US Passport Applications--reposted from 2007

[this is a repost from a 2007 blog post]

This passport sample from 1922 indicates that the applicant was born in Switzerland and provides the name of his father and the date of immigration. Also included is the reason for the trip and a picture. Earlier applications do not give pictures and as much information, but is it possible that your ancestor made a return trip "home" to visit family? These applications are available at Ancestry.com as US Passport Applications and images 1795-1925.

My Second A to Z Brick Wall Webinar -Free

[I've posted this here due to overwhelming response on my other blogs]

Blog readers, followers, and email subscribers to Rootdig can get my second "Brick Walls from A to Z" webinar for free by using this link:

https://getdpd.com/v2/cart/add/11078/28716/43862

I've given four of these "Brick Walls from A To Z" presentations--this offer is for the second one. Each one has different suggestions. This is the first time we've offered the second presentation for free.

1940 Census Index for Illinois release at FamilySearch

It appears that FamilySearch has finally included Illinois in their 1940 census index. I have a few people that I have not been able to locate, particularly Peter Verikios a Greek immigrant to Chicago who would have been living (probably) in or near Chicago in 1940.

There are several options:

• Peter could have been skipped
• Peter's name could be written so badly it cannot be read
• Peter might have been enumerated under another name--a variant of which I have not heard.
• Peter might have lived elsewhere-somewhere I have not thought to look.

Peter was (is) the object of 1940 census search contest. 

I have a few more individuals whom I can't find in 1940 in Illinois. I will have to look for them now at FamilySearch.

Updated List of Genealogy Webinars

This is the current list of my recorded genealogy webinars. With over 30 to choose from, there's something here for almost every one.  To "test" the media file and see if your machine can play it, download the second "Brick Wall from A to Z" webinar here for free. 

• The Bureau of Land Management Office Tract Books. These books are a good source for additional information on your homesteading or federal land acquiring ancestors. This material supplements what is in the homestead file, allows you to see names of neighboring claims, even if those claims were not completed. If you've ever wondered who might have started a claim near your ancestor, but never completed it--these books are the way to find out. Our webinar on using the books (most of which are available for free on FamilySearch)  discusses several examples in Ohio, Illinois, and Nebraska for a variety of federal land purchase types. If you've never used the tract books because you found them too confusing, let this webinar cut through the confusion.
  
