. Most of your resources are online, and if you’re lucky you might have a genealogy library or center nearby to help you with training and free classes. If you’re serious about developing your genealogy skills you can also turn to some well-researched and carefully written books to take your family history to the next level. [caption id="attachment_2796" align="aligncenter" width="363"] Creating your Family Tree is easier than ever with our Online Database.[/caption]

The Internet for Genealogists: A Beginners Guide by Barbara Renick & Richard Wilson

This book is a great start for beginners in genealogy who plan on using the internet for the bulk of their genealogy work. Sharing online databases, search terms and tips, and a variety of helpful websites, this book is a necessary handbook if you’re feeling lost in online genealogy work.

A to Zax: A Comprehensive Dictionary for Genealogists and Historians by Barbara Jean Evans

As you dive deeper into your genealogical study you will certainly come across terms and jargon that you simply don’t understand. Instead of getting stuck in a dead end, this reference dictionary can help you use those confusing terms to launch your genealogical study to the next level.

Producing a Quality Family History by Patricia Law Hatcher

Usually at some point in your development as a genealogist you will realize the importance of writing your own family history. The sooner you start, the better, but you may feel unequal to the task. This book is a helpful guide through the steps of researching and writing a good family history as a key part of your genealogy work. Hatcher makes it doable and interesting.

Locating Lost Family Members & Friends by Kathleen W. Hinckley

Once you’ve progressed to the level of a seasoned genealogist, much of your genealogy work will center on finding lost relatives and looking for solutions to dead ends. If you’re at this point already then look no further than this book written by a professional genealogist and private investigator. Hinckley’s advice will help you turn those dead branches into flourishing sections of your family tree. If your genealogy work is still stunted or in need of serious help, even with the assistance of genealogy books and guides, look into the reality of professional genealogy. Professional genealogists have read these books and more - they can help you find missing ancestors, connect broken family lines. Call Price Genealogy & Associates today to see what they can do for your family history!

Using Pioneer Day To Inspire Your Genealogy

admin — Tue, 26 Jul 2016 20:03:04 +0000

In Utah and a few of the Western States, Pioneer Day is a celebration of the arrival of handcart companies to the Salt Lake Valley. This arrival changed the lives and destiny of millions, creating the communities and states that now exist hundreds of years later. Celebrations included parades, fireworks, pancake breakfasts, carnivals, festivals, speeches and tributes. One of the most popular Pioneer Day activities is to review and share the stories of your pioneer heritage, whether in a church or religious setting, or with your family and friends online or at close gatherings. This Pioneer Day weekend offered many the opportunity to discover, share, and hear pioneer stories from the trek west. It can be excellent inspiration for your genealogy work.

If you, like many here in the west, have pioneer heritage, or suspect that you might, now is a great time to review that heritage. Did any of your ancestors cross in a handcart company? Did any of them lose their lives or loved ones along the way? Were there any family stories documented along the plains? These stories become family heirlooms and key pillars of your family history as you piece together your genealogy. Find who these pioneers were and compile their information in one place, so that you may access them whenever useful - next Pioneer Day, for church talks or presentations, if you know youth going on handcart reenactment treks, or just for a rainy day.

What if you don’t have pioneer heritage? There are plenty of individuals interested in genealogy whose migration patterns are long before or after the pioneer treks of the 1840s and 50s. Regardless of where and when you came from, the fact stands that at some point you came to be where you are today, and almost everyone has a genealogy of migration. Pioneer Day is a great inspiration for people everywhere to look into their genealogy and see exactly where they came from in the past. Who in your genealogical line made the migration? Where were they from? Where did they go? How did they travel? Was it risky? You may find yourself asking questions you never thought to ask before.

Pioneer Day can inspire more deep and searching genealogy and family history work, and can show people that there is much, much more to their family tree than names and dates. Who were those names and dates? What are their stories? Of course documentation is limited and sometimes you can only find a few pieces of information, but something is better than nothing. Some people begin diving into their heritage and genealogy to find that there are books or letters or albums discovered that lend fascinating insight to the history of their family line.

Let Pioneer Day be an inspiration to you, even if you aren’t directly linked to the handcart companies in the Salt Lake Valley. Take some time this week to dive into your genealogy, and reach out to professional genealogists like Price Genealogy & Associates if you need a little extra help with a challenging genealogy problem. When it comes to your family history - it’s worth it!

5 Easy Steps To Starting Your Genealogy

admin — Sat, 17 Feb 2018 03:02:37 +0000

Starting anything new can be intimidating, but something about genealogy seems extra daunting and challenging. For many reasons, people shy away from getting started. Just like the gym or a new diet, you just need to jump in. Once you’ve started, you’ll see that it really isn’t as scary as you thought it would be and that it is actually fun! To make it easier on you, we’ve come up with five simple steps to help you get going on your family history adventure.

Gather What You Already Know This whole process is a lot easier and goes a lot more smoothly the more organized you are. This is where you must start. Gather what you already know, grab all the documents you already have, scan all your items, write it all down and map it all out.

Gather What Others Know This is a very important step and an incredibly valuable resource to gaining new insight. Interview as many people as you can. Reach out to your extended relatives for any information or documentation they may have. Whether it’s a previously unknown detail or element to a story or information about a relative you hadn’t heard much about. It’s important to get all the details you can.

Focus Your Search Determine where you would like to start and what you’d like to learn. Focusing your searches and findings helps you stay organized and increases your productivity. You should settle on one - maybe two - families or people to focus on rather than trying to take on your entire family tree. Think of genealogy like a large puzzle. Spend time putting different sections of the puzzle together. Rather than looking at the puzzle in a big-picture kind of way, focus it down to smaller sections. Once you’ve completed several smaller sections, you can start connecting the sections together. The bigger picture will start to come together!

Use Your Resources Keep in mind you’re not the first person to do this sort of research! People have already pioneered the path. So, use the resources provided. Many databases and tools are available free of cost. There are even websites about your specific ethnic heritage or particular parts of a certain country. A solid starting place is the U.S. Federal census, as it is the largest resource for family history. Be sure to check out the “Database” tab on our website. We’ve gathered several helpful and informational links.

Seek Help Appoint a professional company such as Price & Associates to help you with your genealogical services and needs! Price & Associates is able to trace most family histories back four or five generations quickly and without difficulty. With additional help, Price & Associates has even been able to trace information 30 generations back! Price & Associates have been helping families discover their heritage and have assisted thousands of families to organize, chart, and verify their ancestral lines. To learn more, view the “Services” tab or contact us for a free consultation.

Everything You Need To Know About DNA Kits

admin — Fri, 02 Feb 2018 03:11:08 +0000

Genetic testing kits can help you in your ancestry, background, and heritage search. DNA testing looks at your specific genetic code that is carried in your DNA. DNA (and your genetic code) can be found in cells from human material, such as hair, nail clippings, saliva, blood, and more. DNA testing works by taking sample cells from the person taking the test. Scientists can then isolate the genetic code which carries all the information which determines all of your physical attributes and characteristics. This includes your weight and height and the likelihood of developing certain conditions. Most often, a salvia collection kit is included and a silva sample is required for results. Other tests only require a cheek swab. Interestingly, human DNA is mostly the same, but of course, some differences are present. These are called variants. Once the DNA is taken from your cells, your DNA is processed on a genotyping chip that can read most variants. From that, your genetic data is examined and personalized reports can then be generated. The biggest draw of DNA testing these days, it seems, is to learn more about where you came from. With DNA testing, you’re able to learn how much of your genome is shared with those all around the world. Many are surprised to learn their heritage is not exactly what they thought but something entirely different. This information has been used to find lost relatives. Some websites allow you to opt in to connecting with them if DNA is shared. Shed new light on your family’s heritage with additional databases and new connections. For the comfort of customers, you may opt in or out of this feature. Did you know that DNA testing is not just for learning where you’re from? Certain tests can also tell you more about your health, carrier status, general wellness, and genetic health risks. This information provides insight to your wellbeing according to your lifestyle and the surrounding environment. These reports can let you know whether or not your DNA is laced with genetic markers that are tied to certain health conditions and their risks. This can also let you know if you are predisposed to certain ailments or conditions. Of course, these are not diagnostic tools, but informational tools for your education. You can also find out how your DNA associates with caffeine consumptions, your muscle type, and lactose tolerance or intolerance. The safety and privacy of these companies is typically taken very seriously. Be sure to choose a company that uses industry-standard precautions and firewalls to protect your information. You should also verify the company you choose has a good privacy policy and will not sell your information without your consent. It is very important to know exactly what the company intends to do with your details. The larger companies in the industry such as LivingDNA, 23andMe, Ancestry, and MyHeritage give fairly accurate results. Just be sure to remember that this information is not a diagnosis. This is for educational purposes and the opinion of a medical professional should be sought out for information regarding more serious matters.

Top 5 DNA Kits

admin — Fri, 02 Mar 2018 06:12:37 +0000

Thanks to genealogical DNA testing, just about everyone now has the opportunity to learn more about their ancestry and lineage. Not only are you able to learn where you came from and more about your heritage, but you are also able to learn more about your general wellness and potential genetic health risks. The precise scientific information that is accessible by many is quite exciting. With many DNA kit options available today, it can be difficult to choose which test is right for you. Based on recommendations and reviews from several sites, here are the top 5 DNA kits (in no particular order) and a bit about what they offer that are available today:

23andMe

23andMe is one of few tests that offers information regarding your health. This test is best for those interested in knowing more about their genetic health information and traits. This information, and your ancestry info, is available for $199. There is an ancestry only test available for $99, but many found that other tests are better for genealogy purposes that cost similarly. This test does include mtDNA and Y-DNA tests and records are stored indefinitely. This is also available on Amazon!

AncestryDNA

The Ancestry DNA is only $79. While health information, mtDNA, and Y-DNA tests are not available, the standard autosomal test is. This information can tell you who you are related to about four or five generations back. Also, available for purchase with ancestry.com is a 6 or 12 month membership to their online family history records and information. With a simple saliva test, your information will be stored indefinitely. This can also be purchased on Amazon!

MyHeritage DNA

Similar to AncestryDNA, MyHeritage is low in cost, costing only $69 with similar tests available (and not available). By sending in your cheek swab, you’ll be given information about your family several generations back. Overall, this test is the most budget friendly and received good reviews. This is also available on Amazon!

LivingDNA

With an easy cheek swab and $99, you can find more about your lineage. Users have found that this test is best for those with known roots in the British Isles. This test offers results on autosomal, mtDNA, and Y-DNA. Results are kept forever and will be updated as other users’ test results become available. Overall, a great test experience.

Family Tree DNA

Family Tree offers 10 different tests, ranging from $80 to $550. These tests are best for finding more information about genealogy, history and ancestry. Once results from your cheek swab have come back, information including family finder, ethnic percentages, mtDNA, and Y-DNA that will be stored for 25 years. Six of the ten tests offered are specific to males. Health information is not available through Family Tree DNA. Overall, Family Tree received great reviews and comes highly recommended. You can also purchase this test on Amazon! Honorable mentions include: Vitagene, National Geographic Genographic Project, and Home DNA.

Why is Genealogy Important?

admin — Mon, 26 Mar 2018 15:28:42 +0000

Genealogy is a very popular hobby all around the world. Like other hobbies, those participating find joy and satisfaction in learning (in this case) about their heritage and family’s history. But, genealogy is more than just a hobby. The information found and learned is very important to those seeking. You may ask, why is genealogy important? There isn’t necessarily a right answer to this question; in fact, there are many right answers. The right answer can very well be different for each person. We have gathered four popular reasons why genealogy is important.

Discovering Your Family’s History

Studying your own personal family’s history can help you understand your own background, traits and characteristics, and where you came from. The details you’ll uncover can fill in the blanks and complete family stories. You will be able to gather all the information about your own family. Full names, birth and death dates, marriage dates, and many other important and relevant facts that can help complete the puzzle.

Connecting to the Past

The history of our country and even the world can seem a bit abstract, almost like stories from a fictitious novel. But when we learn specific stories about our ancestors during historical events, connections to the past are made and history seems more real and relatable. When you learn that your great-grandmother was a nurse during World War II or your grandfather’s brother was a firefighter respondent during 9/11, those events hit closer to home and become relevant. These connections make history come alive because of genealogy. More so, you will be able to connect to people and how those previously mentioned events shaped them. You could discover some experiences your ancestors went though. You will learn that their choices and actions likely directly affected you and your immediate family.

Discovering Long Lost Ancestors

Researching your family’s history can lead to long lost relatives. You can even trace back to family members you didn’t know existed! There are many encouraging stories about those finding distant relatives and reconnecting with lost relatives. Who knows, you could be related to someone famous!

Religious Purposes

Many religions study genealogy and find that information important. It is especially important to members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and is more than just a hobby. Latter-Day Saint members believe families are eternal and can be together after this earthly life. But proper work must be completed. Because of this, it is extremely important to have every family member accounted for (living and not) so any temple work can be completed. Genealogy is an effective and wonderful way to connect your family and those that came before you. It can provide interesting and valuable insight and information. If you would like to know more about why genealogy is important and to learn more about what services we can offer, call Price and Associates today for a free consultation at 800-288-0920.

Genealogy vs. Family History: Is There a Difference?

admin — Tue, 03 Apr 2018 03:13:27 +0000

Family history and genealogy are often used interchangeably and are widely considered synonymous. The dictionary defines family history as “a record of one's ancestors; the act of searching for a family’s information.” It defines genealogy as “an account of the descent of a person, family, or group from an ancestor or from older forms; the study of family ancestral lines.” So, do these words mean the same thing? Professional researchers say it’s deeper than that. Each term involves information about ones’ lineage and ancestors, but it seems that there is more. Genealogy is the study of ancestry and lineage. It involves searching for actual individuals and family members and any pertinent information. This information includes birth dates, wedding dates, death dates and more. More often than not, it includes pedigree charts and family lines and trees. Long ago, genealogy was used to prove familial relationships and placement for inheritance and birthright purposes. The information, dates, facts and figures that genealogy provides and outlines are very important. This information forms the backbone to your searches and findings. Family history is a bit more personal and individual. Family history gives life to genealogy. Many professional researchers say that without genealogy, family history does not exist. But family history plays an important part in searching and understanding your ancestors. Family history takes genealogy to the next level by giving personality and character to these individuals that were perviously just names. Family history is the salt to genealogy. Family history looks at more than just dates, names, or places. It takes an in-depth look at stories, legends and anecdotes. Rather than just focusing on individuals, it focuses greatly on the family unit and their story. It looks at why they are the way they are; what things formed and morphed them to be who the person they are/were. It explains what they looked like, their nicknames, and other hobbies and interests. It explains what good or bad things happened to them; what joys they experienced or any tragedies they dealt with, etc. Family history allows for deeper connection and understanding to past relatives. Family history puts meat and flesh on the backbone that genealogy formed. There is certainly a difference in these two terms, even though they are sometimes used synonymously. However, each term depends on one another to a certain degree. Genealogy is sometimes compared to the roots, trunk, branches, and twigs of a tree. Family history gives the tree its color, leaves, blossoms, a beautiful appearance, and life. Neither would be anything much without the other. They truly go hand in hand. Whichever word you choose to use, it doesn’t really matter. What matters is the information lives on and is passed down for others to learn. Let Price Genealogy help you on your exciting journey to learning more about your family! Call us today for a free consultation and to hear more about the services and packages available.

5 Reasons To Hire a Professional Genealogist

admin — Tue, 17 Apr 2018 01:43:23 +0000

It is easy to get overwhelmed with things that are new to you or that you don’t quite understand fully. It is normal to become frustrated and feel defeated when you’ve been working at something for some time and the pieces of the puzzle still are just not lining up. Many people feel this way at some point or another in their genealogy and family history journey. Whether you are starting at the very beginning and don’t know where or how to get going or you have gotten stuck somewhere along the line, it might be time to hire a professional genealogist. Here are 5 reasons hiring a professional genealogist is a good idea. Time Searching for information about your family is certainly time consuming. Unfortunately, gathering all the information you want and need is not as simple as clicking the little green hint leaves. It takes time, knowledge, and understanding of where and how to look and search. Since all this is a professional genealogist’s job, they have got the time! They know the most efficient and effective way to gather the most accurate information. Hiring a pro lets you enjoy the new and exciting discoveries while they do all the work and research. Understanding and Knowledge of Records Because family history and genealogy pros spend their time accessing, sifting through, and searching a large variety of records, they have a deep understanding of what is available and what information those records hold. Like many, you may feel intimidated or don’t know where else to look. A professional genealogist has an extensive list of records to research. Knows How to Tackle Problems Unfortunately, most questions regarding genealogy and family history are not able to be answered quickly. A professional has lots of practice and can pick up on patterns that may not be obvious to an amateur. Often times, people are looking for a tell-all bit of information. That’d be nice, but that’s not typically how it works; in fact, that might not even exist! Thankfully, however, the answer can often be solved by looking at several other records, in several different places to give one, complete answer. Getting Unstuck Hitting a dead end is not an uncommon thing when researching your family’s history. There’s always at least one line that seems to hit a brick wall. A professional genealogist has experience, knowledge and skills for breaking that wall down, getting unstuck, and solving the mysteries. Which leads to the next reason . . . Access to Additional Contacts and Resources Unfortunately, some of the resources and records used for getting answers are still not available online. A professional genealogist has easy access to places such as the Family History Library (just down the street from Price Genealogy!) that houses the biggest collection of genealogical records world wide. A professional has a network of researchers and colleagues to work with. A professional is able to search the many additional resources that the public may not have access to. Call Price Genealogy today for a free consultation and to learn more about the service and packages we provide. Price Genealogy would love to help you along your journey to learning more about your family.

Using Photos in Genealogy

admin — Tue, 01 May 2018 03:38:57 +0000

There are many wonderful, special memories that family photos hold. Many of these pictures are tucked away, stored in attics, boxes, or in drawers. Some of these might be printed or maybe they are saved to memory cards. There are likely pictures that haven’t been discovered by your family stored in local histories, museums, archives, and libraries. It is important for these photos to be found, properly documented, and used so these precious memories can be preserved and shared with the generations to come. Properly Labeling Photos When labeling your photos it is important to name each person in the photograph in the order that they appear. It’s also wise to include the ages of each person, where the photo was taken and why (friend party? family gathering? etc.), and who took the picture. Note whether or not the photo is original or a copy. If it is a copy, include where the original photo or negative is located. Make sure all the information you’re recording is clear and understandable, as to not confuse anyone reading at a later time. All that is written should answer most questions that may come up. Document by Using Photos When it comes to genealogy and family history research, photos are used more and more to help tell stories. Included in the written stories or family members should be pictures. For example, the photo of your great-grandparents should be included in the story of your grandfather’s birth. For future picture takers (and, now-a-days, videos!), it is important to document the date and location. In the case of the example, if known, include the room the floor and delivery room number, any known doctors and nurses, and any other pertinent information. Including this type of information is important, especially if that particular hospital is knocked down or remodeled for another type of building. Photos from Outside Collections With a lot of effort and a little luck, you may be able to find pictures from other resources and get copies. Be certain to check in any likely place for photos: museums, historical societies, and libraries in the areas where your past family lived. These places may have photos of your ancestors stored in their photo database. It doesn’t hurt to look and ask! Using Photos Helps with Research Using photos in your research can be extremely helpful and can lead or spark new ideas and information. They could help you pinpoint “missing” or unknown family members. They can help confirm important days such as birthdates, weddings, or death dates. Include photos in your records to help liven up stories that might otherwise be dull. Pictures add life and realness to stories (specifically for younger readers), so include them as often as possible. Real photos of real people in real situations enhance these past stories enormously. Lastly, it is very important to note that the current generation and the time that we’re all living in is a “throwaway generation.” Photos and videos taken and memories made may not make it on to paper. They are often quickly deleted and forgotten. Now is the time to preserve what we have. Using high quality materials and taking proper precautions will ensure that they last for years and generations to come.

Getting Your Kids Involved in Family History

admin — Thu, 17 May 2018 06:47:49 +0000

Children today seem to be less and less interested in learning about the past. However, if you make it fun and meaningful to them, they’re more likely to participate. Try out any of these tips on how to get your kids involved and excited about learning more about your family’s history. Tell Stories It is so important for stories of ancestors to be passed down to future generations. However, not all stories are exciting, so it is smart to tell them in a way that young people will find interesting and appealing. Be descriptive about the scenery, about the people and their appearances, and include funny details. Use words they can understand. Make these stories a routine part of life; they do not need to be made into a big ordeal, just share at bedtime, on drives or at dinner. Tell them over and over until your kids know them inside and out. Once they are in school and learning about history, be sure to share family stories that correspond to that specific time period. Those moments in history come alive when there are personal stories associated. Family Outings Family outings to important and significant places helps set the scene in young minds. Take them to your childhood home and show them the tree you carved your name in. Take them to your grandpa’s favorite ice cream store and get ice cream. Visit the cities, states, and countries where your family once lived. Take time to visit grave sites and share a picnic and clean the surrounding area. Be sure to attend your family’s cultural festival/fair. With a little help from the internet, you can find lots of fun things to do. These activities can even be included in family reunions. Visit and Talk with Older Relatives Hearing stories from the past help kids connect to what life was like then. This connection will help family ties grow stronger and make these important relationships last. Along with learning more about their family’s past, you can teach your kids to become more comfortable talking with older people. In an ever-changing, media and entertainment filled world, we all know this is an important skill for a child or teen to have. Prep them with questions to ask along with follow-up questions like: Where were you born? grow up? Tell me about your siblings? parents? Who was your best friend? What did you like to do? What was your favorite sports team? music artist? How did you meet your spouse? Best piece of advice you can give? Honor Ancestors with Their Hobbies Including your children in fun things your ancestors once loved is a terrific way of celebrating them. If they loved the Yankees, head to a local baseball game or see the actual Yankees if possible. If they loved jazz music, find a jazz concert to enjoy. If they loved quilting, attend a quilt show. Take an art class, learn to weld, watch their favorite movies. Doing the things they loved can help you feel closer to them and closer to your kids.

Getting Your Kids Involved in Family History Part 2

admin — Tue, 05 Jun 2018 03:14:32 +0000

Getting your kids involved in family history and genealogy can be a bit tricky. If you missed part one of our tips on involving your children in the fun, be sure to check it out here! Today, we’re offering a few more tricks on how to help your kids get excited about genealogy and their family’s history and heritage. Share the Heirlooms Sharing heirlooms and photos that once belonged to family members can be very exciting. These things help the past feel real and come alive. Young children and even teens love to see how things have changed, what clothing styles were once popular, what hairdos used to be all the rage, and what people used to do. Display these items in your home to remind your kids of your family’s past. Be sure to tell your kids any stories associated with the heirlooms you have. Build a Family Tree Take some time to map out your family on a tree chart with your kids. Starting with your youngest child, make your way up as far as their knowledge or chart will allow. Let your kids do as much of the labeling before stepping in to help them. Charting out your family on paper is a great visual for kids to see where they fit into your family. Honor Them with Food Food is a really great way to remember the past. Certain dishes may be incredibly nostalgic and can immediately take you back to a different time. Let your kids experience that. If you have a meal, dish, or treat that makes you feel this way, be sure to share it with your children. If your grandma used to make special cookies each time you visited, make those cookies for your children or make them together. Share stories and memories as you eat the food together. You can honor your family’s heritage by preparing food from the different places your family used to live. Search for recipes online if you need ideas on what dishes to make. Make Their Own Histories Encourage your kids to write their own personal histories. Give them a journal to write in, help create a picture or scrapbook, and have them write their favorite stories from their own life. Let them take pictures with the family camera, print them out, and teach them how to add them to their albums. Genealogy Games Playing games is a great way to make anything fun and genealogy is no different. You can buy genealogy board games to play as a family or you could make up your own games that are specifically about your family, like a jeopardy trivia game or a memory game with photographs. Be sure to share all the stories you can along the way. Invite your kids to help make up the games. Try a game that uses technology to help your older kids and teens get excited about learning about their heritage. Set up each of your kids with a computer and see who can find certain details about family history events and people first.

The Science Behind DNA Testing Explained

admin — Fri, 15 Jun 2018 02:14:05 +0000

DNA testing is an extremely powerful and helpful tool for identification and has many other useful applications and can identify individuals with almost 100% assurance. It is used to verify a biological relation from parents to children. It can help in a criminal investigation to establish suspects and victims. It is used to test parents for genetic conditions or potential birth defects. And, with recent technology, it can also be used to find out more about a person’s ancestry. What is DNA? Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) is a material that is present in almost all living organisms and is self-replicating. It carries genetic information and genetic code for each individual. It determines a person’s traits like hair color all the way to their personalities and characteristics. Every single cell in the body includes a complete set of DNA. DNA Testing Almost all DNA from two people will be exactly the same (99.9%!). There is 0.1% of the DNA code sequence that is different from one person to the next (except identical sets; their genetic markers are identical to each other). This is what makes people unique. These differences are called genetic markers and are the part of the code that forensic scientists use when performing a DNA test. However, when people are closely related, some of the genetic markers will be the same. Knowing where to look for similarities (and differences) in the genetic code for the markers is the key to DNA testing. DNA testing looks for similarities in genetic markers between two or more samples. Samples can be taken from just about anywhere in the body because each cell in a body contains the same DNA. Hair, skin, blood and other bodily fluids can all be used for DNA samples. Having a lot of DNA makes analyzing genetic code and variations easier. DNA is split in specific locations and points. These chunks are analyzed and a DNA “fingerprint” is created. Two “fingerprints” from two different samples are compared to see if they match. Genetic Genealogy Genetic genealogy is a way for people to learn more about their family history, genealogy, and where they came from. The DNA variations found in DNA testing can give clues about a person’s predecessors and where they came from. People of particular backgrounds often times share genetic variation patterns. Similar or shared variation patterns are more and more present the closer two people are related. How Accurate is a DNA Test? For years and years, humans have moved around the world, mating with people of different descent and different DNA. It has become increasingly difficult to distinguish a person’s region because one’s ancestors didn’t stay in one place. DNA testing kit companies all use the same kind of science to determine where you come from. However, your results from different companies may not be exactly the same, but they will be similar. These results will tell you which continent you’re from but not specific countries. Genetic genealogy involves a lot of interpretation. Scientists can only use your DNA to calculate the likelihood of relations based on genetic patterns, variations, and markers. Genetic genealogy can only suggest relations, not prove them entirely.

Common Genealogy Mistakes and How To Avoid Them

admin — Mon, 18 Jun 2018 18:03:07 +0000

Genealogy and family history is very interesting and can actually be kind of addicting. It’s always so exciting when you stumble upon a new ancestor and their stories that help fill in the gaps. One thing to remember as you embark on your genealogy journey is that researching your family’s history is not a sprint, it’s a marathon. So take your time! There is a definite learning curve. Just like your family before you and the lessons you’ve learned from them, learn from the researchers before you and learn from their mistakes. Here are a some of the common mistakes beginner researchers make that you’ll want to avoid. Limit Your Search to One Spelling You may be missing out on new findings if you only search one way to spell an ancestor’s name. Your Great Aunt Catherine could have gone by Cat, Cate, or Cathy which can all be spelled in many different ways! Unfortunately, record and census keepers did not always have spell check and would sometimes assume spelling, even though it’s printed for official records. It’s worth it to take the time and search for your ancestors with alternate name variations. Be sure to search any nicknames, middle names, maiden names, and married names. Legend = Fact Just about every family has stories that have been past down generation by generation. These stories or “legends” can provide clues that can help you in your research, but be sure to approach them with a grain of salt. Keep an open mind when sifting through these stories; sort fact from fiction and eliminate embellishments. Sometimes you’ll be unable to prove or disprove a story. If that’s the case, still include it in your written history, just explain what you know to be true versus false, which parts are proven or unproven, and write down how and why you came to that conclusion. Focus Too Much on Famous Ancestors It’s completely normal to want to descend from someone well known and famous. Loads of people get into genealogy because they share a last name with someone famous and assume that means they are related somewhere down the line. This could be true, but don’t jump ahead. It’s important to start your genealogical research at the beginning; start with yourself and work your way back. Forget Living Family With the online resources that are available today, genealogy is easier and more attainable than ever! Don’t get too carried away researching and exploring the many, many records to where you forget that you have one of the best family history resources available: your family! Call them up or go for a visit. Ask as many questions as you’re able. This research is priceless and won’t always be available. Call it Quits Genealogy can be extremely difficult and disheartening at times. Surely, once, twice, three times or more, you will hit a brick wall. But, don’t give up! Instead, take the challenge head on, learn different strategies, and reach out for help when needed. The professional genealogists at Price Genealogy are here to help you through it all. Give Price Genealogy a call today to learn more about the packages and services available.

Genealogy: The Basics

admin — Mon, 25 Jun 2018 13:15:39 +0000

Whether you are a beginner who is just getting started or a tenured professional looking to improve your skills, there are some basic things that every genealogist should know and understand. Once you have these four basic skills down, you will open an entirely new can of worms: a bunch of new research opportunities. Here are the basics you need to know. Using Microfilm and Microfiche Machines Because millions of genealogical records from all over the world have been digitized, you will likely be doing a large portion of your research online on the computer. However, not everything is available digitally and may require visiting an archives building or family history library. The majority of these records stored in these places are stored on microfilm or microfiche. Politely ask an employee there to teach you how to use these machines the first time you attend. Take notes for yourself if necessary. Then, the next time you visit and every time after that, you will be able to research like a professional on your own. Using the U.S. Census Since 1790 and every ten years since the census is taken. Updated and new censuses are kept private for 72 years and are not released to the public for privacy and safety reasons. Census records are available from 1790’s - 1940’s, however, the 1890 census is not available because it was almost entirely destroyed in an archives fire in the ’30’s. Censuses are available online at ancestry.com or can be found in family history libraries on microfilm. Censuses will likely be one of the first resources because every family historian with an American heritage will need to research it. Labeling and Storing Photos Photos are worth a thousand words and help bring stories to life. They should be treated like treasures, as one day the photograph will be old (and maybe that day is already here!). To ensure the important details of the photograph are not forgotten, make sure each photo is labeled correctly on the back of the photo. Use an archival safe pen to prevent the ink from fading, write down names and their ages, where the photo was taken, the date, and anything else you believe is important to note for genealogy’s sake. To keep the pictures safe and protected, store them in an acid-free, archival safe photo album. If the photos are digital, make sure this important information is included in the file’s name. To stay organized, sort the photos into folders for each category. Be sure to store the drive in a safe place. Using Genealogical Software There are tons of different software programs available for recording your family history findings. Try several of them before choosing the one you plan to use and that best fits your needs. The program software you choose will probably be the one you use for your entire genealogical journey, so you will need to keep the software updated. Using a software will help keep your research findings organized and easily accessible.

3 Ways To Always Be Improving Your Family History and Genealogical Research

admin — Tue, 26 Jun 2018 16:00:45 +0000

You do not have to be a professional genealogist to be serious about your genealogical and family history research. You do not need to be a professional to want to improve your researching skills. The more work and research you do, the better many of your skills will become. Practice makes perfect. However, there are some skills you will need to make a concerted effort to improve. The more advanced your skill set is, the more information you will be able to uncover which means you will be able to research farther and farther back in your family line. You will also have the confidence and peace of mind knowing that a large majority of your research is more than likely correct. Here are three things you can do to constantly be improving your family history and genealogical researching skills. Go to Genealogy Conferences There are many genealogical conferences held all across the nation and world each year; some may even be local to you. Most conferences have many classes or seminars focusing on different areas in family history or genealogical research, as well as keynote speakers. It’s up to you to decide which of those you’d like to attend. This allows you to focus on areas that are of interest to you or areas that you wish to improve upon. Try attending several different conferences, as there is so much to learn. Join Genealogical Societies Many of the larger genealogical societies that are nationwide have journals that are sent out to the members (often quarterly). Some are very well known and are highly esteemed, like The National Genealogical Society and The New England Historic and Genealogical Society. Some smaller level societies often have good, credible journals, as well, that are available to their members. These journals and the information found within them are typically not available any other way than joining the group. By being a part of these societies and studying the content in these journals, you will learn how professional research is done and how it is properly written out. Try to join as many societies as you can, to take advantage of this unique opportunity and resource. Regardless of what family lines the article is about, you will be able to take away valuable information and lessons just by reading them. Along with the perks of receiving the society’s journal, you’ll also be invited to attend their conferences. Read Genealogical Books There are many books about family history and genealogical research out there that will help improve your researching skills. Try to read as many of them as you are able. Each book has different lessons to learn, insights to consider, new techniques and methods to try, sources you may not have heard of, and many different “how-to’s.” There are many books specifically about citing sources correctly. This is something that beginners often forget to do. Citing correctly is very important and a skill that is overlooked and neglected. Every serious genealogist should know how to do this and should always do it.

8 Tips on Getting the Most Out of Your Family Photos

admin — Wed, 11 Jul 2018 03:51:32 +0000

It is said that a picture is worth a thousand words. This is true and extremely helpful when it comes to genealogy and when searching for more information about your family’s history. There are many clues hidden in your photographic gems that many do not even pick up on. Things like the style of the photo, what the subjects are wearing, and even how they are posed can help you learn more about your ancestors and could maybe even provide a missing puzzle piece. Here are 8 helpful ways to get more out of your old family photos. Track Photos Down Gather old pictures from your garage, attic, photo albums, and flash drives. Reach out to your known extended family members for their photos, too. Your great aunt or 2nd cousin may have a picture you have never seen before. If you are unable to use extended family member’s photos, try looking in public collections like, photographic archives, local archives and record offices, local newspapers, trade or work-related periodicals. Who knows! You could get lucky and come across an old family member in a local publication. Quality Scans When scanning original photos, be sure to select 600 or 1200 DPI (dots per inch) prior to scanning. This will produce a higher resolution picture which can potentially reveal new things. Accurately Date There is something about old photographs that help bring stories to life. By accurately dating these visual documents, you can include them in their correct historical context. There are several ways of dating photos, so begin by trying to identify the photographic format. Edit Digital Photos Sharpening, editing and enhancing old photos, will not only improve the quality, but it could also reveal previously hidden details (like clearing hazy faces!). Try editing photos yourself or have them professional enhanced. Gather Details Take every opportunity to chat with your older relatives about family pictures. Because they were around during that time, they may be able to provide names, places, and other details. Do not let this special opportunity and resource go unused. Include Ages Deciphering a person’s age in an old photo can be quite tricky because of poor image quality and differing perceptions. If no one is able to verify age, estimate the ages widely, not narrowly. Physical appearance will help accurately judge age, especially for kids. By calculating the year they were likely born, you may be able to find them on a family tree. Properly Store Preserving and storing family photos is an honor, but it is also quite a responsibility. If pictures are not properly stored they can quickly become faded, ruined or destroyed, or even lost. Photos should be stored in an acid-free box or book in a safe area. Treasured and Adored The photos you have are extremely special and should be treated as such. Taking care of these historical documents and heirlooms is important so that future generations can learn more about past generations. Sharing these heirlooms is important for the past to live on. Showcase these photos every chance you can.

How To Properly Store Old Photographs

admin — Tue, 17 Jul 2018 03:18:49 +0000

Price and Associates understand the significance of old photographs of your loved ones. They are heirlooms that are worth thousands of words and help old family stories come to life. So treating them carefully and properly storing them is very important. Many people do not know that there is a right way and many wrong ways to store these treasures. Thankfully, the right way isn’t too difficult and we have come up with step-by-step instructions to follow below. Before you begin, there are a couple of things to remember. Professionals suggest you avoid holding, touching, and handling old photos as much as possible. You should plan on wearing cotton gloves that are clean every time you touch them. Your fingers contain damaging oils that can be left behind on photos. Remember to hold the photos properly as old photos have likely become fragile and can become damaged or ruined easily. One more important bit of advice, many photographs storing guides (including ours) talk about using acid-free supplies. This is extremely important and should not be taken lightly. There are many photo supplies that put off gasses that are very detrimental and damaging to photo paper and its images. Step 1 - Gather Photos Gather your photos that you’d like to properly store and put them together. Take your family heirlooms out of magnetic/peel and stick photo albums, as these materials can be damaging over time if made of ordinary materials. Step 2 - Prep Photos Remove any and all glue, paperclips, tape, staples, rubber bands and anything else that could dent, bend, scratch or otherwise damage the photos. Step 3 - Label Photos Properly and legibly label your photos with a black permanent marker. Include all the details and information you can: names, ages, the location of photo, occasion, etc. Be sure the pen is photograph safe. Steer clear of ballpoint pens. Not only can these pens be damaging to the photo, but they can also fade over time. Those that look at these photos years down the road should be able to easily read the labels. Step 4 - Store Individually Be sure each photo is stored individually in a plastic sleeve that does not contain PVC. Most photo supply or craft stores will sell these. If plastic photo sleeves are out of your budget, opt for a plastic sandwich baggy instead. Step 5 - Layer Paper Layer a sheet of acid-free paper between photos. Step 6 - Storage Keep these photos in an acid-free metal or cardboard box. Boxes can easily be stacked in closets or stored under a bed for maximum storage. Pro Tips

If you want to store your photos in a photo album, check labels carefully and be sure you find an “acid-free” one. You may need to make a special trip to a hobby supply shop or photo store to find the safest, best option.

If you are framing an old photo, think about duplicating it and framing the copy. The framed photo may fade over time.

If you are having a photo professionally framed, make sure you tell the framer that you need acid-free materials. This is more expensive but is definitely worth it!

Avoid storing your photos in attics, basements, and/or garages. The temperature and humidity in these areas tend to fluctuate greatly. Store these photos in a place where you’d be comfortable.

Best Genealogy Websites Part 1

admin — Fri, 20 Jul 2018 03:10:24 +0000

There are many resources available nowadays that help make researching your genealogy much easier. Among these resources are websites that you can access right from home. There are literally thousands of them. Stay tuned for a multiple-part breakdown of our very favorite genealogy websites. About.com About.com offers many how-to’s about researching, using online tools, and share your findings. You won’t be conducting actual research on this free site, however, you’ll be able to learn loads of information. About.com offers many articles that are hyperlinked to one another, so it’s easy to get going down a rabbit hole. Try using the 3 main tabs, “Learn How,” “Search Online,” and “ Share and Preserve,” to help keep yourself on track. Family Tree Magazine This website offers many tools and how-to’s for beginning genealogists. Lots of the content is free, some is not; buying a membership gives you access to even more. This site provides helpful cheat sheets and forms that you’ll need throughout your family history journey. Be sure to use their keyword search tool for finding articles quickly in their large archives. Find a Grave This free websites gives you access to ancestor’s rural information and lets you search by individual or cemetery name. Those that use this site are encouraged to upload their own tombstone photos and submit biographical information. This site allows you to create virtual cemeteries that connect family and friends that are buried in various places. GenealogyBank GenealogyBank is one of the leading online newspaper archives and resources dating back to 1690. Use GenealogyBank to help you find birth, marriage and engagement announcements, obituaries, books, pamphlets, military records, government documents and more. This website offers an unlimited 30-day trial, continued use requires paid membership. National Archives - Resources for Genealogists This is your free online access to the United States repository for almost all records dealing with the federal military, immigration, census, and more. You can read descriptions of and order copies of these records and search their how-to articles. World Vital Records This website is perfect for beginners and is budget friendly (membership required). Use their interactive map to find digitized and indexed data from all over the world. Use this website to find censuses, military records, newspaper articles and more. Archives Archives provide access to United States vital records, censuses, and old newspaper articles. It also has some UK records, as well. Use the Help Center to get answers to basic questions you may have. Be sure to use their how-to articles and video tutorial to expand your knowledge. Paid membership is required, however, it comes with a two-week free trial and is a great beginner option. Find My Past This website offers all-access memberships or a la carte memberships which is great for beginners or pros alike. Use the Get Started section to try out the user-friendly research guide, the Learn More section to read the in-depth how-to’s, or search their records collections (tons of info for the UK and growing the US info). You can use their site to build your own family tree. Stay tuned for more next week!

