Saturday, October 31, 2015

PGS Events for the Week of 1-7 November2015

Monday, 2-Nov-2015 at 1:00 PM--History -Geo now available free in Largo Library. This class will demonstrate how to use this resource to trace  your family history through land ownership maps. Luce, Local History Room, Largo Library.

Tuesday, 3-Nov-2015 at 10:00 AM--Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC): History and Research. The CCC was a major governmental program of the New Deal that sought to employ millions of destitute young men of the Depression Era. Although the term “CCC” is usually recognized, few specifics are generally known about the program. This presentation recounts the history and accomplishments of the CCC, as well as characteristics of the corps members and camp life. It will also explore where records can be found and how to order them if needed. Summers, Local History Room, Largo Library.

Wednesday, 4-Nov-20 15 at 10:00 AM--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. Bryan, Local History Room, Largo Library.

Friday, 6-Nov-2015 at 10:00 AM--Franco-American Discussion Group. Geographic areas include: Europe (primarily France, but not limited to France)-Eastern Canada (primarily Quebec, some Ontario, but including the Acadians of the Maritime Provinces)-USA (Central North America and New England, also Louisiana and the surrounding Southern states). Grandmaison—Local History Room, Largo Library.

Saturday, 7-Nov-2015 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/Bryan, Jenkins C, Largo Library.

Friday, October 30, 2015

Colorado Historic Newspapers Collection

Here is a site that may help with your Colorado ancestor research. The link below will take you to an introductory page explaining the collection. The collection includes papers running form 1859 to 1923 and involves over 600,000 digital images. It is interesting to note that it also includes newspapers published by the 10th Mountain Division during WWII.

You can either browse or search the collection. The appropriate tabs are located at the left on the landing page.

Colorado Historic Newspapers Collection:

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Tuesday, October 27, 2015

Searchable Historical Databases at the New Jersey Department of State

The landing page for the link below lists the various searchable databases provided by the New Jersey Department of State. They include colonial marriages, death records, early land records, and legal name changes to mention only a few.

Clicking on a database title will take you to the appropriate search form with instructions on how to order records of interest (a maximum of five per request).

When you get to the hit list based on your search criteria, the left column will have a link titled "Select." Clicking that word will accumulate records that you intend to order. Scroll to the bottom of the hit list and you will find a listing of your selected records along with a link to an order form. You can remove selections from the list if you have changed your mind.

Check it out at:  New Jersey Department of State:

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Sunday, October 25, 2015

PGS Events for the Week of 25 - 31 October 2015

Here's what's happening this week:

Tuesday, 27-Oct-2015 at 6:00 PM--Ancestry.com searching--the next level. This class will explore approaches to difficult searches--how to find them when they're not where they should be. Bryan, Local History Room, Largo Library.

Wednesday, 28-Oct-2015 at 11:00 AM--English and Welsh Census Records...1801 -1911. Pearson, Local History Room, Largo Library.

Saturday, 31-Oct-2015, 12:00 noon-4:00 PM --Family History Assistance Day-- Bring what information you have about your family and receive free, one-on-one research assistance from a PGS consultant. Beginners are especially welcome. No appointment is necessary--first come, first served. Tours of the Genealogy Center, Jenkins A & B, Largo Library.

Friday, October 23, 2015

Directory of State and Territorial Archives and Records Programs

We all know that archives of any nature can be treasures of information for the researcher. Here is a website that is invaluable when it comes of archive research. It is a listing of state and territorial archives, complete with links to the various archives and state libraries.

There is no guarantee to finding digitized records at the listed archives, but more and more records are being brought online by these very institutions. Even if you don't find digitized records, you will find a catalog of holdings that may reveal a potentially useful record you can contact the archive about ordering.

Check it out at:  Directory of State and Territorial Archives and Records Programs:

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Tuesday, October 20, 2015

Great Site for Newspaper Research

The website titled The Ancestor Hunter provides links to over 12,500 free historical newspapers. Scroll down the landing page and you will come to an alphabetical list of U.S. states that are hot links. To the right of each state name is the number of newspapers available at that link.

