Legacy News

South Davis Family History Fair 2012

The South Davis Family History Fair in Bountiful, Utah, is one of my favorite annual genealogy conferences. In the past it has had over 1,700 attendees and I have enjoyed participating and speaking at it for the past ten or so years. For the first time it will be organized by the Utah Genealogical Association, a very capable organization of which I was involved as its vice-president eight years ago. If you plan to be in the Bountiful, Utah area the weekend of March 2-3, 2012, I would recommend that you attend. Here is their press release:

The Utah Genealogical Association is pleased to present the 2012 SOUTH DAVIS FAMILY HISTORY FAIR!! This will be held March 2-3 at Bountiful High School.

Our Keynote speaker this year for the Friday night session will be LISA LOUISE COOK, of Genealogy GemsPodcast, author and sought-after international speaker. She will be presenting THE FAMILY HISTORY GREAT RACE. This will begin at 7:00 pm Friday evening.

Saturday will begin at 8:00 am with our Keynote address by KAREN CLIFFORD, her subject will be: THE CHANGING FACE OF FAMILY HISTORY.

The fair will have 5 sessions containing 122 classes on all different subjects relating to family history. We will offer beginning to advanced levels, including computer labs, with hands on training and help in Ancestry.com, New Family Search, Ask An Expert, and Microsoft Word and PowerPoint.

Many well-known presenters will be teaching topics such as research in Germany, Scandinavia, Latin America all areas of the United States and Canada, Denmark, Scotland and Sweden. Many popular websites will be featured such as Family Search, Wiki and Forums, Google and Google Earth, Ancestry.com, and Archives.com. Learn how to use online Research logs, your digital camera and Photoshop Elements. See how to organize your files and documents and participate in an entire track of 5 classes specifically for beginners!

Our great vendors will be showing all the newest in Family History products.

Cost for the fair is only $10.00 for UGA members and $15.00 for non-UGA attendees. The cost includesthe syllabus on CD containing the handouts for all 122 classes. A hot lunch or sack lunch will also be available for purchase. The printed syllabus will be $15.00 for UGA members and $20.00 for non-UGAattendees.

Come and join us for the 15th year of this great community event!! Legacy Family Tree and Utah Genealogical Association will be giving away notebook computers andAncestry.com is giving away 4 world memberships!!

Go to www.ugagenealogy.com to register. Be sure to sign up early to get the classes you would like toattend. If you would like to attend for free, SIGN UP AS A VOLUNTEER!!

Silly Old Snapshot contest - enter your family photo

Photo Detective, and past Legacy webinar speaker, Maureen Taylor, has a way to beat the winter blahs without spending a dime. Enter your funny family photo in a contest. Your ancestral photo could be voted the S.O.S. or Silly Old Snapshot.

Here's how it works

Upload your photo to http://www.maureentaylor.com/photo-contests/silly_old_snapshots then get your friends and family to vote.

Prizes

You’ll be competing for a prize package that includes

• a free photo consult on the winning image sponsored by VoiceQuilt.com
• a set of Maureen’s Legacy Family Tree webinar CDs
• a download of Legacy 7.5 Deluxe software
• a copy of Maureen's book, Fashionable Folks: Bonnets and Hats
• and more. 

 Sounds like a fun contest. See her website for the rules and more.

Legacy Genealogy Cruise 2012 to feature Judith Eccles Wight

The 2012 Legacy Genealogy Cruise – an annual event in its 9th year – is pleased to announce that professional genealogist and educator Judith Eccles Wight (and popular webinar speaker for Legacy Family Tree) will be joining the event as its featured speaker. The back-to-back genealogy cruises take place beginning May 12, 2012 and visits the British Isles (first cruise) and the Norwegian Fjords (second cruise, immediately following the first) on the luxurious Royal Caribbean’s Vision of the Seas ship.

During the first nine-day period, Judy will offer presentations related to the key resources for Irish, English, and Scottish research, including the best websites and details about the various record repositories in these countries that you will visit. An Accredited Genealogist, Judy is one of genealogy's best researchers of these countries - what an opportunity you will have to learn from such an expert! She will join Legacy Family Tree’s Geoff Rasmussen and others who will offer classes on Legacy and other genealogy technology.

The first of the back-to-back cruises starts and ends in Oslo, Norway and visits the following ports: Le Havre (Paris), France; Cherbourg, France; Dublin, Ireland; Liverpool, England; and Edinburgh, Scotland. The second leg starts and ends in Oslo, Norway and visits Århus, Denmark; Bergen, Norway; Geiranger, Norwegian Fjords.

For more information, or to register, visit http://www.legacyfamilytree.com/CruiseInfo_2012.asp. Or call our travel coordinator, Christy, at 1-888-505-6997 or send an email to info@trekalot.com. Not only will you have the vacation of a lifetime, but you will do so in good company with other genealogists.

Hope to see you all there!

Your email correspondence - historical value or digital clutter?

I don't like throwing away anything. Everything has historical value to me - even my utility bills from when I was first married. My wife finally convinced me to get rid of them last year, but I scanned a few, just to keep the evidence of where we lived. One thing I won't part with is my archive of emails - I have them all (except for the spam of course) - from my first email sent on August 28, 1998 to the present. There's a lot of history in the 8GB of correspondence - I wish my ancestors would have started using email a lot sooner....

This week I decided to import my personal email account and all 13 1/2 years of emails (received and sent) into Gmail. Fortunately Gmail will still let me use my personal email address to send and receive emails, but I will also get the benefits that come along with Gmail. It's taken several days now to import everything, and it's got several more to go.

During the process I've had the chance to re-read some of the very first emails I sent. Naturally, many of them relate to genealogy. I even found emails about two genealogy-related job offers - one I declined and the other I accepted (and here I am today...). You might not find them as amuzing and memorable as I did, but I'm happy I kept them - it has helped to document my personal story. Here are a few of the early emails I sent.

The first email I ever sent (August 28, 1998)

Drew - Will you let me know via email if you got this message. I sent it on the 28th. Thanks, Geoff Rasmussen

My first genealogy-related email ever sent (September 1, 1998)

Dear Bill, School has started up again here in Provo, so my genealogy time has dramatically decreased, however, I wanted to write you a quick note to express my appreciation for you posting your Smart genealogy on your web page. It is very clear, and easy to understand. Just a couple of months ago, I only knew of Sarah Smart as being born about 1830, nothing else. I have loved getting to know my ancestors and enjoy corresponding with distant cousins such as yourself. I do have a few dates that you didn't have, and when I get reorganized here I'll pass them along. Until next time, take care, Geoff Rasmussen

Realizing that email is way better than snail mail (September 6, 1998)

Aunt Jessie - All of the gedcoms worked perfectly!  Thank you so very much. I love email - it's so much faster!  Geoff and Tanya

Canceled my 1-month free Ancestry.com subscription (September 7, 1998)

I am writing to cancel my 1-month free subscription. When I was told that it was free, I didn't know that you would charge me for that month. Please cancel this and refund my money. Thank you. Geoffrey D. Rasmussen

I guess I asked for Family Tree Maker software for Christmas (October 25, 1998)

Mother, Tanya has come up with this Christmas list that you wanted. Geoff: Family Tree Maker, 2" white binders, 3" electrodes and battery charger.