Best Genealogy Websites Part 2

admin — Thu, 02 Aug 2018 10:06:19 +0000

Today we are continuing our overview of the best online genealogical resources, records, and tools. These websites can help you on your genealogy journey and will make research much easier and fun! To catch up on last week’s rundown, click here. Ancestry This website is one of the most popular genealogical websites. Many features require a paid subscription, however, anyone can use the Learning Center, First Steps, and many how-tos in the Family History 101 section. Once you have subscribed to their website you are able to search many records and indexes that have been digitized from all over the world. HeritageQuestOnline Many local libraries offer this resource for free and do not require subscriptions to view their how-to rundowns or to search their US censuses, records, historical materials, articles, and other resources. Price Genealogy Use our website to access many different databases and resources for worldwide searches and information. You can hire a professional genealogist to help you in your research projects; large or small, beginner or not. We offer free consultations and post weekly blogs that contain valuable and relevant information. One-Step Web pages The basic appearance of the website can look overwhelming and complicated. It’s not! This is a great place for beginners to look for passenger and immigration info. This website offers better search tools for data and information. There are a couple guides on how to use the website to make things easier or feel free to give it a spin and scroll through the various resources. Family Search Family Search is one of the best online resources and is free. You can search through many indexed and digitized records from across the globe. Use the Learn tab to access articles and online classes. Use the Catalog tab view the largest genealogy library catalog. The site is keyword-searchable to help you find things quickly. Google Google is a great way to search for names, places, and many different tools good for genealogy for free. Use Google Translate to help translate text in and out of your native language. Google Books give you access to out-of-print resources. Use Google Maps/Earth to help you find addresses and places of residence of your ancestors. JewishGen JewishGen is a free site and should be your first visit when researching Jewish ancestors. This website is easy to use — especially since it gives a thorough intro to Jewish research and how to use the site. There are many free tutorials available. Use this site to search databases with last name, towns, Holocaust victims, burial sites, and family trees. Newspaper Archive Subscribe to Newspaper Archive to gain access to over 120 million newspapers from 1607 to now. This site is easy to use and allows searches by state and city, names, or other keywords. The site offers tutorials on how to use the site to make things even easier. MyHeritage MyHeritage is full of tech-savvy features; some free, some are not. You can build out your family tree (however, once your family tree reaches a certain size, MyHeritage will charge you for results), make a website, search large genealogy databases, view online forums, and more.

Best Genealogy Websites Part 3

admin — Sun, 05 Aug 2018 14:33:17 +0000

Today we will conclude our overview of the best online genealogical resources, records, and tools that will help you research and learn more about your ancestors and family history. To catch up on Part 1, click here and to check out Part 2, click here. AfriGeneas This site is devoted to African American genealogy. It gives you free access to education and resources to those seeking information about African-American roots. Their Beginner’s Guide under the Records tab is the perfect place to start. This site offers a great sense of community and you can sign up for their mail list, and browse the AfriGeneas message boards and daily and weekly genealogy chats. Cyndi's List Cyndi’s List has been a trust genealogy site for more than 20 years. It gives you free access to categorized & cross-referenced index to genealogical online resources, a list of links that point you to genealogical research sites, and is a great starting place for your online research. Atlas of Historical County Boundaries This free tool is one you visit over and over. Many records are created by counties and, as time passes, those boundaries change. This site allows you to choose a state and enter the date for which you want to see county boundaries. Now, you’ll be able to see which county that town was a part of during a specific time. By clicking, you can add layers of modern maps to see which county it’s a part of today. Chronicling America This website offers free access to the The Library of Congress’ database of America's historic newspaper pages from 1789-1963. Use the U.S. Newspaper Directory to find information about American newspapers published between 1690-present. Be sure to check back often for new content. For help using the site, be sure to use the Help section. Fold3 Use this site to research digitized US military records and databases starting all the way back to the Revolutionary War. This paid site also allows you to browse stories, photos, and personal documents of the men and women who served. The USGenWeb Project This website offers a directory of websites that offer free resources for genealogical research for each state and most counties. You’ll mostly find how to access local resources, as well as indexes, marriage, death and other records. General Land Office Records Search and browse records of when land was purchased from the federal government. This free site lets you access millions of land titles as far back as 1788. No state sale information is found here. Billion Graves BillionGraves is the world′s largest resource for searchable GPS cemetery data including tombstone images. You can help increase the database size by collecting headstone images from local and other cemeteries and transcribing the information found on the images. This site is free to use. We hope this series has been helpful to you on your genealogical journey. We would love to hear from you about your experiences with these sites and which you found most helpful.

Best Genealogy Websites Part 4

admin — Fri, 10 Aug 2018 19:30:35 +0000

As a continuation of our Best Genealogical Websites series (Click for part one, part two, and part three), today we are sharing more resources featuring specific region research aids as well as general genealogy sites. These websites will help you to extend your family tree as you connect with your living and deceased relatives. Eastman’s Online Genealogy Newsletter Looking for a way to advance your genealogy through technology? Sign up for this newsletter to hear from Dick Eastman, a genealogy expert who has been sharing his knowledge via this newsletter for 22 years. You can sign up for the free edition or pay a little extra (just 38¢ weekly) to avoid ads. Either way, you will receive daily updates on genealogical work relating to the best way you can utilize technology in your research. WikiTree WikiTree will help you to use your DNA test results to accurately extend your family tree. You can also connect with living relatives when you upload your DNA test results. The best part about this source? It’s completely free! Family Search This source (also free!) allows you to search for family history records around the world! You can search by region for more specific results. And if you need a little push, this site will also suggest research strategies, records, and resources to help you out. The National Archives (TNA) You can learn more about your relatives from the UK through the official archive and publisher for the UK Government. With guides to start your research as well as 1,000 plus years of iconic national documents, this site is sure to be a valuable source in all UK related research. ScotlandsPeople Track down your Scottish roots with this website. Find certificates, records, and learn the history of the Scottish people as you connect to your roots. The National Library of Wales Locate your Welsh ancestry through the National Library of Wales. Discover connections as you search through Welsh newspapers, manuscripts, archives, pictures, maps, journals, and more. It’s the ultimate resource for your Welsh ancestry. Federation of Family History Societies The Federation of Family History Societies is a very resourceful site, full of articles, research tips, and ideas. But it is also an education charity made up of 160 family history societies around the world. You can find a society near you or just follow along on their site or social media for some useful family history tips. National Genealogical Society The National Genealogical Society is the ultimate source for all things genealogical. Here you can take educational courses, watch instructional videos, read publications, find upcoming conferences and events, and shop for researching tools. If you’re looking for a source to help you get started in the world of genealogy, this is the site for you. New England Historic Genealogical Society Use the New England Historic Genealogical Society library catalog as a resource for how to videos, New England genealogy, learning to write and publish your family histories, webinars, and more. Whether or not your family tree links back to New England, this can be a valuable resource for every skill level from beginner to expert.

8 Perfect Genealogy Gift Ideas

admin — Thu, 16 Aug 2018 18:30:46 +0000

Buying gifts for anyone can be incredibly difficult, but especially for the genealogist who has everything. Whether you are looking for something sweet and simple or a little bit out there, we’ve got you covered! We have gathered eight perfect gifts for the genealogist in your life.

DNA Test Kit DNA test kits can reveal information about a person’s past. This can open up new doors in research, help expand their family tree, and let them get in touch with his heritage and roots. There are many companies to choose from and they often have deals running. Click here to read more about which DNA test kit is best for you.
Frame an Old Photo Photographs are an important part of genealogy and really do bring old family stories and legends to life. While a framed photo may be simple, it certainly is heartfelt and is worth more than a thousand words. Be sure you (and the professional framers) take proper care of the original photo or have a copy framed instead.
Custom Family Tree Family trees take a lot of work and are the pride and joy of a family historian. This practical gift doubles as a work of art for them to display. There are many designs to choose from so you’re sure to find a style that fits.
Family Heritage Tour Find a family heritage tour for the person who loves to travel. Whether it’s visiting the hometown of a favorite grandparent in a different country or stopping by a grave site across the country, a trip dedicated to paying homage to family members will make lasting memories.
Genealogy Software If your favorite genealogist is new to the game or is in need of a better way to build a family tree, consider purchasing a feature-and-tool-packed downloadable family tree software program for them. There are many software options to choose from and most will even sync with am existing tree online.
A Beautiful Map Not only are maps a great tool when learning more about your family’s hometown, but they’re also a beautiful way to honor ancestors. Consider an antique or vintage map for extra beauty and add a frame for a great talking piece.
Genealogy Online Research Subscription There are many resources available online for genealogy research. Many of these sites are free but others require a subscription. This could be the perfect gift for the family historian in your life, especially if they’ve recently hit a brick wall in their research. There are a number of sites to choose from, so if they are already subscribed to one or two sites, don’t worry! There are many others that will be helpful to them.
Personalized Family History Binder Not all genealogists like to work on a computer. So a personalized family history binder could be there perfect, helpful gift. There are many binders to choose from in number of sizes, colors, and styles. For an even more personalized gift, have the text on the cover and spine customized.

Beginners Guide to Genealogy

admin — Wed, 15 Aug 2018 18:38:24 +0000

Beginning your genealogy can be a bit daunting. With all the information out there, starting can be overwhelming. But in this day and age, there are many tools out there to make the process as simple as possible. If you’d like to start the journey to learning about your genealogy, we have a few easy ways for you to get started. Making a Pedigree Chart A pedigree chart sometimes referred to as a family tree, is essential to any genealogist. It’s a visual record of your genealogy. Pedigree charts connect each individual in your family through a flow chart starting with you and leading back from generation to generation. You can include additional information in your chart, such as name, birthplace, birthdate, death year, etc… What to Look For When starting with genealogy, there is a lot of information out there. It can be difficult to decipher what to look for and what will aid you in your search. Start with reliable records that will make your findings as accurate as possible. These records include birth certificates, death certificates, marriage records, parish records, obituaries, tombstones, cemetery records, and census records. You can also personalize your search with old family photographs, family journals, and recorded interviews. Start Recording Now As you are going back in your family’s history, make sure to record what’s happening now. You can do this by interviewing relatives and recording their memories and experiences, digitizing photographs, and documenting your own experiences. Include details, facts, locations, names, and anything that will accurately preserve your information and benefit future generations. One tip may be to think of what you’re trying to learn about your ancestors and record that information about yourself and your living family.

Why to Hire a Professional Genealogist

admin — Wed, 05 Sep 2018 16:58:52 +0000

Facing the task of compiling your family history on your own can be a daunting task. Though it is thrilling to search for your ancestors and their stories, it can also become very frustrating when you hit a dead end. The world of genealogy is vast and there is endless information to sift through. When do I need help? When you’re working on your family tree, there is a lot that you can likely do on your own. But it’s important to know when to ask for help. Professional genealogists who are trained in the field will bring a whole new element to your search. There are many benefits to hiring a professional in any field, especially genealogy. Professional genealogists will not only have training and a specific set of skills, but they will likely have resources that are not available to just anyone. Working with someone familiar with this work and with a wider range of abilities and resources will save you time and frustration. What can they help me with? Just to list a few more things a professional can assist you with—they can better understand records, how to find them, where to access them, and how to decipher them. They will likely be able to help you understand the legitimacy of a record. A professional genealogist will not only be well versed in research methods, but also in other cultures and communities. If you’re working on finding an ancestor, a family history book project, short record searches, breaking through a difficult lineage line, translating records, or anything else related to genealogy, reach out to a professional! Take advantage of their knowledge, expertise, tools, and easy access to necessary information. Save yourself some time and a headache when it comes to your next project and try working with a professional.

5 of the Most Useful Apps for Genealogy Work

admin — Mon, 17 Sep 2018 19:34:32 +0000

Search for your family’s history and learn more about your lineage on your mobile devices with a few of these useful apps.

Family Search This free app gives you access to millions of records. Sift through narratives, images, and records as you compile and create your own family tree. You can also input information to this app and use it as a place to compile all of your information.
Find a Grave With millions of graves out there, it can be a lot to sort through. Find a Grave is an app that gives you the ability to find the graves of your ancestors, create virtual memorials, add photos, send virtual flowers, or add a note to a virtual gravesite.
My Heritage My Heritage is another free app, that works as a genealogy search engine and a portable family tree editor. This app also allows you to add photos and videos to your family records.
Ancestry One of the best-known genealogy search engines on the web provides this free app where you can research your family history and access your genealogical database. Connect with others, upload photos, swap stories, and get to know your ancestors here.
Shoebox Shoebox is a free photo managing app that allows you to link images to your genealogy records. It will scan through documents and photos and allow you to edit dates and tags of the image. You can also link to Ancestry through this app.

8 Genealogical Conferences to Attend Around the USA

admin — Thu, 04 Oct 2018 17:06:01 +0000

The National Genealogical Society Family History Conference. May 8-11, 2019 St. Charles, MO This world-renowned conference offers more than 150 lectures to choose from, plus 80 exhibitors, and 2,000 other genealogists that are eager to learn and collaborate. The National Genealogical Society or NGS regularly puts on successful conferences around the US. Each conference has a different theme and new opportunities. This conference’s theme is the Journey of Discovery, inspired by American pioneers who migrated to the Louisiana Purchase and the Northwest Territory. NGS will be focusing on topics such as vital records, religious records, migration, immigration, US censes records, military records, government documents, using DNA testing, Midwest regional topics, and more. International German Genealogy Conference Jun 15-17, 2019 Sacramento, CA If you need some assistance with your German ancestry, look no further than this International German Genealogy Conference. The theme of this conference is ‘STRIKE IT RICH! with Connections 2 Discovery.’ Come to this international conference to learn with over 700 people about the history and genealogical roots of German ancestry. Institute of Genealogy and Historical Research: FamilySearch Family History & Genealogy Expo July 20-26, 2019 Athens, GA The Institute of Genealogy and Historical Research or IGHR, is hosting an education conference that will feature critical evaluation, the use of genealogical sources, and methodology. Be enriched by nationally known genealogical educators in a variety of topics that range from just beginning your ancestry work to professional level genealogy work. Federation of Genealogical Society August 21-24, 2019 Washington DC Take advantage of the National Archives, Library of Congress, DAP Library, and more at the nation’s capital. This well established society is holding its first national conference in Washington DC. Be apart of history while learning about it too as you explore this conference. RootsTech February 27-March 2, 2019 Salt Lake City, UT Enjoy four days of the largest genealogy conference in the US. This conference features over 300 hands-on classes to choose from, hundreds of exhibitors, live performances, and a few inspirational keynote speakers. International Society for British Genealogy and Family History October 15-19, 2018 Salt Lake City, UT Connect with your British and Irish ancestry when you attend this well-established conference. The International Society for British Genealogy and Family History was founded in 1979 and since has grown as it helps people enhance their knowledge of ancestry from England, Ireland, Scotland, and Wales. Salt Lake Institute of Genealogy January 13-18, 2019 Salt Lake City, UT Research at the nearby Family History Library in Salt Lake, enjoy in-depth instruction, and network and consult with other researchers and experts. Enjoy a full week of opportunity at this conference that accommodates many different levels—whether you’re a beginner or an expert—there is something for you. BYU Conference on Family History and Genealogy July 31-August 3, 2018 Provo, UT This conference held by the International Commission for the Accreditation of Professional Genealogists, features a networking luncheon, 100 different classes, and a keynote speaker. Connect with other genealogists and learn what it takes to become a professional genealogist.

Start Documenting Your Information Now for Future Generations

admin — Tue, 09 Oct 2018 17:44:37 +0000

Get started now to benefit your posterity

Documenting your life consistently and accurately can be a great benefit to future generations. In this day and age with our current technology, it has never been easier to document your life. And though social media can be an extremely useful way to keep track of pictures and events, there may be some things that you will not want to share online with the public. Below are a few tips for documenting your everyday life and important life events to help you leave a legacy for generations to come.

Take photos and back them up!

As the saying goes, “pics or it didn’t happen!” The truth is without a visual representation, memories can easily fade and be forgotten too soon. Never miss a photo opportunity. Or if it is a moment that you need to be fully present for, i.e. a wedding, birth, etc., be sure to have someone else capture it. Share these images with family now. Keep them organized and be sure to back them up.

Be creative with your journaling.

An organized record of important details can be very helpful. Write down (or type up) experiences you want to remember. Record things as they really are and not as you want them to appear. If writing in a journal isn’t your thing, try getting creative with different types of documenting. Do a picture a day journal, a one-second video a day, a gratitude journal, or a Q&A journal. These are quick and easy ways to keep up with documenting life. Be sure to record details like important dates, addresses, and names to save your posterity some time in researching.

Document your travels.

Keep travel documents, photos, videos, and anything else that could help you to remember your adventures. Write down your thoughts, the places you visited, and when you were there. Comprehensively documenting your travels can be inspirational to your posterity and a fun way to keep track of your life happenings. In the future, your posterity may travel to these places and appreciate the legacy you’ve left behind for them.

Interview family members.

While your family members are still around, record their life stories too. Sit down and have a conversation with a parent, grandparent, aunt, or uncle. Use a voice memo on your phone to record the conversation and save it for future generations! Ask important questions about their life, their childhood, and their achievements. Learn their stories and document them. There are also many apps that will allow you to dictate, meaning as your record these stories, they will type out the story for you. Getting to know the stories of your loved ones who are currently living will not only benefit your posterity but also you as you form a deeper relationship with your family.

Film important moments.

In this day and age, it is so easy to capture moments—there is no excuse not to! You may think your memory will be enough to retain these so-called memorable moments, but memories fade. And try as you might, you cannot really share a memory with someone. Film important and fun-filled moment to keep the memory alive and fresh for generations to come. Whether it’s a birthday, a graduation, a wedding, or just a family night, you will never regret documenting it. When in doubt, err on the side of recording. You don’t need to edit your video and make anything fancy out it, just a simple recording will benefit you for years to come.

The Benefits of Recording Your Living Family

admin — Wed, 10 Oct 2018 19:42:04 +0000

Often times when we think of family history work we forget that family history is happening right now! Though you can greatly benefit from researching and learning about generations past, there is also a great deal you can learn from generations that are still living—including your own. Don’t get so caught up in learning about the distant past that you forget to learn from what’s happening now. Your family members that are currently living are a golden resource for useful information and rewarding experiences. Learn from them as you record their memories and make your own as a family. Today, we’re discussing just a few of the rich benefits of documenting your living family member’s lives, as well as your own.

You can record in a first-person narrative.

When you have the opportunity to interview a living family member, you can record their history as a first-person narrative. It’s very rare to have a family’s history and memories recorded in such a personal way. You are really doing a service to future generations as they will have the chance to not only learn about their ancestors but also get a sense of their personalities as they read accounts in their own voices. Recording your own history in a first-person narrative will also be a benefit, as you leave your legacy for your posterity. Your experiences may help future generations through their own life challenges. Whether you’re writing your own narrative or recording the narrative of a living family member, you’ll have a treasured historical document for years to come.

Memories fade over time.

Over time stories seem to change, memories become fragmented, and the details fade. When you record your family’s experiences now you are ensuring that the memory will remain strong as you relish in your records for years. Documentation can guarantee an accurate representation of events as they really occurred. You may think that an experience was valuable enough that you won’t forget it, but that’s not always the case. Even if you remember and tell the story to your posterity, it can easily be changed or forgotten over the years and over the generation.

It’s a valuable bonding experience.

Interviewing family members about their life and important memories can be an incredible bonding experience for all parties involved. There may be a lot that you don’t know about your relative’s history and by association, your own history. As you learn about what family members have gone through, why they made the decisions they made, what brought them to where they are now—you may be surprised how much you can relate to your own relatives.

You can better understand your current family dynamics.

As you record and learn about your living family members, it may give you an insight into your family dynamics. You will better understand the reasons behind your family’s behavior. Things that may have seemed frustrating or confusing in the past may have more light shed on them as you learn from different perspectives. Dynamics between family members will become clear and you learn from each other.

It’s therapeutic!

Studies have shown that recording your personal experiences and feelings can help to improve your health, boost your memory, and increase your happiness. There is power in writing something down. As you write, your thoughts become clearer and you are able to better sort through your thoughts and feelings. In this way, documenting will not only benefit future generations but also you, now! This is why therapists and psychiatrists will often encourage patients to write down their feelings. Journal keeping is very therapeutic.

Obituaries—A Family History Goldmine

admin — Fri, 19 Oct 2018 21:10:33 +0000

Death Notice of 5th victim of the Boston Massacre, 1770 At one point or another we have all opened the Sunday paper and found ourselves glancing through the obituary section. Perhaps we were looking for an acquaintance, friend or family member. Or out of simple curiosity we found ourselves reading the unique life details of a complete stranger. Regardless of the reason, this article challenges you to take another look at obituaries, this time under the inquisitive eyes of a genealogist. What is an Obituary An obituary is a brief tribute to the recently deceased. Such a tribute aims to paint a portrait of one’s life that is both poignant and informational. Some can even be downright hilarious. Though most importantly for the genealogist they contain vital details about one’s life. “Obituaries often provide important clues or direct information. A good obituary can save hours of research and frustration by providing information such as the deceased’s date and place of birth, date and place of marriage, other lifetime residences, military service, employment, civic activities, and religious affiliation.”[1] In addition, an obituary may include the deceased’s full name, lifetime accomplishments, cause of death and immediate family members. It is not uncommon to see an obituary lists two or more generations in a family. They also tend to be fairly accurate since a close relative commonly writes the tribute. Locating an Obituary To begin searching for an obituary you will need the name of the person. An approximate place and date of death is also extremely helpful and will warrant a higher probability of success. Even an educated guess is better than nothing! For those that have died after 1962, Family Search’s United States Social Security Death Index is a great resource to glean details about a deceased family member. Identifying their name in the index will provide you with a death date and last place of residence that was on file with the Social Security Administration. Searching local newspapers of the deceased’s place of residence upon their death is the most likely place for an obituary to be published. It is also not uncommon for the deceased’s hometown newspapers to print their obituary, especially if they and/or their family was known in the community. If the local paper you have identified has not been digitized (see online resources below), reaching out to local libraries, historical societies and state universities to inquire about a microfilmed copy of the newspaper is another research approach. Typically, these entities are very resourceful and eager to share what they have in their collections. Also, the Library of Congress website hosts the U.S. Newspaper Directory, 1690-Present database, which will help you learn what newspapers existed and survive for your area of interest. Online Resources One of the best advances in family history research during the 21^st Century is the digitization of records. Novice family historians and professional genealogists can now search many of these records from their home computer. Obituaries are no exception. Three fabulous online resources to begin an obituary search are: GenealogyBank.com. This repository has the largest obituary archive available online, from 1690 to the present. Their archives contain approximately 250 million newspaper obituaries and death notices from over 7,000 newspapers. These obituaries can be searched by state, city and/or title. Newspaperarchive.com. This online archive has over 5.6 billion names in its database and over 108 million newspaper obituaries. On average newspaperarchive.com is digitizing one newspaper page every second, with each digitized newspaper being fully searchable by date and/or keyword. Newspapers.com. This website boasts the largest online newspaper archive with over 9,100 newspapers from the 1700s – 2000s. With millions of pages added every month, one can search this database by place and/or date. Identifying an obituary for an ancestor will likely provide you with previously unknown family details. Besides gleaning important names and dates from an obituary, you may discover unique character traits and significant events that had a profound impact on their life. A few hours spent searching online databases and/or local archives could lead to a goldmine for your family history research. And may we all be as lucky as the man whose obituary said he died from too many birthdays! [1] Loretto D. Szucs, Sandra H. Luebking. Eds., The Source: A Guidebook to American Genealogy (Salt Lake City, Utah: Ancestry Incorporated, 1997), 634. Cara

CEMETERIES: Fearsome Places to Avoid or Fascinating Places to Embrace?

admin — Fri, 26 Oct 2018 20:39:54 +0000

Are cemeteries a spooky place for you? Depending on how death is viewed, maybe so. The symbols or imagery on tombstones over the centuries have changed from very stark perspectives towards death and judgment in Puritan New England to an attitude of celebrating the lives of our dearly departed. This symbolic iconography has evolved over the last three centuries from winged skulls and crossbones, grim reapers, hourglasses, urns, cherub, angels, floral designs, birds like doves, pillows and drapery, fraternal and military insignia, sculpted archways beckoning to the next life, lambs, religious faith like hands pointing to heaven, crosses and crowns, and much more. Themes have become more life affirming, and have moved from dread of the afterlife, to mourning for loved ones, eternal sleep, comfort and hope, and in recent decades, laser-etched depictions of an individual’s passions and pastimes, and even one’s beloved pets. To our inner sleuth, cemeteries are exciting places to explore and learn! Especially, during the heyday of cemetery monuments from the 1860s to the 1920s, when great park-like cemeteries with lakes were established. A stroll through the magnificent Spring Grove Cemetery in Cincinnati is a journey through a huge part of American history. The great monuments and the humbler graves speak of the beliefs and attitudes of our ancestors. “Dead men may tell no tales, but their tombstones do” [Keister, p. 11]. For those who feel the gentle pull of generations past, we are transported back, discovering a panorama of life on a much grander scale than our individual existence. Perspective and rootedness are very important, especially as we seek to understand the lives and motivations of our ancestors. Even small family plots in a grove of trees on an isolated farm, miles from civilization, are very special places. One can even laugh about cemeteries. A Google search will generate much “grave humor.” The newspaper editor, Arthur Brisbane (1864-1936) wrote, “The fence around a cemetery is foolish, for those inside can’t come out, and those outside don’t want to get in.” When my wife’s brother taught her to drive his stick shift truck for the first time as a teenager, he chose the paved, narrow roads of the expansive Holy Sepulchre cemetery in Rochester, New York, where so many of their ancestors lay buried, “because you can’t kill anything that is already dead!” Serendipity can occur in cemeteries. You very likely have had remarkable experiences of discovery in burial grounds. One of my greatest experiences happened in a churchyard in Wolborough, Devonshire, England, with its several thousand tombstones and overgrown grasses and briers. My Barker ancestral brick wall had remained a barrier for many years. There was reason to believe that the twenty-six-year-old sister of an ancestor was buried there in 1820. A local English family historian named Dick Wills and I arrived at the burial ground, and my heart sunk as I gazed upon a sea of tombstones. There were no plot maps to help us. After wandering into the churchyard, just as I said aloud “this is hopeless,” I looked over to Dick some distance off and noticed him squatting before a tombstone, picking off some of the lichen that obscured part of the engraving. It was the young Jane Barker! How did he find it among so many gravestones? He had the experience and intuition of an excellent genealogist, the 14^th generation of his family farming the same land. By serendipity or some other spirit, he was often drawn to the correct ancestors and improbable discoveries. The great thing was, Jane’s tombstone there in Devon revealed that she was from Rotherham, Yorkshire, and this was just the clue that was needed to take the Barker family back past the brick wall. Standing before her grave, I could feel the little assemblage of people who must have stood there at her burial on that wintery day in early 1820. They were kin, as the centuries between us melted away.

Jane Barker, died 3 January 1820, of Rotherham, Yorkshire

Here in the United States, there is a tombstone in the Pleasant Grove, Utah, cemetery of a Poulson family that has always intrigued me. Of nine children born, seven passed on at very young ages, and two lived into their 80s and 90s. The poor mother who faced these tragedies also lost her husband just a few years after the children had died. There are undoubtedly interesting stories behind these hardships. Insight into what life was like for ordinary people can be learned by asking our living relatives for details while they still remember.

Poulson Family of Pleasant Grove. The father died in 1920

There are many excellent books, blogs, articles, social media and videos that tell how to care for or acquire rubbings or images of tombstones. Three books are listed below, and there are many others. These excellent books cover a wide gamut of cemetery and death related topics. Sometimes the tombstone sought for cannot be located in a burial ground, because it is completely covered with vines and leaves! Be sure to bring the right tools to clean up plant life so the inscriptions can be read and photographed. If some of them are now unreadable, perhaps an earlier transcription project captured the details. Cemetery research is one of the most effective ways to trace your family tree. Between BillionGraves.com, FindaGrave.com, Interment.net, and numerous others, there are large databases of burials available, many with photographs and memorials, and many geotagged. It has been a very rewarding experience going to graves in New York, Iowa, Indiana, Utah and California, taking pictures, and adding exact latitude and longitude coordinates. This can also be a great family activity. The FamilyTree Cemetery Field Guide explains in detail how to use Billion Graves and Find a Grave. One can request through these websites that a local resident take pictures of ancestral tombstones for you, and you can help others in the same way. In the United States, on Memorial Day families often visit cemeteries and the burial places of their loved ones. People who may be approaching the end of their mortal days may visit where they will be buried, or the graves of their parents or spouses. My father, with a diagnosis of terminal cancer, and growing health challenges, chose to volunteer at the Los Angeles National Cemetery where he entered into their database hundreds of names from paper burial files. These can now be seen on Interment.net. Genealogists are grateful to all the unsung heroes who labor away, indexing old records or doing data entry to make the records of humanity available. It is a great endeavor—a partnership between the living and the deceased, that unites us with our kindred dead. In reading this blog post, at this time of Halloween, if you were hoping for scary cemetery stories, with ghouls, ghosts, dismembered bodies, tormented spirits, or grim reapers chasing you down, you did not get it! But, for those with the great heart and mind of a genealogist, you see and understand so much more in cemeteries. They can be places of serious study, but they can also be wonderlands where one connects with ages past and with layers of humanity. It is our choice, and our opportunity, to learn all we can about cemeteries. Visit your ancestors, as well as the people buried around them, and learn all you can about their hopes and dreams. Symbols and epitaphs will help. Learn from books and articles the best practices for burial ground investigations. If you would like some help by experienced genealogists in your quest, Price Genealogy is waiting to assist you. Greg 22 October 2018 Carmack, Sharon DeBartolo. Your Guide to Cemetery Research. (Cincinnati, Ohio: Betterway Books, 2002). Keister, Douglas. Stories in Stone: A Field Guide to Cemetery Symbolism and Iconography. (Salt Lake City, Utah: Gibbs Smith, publisher, 2004). Neighbors, Joy. The Family Tree Cemetery Field Guide: How to Find, Record, & Preserve Your Ancestors’ Graves. (Cincinnati, Ohio: Family Tree Books, 2017).

6 Ways to Move Your Genealogy Work Forward

admin — Wed, 31 Oct 2018 22:28:57 +0000

Are you feeling a little stuck in your genealogy work? We all hit a wall at some point. Jump start your research again with a few of these quick tips to get the ball rolling. Learn about your lineage and yourself as you try some of these fun ways to dive into family history.

Get Your DNA Tested

There are many different labs that can test your DNA and let you know where your roots come from. Learn where your ancestors hail from and how much of their background has made it into your bloodstream. Results can even differ from sibling to sibling. They can also link you to other living relatives you may not have known you had! Getting your DNA results will certainly shed some light on your genealogy work.

Hire a Professional

Professional genealogists are not only trained researchers and historians, but they also may have access to resources that you don’t. They are well versed in research methods, other cultures, and the legitimacy of records. If you’ve hit a wall, take advantage of the expertise of a professional to help you progress. Learn more about when and why to hire a professional here.

Learn How to Better Utilize Google

Google is a must use for any researcher. But there may be a few ways to make it even more useful to you. Try using quotation marks for words that need to appear together. For example, putting quotation marks around a first and last name would search for those two names recorded next to each other. You can also narrow down this search by adding a date—just type DATE..DATE. Instead of just searching “john smith”, trying searching “john smith” 1910..1950 for results specific to those years. If you’d like to search a specific family history site via Google, type ‘site:SITEURL’ and then the term you’d like to search. For example, if you’d like to search for a John Smith on Ancestory.com, you’d type site:ancestory.com “john smith”.

Find Your Living Family Members

Living family is the most important resource when it comes to family history. There may be stories, journals, records, photographs, and more that you haven’t explored. Reach out to other family members that are doing family history as well, compare notes and research. This can be a great way to bond with living relatives as well. If you’re still hitting a dead end, start recording your living family and their stories. This information needs to be recorded and will be invaluable to future generations doing the work that you are doing now.

Attend a Family History Conference

Family history and genealogy conferences are happening in the US all the time. These conferences are full of inspiration, ideas, and others in the same boat that you can collaborate with and learn from. You can learn from professionals, hear inspirational stories, and explore new tools for your research. Talking with others that are working on their family history can be a big help too. Discuss their methods, what’s working for them, what inspires them, learn from pros and peers. Find some of the best conferences to attend here.

Use Printed Resources

Though searching through digital records online is much quicker, they may not have all of the information you need. Use printed resources like newspapers, photos, record transcriptions, and other materials. These resources can often be found at libraries. You may want to visit the Family History Library in Salt Lake—the largest in the world. Another resource for printed records may be your own family.

Tax Records:The Secret Gem of Early American Records

admin — Mon, 05 Nov 2018 14:51:29 +0000

It was Benjamin Franklin who coined the memorable phrase, In this world nothing can be said to be certain except death and taxes. His sentiments were true, though how fortunate we are as family historians that these records have practically been in existence since the beginning of civilization. Tax records are one of the oldest historical records available and for American research they date back to colonial times. Unfortunately, this genealogical gem is commonly overlooked, likely because of its rather dull reputation. Such a pessimistic view could not be further from the truth! Tax records often hold the keys to a gateway of exciting family discoveries. Types of Tax Records: Municipal taxes were typically collected at the county level, often organized by districts or townships within the county. In general, three different types of municipal tax records are available to genealogist. They are (1) Poll Tax—also referred to as a Head Tax, a tax collected from every adult male regardless of their financial resources; (2) Real Property Tax—a tax collected on the amount of land/real estate a person owned; and (3) Personal Property Tax—a tax levied on one’s personal income and assets. Prior to the twentieth century, the Federal government would also occasionally tax its citizens. “There are three federal tax record groups that can provide genealogical researchers with specific tax information about their ancestors: the records of the Direct Tax of 1798; the Direct Tax of 1861…; and the Income Tax of 1862-1872.”[1] Though infrequent, the collection of tax by the federal government reveals unique challenges faced by a newly established nation. For example, the Federal Direct Tax of 1798 was implemented as a way for the government to raise funds for a possible war with France. This tax was aptly nicknamed the “Window Tax,” as it listed the number of window panes in each house valued over $100. Genealogical Information & Limitations: Tracing one’s ancestors in tax rolls can offer fantastic clues about a family’s history. These records are typically arranged by township/district within a particular county. If your ancestors are not listed in alphabetical order by surname, then the people entered before and after them on the rolls were likely their neighbors. Gleaning details from these rolls will provide clues to parentage, birth and death years, marriages, arrivals and departures from a county, as well as their occupations. Tax records can also bring clarity to two people with the same name in the same county, provide insight into the socio-economic position of a family within the community and shed light on who their neighbors were. Tracking your ancestors in tax records, year by year, can bring clarity to genealogical details that are often lacking between the decennial enumerations of the federal census. Alas, tax records are not without their limitations. The bulk of entries on the tax rolls are for adult white males only—children, females and those of varying ethnic makeups were typically not listed. Unfavorable storage conditions over time have compromised the quality and preservation of some lists. Challenging penmanship and unusual column formatting adds another element of difficulty in readings these records. Many counties have not digitized all of their tax collections; hence, a researcher must probe these old ledger books on-site or pay someone to do it for them. Furthermore, locating ancestors can be a challenge with changing jurisdictional boundaries, as well as understanding contemporary tax laws and collection requirements.

State, canal, school, poor, road & town taxes: Adams Twp., Washington County, Ohio, 1838; “Ohio, Tax Records, 1800-1850,” FamilySearch, image 7 of 834.

Where to Find the Records: The best place to start identifying your ancestors in tax records is the Family History Library Catalog. This catalog can be searched by location. For municipal tax records, an ancestor’s state and county of residence must be known. It is even better if the township or district can be identified. Besides the Family History Library Catalog, on-site county records—at the local court house and/or historical society—should also be explored. State archives can also house tax rolls. For Federal taxes (such as the Direct Tax of 1798) the National Archives and Records Administration has detailed listings of their holdings. Lastly, Ancestry has over 90 tax lists databases in their U.S. collections that can be searched by name and location. Investing your time and energy to explore tax records can bring abundant results to your genealogical endeavors. These underutilized historical records comprise details about your ancestors that are often unattainable through other research avenues. As Oliver Wendell Holmes Jr. stated, I like to pay taxes. With them, I buy civilization. For the genealogist, we are grateful our ancestors paid taxes, because with those tax lists we can break through our brick walls! Cara Several expert genealogists with Price Genealogy can help you extend your ancestral lines using tax records and many other sources. You will receive a full research report, summary, recommendations, research log and document images. We can also update your genealogy database, FamilySearch Family Tree, Ancestry’s Member Tree, etc. [1] Carol Cooke Daxxow and Susan Winchester, The Genealogist’s Guide to Researching Tax Records (Westminster, Maryland: Heritage Books, Inc., 2007), 94.

Your Tour of Duty: Find Your Kindred Dead from World War I

admin — Thu, 08 Nov 2018 17:10:37 +0000

Many of us remember the older generation in our family that served in World War I. With this Sunday being the 100^th anniversary of the end of hostilities of one of the most horrific bloodbaths in world history, it is fitting that we should honor their service and learn a little more about them. The armistice, which became Veterans Day in the United States, was signed on the 11^th hour of the 11^th day of the 11^th month, 1918, in a railway car in Compiègne, France. Many words and cultural symbols have entered our vocabulary from “the war to end all wars,” such as: Great War, doughboy, Flanders Field, Meuse-Argonne, Somme, Château-Thierry, Belleau Wood, pillbox, tank, sniper, over the top, shrapnel, poppies, and much more.