  You can order the recording and handout for $6 via this link
• Sections, Townships, Base Lines, etc--Land Descriptions in Federal Land States. The presentation focused on interpreting these descriptions, determining acreages and becoming familiar with the terminology. This presentation is geared towards those who have had difficulty using land descriptions or who have avoided using land records because of the use of legal descriptions. The use of land records for genealogy and searching those records are not a part of this presentation. This presentation concentrates on how land is described.  This presentation and handout can be ordered for $8.50.
• Did Your Ancestor Get a Civil War Pension? This presentation discusses ways to determine if your ancestor recieved a Civil War pension--either Union or Confederate. Free sites are the only ones discussed. This presentation and handout can be ordered for $8.50.
• Using the 1940 Census at Ancestry.com and FamilySearch. Ancestry.com is offering their 1940 census indexes and images free through 2013. FamilySearch's will remain free. This presentation is geared towards intermediate level researchers--we assume you're familiar with what the census is, what common search problems are, etc. I've gotten good feed back from attendees--including ones in the US and overseas. We look through several examples and I make a few discoveries along the way myself--which is a good thing and probably which shows during the presentation. The method of presentation is informal, with a focus on procedure and method. This presentation and handout can be ordered for $8.50.
• American Revolutionary War Materials on Fold3.com.  Our discussion concentrated on what items from the Revolutionary War era were on Fold3.com and how to search those materials. The presentation was approximately 45 minutes in length. A short handout was also included. The presentation is geared toward those who have not utilized these materials on Fold3.com and aren't all that familiar with how to interact with the search and navigational system of Fold3--both are discussed in addition to the records. This presentation and handout can be ordered for $8.50.
• The Newmans in the 1830-1870 Census--A Case Study. This presentation follows a family through the 1830 until the 1870 census. Discussion includes correlation of information, search techniques and problem-solving for finding the family in 1880. This presentation and handout can be ordered for $8.50.
• Making Changes to Your Ancestry.com Tree. We have released the recording of my webinar on making changes to YOUR tree at Ancestry.com. The presentation discusses how to fix errors, what problems can arise when fixing errors, changing relationships, adding parents, spouses, or children, and more. This presentation can be ordered for $8.50.
• Integrating Images and Ancestry.com data in your Ancestry.com Tree. I just completed my first webinar on using the online trees at Ancestry.com--we focused on integrating census and other Ancestry.com databases and images into your file without confusing yourself in the process. It's easy to really mess things up if you are not careful. Here's what one attendee had to say: "Thank you for the webinar. I am just now entering our family tree after much research. Now I have a better understanding of how to do this part more accurately." You can order the media file here for $4.50. 
• What is Not Written. This presentation discusses the importance of discovering, as best you can, what is going on "behind the scenes" with a document or a record. Materials used by genealogists are usually created in response to some event and sometimes seeing what's "really going on" is not easy. Through examples and general methodology we will see how to get "behind" the document and discover what was really going on. $8.50 purchases the media file and handout.
• Crossing the Pond. This presentation discusses problem-solving strategies for tracing 18th and 19th century ancestors back across the Atlantic. It is geared towards advanced beginning and intermediate researchers. This presentation does not merely list a list of sources, but focuses on research methods. $8.50 purchases the media file and handout for this presentation.
• Charts, Charts and More Charts. Readers of the newsletter know that I love charts--and I'm not talking about pedigree and family group charts. Instead I'm talking about charts that organize information you have in order to see what's missing, notice patterns, and organize your research. In this webinar, I talk about key elements to include in any chart, troubleshooting before you get started, brainstorming, and ways to get creative with your data. Geared towards advanced beginners and intermediate researchers. $8.50 purchases the media file and handout for this presentation.
• Google Docs--Getting Started Webinar. This hour long presentation discusses the basics of Google Docs for genealogists. This free service allows you to share files with anyone as a web page or work on files with other individuals to whom you've given access to the file via the cloud. You can control who can edit materials with you and let the world view a read-only version of your file. This description just scratches the surface. Download the media file for $8.50.
• Proving Florence--From our Fundamental Series--this 20 minute presentation is geared towards beginners with some experience and intermediate researchers as well. It discusses how the father was "proven" for a woman who was born in the 1850s in Iowa or Missouri. There's not one source that specifically states the relationship--our case is indirect. Only $2.50 for the media file and the handout.
• Brick Walls From A to Z--FINAL one. Twenty-six new genealogy stumbling block breakers in alphabetical order. This session is geared towards advanced beginners and intermediate researchers and is not geared towards any specific geographic location. The Brick Wall series has been fun, but I'm looking forward to creating new material.
   And besides, I'm running out of things I can use for "X." The recording and handout can be ordered for $8.50.
• Creating Research Plans. This presentation discusses how to create your research plans, how to set goals, how to not set goals, when you are proving and when you are not, and other key concepts. Of course, we have a few charts as well. Our attempt is to be down-to-earth and practical. I realize that most genealogists are not going to write journal articles, however our research needs to be as thorough as possible and our analysis and method well-thought out or we're not going to get the best possible story on great-great-grandma that there is. This presentation is geared towards intermediate researchers, but advanced beginners might get some benefit from it as well. The presentation and handout can be downloaded from our vendor for $8.50. 
• Preparing for Mother's Death . It's not quite what you might think. This presentation discusses an 1889 will that was denied in 1900 with no stated reasons. An exhaustive search of records resulted in the likely reason and made the machinations of one son a little easier to see and made the reasons behind some documents a little more clear. Along the way we discuss a few key terms and also see why chronology and context are always important--especially so when things are confusing.You can purchase the handout and presentation for $8.50. 
• The 1940 Census. This presentation was recorded before the images were released and concentrates on determining Enumeration District and probable residence of your ancestor along with a discussion of what is in the 1940 census. Only $4.00 for download.
• The Genealogical Proof Standard for the Non-Professional. One of our most popular webinars, this presentation provides an overview of the “Genealogical Proof Standard,” including a discussion on the “exhaustive search.” The Proof Standard is not just for professionals, any genealogist who wants to improve their research and get past those stumbling blocks would be well served by implementing it in their research. Our discussion is practical, down-to-earth, and hands-on. This webinar and presentation can be ordered for immediate download for just $8.00.
• Proving Benjamin. This presentation discusses work on a New York 1820 era native who appears in Michigan, Iowa, and Missouri census records. Combining those records with a probate, we show inconsistent 1850, 1870 and 1880 census entries are actually for the same man, and using land and tax records (combined with census records) get a good foundation for researching his family of origin. This webinar presentation and handout can be purchased for just $8.00.
• Female Ancestors. This presentation discusses approaches and techniques for determining an ancestor's maiden name and locating "missing" females. Geared towards the advanced beginner or intermediate researcher, it focuses on American records and sources. The content is not specific to any one time period and many of the approaches can be refined for different locations or types of records. If you are stymied on your female ancestors--and half your ancestors are female. This webinar presentation and handout can be purchased for $8.50.
• The Probate Process—An Overview. Geared towards the advanced beginner or intermediate researcher, it covered an overview of the process and looked at selected documents from two probate settlements with a discussion of the pitfalls to watch out for along the way. Probate records are an excellent genealogical source--regardless of the time period in which you are researching and may contain clues about your ancestor, where he lived, his occupation, etc. The recording (and handout) are available at $8.50.
• Using Fold3.Com--This webinar provided a broad overview of what was on the site and provided some actual live demo of searching and interacting with the information. The image interface is different from some and the searching is slightly different so both those things were demonstrated for some representative databases on the site. This presentation is geared towards those who have not used Fold3 or have limited experience with it. You can download the webinar now at the introductory rate of $6
• Making and Proving Your Case. Geared towards advanced beginners and intermediate researchers, this presentation discusses things to think about before writing up "your case." Talks about statements, primary, secondary, ways to prove yourself, considering all the options, disproving, citation, etc. Provides the viewer with ideas on how to "make their case" and see gaps or omissions in their research.  The digital media for this presentation can be downloaded for $8.50.