My response to my very first spam email received (November 6, 1998)

Please stop sending me these kind of messages, and messages talking about the rat extermination problem. Geoff Rasmussen, BYU student.

I wonder where I would be today if I accepted this job offer (January 24, 1999)

[To Mom] I attended a national genealogy conference yesterday - my boss paid for it. I got to meet some of the BIG names from all over the country. An important person who works at Ancestry.Com wants me to work for him, being the head acquisitions manager, traveling all over the country to see what's available. I'm going to get graduated first, but they offered an internship for me. I'll be touring their place in the next few weeks.

My very first email about Asa Clark Brown (January 28, 1999)

Carol, It is true that Asa Brown and family were found in the 1850 Census of Neshannock, Lawrence, Pennsylvania. Doesn't give any clues about possible parents. I'll try to remember to send you a copy with the others. Geoff

My first genealogy business idea - I think someone else took my idea (February 9, 1999)

I'm thinking about starting my own business. Searching census records, digitizing them, and distributing them through a web site. Just a beginning thought.

Thinking about having our first child (February 9, 1999)

We've been reading baby books, and really are concentrating on what we eat.

My first email (a small portion of it) sent to Legacy and the resulting job offer from Dave Berdan to work for Legacy (March 5, 1999)

For your info, I am the computer specialist at the BYU Family History Center. Also, I am a genealogy major. You might understand my difficulties in finding just the right family history software program. I own just about every one there is, and must make a decision about which one to use. I am heavily experimenting with Legacy 2.0, which I enjoy very much…. [listed a couple of bugs I found, and sent a bunch of suggestions]

Dave’s response (March 9): Want a part time job demonstrating Legacy to all the bookstores in the Salt Lake / Provo valley???????

My response (March 10): Yes, I'd be very interested in demonstrating Legacy in the bookstores around here. Send me some information if you'd like.

And the rest is history....

What about you? What do you do with your emails - save 'em or keep 'em? Any suggestions for me on my new adventures with Gmail?

Research Help for Unfamiliar Locations - FamilySearch Wiki

Imagine this scenario: You are researching your Ohio ancestors and you find in the 1860 US Federal Census that your great-great grandfather was born in New York. After you get done celebrating this new discovery panic sets in. You don't know anything about New York. Now you are faced with finding a birth record, and possibly other records, for your New York ancestor.

Whether you need to learn about New York or any other place in the world there is help. Look no further than the FamilySearch Wiki.

A wiki is an online encyclopedia that allows people to find information quickly through a search utility and a massive web of interconnected links. Perhaps you've heard of the most famous wiki of all, Wikipedia, which is a general subject wiki.

The FamilySearch Wiki is one of a number of public wikis that focuses on a specific topic. It was created to provide help to genealogists and family historians. If you are unfamiliar with the FamilySearch Wiki you can take a tour to help you become acclimated to what information is available and where to find it.

The easiest way to get started is by entering a key word into the search box on the main page. The site is organized with a geographic-based structure. You can start at the country-level and then drill down, via links, to counties and cities or towns. Within each geographic level, FamilySearch will provide you with guidance for doing research in that area.

Need to research ancestors in Holmedal, Sogn og Fjordane, Norway? The FamilySearch Wiki will explain where to find church and probate records. Doing some research on the Alsace region of France? FamilySearch Wiki will lead you to in-depth information about its history, emigration and immigration as well as historical records. Or perhaps your ancestors settled in Galveston County, Texas? You'll find links to local cemeteries, obituary resources and historical maps.

FamilySearch Wiki is an information resource powered by volunteers.  Because of that, the information available will vary from one geographic location to another. Some geographic locations will be very strong and others may be lacking.

The information you find is thanks to people who have generously shared their time and expertise. For that reason, consider becoming a FamilySearch Wiki volunteer for the locations that you know best and help other genealogists to find the information they are looking for.

Would you like to learn more about the FamilySearch Wiki? In 2011, Michael Ritchey of FamilySearch.org gave a Legacy Family Tree webinar that is now available for viewing.

The next time you make a unexpected genealogical discovery and you need to explore a new location, spend some time at the FamilySearch Wiki. It will be an invaluable resource to get you started.

Guest blogger, Marian Pierre-Louis, is a historical researcher who loves to share, encourage and inspire others on their genealogy research journey. You can see her upcoming webinars on Legacy Family Tree and read her blog, Marian's Roots and Rambles. She is the author of Discovering Your Massachusetts Ancestors, Brick Walls: Cracking the Case of Nathan Brown's Parents and Researching Your Connecticut Ancestors.

Discovering Your Massachusetts Ancestors - free webinar now online

What a great webinar today by Marian Pierre-Louis! If you have Massachusetts ancestors, be sure to watch the recording soon - your ancestors are waiting! Marian received a fantastic comment from a professional genealogist:

Fantastic. As a fellow Massachusetts professional genealogist, I'd give Marian an A+ on covering all the bases, making the subject accessible and interesting.

I couldn't agree more. Well done.

View the recording

If you could not make it to the live event or just want to watch it again, the 1 hour 30 minute recording of Discovering Your Massachusetts Ancestors is now available to view in our webinar archives. Visit www.LegacyFamilyTree.com/webinars.asp to watch. It is available for free until January 30, 2012.

Pre-order the webinar-on-CD

Own your own copy of Discovering Your Massachusetts Ancestors by purchasing the webinar-on-CD for just $9.95. It includes the 1 hour 30 minute recording of the class, the complete Q/A session, and 4 pages of handouts. Click here for more information or to purchase.

Marian is also the author of:

• Brick Walls: Cracking the Case of Nathan Brown's Parents
• Researching Your Connecticut Ancestors

Special discount coupon

The special discount coupon of mass that was announced during the webinar is valid for 10% off anything in our online store through Monday, January 23, 2012.

Register for our upcoming webinars (free)

• Genealogy Idol Competition with Geoff Rasmussen, February 2.
• Ten Brick Wall Tips for Beginners with Marian Pierre-Louis, February 15.
• Organizing and Sharing Digital Images with Geoff Rasmussen, February 29.
• Are You Ready for the 1940 U.S. Census Images with Thomas MacEntee, March 7.
• DNA Research for Genealogists: Beyond the Basics with Ugo Perego. March 21.
• Obituaries: Clues to Look For. Tips for making sure you get the full benefit from an obituary notice with Tom Kemp, March 28.
• Digital Writing Tools for Genealogists with Lisa Alzo, March 30.
• Genealogy on the Go - the Families app for your Android, iPhone, iPod Touch, or iPad with Malcolm Green, April 11.
• Researching Your Scottish Ancestors with Marie Dougan, April 18.
• Reverse Genealogy: Finding the Living with Megan Smolenyak, April 25.
• Researching Your Pennsylvania Ancestors with Lisa Alzo, May 2.
• Researching Your New York Ancestors with Thomas MacEntee, May 30.
• Putting Flesh on the Bones with Ron Arons, June 13.
• Marriages and Anniversaries. Mining newspapers for engagements, marriages, anniversaries, and divorce records with Tom Kemp, June 20.
• Digital Images for Genealogists and Technologists: scanning, digitizing, editing, and preserving your photos with Geoff Rasmussen. June 27.
• The Quest for your English Ancestors with Claire V. Brisson-Banks. July 11.
• Wikis for Genealogists with Thomas MacEntee. August 8.
• Beyond the Arrival Date: Extracting More from Passenger Lists with Lisa Alzo. September 5.
• What is a 'Reasonably Exhaustive Search'? with Michael Hait. September 12.
• Privacy and our Ancestors with Thomas MacEntee. October 3.
• Your Civil War Ancestors: Beginning Your Research with Michael Hait. October 24.
• Genealogy for Novices: Where Do We Begin with Linda Geiger. November 14.

