Family History Assistance Day on 11 October

Our semi-annual Family History Assistance Day is coming up on October 11.

Using your research notes as a starting point, you and another researcher will ply the Internet to hunt for data to work on that brick wall, extend your research, or just get started.

Volunteers will also be available in the Genealogy Center to introduce you to our print collection by giving tours, and to assist in the use of that material.

The event begins at 12 pm in the Jenkins Room of the Largo Public Library, and runs until 4 pm, on a first-come first-served basis.

Even if you can’t make it, tell your friends…especially those who are new to genealogy and could use some research guidance.

Genealogy research is most successful when shared, and this event provides that opportunity.

Come early and enjoy the activities.

JGSTB October Meeting Notice

This was just received from the Jewish Genealogy Society of Tampa Bay about their meeting on 12 October 2014:

The October 12th JGSTB meeting will be a special joint meeting with the Florida Holocaust Museum.  We will meet at the same time, but at a different place -  at the Holocaust Museum in St. Petersburg - see address and details below.  This will be a wonderful opportunity for those with Holocaust victims in their family to learn how to research those victims.  Our speaker will be Urszula Szczepinska, Curator of Education and Director of Research for the Florida Holocaust Museum, which is one of only three Holocaust Museums in the United States that is accredited by the American Alliance of Museums.  Ms. Szczepinska is an award winning authority on Holocaust research.

PGS Educational Events for the Week of 29 Sep. - 4 Oct. 2014

Monday, 29-Sep-14 at 6:00 PM--Familysearch.org—the class will demonstrate how to search the vast databases available on this rapidly-expanding site made available from the LDS (Mormon) genealogy collection. Summers, Local History Room, Largo Library.

Tuesday, 30-Sep-14 at 6:00 PM--Introduction To Genealogy (Beginner) -- Basics of how to get started in researching your family history—what to do first, where to look & how to do it. Luce, Local History Room, Largo Library.

Wednesday, 1-Oct-14 at 10:00 AM--Documentation-An introduction on the content of proper source citations. Using modern genealogy programs to enter citations will also be covered (Roots Magic, and Family Tree Maker will be addressed). Summers, Local History Room, Largo Library.

Thursday, 2-Oct-14 at 12:30 PM--Homestead Act-History Series, Summers, Aging Well Center, 1501 N. Belcher Rd., Clearwater, FL.

Saturday, 4-Oct-14 at 10:00 AM--Family Tree Maker User Group--Questions& Answers and Demonstration of how to use the Family Tree Maker genealogical database software. Hosmer, Jenkins C, Largo Library.

Online Digital Newspaper Collections

James Tanner in his Blog Genealogy’s Star, gives us an extremely useful list of online newspapers listed by state. He also lists some national and regional sources for online newspapers.

James points out that this particular online landscape is constantly changing, so any exhaustive list is not possible. That aside, if you are using newspapers in your research (and you definitely should be), be sure and look over this list.

Check it out at:  Genealogy's Star: Online Digital Newspaper Collections by State -- The Lists by State

World History in Concise Graphics

If you are looking for a site to help put your ancestors in some historical context, HyperHistory is worth exploring.

When you get to the homepage, click on a focus choice in the left panel (People, history, events, etc.) and then select from a time period in the right panel. The result will be a graphic display of that topic. All entries in the display are hotlinks. When you click on one, a detailed explanation of it appears in the right pane.

Check it out at:  World History : HyperHistory

Immigrant Servants

Here is a database of immigrant servants that may be useful. Each index entry gives the surname and given name of the indentured servant/immigrant, the colony/destination, date of birth, date of servitude, and an opportunity to view the complete transcribed record. The transcription provides even more information to include ship name, whether the person is an orphan, literate, a convict, and more.

The database can be searched by name or browsed by first letter of the surname.

It is presented as part of a site sponsored by a group offering professional genealogy services: Price & Associates.

Check it out at:  Immigrant Servants Database

PGS Educational Events for the Week of 22-27 September 2014

Monday, 22-Sep-14 at 6:00 PM--Fold3, Dropbox & Evernote for Genealogy, Summers, Local History Room, Largo Library.