When you click on a state link, you will be taken to a page giving some background to newspapers in the state, a list of free sites (usually a list of cities and newspapers associated with them), and a list also of pay sites. You will also find a list of other links that may be profitable to follow. The collections listed are not necessarily original; that is, this site consolidates other collections such as the Library of Congress' Chronicling America collection and Google News Archive. But there are certainly a huge number of direct newspaper sites...and the consolidations, while not original, are very helpful.

This is a great site which is updated frequently.

Check it out at:  Blog - The Ancestor Hunt:

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Saturday, October 17, 2015

PGS Events for the Week of 18 - 24 October 2016

Monday, 19-Oct-2015 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. Bryan, Local History Room, Largo Library.

Tuesday, 20-Oct-2015 at 1:00 PM--Italian Genealogy Interest Group, Bedore, Local History Room, Largo Library.

Wednesday, 21-Oct-2015 at 1:00 PM--England/Wales Genealogy Interest Group, Pearson, Local History Room, Largo Library.

Thursday, 22-Oct-2015 at 1:00 PM--Introduction to Irish Gen-Part 2--The aim of this class is to help the novice learn how to trace down his Irish ancestors using the GRO (General Register Office). Commons, Jenkins C, Largo Library.

Thursday, 22-Oct-2015 at 2:30 PM-4:00 PM--Beginning  Your Family History—Bring your personal laptop and/or extra computers will be available. Pearson, Aging Well Center, 1501 N. Belcher Rd., Clearwater, FL.

Friday, October 16, 2015

Obituary Index From The Ferguson Library, Stamford, Connecticut

The Ferguson Library in Stamford, Connecticut has made available online an index of obituaries from seven local newspapers, some dating back as far as 1830, and one including up to the present day.

The landing page includes instructions on how to locate an obit and a phone number and email address you can use to order a full copy of the obit. To get to the search form, click on the "Obituary Index" link found in instruction number 1.

After you enter your search terms, you will get a list of hits. To see more detailed information, click on the magnifying glass to the left of the name of interest. That will take you to an entry showing record number, name, date of paper (and extended information if any), and page number. Use this information to confirm it is your person of interest and to order the actual obituary.

Obituary Index | Ferguson Library:

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Tuesday, October 13, 2015

Michigan Death Records, 1897-1920

This site may assist you if you have Michigan ancestors. To search the database, click on "Advanced Search" found at the top of the landing page. Fill in your search criteria, and then check the databases you wish to search in the list to the right of the search form.

Depending on the date of death, the resulting hit list will give you a link to the actual record, or to an index entry with instructions on how to order the record.

Check it out at:  Death Records, 1897-1920 « Seeking Michigan:

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Saturday, October 10, 2015

PGS Events for the week of 11-17 October 2015

These are the events scheduled for PGS for this week:

Tuesday, 13-Oct-2015 at 10:00 AM--Getting the Most from Fold3. Summers, Citrus County Genealogy Society, Lecanto, FL.

Tuesday, 13-Oct-2015 at 6:00 PM--COURTHOUSE RECORDS--types available, where and how to find them and their use in genealogy. Hostetler, Local History Room, Largo Library

Friday, 16-Oct-2015 at 10:30 AM--German Genealogy Interest Group. Dietz, Local History Room, Largo Library.

Saturday, 17-Oct-2015 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, 17 Oct 2015 at 11:00 AM—Program Meeting- Was Your Ancestor Accused of Being a Witch?: Exploring the Colonial New England Witchcraft Trials – We have been fascinated by the stories of the New England witchcraft trials, particularly those in Salem, Massachusetts in 1692, for hundreds of years. This presentation will explore what happened and what our ancestors believed, and try to explain why these events took place. Fortin, Jenkins B, Largo Library

Missouri State Penitentiary Database

This is a rather specialized database, but it was too interesting to pass up. The site sponsored by the Missouri Secretary of State allows you to search the state archives for Missouri State Penitentiary records from 1836 to 1931. The following excerpt is provided by the website:

"The Missouri State Penitentiary was the first state penal institution west of the Mississippi River. It opened its doors in 1836 and operated continuously until 2004. The Missouri State Penitentiary, also called MSP or the Walls, was a notoriously brutal prison. In 1967, Time Magazine named it 'the bloodiest 47 acres in America.'”