Click here to register.

See you online!

Genealogy Idol Competition - finalists announced AND sign up to watch and vote

The first-ever Genealogy Idol competition will be held Thursday, February 2, 2012. The four finalists have now been chosen and the winner will be decided by YOU! All you have to do is register for the live event (free), watch the 1-hour competition from your computer, and vote.

In the three rounds of competition, the four contestants will demonstrate their gen-tech expertise and try to woo you with their favorite gen-tech secrets. Everyone will learn - but only one will leave with the title of "RootsTech Genealogy Idol 2012." Legacy Family Tree's Geoff Rasmussen will host the competition which will be broadcast live via the RootsTech genealogy conference in Salt Lake City, Utah on Thursday in Room 255B.

The Topics

Applicants were required to propose topics on these three categories:

• Round 1: Favorite Technology Tip
• Round 2: Genealogy Serendipity story
• Round 3: Technology website or blog

The four finalists were chosen based on their excellent applications to participate. While I won't announce their specific topics, I'm so excited for our audience - the tips/tricks that each will demonstrate will teach us all something new.

The Contestants

Two of the contestants will participate live at RootsTech in the classroom audience. The other two will use our webinar technology to participate from their homes. Here they are:

The Competition

The one-hour competition will feature three rounds of topics. Each contestant will have three minutes to impress you with their demonstrations. Regardless of whether you will be in a seat at RootsTech or in a virtual seat from your home, you will see and hear it all - live! At the very end, YOU, the online audience will decide the winner by voting using the webinar's poll technology. Everyone will go home a winner, but the one with the most votes will go home with both the title of "RootsTech Genealogy Idol" and a free Flip-Pal Mobile scanner from Legacy Family Tree.

Register

If you want to watch the demonstrations and vote for the winner, you need to register. Registration is free but space is limited to the first 1,000 people to join that day. And if you are attending RootsTech in Salt Lake City, join us in room 255B at 1:45pm Utah time (3:45 Eastern, 8:45PM GMT).

See you there!

FamilySearch Ushers in New Year with 119 Million New, Free Records from 33 Countries

FamilySearch was extra busy during the holidays. It added 119 million new, free records online (about 64 million indexed names and 55 million browsable images). This latest round of record updates makes 1008 historic record collections online boasting 2.58 billion searchable names and 466 million digital images of historic documents. The numbers are actually very staggering and very exciting for family history enthusiasts! Search the records online now at FamilySearch.org. See the list below for details of the latest additions.

Searchable records on FamilySearch.org are made possible by thousands of volunteers from around the world who transcribe (index) the information from handwritten records to make them easily searchable by computer. More volunteers are needed (particularly those who can read foreign languages) to keep pace with the amount of digital images being published online at FamilySearch.org. Learn more about how to personally help provide free access to the world's historic genealogical records as an indexer at FamilySearch.org.