Often in genealogy, we focus on the end-of-the-line generation, always trying to push back further in time. That is great, but there is so much between the present and the distant past that is worthy of our attention and documentation. The stories are memorable and will always attract a new generation of readers. So many families were affected by World War 1—4.7 million Americans served, 116,700 died, and 204,000 were wounded.[1] It is a stark statistic when one realizes that the number of deaths sustained by United States forces represents 2% of the total number of deaths among the Allied or Entente powers, not to mention the deaths among the Central powers. Commemorative events are scheduled across America and Europe. In Pershing Square this weekend, near the White House, there will be “A First Look” event at the upcoming National World War I Memorial. Across this land, there will be Veterans Day runs, parades, and centennial commemorations. You can participate in the Bells of Peace right at 11 a.m. local time on November 11^th. If you are in Kansas City, the National World War I Museum and Memorial would be a great place to visit. For an animated family movie, consider watching Sgt. Stubby: An American Hero, which was released in April of this year. This Bull Terrier was the mascot of the 102^nd Infantry Regiment and served in seventeen battles.[2] As you embark on your tour of duty or reconnaissance in pursuit of your World War I soldier, these online resources and listings will deploy you to your field of combat (to recover the memory of your kindred dead):

World War I United States Military Records, 1917 to 1918: This is an extensive compilation of websites covering a wide range of relevant topics. The timeline of the American Expeditionary Forces is particularly useful.
Brigham Young University hosts an outstanding webpage called Links to Other WWI Sites with links to information on the involvement of men and women from many countries in the war. It includes genealogical resources, literature, maps and atlases, music, visual arts, films, photographic collections, and much more.
For your British forces ancestor, The Great War 1914-1918 is a good place to begin.
It is a sad reflection to learn that 80% of the U.S. Army records from 1912 to 1960 were destroyed in the July 1973 fire at the National Personnel Records Center (NPRC) in St. Louis, Missouri.[3] This is where surviving Official Military Personnel Files (OMPF) can be obtained by submitting an application. You can download the SF-180 request form here. Unfortunately, 16 to 18 million OMPFs were lost in the fire. The NPRC holds 100 million OMPFs of veterans, but these go well beyond WWI. Some destroyed files were reconstructed in order to provide services to veterans. Many veterans retained their own copies of discharge papers, and some of these still survive among their descendants. The National Archives has a good introductory page for genealogists. Looking beyond personnel service records, general histories and unit histories can be found at many research agencies, institutes, archives, and records centers scattered around the country, with several major Record Groups found in Washington, D.C.


World War I draft registration cards

Ancestry’s collection, S., World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918 contains 24 million images of draft cards of American men born from 1872 to 1900 and represents 25% of the American population. It is a fantastic genealogical resource of men who were eligible for the draft, but it does not mean they were actually called up. These records contain names, residences, birthplaces and birthdates, occupations, employers, citizenship status, the nearest relatives, and more. There were three registrations, each pertained to men of different age groups. The number of questions varied as well from one group to another. This collection can also be found on FamilySearch for free.
It is not just national sources that should be considered. State World War I records contain a treasure trove of information. See also, United States World War I State and Local Histories. These are not all held in one place. They can be found at state archives, offices of state adjutants general, genealogical and historical societies, and university research libraries. Many returning soldiers deposited their discharge papers at their county courthouse for a permanent record of their honorable service. Local publications may include brief biographies of your ancestors.
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) records are not held in St. Louis. Their website contains the Nationwide Gravesite Locator of the National Cemetery Administration. This includes national and state veterans’ cemeteries, and even private cemeteries, if an official government grave marker was issued. If your ancestor was buried overseas, you will want to consult the American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) website, where you can search by name. The ABMC maintains American cemeteries outside the United States. Soldiers who fought for Great Britain, and who died overseas, are listed with the Commonwealth War Graves Commission.
Fold 3: This outstanding website focuses largely on American military records. For World War I, it contains 121 million records across 71 collections. Many are British records, such as War Diaries. The WWI Canadian Soldiers database contains document images for each soldier and there is a good prospect of finding your Canadian ancestors in it. On Ancestry, which owns Fold 3, see the “Canada, WWI CEF Attestation Papers, 1914-1918.” Within the World War I collection on Fold 3, a search by name is likely to bring results on your ancestors. Always check for siblings and other relatives, as collateral research often breaks through brick walls.
Family Ties: This is a place where you can preserve stories of the military service of your family members who served in World War I. See The United States World War One Centennial Commission website for an explanation. You can even “Donate an Artifact” if you have one.
There are lots of ways to educate yourself or a group of people on the war, including the lesson plans at the World War I Centennial Commemoration Curriculum
Many World War I soldiers in May 1918 were given an expedited path to citizenship. The residency requirements and Declarations of Intention were waived. Soldiers were able to file petitions and complete their naturalization both on the same day. Copies should be on file in the local court where the event occurred and in the records of the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS). On FamilySearch, see the collection “United States Index to Naturalizations of World War I Soldiers, 1918.” This index also came from Fold 3.


Men of the 127th Spruce Squadron, including the grandfather of this writer, and his dog tags.

Honorable Discharge papers & Enlistment record of the grandfather of this writer—

He served as a private in the 127^th Squadron of the A.S.A.P.

Why It’s Important to Teach Your Kids About Genealogy

admin — Fri, 09 Nov 2018 22:59:17 +0000

The benefits of genealogy apply to all ages. Knowing your lineage and feeling connected to your family is always advantageous, but when you start learning as a kid the benefits seem to multiply. Family history is an important part of who we are. Teach genealogy and family history work to your children so that they can get a sense of who they are, where they come from, have the opportunity to connect with family, and to connect with you as you teach them about your shared history.

Learn About World History

As your kids learn about their ancestry from other cultures, they will have the opportunity to learn about those cultures and their histories. Though history may not be your child’s favorite subject, when they have a personal connection to that history it will likely be more enjoyable for them to learn about. When they come to know their roots and their ancestors, they can put things in perspective and connect to history in a unique way. Learning stories about your own flesh and blood takes history to another level entirely.

A Sense of Identity

Learning about their family tree and where they come from can help children to understand who they are. As they get to know individual family members in their history they will have a chance to connect with them. They can learn where their freckles come from or their love for sports. Sometimes connecting with your immediate family can be tough, but with genealogy, you can the chance to connect with thousands of others. There is a sense of stability and security that comes along with learning that you are part of something bigger—like a big chain that connects us all.

Connects Them to Family

Speaking of connection—nothing can help you relate to family more than learning about them. Your child may know that they have a certain number of aunts and uncles or great aunts and great uncles but seeing how they fit into their family visually on a family tree will help them to understand how they relate. It becomes easier to remember and get to know family members as you understand your family tree. You don’t need to create anything too extravagant or go back thousands of years, but a simple diagram with basic information will help your child to make the necessary connections.

Higher Self Esteem

A study done at Emory University in 2010 concluded that children who knew about their family history had higher self-esteem and were better able to deal with stress. When children know their families, they are filled with a sense of fulfillment. Another study done at Emory University found that children who have a strong family narrative enjoy better emotional health. It’s hard to feel alone when you know that you are part of something bigger. When children know what challenges, their family have faced and overcome, they are more confident to face their own challenges. They are better adjusted and more resilient. If you're interested in involving your kids in family history but aren't sure how, click here!

How Technology Has Changed Genealogy Work

admin — Tue, 06 Nov 2018 13:25:48 +0000

In this age of technology, everything seems to be advancing—that includes genealogy work. Technological advancements have made family history work much easier and more accessible. With thousands of websites and apps dedicated to helping you connect with family, there is no excuse not to be doing your genealogy. Though there is still work that can be done without a computer and many physical locations you can visit to advance your genealogy, technology has certainly changed the game. More Data Available and Easily Accessible An incredible amount of genealogy work can be done from the comfort of your living room couch. It has never been easier to access information about your family’s history than it is now. There is a wealth of genealogical information available online. You can easily find obituaries, birth certificates, death certificates, marriage certificates, and more just by using Google. There are also many websites dedicated to genealogy that may have recorded information about your family lineage. Find a few suggestions on where to get started here. One of the largest genealogical conferences in the world is called RootsTech. Emphasis on the tech. Even genealogical conferences have been changed by technology! Thirty years ago, the world of genealogy was completely different. Nowadays you can do a lot with a computer and access to the internet. The resources and data available in this time and age leave you with no excuse. It’s never been easier to do genealogy work than it is now. This is the age of information after all—that includes information about you and your family. With just a few hours on the computer, you can learn about your family and get the ball rolling on your genealogy. Never Easier to Share Information Just as it’s never been easier to gain knowledge, it’s just as simple to record it and share it. There are numerous outlets to record your findings and save this valuable information for future generations. Make a record of your genealogy work online or in your personal records to benefit your family for years to come. You can also record and share your research online on genealogy websites. When you share your information online you may benefit other close or distant family members that are also working on the same lineage you are. Have you ever benefited from someone else’s research? Let others benefit from yours! DNA Testing DNA testing has offered remarkable advancement in the world of family history. These tests will take a sample of your DNA (usually saliva) and determine your genetic makeup. It will tell you about your biological lineage and break down your ethnicity. DNA test results can even link you with other living family members. As the data bank for DNA test results grows, the information they give become more accurate and more exact. There are many different places to get your DNA tested. Learn more about DNA kits and which one is right for you here. Make the most of your family history efforts as you embrace all of the help that technology has offered. Utilize the websites and apps, record your findings, share in the information with others, and connect with your family through genealogy and technology.

How to Start a Journal

admin — Wed, 31 Oct 2018 16:42:20 +0000

Keeping a journal is extremely valuable. This documentation will help your posterity and future generations to know you on a personal level. Not only will it benefit your family, but you may find as you go back and reflect on what you’ve written down that it may be helpful to you as well. There is power in writing and recording. Whether it helps you to retain a treasured memory or helps you to realize how you felt in a certain situation, a journal is invaluable.

What to Include

In your journal, be sure to include important information that you’d like your posterity to know. You can include information about your daily life. Or just including big events such as trips, birthdays, marriages, births, etc. There are many creative ways to keep a journal. Try summarizing your day in twenty words or less. Or keep a gratitude journal and write down what you’re grateful for daily. Whatever you decide to record, be sure to record important information likes dates of entries and locations where you spend your time. This will give you and your posterity the chance to visit places where you spent your time.

Be Honest

It may be tempting to record your life the way you want it to be, but when you honestly write down your thoughts, feelings, concerns, and struggles, it may help you sort through them and give your posterity the chance to learn from you. Be honest about your life, your situation, and your thoughts. Writing down your goals and ambitions will give insight into who you are, what you value, and give you something to track as you reach for those things. Keep your journal personal and in a safe place to be honest about everything.

Try Using Prompts

If you’re stuck on what to write about, try using a prompt. For example, write every time you celebrate a friend or family members birthday. Write about your favorite birthdays. Or try writing about people in your life who have impacted you. You could have an entry for each important person in your life. Including other things like favorite song lyrics, poems, or quotes can also be a good prompt to write. Picking a different theme each month may be helpful. One month you could write about goals and ambitions. The next month you could write about childhood memories.

Include Pictures

As the saying goes, a picture is worth a thousand words. Include pictures in your journal. This can also act as a writing prompt and make your journal more visual. You can include captions, dates, addresses, names of those included in the picture, etc. It may also inspire you to write when you have a photo you want to add to your journal. Try buying a Polaroid camera and using those photos to document, this will be an easy way to regularly add photos.

When to Write

It’s common to start a journal and have trouble keeping up with it. Solve this problem by writing when specific events happen. For example, make a goal to write every holiday. Or set aside a time once a week to write. You can keep it short, even just a few sentences or a paragraph at a time can help you get in the habit. Most important, record your important experiences. Reflect on your perspective of your wedding day, the days your children are born, be sure to record the big days. Of course, you won’t forget these days, but you may not remember the details or the things you felt exactly without a written record.

The Art and Science of Cracking Unknown Parentage Cases: The Mystery of an Unidentified Biological Father Solved After Nearly 60 Years

admin — Fri, 16 Nov 2018 19:29:28 +0000

It is always a wonderful feeling to help a client break through one of their tough genealogical brick walls, but it is especially exhilarating to solve a challenging biological parent mystery that has been unsettled in the mind of a client for a half century. Here at Price Genealogy, we have been pleased to have helped a large number of our clients use DNA in conjunction with traditional sources, in cracking long-standing family history cases.

Jonathan’s search for his biological father

Recently, we were given a challenge by a 58-year old man in Maryland—Jonathan (name changed)—to search for his biological father. His biological mother was in her mid-teens when she encountered a much older man, and she did not remember much of what happened, except that she became pregnant. She raised her son with a rich abundance of love, which is a great credit to her. With more and more stories in the news of reunions of people finding their previously unknown parents or siblings, Jonathan decided to see if DNA could help him. Having heard from a member of his family of the success that Price Genealogy was having with her ancestral lines, he gave us the opportunity to see what could be found. Jonathan tested at the major DNA companies, and the results suggested a likely avenue to pursue. Some of his DNA matching cousins had trees attached to their DNA, and some did not. These matches were clustered together into distinct paternal and maternal groups, and then by each of the likely four grandparent clusters. A few surnames kept popping up. One woman had tested three or four of her close relations, all of whom matched Jonathan, but she encoded her user name so that it was not recognizable. Using Google searches, newspaper websites, and major genealogy website, it became evident exactly who she was, and that her husband was a close relation to Jonathan. Indeed, the newspaper articles helped us zero in on Jonathan’s likely father, a man sixteen years older that his mother. It turned out that he had been prominent in two different walks of life, but died in 2009. It was exciting to call Jonathan to tell him the news. He got his mother on a three-party line. When we said the name of the biological father, the mother said, “That was the name!”, a name which she last heard in 1959 and could not quite remember. Photographs of the biological father were found, and Jonathan said that he looked very much like his father! Jonathan instructed us to reach out to part of his biological family. A careful letter was drafted and sent. A week or so later Jonathan was in contact with his new-found close family in California, and they were enjoying getting to know each other.

The Adoptee’s Guide to DNA Testing, by Tamar Weinberg

Genealogy and DNA research are very rewarding, especially when they draw people together. There are many resources to help you in your quest for your biological family. A recent publication provides many ideas. It is Tamar Weinberg’s The Adoptee’s Guide to DNA Testing, published in 2018 by Family Tree Books. While DNA analysis is deeply rooted in scientific principles, success is usually found through a variety of creative strategies that can show relationships. Researchers at Price Genealogy bring in-depth content knowledge and strategies of their specialties, but a certain amount of “art,” or following creative hunches, comes from many years of experience working on challenging brick walls. Weinberg’s book is packed with useful strategies, but she starts with a discussion of traditional methods to solve mis-attributed parent issues. Charts, graphs, diagrams and maps are found in abundance, and will help the reader picture the various concepts. It is always good to learn broad perspectives, and these are found throughout. Issues are discussed relative to birth certificates, adoption agencies, various state laws, adoption resource organizations, adoption registries, social media, DNA Detectives, Search Angels, and online search tools. Many people are trying to learn what they can about DNA, and The Adoptee’s Guide does a good job of explaining the basics of genetic genealogy and inheritance patterns. Y-chromosome DNA, mitochondrial DNA, autosomal DNA, and X-chromosome DNA are all explained in some depth, as well as the tools offered by the major testing companies: AncestryDNA, FamilyTreeDNA, 23andMe, and MyHeritageDNA. Since Weinberg comes from an endogamous population group (people who intermarry with close kin from generation to generation), she offers strategies to work with this challenge. Beyond the basics, the use of mirror trees with AncestryDNA receives much attention, and a full chapter is devoted to a third-party website with many powerful tools—GEDmatch. There is so much that this website has to offer, that it would be best if you just read this chapter yourself. Upload your DNA and try out the tools. Ethnicity admixture and triangulation are explained, as is chromosome painting. Across all of these chapters and topics is the tremendous value of “in common with” shared matches tools. Once the likely answer to your long-standing mystery is in view, Tamar Weinberg gives excellent advice on contacting likely family members, and she even gives a couple of suggested scripts or talking points that you can use. The book concludes with fascinating case studies and with a FAQ section. Adoption research and DNA evidence can be very rewarding Most family trees, and even our close relations, have examples of adoption, out-of-wedlock births, and mis-attributed parentage. This writer learned in his teenage years that one of his first cousins was put up for adoption, and we were excited to meet her when she found us at age 18. I regard her as much a member of my family as all the rest of my cousins, including a couple of others who were adopted into our family by a different uncle. These situations are often a part of life, and we can help people feel comfortable in the circumstance in which they find themselves. At Price Genealogy we have the expertise and experience to assist you with your genealogical and family tree questions, where DNA can be used alongside traditional research. Books like The Adoptee’s Guide to DNA Testing can help all of us take greater advantage of the resources that are becoming available. If you would like assistance by our professional genealogists with your questions, please contact us. Greg 18 October 2018

Native American Ancestry: Tips and Resources, Part 1

admin — Wed, 21 Nov 2018 19:25:16 +0000

[caption id="attachment_5015" align="alignleft" width="300"] Charles M Russell, Water For Camp[/caption] Many people grew up hearing about a family member that was Native American. For some, having this heritage proved to be true, for others it was simply a myth. Proving the lineage can be difficult. Whether you are looking to connect to an actual tribe or just want to locate the ancestor with the Native American heritage, it means constructing a family tree using a multitude of sources. Here are some tips and resources to assist in your Native American research. The first thing to always do, is start with what you know. Talk to family members, and make note of the names, dates, places, tribal affiliations, and other details they remember. If a tribal affiliation is not known, try looking in the place where the ancestor lived to determine what tribes existed that area. Keep in mind that the reservations and tribes moved often. After 1830, when the U.S. Congress passed the Indian Removal Act, tribes were forcibly moved to different locations.[1] Some helpful maps are:

Map of Indian and Oklahoma territories
Map of Indian Land cessions in the United States
Map of Indian Land Circa 1772

Once an area is identified, consider joining the historical society in that region. The Oklahoma Historical Society holds one of the largest collections of Native American records. They send regular email updates to keep members up-to-date regarding the various record collections they hold.[2] This can be very valuable as new collections are digitized and released. If a tribal affiliation is known, the Bureau of Indian Affairs may be able to assist with locating records and history of a particular tribe. Most of the files, regarding individuals, are kept at the agency level or in the Tribal Offices of each tribe. Many of the records created by the Bureau of Indian Affairs have been preserved by the National Archives. Some of the records have been digitized and are now available online in various places. Some online collections and their locations are: Ancestry.com. Ancestry.com has more than 10 million Native American historical records and touch over 566 tribes. Access to these records collection is not free, they charge a fee for an account. The census counts, treaties, land allotments, marriage certificates, and citizenship documents are just a few of the records available. Some collections available on their site are:

Indian Census Rolls 1885-1940 The Indian Census schedules are census rolls usually submitted each year by agents or superintendents in charge of Indian reservations, as required by an act of 4 July 1884. Information available in these records are:
- Name (Indian and /or English)
- Gender
- Age
- Birth date
- Marital status
- Tribe or reservation name
- Relationship to the head of the household.

The Oklahoma and Indian Territory, Indian Censuses and Rolls, 1851-1959 This collection relates to the Arapaho, Cherokee, Eastern Cherokee, Cheyenne, Chickasaw, Choctaw, Creek, Delaware, Kickapoo, Miami, Muskogee, Osage, Potawatomi, Sac and Fox, Seminole, and Shawnee tribes.
The U.S., Native American Citizens and Freedmen of Five Civilized Tribes, 1895-1914 This collection contains the federal government’s official tribal rolls (the “Dawes Rolls”) for the Cherokee, Chickasaw, Choctaw, Creek, and Seminole tribes.
The U.S., Cherokee Baker Roll and Records, 1924-1929 The Baker Roll was the final roll compiled for determining membership in the Eastern Band, but it is only the beginning of the documents included in this collection. Along with the roll itself, you’ll find applications for tribal membership, correspondence regarding applications, transcripts of testimony, copies of decisions and findings by the Enrolling Commission, and much more.
U.S., Indian Wills, 1910-1921, Native Americans submitted more than 2,500 pages of wills and probate records. These records span the period 1910 to 1921 and, with a few exceptions, pertain to Indian families living in the Plains and several western states. Researchers will find members of the following tribes represented in this collection: Chippewa, Sioux, Apache, Shawnee, Quapaw, Assinboin, Leach Lake Chippewa, Confederated Flathead, Ponca, Cheyenne, Crow, Sac & Fox, Nez Perce, Southern Ute, Omaha, Osage, and more.

If you are looking for free access to Native American genealogical records, some places to consider are: Access Genealogy. The website includes essential links to the various tribes throughout the United States, such as school records, census records, treaties and other agreements, books, newspapers, and histories of the Native American tribes. Some collections held on this site are:

Indian Tribes of the United States, here you will find a description of the tribe, it’s culture, religion, as well as references to other works.
Indian Treaties, Acts and Agreements, this collection represents a large assemblage of federal and state treaties with the various Indian tribes for the United States and Canada.
United States Bureau of Land Management Tract Books, 1800-c. 1955 is a collection of 3,907 tract books containing official records of the land transactions involving surveyed public lands. They are arranged by state and then by township and range. These books indicate who obtained the land and include a physical description of the tract and where the land is located. The type of transaction is also recorded, such as cash entry, credit entry, homesteads, patents (deeds) granted by the Federal Government, and other conveyances of title such as Indian allotments, internal improvement grants (to states), military bounty land warrants, private land claims, railroad grants, school grants, and swamp grants.
History of the Indian Tribes of North America this page links to the histories of various tribes and including photographs and biographical sketches.
Indian Schools, Seminaries, and Asylums this collection gives the name of the student or patient, their tribal affiliation, as well as the location of residence among other information.

Family Search Family Search is another free website that holds links to a whole host of records, including church and hospital records for Native Americans. A specific collection that should be noted is the Guion Miller Rolls. Guion Miller stated there were 45,847 enrollment applications filed, representing some 90,000 individuals.

Eastern Cherokee or Guion Miller Rolls, - The documentation includes application forms, correspondence, and affidavits necessary to prove eligibility for a claim. Each applicant was asked:
- His or her full English and Cherokee name
- Place of birth
- Name of husband or wife (English and Cherokee)
- Names of children (English and Cherokee)
- Names (English and Cherokee), places of birth and date of death of parents and grandparents
- Names and ages of brothers and sisters (English and Cherokee)
- Names of uncles and aunts (English and Cherokee)

Carlisle Indian School Resource Center The Carlisle Indian School collection holds information regarding the schools and farms that held Native American students. The first boarding school was established in 1879 by Captain Richard Pratt in Carlisle, Pennsylvania.[3] By the end of the century, dozens of Indian boarding schools were opened across the country. The beneficial information that can be obtained is:

Indian and American names of students,
parent names
name of tribe
Name of farm or location boarded.

While this is not a complete list of all Native American records available online, you can see there is an abundance of information accessible for those researching Native American ancestors. Though the research process can be difficult, don’t give up. Remember to start with what you know, take your time and explore the records that are available in the sites mentioned above. Part two of this series will address Native Americans in the Military, their naming traditions, and the controversial Native American DNA. Billie and Mike The professional genealogists at Price Genealogy are happy to assist you as you seek to learn more of your Native American ancestry. [1] American Memory, “A Century of Lawmaking for a New Nation: U.S. Congressional Documents and Debates, 1774 – 1875”, Statute I, Chapter CXLVIII, Page 411, dated 28 May 1830, Library of Congress (https://memory.loc.gov/cgi-bin/ampage?collId=llsl&fileName=004/llsl004.db&recNum=458 : Accessed 2 November 2018) [2] Oklahoma Historical Society, (http://www.okhistory.org) [3] Mintz, Steven and Kellogg, Susan, “Domestic Revolutions”, Simon and Schuster, April 1989

Native American Ancestry: Tips and Resources, Part 2

admin — Fri, 30 Nov 2018 15:24:19 +0000

[caption id="attachment_5030" align="aligncenter" width="1023"] "Bureau of Indian Affairs: Indian and soldier" by Maynard Dixon (Public Domain)[/caption] Part two of this series discusses two specialized topics: Native American Indians in the military, and the use of DNA for Native American ancestry determination.

U.S. Military Involvement

Many Americans remain unaware of the major contributions Native Americans have made to the United States Armed Forces. American Indians served in every United States war from the Revolutionary War to the present day. They even served on both sides of the Civil War.[1] Their courage, determination, and fighting spirit were recognized by American military leaders as early as the 18th century. They had a reputation of serving with distinction and some received the Medal of Honor.[2] It is estimated that more than 12,000 American Indians served in the United States military in World War I. Approximately 600 Oklahoma Indians, mostly Chotaw and Cherokee, were assigned to the 142nd Infantry of the 36th Texas-Oklahoma National Guard Division. The 142nd saw action in France and its soldiers were widely recognized for their contributions in battle. Four men from this unit were awarded the Croix de Guerre, while others received the Church War Cross for gallantry.[3] Several federal offices have historically kept Indian records, including the departments of War, Interior, State, and since 1947, the Bureau of Indian Affairs. Prior to 1947, was the Office of Indian Affairs.[4] If you are researching a Native American ancestor, be sure to not overlook military records. Let’s take a look at a few types of Military records available and where to find them. They are service records, court case files, headstone records, and pension records.

Service records

Service Records may show when, where, and by whom a soldier was enlisted; period of enlistment; place of birth; age at time of enlistment; physical description; and possibly additional remarks such as discharge information, including date and place of discharge, rank at the time, and if the scout, or soldier, died in service.

Available with a subscription:

Fold3.com

Index to Compiled Service Records of Volunteer Soldiers Who Served During Indian Wars and Disturbances, 1815-58

Compiled Military Service Records of Maj. Uriah Blue's Detachment of Chickasaw Indians in the War of 1812

Compiled Military Service Records of Maj. McIntosh's Company of Creek Indians in the War of 1812

World War II Army Enlistment Records

Indian Wars Service Record Index

Cards Concerning Revolutionary War Service and Imprisonment

Ancestry.com

Applications for Enrollment and Allotment of Washington Indians, 1911-1919

Compiled Service Records of Confederate Generals and Staff Officers, and Nonregimental Enlisted Men

Carded Records Showing Military Service of Soldiers Who Served in Volunteer Units During the Post-Revolutionary War Period, Compiled 1899 - 1927, documenting the period 1784 - 1811

Consolidated Lists of Civil War Draft Registrations, 1863-1865

Available for Free:

Access Genealogy

Indians in World War II

Frost’s Pictorial History of Indian Wars and Captivities

Native Americans in the Revolutionary War

Indian Wars of Carolina – Previous to the Revolution

Medal of Honor Records Several Indian Scouts received the Medal of Honor, the list of which is provided by the United States Army Center of Military History. It covers the Indian War, World War II and the Korean War.

Available for Free:

US Army Center of Military History

Headstone Records Headstones were provided by the government to Native Americans who served as enlisted Indian Scouts and to those who served in the Regular Army Indian Companies.

Available with a subscription:

Ancestry.com

Card Records of Headstones Provided for Deceased Union Civil War Veterans, ca. 1879 - ca. 1903

Applications for Headstones for U.S. Military Veterans, 1925-1941

Applications for Headstones, compiled 01/01/1925 - 06/30/1970, documenting the period ca. 1776 - 1970

Indian Bounty Land Warrant Records Warrants usually contain the following information: date of issuance, name and rank of veteran, state from which enlisted, name of heir or assignee (if applicable). It should be noted that warrants issued at this time were assignable and were often sold by the veteran on the open market. When this was done, a notation on the reverse of the warrant indicates subsequent transfers of ownership from the veteran to heirs or assignees.[5]

Available with a subscription:

Ancestry.com

US War Bounty Land Records 1789-1858

Fold3.com

Bounty Land Warrant Applications

Available for Free:

Family Search

United States Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Applications, 1800-1900 Family Search

Pension Files Pension files are an excellent source of information on Indian Scouts, not only about the scout, but also about his family and others with whom he may have served or who knew him or his wife. Indian Scouts and their widows became eligible for pensions with the passage of an act on March 4, 1917, relating to Indian wars from 1859 to 1891.

Available with a subscription:

Fold3.com

Index to Indian Wars Pension Files, 1892-1926

Index to Selected Final [Pension] Payment Vouchers, 1818-64

Available for Free:

Family Search

Civil War Pension Index: General Index to Pension Files, 1861-1934

Index of Indian War Pension Files, 1892-1926

For more information on Indian Scouts, Indian Companies and Code Talkers, please visit the National Archives.

DNA Testing

For some folks, researching their Native American family has been difficult. In traditional research, the next step is generally genetic testing. Genetic testing, otherwise known as DNA, has been gaining popularity in genealogical research. DNA is your genetic code. It determines traits from eye color to aspects of our personalities. This type of testing is becoming more of a discussion topic in Native American Communities.[6] However, using DNA testing to “prove” Native American Heritage has limitations. For several years, the most popular genetic ancestry testing services only categorized Native American ancestry into one broadly north, central, and south American region. Ground was broken in March 2017 when Ancestry.com’s DNA service added “Genetic Communities” to their ethnicity estimate service. These communities have since proven to at least accurately pinpoint regions in Mexico, and even specific Mexican states, where those of Mexican descent have ancestry. Overall, Native American DNA continues to be lumped into a broadly Native American category for both continents. Many Caucasian and African American Americans take DNA tests with the hope to validate a long-cherished family rumor of Native American ancestry. It is generally believed among genealogists that the failure of such a test to recognize any Native American ancestry disproves such a family rumor. Unfortunately, one cannot rely on ethnicity estimates completely for proof of any ethnic origin. Genetic genealogist Roberta Estes explains in her blog DNAeXplained that due to the way DNA is passed from generation to generation, a Native American ancestor—even one who was 100% Native American at 5, 6, or 7 generations back may not appear at all on your ethnicity estimate percentages.[7] It logically follows, for example, that perhaps an ancestor who was half Native American at 4 generations back would still possibly not show Native American DNA in their ethnicity estimate. The problem is further complicated in that very few samples from the American Native population exist in the current databases being used for DNA tests. In addition, Kim TallBear, an anthropologist at the University of Texas in Austin, and a member of the Sisseton Wahpeton Oyate, part of the Santee Dakota people in South Dakota, explains that a person with Native American ancestry may not show up on a genetic test as Native American, or may be told they are of East Asian or other descent. She even says that “there is no DNA test to “prove” you are Native American.”[8] Being Native American is a question of politics and culture, not biology: one is Native American if one is recognized by a tribe as being a member. And one is not necessarily a member of a tribe simply because one has Native American ancestors. Another problem is that genetic analysis, and some of the processes involved, can be problematic for indigenous people in terms of their own cultural knowledge. Put simply, there are things involved in genetic analysis that some indigenous cultures consider violations of their principles or values.[9] Tribes do not differ from one another in ways that genetics can detect. There is a widespread belief that genetics can help determine specific tribal affinities of either living or ancient people. This is simply false. Neighboring tribes have long-standing, complex relationships involving intermarriage, raiding, adoption, splitting, and joining. These social-historical forces insure that there cannot be any clear-cut genetic variants differentiating all the members of one tribe from those of nearby tribes. At most, slight differences in the proportions of certain genetic variations are identifiable in each group, but those do not permit specific individuals to be assigned to particular groups.[10] In conclusion, the best way to determine your Native American ancestry is to use the traditional genealogical methods, and records, to locate the tribes your family belongs to and then contact the tribe directly. Billie and Mike [1] Wikipedia contributors, "Native Americans in the American Civil War," Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Native_Americans_in_the_American_Civil_War&oldid=865094552 (accessed November 16, 2018). [2] FamilySearch Wiki contributors, "American Indian Genealogy," FamilySearch Wiki, (http://www.familysearch.org/wiki/en/index.php?title=American_Indian_Genealogy&oldid=3251906 : accessed 16 November 2018). [3] Naval History and Heritage Command, “20th Century Warriors: Native American Participation in the United States Military,” U.S. Navy, (https://www.history.navy.mil/research/library/online-reading-room/title-list-alphabetically/t/american-indians-us-military.html : accessed 16 November 2018) [4] FamilySearch Wiki contributors, "American Indian Genealogy," FamilySearch Wiki, (http://www.familysearch.org/wiki/en/index.php?title=American_Indian_Genealogy&oldid=3251906 : accessed 16 November 2018). [5] Ancestry.com. U.S. War Bounty Land Warrants, 1789-1858 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2007. [6] American Indian and Alaska Native Genetics Resource Center, “Tribal Enrollment and Genetic Testing”, National Congress of American Indians, (http://genetics.ncai.org/tribal-enrollment-and-genetic-testing.cfm : Accessed 16 November 2018) [7] Roberta Estes, “Ancestral DNA Percentages – How Much of Them is in You?,” DNAeXplained (https://dna-explained.com/2017/06/27/ancestral-dna-percentages-how-much-of-them-is-in-you/ : Accessed 16 November 2018). [8] Geddes, Linda, “There’s No DNA Test to “Prove” your Native American”, NewScientist.com, Magazine Issue 2955, 8 February 2014, (https://www.newscientist.com/article/mg22129554-400-there-is-no-dna-test-to-prove-youre-native-american/ : Accessed 16 November 2018) [9] Brett Lee Shelton, J.D. and Jonathan Marks, PhD., “Genetic Markers Not a Valid Test of Native Identity”, CRG, Council for Responsible Genetics (http://www.councilforresponsiblegenetics.org/ViewPage.aspx?pageId=163 : Accessed 16 November 2018) [10] Brett Lee Shelton, J.D. and Jonathan Marks, PhD., “Genetic Markers Not a Valid Test of Native Identity”, CRG, Council for Responsible Genetics (http://www.councilforresponsiblegenetics.org/ViewPage.aspx?pageId=163 : Accessed 16 November 2018)

Finding German Immigrant Town of Origin, Part 1: Record Types

admin — Fri, 07 Dec 2018 15:42:26 +0000

[caption id="attachment_5072" align="alignleft" width="428"] An old German settlement in Gruene, a part of New Braunfels, Texas[/caption] Do you have a German immigrant “brick wall” ancestor? If you have at least a few generations of United States ancestry, you likely have German ancestry as well. The most common ethnic origin for Americans is German. If you have German ancestry, at some point you will get back as far as you can go in the United States on that line. Let’s assume you got back to a German immigrant ancestor. First of all, congratulations! German research is relatively straightforward in comparison to research in other countries like the United States. For a large majority of cases—and there will always be exceptions—if you know the town your ancestor came from, you can often trace multiple generations of their ancestry from using a single record source: church records. Going back to our hypothetical situation, you have some record of your German ancestor in the United States. Perhaps you have a death certificate; perhaps a census record. It says that he or she was born in Germany. Now what do you do? Contrary to what you might first imagine, the best way to locate your German ancestry is to start with research right here in the United States. Your research in United States records will often lead to information that will clearly establish your ancestor’s place of origin. There is a long list of types of records that could actually list the town of origin. If you exhaust all the records that will be suggested, some strategies are available that can lead to success even when the name of the town of origin is unavailable. The focus of the given strategies and cases will be the 19th century. German immigration to the United States was known to occur at various points throughout the nation’s history. However, in the 1830s through the 1850s there was a major increase in German immigration into the United States. The following research strategies have been successfully used to determine the town of origin for ancestors from this immigration wave. Before moving into other specific strategies, it is often best to start by obtaining all possible records on your German immigrant ancestor. There are several records within which you may find the ancestral town of origin specifically named. Following are some examples, approximately in order of how likely these are to include the town of origin. Church records Church records, especially baptism records from German-speaking Catholic congregations in the United States, often mention the town of origin of the parents. Catholic records are becoming more readily available in recent years, with groups like Findmypast and the New England Historic Genealogical Society (AmericanAncestors.org) making agreements with select Catholic diocesan archives to digitize and index their collections. For offline records, accessibility will differ from archdiocese to diocese, with some of these having research-friendly archives holding most historical Catholic sacramental registers from their jurisdiction. Other areas have never gathered the sacramental registers to a central archive, and access will only be possible by contacting individual churches. Beside the issue of accessibility, a potentially equally complicated issue is determining what church your ancestral family attended. There are various strategies for this, including the following: Find their obituary which may name the church of membership or church where the funeral was held. If their place of burial has a religious affiliation, check if they are members of that same church. If a government marriage record names a minister, check what church the minister served. Check the records of all the closest churches that existed where the ancestors lived. [caption id="attachment_5077" align="alignright" width="300"] Limburg Cathedral, Hesse, Germany[/caption] If you can work through these often-difficult issues of determining the church attended, and obtain access to the records, but you find that none of the immigrant ancestor’s children have the ancestral town of origin on their baptism record, a study of the church records may still provide some important evidence you will need to make the connection to Germany. More on this will be presented in a subsequent strategies blog post. Before moving on, there are some important best practices to understand related to using church records. If you search for some baptisms of the children, and these records only state the country in general, a town you cannot easily read, a town that is spelled differently from record to record, or does not state the place of parental origin at all, continue searching the church records until you have found each child’s baptism. In one case, every record found listed a village name that was spelled differently from one record to another. It was difficult to clearly determine to what town it was referring. Then, on one of the children’s baptisms a totally different town was named. By searching maps and gazetteers for that area, it was possible to determine that this was a larger town or area in which the smaller village existed. This gave the necessary evidence and confidence that the correct town had been identified, so that an investment could be made, such as hiring a genealogist to look at the records on site in Germany. Immigration and naturalization records If you are researching an ancestor who immigrated in or after 1906, you have much greater odds of finding their specific town of origin in immigration or naturalization records. Passenger lists from this year forward attempted to name a great deal more origin information that earlier records. The agency now known as USCIS (United States Citizenship and Immigration Services) kept detailed files on all immigrants starting in the early 1900s, and these files were extensive by the mid-1900s. For anyone who emigrated in this period or more recently, all you may need is to order their file from the USCIS. This record type has been listed lower on the priority scale than church records because the focus of this article is on strategies for those who immigrated in the 1800s. In some cases, early passenger lists give a town of origin, though this is non-standard. For this period, what you will find in records differs over time and from place to place. Usually the naturalization will only list the German immigrant’s state of allegiance in Germany, but examples have been found which actually include towns of origin. Newspapers An immigrant may be mentioned as immigrating, which is more likely in a German-language newspaper, if there is one for the region where your ancestor settled in the United States. The immigrant’s obituary may list their town of origin, and in a few cases even an immigrant’s child may have had an obituary that listed their parent’s town of origin. County histories County histories are similar to newspapers in that a town of origin for an immigrant may be mentioned. This is also true for biographical entries on that immigrant’s child or even their grandchild. This ties into an advanced strategy to be mentioned later in part 2, having to do with researching all those persons with any connection to the immigrant ancestor. Headstones Some headstones of German immigrants include the exact town of origin engraved for future generations to see. Is it really worth looking for these records if most headstones do not include this? The same could be asked about all record types. The answer is yes! You will often get clues that will help you either way, and even if you do not, you will know you have made a reasonably exhaustive attempt. A more common piece of information on a headstone is the ancestor’s exact birth date which you may find difficult to locate in other sources. The importance of this date will be covered in the part 2 on advanced strategies. Federal and state census records There are some census records that will typically give you the specific state of origin within Germany, like the 1860 census. In very rare cases the census taker wrote down more than what the instructions dictated, and you will find a town of origin on a census. Even when this occurred, it was often indexed only as “Germany” or some other general term, so be sure to always read the image yourself. While this is not enough alone to make a connection to a town of origin, it is important evidence that will come in handy if you end up having to use one of the more advanced strategies discussed later in part 2. Vital records Although rare, there are times when a death certificate will list the person’s town of birth in Germany (usually it will only say Germany). There are even times when a child’s birth certificate will list the parent’s town of birth. The above list is not an exhaustive list, but it goes to show that being thorough in your United States research is well worth the effort. Additional records to check could include documents and heirlooms in possession of the family, publications like Germans to America, passport applications, and military pension files, among many others. Even records that typically do not give the town of origin could possibly give it, and even if they do not give that information, they still may prove useful for the advanced strategies to be covered in part 2. Michael Glazier, Ira A., and P. William Filby. Germans to America. On-going. Wilmington, Delaware, USA: Scholarly Resources, 1988-. (FHL book Ref973 W2ger.) The profession genealogists at Price Genealogy are very experienced in solving difficult German research problems and in finding your ancestors’ origins in Germany.

