I can't wait to purchase Google Glasses when they are available later this year or early next year. Watch the brief video below. The future is here.
I can't wait to purchase Google Glasses when they are available later this year or early next year. Watch the brief video below. The future is here.
Posted on April 09, 2012 in Technology Tip | Permalink | Comments (0)
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Got an iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad, tablet, or an Android smartphone? With the "Families" app you can take your Legacy Family Tree files, pictures, and To Do List with you - to the library, cemetery, or anywhere else. You can view AND edit the data on your mobile device and synchronize your changes back to your Legacy file on your computer. Join the developer of Families, Malcolm Green, for a demonstration of how it all works and what it looks like.
The live webinar is scheduled for Wednesday, April 11, 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. Join at least 15-20 minutes early to ensure your virtual seat.
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, April 11, 2012 at:
Or use this Time Zone Converter.
Here's how to attend:
We look forward to seeing you all there!
Posted on April 06, 2012 in Families - iPhone app, Webinars | Permalink | Comments (0)
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If you are considering becoming a professional genealogist or starting your own business, watch the recording of today's webinar co-presented by John Kitzmiller and Claire Brisson-Banks, and sponsored by the International Commission for the Accreditation of Professional Genealogists (ICAPGen). They discussed the two credentialing organizations - ICAPGen and the Board for Certification of Genealogists, what it takes to run a genealogy business, and then had a great question/answer session.
View the recording
If you could not make it to the live event or just want to watch it again, the 1 hour 32 minute recording of The Pursuit from Genealogy Hobbyist to Professional is now available to view in our webinar archives. Visit www.LegacyFamilyTree.com/webinars.asp to watch.
Special discount coupon
The special discount coupon of prof that was announced during the webinar is valid for 10% off anything in our online store through Monday, April 9, 2012.
Register for our upcoming webinars (free)
See you online!
Posted on April 04, 2012 | Permalink | Comments (0)
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Thinking of becoming a professional genealogist? Join John M. Kitzmiller, II, AG and Claire V. Brison-Banks, AG for a webinar this Wednesday, April 4. The Pursuit from Genealogy Hobbyist to Professional will be sponsored by The International Commission for the Accreditation of Professional Genealogists (ICAPGen).
Webinar's description
Several terms are applied to individuals that are interested in their ancestors. Those who are fascinated by the story but not really interested in the data could be termed amateurs. Moving up a rung on the ladder would be the hobbyists, who gather photos, letters and family memorabilia to share with others. They quite often are members of societies, are familiar with local history, and help others to find their ancestors. This group is quite underestimated, in that many have self-taught expertise and are quite knowledgeable. However, most of them do not charge money for their assistance. The next step is to operate at the “professional” level, which requires perspective, attitude, methods, process, and some business skills. This webinar will discuss various ways to make that transition.
The live webinar is scheduled for Wednesday, April 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. Join at least 15-20 minutes early to ensure your virtual seat.
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, April 4, 2012 at:
Or use this Time Zone Converter.
Here's how to attend:
We look forward to seeing you all there!
Posted on April 02, 2012 in Webinars | Permalink | Comments (0)
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Genealogists across the United States had a hard time sleeping last night as they anticipated the release of the 1940 U.S. federal census this morning. I think there must be millions of us trying to access the same images at the same time this morning because the images haven't been able to load for me yet. And so while my anticipation climbs I thought I would publish a few links and a press release for you below.
1940 U.S. Census Community Project announces call for volunteers to create free, searchable database of 1940 U.S. census records
WASHINGTON, D.C. (April 2, 2012) – The 1940 U.S. Census Community Project—a joint initiative between the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), Archives.com, FamilySearch.org, findmypast.com, and other leading genealogy organizations—announced today a national service project to create a free, high quality, searchable database of the 1940 U.S. census records. Through the indexing efforts of online volunteers across the U.S., records from the 1940 census that were closed by law for 72 years will be easier to find. These census records capture countless untold stories of those who lived through the Great Depression—great men and women who have been called “the greatest generation.”
With the support of NARA, the 1940 U.S. Census Community Project is leading the digital transformation effort to create an index entirely by online volunteers. Fueled by the joy of discovering fascinating surprises from their own family history, volunteer indexers are excited to join many thousands of Americans in an online community effort to make the historic 1940 U.S. census readily searchable for others.
“Many of us living today know someone in the 1940 U.S. census, but we may not know much more than their name or the town in which they lived,” said David S. Ferriero, archivist of the United States. “The 1940 census will unlock some of these mysteries for us. We are delighted to join with the U.S. Census Community Project to produce an index which will make this census much more user-friendly.”