Collection	Records	Images	Comments
Australia, Queensland Cemetery Records, 1802-1990	0	1,121,438	New browsable image collection.
Australia, Tasmania, Miscellaneous Records, 1829-1961	0	20,921	Added browsable images to existing collection.
Austria, Seigniorial Records, 1537-1888	0	1,355,844	Added browsable images to existing collection.
Bolivia, Catholic Church Records, 1566-1996	0	1,643,437	New browsable image collection.
Brazil Civil Registration, 1870-2009	0	94,096	Added browsable images to existing collection.
Canada, Ontario Births, 1869-1912	275,598	0	Added index records to existing collection.
Canada, Quebec Notarial Records, 1800-1900	0	46,574	Added browsable images to existing collection.
Canada, Saskatchewan, Judicial District Court Records, 1891-1954	0	26,124	Added browsable images to existing collection.
Canada, Saskatchewan, Probate Estate Files, 1887-1931	0	1,591,193	New browsable image collection.
Canada, Quebec Notarial Records, 1800-1900	0	53,129	Added browsable images to existing collection.
Chile, Santiago, Cementerio General, 1821-2010	0	67,099	Added browsable images to existing collection.
China, Collection of Genealogies, 1500-1900	0	119,508	Added browsable images to existing collection.
Colombia, Catholic Church Records, 1600-2008	0	30,586	Added browsable images to existing collection.
Costa Rica, Civil Registration, 1860-1975	0	404,717	New browsable image collection.
Czech Republic, Censuses, 1843-1921	0	39,140	Added browsable images to existing collection.
Czech Republic, Church Books, 1552-1935	0	1,410,476	Added browsable images to existing collection.
Czech Republic, Land Records, 1450-1850	0	140,069	Added browsable images to existing collection.
Czech Republic, Třeboň, Nobility Seignorial records, 1664-1698	0	72,020	Added browsable images to existing collection.
Dominican Republic Civil Registration, 1801-2006	0	11,025	Added browsable images to existing collection.
El Salvador, Civil Registration Records, 1836-1910	0	1,313,396	Added browsable images to existing collection.
England and Wales Census, 1871	5,480,742	316,157	New Index and new browsable image collection with links to FindMyPast.com.
England, Norfolk Parish Registers, 1538-1900	188,222	268	Added index records and added browsable images to existing collection.
Estonia, Church Books 1835-1940	0	7,423	Added browsable images to existing collection.
Germany Marriages, 1558-1929	1,310,718	0	Added records to index collection.
Germany, Bavaria, Dinkelsbühl Miscellaneous City Records, 1804-1946	0	32,488	New browsable image collection.
Germany, Württemberg, Albstadt, Miscellaneous City Records, 1705-1850	0	308,313	New browsable image collection.
Guatemala, Catholic Church Records, 1581-1977	0	1,151,061	Added browsable images to existing collection.
Hungary Catholic Church Records, 1636-1895	538,239	0	Added index records to existing collection.
Hungary Reformed Church Christenings, 1624-1895	2,464,298	0	New index collection.
Hungary, Civil Registration, 1895-1980	0	421,759	Added browsable images to existing collection.
Italy, Bologna, Bologna, Civil Registration (Tribunale), 1866-1941	0	2,129,164	Added browsable images to existing collection.
Italy, Catania, Caltagirone, Civil Registration (Tribunale), 1861-1941	0	1,070,546	New browsable image collection.
Italy, Catania, Catania, Civil Registration (Comune), 1820-1905	0	188,009	Added browsable images to existing collection.
Italy, Cuneo, Civil Registration (State Archive), 1795-1915	0	267,978	New browsable image collection.
Italy, Genova, Chiavari, Civil Registration (Tribunale), 1866-1941	0	260,400	Added browsable images to existing collection.
Italy, Napoli, Civil Registration (State Archive), 1809-1865	48,696	0	Added index records to existing collection for the Quartiere of San Ferdinando.
Italy, Pistoia, Pistoia, Civil Registration (Tribunale), 1866-1929	0	465,452	New browsable image collection.
Italy, Ravenna, Ravenna, Civil Registration (Tribunale), 1866-1929	0	1,194,499	New browsable image collection.
Italy, Trieste, Trieste, Civil Registration (Tribunale), 1924-1939	0	672,382	Added browsable images to existing collection.
Jamaica, Civil Birth Registration	0	10,323	Added browsable images to existing collection.
Korea, Collection of Genealogies, 1500-2009	0	63,030	Added browsable images to existing collection.
Mexico, Morelos, Civil Registration, 1861-1920	0	41,250	New browsable image collection.
Micronesia, Pohnpei, Land Records, 1971-2007	0	479,425	New browsable image collection.
Nicaragua, Diocese of Managua, Catholic Church Records, 1740-2008	0	86,119	New browsable image collection.
Norway Census, 1875	43,443	0	Added index records to existing collection.
Peru, Civil Registration, 1874-1996	0	232,647	Added browsable images to existing collection.
Philippines, Civil Registration (National), 1945-1980	0	6,541,475	Added browsable images to existing collection.
Poland, Roman Catholic Church Books, 1600-1950	59,762	984,396	Added browsable images to existing collection and added index records to existing collection for Lublin.
Portugal, Aveiro, Catholic Church Records, 1550-1911	0	571,698	Added browsable images to existing collection.
Portugal, Aveiro, Passport Registers, 1882-1965	0	45,898	New browsable image collection.
Portugal, Aveiro, Testaments, 1900-1936	0	28,281	New browsable image collection.
Portugal, Braga, Catholic Church Records, 1530-1911	0	88,135	Added browsable images to existing collection.
Portugal, Bragança, Catholic Church Records, 1541-1985	0	596,527	New browsable image collection.
Portugal, Coimbra, Catholic Church Records, 1459-1911	0	100,233	New browsable image collection.
Portugal, Coimbra, Passport Registers and Application Files, 1835-1938	0	2,464	New browsable image collection.
Portugal, Diocese of Lamego, Catholic Church Records, 1532-1911	0	448,196	Added browsable images to existing collection.
Portugal, Diocese of Vila Real, Catholic Church Records, 1575-1975	0	234,398	New browsable image collection.
Portugal, Faro, Catholic Church Records, 1587-1880	0	138,057	New browsable image collection.
Portugal, Guarda, Catholic Church Records, 1459-1911	0	815,966	New browsable image collection.
Portugal, Leiria, Catholic Church Records, 1534-1911	0	639,166	New browsable image collection.
Portugal, Leiria, Passport Registers, 1861-1901	0	5,637	New browsable image collection.
Portugal, Porto, Catholic Church Records, 1535-1949	0	1,038,585	Added browsable images to existing collection.
Portugal, Porto, Catholic Church Records, 1582-1908	0	5,068	New browsable image collection.
Portugal, Setúbal, Catholic Church Records, 1555-1911	0	401,773	New browsable image collection.
Portugal, Viana do Castelo, Catholic Church Records, 1537-1909	0	364,977	New browsable image collection.
Portugal, Vila Real, Catholic Church Records, 1533-1941	0	396,243	New browsable image collection.
South Africa, Orange Free State, Estate Files, 1951-2004	0	159,709	Added browsable images to existing collection.
South Africa, Reformed Church Records, 1856-1988	0	1,603	Added browsable images to existing collection.
Spain, Cádiz, Testaments, 1550-1920	0	10,682	Added browsable images to existing collection.
Spain, Consular Records of Emigrants, 1808-1960	0	26,731	Added browsable images to existing collection.
Spain, Consular Records of Emigrants, 1808-1960	0	9,724	Added browsable images to existing collection.
Spain, Municipal Records	0	376,689	Added browsable images to existing collection.
Sweden, Älvsborg Church Records, 1642-1897; index 1681-1860	0	649,515	New browsable image collection. Link provided by National Archives of Sweden.
Sweden, Blekinge Church Records, 1612-1916; index 1646-1860	0	646,020	New browsable image collection. Link provided by National Archives of Sweden.
Sweden, Gävleborg Church Records, 1616-1908; index 1671-1860	0	467,630	New browsable image collection. Link provided by National Archives of Sweden.
Sweden, Göteborg och Bohus Church Records, 1577-1932; index 1659-1860	0	502,836	New browsable image collection. Link provided by National Archives of Sweden.
Sweden, Gotland Church Records, 1582-1940; index 1655-1860	0	339,850	New browsable image collection. Link provided by National Archives of Sweden.
Sweden, Halland Church Records, 1615-1904; index 1615-1860	0	351,775	New browsable image collection. Link provided by National Archives of Sweden.
Sweden, Jämtland Church Records, 1582-1928; index 1642-1860	0	163,075	New browsable image collection. Link provided by National Archives of Sweden.
Sweden, Jönköping Church Records, 1581-1935; index 1633-1860	0	721,027	New browsable image collection. Link provided by National Archives of Sweden.
Sweden, Kalmar Church Records, 1577-1907; index 1625-1860	0	616,487	New browsable image collection. Link provided by National Archives of Sweden.