Wednesday, 24-Sep-14 at 10:00 AM--Land ownership maps for tracking your family history, Luce, Local History Room, Largo Library.

Saturday, 27-Sep-14 at 10:00 AM--RootsMagic User Group--Questions and answers and demonstrations of how to use the RootsMagic genealogy database software program, Summers, Local History Room, Largo Library.

How To Search A Wiki

James Tanner offers us a great article on how to search a wiki. With the popularity of wikis increasing, and thus their numbers, searching them is a critical skill to develop. This article can help.

James compares wiki search strategy with those of library catalogs and Internet search engines.

Check it out at:  Genealogy's Star: Web Basics for Genealogists -- Wiki Searches

PGS Family History Assistance Day on 11 October

Mark your calendars now -- our semi-annual Family History Assistance Day is coming up on October 11.

Using your research notes as a starting point, you and another researcher will ply the Internet to hunt for data to work on that brick wall, extend your research, or just get started.

Volunteers will also be available in the Genealogy Center to introduce you to our print collection by giving tours, and to assist in the use of that material.

The event begins at 12 pm in the Jenkins Room of the Largo Public Library, and runs until 4 pm, on a first-come first-served basis.

Even if you can’t make it, tell your friends…especially those who are new to genealogy and could use some research guidance.

Genealogy research is most successful when shared, and this event provides that opportunity.

Come early and enjoy the activities.

The Master Genealogist to Be Discontinued

For those of you who may have missed the news, this past July Wholly Genes Blog announced that official support for The Master Genealogist will cease at the end of this year.

The popular genealogy computer program has been around for about 25 years, and has often let the way with features emulated by other products.

You can read the announcement and find what unofficial support will continue at:  Wholly Genes Newsletter, 29 July 2014, Issue 2014-5

Largo Area Historical Society Open House, 4 Oct. 14

The Largo Area Historical Society holds an open house at the Historic Feed Store in Largo Central Park the first Saturday of the month from 10 am to 2 pm. In October that will be on the 4th. All are welcome to view this museum of life in the Largo area.

Family Stories and Genealogy Myths

James Tanner, writing in his blog Genealogy’s Star, gives us some thoughts on common genealogy myths that may exist in our family lore. Some may be familiar to you, but it is worth a read regardless because James’ comments are both revealing and instructive.

You can read the article at:  Genealogy's Star: Family Stories -- Helpful or Misleading?

PGS Educational Events for the Week of 14-20 September 2014

Monday, 15-Sep-14 at 6:00 PM--Digital Cameras in genealogy--The digital camera is one of the most important tools for the genealogists. This class will discuss the important features of cameras, and demonstrate how to make the best use of the digital camera in your research. Bryan, Local History Room, Largo Library.

Wednesday, 17-Sep-14 at 10:00 AM--GENEALOGY PHOTOS: ORGANIZING, MANAGING AND ENHANCING -- This class will demonstrate how to organize and manage your digital genealogy photos so they can be easily found and how to enhance their appearance. This includes cropping, straightening, one-touch fix, removing blemishes, adding captions and text to the photo, making a collage, and much more. All this can be done using Picasa, the powerful free program from Google. Bryan, Local History Room, Largo Library.

Thursday, 18-Sep-2014 at 12:30 PM--England & Wales Genealogy--How to access the parish records of birth/christening/marriage/burials from 1538 to the present. Instructor Liz Pearson is from England and is well-versed in finding these free records Pearson, Aging Well Center,  1501 N. Belcher Rd., Clearwater, FL.

Saturday, 20-Sep-14 at 10:00 AM--Computers in Genealogy--Question and answer session on the use of computers in genealogy research and record keeping. Bryan, Jenkins B, Largo Library

Saturday, 20-Sep-14 at 11:00 AM--Program Meeting--Historical Maps for the Genealogist can be a powerful tool to connect with generations past. Rebecca O’Sullivan, archaeologist and the Outreach Coordinator for the West Central office of the Florida Public Archaeology Network at the University of South Florida, will discuss the ways different historical maps such as Sanborn Fire Insurance maps, Plat maps, and Coastal Survey maps can be used in your research. She will talk about the many digital and paper sources for these maps, as well as how to locate the map you need, and the possible information about your ancestors it might contain. Jenkins B, Largo Library.