Finding German Immigrant Town of Origin, Part 2 : Advanced Strategies

admin — Fri, 14 Dec 2018 17:36:43 +0000

If you have gone through all the records listed in part 1 and are still without a town of origin for your immigrant ancestor, you will need to implement one or more advanced strategies. Determine surname distribution While often this is one of the least reliable strategies it is definitely worth remembering. If you have a reasonably rare German surname, you can use a website like kartezumnamen.eu to determine where, in Germany, the surname is most common. There are a few websites like this. Those that existed at the time of writing this article may be different than those that exist when you are reading this. You may have to search the internet for terms like German surname distribution. For example, a relatively rare surname like Grauling pulls up one distinct area where the surname is popular. To be effective, this strategy must be paired with the matching information strategy discussed later. Research other related immigrants and family members The term “related immigrants” in this case includes spouses, siblings, parents, children, cousins, neighbors, and members of the same church. The term “family members” in this strategy includes immediate family members, but could also involve others such as grandchildren of the immigrant. This strategy consists of searching actual relatives, and the advanced genealogical method often referred to as the FAN principle (friends, associates, neighbors). These could be looked at as separate strategies, but they have significant overlap in the principles relevant to finding your ancestor’s town of origin. From this list you can tell that this could be a time-consuming strategy. If you do it right, it should be quite time consuming. For all of these individuals, you would go through all the record types listed in the first part of this article. You would start with immediate family members who you have discovered were also born in Germany. This would typically be the immigrant’s spouse, their parents, or their children. If that yields no specific town of origin, you would research close associates to them such as neighbors, those who immigrated on the same boat at the same time, and those who attended the same church. These could each be looked at as their own sub-strategies, though the process will be more or less similar. Often, multiple strategies will play off of each other in order to successfully determine the correct town of origin. If you find a town of origin for someone else with whom your ancestor is associated, you cannot assume that your ancestor is from the same town. However, you can implement the next strategy on matching information. Matching information to a family in Germany The complexity of this strategy greatly varies from case to case. A simple example follows. If you have a German immigrant ancestor with a relatively rare name like Blasius Grein, their exact birth date which appears as 7 January 1825 on a headstone, and a census record saying he was born in the German state of Baden, this could be enough. In this actual instance, it was possible to find this ancestor in a collection of indexed German church records on FamilySearch.org. You must be especially careful with the strategy because German names may be much more common than you anticipate, so you may assume that a matching name of someone born in Germany is your ancestor when he or she is not. In this specific example, it was possible to determine that the name was relatively rare, that the state was correct, and that the birth date was an exact match. This was enough to create confidence that the correct ancestor had been located. The discovered indexed record provided the town of origin, and then those records could be searched directly on microfilm to trace the ancestry for multiple generations. The general principles will remain the same for more difficult cases. You must match up enough known information with information you find on a record created in Germany to be confident that the two represent the same individual. There is quite a long list of things you will want to be aware of and compare—everything really. Did the German church records mention they emigrated (German church records sometimes include marginal notes of emigration to “Amerika”)? Can you obtain copies of official emigration papers from the state archive in Germany (such records often exist) that match up with your best information about when the family arrived in the United States? Did the possible family in Germany disappear from the church books at or before the supposed emigration (if they were still in Germany after your family appeared in the United States, then this family is ruled out from being yours)? If there was group migration like a parent and spouse, do all known bits of information about each person match up? For example, even if you are lacking an exact date of birth for your immigrant ancestor, but you know a month of birth (perhaps from the 1900 census) for his father who also immigrated, you may be well on your way with this strategy. Does the possible match for a man you found of the same name in Germany have a father with the same name as your ancestor’s father in the United States? Was that father born in the correct month and year? The more pieces of information that match, the more confident you can be that you have located the correct family. Once you are confident that you know their town of origin, you can trace their ancestry as far as the German records will go. Michael 26 October 2018 At Price Genealogy we work with several expert German researchers who can help you solve the puzzles in your German ancestry.

Christmas Traditions Around the World

admin — Fri, 21 Dec 2018 14:37:51 +0000

The holiday season is a time rich in tradition. Christmas customs often differ depending on one’s cultural background, though the feelings of nostalgia that stem from the holiday traditions of childhood unite us all. Some of these rituals are steeped in cultural tradition while others are simply fun activities to mark the beginning of winter or the passing of another year. Many of us follow the traditions of an American heritage by placing a fir tree in our home, adorned with precious ornaments that hold special sentiments. Children’s stockings are hung from the fireplace mantel for Santa to fill with tasty goodies when he descends from the chimney on Christmas Eve. And a special family dinner of turkey, yams and cranberry sauce is prepared for Christmas day. These joyful traditions allow use to differentiate the Christmas season from other times of the year. Such acknowledgments are honored throughout the world, with different cultures and countries observing their own unique traditions. Germany The advent calendar is a big part of Christmas celebrations in Germany. The calendar begins on December 1 marking the 24 days before Christmas and includes paper doors that can be opened each day to reveal an image, Bible verse, or a piece of chocolate. The tradition most beloved which originated from Germany is the Christmas Tree “Tannenbaum.” The tradition began about 400 years ago with families decorating their homes with evergreen branches at Christmas time. It eventually evolved into bringing in and decorating entire trees. Switzerland In Switzerland, a country known for its beautiful Alps mountain range, delicious chocolate and peaceful nature, the holiday season is marked by a visit from Saint Nicholas on the 6^th of December. Families often bake spice cookies in honor of his arrival. Young children place their shoes, or a special Saint Nicholas boot, by the front door, in hopes of a late night visit from this adored Christmas figure. These youngsters eagerly awake the next morning to find their shoes filled with goodies, nuts and small gifts. Mexico In Mexico, a country known for its loyalty to family and delicious cuisine, the pinnacle of the holiday season is honored by El Dia De Reyes, Three Kings Day. This holiday reflects the blending of Mexico’s ancient cultural with that of Spanish colonization and subsequent conversion to Catholicism. Three Kings Day honors the tradition of the three wise men journeying to meet the newborn Christ child. Each of the wise men brought the baby Jesus a gift—gold, frankincense and myrrh—each symbolic of a spiritual gift. Today this holiday is marked by the exchanging of gifts by the Mexican people. Sweden In Sweden, St Lucia’s day is celebrated on December 13. It is a festival of lights in honor of St Lucia who was one of the earliest Christian martyrs, killed by the Romans in 304 AD. The festival begins with a procession led by the St Lucia designee, followed by young girls dressed in white and wearing lighted wreaths on their heads and boys dressed in white costumes. This festival marks the beginning of the Christmas season in Scandinavia and is meant to bring hope and light during the darkest time of the year. Norway In Norway, a country known for its Fjords, Viking heritage and midnight sun, Christmas Eve brings a curious ritual to fruition. Recognizing a belief from centuries ago that Christmas Eve enticed evil spirits and witches from their lairs, Norwegians hide their brooms so that these misfits cannot not steal them and subsequently ride them through the night sky. This unique tradition undoubtedly creates charmed, though mystic, memories for Norwegian children. Enjoying holiday traditions with your family creates meaningful memories for generations to come. The majority of us that live in the United States follow the Christmas celebrations of an American heritage, though as genealogists we also have the ability to discover the details of our ancestors’ lives. Learning the history behind our families, including their unique cultures and countries of origin can bring new meaning to our holiday festivities. Understanding, appreciating and honoring the traditions of our ancestors creates a special link between the generations and a profound sense of pride in our heritage. And younger generations of your family will surely remember the Christmas when a new holiday tradition was introduced and all the brooms in the house were hidden! Cara

Using Y-DNA and mtDNA

admin — Fri, 28 Dec 2018 20:22:20 +0000

[caption id="attachment_5163" align="alignleft" width="300"] Attribution 2.0 Generic (CC By 2.0)[/caption] DNA has rapidly gone from a cutting-edge tool only the most savvy genealogists used to a popular culture thing to do. People sometimes participate even without any genealogical interest. There are two types of DNA tests, however, that have become increasingly overlooked: Y-chromosome DNA (Y-DNA) and mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA). The most popular DNA testing companies, which are marketing widely on television and elsewhere, do not even offer these tests. AncestryDNA, 23andMe, MyHeritage, and LivingDNA/Findmypast, all offer one type of DNA test for purchase. The scientific term for that test is an "autosomal" DNA test. Each company has different features and ways for their customers to view their DNA (e.g. 23andMe provides health information). However, they are all the same kind of test, each focusing on autosomal DNA. Years ago, the only big company in the business was Family Tree DNA. (I bought an autosomal DNA test from them for $293 in 2010. In contrast, this kind of test now sometimes goes on sale for $49 or even less. In 2009, 23andMe introduced their first autosomal test—Relative Finder, which was quickly followed by Family Tree DNA’s introduction of their FamilyFinder test. Y-DNA and mtDNA testing was available prior to autosomal DNA testing. These tests have sort of gone out of style and novice genealogists may not even be aware of them. Family Tree DNA even offers more specialized tests: X-DNA, Big-Y 500, and specific marker (Y-SNP) testing. None of the other big genetic genealogy companies offer any of these. Some, like 23andMe or LivingDNA, will tell the DNA test taker his Y-DNA haplogroup (males only), and mtDNA haplogroup for both genders, as part of their autosomal testing. However, they do not look at the Y-DNA or mtDNA in the helpful detail that Family Tree DNA can. To be specific, Family Tree DNA is the only testing company which provides Y-chromosome and mtDNA matches, which is a very powerful genealogical tool. There was an old rumor going around that only males could do DNA tests. That rumor is based on the Y-DNA test. Y-DNA is for the male line only, because only males inherit any Y-DNA. Female=XX. Male=XY. Do not worry if those letters do not make sense; just know that only males have Y-DNA. Its main advantage (over the autosomal DNA) is the information it provides on the male surname line. It remains largely unchanged for many generations and focuses on one line. Autosomal tests are ideal for finding close DNA matches (as distant as 4th cousins) with very good accuracy. These DNA tests are truly revolutionary. More distant relatives will increasingly not appear as cousin matches, because distant relatives often do not share enough DNA. To put it simply, with about 50% of your DNA coming from your father and about 50% coming from your mother, your kids only have about 25% from each of their grandparents. Your great-grandchild will have only about 12.5% of your DNA. Several generations down the line, there is such a small amount of DNA remaining from each ancestor that autosomal tests will typically not be able to detect distant relationships. Alternatively, Y-DNA remains largely unchanged for many more generations. When two individuals show a close Y-DNA match, this can indicate a much more distant relationship, originating with a common male ancestor many generations earlier. Unfortunately, it can only be done on the male line. If there is a specific research issue, like proving that two Smith families have the same male Smith ancestor, then having direct male descendants from both lines tested could prove it or disprove it. If you had your brother Mr. Smith test and had another Mr. Smith test, then you can determine whether those two lines have the same paternal ancestor if the match is strong enough. Often, Y-DNA matches will just appear in your match list, as more and more people test. Sometimes genealogists use this to prove that their Smith line had the same common ancestor as a well-documented Smith line, even if they could not document their own line very well with paper records. A Y-DNA test taker will often get a lot of Y-DNA matches that are not very strong. Those matches mean little, except perhaps that most of them come from the same region of the world and have a prehistoric common ancestor. To take a match seriously, within a meaningfully genealogical time frame, it is desirable to match almost exactly on 30+ Y-DNA markers. It may be possible to see your matches at 12 or 25 points, but these matches mean comparatively little. The unfortunate truth is that Y-DNA tests do little practically for genealogists unless a second person also tests for the sake of comparison (or when someone randomly appears as a match). That being said, another possible use of the test is to loosely determine a region of origin from Y-DNA, even without any close matches. For example, in one case a Mr. Schilling tested (a German surname). The majority of his matches had Irish/Scottish surnames. This scientifically supports a hypothesis which a researcher had previously developed, that his 2x great-grandfather was the biological son of a man surnamed Callaham [sic]. This had been suggested by a single census record on which the great-grandfather appeared with this name at age two within a Schilling household. The 2x great grandfather thereafter appeared as a Schilling in every record, and none of the family members ever suspected that this ancestral line was anything except German. In this case, the Y-DNA provided clear evidence that the researcher's hypothesis was correct. The descendants of Mr. Schilling were actually of Irish or Scottish descent along the direct male line. One resource to learn more about these tests is Family Tree DNA's learning center. It explains the results received from testing in general. One particularly useful article on Paternal Lineages Tests explains how to determine the number of generations apart a test taker may be from someone on his Y-DNA match list. In summary, Y-DNA can be a powerful tool, though it is generally only worth doing if its benefits are understood. mtDNA is similar. It passes through the maternal line only, from mother to daughter. Think of a tree like a triangle starting with you as the tiny point like this <. The top line is what Y-DNA tracks and the bottom line is what mtDNA tracks. Mitochondrial DNA is used less often for genealogical applications, but could be used to prove or disprove a person's descent from the same direct maternal ancestor. It would have to be the direct maternal ancestor of both parties (not on a different line). Males can test their mtDNA as well as females, because they do receive their X-chromosome from their mothers. However, men do not pass their X-chromosome down to their offspring. For example, if the child of a man takes the mtDNA test, that child’s X-chromosome(s) can only come from his mother. There was news going around lately that suggested in rare cases a male can pass down his mtDNA, but a well-known genetic genealogist, Blaine Bettinger, reported that the news does not change the genealogical application of these tests. You may purchase any testing from Family Tree DNA at this link. At Price Genealogy our DNA experts can help you analyze your results, and along with traditional genealogical research can apply those results to genealogical problems. Michael

Comparing the offerings of the five big DNA testing companies

admin — Fri, 04 Jan 2019 19:54:30 +0000

DNA testing and analysis has moved from strictly scientific researchers, to crime fighting, to paternity forensics, to the savviest genealogists, and now to mass marketing to everyone. Its diverse scientific applications can now provide value to consumers with many different interests. These testing kits are sold by different DNA testing companies. Some companies offer only an ethnicity breakdown, or offer lifestyle choice suggestions based on your DNA, such as what foods you should eat. The following comparison will focus on products of the five companies that are best known for direct sales to consumers who are interested in what their DNA can tell them about their genealogy: 23andMe, AncestryDNA, Family Tree DNA, LivingDNA/Findmypast, and MyHeritage. What sets these tests apart from other DNA tests is that they offer genetic cousin matching. This feature shows you, based on the amount of shared DNA, how closely you are related to others who have tested at the same company. Be warned that many of the other start-ups or smaller companies claiming to do an ancestry DNA test often only give you a haplogroup and perhaps a pie chart of your ancestral breakdown (a certain percentage Europe, Asia, African, or American). This is of interest, but of much less value than the matching feature. A future article will highlight DNA inheritance and the power of matching. Those companies listed above are frequently recommended by genealogists. Each of them is well regarded in the genealogical community, and is a long-standing provider of genealogically useful services. Family Tree DNA was founded in 1999, with their first offerings including Y-chromosome DNA (Y-DNA) and mitochondrialDNA (mtDNA) testing. This is the only company of the five that offers cousin matching for these important types of tests. These tests are explained or will be explained in other blogs. Their unique additional test offerings, dedicated leadership, and being under the umbrella of their parent organization Gene by Gene--specializing in many other types of DNA testing--has allowed them to maintain a strong position in the marketplace all these years, even without the level of marketing investment of the other four firms. Many genealogists feel that any serious researcher should do their DNA testing with this firm, and praise their analysis tools such as a chromosome browser (a tool that one of the most popular companies--AncestryDNA--is still missing). Founded in 2006, 23andMe was one of the first companies among these to offer an ancestry testing service. 23andMe is in part known for their backing from Alphabet, the owner of Google. Their greatest distinction are the health reports they offer, which suggest what genetic propensities the test taker possesses. Often, individual features of each company have been reproduced, at least in part, as free tools available elsewhere. In the case of health reports, a free health analysis of DNA has recently become available from Promethease. Of course, customers should carefully consider whether to use third party tools or whether to upload their DNA to other websites. One silly but popular report that 23andMe offers is the percentage of a person's Neanderthal ancestry. Such insignificant, but fun features are found with various tests. In addition to the standard matching and ethnicity estimates, 23andMe also tells customers their Y-DNA and mtDNA haplogroups (females only receive mtDNA so they only get an mtDNA haplogroup). The most significant value of testing with 23andMe is that there are many people who did it just for their ethnicity or their health reports, but have continued to allow their results appear for their cousin matches as well. Therefore, most genealogists will recommend that a client who is serious about solving a genealogical problem have their DNA tested with all five major companies. It is impossible to tell without testing if the relative who can solve your problem has tested with one of the other companies. 23andMe and AncestryDNA are probably the two most popular among the general population in the United States, so you are most likely to find your best cousin matches with these two tests. There are exceptions to be discussed concerning some of the other tests. AncestryDNA by Ancestry.com as it now exists was launched in 2012. Previously they offered Y-DNA and mtDNA testing, although they were never as good as the same tests from Family Tree DNA. In 2014, Ancestry.com stopped offering those tests, seeing that a new type of general ancestry DNA test offered more value. (Bear in mind that Y-DNA and mtDNA tests still offer much genealogical value, but from that time forward genealogists would rely on Family Tree DNA for those offerings.) Due in part to their major investments in marketing, Ancestry.com has rapidly become the company with the most customers tested: now approximately fourteen million persons. Of all the features and simplicity they offer, the size of their customer base is the most valuable of all. With the most customers, anyone who takes a DNA test is statistically more likely to find matching relatives. As mentioned in the section on Family Tree DNA, Ancestry.com is known by genealogical professionals for their lack of a chromosome browser tool. Therefore, many professionals like to copy their raw DNA data file out of AncestryDNA and import that file into other DNA analysis products, such as GEDmatch (which is not discussed in this article). AncestryDNA is investing a great deal into their DNA product and has added several features in recent years, with likely many more advancements to come. Their "Genetic Communities" feature broke new ground on the level of detail offered with ethnicity estimates. Now, instead of telling the customer of Mexican ancestry that their DNA is simply broadly Native American and Iberian Peninsula, the test can pinpoint a specific Mexican state or region from which their ancestors come. For those with European ancestry, whose ancestors later settled in the United States, this feature can now tell customers that they have ancestors who settled in the northeastern United States. In time, the ethnicity and ancestral location estimates are likely to become even more detailed. AncestryDNA also has other heavily marketed features that should be viewed with some caution. For example, their DNA Circles feature attempts to show customers when multiple test takers share an ancestor. It helps if most of them have uploaded a tree. This makes it possible for customers who have not uploaded a tree to learn of possible genetic ancestors that they may have never heard of before. Often this estimate is correct, but it is also often incorrect. This problem is similar to the problem of the shaky leaf hints in Ancestry’s Member Trees. The inexperienced user will often simply believe any record hint or genetic hint that is shown, when the reality is that these are often incorrect. As with any of the companies, the data should be considered with care, and an attempt made to get some genetic genealogy education in order to avoid coming to incorrect conclusions. MyHeritage was founded in Israel in 2003, and became the largest commercial genealogical website for European customers. It was not as widely known in America until more recent years when their marketing in the United States increased, and offices were opened in Utah and California. MyHeritage DNA was launched in 2016 after testing the waters with their earlier partnership with Family Tree DNA. MyHeritage's strong presence in Europe has rapidly placed them as the most successful DNA company in that region. For this reason, anyone hoping to find a DNA cousin match who lives in Europe will want to include MyHeritage among the companies with whom they test. MyHeritage is also committed to technological improvement, releasing a steady stream of press releases about new features on their website. They offer a chromosome browser and many other useful tools. One of the greatest features is the ability to upload results from any of the other DNA companies listed. Family Tree DNA and Living DNA also allow uploading your DNA results from a different company. Unfortunately, 23andMe and AncestryDNA do not allow this. Therefore, those wishing to benefit from potential matches and features of all databases will need to purchase both AncestryDNA and 23andMe, then upload their file from one of those into the other three websites. The policy regarding uploads tends to change over time. Various features are often included for free, with a fee to upgrade to access other features. Sometimes there is a fee to upload the file itself, but this will be less than buying a new kit. LivingDNA started in 2004 as DNA Worldwide, but had little impact in the genealogical community until their founding again in 2016 as LivingDNA. They energetically pursued marketing their services and paid attention to collaboration opportunities. Some leaders in the genealogical community took their test within the first year and shared positive reviews of the product. The positive reviews generally centered around LivingDNA offering the best test for United Kingdom ethnicity estimates. With a high level of accuracy, their test can indicate not only that the customer has UK ancestry, but the precise county in England a percentage of ancestry comes from. Unfortunately, at the time of this article, LivingDNA's ethnicity estimates are actually below average to poor in other regions outside the United Kingdom. Also, their promised matching service is not yet public. Nevertheless, the wider genealogical community has bought into LivingDNA's services regardless of this essential missing feature. In 2018, LivingDNA announced a partnership with Findmypast to sell the testing kit under shared branding. Since 2003, Findmypast has been an online genealogy behemoth specializing in providing online access to United Kingdom and Ireland source documents. With Findmypast's backing of LivingDNA, the genealogical community's hope was restored. It had not necessarily faded, but public trust was at risk due to the delay in offering the promised matching service. In summary, there is genealogical value to having DNA in all five of these databases. The greatest value provided is the ability to match DNA with other customers. Certain DNA companies are more likely to attract certain customers based on their marketing or location. Informed decisions can be made based on those likelihoods, such as participating in the MyHeritage DNA database for those who desire to find European matches. There are many small feature differences from one genetic testing firm to another. These smaller features change all the time. Many of the shortcomings of a single test can be overcome at least in part with the use of third-party tools or websites, or by uploading to more than one of the big five firms. Getting some genetic genealogy education is helpful, and in some situations, it may be advisable to hire a professional to get the most out of the results. Please inquire today with Price Genealogy about a possible DNA analysis project. Michael

The Importance of Genealogy

admin — Mon, 12 Nov 2018 21:03:57 +0000

The work of genealogy goes far before dates and names. When you dive into your ancestry you learn more about your family and more about yourself. You also have the opportunity to bond with your past, current, and future family as you bring your family together and come to better understand them. Connect with a family story, discover new relatives, share your findings. Learn about your roots and develop a sense of identity. The benefits of learning your family history are countless.

Preserving Family Traditions

When you familiarize yourself with your family, their culture, and their traditions, you can keep them alive. Preserve your lineage as you learn about it. Whether it’s holiday traditions you want to keep alive, family recipes you want to pass down, or family heirlooms you want to learn about, there is plenty to pass on from the past. Connect your future with your past as you preserve family traditions. Your heritage may come from another culture. Cultural background is an important thing—it gives you the opportunity to develop a strong sense of your roots. Learning about the traditions and practices of this culture and keeping them alive in your family will greatly benefit you. As you connect with your past, you’ll find that you are part of a larger chain, linking through generations. Studies have shown that those who are familiar with their heritage feel more fulfillment.

Connection to Your Lineage

Learning about your family line may bring up some interesting things. You can learn about your connection to history—you may be related to a famous figure in history. Or maybe you’ll learn the true story behind an old family story. Other useful information may come up as well, such as medical conditions in your family. Understanding your lineage can help you to trace back family portraits, become familiar with them, or understand a relative that may be your namesake. Researching a certain family line may help you to better understand a relative’s journal or other keepsakes. Knowing about the struggles and hardships our family lines may have gone through can help us have greater love and compassion for them and inspire us as we face our own challenges in life. This will build up our resilience in life as we come to know of the pattern of overcoming within our own family.

Connect with Living Relatives

Genealogy work does not only connect you to your deceased relatives but your living ones as well. Working on genealogy can also help you feel an attachment to your living relatives and future posterity. As humans, we crave connection and belonging. Family history work gives us the chance to connect back in time and forward in time as we become a link in a chain of generations. You may find living relatives that you do not know researching the same family line. Or you may have the chance to connect with and better understand members of your immediate family. Genealogy opens the door to connection.

6 Places for Onsite Genealogical Research

admin — Thu, 29 Nov 2018 21:15:20 +0000

So much of genealogy work is done online these days, but there are still opportunities to advance your research with some onsite visits. Not all vital records have been digitalized, you may have to go to physical locations to find some information. Onsite research provides an exciting opportunity to connect genealogy work and travel. You can connect with the places of your heritage and progress your research with a few fun visits to these places of research.

Public Libraries Libraries offer more than just books! Many public libraries have archives for their local communities and surrounding areas. These archives may include newspapers articles, maps, census records, scholarly publications, and more. Public libraries often have an abundance of unused resources. You can even make a trip out of it and travel to a library in the lands of ancestors to learn more about their lives and where they lived. If you’re stuck at a dead end, try researching at your local public library.
Cemeteries Make genealogy a little more personable by visiting cemeteries and the gravesites of your family that’s passed on. Visiting graves can help you to connect with your ancestors and can give you more information. You may discover something at the gravesite that you didn’t know before. Cemeteries can be owned by churches or by the government. Either way, cemeteries have records—these could be very beneficial to your research. If it is church owned, that is usually a church nearby the graveyard. But if the site is government owned, you’ll likely find the records either onsite or at a local library. Learn more about what information you can find during your cemetery visit here.
Genealogy Libraries After visiting your public library, take a trip to a genealogical library. These venues specialize in genealogical research. With the largest family history library in Salt Lake City and others scattered around the world, these locations are a wealth of knowledge and readily available research. There are other research specialist and librarians on hand to help you.
Genealogy Conferences Find new resources and new inspiration at a genealogy conference. There are hundreds across the nation every year that feature professional genealogists, new research techniques, family history classes, and endless opportunity to learn from others in the genealogy field. Learn about conferences coming up in 2019 here.
Parishes and Churches Many churches and parishes keep records that date back centuries. When you visit an old church or parish located in the land of your ancestors, you may find birth, death, and marriage certificates that date are hundreds of years old to help you with your search. These records are not always recorded digitally. If you visit a parish and ask to see records, most will let you or even help you search through. This can be another way to make genealogy exciting as you visit new places and connect with your heritage.
Town Halls Taking a research trip to a town hall will certainly be worth your time. Depending on the size of your town, a town hall can contain records that are centuries old. Here you’ll find marriage records, birth records, death records, census records, and citizenship records. You can expand your research by visiting the town halls of individual cities where your family has lived.

6 Reason to Hire a Professional Genealogist

admin — Thu, 13 Dec 2018 21:21:21 +0000

Working with a professional genealogist will advance your family history research in numerous ways. In the pursuit of learning more about your ancestors, there is a lot to sift through. Tracking down records and recording your findings is no easy task. When you work with a professional genealogist you can be assured that your findings are accurate, and you can find more information faster. 1. Get Unstuck If you spend enough time on genealogy work, you will inevitability hit a wall. Your research may be frustrated as you are unable to locate a certain document or uncover new information. With their excessive knowledge and know-how, they will likely be able to help you progress in your genealogy journey. Often times people get stuck with attacking a problem with the same method over and over and not finding a solution. It is possible that the record you are looking for does not exist, but there may be other ways to find the information you need. 2. Save Time Genealogy can be extremely time-consuming. Finding primary source documents for all of your information and research is no easy task. Bringing a professional genealogist into the picture can really get the ball rolling. You can reap the benefits of having a complete family tree and learning about your ancestors without putting in the hours (or even years) of work. 3. Validation A professional genealogist can also validate the research you’ve already done or work you’ve come across that was done by someone else. They can review the information, determine the legitimacy, and fill in gaps. Being certain that you have the right information will allow you to move forward with confidence and open up new lines for your research. 4. Additional Resources As a professional in the field, many pros have techniques and resources that you may not be aware of or have access to. Whether it’s a library you don’t have access to, a website you don’t subscribe to, or a language you don’t speak, professionals have many resources to move your genealogy work along. 5. DNA Analysis DNA is becoming an important part of family history. It’s played a bigger role in recent years. Break down what you can learn from your DNA analysis with a professional genealogist. They can also help you determine which DNA test to take that will benefit your research the most. Whether you need help finding a test or deciphering the results, a professional genealogist can help. 6. Have Someone on Your Team When you’re tackling any big project, it’s helpful to have someone on your team. Genealogy work can be overwhelming, particularly when you’re first starting out. Bringing a professional genealogist onto your team will help you to be more successful. They will understand records that you may not, they will have additional ideas and resources, and they will be a great addition to your team. Don’t go at it alone, bring in a pro.

Finding Your Swedish Roots

admin — Fri, 11 Jan 2019 22:25:01 +0000

If you have Swedish ancestry, you are very fortunate, as Sweden has some of the best genealogical records of any country in the world. Thanks to a strong central government combined with a Lutheran state-sponsored church, the genealogy of those of Swedish descent can be traced back to the 1600s in many cases. Here are some online resources that our Swedish experts use on a regular basis to extend the ancestral lines of our clients. Ancestry.com Ancestry is a paid subscription website that has a massive selection of indexed Swedish records, particularly from the 19th and 20th centuries. If your lines already go back into Sweden a number of generations, collections such as Ancestry’s exclusive 1860-1942 birth, marriage, and death index for all of Sweden may not interest you as much. However, if you only know you have ancestors born in Sweden, but don’t know exactly where they were born, Ancestry has a number of indexed Swedish emigration, and Swedish-American church records, that can help you find answers. To further explore all their Swedish collections, go to the Card Catalog and put “Sweden” into the keywords field and run a search. Some of their useful indexed collections include: Emigration U.S., Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, Swedish American Church Records, 1800-1946 U.S., Evangelical Lutheran Church in America Church Records, 1826-1969 Sweden, Emigrants Registered in Church Books, 1783-1991 Vital Records Sweden, Indexed Birth Records, 1859-1943 Sweden, Indexed Marriage Records, 1860-1947 Sweden, Indexed Death Records, 1840-1942 Census Sweden, Selected Indexed Household Clerical Surveys, 1880-1893 (primarily for the counties of Jönköping, Kalmar, Malmöhus, Skaraborg, Värmland, Älvsborg and Östergötland, with some records from Göteborg och Bohus, Halland, Kristianstad and Kronoberg) Riksarkivet SVAR Until recently, there was no place to go to access Swedish records online for free. Thanks to recent legal reform, the entire online library of digitized Swedish records published on the national archive website can be accessed by anyone with an internet connection. Besides offering images of church, court, and tax records that stretch into the 1600s for most areas of Sweden, there are a number of useful indexes on the website that are exclusive to it. However, most of the website is only accessible in Swedish, and the catalog requires a high degree of familiarity with Swedish records in order to locate what is being sought for. Some of their useful indexed collections include: Probate Bouppteckningar (Indexed probate records from select parts of Sweden) Census Folkräkningar (Swedish Censuses for the entire country 1880, 1890, 1900, 1910) Vital Records Death Indexes for parishes in Gotlands län, Jämtlands län, Västernorrlands län) Marriage indexes for parishes in Gotlands län, Jämtlands län, Västernorrlands län Birth indexes for parishes in Jämtlands län, Västernorrlands län ArkivDigital This website is an absolute must for anyone with a serious interest in researching their Swedish roots. By purchasing their “All-In-One” annual subscription, besides having access to almost 80 million images of digitized Swedish records, one has access to a number of very useful databases that are not available anywhere else. These include an index of all Household Examination records from 1860-1930. Household Examination records are census-like records that were frequently updated. ArkivDigital also has probate indexes, parish register indexes for Södermansland, and much more. Also, there are a couple databases ArkivDigital offers for free that are very useful, particularly if one’s ancestors come from either Malmöhus or Kristianstad, the southernmost regions of Sweden. Some of their useful free indexed collections include:

Slaktdata An excellent free website with many indexed parish registers, along with some probate records. It is very incomplete, but if your ancestors came from the parishes for which it has indexes, it is an excellent resource. FamilySearch Another excellent free website with many Swedish indexed collections, along with a very easy to use catalog for their non-indexed collections. They are working to index all of the Swedish parish registers from early to 1860. The website is very user-friendly, but one should be aware that their indexes for any given area of Sweden are often very incomplete. The fastest way to know if a parish has been indexed, you can go to their catalog, type in the name of the parish (you will need to use the letters å, ä, and ö to get results), and look at their church records. If you see a little magnifying glass next to digitized microfilm containing the parish register you need, it may be indexed to some degree. Clicking on that icon will permit a search in just that particular digitized microfilm. Despite all the resources available online for research that can help anyone get started tracing their ancestors, there is no substitute for a researcher who has the skills and knowledge to conduct a proper search whether there is an index or not. Price Genealogy has a team of highly skilled professional researchers who can tackle your genealogical problem. If you are stuck, contact us and we can help you start the process of solving your problem with the help of a skilled genealogist. Andre

The Tale of Two Lars Nilssons

admin — Fri, 18 Jan 2019 23:36:32 +0000

Swedish genealogy can be both the best of times and the worst of times. A genealogist with Swedish heritage has much to be thankful for. The well-run centralized bureaucracies encouraged relatively consistent record-keeping practices. It is often possible to trace Swedish ancestry into the 1600s. The increasing population and the common repetition of the same given names and patronymic surnames required efficient bureaucratic institutions to keep track of the people, especially as the kingdom became a northern superpower during the period known as Stormaktstiden (Era of Great Power) in the 17^th century. Taxing the people more efficiently was needed to support the ever-expanding manpower and logistical requirements of fighting wars, not just in the Baltic region, but throughout Europe. Your ancestors were undoubtedly caught up in all this, either as fighting men or as those supporting them. With so few names available for given name and surnames, the true challenge of Swedish research is keeping them straight, and knowing which Lars Nilsson was your Lars Nilsson. You will need to utilize a relatively large group of records to distinguish your ancestors, especially as you move back in time. To be effective with Swedish genealogy, it is important to examine all available sources, particularly when household examination records either do not exist or when they lack the details needed to distinguish people of the same names within a parish, a village, or farm. Good genealogical practice requires “reasonably exhaustive searches” and will be on guard against hasty assumptions. Nevertheless, there is room for creative thinking in the hunt for clues. Formulate and test new hypotheses when the standard sources lead to dead-ends. What follows is a case study concerning two Lars Nilssons who lived in 17^th century Kalmar county. One of my ancestors, Nils Svensson, had two sons named Lars Nilsson, both born in a small locality known as Stämshult, in the parish of Hjorted, Kalmar county, Sweden, in the years 1664 and 1669, respectively. It is usually assumed that when a given name is re-used for another child, that the former bearer of it had likely died young. This assumption is understandable, as it was a common occurrence. Furthermore, deaths and burials of young children, particularly infants, went unrecorded in parish registers in earlier time periods. Because of this, previous researchers apparently thought that the Lars Nilsson who was born in 1664 must have died during his early childhood, since five years later another male sibling was also named Lars. Hasty assumptions are the bane of good research. It turns out there were two Lars Nilssons residing in Stämshult, and both married and had children at about the same time. Earlier researchers assembled them as one family, beginning with the first child in 1695, but, unfortunately, ignored discrepancies. One must keep searching and not fall victim to “same name syndrome.” As one who has traced many Swedish ancestors for clients, I have seen several cases of two siblings with the same name, particularly sons, who both reached adulthood, married, had children, and lived to a ripe old age. On the family group record, when a death date is not found for a child, we should not indicate that they died young if another child is given the same name. This will likely cause later researchers to close off their mind to the possibility that there could be two living children of the same name with the same parents. Pay attention to clues and to discrepancies. The baptismal records of the children of these two Lars Nilssons contained clues, such as Lars Nilsson the elder and Lars Nilsson the younger. In the 1600s, mother’s names were often not listed on the birth and christening records of their children. However, for this place, some of the entries named the mother of the child. This was critical to sorting the children, because the marriages of both Lars Nilssons also occurred in their native parish of Hjorted. Church records by themselves are often not sufficient to know which child went with which family. Sometimes, no clues are provided. This was particularly the case with Jacob Larsson, son of one of the Lars Nilssons of Stämshult. Since Jacob is my direct ancestor, it was essential to discover the truth. Knowing Jacob’s mother’s pedigree was also at stake. There are other dangerous assumptions to watch for. If a record shows no additional identifiers for an individual beyond where he lived and his name, it would be easy to think that he must have been the only person living in that area with that name. The “reasonably exhaustive search” standard requires that further sources be consulted. The 1699 mantalslängder taxation list for the parish of Hjorted, which includes the taxable heads of household, shows that there were two Lars Nilssons. Which one was Jacob’s father? The year 1699 is the same year that Jacob was born.[1] There were two married men named Lars Nilsson, residing not only in Stämshult, but even at the same farm number. Notice the abbreviations “gl:” and “U:”, which appear in front of the two Lars Nilssons. These abbreviations stand for the Swedish words “gammal” and “unge,” which translate into English as “old” and “young.” These designations are an important discovery, and one can justly hypothesize that the two apparent brothers remained in Stämshult. Since the two Lars Nilssons succeeded the above-mentioned Nils Svensson on the tax lists for this parish, and Nils had two sons named Lars, this is supporting evidence that the older Lars and the younger Lars are both Nils Svensson’s sons. Remember, no death record of the oldest Lars Nilsson (born 1664) was found in the Hjorted parish register. Some people think that parish clerks in Sweden never missed recording a birth or death in their congregation, but it did happen, particularly before the nineteenth century. This assumption sometimes has led researchers to prematurely give up on that line. Again, a “reasonably exhaustive search” can often move the pedigree back past the apparent brick wall. These mantalslängder tax lists act as an annual census, and for thirty-eight years, from 1691 to 1729, the Lars Nilsson brothers were continuously listed as heads of household at Stämshult #1, Hjorted parish. It is helpful to use an Excel spreadsheet or a well-organized research log to keep track of information for each tax year. This 1724 tax list is the first one that mentions Jacob Larsson, age 20, in the household of the older Lars Nilsson. When one problem is apparently solved, genealogists commonly find that another question arises. In this case, if Jacob was age 20 in 1724, he would have been born in 1704. But, the only likely Jacob, son of Lars Nilsson, was born in 1699. One might think the 1699 Jacob died young and another child was given the same name. Lars Nilsson had a son named Sven Nilsson in 1704, and Sven’s burial record mentioned that he was the son of the older Lars Nilsson. It is common for ages in the tax lists to be a little off, so Jacob was likely a little older than 20 in 1724. After determining the respective marriages for the two Lars Nilssons, the first to Brita Hansdotter in 1692 and the second to Ingred Bengtsdotter in 1697, it was possible to sort the children with their respective parents. The genealogists at Price Genealogy have in-depth experience with a wide range of records unique to Sweden which can help extend your ancestry beyond apparent dead ends. Daily research experience in Swedish records helps us avoid the assumptions trap. Utilizing a “reasonably exhaustive search” strategy will often overcome otherwise unsolvable barriers. The sources mentioned in this article do not exhaust all the records at our disposal to solve your pedigree challenges. We love Swedish research and we can help you learn more of your Swedish ancestors. [1] Hjorted C:1 (1633-1739), ArkivDigital, Image 115 / page 223 (AID: v38992.b115.s223, NAD: SE/VALA/00134) [Source: Arkiv Digital AD AB], baptism entry of Jacob Larsson, born 7 August 1699, accessed 17 January 2018. All references to events and persons are found through ArkivDigital. Citations are provided upon request.