Sweden, Örebro Church Records, 1613-1918; index 1635-1860	0	638,873	New browsable image collection. Link provided by National Archives of Sweden.
Sweden, Skaraborg Church Records, 1612-1921; index 1625-1860	0	557,037	New browsable image collection. Link provided by National Archives of Sweden.
U.S., Alabama State Census, 1855	34,978	0	New index collection.
U.S., Alabama State Census, 1866	243,781	0	New index collection.
U.S., Alabama, County Estate Records, 1800-1996	0	1,341,915	New browsable image collection.
U.S., Alabama, Sumter County Circuit Court Files, 1840-1950	0	38,097	New browsable image collection.
U.S., California, Marriage Index, 1960-1985	4,879,253	0	New index collection courtesy of Ancestry.com.
U.S., California, San Francisco Area Funeral Home Records, 1835-1931	0	63,571	Added browsable images to existing collection.
U.S., California, San Francisco County Records, 1824-1997	0	1,034,024	New browsable image collection.
U.S., California, San Mateo County Records, 1856-1967	0	69,534	Added browsable images to existing collection.
U.S., Connecticut, Death Index, 1949-2001	1,408,326		New index collection courtesy of Ancestry.com.
U.S., Delaware, Vital Records, 1680-1962	0	1,497,613	New browsable image collection.
U.S., District of Columbia Marriages, 1811-1950	170,985	106,123	Added index records and added browsable images to existing collection.
U.S., Florida Marriages, 1830-1993	205,388	153,621	New index and new browsable image collection.
U.S., Florida, Tampa, Passenger Lists, 1898-1945	0	44,642	New browsable image collection.
U.S., Georgia Headright and Bounty Land Records, 1783-1909	0	10,376	Added browsable images to existing collection.
U.S., Idaho, Cassia County Records, 1879-1960	0	24,647	Added browsable images to existing collection.
U.S., Idaho, Cassia County Records, 1879-1960	0	46,802	New browsable image collection.
U.S., Idaho, Minidoka County Records, 1913-1961	0	41,712	New browsable image collection.
U.S., Illinois, Probate Records, 1819-1970	0	68,861	Added browsable images to existing collection.
U.S., Indiana, Death Index, 1882-1920	793,965		New index collection courtesy of Ancestry.com.
U.S., Indiana, Marriages, 1811-1959 (Jay and Hamilton counties)	102,538	0	Added index records to existing collection.
U.S., Kentucky, Confederate Pension Applications, 1912-1950	0	29,959	New browsable image collection.
U.S., Kentucky, County Marriages, 1797-1954	66,977	46,724	Added index records and added browsable images to existing collection.
U.S., Louisiana, Orleans Parish Vital Records, 1910, 1960	0	19,330	New browsable image collection.
U.S., Louisiana, Parish Marriages, 1837-1957	37,501	54,003	New index and new browsable image collection.
U.S., Louisiana, Second Registration Draft Cards, compiled 1948-1959	0	59,623	Added browsable images to existing collection.
U.S., Maine, State Archive Collections, 1790-1966	0	20,768	Added browsable images to existing collection.
U.S., Maine, Washington County Courthouse Records, 1785-1950	0	8,652	New browsable image collection.
U.S., Maryland, Garrett County Probate Estate and Guardianship Files, 1920-1940	0	123,415	New browsable image collection.
U.S., Maryland, Register of Wills Books, 1629-1983	0	390,060	Added browsable images to existing collection for Baltimore and Somerset counties.
U.S., Massachusetts, Boston Passenger Lists, 1891-1943	0	335,814	New browsable image collection.
U.S., Massachusetts, Death Index, 1970-2003	2,037,187	0	New index collection courtesy of Ancestry.com.
U.S., Massachusetts, Plymouth County, Probate Estate Files, 1686-1881	0	35,108	Added browsable images to existing collection.
U.S., Massachusetts, State Vital Records, 1841-1920	0	283,997	New browsable image collection.
U.S., Michigan, Death Index, 1971-1996	2,052,472	0	Â New index collection courtesy of Ancestry.com.
U.S., Minnesota, Birth Index, 1935-2002	4,267,629	0	New index collection courtesy of Ancestry.com.
U.S., Minnesota, Clay County, School Census Records, 1909-1962	0	14,457	New browsable image collection.
U.S., Minnesota, Death Index, 1908-2002	2,931,700	0	Â New index collection courtesy of Ancestry.com.
U.S., Mississippi Confederate Records, 1889-1942	0	12,669	New browsable image collection.
U.S., Mississippi Confederate Veterans and Widows Pension Applications, 1900-1974	0	117,637	New browsable image collection.
U.S., Mississippi State Archives, Various Records, 1820-1951	0	12,167	Added browsable images to existing collection.
U.S., Mississippi, Tippah County Family Histories	0	3,860	New browsable image collection.
U.S., Montana, Cascade County Records, 1888-1945	0	180,071	New browsable image collection.
U.S., Montana, Cascade County Records, 1888-1955	0	86,033	Added browsable images to existing collection.
U.S., Montana, Death Index, 1860-2007	663,371	0	New index collection courtesy of Ancestry.com.
U.S., New Jersey, Middlesex County Probate Records, 1830-1921	0	16,566	New browsable image collection.
U.S., New York State Census, 1875	1,674,675	0	Added index records to existing collection.
U.S., New York, County Marriages, 1908-1935	130,979	166,690	Added index records and added browsable images to existing collection.
U.S., New York, Orange County Probate Records, 1787-1938	0	117,114	Added browsable images to existing collection.
U.S., New York, Probate Records, 1629-1971	0	1,630,900	New browsable image collection.
U.S., New York, Queens County Probate Records, 1899-1921	0	437,855	Added browsable images to existing collection.
U.S., North Carolina Civil Action Court Papers, 1712-1970	0	141,759	New browsable image collection.
U.S., North Carolina, Birth Index, 1800-2000	6,957,269	0	Â New index collection courtesy of Ancestry.com.
U.S., North Carolina, County Marriages, 1762-1979	374,219	102,264	Added index records and added browsable images to existing collection.
U.S., North Carolina, County Records, 1833-1970	0	82,193	Added browsable images to existing collection.
U.S., North Carolina, Estate Files, 1663-1917	9,872	267,729	Missing information?
U.S., North Carolina, State Supreme Court Case Files, 1800-1909	0	169,607	Added browsable images to existing collection.
U.S., Oklahoma County Marriages, 1891-1959	168,303	109,572	Added index records and added browsable images to existing collection.
U.S., Oregon, Columbia County Records, 1854-1958	0	14,420	Added browsable images to existing collection.
U.S., Oregon, County Marriages, 1851-1975	48,542	41,178	Added index records and added browsable images to existing collection.
U.S., Oregon, Death Index, 1903-1998	1,447,641	0	New index collection courtesy of Ancestry.com.
U.S., Pennsylvania County Marriages, 1885-1950	1,325,465	1,167,074	New index and new browsable image collection.
U.S., Pennsylvania, Eastern District Petitions for Naturalization, 1795-1931	0	326,903	New browsable image collection.
U.S., Texas Birth Certificates, 1903-1934	551,734	523,442	Added index records and added browsable images to existing collection.
U.S., Texas Birth Index, 1903-1997	17,102,207	0	New index collection courtesy of Ancestry.com.
U.S., Texas Deaths, 1890-1976	0	45,481	New images.
U.S., Texas Deaths, 1977-1986	0	79,765	Added browsable images to existing collection.
U.S., Texas, County Marriage Index, 1837-1977	79,137	0	Added index records to existing collection.
U.S., Texas, Daughters of the Republic of Texas, Membership Applications, 1892-2010	0	28,899	Added browsable images to existing collection.
U.S., Vermont, Bennington County, Manchester District Estate Files, 1779-1935	0	78,681	New browsable image collection.
U.S., Vermont, Franklin County Probate Records, 1796 to 1921	0	139,160	New browsable image collection.
U.S., Virginia, Historical Society Papers, 1607-2007	0	918,495	New browsable image collection.
U.S., Washington, County Records, 1856-2009	0	961,597	Added browsable images to existing collection.
U.S., Wisconsin, Birth Index, 1820-1907	985,659	0	New index collection courtesy of Ancestry.com.
U.S., Wisconsin, Death Index, 1959-1997	1,629,093	0	New index collection courtesy of Ancestry.com.
U.S., Wisconsin, Probate Estate Files, 1848-1935	0	37,822	Added browsable images to existing collection.
U.S., Wisconsin, Shawano and Oconto Counties, Indexes and Records, 1850-2007	0	27,614	New browsable image collection.
United States, Applications for Headstones for Military Veterans, 1925-1941	298,268	0	Added index records to existing collection.
United States, General Index to Pension Files, 1861-1934	0	2,331,541	New browsable image collection.
United States, Index to Service Records, War with Spain, 1898	0	304,315	New browsable image collection.
United States, New England Naturalization Index, 1791-1906	615,903	0	Added index records to existing collection.
United States, Records of Headstones of Deceased Union Veterans, 1879-1903	169,253	0	Added index records to existing collection.
Wales, Probate Abstracts, 1544-1858	0	1,737	Added browsable images to existing collection.