When complete, the index and images will also be available online for free through the sponsoring organizations’ websites. Those interested in lending a hand can learn more and sign up to be an official 1940 U.S. census volunteer indexer at the 1940 census website (the1940census.com). The project aims to make available to the public a fully functional, free, and searchable record database by the end of 2012.
“Many parallels exist between life in 1940 and 2012: international conflict, the political intrigue of an election year, and efforts to rebuild a flagging economy,” said Dan Lynch, spokesperson for 1940 U.S. Census Community Project. “Our goal is that through the work of online volunteers across the nation, a fully digitized and searchable database of the 1940 census records can help strengthen connections between Americans, their families, and an important time in our collective history while bringing renewed understanding of the resolute courage past generations had in restoring America.”
The 1940 U.S. Federal Census is the largest, most comprehensive, and most recent record set available featuring the names of people living in the U.S. at the time. In fact, the census contains more than one million pages and features a depth of detail that paints a more complete portrait than was previously available of the 132 million people living in the U.S. during the Great Depression. From this new vantage point, we can learn about the life and times of our people living 72 years ago. Several new census questions appeared for the first time in 1940, including:
Perhaps more so than at any other time in American history, these individuals taught us lessons in hardship and survival. The Great Depression, the Dust Bowl, and the subsequent New Deal programs have left an indelible footprint on American history. In addition, many of these men and women listed in the 1940 census went on to support the fight or actually fought in World War II. Helping index the census, for many, is a way of giving something back to this great generation and rightfully preserving their place in our nation’s history.
About the 1940 U.S. Census Community Project
The 1940 U.S. Census Community Project is a web-based, national service project with the goal ofcreating as soon as possible a free, high quality online index linked to the complete set of census images. The index will allow the public to easily search every person found in the census and view digital images of the original census pages. The collection will be available online for free to the general public at 1940census.archives.gov, Archives.com, FamilySearch.org,and findmypast.com, the respective website sponsors of the community project. Archives.com and findmypast.com will make substantial financial contributions to make the 1940 U.S. census online name index possible and will work with the nonprofit organization FamilySearch to bring additional new historic records collections online—making even more highly valued family history resources available to the entire genealogical community.
Posted on April 02, 2012 | Permalink | Comments (0)
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Fifteen years ago today, on April 1, I proposed to my then-girlfriend, Tanya Hague, in a Family History Center on the campus of Ricks College in Rexburg, Idaho. She accepted my proposal. Today we wonder - was the joke on her that I proposed, or on me that she said yes? It's been a fun ride and we've made a little family history of our own along the way.
This is me putting the ring on her finger. Notice two other things - her beautiful yellow student employee vest and the microfilm reader in the background! I thought we would have a life sleuthing cemeteries together. She was just there for the student employment.
She didn't stick around for long that morning. Shortly after she said, "well, I gotta get to class before I'm late." But she has stuck around for 15 more years - and it keeps getting better.
Happy April Fool's Day everyone!
Posted on April 01, 2012 | Permalink | Comments (1)
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If you have been considering writing about your family history, you need to watch the recording of Lisa Alzo's webinar, Digital Writing Tools for Genealogists. Telling your family's story just got a lot easier thanks to a number of cloud-based notetaking and writing tools and apps you can access from home, your netbook, iPad, tablet, or even your smartphone. I'm personally super-excited to use the Scrivener software she mentioned. With all of the digital tools Lisa presented, we no longer "have an excuse to procrastinate" the writing of our family's story. One viewer commented, "I was always afraid of the writing process, but it now seems possible." Terrific presentation Lisa!
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 Digital Writing Tools for Genealogists is now available to view in our webinar archives. Visit www.LegacyFamilyTree.com/webinars.asp to watch. It will be available until April 10, 2012 at no cost.
Pre-order the webinar-on-CD
Own your own copy of Digital Writing Tools for Genealogists 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 6 pages of handouts. Click here for more information or to purchase.
Lisa's other webinar CDs:
Special discount coupon
The special discount coupon of alzo that was announced during the webinar is valid for 10% off anything in our online store through Monday, April 2, 2012.
Register for our upcoming webinars (free)
See you online!
Posted on March 30, 2012 | Permalink | Comments (0)
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Tom Kemp was spectacular - again. In his webinar today, "Obituaries: Clues to Look For" Tom explained the value of obituaries and gave tips about using and locating the right newspapers. The Q/A session was one of the best we've ever had, and concluded with advice about writing our own obituaries.