5 Genealogy Goals To Help You Move Forward

admin — Wed, 23 Jan 2019 06:15:31 +0000

As a genealogist, there is a lot to do. Getting involved in genealogy mean researching, writing, recording, preserving, archiving, sharing, and sometimes more. It can be overwhelming. Making simple and achievable goals will help you to move forward in your work without getting overwhelmed. These goals are designed to be attainable and to help your progress. Follow these steps as you become a master genealogist at your own pace. 1. Discover Heirlooms and Keepsakes It can be easy to assume that your ancestors didn’t keep things if you have not seen them or don’t have them. But have you reached out to extended family members about it? Reach out to cousins, aunts, and uncles and ask about old photographs, family records, family books, or anything that may be a memorable keepsake. Often times a family keepsake is passed down to the oldest or youngest relation, sometimes these heirlooms may go unknown to others in the family. Even if you cannot gather all the keepsakes in the family, you can record them. This can also be a great way to bond with other family members as you discuss these keepsakes and your shared family history. 2. Create Better Storage You may find old photos stacked in flimsy shoe boxes in a dusty storage room. There is likely a better way to store those priceless photos. Invest in acid-free archival storage boxes. These boxes will help to keep your family photos safe from temperature fluctuations, humidity, dust, and light. This kind of storage will keep your family photos around much longer. 3. Digitize Your Research Digitizing your research and findings will ensure that it lives on. Scan photographs and documents, photograph keepsakes and family members. Create your own personal archive of your family and research. This will help you get organized and share your research for generations to come. After digitizing, don’t get rid of any originals. Digitizing is just another form of security. 4. Backup Your Files After digitizing your records, be sure to back them up. You should have the original digital file and two back of copies of each document or item that you want to preserve. There are many ways of backing up files. You can use an external hard drive, the cloud, a DVD or CD, USB, or external drive. Guarantee the preservation of your files when you safely back them up. Digital storage is very low cost and very reliable. 5. Share Your Findings Clue your family in on your findings. There are plenty of fun and easy ways to share your genealogical research. You could create a blog to share with friends and family members. Social media can also be a great tool—sharing on Instagram or creating a Facebook group for your family members where you can share your findings. There are many of these groups that you may benefit from joining also. You can see how others are sharing their research and learn from them.

DNA Inheritance and the Power of Matching

admin — Sat, 26 Jan 2019 00:46:15 +0000

When a commercial for a DNA kit airs, it all sounds intriguing and easy. Then, when the customer receives their results, and starts doing Google searches about how to interpret DNA, it can all become overwhelming. Genetic genealogists use terms like autosomal, shared cMs segments (centiMorgans), and other scientific-sounding terminology like SNPs and STRs. These terms need not be a stumbling block. Not only can the terminology be learned, but a lot of DNA analysis can be done without having to fully understand these foreign sounding terms. Intro and inheritance The DNA tests popular today were discussed in Price Genealogy’s article, Comparing the offerings of the five big DNA testing companies. These five tests provide “cousin matching,” a feature that lists other customers whose DNA matches yours at a certain threshold. The greatest accuracy is with close family connections within about six generations. The gradual tapering off of the usefulness of these matching cousins can be understood by the science of DNA inheritance. A 4x great-grandchild has only 1.6% of their DNA from one of their 4x great-grandparents. This is because each person gets half their DNA from each parent. We each have 23 pairs of chromosomes. When a child is conceived, only half of each parent’s DNA is inherited. Even a sibling will have different DNA because he or she ends up with a different 50% from each parent. This effect is the reason that relationships more distant than approximately 3^rd to 5^th cousins cannot be predicted from DNA with as much confidence. We may not share any identifiably unique DNA with relatives who are more distant. Uses of matching Before taking one of these tests, the customer should be warned that unexpected close family members may be discovered. Many customers have reported discovering that their own parents were not their biological parents. Although the accuracy of predicted relationships with these DNA tests tapers off the further out in the pedigree one goes, the estimates are pretty certain to about the second or even third cousin level. If you share an amount of DNA with a person that one of these relationships would predict, you will be related in one of a few possible ways—guaranteed. For example, if you take the test twice from one firm, or if you have an identical twin, the amount of shared DNA will fall into the same category. There are two possible relationships. The match is yourself or the match is an identical twin. It is indisputable. If a match is labeled as parent/child, then that person is either your parent or your child. The next category has a few more possibilities. Half-siblings, aunts, uncles, nieces, nephew, a grandparent or a grandchild all share about the same amount of DNA. Often one or two of these options can be ruled out when considering ages. Charts of possible relationships based on the amount of DNA shared are available at Ancestry.com.[1] Blaine Bettinger and Jonny Perl have an excellent interactive tool on the DNA Painter website to determine the probability of a DNA relationship based on the cM value. It is version 4 of his Shared cM Project 3.0 tool. Put a cM number in the “Filter” field and watch how the relationship chart changes. He credits The DNA Geeks for his stats. There are a lot of resources coming out to help us better utilize our DNA data. The accuracy of these DNA tests for close relatives makes this testing especially helpful for those seeking close biological family, such as for an adopted person or a parent who put their child up for adoption. Researchers may also use these tests to determine the biological relationships of an ancestor (within a few generations) who was known or believed to have been adopted. Even if no such situation is believed to have occurred within a person’s family, those who take the test often match some unexpected close relative. There are other people out there in the world with these adoption or paternity mysteries in their families. For example, a great-uncle of mine had a child we never knew about. We do not even know if he knew about the child or not. After receiving a message from a relative match, I was able to resolve the connection through analysis of the DNA and research in historic records. Even without these exciting television-worthy stories of solving adoption mysteries, there is genealogical value in matching. For example, those who are unaware of one or more of their 3x great grandparents can analyze their DNA matches to potentially determine their previously unknown ancestor. In my case, I like to research downward to determine my cousins who descend from the same 3x or 4x great-grandparents. By using traditional investigative methods I was able to identify many such cousins. Even after all that work, analysis of my DNA matches helped me identify other previously unknown cousins. In the process of researching their exact relationship, I was able to fill in my tree with information such as what happened to certain siblings of my ancestors, who they married, and the children they had. Features and tools The usefulness of matching can be further unlocked when using the various features and analysis tools available. Each of the five companies tends to have similar features, but there are also unique user experiences. A feature most of them have is the ability to check matches-in-common. This allows the customer to see common matches with any of their matches, whether that match’s relationship is already known or not. One way this is incredibly useful is to check your shared matches with close relatives who have no tree online, and whose relationship to you is unknown. If that unknown match appears in a list of your mother’s common matches, then you have determined that the match must be a relative through that side. Depending how many of your cousins and relatives have tested on various lines, it may be possible to determine from this list the precise line where a match must be related to you. Another popular feature is Ancestry’s DNA Circles. These Circles automatically compile groups of customers who share DNA, when there is also a shared ancestor listed in some of their trees. Ancestry then suggests these to users, so even those without that ancestor in their tree have this hint about someone who might be their ancestor—because they share DNA with this whole group of other customers. The built-in features of these five big companies are often enough to resolve many family history mysteries. If someone who has taken a DNA test wishes to enjoy more features and tools beyond what is available to them from the DNA testing company itself, it is a simple process to export their DNA data from the original website, and then import it into other third party websites or tools. These are broken into two categories: third party matching, and third party analysis tools. Third party matching, tools, and analysis The International Society of Generic Genealogy Wiki has a great deal of information on all the following topics for those who wish to go into more depth.[2] Learning resources will also be included at the end of this article. There are different types of DNA analyses. Some commonly referred to types include Chromosome Mapping, Triangulation, and Visual Phasing. Some websites like GEDmatch and DNA.land allow users to find DNA matches with people who tested at other companies. Test takers only have to upload their raw data. These sites also include some analytical tools. There are a lot of third party tools available to analyze DNA cousin matches. One tool that many websites include is called the Chromosome Browser. This tool allows a person who has taken a DNA test to visualize portions of their DNA they share with one or more of their other matches. It is possible to learn which pieces came from which ancestor. Angie Bush has done a simple explanation of this on DearMYRTLE’S YouTube channel.[3] Chromosome Mapping is a type of DNA analysis that focuses on this sort of visualization that is possible with a Chromosome Browser. However, instead of simply visualizing the data, the idea is to tentatively map certain shared segments between two people who have taken a DNA test, thereby identifying those specific shared segments as belonging to a particular ancestor. This may sound like what Ancestry.com’s DNA Circles feature attempts to do automatically. In both cases, the researcher must remember that designations of specific DNA to a particular ancestor is tentative. Blaine Bettinger has explained this well in the first five minutes of his video on DNAPainter (one third party tool that assists users with Chromosome Mapping).[4] Visual Phasing has a similar purpose, to identify the specific DNA assignable to parents and grandparents, based on the autosomal DNA of at least three siblings. Even Triangulation is a similar kind of analysis in that it looks at a few people whose DNA matches at a specific location on the chromosome, and tries to identify the common ancestor from whom these people received this segment. For triangulation to be proved, all three test takers have to match each other on that same segment. For those wishing to really dive into these topics, there are numerous useful learning resources. One educational subscription website is DNA Central by Blaine Bettinger.[5] DNA courses are popular at genealogical conferences and institutes, so that any large genealogical conference will likely have presentations on the topic. Webinars and YouTube videos are plentiful. Useful websites or channels include Legacy Family Tree Webinars,[6] Family History Fanatics,[7] and the Institute for Genetic Genealogy.[8] There are numerous excellent DNA blogs, including Roberta Estes’ DNAeXplained, Judy Russell’s The Legal Genealogist, Blaine Bettinger’s The Genetic Genealogist, Kitty Cooper’s Blog, and CeCe Moore’s The DNA Detectives. There are DNA testing company blogs and training videos as well. Even with all the resources available, many people will find it cost effective to hire an experienced genealogist to help with their DNA and family tree mysteries. Please inquire with Price Genealogy to learn what your DNA can teach you about yourself and your ancestors, and for your broader genealogical needs. Michael [1] https://support.ancestry.com/s/article/DNA-Match-Relationships [2] International Society of Generic Genealogy Wiki, “Autosomal DNA tools,” (https://isogg.org/wiki/Autosomal_DNA_tools : accessed 17 January 2019). [3] Angie Bush on DearMYRTLE, “FTDNA Chromosome Browser,” YouTube (http://youtu.be/mMi0LfnLCns : accessed 17 January 2019). [4] Blaine Bettinger, “DNAPainter,” YouTube (https://youtu.be/wyjcJxywTZI : accessed 17 January 2019). [5] DNA Central by Blaine Bettinger (https://dna-central.com/ : accessed 17 January 2019). [6] Legacy Family Tree Webinars, “DNA” (https://familytreewebinars.com/dna : accessed 17 January 2019). [7] Family History Fanatics, YouTube channel (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCmkKepHoafldMRZ4UNt0Akw : accessed 17 January 2019). [8] Institute for Genetic Genealogy (www.i4gg.org : accessed 25 January 2019). Past videos are available for purchase.

Why You Should Join a Genealogical Society

admin — Thu, 31 Jan 2019 16:17:12 +0000

Genealogical and family history societies are organizations where members benefit from their mutual love of genealogy. These societies support each other in their research in many ways and offer opportunities that cannot be found elsewhere. Joining a genealogical society could propel your work forward! If you’re on the fence about it, learn more about what you can benefit from in a society below.

Networking

When you are a member of a genealogical society you consistently have the opportunity to meet and work with others who are doing similar research to you. You can work together to share what you’ve both learned, share your experiences, your findings, and so on. They may have researched the same geographical area that you’re researching or have information on a surname you’ve been studying. If you hit a wall, it can very helpful to have other genealogists to brainstorm with. As the saying goes, two heads are better than one.

Resources

Many societies and organizations have access to their own libraries, collections, or sections of a library. Aside from libraries, many groups have their own databases that accessible to members only. Every individual society will have their own resources, rules, and regulations. Before joining, research these options and how they will benefit your research. If you’d like to open your research up to additional resources, particularly some that you cannot reach otherwise, joining a society may be the answer.

Workshops and Conferences

Most genealogical societies have regular meetings and some even host their own conferences and workshops. Some societies will even host webinars, online chats, live-stream events, and other opportunities for those who are not geographically close. Whether it’s a monthly gathering or a yearly conference, this could be a great way to hold yourself accountable as you check in with and learn from other genealogists regularly. You may learn how to navigate specific kinds of records, how to move your research forward, and more. At these conferences, you will likely learn from experienced speakers, hands-on workshops, and even representatives from research institutions.

Journals and Publications

Geological societies have been publishing and indexing records for decades and many have numerous digital recourses as well. Members record their research, collect newspapers and other records, record headstones that are no longer legible, and more. This is an extremely valuable resource that often cannot be found outside of the society. Societies also publish books, often times about abstracts or transcriptions, histories, or compiled family histories. As a part of the society, you not only have access to more these things but then you also get to be a part of compiling and creating these things.

Where to Find a Society

You can find many genealogical societies online. The Federation of Genealogical Societies is a great place to start. Here you’ll find societies around the nation that are well worth your time. Not all societies will be listed here, but it’s certainly a good place to start! You may also find newsletters to sign up for and workshops to attend. Join a society to start moving forward with other genealogists!

Finding Next-Of-Kin Using United States Sources, Part 1

admin — Sat, 02 Feb 2019 21:52:06 +0000

There are many reasons why someone would want to find an individual’s living cousins or next-of-kin. Purposes for such research include forensic genealogy, traditional genealogy, giving back to the community, and planning social events. An example of forensic genealogy is settling estate cases, for which the next-of-kin must be found before distribution of assets is possible. An example of traditional genealogy usage would be to identify living cousins who may have family photos or documents, which if shared could help extend your pedigree. An example of giving back to the community would be returning family heirlooms like a Purple Heart medal or family Bible. An example of a social purpose would be to organize a family reunion. There are two main steps in this process. The first step is the genealogy research—to identify information about the next-of-kin: What are their names? What was their last known location? On what date can you pinpoint them at that location? When doing the necessary research to answer these questions, the researcher should also become aware of other basic facts about the person, such as their birth date. Other useful information could include anything that is traceable or helps to trace an individual. This often includes current and former occupations, residences, and relationships. The second step, is to actually locate current contact information for the individual, and if desired, to make contact. This step will be briefly covered toward the end of part two and in part three. Step 1: Identify next-of-kin At the most basic level, the first step in identifying next-of-kin is the same as any genealogy research. This article will assume a solid understanding of the basics of genealogical research in the United States. For such an understanding, Greenwood’s The Researcher’s Guide to American Genealogy, 4th ed. is recommended. The main differences deal with the period of focus and the direction of research. A traditional genealogist works from the present to the past, with much of their actual research starting from as distant as living memory will allow. That often takes them back a few generations, so their work will begin perhaps in the early 1900s or before. Many traditional genealogists work almost entirely on problems from about 1850 and earlier in time—due to the 1850 census in the United States being the first that lists entire families. This creates a research barrier where the genealogy hobbyist often begins turning to professional genealogists for help. Conversely, the genealogist who wishes to research next-of-kin rarely needs to know a person’s ancestry any earlier than the 1850s. Instead, the next-of-kin researcher will search down to the present. While not making the effort entirely different, period of focus and direction of research both have an effect on the methodology and the type of records which the researcher will use to determine next-of-kin. Methodology relates to and depends upon the types of records being used. For the most part, finding the next-of-kin will require using the same records any good genealogist in the United States will use: census records, vital records, newspapers, probate records, church records, cemetery records, etc. The above-mentioned researcher’s guide provides a helpful list. Like traditional genealogy research—which works from the present to the past—the researcher may have some success finding next-of-kin with the most basic sources and methods. For example, the researcher might have some success with just census records and vital records. Nevertheless, to be competent at solving the more complex next-of-kin problems—just like with traditional genealogy—the researcher will need to understand how to effectively use many more types of records. In other words, to do a very good job at finding next-of-kin the researcher will need an advanced knowledge of the usefulness of many different kinds of records beyond what can be covered in an article. With that said, it is worth focusing on some of the most used records and scenarios. Research situations vary. Research may begin with an ancestral couple, and work down to the present. Alternatively, next-of-kin researchers often have to solve a problem from only the name, birth date, and location of someone now living or recently passed. In that case, the researcher would need to start by finding that person’s parents or grandparents. Therefore, research may start by working back a generation or two. Depending on which generation the researcher starts (working down or up), different creative research methods may be necessary. The same types of records may be used in either case—the type of records that exist between the present and about 1940. Obituaries Obituaries are one of the most useful go-to record types for finding next-of-kin because these often list all surviving children of the deceased. If the death date is known, the first step to take would be to call the local county library and ask if they have newspapers for the time period needed and if a search could be made for an obituary of your ancestor/relative. This has often proved to be very effective and not expensive. Some of the more popular places to find obituaries is through available online websites. As time passes, more and more newspapers are being digitized and made available on websites. It is often possible to find recent obituaries by using Google, which shows results from many websites including the popular site Legacy.com. Large newspaper archive websites like GenealogyBank, Newspapers.com, Newspaperarchive.com, and FultonHistory.com (Fultonhistory is free) are important to check. Newspapers for a particular area may be digitized and searchable on a public library website, university library website, or on any other type of site. The Library of Congress’ website Chronicling America also has many online newspapers. It is especially useful for locating newspapers that have not been put online. For this, use their directory listing of US newspapers from 1690 to present. Once a paper is located, a search can often be requested by contacting the holding library’s staff. Otherwise a local person can be hired to do the search. When searching for obituaries online in databases of OCR searchable newspapers, there are several search techniques that increase the researcher’s odds of locating the desired record. First, know and use the unique search functions of each website. Most websites have their own unique helpful search functions. The help pages of each website should be read, looking for such features. For example, on ProQuest—a newspaper archive website accessible from many libraries—it is possible to search for a name like John n/3 Smith to locate all instances of the word John within 3 words of Smith. One benefit to this is that it will include the name even if it is written as “Smith, John” or “John Smith.” Some of the websites, like FultonHistory.com, have several useful search functions much like this one. Second, make several different well thought out attempts to search for an article of interest using various keywords and functions. Reasons for this strategy are that the person’s name may not be written or spelled as expected, the name may be the same as a generic word that will appear often like the surname “Bank,” or the OCR may have incorrectly interpreted that particular keyword in the newspaper. Third, even if the papers are OCR searchable, navigate to newspapers published within a few days after the person’s death to search the obituaries and death notices sections of these newspapers. A researcher will often find an obituary that is too faded or otherwise difficult for the OCR software to work well. When searching newspapers on microfilm, there are some things to be mindful of as well—which in part also apply to online newspapers. The term obituary is used generally by genealogists to include obituaries and death notices, as it does in this article. That being said, there is a distinction. Obituaries are generally longer, often including more facts about the deceased’s life. In newspapers, obituaries and death notices will sometimes be found in completely different sections of the newspaper. Both can have useful information such as lists of surviving children. In some cases, even the same paper will have an obituary and a separate death notice for the same person. For papers published daily, an obituary will typically be found printed within the three days following a death. In some instances, it can be published the same day, or several days later. Articles like death notices can also appear on the anniversary of a person’s death, sometimes years later. A researcher may find the same notice, or a more detailed notice, concerning the same death on different days in a newspaper. When there is more than one newspaper covering an area, an obituary may be found for the person in more than one newspaper. These notices may be identical or some may have more information than others. If a family connection or prior residence is discovered in another area, even in another state, an obituary may be found there too. The obituary in the distant town may be printed days later than the obituary where the person died. Obituaries are sometimes all that is needed, especially if they list names and towns of residence for all the children, and if they happen to be living. In many cases though, the researcher will not be so fortunate. The researcher can use various less obvious records to slowly fill in gaps. Newspapers contain other kinds of articles that can be helpful. Clues may exist about where a person lived. This is especially useful with online newspapers for persons with unusual names who moved to an unknown location. Names of people are mentioned in marriage notices, lists of land sales, notes of persons coming or going for visits (as was noted in many older small town newspapers), business advertisements, etc. Part two in this series will introduce other useful records, and explain how they might be used for finding next-of-kin. Michael

7 Things You Should Know About DNA Testing

admin — Wed, 06 Feb 2019 19:17:41 +0000

It’s common knowledge that DNA testing can tell you about your ancestry, but do you know what else it can tell you? Your DNA results may benefit yourself and others more than you know!

1. It’s simple and relatively affordable.

Most DNA kits just take a little of your saliva. You can even just swab the inside of your cheek and send it away in a sealed container. Then six to eight weeks later, you’ll get the results. There are many companies that offer affordable forms of DNA testing, include 23andMe, Ancestry, Family Tree, and My Heritage. Most kits range from about $70 to $200.

2. Accuracy can vary based on testing methods.

The accuracy of your DNA results may vary. Most companies use simple methods that provide simple results. For more complicated results, you may want to try a more specialized test. Certain tests may even be able to tell you what sports you may excel at. Your results may also change slightly as more data because available.

3. It can reveal genetic connections.

DNA testing can tell you which populations from different geographical locations are represented in your DNA, usually represented through percentages. DNA test cannot guarantee where your ancestry is from, because they cannot directly compare your DNA to DNA from people who lived hundreds or thousands of years ago. But as data becomes available and more research is done on a wider range of people, analyses are able to provide more detailed information.

4. DNA testing can connect you with relatives you didn’t know about.

Many companies that provide DNA testing will allow you to see other users of the same service that share DNA—meaning that you can find living relatives that you don’t yet know! The Huffington Post has revealed that even siblings have found each other through DNA testing. The only catch is that they will have needed to use the same service to get their DNA tested—but if you used a popular service, your odds of finding a new family goes up.

5. They may reveal potential health threats.

Health issues can only be a result of your genetics. Having your DNA tests could tell you which potential issues may be in your future and help you to avoid them. Genetic markers can predict things like Alzheimer’s, certain types of cancer, heart disease, fertility issues, alcoholism, and more.

6. Some DNA kits require a prescription.

DNA can also tell you which psychiatric medications will work best for you—because of this, there are certain DNA kits that are by prescription only. Prescriptions can also be made for those who are struggling with fertility to help them make reproduction decisions.

7. Your DNA test results might contribute to research.

As more DNA is gathered more data becomes available. Personal DNA testing companies have gained access to the genetic data of millions of people—this provides a large pool of data and the opportunity to make many connections. The research can lead to information on genetic variations and potentially even medical research.

Finding Next-of-Kin Part 2

admin — Fri, 08 Feb 2019 20:59:09 +0000

This article is a continuation of “Finding Next-of-Kin Using United States Sources, Part 1.” In the previous article, finding next-of-kin was introduced, and newspaper records—a key source—were discussed in some depth. Step 1 was to identify next-of-kin. Part two continues with further types of records in the United Sates and how these are useful to discover next-of-kin.

STEP 1 Continued

Probate records Probate records are records filed with a court after the death of an individual to help settle their estate. The most well known of these is a last will and testament. Many other records usually exist in a person’s probate file as well. These could include lists of all next-of-kin with their addresses, the death certificate of the decedent, notes about any child who predeceased the decedent and any surviving children of that child (the decedent’s grandchildren), etc. Like obituaries, these sometimes provide all a researcher would need to locate the next-of-kin. Of course, for a forensic genealogist working on an unknown heirs case, the probate file for the person of interest will not have the information needed, because the point of finding unknown heirs is that these persons are unknown to the probate court. The file is still worth checking as it may have clues others overlooked. Likewise, probate files of other family members will likely prove useful. For many years, probate records were one of the most genealogically valuable record sets in the United States that had not been put online in large numbers. In recent years that has changed. Most counties in the United States now have at least some of their older probate records digitized and searchable online. The most notable large collections are on Ancestry.com since 2015, and FamilySearch.org (added over time). The search fields available may deceptively suggest to the beginner that all they need to do is to enter a name. The reality is that even the indexed portions are only partially indexed, so that the researcher will need to digitally go page by page through the records to find the desired probate records. Fortunately, Ancestry has provided a useful introduction to navigating the records in their video Navigating Wills and Probates. Even with this wealth of online probates, the researcher will encounter missing records. This lack of online availability is especially true for recent years, the period for which researchers of next-of-kin are most likely to be interested. One simple way to locate the records is to use a search engine like Google to search terms such as: probate court [name of county] county [name of state]. This will help the researcher locate the government website for the agency in charge of probate records for the jurisdiction of interest. Although older records have often been transferred to another location such as a state or local archives, recent records will almost always still be with the court. The court’s website will frequently include a searchable index that the researcher can use to pinpoint a probate of interest. Copies of the record can then be requested from the court staff. Fees and available services will vary. Census records The 1940 census is particularly useful because many of the persons whose next-of-kin a researcher is looking for were likely born close enough to 1940 that the researcher may find a likely family. These may be parents and older siblings of the same surname and may add to a list of possible families to pursue. Some were born before 1940, and the researcher may find their person of interest as a child in this census. This might show the person of interest with his parents and siblings. In the United States, census records become public after 72 years. The 1950 census will become available in 2022. Some state and local census records exist which could help bridge the gap to the present. Large collections include the 1945 Florida and South Dakota state censuses. For records that are too recent to be publicly available, access may still be possible in some cases. Always consider potential ways to work around these issues of access, including Freedom of Information requests. One frequently useful method to access private records is to have one of the qualifying family members or their legal representatives make an official request. If there is a qualifying person willing to do this, it is possible to make a request for federal census records within the 72-year privacy period. If a researcher needs to find someone’s grandparents, the census records are very useful. The more difficult part is to bridge that gap between available census records (1940) and actually finding next-of-kin. Death certificates Death certificates have a field called “informant” which is often the name of a close family member—the person who provided the information on the certificate. This could provide the married surname of a daughter, the residence of a child at that time, or might be a name of a relative that was previously unknown. Cemetery records Cemeteries almost always have records of plot owners. If the researcher can find a burial—let’s say of the family’s grandparents—the researcher can then get the name of the plot owner, who was often a child of the person buried. Sometimes the researcher will find that these records list the owner plus one or more other living relatives. Sometimes those who have inquired about burial information previously are listed. At times these living people have information in the cemetery records such as their date of birth and their address. Funeral Homes Funeral homes and mortuaries kept financial records and forms for family information that may contain a lot of extra information. The name of the church where the funeral service occurred may lead the researcher to church records. The clergyman who officiated is often mentioned. Military service, occupation, and social security information may be recorded, as well as the raw notes that were written in preparation for an obituary. If the person was part of a fraternal organization or club or lodge, this would be helpful. Names of pallbearers, an insurance company, and the grave location are typically noted. Perhaps submitting a notice in a parish, school, or other organization’s newsletter or magazine asking to contact anyone who remembers an individual or family would bring a positive response. A Google search, the local library, or the American Blue Book of Funeral Directors will provide contact information. Immigration files The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) alien files and other records are extremely valuable for tracing a line in which there is a recent immigrant who has come over in the mid-1900s, especially if they have since passed away. This will allow the researcher to request the immigrant’s file under Freedom of Information laws. These files often list many genealogical details, residences, and even family members in the United States, as well as in the country of origin. Social Security Applications SS-5 cards are the forms which people filled out when applying for social security cards. In recent years, parents fill these out for children when they are born. A few decades ago, individuals filled these out themselves. These cards will give a specific residence at a specific time, birth date, birth place, and names of the individual’s parents. These can easily be ordered online for a fee from the Social Security Administration. Ancestry.com has many Social Security Applications on their website. It would be worthwhile to check Ancestry before ordering the application. Church records and other privately held records Church records are private records. Although most current-generation records are not online, if a researcher is able to travel or send an agent to do research, many churches will allow access to their current records. The same is true for some clubs, businesses, and other organizations that could have useful clues in their records. The most successful researchers will be thorough and analytical with their research, leaving no stone unturned. Even for those already quite experienced, it is a good reminder to refer to resources like the FamilySearch Wiki, “United States Record Finder,” for ideas on additional sources.

STEP 2: Locate next-of-kin

As mentioned in part one of this series, next-of-kin research can be roughly broken into two steps. Step one was discussed in part one as “Identify next-of-kin,” which this article continues to develop. After identifying the individuals, the next step is to locate correct current contact information, then reach out to them if desired. These two steps often overlap. Following are some methodologies of locating next-of-kin, and are discussed in the context of particular record types. Court records One record type where this overlap occurs is court records. Online indexes of court records can lead to a person’s current contact information. Court records fall into the first step (identification of the next-of-kin) as one analyzes these records. It is sometimes possible to determine relationships of living and deceased individuals, as well as to discover previously unknown names. Using court records for next-of-kin research differs in significant ways from using them for traditional genealogy research. Traditional genealogists often use microfilms or digital images of original court books, or use the court books in a courthouse itself. When researching next-of-kin, these formats should not be ignored. However, when researching the present generation in court records, it is more typical to find names available in online indexes. In many instances, additional computerized indexes are available in person at the courthouse. It is common to find that a court’s online indexes cover the most recent two to five decades. Some courthouses have been quite diligent in uploading indexes or records that go back to the beginning of their county, though they are more likely to cover recent decades. Traditional genealogists may overlook the great wealth of indexes of information covering current generations on court websites. These databases contain a variety of items, such as simple ordinance violations, and thus have broad coverage of the population. In addition to miscellaneous court records, there are other types of records traceable in the databases of local courthouses, such as land records. The local government often has a property tax database online that can be used to locate living individuals. Lists, phone books, city directories, and other people finders There are other organizations and government agencies which list people in online databases or publications. Many of these sources are more useful for locating correct current addresses than they are for determining next-of-kin. Certainly, they can be helpful to find the next-of-kin. For example, tracing people who all reside at the same address may infer their relationships. Many traditional genealogists are familiar with using city directories of the late 1800s or early 1900s, but may not know that city directories are still published today in some areas. Where city directories are difficult to find, or do not exist, phone directories are a good substitute. Many additional sources are primarily used to locate or contact the next-of-kin, once it is determined who they are. All these sources possibly can help identify previously unknown next-of-kin. This is typically done by finding people linked together in some ways. Pay attention to people living at the same address, in the same city (if the surname is rare), or linked together on social media. The researcher should keep these possibilities in mind, instead of viewing these sources solely as ways to contact people whose identity is already known. Michael

How To Deal with Misspellings in Your Research

admin — Fri, 15 Feb 2019 02:35:46 +0000

When you’re going through records for genealogical research, it is very common to find misspellings. These misspellings can lead to other errors. Knowing how to navigate them will help you move your research forward and avoid recording your own mistakes. Sound-Alike Mistakes Many misspellings in record keeping can be due to words or names that sound alike. There can be a name that is pronounced that same but spelled differently. Many different letters sound similar when said aloud. For example, D and E sound very similar. These phenetic similarities can easily lead to misspellings. Names, location, and other information can easily be mixed up and be misrepresented. It’s also possible that records were kept by immigrants who were still learning English. Pronunciations may have affected how a name or place was recorded. You can write out a word or name phonetically and see how it could have been spelled differently. For example, the name Kate could have been spelled Cate, Kait, Cait, or Kayte, or it could have been recorded as Katie or Katherine, or Catie or Catherine. You could also try putting an accent in the phonetic spelling. Look-Alike Mistakes There are many records out there that are handwritten—many of which are very different to decipher. Ink can be faded or blurred, or the writing may just be illegible. It is easy to misread letters or words. Even a single letter interpreted wrong can throw off your research. Some genealogical search interfaces can catch misspellings. But unfortunately, not all will be caught. These misspellings can of little consequence at times, leading the reader to the same conclusion. But other times, the consequences can completely derail your research. Just as many letters sound like, many letters and symbols look alike. For example, an E and a B can easily be confused. In some handwriting, there may be letters that are almost indistinguishable. Remember to consider visual misinterpretation as you are searching through records, particularly handwritten documents. Other Mistakes Most records are recorded by people who are prone to make mistakes. We all experience the basic human error. Much of the indexing done online is typed by people. Even with attention to detail and review, mistakes can slip through. It could be a misinterpretation, omissions, accidental deletions, oversights, or extraneous insertions. It may be helpful to compile all the possible alternate spellings that you have encountered through your records. You can then use this list when you’re searching databases and indexes. It is likely that many individuals do not have their name spelled consistently in all the records of them throughout their life. Being able to recognize potential misspelling, whether from basic human error, sounds like, or looks like mistakes, will help you move forward in your research. Being able to navigate through these errors and avoiding making them yourself will be greatly beneficial. You may even come to enjoy finding and correcting errors as you read through records!

Finding Next-of-Kin Using United States Sources, Part 3

admin — Fri, 15 Feb 2019 20:26:45 +0000

This article is a continuation of “Finding next-of-kin using United States sources, Part 1 and Part 2.” In the first of the previous articles, finding next-of-kin was introduced, and newspaper records were discussed in some depth. In part two, additional types of records in the United Sates were discussed and how they are useful for finding next-of-kin. Strategies and record types useful for locating known next-of-kin were also considered. Part three covers “people search websites” and social media. People search websites Locating current contact information for a person is often done using a website commonly known as a “people search website,” or by a similar designation. There are many of these websites, and their marketing is sometimes misleading. The user should be cautious. Many such websites claim to give all kinds of background information on a person for extra fees. These extensive reports are typically no better, and often less complete, than what a researcher can find using cheaper options. That being said, paying for a report or a membership can be worthwhile on some of these websites, depending on the researcher’s needs. Many of these sites claim to have birth, marriage, and death records for individuals, and they use attractive graphics and wording that will appeal to beginner genealogists. It is important to recognize that these sites are selling public record information that has been compiled into databases. They almost always do not contain actual birth, death, or marriage records even when that is their claim. Instead they contain will sometimes contain information like a date of birth, a date of death, and a name of a spouse. These websites are comparable to having all the phonebooks for the entire United States on one searchable website. The websites provide a person’s current address and phone number, as well as past addresses and phone numbers. Other than that, exactly what the website includes varies slightly from site to site. These websites also often have advertisements that are mixed in with the search results, making it easy for the inexperienced user to inadvertently click an advertisement instead of a search result. Therefore, even with a website that is generally free, if one clicks the wrong thing he will be taken to a page (often on a different website) that will ask for payment. Another major caution about these websites is that their information is often out of date or out of order. Once the researcher finds the person of interest in a listing, there will be a list of several addresses and phone numbers. In some instances, none of these are current. In other instances, the number or address that works is not the first in the list. Even with these serious issues, it is possible to learn to use them to great advantage. A third caution is that these websites use computers to analyze huge sets of records, and put together data from various sources into record pages about people. Often people with the same name, residences, or age, have been combined by their algorithm into a single record. Therefore, these sites sometimes serve up mis-assigned addresses, phone numbers, etc., mixed in with accurate ones. Below are some of the reputable and useful “people search websites.” WhitePages.com This website is free, but incomplete. Beware of the many ads that often are mixed in directly with search results so that the researcher may easily confuse the free results from the ads. Intelius.com There is a minor charge to view each report or a monthly fee for unlimited access to basic reports on individuals. The information on the website suffers from the usual problems of sometimes being out of date or out of order. It has proved thorough in years of use to be a solid option. Even when contact information is out of date, other clues are conveniently brought together, such as who owns the home for each address on the list which is often from tax records of the previous year. If the person owned the home the previous year, one can sometimes determine the address on the list that is correct, even if that address is not at the top. There are many techniques like this that are possible to learn over time with experience using these websites. Another advantage of the website is the built-in map feature to visualize where a residence is, the names of likely relatives, and the display of death dates for many deceased individuals who were at one time part of the database. BeenVerified This is another fee-based website like Intelius. Researchers often prefer one over the other, but this in itself does not make one better than the other. Opinions differ as to the accuracy of phone numbers on this site compared to other sites. One feature that is of interest on this site is the fairly robust breakdown of possible relatives and possible associates. Another feature of interest is the social media section. It may have some broken links or go to accounts no longer in use, but the links themselves include valuable clues like usernames and photographs. FamilyTreeNow.com FamilyTreeNow is completely free and is even better than paid sites in some instances. The most useful features of their person reports are their lists of relatives, as well as their detailed history of residences that show dates for when the person lived at each address. Most “people search websites” are not this accurate in telling when people lived at particular addresses. Ancestry.com Ancestry.com’s public records found in the “U.S. Public Records Index, 1950-1993, Volume 1 and 2,” are typically out of date. This option is very useful though for genealogists who already have access to the site and may hesitate to jump into some of the other less familiar sites. FamilySearch.org Family Search has a United States Public Record collection for the years 1970-2009. Much of the information is old and suspect, but also many entries provide the names of relatives. Social media Social media is a useful tool to find and contact the living. Some people may be much easier to contact through social media than traditional methods. These include those who have purposefully removed themselves from certain public records, or who have moved frequently, thus complicating finding their correct address. Social media is also an amazing tool for determining a person’s relationships, occupation, residence, etc. The success rate for these things will depend on the person’s use of social media and their privacy settings. There are numerous tricks to using social media to the fullest extent possible for finding and contacting next-of-kin. Detailing all of these would likely make some readers uncomfortable and motivate them to tighten their privacy settings. These tricks can change as quickly as websites change their settings, which is quite frequent. There is clearly a movement among some for increase privacy online. Researchers searching for next-of-kin, on the other hand, are hoping that the individuals have minimal privacy settings so that the information they find can further their research. One common example is that Facebook users can choose to make their friends list public or private. If it is public, one can potentially identify a family of interest by noticing that there are multiple names in a person’s friends list who are known family members. With so many people on Facebook having the same name, learning that a particular person has the right people among their list of friends is a great clue that the right family has been found. Making contact is sometimes difficult, as people often are put off by contact from a stranger through social media, or they simply do not check their messages from those who are not already connections. Even in these cases, the clues that can be gathered about the person may help the researcher to identify someone in the family who they can contact, or to identify other ways to communicate with the individual. Conclusion This three-part series has covered the purposes for finding next-of-kin, using sources to determine who they are, and locating their correct contact information. Through education and experience, you can learn effective strategies to find living cousins and next of kin. Some projects will be especially difficult or require many hours of research. If you find yourself needing help with a difficult problem, Price Genealogy’s team is well equipped to meet your research needs. Michael