The Nostalgia Machine

Here’s a site that doesn’t have much to do with genealogy, but I couldn’t resist…call it a guilty pleasure. It’s The Nostalgia Machine.

Simply pick a year (between 1960 and 2003) and then select any of the songs that appear. The more modern that song, the greater the likelihood you will see a video to accompany the music. It might be fun for you to hear some of those high school or college era songs again.

Enjoy the music at:  The Nostalgia Machine

Jewish Genealogical Society of Tampa Bay Fall kickoff Meeting, 14 Sep. '14

This was just received from Bill Israel of the Jewish Genealogical Society of Tampa Bay:

The Jewish Genealogical Society of Tampa Bay Fall kickoff Meeting
           Date:        Sunday, September 14, 2014

          Time:        1:30PM   Refreshments, Schmooze & Library Access
                            2:00PM   Program
 
          Where:     Gulf Coast Jewish Family and Community Services
                           4041 Icot Blvd., Clearwater, Florida
 
          Program:  FINDING MY POLISH-JEWISH ROOTS:
                          A JOURNEY OF DISCOVERY
                           Presented by Kim Isaac Eisler, Journalist & Author        

Cook County, Illinois Death Sources

Here is a site you must see if you have ancestors from Cook County, Illinois, or Chicago specifically. It is a listing of online death records and indexes collected by Joe Beine.

This list includes links to obituaries, probate cases, burials, police department homicide records, and more.

Check it out at:  Online Chicago & Cook County Death Indexes & Records (Illinois)

PGS Educational Events for the Week of 7-13 September

Monday, 8-Sep-14 at 6:00 PM--DNA Testing for genealogy—What you can and cannot do with DNA testing relating to your family history—an introduction. Local History Room, Largo Library

Tuesday, 9-Sep-14 at 6:00 PM--Property Research Basics--This is a general treatment of property research in the United States. It will explore ownership documents from land grants to land patents to deeds; it will explain the difference in land descriptions in state land states and public land states; it will examine the historical context of military bounty land, the Homestead Act, and the cash purchase of public land. We will also survey where to find the records generated during the ownership and transfer of property. Local History Room, Largo Library

Wednesday, 10-Sep-14 at 6:00 PM--City Directories in Genealogy Research—City directories are a valuable genealogy resource. They can give information on household composition, residence and business location, and insights into the lives our ancestors led. They can also be used as a substitute for the US Federal Census, or used in conjunction with the census to locate hard-to-find ancestors. This class explores the history of this resource, the research value of the information they provide, and where to find the records. Local History Room, Largo Library

Saturday, 13-Sep-14 at 1:00 PM--Non-Population Census Schedules, Imperial Polk Genealogy Society, Bartow, FL

Interpreting Nicknames

Ever get tripped up by a nickname while searching for your ancestors? Here are some sites that may give you a hand.

The first is a dynamic list of nicknames and their associated full names. It comes from the FamilySearch Wiki. You can find the list at:  Traditional Nicknames in Old Documents - A Wiki List | Learn | FamilySearch.org

The second site belongs to the Connecticut State Library. You can find it at:  http://www.ctstatelibrary.org/node/2329 

The Largo Library Genealogy Center has several books in print dealing with names, although not necessarily nicknames. Here is a sampling along with the call numbers:

10,000 family names of French Canadians & their nicknames [929.3714 LABONTE]

Irish names and surnames : collected and edited with explanatory and historical notes [929.4209415 WOULFE]

Hispanic surnames and family history [929.420946 PLATT]

The Scottish surnames of colonial America [929.4209411 DOBSON]

A collection of upwards of thirty thousand names of German, Swiss, Dutch, French, and other immigrants in Pennsylvania from 1727 to 1776  [929.3748 RUPP]

German-American names [929.44 JONES]