View the recording
If you could not make it to the live event or just want to watch it again, the 1 hour 50 minute recording of Obituaries: Clues to Look For is now available to view in our webinar archives. Visit www.LegacyFamilyTree.com/webinars.asp to watch. It is available to view indefinitely.
GenealogyBank.com discount
Subscribe to GenealogyBank.com by Friday, March 30, 2012 and get 25% off (normally $69.95 per year, now just $52.46 per year). Existing members can also extend their subscription by calling 1-866-641-3297 and mentioning product code 1203WEB. Visit www.genealogybank.com/webinar for the offer.
Special discount coupon
The special discount coupon of kemp that was announced during the webinar is valid for 10% off anything in our online store through Monday, April 2, 2012.
Register for our upcoming webinars (free)
See you online!
Posted on March 28, 2012 | Permalink | Comments (0)
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Telling your family’s story just got a whole lot easier thanks to a number of cloud-based notetaking and writing tools and apps you can access from home, your netbook or iPad, and even your smartphone. Learn about the latest tech tools and writing apps for bringing your family’s story to life!
The live webinar is scheduled for Friday, March 30, 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. Join at least 15-20 minutes early to ensure your virtual seat.
About the presenter
Lisa A. Alzo. M.F.A. is a freelance writer, instructor, and internationally recognized lecturer, specializing in Slovak/Eastern European genealogical research, writing your family history, and using the Internet to trace female and immigrant ancestors. She is the author of nine books, including the award-winning Three Slovak Women, and hundreds of magazine articles, and writes the blog "The Accidental Genealogist"
She is the also the author of:
Lisa will also be the speaker for the following webinars in 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 Friday, March 30, 2012 at:
Or use this Time Zone Converter.
Here's how to attend:
We look forward to seeing you all there!
Posted on March 27, 2012 in Webinars | Permalink | Comments (0)
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Need photos of your grandparents or great-grandparents? Here is a unique source that you have likely never considered. It is not going to work for everyone but if your ancestors lived in the United States and either immigrated in the 20th century or had the means to travel abroad you just may be in luck.
(image courtesy of Ancestry.com, used with permission)
United States Passport Applications
A great source of 20th century photos is the U.S. Passport Applications, 1795-1925 database from Ancestry.com. If your family had the means to travel abroad there is a good chance that they were included in this database. In addition to the wealthy, the staff and servants might have accompanied their employers abroad. And let's not forget about recent immigrants! They had a tendency to go back and forth to the old country. They are good candidates for passports as well.
There are almost 2 million records of passport applications on Ancestry.com. There are another 6,000 in a companion database for emergency passport applications. One thing to watch out for when using this database is indexing errors. There seem to be an unusually high number of indexing errors. If you don't find your ancestor with an initial first name - surname search try getting a little creative. Search instead for the first name plus the birth town (but exclude county). Also try the first name and residence combination. If you still strike out with that try using the keyword field in addition to the first or last name.
What many people don't realize is that the later passports contain photos. The photos started appearing in the 1915 passports and continue to the end date of the database with 1925. Some 1915 passport applications may be without photos, some may have a photo on the front page and others will be found on the back page. By 1916 all passport applications are at least two pages with the photo on the second page.
When you find your ancestor in the Passport Applications database you will be brought to page one of the passport application. This will contain information about your ancestor's birth date, who they are travelling with, where they are travelling and why they are going abroad. Be sure to press the forward arrow to go to the next page. Your ancestor's photo will appear on the second page. Note, however, that when you save the page with the photo that the left hand side relates to your ancestor but the right hand side of the page is an unrelated person. The same will be true if you save the first page but in that case your ancestor will be on the right hand side and an unrelated person's photo will be on the left.
Another unique feature of that page of passports was that family members could all travel under one passport. It is not unusual to find photos of both a husband and wife in the same passport application. Likewise you could find a photo of a mother and all five of her children.
Not searching for photos in the passport applications database could be a real missed opportunity to come face to face with your more recent ancestors. Spend some time searching this database and see if you can locate photos of your family members.
- Note from Geoff: Great article Marian! I quickly searched for Hans Rasmussen, my 2nd great-grandfather and found his application. Although he did not have a photograph, it was fascinating seeing this document of his.
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 Ten Brick Wall Tips for Beginners, Discovering Your Massachusetts Ancestors, Brick Walls: Cracking the Case of Nathan Brown's Parents and Researching Your Connecticut Ancestors.
Posted on March 27, 2012 | Permalink | Comments (4)
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