FamilySearch International is the largest genealogy organization in the world. FamilySearch is a nonprofit, volunteer-driven organization sponsored by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Millions of people use FamilySearch records, resources, and services to learn more about their family history. To help in this great pursuit, FamilySearch has been actively gathering, preserving, and sharing genealogical records worldwide for over 100 years. Patrons may access FamilySearch services and resources free online at FamilySearch.org or through over 4,600 family history centers in 132 countries, including the main Family History Library in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Discovering Your Massachusetts Ancestors - free webinar Wednesday, January 18 by Marian Pierre-Louis

If you have ancestors from Massachusetts, you won't want to miss this free webinar presented by Marian Pierre-Louis on Wednesday, January 18, 2012.

From the arrival of the Pilgrims in 1620, Massachusetts has maintained some of the best-kept records for genealogists. This abundance has made it easier to research in the state. Even so, it's helpful to have a roadmap to cover almost 400 years of history. Join Marian Pierre-Louis as she provides an overview of researching in the Bay state and gets you on the right path to finding your Massachusetts ancestors.

The live webinar is scheduled for Wednesday, January 18, 2012 at 2PM Eastern U.S., so register today to reserve your virtual seat. Registration is free but space is limited to the first 1,000 people to join that day.

About the presenter

Marian Pierre-Louis is a genealogical writer and speaker who specializes in southern New England research (Connecticut, Rhode Island, and Massachusetts). Born and raised in Connecticut, she has lived in Massachusetts for almost 20 years. Marian has three generations of recent family ties to Rhode Island and also links to some very old Rhode Island lines. As a result, these three states have become the focus of her research activity. Unlike most genealogists, Marian is spoiled to spend most of her time working with original records. You will most often find her researching at a town hall, registry of deeds, probate court or the local cemetery. It’s a rare day that Marian has to sit in front of a microfilm reader.

Marian is actively engaged in social media. You can find her starting conversations on Facebook, Twitter and Google+. She frequently speaks on New England topics including house history research, social media, African American research and a broad range of genealogical topics. She is the author of several blogs including: Marian's Roots & Rambles and The New England House Historian.

She is the author of:

• Researching Your Connecticut Ancestors webinar-on-CD.
• Cracking the Case of Nathan Brown's parents webinar-on-CD.

Marian will be presenting Ten Brick Wall Tips for Beginners on Wednesday, February 15, 2012.

Add it to your Google Calendar

With our Google Calendar button, you will never forget our upcoming webinars. Simply click the button to add it to your calendar. You can then optionally embed the webinar events (and even turn them on and off) into your own personal calendar. If you have already added the calendar, you do not have to do it again - the new webinar events will automatically appear.

Webinar time

The webinar will be live on Wednesday, January 18, 2012 at:

• 2pm Eastern (U.S.)
• 1pm Central
• 12pm Mountain/Arizona
• 11am Pacific
• 7pm GMT

Or use this Time Zone Converter.

Here's how to attend:

1. Register at www.LegacyFamilyTree.com/webinars.asp today. It's free!
2. You will receive a confirmation email containing a link to the webinar.
3. You will receive a reminder email during the week prior to the webinar.
4. Calculate your time zone by clicking here.
5. Click on the webinar link (found in confirmation and reminder emails) prior to the start of the webinar. Arrive early as the room size is limited to the first 1,000 arrivals that day.
6. Listen via headset (USB headsets work best), your computer speakers, or by phone.

We look forward to seeing you all there!

Digital Books and Sites for Genealogists - free webinar now online

"Just when I think I am running out of places to look, James suggested a whole host of new ones!" is what one attendee wrote about today's webinar on Digital Books and Sites for Genealogists. A newcomer to our Legacy Family Tree webinar series, James Tanner fit right in with the caliber of excellent webinar speakers we've had. He gave genealogists new sites, techniques, and avenues for finding their ancestors.

View the recording

If you could not make it to the live event or just want to watch it again, the 1 hour 25 minute recording of Digital Books and Sites for Genealogists is now available to view in our webinar archives. Visit www.LegacyFamilyTree.com/webinars.asp to watch. It is available for free until January 16, 2012.

Pre-order the webinar-on-CD

Own your own copy of Digital Books and Sites for Genealogists by purchasing the webinar-on-CD for just $9.95. It includes the 1 hour 25 minute recording of the class, the complete Q/A session, and 4 pages of handouts. Click here for more information or to purchase.

James is also the author of:

• The Guide to FamilySearch Online

Special discount coupon

The special discount coupon of books that was announced during the webinar is valid for 10% off anything in our online store through Monday, January 9, 2012.

Register for our upcoming webinars (free)

• Pilgrims and Patriots: Discovering Your Massachusetts Ancestors with Marian Pierre-Louis, January 18.
• Genealogy Idol Competition with Geoff Rasmussen, February 2.
• Ten Brick Wall Tips for Beginners with Marian Pierre-Louis, February 15.
• Organizing and Sharing Digital Images with Geoff Rasmussen, February 29.
• Are You Ready for the 1940 U.S. Census Images with Thomas MacEntee, March 7.
• Obituaries: Clues to Look For. Tips for making sure you get the full benefit from an obituary notice with Tom Kemp, March 28.
• Digital Writing Tools for Genealogists with Lisa Alzo, March 30.
• Genealogy on the Go - the Families app for your Android, iPhone, iPod Touch, or iPad with Malcolm Green, April 11.
• Researching Your Scottish Ancestors with Marie Dougan, April 18.
• Reverse Genealogy: Finding the Living with Megan Smolenyak, April 25.
• Researching Your Pennsylvania Ancestors with Lisa Alzo, May 2.
• Researching Your New York Ancestors with Thomas MacEntee, May 30.
• Putting Flesh on the Bones with Ron Arons, June 13.
• Marriages and Anniversaries. Mining newspapers for engagements, marriages, anniversaries, and divorce records with Tom Kemp, June 20.

Click here to register.

See you online!

Ring in the New Year with Some Genealogy Goals

I'd like to welcome our new guest blogger, Marian Pierre-Louis. You know Marian from her webinars and her blog, and now you'll get to hear from her more often as she writes here for our Legacy News blog. Her first article below is a great one! Here's Marian....

The New Year is upon us and that's a time when people make resolutions. I don't bother with resolutions because they are usually related to things I don't want to do and which I will have a hard time achieving. Instead, I prefer to set goals for things which I love to do and want to become better at. My number one love? Family history and genealogy.

You've never considered setting goals for your genealogy? It's just a hobby after all, right? That's true but it's an important activity that can help you leave a wonderful legacy to your family members and descendents.