Surnames of Ireland : origins and numbers of selected Irish surnames [929.4209415 NEAFSEY]

Black names in America: origins and usage [929.308996073 PUCKETT]

Clues to our family names : what do they mean? how did they begin? [929.4 STEIN] (Circulating collection)

British family names ; their origin and meaning [929.420941 BARBER]

The Jewish Genealogical Society of Tampa Bay Fall kickoff Meeting, 14 September

This was received from The Jewish Genealogical Society of Tampa Bay:

           Date:        Sunday, September 14, 2014

          Time:        1:30PM   Refreshments, Schmooze & Library Access
                            2:00PM   Program
 
          Where:     Gulf Coast Jewish Family and Community Services
                           4041 Icot Blvd., Clearwater, Florida
 
          Program:  FINDING MY POLISH-JEWISH ROOTS:
                          A JOURNEY OF DISCOVERY
                           by Kim Isaac Eisler

---

    
      Please join us on Sunday September 14, 2014 at 2:00 PM for a first hand account of how a novice genealogist used his journalistic skills and ability to discover his family history, and of the life lessons he learned while doing so.

      Author and journalist Kim Eisler, who will travel here from Washington, DC to give this talk, was curious as to why his grandfather came to America in 1907, leaving behind his wife and two young children for seven years before bringing them here to join him.  As an experienced investigative newspaper reporter who once worked for the Tampa Tribune, Eisler prided himself on knowing how to find answers to puzzling questions, so in a pre-Google world, he set out on a journey of discovery of his family's history.  His findings answered questions about relatives he knew, and they led to his discovery of many relatives he didn't know he had.  The more answers he found, the more he realized that he had to travel to his ancestral home to complete his reconnection with his past.  His dream of going to Radomysl, Poland was fulfilled with a journey that also took him to Krakow and to Auschwitz. Despite the horrors of the Holocaust that were exemplified there, and amid his emotions, he also found something that indicated a ray of hope in our troubled world that he will share with us.  His was a true journey of discovery.  His inspiring story is worth telling and worth listening to.  Don’t miss it.

Suncoast Genealogy Society features Deanna Bennett on 27 September

This comes from the Suncoast Genealogy Society:

The Suncoast Genealogy Society will have a guest speaker at the Sept 27, 2014 meeting.  Deanna J Bennett, author of Anna: Going to America and Anna: the American Journey, will speak on European Immigration 1860 - 1930.

Learn what it was like for families leaving their home and country for America.  How did they get to the port? Where did they stay on the way?  What was life like on the ship?  How did they amuse themselves?  These issues are all discussed in the book Anna: Going to America.  This is the story of the author's grandmother, who at age 15, left her home in Lithuania with her mother, to join her brothers in America. 

The meeting is 2 pm - 3:30 pm.  It will be preceded by the Root's Magic user group at 1 pm.

Deanna' s books will be available for purchase.  The first book is $20.  The second is $16 or both for $35.  The third in the trilogy will be available in 2015. 

Guests are welcome.  The program is free. The meeting is held in the Palm Harbor Library.

Any Centenarians in Your Family?

A recent article in the GenealogyInTime Magazine gives us an interesting analysis of the fringes of our aging population: centenarians.

You won’t find data about specific ancestors in the article, but you will find some interesting information from the Census Bureau and others about how our population is aging.

Check it out at:  How Many People Live to 100?

Suncoast Genealogy Society Fall Seminar -- 25 October

The Suncoast Genealogy Society will hold its Fall Seminar from 1-4 PM on 25 October 2014. The place is the Palm Harbor Library Community Room (2330 Nebraska Ave., Palm Harbor). Registration begins at 12:30 PM.

The speaker will be Ann Staley and her topics are "Claws or Clues-Scratching for the Elusive Ancestor," and "Courthouses and the Records They Keep."

In addition to the speaker there will be a book sale and refreshments.

Before October 15 the cost is $20 for SGS members and $25 for non-members. After that, the price increased $5 for each.

For registration information contact Ann James at jamesamsj@aol.com or 727-791-1983