Scots-Irish Ancestors Book Review

admin — Fri, 22 Feb 2019 14:59:54 +0000

Book review: Researching Scots-Irish Ancestors: The essential guide to early modern Ulster, 1600-1800, 2^nd edition Toward the end of 2018, the Ulster Historical Foundation published William J. Roulston’s second edition of Researching Scots-Irish Ancestors: The essential genealogical guide to early modern Ulster, 1600-1800. In the United Kingdom the book is sold under the title Researching Ulster Ancestors. Ulster is an ancient Irish province that consists of all of Northern Ireland: Antrim, Down, Armagh, Derry, Fermanagh, and Tyrone Counties and three counties now in the Republic of Ireland: Cavan, Monaghan, and Donegal. Those looking for a guide on researching all of Ireland in all periods will find John Grenham’s Tracing Your Irish Ancestors, 4^th edition, a welcome addition to their personal library. Roulston’s guide on early modern Ulster, although focused on a specific period and region, spans an impressive 606 pages. This time and place deserves attention. Even the most experienced professionals often find it difficult to do this research, yet there are many in the United States and elsewhere who long to connect with their Irish roots in this period. This is prior to the period when census, civil registration, and church records are widely available. Many of the traditionally valued collections have been destroyed in full or in part as a result of the religious and political fighting over the years in Ireland. Many who have tried Irish research may have heard of the Public Records Office fire at Dublin Four Courts in 1922 that destroyed many of Ireland’s genealogically useful records. This situation makes Roulston’s guide especially valuable as it lists many surviving sources, and describes how they may be used. The first half of the book has readable chapters covering various issues and sources. These chapters are particularly well organized so that topics can be easily referenced, as needed. Roulston does more here than describe available sources, and give examples. He understands and conveys the value of each type of record; he also outlines common issues and solutions. Common issues discussed include variations in Irish surname spelling and jurisdictional issues such as boundaries. The second half of the book is made up of useful appendices. The largest of these is some 200 pages listing available sources by parish. Other appendices include lists of estate records collections, archives and libraries, and a list of some 600 geographical features or locations and the parish and county in which each are located. Roulston’s work dispels the idea that research in this period is impossible. At the same time, he does not attempt to fool the reader into thinking it will be easy. Instead, he gives an honest appraisal of the difficulty of using the various sources. Some sources listed can be accessed online, or from the United States on microfilm. However, there are many useful collections located only in Belfast, Ireland, or in locations around the United Kingdom. There are full chapters dedicated to discussing many of the available sources: church records, gravestone inscriptions, landed estate records, the Registry of Deeds, wills and testamentary papers, military records, newspapers and books, emigration, records relating to government and the legal system, and parliamentary election records. There are a few chapters that group similar record types: business and occupation; education, charity, and hospital records; records of organizations, clubs, and societies; and a chapter on diaries, journals, memoirs, and correspondence. There are more general chapters that group miscellaneous seventeenth-century records, and eighteenth-century records. These chapters include, among other records, plantation records, military records, land or court records, census substitutes, and penal law records. From this list it can be seen that Roulston discussed well-known sources and large collections, as well as the more obscure or lesser known collections about which his readers may have been entirely unaware. Those who are more familiar with early English or Scottish research will recognize that many of the same types of records are useful for Irish research. The researcher may even wish to study the guides on these areas for additional insight. Some recommended books covering these areas and record types, which also apply to Ireland, include the following: Herber’s Ancestral Trails,[1] Clarke’s Tracing Your Scottish Ancestors,[2] Stuart’s Manorial Records,[3] Tate’s The Parish Chest,[4] and Durie’s Understanding Documents.[5] Roulston goes over early Irish history and migrations, providing contextual understanding for what types of sources exist. Roulston explains where collections of each of these record types are available, and summarizes what is known to exist. Even after his thorough listing of sources, Roulston expresses the everlasting hope of every genealogist when he states “some collections remain in private custody, perhaps still waiting rediscovery.”[6] It is clear from the wealth of sources discussed that a lifetime could be spent in researching one person’s Ulster ancestry. Even for readers already aware of all these collections, Roulston adds value with his perspective. United States genealogists will naturally have different expectations about these records, as some records of the same type are used in United States research. Even the names of the records may set incorrect expectations as the names may be used differently. For example, many cities in Ulster have corporation records. A United States researcher at first exposure to the term may suppose these are business records, as businesses in the United States are often referred to as corporations. In Ireland, the cities themselves were referred to as corporations. Thus, the corporation records are city government administration records, often referred to as city or town records in United States research. Roulston sets realistic expectations for the reader. There is some unique legal and historic context that surrounds the records in Ireland that affects what was recorded or survives. For example, the religious situation with the Church of Ireland had a big impact on record keeping. Those who were members of a different church can often be found among the registers of the Church of Ireland due to the legal situation at the time. In addition to appearing among the baptisms, marriages, and burials, many residents of a parish will appear in the vestry minutes. All the records Roulston discusses are not necessarily genealogical goldmines. Records often list little more than a name. Many types of records have low population coverage. For example, only a small percentage of the population would appear in a deed due to land ownership practices, as well as due to the registration of deeds being optional. Many record types even purposely exclude certain populations (such as Catholics being excluded in some records). Even alongside this honest appraisal of the records, Roulston restores hope. For instance, he mentions how Catholics may sometimes appear even in records where they were supposed to be excluded, and that sometimes more information is given in records than expected. His examples of what records might contain motivate the potential researcher to continue looking. Roulston shares examples of estate records giving emigration dates;[7] registered deeds including marriages or wills;[8] wills that show emigration of a witness;[9] a gravestone that states it was erected by a son of the deceased after a long absence from Ireland;[10] election records that give relationships, approximate death dates of relatives, or country to which emigrated;[11] and baptism records that were thought not to exist, which may appear among the church’s vestry minutes.[12] One example of the importance of understanding the legal and historical context is the influence of land ownership laws on record keeping. Often the reason for listing emigration or death date data in records related to land or elections (only land owners or lessees could vote), is that many leases were for lives (i.e. leases that were good until a certain list of people each died). Therefore, listing when a certain person died was relevant to whether the surviving resident still maintained a valid lease. Roulston’s guide is thorough, well-reasoned, and insightful. His genealogical experience shows up throughout the guide, making it in part a hidden gem on general genealogical methodology as well as a guide on early Ulster research. A researcher can use the various sections on different records, and the list of sources by parish, to compile a research plan for any early Ulster research problem. Anyone researching early modern Ulster should pick up a copy. Price Genealogy has researchers qualified to research your Irish ancestry. Please inquire with us today. Michael [1] Mark Herber, Ancestral Trails: The Complete Guide to British Genealogy and Family History, 2^nd ed. (Baltimore, Maryland: Genealogical Publishing Company, Inc, 2006). [2] Tristram Clarke, Tracing Your Scottish Ancestors: The Official Guide, 6^th ed. (Edinburgh, Scotland: National Records of Scotland, 2011). [3] Denis Stuart, Manorial Records (Andover, Hampshire, England: Phillimore & Co. Ltd, 2010). [4] W. E. Tate, The Parish Chest, 3^rd ed. (Stroud, Gloucestershire: Phillimore & Co. Ltd, 2011). [5] Bruce Durie, Understanding Documents for Genealogy & Local History (Stroud, Gloucestershire: The History Press, 2013). [6] William J. Roulston, Researching Scots-Irish Ancestors: The essential genealogical guide to early modern Ulster, 1600-1800, 2^nd ed. (Belfast: Ulster Historical Foundation, 2018), 135. [7] Ibid, 141. [8] Ibid, 153-154. [9] Ibid, 154. [10] Ibid, 78. [11] Ibid, 180. [12] Ibid, 40.

Planning a Family History Road Trip

admin — Sat, 23 Feb 2019 22:57:08 +0000

Make your family history research more exciting as you explore your ancestors’ roots and plan a family history road trip. Make your family history research more exciting as you explore your ancestors’ roots and plan a family history road trip. Visit the land of your ancestors—learn more about them, further your research, connect with new and old family, and have fun along the way as you plan out the perfect family history road trip. You may even be able to stop at multiple cities and towns along the way.

Map It Out

Often with family history trips, you’ll be traveling to a place you are unfamiliar with—it helps a lot to map out your visits. This will help you to avoid wasting valuable travel time. Find local cemeteries and places of worship—these places will likely have records that may be helpful to your search.

Once you have determined your destination, search for other surrounding areas that you’d like to check out. Map out your travel plans—you can avoid spending all of your time in the car when you thoroughly plan out your trip.

Take Your Tree

Having your research ready and available as you travel, and search is extremely helpful. Taking your family tree with you is as easy as taking your smartphone with you! Download any apps you use to collect your research and take all of your information with you. You can collect data and upload as you go. Document your trip with pictures, information, videos, and more. You can easily access details need to find your ancestors when you have your tree with you.

Look for Family in the Area

If you are visiting a specific destination for family history purposes, you may have relatives in the area. You may even find lost relatives that are still living in the area of your ancestors. If you’ve had your DNA tested, you can likely find other people in the area through your test results. You may also be able to find a family by searching surnames in that area on social media. Finding family will not only be a unique and exciting experience, but it will likely also help your research as they may have more information on your ancestry.

Get to Know the Locals

When you’re in a new area, get out and explore your ancestor’s community! It may help you to understand and connect with your family more. Look for local events, get a feel for the people in the area. There may even be long-time residents that know of your ancestors or your current family members in the area. Getting to know the area and the local people may help you connect, research, and it’ll make things a lot more fun along the way.

Visit Local Libraries

When you’re mapping out your road trip, look for local libraries. These libraries will likely have information that will be helpful to your research. They may have records, pictures, and more regarding your family. The information found at local libraries often pertains directly to your family and cannot always be found elsewhere.

How To Start Recording Your Family History

admin — Wed, 27 Feb 2019 14:49:26 +0000

Getting started on your family history can be overwhelming. Genealogy doesn’t have to be so complicated. You may already be doing family history without even knowing it! Recording yourself and your current family is a form of family history. Getting to know your family and recording their lives will benefit generations to come. You can easily get going on your family history today.

Gather Any Documentation You Have of Your Family

You likely already have a lot of records of your family. Compile all of your photos, letters, journals, newspaper clippings, scrapbooks, and other documentation. It’s natural to have keepsakes, your family probably already has a head start.

Talk to Relatives and Record It

Recording your living family members is a great way to start your family history. The future generations will thank you! Talk to parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, and other relatives about their memories and experiences. You can interview them verbally and record it or have them write down their own memories. Taking current photos is another great (and easy) way to record your family.

Focus Your Search

Having a why behind your research will help you propel it forward. You may want to focus on the blank spaces in your family tree or focus on recording the most recent generation while you still have their information. Finding your why may help you focus your search.

Utilize the Internet

The internet has totally changed the game of genealogy work. There are numerous resources out there to help propel your work forward. Whether you’re using Ancestry, FamilySearch, or Price Genealogy—there is a lot of help to be had! Learn more about how to utilize the internet in your genealogy research here. While you are using the internet for your research, be sure to record your family tree online. There are many resources that will help you to record and fill in your family tree. There is likely information about your family already recorded somewhere online! You may just be able to add on to that.

Digitize Your Research

Digitizing your research will help you to keep them organized and keep them along longer. It’s easy to misplace a photo album, or lose family letters, but when you have all of your work compiled on the cloud or a backed up on a drive. Your records can stand the test of time when you digitize them and back them up. Your posterity will appreciate your efforts for years to come!

Share Your Research

Once you have gone to the work on your genealogy, be sure to share it with your family. You may find that other members of your family are doing similar research. Sharing with each other will help you both to progress. Even if others are not doing research, sharing your family’s history will bring your family closer together. Give your family a chance to connect with your research. It will bring you closer to your deceased family and your living family.

Breaking Down Brick Walls

admin — Wed, 27 Feb 2019 03:04:32 +0000

NEED HELP BREAKING DOWN YOUR BRICK WALL?

Use a pedigree analysis with a detailed plan for success!

For those who love to do their own research, but would like the benefit of professional counsel, Price Genealogy is now offering a $350 research opportunity. We will review your pedigree or brick wall, and develop a detailed plan to help you enjoy successful research. This will be a 3½ hour project. If you wish, an initial analysis of your DNA results is also offered. Consider the following analogy. Last year I viewed an exquisite permanent stained-glass display at Utah Valley University. It is called “Roots of Knowledge” and is a panorama of history and human drama depicted in intricately pieced together stained glass. Impressive as it is, I was overwhelmed by its enormity and not sure where to begin and what to look for. Then, an expert approached me and asked if I would like a tour. He knew the artistic details as well as the history portrayed. He took me slowly around the room and talked about the history, making it come alive, and also drew my attention to minute details, like the Millennium Falcon and Superman. His knowledge and perspective opened my eyes and mind until I felt that I had just been given the best history lesson of my life. I now wish to go back and learn more. Our family trees are much the same. We often feel impressed, but overwhelmed with all the information available. We feel the responsibility to leave our children and grandchildren with a knowledge of their heritage. These were real people, just like us! When we eventually ask for help, an expert expands our perspective because of knowledge, experience and an eye for details often missed. Price Genealogy, with over 40 years of client research experience, will put our team of experts to work to help you discover your family’s hidden generations, and ultimately the story of their journey through time. At RootsTech, you can find us at booth #1240, where you may enter our contest for a free $350 research planning project. If you will not be at RootsTech, you may enter the competition by filling out the form below and e-mailing it to drogers@pricegen.com. Alternatively, you may send an email and include the information requested in the entry form. Type RootsTech2019 in the subject area. Entries will close after Monday, March 4, 2019. If you wish to take advantage of the $350 research planning project, tell us about your ancestor and area of interest or attach a pedigree for us to review.

Is Family History Good for Your Health?

admin — Fri, 01 Mar 2019 23:59:41 +0000

Is getting involved in family history beneficial to your health? The short is yes. Both physically and mentally, learning about your personal family history can mean a healthier life. Of course, family history can’t cure disease, but it could potentially help you avoid it.

Good for Your Mental Health

Diving into genealogy and family history work will give you a sense of connection that you cannot find elsewhere. Studies have shown that those who have a sense of where they came from and a connection to their family live a longer and healthier life.

Being familiar with your roots gives you a sense of belonging. Knowing that you are a part of a legacy is good for your mental health. It’s the same reason multiple studies have shown that people who have kids tend to live longer—a sense of belonging and connection is good for you. It’s what we crave as humans. Family history is another source that can fill that need.

You may discover new and exciting roots in your family, even living family that you are unaware of. Digging into genealogy can mean big surprises, like meeting family members, learning about family status, similar traits, or even your family’s medical history.

Uncovering Disease

Knowing your family’s medical history may help you to avoid the same problems. Many family lines can common factors in their genes, environment, and lifestyle. Medical conditions that run in the family can carry on to future generations. You may discover that you are at high risk for a stroke, certain cancers, diabetes, heart disease, or high blood pressure. Family history can also show a risk of a rarer condition caused by genetic mutations such as cystic fibrosis or sickle cell disease.

Having this knowledge beforehand allows a person to do what they can to reduce their own risk of disease. For certain people at high risk for high blood pressure for example, they can take measures to live a lifestyle that effectively lowers blood pressure. If you find that you are at risk for certain cancer, frequent screening may help you catch a potential problem sooner rather than later.

How to Get Started

Starting your family line has never been easier. The internet makes it simple. Some of your family’s history may already be recorded online—waiting to be discovered. You can also have your DNA tested to learn more about your ethnicity and familial connections. These tests can tell you all sorts of things about your DNA!

If you are starting from ground zero, the first thing you should do is fill out a family tree. It is recommended that you do this digitally through a genealogy website, that way it will be recorded and accessible for other family members. Collecting information from living family members and digitizing it is another great way to start.

For the benefit of your health and future generations, start building out your family tree and learning about your ancestors now.

German Ortsfamilienbücher (town family books)

admin — Fri, 08 Mar 2019 16:14:29 +0000

In December 2018, the Price Genealogy blog ran a two-post series on finding a German American immigrant ancestor’s town of origin. Part 1, Record Types Part 2, Advanced Strategies Once someone in the United States determines their ancestor’s town of origin in Germany, research can proceed in a relatively straight-forward manner. In the United States, genealogy research requires many different record types to extend a family line earlier than 1850 (the year of the earliest United States federal census that lists entire families). In Germany, it is usually possible to extend ancestral lines back into the 1600’s with only church records. There are two common presentations of German church records: church registers and Ortsfamilienbücher. It is usually most efficient to start with the latter.

Ortsfamilienbücher (OFB) (also known as Orstssippenbücher, Familienbücher) are town family books, a remarkably useful and unique source common in Germany. These are made when a local genealogy or history expert in the area extracts all the baptisms, marriages, and burials from the church registers for one town. These are put together into family groups according to the extracted church registers. The finished product often includes a few pages of town history at the front, and lists all the families from the church registers in alphabetical order by surname. Like the church registers from where data comes, these books are printed in German. The OFBs are much easier to read than the original church registers, which often present a deciphering challenge. Another major benefit is that the families are already compiled, so it is not necessary to spend hours paging through the registers to extract the baptisms, marriages, and burials of each family member before organizing them into families. It is important to recognize that some OFB are actually handwritten, and are part of a set of church registers, while others are published books. Sometimes a researcher will find there is no OFB, but through contacting local experts in the town of interest will learn that one of them has all this data in a genealogical database program on their computer. If one of these OFBs exists, the researcher can often take their ancestry back to the 1600s in just minutes. The remaining difficulties are with locating the OFB (or OFB data), and with understanding the OFB.

1825 Familienbuch of Gernsbach, Baden of Ringelstein family FHL 1,044,033

Understanding the OFB is the simplest of the two problems and can be sufficiently mastered with a little guidance. The key is to understand the dates, symbols, and numbering. Dates will follow the German format of DD.MM.YEAR not the United States format of MM/DD/YEAR. When in doubt, look at several dates. The digits that are sometimes over 12 will of course be the day position. OFBs tend to differ only slightly in their use of symbols, and they include a key at the start of the book to clarify their use. Instead of using words like birth, baptism, marriage, etc., the OFB will likely use these symbols:

* a star (birth, as in the star that was the sign of Christ’s birth)
~ a tilde (baptism, representing the waves of water)
oo an eternity symbol (marriage)
+ a cross (representing death, sometimes with a different cross style to represent burial).

In pdf article: "Using Ortssippenbücher to Research Your Family," by Daniel R. Lilenkamp

It is also useful to know the most basic German vocabulary of genealogically common terms. The German Genealogical Word List on the FamilySearch Wiki is helpful,[1] as well as Thode’s German – English Genealogical Dictionary for those who wish to become even more expert. Lastly, it is critical to understand the numbering. Every family should be numbered. The children in the family who appear as a parent of their own family will have a number next to their name that refers to that family. With a few minutes of looking at one of these books, its layout usually makes sense. As with anything, there may be small differences from one book to another, such as the possibility that some OFBs neglected the numbering system entirely, which would require the researcher to compare birthdates and names of a child in one list to the same person listed as a parent in another list. If the researcher is fortunate, the OFB may be accessible from the United States. Check the FamilySearch Catalog and WorldCat.org for the name of the town. The Family History Library, Saint Louis Public Library, and Library of Congress have considerable collections. If the interested person cannot personally go to the library that holds the necessary OFB, a librarian or genealogist is often available to make the necessary copies. Bear in mind that when searching the FamilySearch Catalog a manuscript form of an OFB may be listed among the various church registers for a town instead of being listed separately as a book. The website for the Association for Computer Genealogy in Germany (Verein für Computergenealogie e.V.) at Genealogy.net has two important resources for locating OFB. The first to check is the list of extracted OFB data at OFB.genealogy.net. The next is their GenWiki at Wiki-de.genealogy.net. If you search the name of a town on the GenWiki, the researcher may find an OFB listed that was not found using the previous methods. After all of this, the researcher may still not have located an OFB, but before assuming that there was none created, the researcher should contact local genealogists in or around the town of interest. The GenWiki often lists the name and email of a local genealogy expert. The researcher can use Google to locate the website of the town government, the website of the parish, or the website of a local society. Email addresses are often listed on these websites, and an attempt should be made to ask these local experts about the existence of an OFB or family database. These people are often happy to help someone genuinely interested in their ancestry from the region. That said, it is best that your letter avoid a long story, and instead focus on a specific question. Many people in Germany know some English. It is advisable to use tools like the German Letter Writing Guide on the FamilySearch Wiki,[2] and Google Translate to present your email in German followed by a copy of the same email in English. Whether these people can arrange to make limited copies of the pages needed from an OFB that only exists in Germany, or whether they can tell you how to purchase a copy, it is well worth the effort and cost to do this first. The researcher may even find OFBs for purchase from the websites of publishers such as at Cardamina.net. Due to an OFB being compiled from a careful study of the church registers by a local expert, the error rate in OFBs is statistically lower than the error rate a genealogist will find in many other published family trees. But, as with anything else, human error is possible. Typos and questionable conclusions have been found in some OFBs. The researcher should always refer to the original church registers to verify any suspect items or to verify the entire research if resources permit. The registers may even contain marginal notes and other information not present in the OFB. Questionable data is more likely in an OFB for the earliest generations, when even the original records have so little detail that piecing together families is more difficult. OFBs also vary in the level of detail they give. Some do not even use the burial registers at all since families can be mostly compiled from baptism and marriage registers. Perhaps getting through the OFB project was more important at the time than being more thorough. Often when a less detailed OFB was published, a more detailed one will be published years later. This was the case with Düngenheim, that had a minimalistic OFB done in 1985 and an unusually thorough one in 2017. Another example is the OFB of Kehrig that sold out a minimalistic printing before having a more complete one published in late 2018 by Cárdamina Verlag. From this it is clear that a researcher may wish to check for an OFB again even if one that was not so helpful was found previously. With all of this in mind, whether an OFB was found or not, the next step will include looking through the original church registers. Please look forward to the next article in this series to discuss the use of original records. Our German research experts at Price Genealogy look forward to helping you discover your German ancestry. Please inquire today. Michael [1] https://www.familysearch.org/wiki/en/German_Genealogical_Word_List [2] https://www.familysearch.org/wiki/en/German_Letter_Writing_Guide

What is DNA?

admin — Wed, 13 Mar 2019 16:46:38 +0000

DNA has changed the world of genealogy over the last decade. But what is DNA? What is the molecule that links generations? You’ve probably seen those pictures of what looks like a twisted ladder. DNA is deoxyribonucleic acid or a molecule composed of two chains coiled around each other, forming a double helix. DNA carries genetic information and instructions used for the body’s development, reproduction, functioning, and growth. Our appearances, abilities, growth, and more are affected by our DNA. It links us to others, it links us to previous generations, and if we pass it on, it links us to future generations. Learning about DNA, your own and your family’s can open many doors to your genealogical research. Learning About Your DNA Curiosity about our DNA is only natural. Where do your blue eyes come from? Is the gap in your teeth genetic? DNA can have a lot of answers. The results from DNA testing can tell you more than where your hair color comes from. You can also learn about your family’s health history which may show you a glimpse into your own future. Combining DNA test results and family history research can bring you miraculous results—you may even connect with new family members. Having your DNA testing gives you the chance to learn about yourself and your family on a whole new level. Where to Get Tested There are many places that offer quality DNA testing. You can purchase simple DNA kits that usually only require a little spit from your and a few weeks to gather your results. You’ll be mailed results that will link you to generations. Some companies will include cousin matches to help you make even more family connections. There are many options that have slightly varied experiences. Some of the best options include 23andMe, Ancestry DNA, FamilyTree DNA, MyHeritage, and Living DNA. What to Do After DNA Testing After you get your DNA results, what next? If you have not yet created a family tree, that is a great place to start. Filling in any blanks on your family tree is the next step—your DNA result may help you fill in some previously blank spaces. DNA tests will tell you where your ancestry came from. This will give you the chance to learn more about their homelands and countries of origin. This can be a great direction for your research. Learn about your family’s culture. It may also help you find more family members as you know where to look for them. You may find more family records when you search with these places in mind. Some DNA companies will match you with other DNA their database—introducing you to new family members. Each match opens doors to more family lines and more family members. You can also determine DNA segments of your ancestors with this information using chromosome mapping. This technique can help your isolate DNA of specific ancestors to determine cousin matches and other ancestors.

German Original Sources

admin — Fri, 15 Mar 2019 15:46:27 +0000

This is the second in a two-post series on using German records to trace ancestry. The previous article focused entirely on the unique and important source called Ortsfamilienbücher. Unlike research in the United States, German genealogists almost exclusively use church registers to trace their family lines. Church registers in Germany are generally the most available of any of the record types that could be useful, and are the easiest historic source to use to compile family groups. Although many times an entire family tree can be researched only using church registers, there are places and periods for which the church registers are missing. Another important reason for diversifying the sources used is that these other German sources will help tell the story of a family beyond what a researcher can discover from church registers alone. Non-church sources include: census; occupational or guild records; marriage proclamation files; emigration/manumission; and Einwanderungszentralstelle (EWZ), Meldezettel/Meldekartei, as well as other migration or residence registrations. Church registers are a record type already covered at length in many genealogical guides. Any researcher wishing to study these in depth is referred to any such guide. Kenneth L. Smith’s guide on German Church Books: Beyond the Basics is a particularly focused review of this record type.[1] German census records have also had an entire book written on their use for genealogical research, and any interested reader is referred to that book for a more in-depth study than could be possible in a single article.[2] Many of the listed records can often be found, at least in part, at the various German state archives. In many cases microfilm copies exist that are accessible through the FamilySearch Catalog or the Family History Library in Salt Lake City, Utah. Even those that have been doing German genealogy for some time, may have rarely seen records other than church registers. Unless the researcher is among the lucky few who will find the desired records have been microfilmed, it will usually be necessary to arrange research in the archives in Germany where the original records are held. This tends to make such in-depth research of German families out of reach for many who are interested. Fortunately, there is an increasing awareness in the genealogical community about the usefulness of these various original sources. For some records, such as guild or emigration records, some state archives have placed a name index in their online catalog. In this case, it can be more cost-efficient than first imagined to identify and obtain copies of such records. The catalogs are in German and require some practice to get used to them, so hiring a genealogist to check for said record availability can be most efficient. The same genealogist can contact the archive in your behalf to arrange the acquisition of copies. Even when there is no online name index, an experienced professional genealogist will know the right questions to ask to inquire with the archives directly for a copy of the ancestral records. In many cases this will require that an exact town of origin be already known. See the Price Genealogy blog articles on finding a German American immigrant ancestor’s town of origin: Part 1, Record Types and Part 2, Advanced Strategies. Guild records are documentation of a man's membership in a guild, especially once he has retained the rank of master within the system of apprentice, journeyman, and master. These records can provide that little extra insight into an ancestor's occupation. While some church registers give occupation, many do not. Emigration papers are useful as evidence that an ancestor of the same name who appeared in America shortly after was the same person listed on an emigration record. Using such records is especially important when the researcher needs additional evidence to strengthen the link between the United States and Germany. Sometimes these records give additional genealogical details such as occupation, number of children, if married, and names of those who emigrated with the man (especially other male head of households, if any). These records are sometimes referred to as manumission records due to the need of serfs to pay a tax to release themselves from serfdom before emigration. The pictured emigration record comes from the state archive at Wolfenbüttel. The record consists of six pages. A seventh page on file at the archives is a newspaper entry in which Friedrich Böwig announced his emigration. The pictured snippet from the record shows that shoemaker master Friedrich Böwig of Ober-Sickte with his wife and seven children are headed to America, dated 1 June 1853. The newspaper notice gives the same information. The Catholic church and some governments kept marriage proclamation files about couples applying to marry. There are marriage proclamations, dispensations, and banns, as well as several other terms that are used to refer to these marriage files. The multiple names used can lead to some confusion. For example, in United States research the term banns is often thought to refer to a simple entry in a church register giving a date on which the proposed marriage was announced in church. This often appeared three times in a church register before the marriage could take place. The term banns in German is "aufgebot," and is sometimes used to refer to the whole file. The term "proklomationen" is also commonly used to refer to the files. These often include information the marriage itself does not. Frequently these files include copies of the birth certificates for the bride and groom, information about the dates when banns were read, discussion of any potential or real complications related to the marriage, and other personal information about each party. In some cases, such as a dispensation created to allow the marriage of cousins, a family tree may be included. The Family History Library has several collections of marriage files for Germany. Einwanderungszentralstelle (EWZ), Meldezettel/Meldekartei, are examples of records about migrating or displaced peoples. Many of these are available at the Family History Library in Salt Lake City, Utah. EWZ stands for Immigration Center. During the period of World War II more than 400,000 applications were made to the EWZ for German citizenship. There is a series of phonetically arranged index cards with family information, many of which include a photograph of the applicant, and a series of "Stammblatt" (family trees) filed with the applications. To learn more about this collection, see the GenWiki of the Association of Computer Genealogy (Verein für Computergenealogie e.V.).[3] German law has long required the registration of residence, and for Vienna there is a particularly useful collection of such registrations available at the Family History Library covering 1850-1948, referred to as Meldezettel (registration forms) or Meldekartei (registration cards). These are comparable in appearance to the EWZ cards, but contain different fields. The forms for Vienna even vary over time. An example of one such form is pictured. The interested reader may learn more about the Viennese Meldezettel at the JewishGen website.[4] There are numerous other sources available in Germany just as there are in the United States, even a seemingly endless number of potential sources. The research can be complicated due to the language, old German script, unfamiliar laws, and many records only being available in Germany. Fortunately, at Price Genealogy we have the expertise necessary to successfully research in Germany's unique record collections. Our German research experts look forward to helping you discover your German ancestry. Please inquire today. Michael [1] Kenneth L. Smith, German Church Books: Beyond the Basics (Rockland, Maine: Picton Press, 1993). [2] Roger P. Minert, German Census Records 1816-1916: The When, Where, and How of A Valuable Genealogical Resource (Orting, Washington: Family Roots Publishing, 2016). [3] Verein für Computergenealogie e.V., GenWiki, " Einwanderungszentralstelle (EWZ) Anträge" (http://wiki-en.genealogy.net/Einwanderungszentralstelle_(EWZ)_Antr%C3%A4ge : accessed 17 Dec 2018). [4] Peter Lowe, Austria-Czech Special Interest Group, JewishGen, "Viennese Meldezettel (Registration Forms)" (https://www.jewishgen.org/AustriaCzech/TOWNS/Austria/meldezettel.htm : accessed 17 December 2018).

You Can Trace Your Jewish Heritage, Part 1

admin — Fri, 22 Mar 2019 22:24:08 +0000

There is a common credence that researching Jewish heritage is near impossible. Many believe that the Jewish records have been destroyed.[1] However, this information is a myth. The truth is you can trace your Jewish Genealogy. It is not always easy to do, and the process requires patience, but it is possible. First, like all genealogical projects, start with what you know.[2] Record the names of your family members such as your parents, siblings and grandparents. Include the dates of important events like birth, marriage and death. FamilySearch.org, MyHeritage.com, Ancestry.com, among others, are genealogical websites that allow you to create an account for free and build your own family tree. Once you have recorded the information you personally know, talk to family members.[3] This is a great way to learn interesting facts about your family. Ask specific and direct questions. For example, “When did grandfather die?” or “When were your grandparents married?” Also, ask if they have any photographs or documents. Family members may have copies of obituaries, newspaper clippings, wedding, or anniversary announcements. After you have collected all of the information from your family members, and recorded it in your tree, it will be time to search for records to confirm what you have learned and to fill in the gaps. When you begin researching your family you will need some specific information like a name, location, and a date of an event.[4] This should help when locating specific collections of records to search. Many are surprised to learn that they are not searching in Jewish records but rather in the state and county records where their family members lived. For example, if your grandparents lived in New York, you would look in the archives of New York. If they lived in France, you would look in French archives. However, another myth needs to be addressed that many believe about genealogy, including Jewish genealogy. It is the idea that “our ancestor’s name was changed at Ellis Island.” This is not necessarily true.[5] Lists of passengers were compiled at the port of departure based on the name found on the ticket. The names given upon arrival in the United States had to match the name on the passenger list and on the ticket.[6] That is not to say that immigrants did not change their name at some point after leaving Ellis Island. The documentation of name changing was not a requirement until 1906.[7] Jewish families did change their names and a few reasons include:

Illiteracy: Many people did not know how to spell their name but could only pronounce it. They repeated their names to clerks, census enumerators, or clergy, and that person wrote the name the way it sounded to them.
Simplification: Some Jewish immigrants found their name was too difficult to spell so they changed it to better fit in. For example, the Jewish surname Nemirovsky often became Nemer.
Mispronunciation: Some people had very heavy accents and this caused letters within their name to be confused. For example, the Jewish surname Cohen was often changed to Cohn.
Fear of Discrimination: Spelling changes to names can sometimes be attributed to a desire to conceal nationality or religious orientation in fear of reprisal or discrimination. This motive constantly appears among the Jews, who often faced anti-Semitism.[8] For example, the Jewish surname Gerstenfeld was often shortened to Gersten.

With name changes and variations common in Jewish Genealogy, it is easy to miss a record. A trick is to search using different spellings of the name. Try saying the name out loud. Could it have a silent letter. Bare could have been Behr. Goldschmidt could have been changed to Goldsmith or Gold. Think of ways your family name could have been changed and then look under those spellings. Jewish Naming Patterns Every Jew has a religious given name as well as a secular name. The religious name is used in baby naming ceremonies, religious services, and on tombstones. Ashkenazic Jews—the Jews who came from Central and Eastern Europe—invariably give their children the religious name of a deceased relative. Sephardic Jews—whose origins are primarily the Iberian Peninsula, but whose diaspora spread in many directions from there—name their children in the following manner: the first son is named after the paternal grandfather; the first daughter after the maternal grandmother; the second son after the maternal grandfather; the second daughter after the paternal grandmother. These rules are often the first clue to the names of ancestors for whom there is yet no documentation.[9] When you have the Jewish name, location, and an event date, you are ready to begin your research in the records. There are many different record collections in the United States that hold Jewish ancestral names. The top four most helpful types of records are: Naturalization records

Collections can be found online at FamilySearch.org or Ancestry.com. Be sure to browse a couple of pages forward and backward. You may find more than you thought!
Post-1906 naturalization records usually included the name of the immigrant, their hometown, the date of arrival in the United States, and the name of the ship.
Post-1906 immigration files are available from the National Archives, from websites like Ancestry.com and FamilySearch.org, as well as the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). These files often contain names of some immediate family members, the name of their town of origin, one or more addresses of family in their homeland, photocopies of documents submitted as evidence, photographs of the immigrant, and other useful information. The later files are often more detailed.
Post-1922 naturalization records also included female immigrants who were now required to establish citizenship independent of their husband. Prior to this date, a woman’s citizenship status changed automatically according to her husband’s status.

Passenger lists

Many passenger lists from the 1890s forward include the name of the hometown or the nearest relative in their place of origin.
You can search for free at LibertyEllisFoundation.org, FamilySearch.org, and Ancestry.com.

Vital records

Marriage license applications in some jurisdictions are the most informative vital records available, listing parents of both the bride and groom, as well as sometimes their places of birth. Death certificates often include the parental names, exact birth location of the deceased, and sometimes the birth location of the parents. Less commonly, birth certificates of the immigrant’s children may give their parent’s town of birth.
Collections can be found online for free at FamilySearch.org or at subscription websites like Ancestry.com, MyHeritage.com or FindmyPast.com.

Cemetery records

Jews in the United States often named their father on their headstone, as well as their own Jewish name that differs from their Americanized name.
The information typically appears in Hebrew, so researchers unaware of this often overlook the information even when it may be readily available.
Jewish cemeteries buried people through burial societies, and usually the section of the cemetery they are buried in indicates the burial society. Sometimes these societies served populations from specific areas of Europe, so researching the society may provide the evidence needed to determine the place of origin of the ancestral family.

The top three websites for Jewish Genealogy are: Avotaynu Avotaynu.com has the Jewish Surname Index that is free to use. This index is searchable by surname. If your surname appears on the list you will also see the soundex code for that name. In addition, there is a brief description that will lead you to searchable databases. Many books to help with your research are suggested. In addition, for $12 a year, they will send a newsletter and a weekly email with information and updates about new Jewish record collections. Jewishgen One of the many reasons this website is so helpful is they have a complete list of databases for Jewish research that cover about forty countries. It should be noted that you must complete the free registration to use this site, and a small donation will get you enhanced search capabilities. B&F Jewish Compendium of Genealogy 15,000 Jewish genealogy resources for over 200 countries, 80 provinces, and over 1200 towns in Poland are found here. In part two, some unique record collections will be discussed that may hold information on your ancestors, their naming patterns, gravestone inscriptions, and more places to find records, including overseas collections and tips on how to search them. Billie and Michael [1] Tracey R. Rich, “Debunking Jewish Genealogy Myths,” Judaism101 ( http://www.jewfaq.org/genealogy.htm : accessed 22 January 2019). [2] "Begin Your Genealogy Quest," Wiki, FamilySearch (http://www.familysearch.org/wiki/en/index.php?title=Begin_Your_Genealogy_Quest&oldid=2934923 : accessed January 22, 2019). [3] "Gather Family Information," Wiki, FamilySearch (http://www.familysearch.org/wiki/en/index.php?title=Gather_Family_Information&oldid=3280073 : accessed January 22, 2019). [4] "How to Begin a Search for Your Ancestor," Wiki, FamilySearch (http://www.familysearch.org/wiki/en/index.php?title=How_to_Begin_a_Search_for_Your_Ancestor&oldid=3106243 : accessed January 22, 2019). [5] “Don’t Believe Everything You Read or Hear,” The Statue of Liberty Ellis Island Foundation (https://www.libertyellisfoundation.org/genealogy : accessed 22 January 2019). [6] “The Immigrant Journey,” Oh Ranger (http://www.ohranger.com/ellis-island/immigration-journey : accessed 22 January 2019). [7] Kimberly Powell, "My Ancestor's Name Was Changed at Ellis Island." ThoughtCo. (https://www.thoughtco.com/ancestors-name-changed-at-ellis-island-1421859 : accessed January 23, 2019). [8] Kristen Fermaglich, “Too Long, Too Foreign … Too Jewish: Jews, Name Changing, and Family Mobility in New York City, 1917-1942,” Volume 34 Number 3 (Spring 2015) pp34-57, University of Illinois Press on behalf of the Immigration & Ethnic History Society, (https://www.jstor.org/stable/10.5406/jamerethnhist.34.3.0034?seq=1#page_scan_tab_contents : accessed 23 January 2019). [9] “Jewish Family History Collection,” Ancestry (https://www.ancestry.com/cs/jewishgen-all : accessed 23 December 2019).

How To Fix Bad Family Photos

admin — Mon, 18 Mar 2019 11:54:26 +0000

We’ve all got some family photos that make us cringe. Whether it’s bad angles, awkward positions, or poor fashion choices, we’ve all been there. Unfortunately, photo editing will not change your hairstyles or fashion choices, but it can fix a lot of other cringe-worthy things. Family photos are an important part of genealogy work. You can learn a lot through old family photos. It is also important to take and store currently family photos for future generations.

Straighten Crooked Lines

Do you have family photos that were taken during the tilted photo trend? Straightening out the baseline vertically or horizontally will result in a better photo. Straighten out so that rooflines, fences, building, and any other lines are straight. Cropping the picture into a square or rectangle will also be a big help to achieve a better photo.

Crop and Frame

Many shots can be instantly improved with a good crop. To achieve a good crop, follow the rule of thirds. This guide implies an imagined grid (many phone cameras will let you place a grid on your screen), dividing the image into nine sections. Your focal point should be at a place where your grid lines intersect. This will help you position the focal point to a slightly off-center position. You can apply the rule of thirds whether you’re cropping or taking a photo. If the photo has already been taken and you are working on cropping photos to improve them, try focusing on the family member’s whole body or face. You should also avoid cutting off any body parts, that makes for awkward cropping. Duplicating the photo can allow you to keep the original and the cropped version, this will also allow you to point out any background context or specific objects that may relate to your genealogical research.

Color Conversion

If your family photo has clashing colors that are distracting or ruining the photo, you can fix that. With color conversion on photo editors, you can change your picture to black and white or adjust the highlights, contrast, tones, and shadows. These edits can make any photo more aesthetically pleasing.