After entering your search terms, you will get a hit list showing summary records. Each record has a link to a more detailed version.

If you have ancestors in Missouri, who knows what scalawags you may find here.

Check it out at:  Missouri State Penitentiary Database:

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Wednesday, October 7, 2015

DAR Genealogical Research Database Has Bible Records

In the past I've mentioned the Daughters of the American Revolution website because of its wonderful patriot database and associated lineages. But there is another part of the site that is less known: it is a database of Bible records and transcriptions.

It is a searchable database. When you look at the resulting hit list, you will see a transcription of the Bible entry with your search term highlighted. The page in the Bible where the entry is found is also listed. If you click that page number, you will be taken to a listing of everyone on that page.

There is more information available on the hit list, so it is worth while to take your time and browse a bit.

DAR Genealogical Research Databases:

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Sunday, October 4, 2015

Family Heritage Festival at Tampa-Hillsborough County Public Library on 18 October

The Tampa-Hillsborough County Public Library (John F. Germany Public Library, 900 N. Ashley Dr., Tampa) is holding a Family Heritage Festival on Sunday, 18 October from 9:15 am to 3 pm. There will be several presentations on genealogy topics, library tours, a retro photobooth, shadow puppet story time, and other activities as well as display tables from various genealogical, historical, and family history organizations.

The event is free and open to the public. There are no reservations necessary...just drop in when you can and stay as long as you can. Call 813-273-3652 for more information. There is also a detailed flyer in the Largo Public Library Genealogy Center.

Cemetery Records of Marion County, Indiana

If you have ancestors from around central Indiana, this site may be of help to you. The Genealogical Society of Marion County shares cemetery record indexes for over 200 cemeteries. Each cemetery listed has links to view the cemetery details, and most have links to view the records.

At the top of the landing page is a "Read Me" file. Take a  moment to look it over, as it will give you information about the cemetery project and tips about using the site.

Check it out at:  Genealogical Society of Marion County - Cemetery Records:

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Saturday, October 3, 2015

PGS Events for the Week of 3-10 October 2015

Tuesday, 6-Oct-2015 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. Summers, Local History Room, Largo Library.

Wednesday, 7-Oct-2015 at 10:00 AM--Bounty Lands in Genealogy Research. Bounty Lands were used from before the Revolutionary War up until 1858 to reward military service and stimulate enlistment. Those records can confirm military service and even locate ancestors during and after hostilities. This class gives the history of the subject, what records are available, and where to find them. Summers, Local History Room, Largo Library.

Thursday, 8-Oct-2015 at 1:00 PM--Irish Genealogy Interest Group--A discussion group for all those interested in finding their Irish roots. The format will be basically Q & A plus some structured sharing of techniques, resources, etc as the group determines.   Commons, Jenkins C, Largo Library.

Memorial Park Cemetery Canvass. Monday, 5 October, 9:00-11:30 am.Bring your digital camera and sun protection. Brooms are provided, but you may wish to bring your own gardening gloves, etc .  Water and other refreshments will be provided.  Wear your PGS shirts if you have one.  WHERE:  5750 49th Street North, St. Petersburg (at the  intersection of 49th Street North and 54th Avenue North, west side). Look for us in Section R near the flag poles.  This section is immediately north of 54th Avenue North.

Thursday, October 1, 2015

Website for Old Maps

Over 400,000 historical maps are available on the "Old Maps Online" website. The landing page allows you the choice of browsing the collection or searching for a place name. The interface is very easy to use, but I found it pays to move slowly and allow the screen to refresh before becoming impatient and stacking up navigation commands.

Old Maps Online:

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