Following are some topics you can consider for your genealogy goal setting.  Choose from one or all of them depending on your time availability.

Organization
I watched the Legacy Family Tree webinar "FamilyRoots Organizer System" by Mary Hill a few months ago. Organization is an area where most of us need help. Mary has outlined an excellent system for organizing records and documents. The system can even extend to photos and electronic files. Getting organized allows you to easily and quickly find genealogy information. It also means your descendents will be able to embrace your life work quicker and preserve it better. Since not one organizational system works for everyone, get ideas from past articles in this Legacy News blog here.

Digitization
Do you have a pile of old photographs lying around in a box? Make 2012 the year to scan and digitize those photos. Digitizing photos is important for genealogical research. First, it helps preserve the photos. Second, it helps with your research because as you share, family members will provide you with new information. Don't have many photos of your own? Then hit the road and visit family members. A new portable Flip-Pal scanner will make capturing photos from relatives a breeze. I also see that Geoff is presenting a free webinar on "Organizing and Sharing Digital Images" on February 29. Sign up for this today (free) before you forget.

Genealogy Software
Learning how to use your Legacy Family Tree software is an important part of your genealogy research. The more you understand about the software and its features the easier it will become to use. Set a goal to learn how to enter citations, use the research guidance feature or color code your family tree. Sign up for one of the "Watch Geoff Live webinars" or read his new book, The Official Unofficial Guide to Using Legacy Family Tree. I will working right along with this year as I learn to use Legacy for the first time.

Research Trips
A great way to inject excitement into your genealogy research is to schedule a research trip. Plan a visit to a town where one of your ancestors lived. It can be close by to where you live or it can be a trip to the old country. Either way, seeing the land, houses and environment where your ancestors lived can be emotional, inspiration and fun!

Reaching Out
If you've done a lot of research on your own perhaps it's time to reach out to distant cousins. Make a goal that you will try to locate and share information with unknown relatives. If you've already met some of your distant cousins consider starting a collaborative project where you work together to solve family mysteries. Reaching out can provide just the encouragement you need to further your research.

Education
Don't forget that education should be a part of your goals too. Commit to watching a Legacy Family Tree webinar once or twice a month. Other ideas for education include going to a local genealogy society meeting, attending a regional or national conference or participating in an online study group.

Write Down Those Goals!
The fun thing about annual genealogy goals is that everyone's goals will be different. No one's goals are right or wrong because they are all unique. And what's even better is if you share your goals, other genealogists can encourage you over the course of the year. Some people actually choose a "genealogy buddy" to help them stick to their goals.

Would you like to see some examples of genealogy goals? I have posted mine on my Roots & Rambles blog. Another Legacy Webinar favorite, Lisa Alzo, has also posted her 2012 goals on her blog, The Accidental Genealogist. Here are some example goals from non-professional genealogists as well - Lorine McGinnis Schulze and Sharon Stevens Lighthouse.

What are your 2012 genealogy goals? I'd love to hear about them in the comments below.

Marian Pierre-Louis is a historical researcher who loves to share, encourage and inspire others on their genealogy research journey. You can see her upcoming webinars on Legacy Family Tree and read her blog, Marian's Roots and Rambles. She is the author of Brick Walls: Cracking the Case of Nathan Brown's Parents and Researching Your Connecticut Ancestors.

Digital Books and Sites - free webinar this Wednesday, January 4 by James Tanner

Join us this Wednesday, January 4 for a fantastic webinar (free) presented by James Tanner, Digital Books and Sites for Genealogists. You will learn how to take advantage of the online explosion of digitized books for genealogy.

James will teach about sources for digitized books including the Internet Archive, Google Books, WorldCat, Library of Congress, and More. Tens of thousands of these digitized books are local and family histories, some of which have had limited or no distribution previously. There are sites, such as the Family History Archive that have thousands of free genealogy-related books and are virtually unknown. Other well-known sites like Google Books contain a wealth of past issues of prominent genealogical publications such as the Ancestry Magazine and the Journal of American Ancestry.

The live webinar is scheduled for Wednesday, January 4, 2012 at 2PM Eastern U.S., so register today to reserve your virtual seat. Registration is free but space is limited to the first 1,000 people to join that day.

About the presenter

James Tanner is a member of the FamilySearch Research Wiki Support Team and is a Moderator for Arizona and Utah. An Arizona trial attorney for 37 years, he has also owned an Apple Computer dealership. He volunteers at the Mesa Regional Family History Center. Selected by Family Tree Magazine as a Top-Forty Blogger for his blog, "Genealogy's Star," he was also a Blogger at RootsTech 2011 and will be again in 2012. He also writes for FamilySearch TechTips. He has been a partner in Tanner Digital Graphics, a graphics design business for 25 years. He owns PhotoArizona360, a photography company. He has over 30 years of genealogy experience. He has personally digitized tens of thousands of documents. James is also the author of The Guide to FamilySearch Online.

Add it to your Google Calendar

With our Google Calendar button, you will never forget our upcoming webinars. Simply click the button to add it to your calendar. You can then optionally embed the webinar events (and even turn them on and off) into your own personal calendar. If you have already added the calendar, you do not have to do it again - the new webinar events will automatically appear.

Webinar time

The webinar will be live on Wednesday, January 4, 2012 at:

• 2pm Eastern (U.S.)
• 1pm Central
• 12pm Mountain/Arizona
• 11am Pacific
• 7pm GMT

Or use this Time Zone Converter.

Here's how to attend:

1. Register at www.LegacyFamilyTree.com/webinars.asp today. It's free!
2. You will receive a confirmation email containing a link to the webinar.
3. You will receive a reminder email during the week prior to the webinar.
4. Calculate your time zone by clicking here.
5. Click on the webinar link (found in confirmation and reminder emails) prior to the start of the webinar. Arrive early as the room size is limited to the first 1,000 arrivals that day.
6. Listen via headset (USB headsets work best), your computer speakers, or by phone.

We look forward to seeing you all there!

Learn Legacy - 4 tools to help you make the most of Legacy Family Tree in 2012

Lots of you woke up Christmas morning and found that Santa brought you Legacy Family Tree software. Congratulations and welcome to the Legacy family!

Now that you have the best genealogy software, here are some tools to help you make the most of it.

Legacy Video Training CDs - Learn Legacy at your own pace from the comfort of your computer. anyone can learn to use Legacy, but in a few years you'll find yourself saying, "I wish I had known THAT when I first started." Click here to purchase or to learn more.

Legacy Family Tree 7 User's Guide - the official 336-page Legacy 7 User's Guide. Printed version or PDF version.

The Official Unofficial Guide to Using Legacy Family Tree PLUS Research Advice, News, Views, and Technology Tips by Geoff Rasmussen - From the very first page you will notice that this book is much more than a boring instructional manual – it is full of real-life examples that not only teach you the right buttons to push, but it thoroughly explains how to get the most out of your favorite genealogy software program – Legacy Family Tree. You will also learn about the latest genealogy technologies, methods of organizing your paper files, and read inspirational stories that can help lead you to one Genealogy Happy Dance after another. 306 pages. Printed edition or PDF edition.