Identifying and Labeling

Make your photos genealogically friendly by identifying those in the photo and labeling them. Taking the time now to record names, dates, events, locations, and any other useful information on the back of or somewhere near the photo will help future generations in their own family history studies. If you do choose to write on the back of the photo, be sure not to use too much pressure or you may leave an indent that will impact the front of the photo.

Restore Color

Over time photos can get discolored or fade. Restoring a photo to its original color and completely change the photo. You can edit it with an auto color section in your photo editor, or with guided steps through photoshop. Either way, it will help you to restore the photo to its former glory.

6 Tips For Getting Started on Your Genealogy

admin — Mon, 25 Mar 2019 13:46:21 +0000

Interested in getting into the world of genealogy but not sure where to start? Genealogy research doesn’t need to be overwhelming or too time-consuming. You don’t need to be an expert to record and research your family history. With just a few simple steps you can get started on yours. Preserve your legacy and learn about your family lines! 1. Start with a plan. Heading into your research, it’s helpful to have some direction. Genealogy research can be overwhelming. Having a plan in place can help you from falling down the rabbit hole of research. It’s easy to get sidetracked or lost in all of the information. Set small, attainable goals to start with and go from there. 2. Find the questions you want to be answered. To keep motivated in your research, you should determine your questions. Why are you starting this project? What do you want to achieve? What questions do you want to be answered? This will not only help to motivate you, but it will also help to guide your research. It will give you a good starting point and goal to work towards. 3. Create a family tree. Having a family tree set up is essential to genealogy work. A family tree will help you stay organized as you start building out. It will also help you to visualize your research and have a visual representation of your progress. There are many online tools for building and saving your family tree. Among the most popular are ancestry.com, findmypast.com, and familysearch.com. 4. Record what you already know Starting with what you know is a great place to start! You are likely familiar with your parents, grandparents, and possibly even great-grandparents. Start with recording their lives. You can include pictures, memories, life longs, records, occupations, addresses, birthdays, death dates, etc. Just recording the information, you already have will flesh out your family tree a nice amount. It will also give you a great place to start as you dive into family lines, aunt and uncles, cousins, and so on. 5. Start with census records. Once you’ve recorded the information you have, move on to census records. Census records are like gold when it comes to family history research. These records are filled with important details that can help you track down family members. They will show you family relationships, names, locations, etc. Typically, census records are updated every ten years. Other records that can be helpful include church records, military records, birth certificates, marriage certificates, and death certificates. 6. Record your living family moving forward. One of the best things you can do for your future generations and future genealogists is to record your living family. Whether that is your children, your siblings, your parents, your grandparents, whoever it may be—you currently have easy access to information that will not be so accessible in years to come. Take pictures, record memories, keep journals, digitize important documents, do whatever you can to preserve your family’s legacy.

Why and How To Start a Genealogy Blog

admin — Sat, 30 Mar 2019 13:52:32 +0000

Keeping a Record

Having a personal blog to record your genealogy research is a great way to keep track of your work. You can write about family experiences that you are currently having, memories you don’t want to forget, or stories that you have come across in your research. Recording your work may also help you avoid mistakes and spot any misspellings. Try typing a family story once a week, whether it be a current or past story. After some time, you’ll be amazed at how much you’ve recorded. It doesn’t have to be anything too fancy, just recording your experiences and memories. Even dedicating fifteen minutes to it once a week will pay off in the long run. Having your own genealogy blog is really a form of digitizing your research online.

Sharing with Others

Having a blog is an easy way to share with others. You can share your blog with family members to share your research, get them excited about genealogy work, or even preserve it for years to come. Your children, grandchildren, or even great-grandchildren can appreciate it for generations to come as you record your memories and share experiences. It’s likely that most of your family members are online regularly. Having this record so accessible on a blog will provide family members with easy access to your research and help them to get involved as well. It can also be a good tool for other family members who are also researching your genealogy. You may want to have multiple family members contributing to this blog. This will get you more content from more perspectives. With such personable content, you can create a blog that is unique to your family. Having this record will be valuable not only to you but to family members and friends who want to keep up with your research.

How to Get Started

If you’re ready to get started, you may want to get some inspiration. There are many genealogy and family history blogs out there to gather ideas from. Get an idea of what you want your blog to look like, maybe set a few goals. Once you’re ready to get going on the logistical side of things, you can set up a free blog on many different platforms. Whether you want to go with blogger.com, wix.com, or another website. You can invest in a nicer site, or you can go with a free platform. Setting it up only takes a few minutes. Starting out your blog with a little introduction to you and your family will help any potential followers or readers familiarize themselves with you. Having a few posts out front can also help you to establish a voice and tone for your blog. It’s important to include photos too. Of course, writing your experiences is important, but including photos is equally important. It will help to break up text, keep readers engaged, and it will help you preserve family photos which are extremely important to genealogy work.

You Can Trace Your Jewish Heritage, Part 2

admin — Fri, 29 Mar 2019 18:57:12 +0000

Part one of this series discussed how to begin researching your Jewish ancestors and began looking at American record collections. Part two digs a little deeper into the various ways to locate them. Let’s start by expanding on the naming patterns and then add some other concepts that are helpful to know. First, many Jewish immigrants used American versions of their name. Sometimes an ancestor spelled their given name several different ways. For example, Chaim, Chayim, and Hyam may all refer to the same man. Batya, Batia and Basya could all be the same woman.[1] Think outside the box with your search parameters, but be careful that other factors on the record match your ancestor, such as the location. Second, consider the Old Testament where a man called Hosea in one record could be called Joshua in another.[2] This has to do with the fact that Jews often had Jewish names relating to their religion, as well as everyday names they used in their public and professional lives. In some instances, the Anglicized name was a variation of the Hebrew one. Third, unique records are available for Jewish genealogy. For example, the first ceremony for children is held within just a few days of the baby's birth. For Jewish boys it is the circumcision or brit milah (bris). In contemporary society, a family may have a brit bat (naming or covenant ceremony) for their baby girl. Records of such events may include invitations by the family to guests, synagogue programs, newsletters, documents of the Rabbi overseeing the ceremony, and the mohel’s (the doctor performing the circumcision) record of the event.[3] Another helpful record that can extend an ancestral line are gravestones. Jewish gravestones with Hebrew inscriptions not only show the date of death, but may also show the age, date of birth, and the name of the father.[4] JewishGen is a fabulous site that teaches you the keywords needed to read a Jewish gravestone. Aids are given to translate the Jewish calendar and other common Hebrew phrases. RECORD COLLECTIONS There are many sources of records on Jewish genealogy, some better known than others. An example is the Ackman & Ziff Family Genealogy Institute, which has made several collections searchable online, including: The Baron de Hirsch Fund Records (collection #I-80) Admission books for the Baron de Hirsch Trade School from 1897-1928 are found here. Brooklyn Hebrew Orphan Asylum (Ref. # I-230) This collection includes admission and discharge ledgers, along with other documents related to the Brooklyn Hebrew Orphan Asylum (founded in 1878) and its successor organizations. Henry Hochheimer Marriage Record Book 1850-1900 Many marriages from 1850 to 1900 can be found from various congregations and synagogues in the Baltimore area, as well as other states along the eastern seaboard. Industrial Removal Office. Records, n.d. 1899-1922 The Industrial Removal Office and its parent organization, the Jewish Agricultural Society, worked to assimilate immigrants, and helped them find jobs. Among other documents are removal records of immigrants. Before we move to the record collections in other countries, paleography (deciphering the old writing and numbers) should be addressed. Records are often written in different languages. In Jewish genealogy, the Hebrew language is very common, although some records are in the Yiddish, German, Russian, and Italian, to name a few. The National Archives offers a free tutorial that can help you get started. However, a shortcut does exist to help in translating Jewish records—Stevenmorse. This site can translate words and phrases in a variety of languages. In addition, the Hebrew Alphabet, written by Zachary M. Baker, is also offered as a pdf by the Routes to Roots Foundation. RECORDS OUTSIDE THE UNITED STATES Once you have identified a country or region of origin, you can often find records in the local state archives. An inquiry sometimes costs between $200 and $700, but the information received will likely be very valuable. A free source for European records is the Family History Library in Salt Lake City, much of whose holdings can be viewed digitally from your local Family History Center or at home. They have substantial collections of Jewish vital records and are working to acquire more. Some of the collections are available online, through the Family Search Catalog. A few of the countries included in these collections are: Austria, Africa, Afghanistan, Argentina, Canada, Czech Republic, England, France, and Germany, etc. The Routes to Roots Foundation holds a plethora of Eastern European records in their archives. A few of the countries included in their collection are Poland, Ukraine, Belarus, Lithuania, and Moldova, etc. The United States Holocaust Memorial Museum has over 280,000 records available. The Museum’s collections document Holocaust victims, survivors, rescuers, liberators, and others through artifacts, documents, photos, films, books, personal stories, and more.[5] Another resource that may be helpful are Jewish genealogical societies. Genealogical societies allow you to network with others searching in the same areas or the same surnames. They also offer publications and newsletters that can alert you to available new record collections. Many have resources and record collections available to search. Some societies charge a fee for use of their records, but it is generally minimal. Specific to Jewish genealogy, The International Association of Jewish Genealogical Societies (IAJGS) is an independent non-profit umbrella organization coordinating the activities and annual conferences of more than seventy national and local Jewish genealogical societies around the world.[6] As you can now see, there are thousands of records available to search for your Jewish ancestors, both in the United States and elsewhere. The process does often require advanced skills such as interpreting records written in Hebrew or other languages. When using the right sources and methods, success researching your Jewish lines is as likely as success with any other ancestral areas. Remember, talk to your family members, discover your family in the American records. Once you have identified the country of origin, move across the sea to the record collections available there. Price Genealogy can assist you with any of these steps. You may be surprised at how much information is available. Billie and Michael [1] “Jewish Girl’s Names,” Aish (http://www.aish.com/jl/l/b/48967016.html : accessed 6 February 2019). [2] “Biblical Hebrew Names,” Behindthename (https://www.behindthename.com/names/usage/biblical-hebrew : accessed 3 February 2019). [3] Jennifer M. Alford, “Unique Records for Jewish Genealogy,” Archives (https://www.archives.com/experts/alford-jennifer/unique-records-for-jewish-genealogy.html : accessed 3 February, 2019) . [4] “Reading Hebrew Tombstones” Jewishgen (https://www.jewishgen.org/infofiles/tombstones.html : accessed 3 February 2019). [5] “Search Our Collections,” United States Holocaust Memorial Museum (https://collections.ushmm.org/search/ : accessed 5 February 2019). [6] “Member Societies,” International Association of Jewish Genealogical Societies (IAJGS) (http://www.iajgs.org/blog/membership/member-societies/ : accessed 6 February 2019).

Why, When, and How To Hire a Professional Genealogist

admin — Mon, 01 Apr 2019 21:49:52 +0000

There are many different reasons why people hire professional genealogists. It may be because you’ve reached a brick wall and can’t find a way past it. It could be that you’re short on time and have other responsibilities in life that take priority. It might be that you don’t have the resources and tools or knowledge and expertise needed to conduct such searches. Whatever the reason, professional genealogists are available to help you! Taking advantage of resources like these can alleviate a lot of stress and save you a lot of time. Why and When to Hire a Professional Genealogist Life is busy and full of responsibility and can be hard to take on yet another task. As previously mentioned, there are many legitimate reasons to hire a professional genealogist. You may be experiencing one or more of those reasons. If that’s you, you ought to consider hiring a professional genealogist. The pros at Price Genealogy are knowledgeable and experienced when it comes to researching family histories and lineages. With help from professional genealogist associates across the globe, we’ve successfully traced genealogies back as many as thirty generations. As one of the largest genealogical firms in the United States, we use the best software, have access to the best resources and tools, and even provide access to free databases and researching aids to those interested in learning more about their family’s history. Practice makes perfect. Because this is our full-time gig, we know the ins and outs, the industry secrets, and the best way to approach brick walls and other roadblocks along the way. If you are feeling overwhelmed, unsure, or are lacking the time to commit to researching family history, it might be time to hire a professional genealogist. A fresh set of experienced eyes can open doors you didn’t know existed. How to Hire a Professional Genealogist When looking for and prior to hiring a professional genealogist, there are several things you want to consider. There are many people out there that are self-proclaimed professionals when in reality it’s just a glorified hobby of theirs. This is great! It might be worth talking to them about any issues you’re having, brick walls you’ve hit, or anything else before hiring a professional. But the two are not the same and should not be confused. Make sure you hire an actual professional with the educational background to back it up. Take a look at our team of specialist here and their lengthy list of qualifications. When seeking a professional genealogist, look into any service packages they may offer. This can save you money while getting a lot of information back. To see our list of research services and packages, click here. Once you’ve found a legitimate professional team you want to work with, you should check on their availability and the turn around time on projects to ensure your timelines match up. You should also read any review or testimonials of those that have worked with them in the past. You can read testimonials of Price Genealogy here. If you’re still not quite ready to pull the trigger, you can always get a free consultation with Price Genealogy by calling 801-531-0920 today!

Conducting a Successful Interview for Genealogy

admin — Mon, 01 Apr 2019 13:42:11 +0000

Getting the most out of your family history interviews is very important. These interviews are a special way to learn more about your loved ones are their lives. Taking advantage of such a resource is a great use of time and will give you more insight and could help fill in the gaps in your genealogical journey. Use these tips and questions to open up discussion about your family’s history.

Interview Tips

Ask open-ended questions — Questions that result in a yes or no answer won’t give you much to work with. Instead, ask questions starting with who, what, when, and where or requests like, “Tell me…”. Focus on memories and experience — You’ll find many gems when you put your focus here. Don’t share questions before — To get unrehearsed and more authentic answers and responses, don’t share the questions you’ll be asking ahead of time. You can let the interviewee know the gist and direction you’d like to go, but keep the specifics to yourself. Record the session and take notes — Video or audio, you choose. Just be prepared for the worst to happen. Bring extra batteries, charging cords, a backup recording device, etc. For an additional safety net, transcribe the interview and/or backing it up to the cloud or on an external hard-drive. Go off script — If the opportunity presents itself, feel free to step away from your list of questions and ask follow up questions. The questions listed below are great conversation starters. Let your interviewee tell their story their way. You’ll often get more out of your session. If you’re too far off subject, you can always get yourself back on track.

Interview Questions

What is your full name? Reason for the name? Any nicknames?
When and where were you born? Which hospital?
Why did your family live there?
Did you have extended family living in the area? Who?
Tell me about your childhood home(s). The house layout? The number of bedrooms and bathrooms?
What is something special you remember in your home?
What is your earliest memory?
Tell me about your family members and their personalities.
What were your favorite things to do as a kid? Favorite games? Toy? Why?
Who did you look up to? Why?
If you needed something fun to do, what would you do and who would you do it with?
Favorite hobbies?
What were your childhood responsibilities? Chores?
How did you earn your money as a kid? How was it spent?
Tell me about your school experience. Favorite/least favorite subjects? Where did you attend elementary, junior, and high school? Did you attend college? Trade schools? What did you study?
Did you participate in any extracurricular activities? Which?
What is your profession and why?
What fads and styles do you remember from your youth and young adulthood? Hairstyles, clothes, music, etc.
What music did you listen to? Favorite bands, singers, and songs?
Did you have a pet? Kind and names?
Who were your friends growing up and in young adulthood? What did you do together?
What world events impacted you in your life? Were you personally affected? How?
Describe a typical evening at home.
Describe the holidays at your house. Traditions?
How is society different now than it was when you were young?
Who is were the oldest relatives you remember as a child? Any memories?
What stories or recipes have been passed down to you from past family members?
What characteristics (physical and nonphysical) run in the family?
Do you have any special heirlooms, pictures, etc. from family?
Tell me about your spouse. Name? Family? Hobbies and interests? How did you meet? What did you do on dates? How did you propose (how were you proposed to)? Elaborate on your feelings.
When and where was the wedding? Any special memories from this day?
Describe your spouse. Favorite things?
Advice on a successful marriage?
Tell me about your kids. How did you find out you were expecting? Names? Why were those names chosen?
What did your family like to do together?
Proudest moment and accomplishments in life?
Advice on a happy life?
Most valuable lesson learned. How did you learn this?
Any special stories you’d like to share?
What do you want people to remember about you?

Simple Ways To Get Started On Your Genealogy

admin — Wed, 03 Apr 2019 14:49:52 +0000

Starting out researching your family history and genealogy is both exciting and daunting. If you’re not quite sure where to begin your big genealogy journey, here is some advice on things you need to do that will help jump-start your process. 1. Gather What You Already Know and Have Search your basement, closets, garage, and attic for family records, letters, photographs, journals, certificates and diplomas, old newspaper clippings, and anything else related to your family. You want to gather anything that tells a story about family members. If you’ve started conducting research in the past, make sure to gather up everything you already have. 2. Gather What They Already Know and Have Along with everything you know, you need to figure out anything and everything that your family knows. If anyone in your family has conducted family history research, sync up with them and gather any information they have compiled. You should also talk to your family members and those close to them (friends, neighbors, classmates, etc). Talk to them and interview them now! Do not wait — this opportunity may not last long. Find out what they know and what information they can share. If the same story comes up twice (or more) compare the two stories. All of this information is just a phone call, email, or a visit away. 3. Join the Social Networking Conversation Join in on social networking conversations about genealogy and family history to help make connections and gain new insights on expanding your knowledge and resources. Follow professional genealogists, family historians, and genealogy companies on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook. Tune in to podcasts about the subject, join “groups” on the subject, read blog articles and forums, and watch YouTube videos. Doing these things can help build your knowledge base and potentially give you tips and tricks you didn’t know. These social networking groups can be very supportive, too. 4. Head to Your Local Family History Center Did you know that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints has more than 4,000 family history centers across the world? Member of the church or not, you can access the world’s largest collection of genealogical information and the many resources available. Resources like viewing microfilm records of birth, marriage, and death certificates, databases, articles, etc. Talk to family historians and genealogical experts for assistance and any questions you may have. Using resources like these can help fill in the gaps, verify information already known, and open up more doors to learning more about your family’s history. 5. Don’t Give Up In the world of genealogy and family history, it is easy to get overwhelmed with all the information that is available. It’s also easy to feel as though you’ve hit a brick wall and can’t seem to get past it. Try to stay focused on what you’re looking for and why you started this genealogy journey. Remember, there’s always support around you and a reason to keep going. Don’t give up, stay patient, and stay focused.

Tips for Finding a Hard to Find Ancestor

admin — Thu, 04 Apr 2019 21:21:57 +0000

Genealogy research is often full of dead ends. We’ve all been there, when you’re looking for specific information on a relative and just keep hitting the wall. Today, we’re sharing a few tips to keep your research moving forward! It may just be a matter of a different perspective.

1. Focus on One Thing at a Time

In genealogy research, you often have many goals and it can get overwhelming. It can also be easy to get distracted with so many directions to go. Avoiding getting overwhelmed and distracted when you choose one thing to focus on at a time. Maybe you want to focus on one specific relative. There are still a lot of directions you can go. When you start to feel stuck or that you’ve reached a dead end, you can also transfer your attention to another avenue. But it can be exciting to learn all you can about a relative—it will feel like you know them personally and may give you insights into your own life.

2. Search Databases Individually

Popular and large sites that have access to many databases. Though these sites can be very helpful and an easy one-stop option, they may not always be the best option for what you’re looking for. Using a database individually will narrow down your results and may give you the details you’re looking for. You may be surprised at what you could find when you take advantage of more narrow databases. Important details can often be overlooked or lost in the broad searches.

3. Try Offline Searches

There is so much information available online, but there is plenty available offline as well. If you’re hitting a dead end, try stepping away from your computer screen. You may find that visiting a family member, a cemetery, a local library, a genealogy library, historical society, or other organization can give you access to new records and new information. There are often people who are trained in research at these locations who are able and willing to help. If you want to dig really deep, attending a genealogical conference may also help you get some ideas and move forward in your research.

4. Specialize Your Search

Searching too broadly may be hindering your research. For example, if you are looking into the life of your great grandfather, John Smith, you are unlikely to find information specific to him if you just type his name into Google. However, if you have his birthplace, birth year, a middle name, family member names, or other information specific to him, you are much more likely to find information on the John Smith you are looking for.

5. Search Different Databases

You may not find what you’re looking for in one particular database, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t out there. If you search on Ancestry, for example, it may be that information isn’t in their database, but it could still be available, even available online. There are many sites that will have records that are specific to their database. Don’t give up! The information is often out there, it’s a just a matter of where.

How DNA Testing Has Made Genealogy "Necessary"

admin — Fri, 05 Apr 2019 17:00:59 +0000

DNA testing has increased the popularity of genealogy in the last few years. The recent media campaigns by AncestryDNA, MyHeritage and 23andMe have increased the public’s awareness of this tool. Its use in law enforcement has also captured headlines. From August 2015 to September 2018, AncestryDNA’s sales have increased by 1000%^[1] (from less than million kits to over 10 million!), and 23andMe’s sales have increased by 500% (from less than 1 million to over 5 million). Among family members, colleagues at work, and in other social settings, more and more people want to compare DNA ethnicity results. It is big in social media and is trending so much that people often encourage others to test and discover their ethnic breakdown. People are giving DNA tests for Christmas, and friends are encouraging each other to test by word of mouth.

The Basics

According to Webster’s Dictionary, DNA is “. . . the molecular base of heredity . . .”^[2] and therefore forms the basis of who you are, at least physically. You received 50% of your DNA from your father and 50% from your mother. DNA takes different forms, with large amounts of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) powering cellular activity, and with autosomal DNA (atDNA), Y-DNA and X-DNA found in the nucleus of the cell.^[3] A consumer can purchase separate mtDNA, Y-DNA and atDNA tests. X-DNA data often comes with atDNA tests, but not every company provides access to the full range of information. These tests can be used to show from which parent, grandparent, or even further back, each segment of your DNA originated. Your DNA matches or cousins share segments of DNA with you. In brief, a man’s Y-chromosome passes down from father to son, but not to daughters. Therefore, a Y-DNA tests would only look at paternal lineage. A woman may be interested in her father’s direct surname line, and if so, would want to test her brother or father. A woman has two X-chromosomes, one from her father and one from her mother. The inheritance pattern for women’s X-chromosomes is unique, and the relationship between two people’s matching X-chromosomes can often be determined by knowing this unique pattern of inheritance. Both the Y and X chromosomes help establish one’s ancient ancestral origins. Men and women inherited their mtDNA from their mother. Women will pass it down to their offspring, but men’s mtDNA is not passed to his children. Therefore, it provides ancestral information strictly on the maternal line, or from one’s mother back through time.^[4] A person’s atDNA comes from both his parents, in the form of 23 pairs of chromosomes in each cell. Of these pairs, one comes from the father and the other from the mother. Autosomal DNA is a particularly useful tool, since these chromosomes are made of segments of DNA from not only your parents, but your grandparents, great-grandparents, and back for several more generations.

The Tests

In a Price Genealogy blog post^[5] in January 2019, the five companies providing consumer DNA testing were reviewed. These are FamilyTreeDNA, MyHeritage DNA, 23andMe, LivingDNA and AncestryDNA. In this post, the focus is on the atDNA or autosomal DNA test. It is the least expensive and offers the most on all your lines, not just the paternal or the maternal lineages. All of the companies offer this test, but LivingDNA has not yet provided their customers with cousin match lists. As of the end of March 2019, AncestryDNA’s client base is over 14 million kits, 23andMe’s is over 5 million, MyHeritage’s is above 2.5 million (and growing rapidly), and FamilyTreeDNA’s is about 1 million.^[6] In late 2015, AncestryDNA and 23andMe started to mass market their product through various media channels. Television commercials gave their consumers a visual effect of what the test results look like. A print campaign also hit the weekly tabloid magazines and other print media. Each of the companies sold their product for around $100, which was finally affordable for many customers. New books, webinars, and blogs were explaining the concepts and processes of DNA testing in ways that made consumer genetics more understandable to average people, and they in turn promoted testing to their acquaintances. Blaine Bettinger was one of many experts dedicated to explaining the practical benefits of DNA testing. His book, The Family Tree Guide to DNA Testing and Genetic Genealogy immediately became a fundamental source for those who were interested in more than their ethnicity. For those interested in teaching themselves in a workbook format, he, along with Debbie Parker Wayne, published at about the same time, Genetic Genealogy in Practice. These publications thoroughly covered the basics of DNA testing, gave examples of how it can be used for genealogy research, and helped people of all experience levels gain a better understanding of the process. Even with the emerging availability of guides on interpreting DNA results, the general public often finds it more efficient to consult an expert rather than obtain self-education through publications, classes, and many hours of experience. When DNA for genealogy and ethnicity came into the mainstream, firms like Price Genealogy were prepared to interpret and analyze the results for clients. Such firms would combine their expertise with traditional methods and sources with the newly available DNA test results to solve many types of complex genealogical problems. For their clients who were interested in DNA applications, DNA could now become much more than looking at pie charts or tables of ethnicity percentages. For the first time, DNA test results became a big motivation to pursue genealogical research, to find out who were all those matches. Traditionally, genealogists drove DNA sales as they sought another tool to break through ancestral brick walls. Now, casual DNA testers were seeking out genealogists who could make sense of their test results. Hence, DNA is sometimes driving more in-depth genealogical investigations. DNA has made genealogy “necessary” in order to explain their results.

An Example

In 2017, my sixteen-year-old daughter took an AncestryDNA test, following the example of her half-sister who had just done so. Knowing that her father worked in the family history field, she asked me to interpret the results. She wanted to know why I was not showing as a match to her. The answer to that question was simple enough—I had not yet taken a DNA test, which surprised her. Once I took the AncestryDNA test, she and I appeared as a father/daughter relationship match. I looked at her test results and I saw that she had cousin matches with a few of my known relatives. The names of some of the matches were with her mother’s family. The map that displayed her ethnicity estimate was, as expected, comparable to our prior understanding, which does not always occur. Her results overall turned out to be pretty much what would be expected. This was a good start, however, much more could be done to analyze those unknown cousin matches to discover previously unknown genealogical relationships. In a previous blog post by Price Genealogy, the concept of shared centiMorgan segments (cMs) was discussed.^[7] The amount of centiMorgans could be plugged into Blaine’s Relationship Chart which showed averages and ranges of cMs for each relationships or level of cousinship.^[8] Therefore, if my daughter had a 339 shared cMs with a person, the chart would indicate that this was indicative of a match with a great-aunt or uncle. There is actually a range of people that could fit for 339 cMs, so it was important to know the age of the other test taker, if possible. We checked these suggested relationships by comparing my daughter’s cMs with several known relationships, and the cMs were consistently correct. Understanding centiMorgans can help you interpret your matches and recognize the variance of potential relationship degrees and types. Since 2017, this process has become much simpler. Jonny Perl’s DNAPainter was developed in 2017 and then won Rootstech’s DNA Innovaton Contest in February 2018. Subsequently, he took Blaine’s Shared cM Project chart and made it interactive. Perl’s latest online version is called the “Shared cM Project 3.0 tool v4”^[9] and it breaks down the percentages of each likely cluster of relationships. He used statistics from Leah Larkin, The DNA Geek.

Conclusion

Family history and genealogy research has become more popular in American culture in recent years. The advent of affordable DNA testing has a lot to do with this. Prices have dropped dramatically, and now for $100 or less, an autosomal DNA test can provide you with an ethnicity estimate and with DNA cousin matches. DNA testing and genealogy now build on each other, drawing energy and insight from each other’s domain. DNA results without genealogy are usually not particularly useful, so genealogy becomes a necessary part of the investigation. Many people have done these tests but are not quite sure what to do with the great quantity of genealogical and DNA data generated. As with traditional genealogy using paper or digital records, a professional can often discern more from your data than meets the eye. The experts at Price Genealogy can help you solve long-standing problems by analyzing your DNA and the traditional sources. Mike and Paul [1] Leah Larkin, The DNA Geek blog, 2018 (www.theDNAgeek.com/dna-tests). [2] “DNA,” The Merriam-Webster Dictionary (New Edition, 2004). [3] Blaine T. Bettinger & Debbie Parker Wayne, Genetic Genealogy in Practice (Arlington, Virginia: National Genealogical Society, 2016), 3. [4] Ibid., 7. [5] Michael McCormick, “Comparing the Offerings of the Five Big DNA Testing Companies,” Price Genealogy blog, 4 January 2019 (https://www.websitedevlink.com/comparing-offerings-big-dna-testing-companies/ : accessed 30 March 2019). [6] Leah Larkin, “Autosomal DNA Test Prices (as of 27 March 2019),” The DNA Geek (https://thednageek.com/dna-tests : accessed 30 March 2019). This also includes database size and processing time information. [7] Michael McCormick, “DNA Inheritance and The Power of Matching,” Price Genealogy blog, 25 January 2019 (https://www.websitedevlink.com/dna-inheritance-power-matching/ : accessed 30 March 2019). [8] Blaine T. Bettinger, “August 2017 Update to the Shared cM Project,” The Genetic Genealogist, 26 August 2017 (https://thegeneticgenealogist.com/2017/08/26/august-2017-update-to-the-shared-cm-project/ : accessed 30 March 2019). [9] Jonny Perl, “The Shared cM Project 3.0 tool v4,” (interactive version of Blaine Bettinger’s “The Shared cM Project”), last updated 20 April 2018 (https://dnapainter.com/tools/sharedcmv4 : accessed 30 March 2019).

Why You Should Start Your Own Genealogy Blog

admin — Tue, 09 Apr 2019 16:35:48 +0000

Researching your family’s history and genealogy is a lot of work that ought to be shared. But with a busy schedule, writing a 400-500 page book about your findings might not be realistic. However, starting a genealogy blog might be the perfect alternative for you. If you’ve considered starting your own genealogy blog, here’s why it’s a good idea:

Write a Little Bit Here and There

Blogging is great because there are no rules; it’s your blog and you get to make the rules. If writing just a paragraph or two at a time works best for you, do it! There’s no need to knock out your entire findings all at once. As you write each week, even if it is just one or two paragraphs, all your posts will add up to many pages of great stories, findings, and research over time. The key here, though, is to start!

Easily Read by Younger Family Members

You may have learned through experience, that your younger descendants (kids, grandchildren, nieces, and/or nephews) have a shorter attention span when it comes to genealogy. Shorter, easy-to-read stories are a great way to get your youngins involved and in the know. A blog is easily accessible, especially by this generation, and they can easily subscribe to it. You can also quickly share posts on Facebook and other social media outlets.

Make Connections via Search Engines

Thanks to today’s technology, each post that is published on your blog is searchable through sites like Google and Bing. This allows others to make connections with you that are researching similar topics or the same family lines. This opens the door to more findings, yours or others’. Of course, most blog hosting sites will give you the option to be private or not searchable, if you so desire.

Edit Your Work

As you write out your family’s history on your blog, you may discover some unintentional mistakes, errors, gaps, or wrong assumptions made during your research. This is good! This allows you to edit your work to ensure that it is accurate and precise. If you find that something is missing or wrong, you have the opportunity to do more research. Don’t let something like this stop you from posting, however. Just include that you’ll be conducting more research for those missing pieces in the future and you’ll post them as soon as you find what you’re looking for.

Knock Down Brick Walls

There are many success stories out there where a story was posted by a home genealogist, and by just putting their stories out there, they were able to make a connection from a distant relative who read the post and contacted them. This can open a whole new world of information about your family’s history, knocking down potential brick walls you’ve hit.

The Gift that Keeps on Giving

At some point, life may get in the way for a bit, and you need to take a short break from blogging. The good news is that even though you’re not actively posting, your blog is still out there sharing what you’ve discovered with others. Your family’s story is still being shared. Another bit of good news is that when your busy life slows down, your blog is still there, ready for you to add more bits of information.

Researching the Hungarian Family Lines

admin — Fri, 12 Apr 2019 20:37:34 +0000

Hungarian research can be challenging. One of the biggest complaints is that there are not enough resources available to research Hungarian family lines. For some, that belief discourages them from trying. However, records are out there and plenty of resources exist. Here are a few tricks to help you find success! Before performing any Hungarian research there are a few key things you need to know. First, what is the actual name of your ancestor? You need the name they used in Hungary. Sometimes finding the actual name can be a brick wall in itself. If your ancestor immigrated to the United States, you may discover the Hungarian name was changed after their arrival. This was not done at Ellis Island. Name changes at Ellis Island are a myth.[1] Immigrants often changed their own name to sound more American. This includes both the first and last name. For example, the name Kálvin János in Hungary could be John Calvin in the United States. This brings up another point. Hungarian names may be written backwards compared to the way names are written in the United States. [2] Additionally, Hungarian surnames relate to their professions or their ethnic origin. The common surname Lakatos translates to locksmith, and Németh translates to the word “German” in the Hungarian language. Here is a list of the most common Hungarian given names. A great resource for Hungarian name research is “Hungarian Names 101.” In Hungary surnames are called bynames. So, a person in Hungary has a given (first name) and a byname (last name).[3] The second key piece of information you need is the place of origin. It is nearly impossible to succeed without it. In Hungary, most of the records are kept on the town or parish level. Most of the time the town of origin can be found in the U.S. immigration records or in a marriage, death or naturalization record in the place they immigrated to. Once you have a location, the next place to go are gazetteers. FamilySearch has links to some of the Hungarian Gazetteers. It is important to know that not every town or village in Hungary had its own parish. The gazetteers can help you determine the jurisdiction that holds the record collections you need. Family Tree Magazine has a great breakdown of counties in Hungary. Also, knowing the history of Hungary can help you locate the records in the different time periods. For example, from 1867 to 1918 Hungary was part of the Dual Monarchy of the Austro-Hungarian Empire.[4] This leads to the third piece of needed information. The date of a vital event, such as a birth, marriage, or death will not only help ensure you have the correct ancestors, but will often lead to other family names. For example, a birth record will often list the names of the parents. A vital event can give a date of birth or at least help you estimate one. FamilySearch offers vital records collections for free. U.S. naturalization records can be a great benefit to Hungarian researchers. They give dates of births and marriages, the port of entry, and the place the immigrant came from. Passenger lists are also helpful. For the United States, try the records of Ellis Island and Castle Garden. Finally, the religion the ancestor practiced is key to tracing the family in Hungarian church records. This is essential for research especially before 1895. A good resource is The Catholic Gene. This website walks you through the role of the Catholic church in Hungary. They offer resources to help read the records and they include helpful links to record collections. An interesting fact about church records in Hungary is that prior to 1781 the Roman Catholic church kept records on everyone regardless of their religious affiliation. If you are researching before 1781, be sure to check the Catholic Church records for everyone. In 1895 Hungary began keeping vital records under civil authority. If your ancestors were born after 1895, you only need to access two types of records to follow the family lines. They are the civil records and the church records. FamilySearch holds the entire collection of civil records from 1895 to 1980. You can access the collection here. Military records are important in Hungarian research. The records often go beyond a list of names and dates. Service records can include the soldier’s experiences. Military records were kept at different locations during various periods of time and by the various states within the Empire. Carl Katlarchik helps decipher military records. He makes sense of the confusing history of the Austro-Hungarian Empire.”[5] See also the Military History Archives in Budapest and the Austro-Hungarian Land Forces 1848-1918. Other resources for Hungarian genealogy research include:

The Family History Tutorial for Historic Hungary by Vic Berecz This site includes specialized books and other online resources.
The Hungarian National Archives This website is in Hungarian, but the resources are valuable enough to work through the language barrier. You can always try to translate it with Google Translate.
org – They have nearly 100 percent of all the Hungarian church and civil records online for free in their catalog. This equates to millions of records. FamilySearch also offers a Hungarian Genealogical Word List and other research tips. The FamilySearch Hungary Record Finder breaks down collections of Hungarian records by type: birth records, church records, etc.
The Hungary Exchange Created about 2010, it is a great resource for Hungarian research. It is updated fairly regularly and it offers places to research both online and offline.
org The Foundation for East European Family History Studies houses several significant resources for Hungarian research. Many links to searchable collections, including maps, and information on Hungarian genealogical societies are given.
Hungarian Dictionary This dictionary helps with the Hungarian words.
Hungarian History Over 13 million pages to search for free.
Hungaricana The Hungarian Cultural Heritage Portal offers a library, maps, archives and much more to aid your research in Hungary.
Hungarotips Offers a Hungarian genealogical database and other fun things, complete with pictures and sounds.
The University of Minnesota’s Immigration History Research Center (IHRC) The IHRC holds a large collection of American-Hungarian newspapers.
Radix A site dedicated to Hungarian research with over 900 links available.
My Heritage offers the Hungarian and German 1828 Land Census.

So, it is possible to research your Hungarian family! There are thousands of links and millions of records available. All it takes are a few pieces of key information and you will be on your way to extending your family tree. When professional help is needed, our experienced researchers at Price Genealogy can help with your Hungarian research needs. Billie and Michael [1] Megan Smolenyak, “Don’t Believe Everything You Read or Hear,” The Statue of Liberty Ellis Island Foundation, Inc. (https://assets.libertyellisfoundation.org/genealogy/pdf/Dont_Believe_Everythign_you_Read_or_Hear.pdf : accessed 22 January 2019). [2] "Hungarian names," Wikipedia (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hungarian_names : accessed March 11, 2019). [3] Walraven van Nijmegen, “Hungarian Names 101,” Society for Creative Anachronism, by Brian R. Speer (https://www.heraldry.sca.org : accessed 11 March 2019). [4] "Hungary History," FamilySearch Wiki, (http://www.familysearch.org/wiki/en/index.php?title=Hungary_History&oldid=3482708 : accessed March 12, 2019). [5] Carl Kotlarchik, “Slovakia Genealogy Research Strategies,” Iabsi (http://www.iabsi.com/gen/public/ahm.html : accessed 12 March 2019).

Tips For Writing A Great Genealogy Blog

admin — Tue, 23 Apr 2019 02:18:52 +0000

Now that you’ve decided to start your genealogy blog (see why you should start your own genealogy blog here), you’ll need some good ideas to keep you going and to keep your readers — especially your family readers — coming back for more.

Here are a few tips on writing a blog people are sure to visit again and again:

1. Include Photos and Videos

Be sure to use photos and/or videos every chance you get. Every single post you write may not call for one, but try to include them as often as possible. Your readers like visuals which tends to keep them focused and interested. Ideally, the photos and videos you use will be your own family photos, relevant to your stories that help the details come to life. For example, if you’ve traveled to the spot where your family originated or put down roots, include photos and videos from your trip. Or the time you interviewed Great Aunt Sally, include any footage and photos pertaining to that. However, if you would like to keep those treasures private, you can find stock photos and videos available online for purchase that can do the trick.

2. Keep it Organized

Nothing will drive away readers like an unorganized blog. Using categories as you blog will help keep things incredibly organized and topics can easily be searched or looked up. Categories could include but are certainly not limited to, last names, locations, recipes, photos, traditions, weddings, deaths, births, etc. Depending on your post and the topic, it could include one or more categories.

3. Use Links to Other Genealogy Blogs

Blogs can easily be customized to whatever you want. If you have a list of favorite genealogy blogs you like to visit, include that list on your sidebar. Chances are your readers would be interested in those, too. It could also lead to other blogs linking back to your blog for more exposure (if that is something you want).