Watch Geoff Live webinar-on-CD Bundle (5 CDs) - In these webinars, Legacy's Geoff Rasmussen demonstrates what to do with census records, obituaries, marriage records, death records, and cemetery photos as he adds the information to his real, personal Legacy family file. The classes were presented live and unscripted, giving attendees a first-hand look at how a professional genealogist analyzes and records information using Legacy Family Tree. This bundle of 5 webinar-on-CDs includes over 8 hours of instruction. Click here to purchase or to learn more.

Happy New Year!

A Year in Review - Legacy Family Tree in 2011

This past year has been one of the most successful years ever for our company - all thanks go to the genealogy community and especially our great Legacy Family Tree users - you! Our company (Millennia Corporation) celebrated our 27th year in business, and the 14th year since we first released Legacy.

This was the year of the genealogy webinar, and with the help of industry experts we have pioneered this new medium for genealogy education. This year alone we offered 41 different webinars - that's over 60 hours of high-quality genealogy and technology instruction - all free to you, the viewer. They were presented by 24 of the industry's finest educators. We also presented private webinars to genealogy societies and Family History Centers (interested? send me an email).The "Watch Geoff Live" series became bigger than I ever imagined it would. Through these webinars our company's motto of "we are changing the world of genealogy" continues to be fulfilled. In fact, in one webinar alone, viewers from 71 different countries tuned in to the live episode.

The year started off with our announcement and release of Legacy 7.5 which added new FamilySearch integration tools (we're still waiting for FamilySearch to open accounts to the entire public, I hear they've begun though). Midway through the year we added mtDNA support for those engaged in DNA research. And throughout we added minor features and bug fixes in our free updates.

The most enjoyable genealogy conference ever took place in Salt Lake City in February. Sponsored by FamilySearch, RootsTech was attended by genealogists and technologists from around the world. I was honored to receive the Distinguished Presenter Award. I hope you'll join me either live or online at next year's RootsTech conference for my Genealogy Idol Competition class. Also in February, the Families app was released for Android phones and tablets. Now I can carry my entire genealogy - including all of my photos - with me on my smart phone.

This year we developed partnerships with several genealogy companies and publishers, allowing us to bring new products to you at good prices including Dan Lynch's new book, Google Your Family Tree; DNA kits from Genetree; James Tanner's new book, The Guide to FamilySearch Online; Legacy Charting Companion version 3, which added Descendant Fan Charts and embroidery capabilities; the newest version of Heritage Collector software; Maureen Taylor's Preserving Your Family Photographs book, and the most popular product of the year, the Flip-Pal Mobile Scanner. I shouldn't forget that we also published 33 webinar titles for our webinar-on-CD library. Finally, the release of my personal book, The Official Unofficial Guide to Using Legacy Family Tree, was more successful than I ever imagined - thanks everyone!

We also embraced the new social media technology by announcing our official Facebook page, Google+ site, and YouTube channel. We released our very first commercial - what do you think? We use these social media outlets to communicate with our Legacy users so I hope you'll like, circle, or follow us there.

In June I introduced my 10-year-old to the Family History Library. After finding the death certificate of one of his ancestors, my son looked at me - astonished - and said, "But I thought genealogy was boring...this is so...much...fun!" My year kept getting better and better. :)

In August we celebrated the 6th anniversary of this blog and its 1,000th article. Gladly, millions continue reading it so I'll continue writing.

Our 8th annual Legacy Genealogy Cruise took place in September - this time to New England and Eastern Canada. Thomas MacEntee joined us for one of the best cruises we've hosted. It was a bitter sweet experience for me - my dear grandmother passed away while at the same time I was hunting for (and finding) ancestors in Maine's cemeteries. We also announced next year's cruise to the British Isles and the Norwegian Fjords.

I think the highlight of my year was Marian Pierre-Louis' webinar, Brick Walls: Cracking the Case of Nathan Brown's Parents. While preparing for her webinar on Connecticut research, she cracked my brick wall on the Browns. We set up this follow-up webinar where she revealed Nathan's parents - live. It was a very happy day.

As 2011 comes to a close, we are happy with the progress we are making as a company. We have developed a great plan for 2012 and beyond. One more thanks to the entire genealogy community for all you do to help genealogy progress. Happy New Year to everyone!

Register today for our 2012 webinars - 17 to choose from including Megan Smolenyak

Our 2012 genealogy webinar calendar is so exciting I can hardly believe it myself. We already have 30 classes planned for you (that's over 45 hours of free genealogy education) including two from genealogy icon and first-time webinar speaker, Megan Smolenyak! We're pleased to announce that the first 17 webinars are now open for registration. Sign up for one or for all of them today (so you don't forget later) and we'll send you a reminder email both one day and one hour prior to the live event.

January 2012

• Digital Books and Sites for Genealogists by James Tanner. Click here to register. 1/4
• Pilgrims and Patriots: Discovering Your Massachusetts Ancestors by Marian Pierre-Louis. Click here to register. 1/18

February 2012

• Genealogy Idol Competition by Geoff Rasmussen (win a Flip-Pal Mobile Scanner). Click here to register to watch or click here to be a contestant. 2/2
• Ten Brick Wall Tips for Beginners by Marian Pierre-Louis. Click here to register. 2/15
• Organizing and Sharing Digital Images by Geoff Rasmussen. Click here to register. 2/29

March 2012

• Are you Ready for the 1940 Census Images? by Thomas MacEntee. Click here to register. 3/7
• DNA Research for Genealogists: Beyond the Basics by Ugo Perego. Click here to register. 3/21
• Obituaries: Tips for making sure you get the full benefit from an obituary by Tom Kemp. Click here to register. 3/28
• Digital Writing Tools for Genealogists by Lisa Alzo. Click here to register. 3/30

April 2012

• Exploring Archives.com with Julie Hill. Registration not yet available. 4/4
• Genealogy on the Go - the Families app for your Android, iPhone, iPod Touch, or iPad by Malcolm Green. Click here to register. 4/11
• Researching Your Scottish Ancestors by Marie Dougan. Click here to register. 4/18
• Reverse Genealogy: Finding the Living by Megan Smolenyak. Click here to register. 4/25

May 2012

• Researching Your Pennsylvania Ancestors by Lisa Alzo. Click here to register. 5/2
• Tracing Your New York Ancestors by Thomas MacEntee. Click here to register. 5/30

June 2012

• Putting Flesh on the Bones by Ron Arons. Click here to register. 6/13
• Marriages and Anniversaries. Mining newspapers for engagements, marriages, anniversaries, and divorce records by Tom Kemp. Click here to register. 6/20
• Digital Images for Genealogists and Technologists: scanning, digitizing, editing, and preserving your photos by Geoff Rasmussen. Click here to register. 6/27

Webinar Brochure

Print our webinar brochure to share with your friends, genealogy society, or Family History Center.

Webinar-on-CD Library

If you missed one of our previous webinars, you can purchase its CD for just $9.95 (or less when purchasing more than 5). Choose from 33 different classes - most come with several pages of handouts with clickable links. Click here to browse the library.

See you in class in 2012!