4. Cite Those Sources

It is important to cite your sources when using someone else’s information or research findings. This includes other bloggers, books, websites, etc. Keep a clean reputation and give credit where credit is due.

5. Get Permission

Along with citing your sources, it is good form to get permission from a blog owner if you would like to use a large portion of their work. A good rule of thumb is if it’s more than a paragraph, reach out to the owner to get the all clear prior to posting.

6. Make It Interesting

If you’re experienced when it comes to the genealogy world, it’s easy to keep things to the point and incredibly educational. While including the facts and being educational is important, you need to keep your posts interesting and entertaining if you want to keep your readers engaged.

7. Engage with Your Readers

If you’ve decided to enable comments on your blog, you should always reply to any comments you receive in a timely manner. Especially if they have questions that you can answer. This will help increase your blog’s popularity.

Tracing Hispanic Roots in Mexico and Spain

admin — Fri, 26 Apr 2019 19:05:44 +0000

With Cinco de Mayo coming up, this is a good time to write about Hispanic genealogy. For those interested in their Hispanic genealogy, they will often question just how complex or challenging it is to trace Mexican and other Spanish roots. As more records for these areas become available, it is natural that hope of success is increasing. Both countries share many things in common, including the Spanish language, similarities in food, culture, and even genealogical record types. Mexico was formerly a colony of Spain. Hernán Cortés led an expedition in the year 1518 to what is now Mexico, and the area fell to Spain’s control in 1521. Mexico gained independence in 1821 with the signing of the Treaty of Cordoba. This year is important for Hispanic genealogy because it determines where to find the records for your ancestors. Understanding jurisdictions is important for all genealogical research. Spain, for instance, is divided into fifty provinces and each of these is part of one of seventeen self-governing communities. Mexico is divided into thirty-two jurisdictions: thirty-one states and a federal district. It is important to know the jurisdiction your ancestor lived in. You can sometimes find their original location on documents tucked away in your home. A death certificate, obituary, marriage certificate, or even the birth certificate of one of their children may identify a birthplace. Ancestry’s DNA test can often indicate the states in Mexico where your ancestors originated. This test shows a greater level of geographic specificity than is typical for some regions. Other records to consider are immigration and citizenship papers. After 1906, these should provide your ancestor’s specific town of origin. Useful collections include: • United States Border Crossings from Mexico to United States, 1903-1957, located on FamilySearch.org. • U.S. Passport Applications, 1795-1925, located on Ancestry.com. • USCIS immigrant case files (for those naturalized after 1906), must be ordered from USCIS (not available online). See their Genealogy Program. However, there are naturalization records available online for the period after 1906. For instance, see Ancestry’s “U.S., Naturalization Records, 1840-1957.” This contains images of Declarations of Intention and Petitions For Naturalization. There are a lot of post-1906 indexes to naturalizations on Ancestry as well. A perusal of the FamilySearch Catalog under “Naturalization and citizenship” will show a large number of collections of naturalization records, many continuing well beyond 1906. • Because some place names and boundaries have changed, or no longer exist, using an old gazetteer may help locate the record collections. FamilySearch holds several volumes of gazetteers for Spain. A gazetteer for Mexico can be found here and is searchable by city. Another important aspect of identifying an ancestor are the names they were given at birth. Both Mexico and Spain have naming customs. Generally, a baby’s name consists of three parts. The first part is called a given or forename. Until the 1960s it was often the custom to baptize children with three forenames. The second and third parts are the two last names, also called surnames. The first surname (last name) is commonly that of the father, and the second surname is that of the mother. A great example of this naming custom is from the famous painter, Pablo Ruiz Picasso. Pablo was his first or given name. Ruiz was his paternal surname or father’s last name. Picasso was his maternal surname or mother’s last name. Sometimes a name consists of several parts and it is hard to decipher correctly. There was a writer known as Sebastià Juan Arbó, and he was alphabetized in the archives of the Library of Congress for many years under the last name of "Arbó." It was assumed that Sebastià and Juan were his first name. But "Juan" was not a first name. It was actually his first surname. When researching in the English archives, the Chicago Manual of Style, fifteenth edition, recommends that Spanish names be indexed under the father’s family name, being the first element in the surname. Not knowing this could cause a person to mistakenly match an ancestor with the wrong record. The majority of the people in both countries are Catholic. The church records play a vital role in researching your ancestors. Catholic records have been kept in Spain since the mid-1500s. In Mexico, church records began as early as 1527. Catholic collections include at least five types of records: baptism, confirmation, pre-marriage investigations, marriage, and burial information. The Catholic church was the primary record keeper for Spain until 1869, and in Mexico until 1859. Civil registrations began in Spain in 1869/1871 and in Mexico in 1859. If you are researching an ancestor after the year civil registration began, it is best to look in both the civil and church collections. It is important to note that dioceses were established in different jurisdictions at different points in time. For example, in Mexico, the Diocese of Oaxaca was established in 1535, while the Diocese of Durango was established in 1891. In Durango, if you were researching an ancestor who lived in 1850, you would need to know which diocese was keeping the books prior to 1891. A list of parishes in Mexico can be found here. As of the writing of this article, FamilySearch lists sixty-six collections for Mexico in their Historical Record Collections web page. These include almost all thirty-two jurisdictions mentioned earlier, and typically include both the Catholic church records, and the civil registration (government birth, marriage, and death records). Most of the civil registration records have been indexed, but most of the Catholic church records have not. The indexed records are also searchable on Ancestry, and some records may be more easily discovered on their website due to differences in how searches are handled. For the unindexed records it is critical to know a specific parish to search so that the records can be examined page-by-page. This makes research before the introduction of civil registration more difficult, unless your family happens to be covered by the small percentage of Catholic records that are indexed. A list of dioceses in Spain can be found here. A few links for church records in Spain, located on FamilySearch include the following. • Spain Baptisms, 1502-1940 • Spain Marriages, 1565-1950 • Spain Deaths, 1600-1920 For both countries, there are many records that exist only as originals or microfilms in specific archives (not online). Much of the western United States belonged to Mexico until the mid-1800s, and some older Mexican records will even be found at archives in this part of the United States. For example, an important collection of early Durango Diocesan Catholic records is held in New Mexico State University’s Rio Grande Historical Collections. A collection of records that is often overlooked, but very valuable are the notarial records. The documents found among notarial records include: wills, guardianships, dowries, mortgages, purchases of goods or land, and agreements or settlement records. Very few of these records have been indexed for Mexico. However, some of them may be found in the Mexican National Archives or can be obtained by writing the local jurisdiction. In Spain, the notarial records were the second-best place to learn what was happening in a town or jurisdiction. The first place being the church records. The key to using notarial records is knowing where your ancestor accessed the notaries. If an ancestor lived in a small town, they may have traveled to a nearby larger town to find one. If an ancestor already lived in large town, they could have used a notary nearby. But it was not uncommon for them to use a notary with a strong connection to their family, even if it meant traveling to see them. Most of the provinces in Spain have lists identifying the notaries and the years they were in service to that community. A good resource for locating the notarial records in Spain is the PARES site. There are even more archival websites and portals that are important to tell the stories of our ancestors, especially where church records are unavailable, or to uncover more information than is possible in church records alone. For Mexico click here, and for Spain click here. Researching ancestors in Spain and Mexico can be complex. First, the area the ancestor lived must be identified. Second, the person’s name is very important. It is very easy to connect a family member to the wrong records, if the naming components are deciphered incorrectly. Knowing the diocese—and often the parish—that recorded the family records is vital for researching families in Spain and Mexico. The notary that families used can be very beneficial, but they can be difficult to identify. Also, knowing how the records are indexed can affect your research. If you discover you need help, the experts at Price Genealogy are ready to assist you with tracing your Hispanic ancestry. Billie and Michael

Sons and Daughters of the American Revolution - A Genealogical Perspective

admin — Wed, 01 May 2019 20:25:25 +0000

Many people have heard of the Sons of the American Revolution (SAR) and the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR). Some would say there is a certain fascination with these societies. The SAR and the DAR are lineage societies which people can join when they have proven their relationship to a soldier, or to someone who had participated in or supported American independence. Obtaining membership can be difficult because of the strict requirements for proving the applicant’s lineage. The experienced researchers at Price Genealogy can help. Membership applications, and sometimes the historic documents, are kept on file for both societies. Whether your intent is to join, or only to take advantage of their useful research resources, these societies can be a great benefit to genealogical work. Motivations for membership Many society applicants join out of patriotic feeling, a desire to connect to history, or a desire to promote these feelings within their community. Membership provides benefits such as: “being able to contribute to important service projects, participate in unique social and service-oriented programs within your community, gain valuable leadership experience, and establish a network of contacts in your community and all over the world.”[1] Applicants also seek membership as a way to verify their lineage and preserve a copy of that work with a reputable society. For some it gives the feeling of honoring one’s ancestors. Another of the genealogical benefits to applying for membership is that it motivates the applicant to gather historical documents to prove a long-believed family story. These newly discovered historical documents, that the applicant will find in the course of research, will add interesting details to their family tree. Application to the DAR or SAR To qualify, the applicant’s ancestor must have been a veteran or supporter during the Revolutionary War. They must have served between the period of the 19 April 1775 and 26 November 1783. The applicant for SAR must be male; females will join the DAR. Ancestors do not necessarily need to be soldiers during the war in order to qualify. The following persons also may qualify: signers of the Declaration of Independence, members of one of the Continental Congresses, and those who rendered material aid. Essentially applying for the DAR or SAR is a similar process. The application consists of a multi-page form available online which asks the applicant to include information about themselves and each generation of their family up to the patriot ancestor. Documents proving each kinship link must be attached. The applicant will apply to the chapter in which he currently lives. For example, if the applicant lives in Ohio, then he would apply to the SAR Ohio Chapter. The applicant will need to find a sponsor to vouch for him, someone who is already a SAR member. Often, the local chapter representative is willing to meet interested persons and to become their sponsor. Contact information is available for these persons online under, “Find Local Society Points of Contact” at SAR.org.[2] The SAR applicant’s sponsor may be able to advise the applicant on completing their application to acceptable standards. Some sponsors may be willing to assist with basic research, but this should not be expected. The research required to submit a successful application is often difficult. The official SAR website cautions those who wish to apply: “Please note that family tradition in regard to the services of an ancestor will not be considered proof.”[3] This is often the point where applicants choose to hire a genealogist such as those at Price Genealogy. Our experts can do anything from focusing on proving specific generations, documenting military service, or we can help you through the entire application process. Patriot databases and research The SAR and DAR offer online patriot databases. The DAR provides an ancestors’ search, as well as a descendants’ search. Although the DAR is generally more comprehensive in its patriot database, it is important to search for any Revolutionary War ancestor in each. On SAR.org, they have the “SAR Patriot Research System,” which specifically includes some patriots through whom lineage society applications were never submitted. The applicant should keep the following two warnings from the DAR database in mind which may appear as they click on the links for their ancestors: “This listing does not constitute proof of lineage,” and “…the DAR assigns a single standard surname that covers variant spellings of similar surnames... This spelling system ensures that patriots are not established under more than one spelling.” Record copies are available for purchase, but even the free index material can be very useful. On occasion, when the applicant searches for an ancestor, they may get a message that says, “FUTURE APPLICANTS MUST PROVE CORRECT SERVICE.”[4] This suggests the old application being viewed did not provide enough evidence to meet the lineage society’s modern standards of proof. Typical genealogy research techniques will need to be used to prove every generation from the applicant to their Revolutionary War ancestor. This tends to be relatively straightforward in the United States to approximately 1850. This is the earliest census to list every member of a household by name. Of course, there will be exceptions when even this period after 1850 will be difficult for various reasons. Prior to this time, useful records might include church records, land records, probate records, journals, or family Bibles. If others have applied under a particular patriot before, the collections of the SAR or DAR may have what is needed to prove one or more generations of the new applicant’s lineage. Accessing these records will help discover unknown cousins as well. Consider collaborating with them. Watch the Price Genealogy blog for a planned article that discusses Revolutionary War records in general. Understanding how to use those records will help the applicant obtain the evidence he needs of his ancestor’s involvement in the war. Additional resources Go to SAR.org or DAR.org for more information. It would be helpful to start a free online account with both, peruse the websites to become familiar with the different research options, and consider joining. There are several pages about their library and genealogical services. In addition to online resources, the SAR has a library in Louisville, Kentucky, and the DAR’s library is in Washington, D.C. Before going to a library or archive you should always view the catalog from home to plan what you will look at while you are there. The SAR, and the DAR have online catalogs. If you have discovered materials that may assist other researchers, consider donating them to one of the two libraries. Conclusion Lineage societies can be a great benefit to those researching their genealogy. While the SAR and DAR were the focus here, but much of the information would apply to other lineage societies as well. Whether a person wishes to join one of these lineage societies or not, everyone can benefit from doing research on the websites of the SAR and DAR. Those who do complete the application process not only discover more about their ancestry in the process, but they leave behind their application and supporting documents for future researchers. Anyone needing help in such an endeavor can rely on Price Genealogy. Michael and James [1] Daughters of the American Revolution (https://www.dar.org/national-society/become-member/why-join). [2] Sons of the American Revolution (https://www.sar.org/meet-sar/become-a-member/find-your-chapter). [3] https://sar.org/become-a-member/membership-process/are-you-eligible [4] http://services.dar.org/public/dar_research/search_adb/help-code.cfm?l=1&c=FAMPCS&P_ID=A026439&s=3212

Descendant Research

admin — Mon, 13 May 2019 16:00:54 +0000

Descendant research has become more popular over the years as a desire to find cousins, close and distant, has increased. Reasons vary for this including a desire to add stories and history to ancestors, finding help with DNA (living descendants of a prospective ancestor), as well as other personal reasons.

Descendant Programs Several programs have been created to assist with this research. A few are: Puzzilla.org, Woodenvillage.org, FamilySearch.org’s video “Descendancy Research,” Ancestry.com’s Academy class, and their you tube presentation “Post-1940 Descendancy Research” This blog will explain a methodical approach to finding those aunts, uncles and cousins. The reason this method is encouraged is because the links between the ancestral couple and their descendants can be reviewed more closely to ensure the relationships are correct. Software and Online Databases Before searching, you will need to choose the place where you will record all the information found. Desktop software may be used such as Ancestral Quest, Roots Magic, Legacy Family Tree. Popular online databases include Public or Private Member Trees at Ancestry.com, Family Tree at FamilySearch.org, and Family Tree at MyHeritage.com. Keeping Track It will also be helpful to have a way of keeping track of those found so that you don’t get lost in the myriad of cousins. An easy and efficient way is a simple bulleting method. Using a Microsoft Word document (or other word processing method), type the ancestral couple’s names at the top of the page. Bullet each of their children and then create indented sub bullets for successive generation. The following is a partial example of what this chart will look like for James Smith and Catherine Merical after the descendant research had been completed. The reason it is useful while researching is because the names are typed only after they are found. Thus, when you have to stop for a time, it is easy to see where you stopped and where you will need to begin. Begin To begin the search, choose an ancestral couple. It is recommended to choose ancestors who are not too far back in time. A good place to start would be those who had children in the 1800s which could be 3^rd or 4^th Great Grandparents. To take the methodical approach, begin with the direct paternal 3^rd or 4^th Great Grandparents and then continue successively through all of the 3^rd or 4^th Great Grandparents. Type those great-grandparents on your “keeping track” document. The first goal is to ensure all the children of those Great Grandparents have been found as well as their spouses, if they married. Then type them in the bullet format mentioned, on your “keeping track” document. Depending on the time period and country, the children and their spouses as well as their vital information can be found in church records, vital records, censuses, county histories, wills, or even land sales after the death of a parent. But, don’t let a lack of knowledge of these records dissuade you because a good place to start is by looking for pedigrees which have already been organized and added to online websites such as FamilySearch.org, Ancestry.com, or MyHeritage.com. Often, these pedigrees include sources, documents, and histories, thus a one-stop shopping place, which is particularly helpful when working in an unfamiliar area of your family tree. Another helpful method is utilizing the research helps available on the websites mentioned. If you find your family on Family Tree, often there are records ready to be attached to family members, and a “Search Records” function which takes you to the record collection at Family Search as well as other well-known websites. These will often include birth, marriage, and death records for children providing names of spouses possibly not yet found. Ancestry.com has a wonderful method for finding sources. First, either use a source attached to a family member found in a Public Member Tree, or do a general search and find at least one record for that family member. You will almost always notice there are “Suggested Records” provided. As with the Family Search records, these often include birth, marriage, and death records for children and may provide information not yet discovered. The advantage of this Ancestry search, is that once a record is clicked on, the same suggested records are still listed and, best-of-all, more records are often added to the list. Once all the children for the ancestral couple have been found, along with their spouses, continue to the next generation and repeat the process. The closer you get to the 1900s, the easier it will become. Years ago, when overwhelmed with a task at hand, my brother wisely said, “just start!” I did, and the momentum carried me on to the finish and even beyond. It is the same with each new genealogical challenge. Just start! Try this method and see if it works for you. If not, the momentum of the effort will push you to find a method that is best suited for you. Diane

Genealogy in India and British India

admin — Sat, 18 May 2019 03:54:24 +0000

Genealogy in India and the former British Indian subcontinent is fascinating. Research on the diverse native peoples of India is a subject requiring specialized knowledge and experience. One brief article cannot cover the many groups of people who lived in India over the centuries. However, the British influence in India was long-lasting and many British families were intimately connected with India. In fact, if any of your British ancestors seem to have disappeared from censuses or if vital records missing, it is very possible that they were in the British Asian subcontinent. A Little on Native Indian Genealogy The Hindus have record collections in FamilySearch that go back as far as the year 1194.^[1] In this culture, a respectable ancestry is highly valued. The idea of preserving genealogies seems to have appealed to them for centuries. There are one hundred and thirty-seven genealogical tables that relate to Adam and Eve and their descendants.^[2] One reason for this is the special duty of the “sutas,” to preserve the genealogies of gods and kings.^[3] In ancient India, historical records are called “vamsas,” which translates to dynasties.^[4] In India, like many cultures, knowing the area the ancestor lived is essential. The areas are divided into seven union territories, and further broken down into twenty-nine states. Surnames play an important role. They can link an ancestor to specific regions, clans or tribes. Even the profession of an ancestor can lead to the region they lived in. Surnames sometimes indicate a family’s religion, and help determine if they were Hindu, Islamic or Christian.^[5] Anglo-Indians: The British in India When it comes to researching an ancestor in India, there are a variety of sources to consider. The British Library, FamilySearch Catalog, and the National Archives in India, are just a few. These are discussed below. If you are new to researching your family in East India, the BYU Research Guide for India is a short list of sources. Vital records such as birth, marriage, and death are held at the jurisdictional level that presides over the Christian or Anglican parish where the ancestor lived. These records were not kept at a municipal level until 1872.^[6] For the time periods before 1872, other record types will be vital to your research. These include church, probate, cemetery, military, land records and more. Below is a list of repositories and links to their collections. The British presence in India and the British Library

The British presence was first established in Surat, in 1619, by the English East India Company.^[7] By the end of the 1760s, they controlled most of what is now present-day India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh. The British Parliament transferred political power from the East India Company to the Crown in 1858. What this means is the British records will be vital in researching your British ancestors. Resources for the study of South Asia, past and present, can be found online at the British Library. Online genealogical databases held by the British Library can be found at the India Office Family History Search. Vital records are searchable at their Search page. The Families in British India Society or “FIBIS” has taken some of the collections held at the British Library, and created a searchable database. This is a must-see resource for those researching East Indian genealogy. It holds civil records, ecclesiastical registries, personal papers, photographs, cemetery inscriptions, newspapers, military records, and more.

The National Archives of India The National Archives of India is the keeper of records for the government of India. It is the largest archival repository in South Asia. The Netaji Papers alone offers over 7500 microfilm rolls of records. These records were recently made available to the public in 2015. The online searchable records are held in two collections: the Abhilekh patel (see the cartographic records) and the Netaji Papers. The types of records are cartographic, war time, land, medical, educational and personal papers. FamilySearch Catalog The FamilySearch Catalog shows hundreds of record collections. Not all of them are searchable online. They can be found by using the “place search” for the FamilySearch Catalog and the word “India.” The FamilySearch library also has a vast collection of church records. Here is a link to the microfilm collections of church registers held by the Family History Library: India Church Records. The collections that are searchable online are as follows:

Important digital microfilm collections of “Ecclesiastical Returns” and their indexes can be seen from home or any online computer (after registration at the website):

Some native Indian databases follow:

India, Bihar, Koilukh, Pandit Kirtinand Jha, Maithil Brahmin Genealogical Records, 1750-1990
India, Hindu Pilgrimage Records, 1194-2015
India, Jharkhand, B. Deoghar, Singh Darwaja, Pandit Dharam Rakshni Sabha, Marriage Records, 1958-2013
India, Punjab, Moga Land Ownership Pedigrees, 1887-1958

For British India, probates are of considerable importance, and images of original records can also be viewed at home:

Bengal wills 1728-1774; Bombay wills 1728-1783; Madras wills 1753-1779; index 1704-1783. More can be seen in the FamilySearch Catalog under “India – Probate records.”

Other Resources FamilySearch has only begun to scratch the surface of India’s records with their microfilming or digitization projects. Fortunately, there is more that is available for the British influenced areas of India, with much of it being archived under Britain’s own collections rather than Indian government archives. The key to being successful in East Indian research is to think outside the genealogical box. There are many noteworthy resources, including: Dictionary of Indian Biography: A book that contains stories of distinguished peoples in India. It is accessible free of charge on Google Books. India Archives Land records: This collection includes eleven different states and is a grass roots effort to transform the land record keeping system in India. Please note copies of the land records may cost a small fee. India Archives Gazetteers: These are very useful in East Indian research, as they offer geographical information and social statistics and they are overlaid with the different geographical areas of India. Imperial Wartime Museum: This museum holds collections that covers all aspects of 20^th century wars involving Britain. A few of the items in this collection that reveal the experiences of people during war time are photographs, personal diaries, letters, and pamphlets. GenealogyLinks.net: They have over fifty links to useful resources for India research. Australian Institute of Genealogical Studies: They hold a large number of records on British India, including a near complete collection of the Ecclesiastical Returns. These returns contain vital record information such as birth, marriage and burial. Anglo-Indian Family Trees and their links to British India: They have over one thousand pages and some are categorized by surname to assist in researching your family. Jews of India: Originally created by Nissin Moses in 1999, this site has over ten thousand names, and there are thousands of pictures and several hundred biographical write-ups. GenesReunited: Have Indian military and pension records available online. Ceylon Tamils: Ceylon Tamils holds collection on ancestors that originated in Sri Lanka, formerly known as Ceylon. 1947 Partition Archives: This is a site dedicated to preserving the stories of those effected by the Partition of British India in 1947. There are personal interviews, photographs and other types of information that may help locate an ancestor. With some of the best East Indian genealogical resources being available outside of major genealogical websites, and other important resources still offline, hiring a professional to research your East Indian ancestry will help ensure no important resource is missed. Price Genealogy’s team has experts looking forward to meeting your individual research needs. Please inquire today. Billie and Michael [1] "India, Hindu Pilgrimage Records, 1194-2015," images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/search/collection/1867930 : accessed 16 May 2019). [2] C. H. Philips, ed. Historians of India, Pakistan and Ceylon (London: Oxford University Press, 1961), writings by Peter Hardy, pp. 116-17. [3] C. H. Philips, ed. Historians of India, Pakistan and Ceylon (London: Oxford University Press, 1961), writings by R.C. Majumdar, p. 15. [4] C. H. Philips, ed. Historians of India, Pakistan and Ceylon (London: Oxford University Press, 1961), writings by R.C. Majumdar, p. 16. [5] Dick Eastman, “Family History Research for Ancestors from India by Smita Biswas,” Eastman’s Online Genealogy Newsletter (https://blog.eogn.com/2017/06/20/family-history-research-for-ancestors-from-india-by-smita-biswas-भारतीय-मूल-के-लोग/ : accessed 30 March 2019). [6] "India Church Records," FamilySearch Wiki, (http://www.familysearch.org/wiki/en/index.php?title=India_Church_Records&oldid=3245202 : accessed 31 March 2019). [7] "British Presence in India," FamilySearch Wiki, (http://www.familysearch.org/wiki/en/index.php?title=British_Presence_in_India&oldid=2885264 : accessed 30 March 2019).

How To Make Genealogy Interesting For Others

admin — Wed, 22 May 2019 16:20:57 +0000

Genealogy may be an exciting topic for some, but for others, something about talking about family history and especially genealogical research brings on heavy eyelids, head nods, and maybe even eye rolls. If you want to keep your genealogy interesting and exciting, you need to approach it a bit differently and with a little strategy.

Remember What You’re Talking About

While your genealogical research journey may be incredibly interesting and exciting to you, those you’re talking to might not feel the same way. Make sure, as you’re talking to your family about your family’s history and heritage, that you’re talking about the stories of your ancestors and not about your research. As exciting as breaking down that brick wall was for you, your cousin that’s not “into” genealogy might not find it all that exciting. Avoid being tuned out and stick to telling stories about your forefathers instead of your research. On a similar note, don’t exclude or deprive others of hearing your findings just because they’re not interested in the research it took to get there. It’s likely most of your family members, especially the adults, want to hear your family’s stories.

Make it a Trip

Some people like to learn things by experiencing them. If you have some kinesthetic learners on your hands, consider taking a road trip or a trip across seas, depending on how far back in your family line we’re talking. Visiting towns, cemeteries, family members that still live there, or homes where people grew up make for exciting moments and memories that will last for years. These meaningful places are special and should be shared. If there’s a story set at a specific place you can visit, go there and share the story. For some, actually being there really sets the tone and the background for the story.

Know Your Audience

Make sure you stay relevant to the person/people you’re talking to. Your sports-obsessed 13-year-old nephew might not be interested in hearing about how your Great Great Great Grandmother’s made her own wedding dress. However, they probably are interested in learning that Great Grand Dad John loved baseball too and met the amazing Babe Ruth and got to shake his hand! Knowing your audience, what they’re interested in — and, more importantly, what they’re not interested in—and sticking with related stories will put you on the road to success.

Keep Their Attention

When sharing information about your past relatives, stick to a specific moment or period in their lives, rather than sharing their entire life and stories. You’ll have greater success keeping your audience’s attention if you stick to moments, not entire lives. Another way to keep your audience’s attention is to include pictures and any relevant heirlooms you may have. Objects, such as old photos and heirlooms, help the stories come to life and feel real. The key to success is to remember that not everyone is interested in the research it took to find these stories, but the stories themselves. Sticking to the stories and the meat of your findings should make genealogy interesting for just about everyone.

Preserve and Protect Your Genealogy Work

admin — Wed, 29 May 2019 16:36:21 +0000

You have worked incredibly hard (or paid good money!) to research and learn about your family’s history and heritage. It would be a shame for it any of it to get lost because of an unforeseen disaster. Here’s how you can protect yourself and preserve the research completed from fires, floods, thefts, losses, electrical surges, and more.

Stay Current with the Times

What method(s) are you using to save your work? Try asking a teenager what a floppy disk is. They probably don’t know what you’re saying unless they’ve rummaged through their grandparent’s attic. It is important to stay current with the times and update how you are saving and backing up your work. While floppy disks are certainly out, you could likely get away with storing your work on a CD. Thumb drives and external hard drives are safe methods — for the time being.

Backup Your Backup

Surely, you’ve thought about backing up your research prior to reading this. But where is it stored? Is it stored in your house along with your original work? That backup copy might not be enough to preserve your research and findings. If disaster strikes or a thief takes your computer and files, you’ve lost everything. You need to back up your backup by storing your backup in a different place. Keep your external hard drive at a friend or family member’s home, at work, in a storage unit, or in the cloud. The more places you store a backup the safer your research is and the better chance you’ll have access to one or more of them. Be safe and backup your backup.

You Need More than Hard Copies

Hard copies are great until they are consumed by floods, fires, mold, animals, or children. Paper is not permanent! Consider adding an electronic backup (or two or three) to your protection plan. If you insist on using paper, just keep lots of copies in many different places. On this same subject, original copies of journals, photos, newspaper clippings, etc. are incredibly special. It would be a shame to lose any of that, even if it is just a copy of a photo. Make digital copies of each of these heirlooms and make sure you are properly storing them. You can learn more about preserving old photographs here.

More Methods the Merrier

You want your research to last for years and years to come. Let your research not just outlive you, but your future generations, too. By applying the LOCKSS principle, you can rest easy, knowing that your work is almost 100% safe. If you are unfamiliar with the LOCKSS principle, let us fill you in. It is a widely accepted and practice principle in the field of digital preservation. It stands for Lots of Copies Keeps Stuff Safe. The gist? Have as many copies as possible in as many different places as possible. This should keep the research and finding you’ve worked hard for safe. Store your many copies in many places, in many formats.

Expert Strategies on Breaking Down Brick Walls

admin — Tue, 04 Jun 2019 17:30:24 +0000

Hitting a brick wall in your genealogical research is incredibly frustrating and can be really disheartening. Did you know that even the professionals and experts in the field hit brick walls, too? Breaking through these brick walls takes work, determination, and a little strategy. Here are a few strategies pros use to tackle troublesome brick walls.

Understand Your Brick Wall

Really look into your brick wall. What is it? Write down your question or your problem to help clarify and focus your brick wall. Here are some examples of brick walls: “The records I need have been destroyed.” “I can’t figure out how I’m related to this certain person.”

Go Over the Known

If you’ve hit a brick wall, review what you already know. Go back and comb through the research you’ve already completed that relates to your brick wall. This helps ensure you haven’t overlooked something like a clue, an answer, or an open window. It also refreshes your understanding of your findings so you know exactly what you do know and what you don’t. Maybe you misunderstood something the first (or second or third) time through; go through your work again.

Make a Game Plan

Create a research plan for yourself and map out how you plan to tackle your brick wall. Making a research plan will help you avoid aimless research and will tell you what you need to figure out and what you need in order to figure out. Make lists of the records you need to search, places you can find these records, and then cross off each one as you complete it.

Research Outside the Box

Some record keepers in years past were actually not the best record keepers. In fact, many of these record keepers misspelled names, wrote down wrong dates and information, and other major mistakes that can lead you astray or right into a brick wall. Because of these errors, you might need to research outside the box, meaning you need to try unconventional research methods. Try spelling names every way you can think of, try searching first names as last names and vice versa, or similar methods. Another idea is to think of places that might have the information you need. Do you have a death certificate but no birth certificate? Reach out to the known funeral home to see if they might have the info you need.

Cluster Research

Cluster research or cluster genealogy is a technique many genealogists use to expand their knowledge about a specific ancestor by researching the person’s “cluster.” Researching your ancestor’s “cluster” can potentially lead to hidden answers. Include researching siblings, friends, coworkers, cousins, neighbors, and other relatives. This can give you a more complete and accurate look into the ancestor’s life you’re researching.

A New Set of Eyes

Do you have a friend, family member, or colleague that loves researching genealogy? A new set of eyes on your research and on your brick wall could potentially notice or uncover things you may have overlooked. They may have different methods or ideas on researching and tackling your problem. If you don’t have a friend that can help, you can always search on genealogy groups on Facebook or other forums. You can also look into hiring a professional like the pros at Price Genealogy to help you break through your brick wall.

Simplified Strategy

admin — Fri, 24 May 2019 17:41:09 +0000

When teaching classes on beginning Family History research, the question is often asked, “What should I do first?” This is an excellent question, and when encountering a genealogical problem, big or small, it is helpful to have a strategy, or an order of things to research. This article will focus on the first four of eight steps of a simple strategy or order of research. The last four steps will be included in a subsequent blog. FIRST It is essential to ALWAYS first look for what others have researched on the ancestor in question. If the research has been done thoroughly and appears correct, the problem will be resolved quickly. If it is difficult to tell how much effort has gone into the research, it is still valuable for there will be clues to assist in moving forward with the problem at hand. A rule of thumb to determine the reliability of others’ research is to see how much documentation has been used. The more documentation, the better, particularly if it includes certificates or family bibles. Also, if photos and stories are included, it is possible the person who did the research is closely related and has had information passed down through the generations. Though the information found in family histories may not be totally accurate, there is generally an element of truth in most stories. Sometimes, another person’s pedigree may be a one-stop shopping place filled with documentation, photos and stories. But, at the least, there will, hopefully, be some clues to be found. Places to look for previous research include the following:

FamilySearch.org
Ancestry.com Public or Private Member Trees
MyHeritage.com
Google the name of the ancestor in quotes, i.e.: “Thomas Hallam” Washington County, Pennsylvania

SECOND The second step is to find the family on every census possible. This is because it will form a framework or outline of their lives. You will be able to see where they lived so that future records can be searched in those areas. In addition, a census will provide other valuable information, such as ages, where born, sometimes where parents were born, relationships, other relatives possibly living in the family unit, occupations, immigration information and more. The best places to look for a United States, Canadian, or United Kingdom census is at FamilySearch.org (Search Records) and especially at Ancestry.com (Census collection). For censuses in other countries, these two places may be used, but MyHeritage.com has excellent resources for Scandinavian censuses. THIRD Vital records are next. This isn’t placed first, because often these records are attached to research done by others. Also, it is difficult to know where to look for a record if you don’t know where the person lived and at least an approximate date of birth, marriage or death. The main types of vital records are civil registration by the government church records. FamilySearch and Ancestry both have many resources for vital records. Family Search The best place to look for vital records on FamilySearch.org is to go to the catalog and find the town, county or state where the event occurred. The FamilySearch Wiki is a good place to learn what vital records are available for the area in question. For civil registration in the US, marriage records usually begin around the inception of the county. Births and deaths generally begin in the early 1900s, although a few states do include earlier years. In England, civil registration began in 1837 and excellent indexes can be found at gro.gov.uk . For other countries, it is best to check the FamilySearch Wiki. Church records can be found at a city, town or village level in almost any country. The best way to find these records is to look for the locality in the FamilySearch catalog and see what church records are available. Ancestry To find vital records in Ancestry.com, go to the “Search” page and scroll to “Explore by Location.” Choose your country, then state or province and examine the records available. Both civil registration and church records will be listed. FOURTH There are other options to be explored which reveal further information about an ancestor’s birth, marriage, death and relatives. Findagrave.com was started as a place to post photos of gravestones and basic information, but rapidly became a place to include biographical information, obituaries, and links to other family members. Billiongraves.com also has photos of gravestones, but not quite as much biographical material. Once a death date is found for an ancestor, one of the first things that should be done is to search for an obituary. This can easily be done by calling the county library where the ancestor died and request a search for an obituary in any surviving newspapers the library may hold. There are also pay websites which can be searched and are available to use at no cost at your local Family History Center. A fairly new feature on Ancestry.com is the “US Social Security Applications and Claims Index, 1936-2007.” This is an index of applications made by those applying for social security and often includes the names of parents. To summarize: first, look for research done by others; second, find your family on every available census; third, search for vital records, be it civil registration or church records; fourth, try to find your ancestor on Findagrave.com or Billiongraves, and try to obtain an obituary. By following these steps, you will, hopefully, have success in either solving the problem or finding new information and clues. The expert researchers at Price Genealogy can assist you with any aspect of your research. Diane

Simplified Strategy Part 2

admin — Fri, 31 May 2019 20:13:03 +0000

In the first blog on simplified strategy we learned the first four steps to use when starting research. This blog will focus on the last four steps (5 - 8) which generally involve more in depth research. These steps are not necessarily in order, though, since much depends on the time period, place and research needs. The last four strategies are: histories, military records, immigration, and court records.

FIFTH One US research stone to not leave unturned is histories, particularly county and sometimes town histories where your ancestor lived. These often include biographies of those who lived in the area for a length of time and there may also be personal histories found, as well. A good place to look for histories is the Family History Library catalog at FamilySearch.org. In the box for “place” type the name of the county or town where your ancestor lived. When the topics appear, click on “History” and see if there are any county or town histories. While in FamilySearch.org, go to the “Books” section which is found under “Search.” In this area you will find a collection of family and local histories digitized by the Family History Library as well as from partner libraries. Often county histories can be found at books.google.com and may be digitized. The Internet Archive is a valuable resource and also has older histories. For biographies, you might try a google search for the ancestor in question and include the name of the place where he or she lived. A general search for the ancestral name on Ancestry.com may also reveal hidden articles on your ancestor. As can be seen, there are a variety of places to search for family and local histories. SIXTH Military records can provide history as well as vital information regarding a soldier and his or her family. In the United States the main wars before 1900 include: Revolutionary War, War of 1812, Mexican War, Civil War, Spanish American War, and Indian Wars. The main two types of records are the service records and pensions. Service records contain interesting facts regarding when the soldier mustered in and out, when he received pay, and possible injuries or absences. Pension records generally contain valuable personal and family information and may include dates of marriages, births of children, where the soldier lived since his service and more. To learn about military records in the United States, go to the United States Military Records section at the FamilySearch Wiki. This has a “Beginner’s Corner” as well as how to get started and where records are located. In the FamilySearch Wiki you will also find pages describing military records for other countries, as well. Ancestry.com has a section devoted to military records which contains indexes to records of various wars. And, last but certainly not least, Fold3.com is a website devoted to military records and is a valuable resource. Ancestry.com and Fold3.com are pay websites, but are free to use at any Family History Center. If the record is not available through any of the above sources, there are researchers near the National Archives in Washington DC who may be willing to find and copy them quickly and inexpensively. SEVENTH One of the main goals for most Americans is to learn from which city or village their ancestors originated. Hopefully, the previous steps discussed will provide clues as to where your ancestors specifically came from. If not, a good step is to look into immigration records. Again, as with military records, a good place to start is with the FamilySearch Wiki under United States Emigration and Immigration. There you will find a general history of immigration in the United States as well as a “Beginner’s Corner” which explains what records are available, where they can be found and accessed, as well as search strategies. One important item to note is the difference between the two terms; emigration means leaving a country and immigration means entering a country. For example, if a person is leaving England to live in another country they are emigrating from England. If they are entering the United States to live they are immigrating into the US. Some of the records to find will be ship passenger lists, naturalization records, border crossings, and alien registration files. These will be explained in the FamilySearch Wiki, but many of these are indexed and are found in FamlySearch records (Migration and Naturalization) as well as in an excellent Immigration database Ancestry.com. EIGHTH One of the most used record groups when delving into researching an ancestor are court records. These may contain vital records, but also include land, probate, tax and court records. In the United States, these records are most often found on a county level and the Family History Library has most of these microfilmed and available through their catalog. Many have been digitized and even indexed. Ancestry.com is adding these records to their collection, as well. To find them, go to the state of interest, and learn what records are available for that state. To learn more about available records for each county in the United States, go to the FamilySearch Wiki, find your county of interest and there will be sections devoted to each of these types of records including available online resources. This is a good place to learn about court records available in other countries, as well. For example, England and Canada have excellent pages describing records and their availability. When encountering a difficult problem, the following two suggestions are essential:

Make a time line of all information known about the ancestor in question.
Create a FAN club. This is a list of all Friends, Associates, and Neighbors of your ancestor. Then, research those people, particularly those with the same surname living in the same vicinity.

Price and Associates has a team of experts to help break down your brick wall, especially if you try the strategies given without success. We are always happy to assist you with your research needs. Diane