• Genealogy Blogging For Beginners This is geared towards those who have no blogging experience. Discusses things to be concerned about, generating content, creating posts, inserting images, tables, copyright, and more. The presentation and handout can be downloaded for $8.50. 

• DeedMapper with Virginia Land Patents. The session on DeedMapper discusses how patents for John Rucker and several of his neighbors were located using the Library of Virginia website. The presentation discusses the downloading of the patents, reading them, inputting the descriptions into DeedMapper and attempting to fit them together using the plats created by DeedMapper. The digital media for this presentation can be purchased for $8.50.

• "Yet More Brick Walls from A to Z" continues our popular series on this topic--with yet another list of brick wall breakers--with discussion--from A to Z. The digital media for this presentation (handout and presentation) can be downloaded for $6.
• Tips and Tricks for FamilySearch  -This webinar discusses ins and outs of using the "new" family search, searching by family structure, global searches, interpreting searches and troubleshooting. Also discussed are strategies when approaching an unindexed set of images, a new type of record series, or incomplete records. Aimed at advanced beginners and intermediate level researchers. The digital version of the presentation and handout can be ordered for $8.50.
• Newspaper Research  -Aimed at advanced beginners and intermediate level researchers, this webinar discusses research techniques for searching newspapers in digital, microfilm, and original formats. Pitfalls of using digital newspapers are discussed, along with manual search techniques and what types of materials to look for besides obituaries and death notices.  This presentation is not merely a list of online sites or an attempt to get subscribers to any specific database. The digital version of the presentation and handout can be ordered for $8.50.
• An overview of using Archive.org.    This focuses on searching the site, using books and how to navigate for National Archives microfilm and other materials. This recording can be downloaded immediately for $8.50.
• Research in Illinois- -Geared towards advanced beginners and intermediate researchers, it focuses on local records, what makes Illinois different, and larger statewide facilities. The media file and handout can be ordered for $8.50 here.
• Sarah and Susannah-Two 18th Century Virginia Women and Their Property -This presentation discusses the will of a 18th century Virginia woman and how another family "moved" a widow's life estate from one county to another. Priced at $8.50 for immediate download. Includes recording and PDF of handout. 
• Creating Families from Pre-1850 Census Records --This presentation discusses how to analyze pre-1850 census records in order to determine the family structure that is suggested by those records. Enumerations for one household between 1810 and 1840 are analyzed in order to determine the number of children, ranges on their years of birth, and ranges on years of birth for the oldest male and oldest female in the household. Priced at $8.50 for immediate download. Includes recording and PDF of handout. 
• United States Naturalization Records pre-1920 - This presentation is an overview of naturalization records in the United States prior to 1920, focusing on locating and understanding the records. Women's citizenship and derivative citizenship are also included. The recorded webinar and handout can be ordered for immediate download for $8.50.
• More Brick Walls from A to Z This presentation is a continuation on the popular "Brick Walls from A to Z" that was released earlier. The alphabet has been reused for additional ideas and quick suggestions for getting past those brick walls--aimed at all levels--with the intent of jumpstarting people's research. Introductory recording price of $6 won't last long. Includes recording and PDF of handout. 
• Using US Passenger lists on Ancestry.com-This presentation provides an overview to the US passenger lists on Ancestry.com, with an emaphasis on search techniques and organization. We look at searching for a few not so easy to find people.  Order the recording and handout here for immediate download for $8.50
• Using US Census on Ancestry.com --This presentation discusses search tips and ideas for using the US Census at Ancestry.com. There is also discussion on organizing your search before you start typing names and information in search boxes. You can purchase the recorded version of the webinar as a Windows media file and the PDF handout for $8.50. Add to cart here. 
• Brick Walls from A to Z--This lecture is based upon my article "Brick Walls From A to Z" and is geared towards the somewhat experienced beginner to intermediate researcher. Just a list of ideas to get beyond your brick walls discussed alphabetically. Handout included. Add to cart here. 
• Using the Old Search at Ancestry.com. Your order can be processed here for only $2.25.We discuss toggling back and forth between new and old search and some of the features of the old search and reasons why I continue to use it. The webinar doesn't show my face--instead you hear my voice and see the screen as I perform searches. We kept the price low on this one to make it affordable for those who've been confused about "old search." Add to cart.
• Local Land Records in Public Domain States--This lecture discusses obtaining, using, and interpreting local land records in areas of the United States from Ohio westward where land was originally in the public domain. This lecture is geared towards those who have some experience with land records--advanced beginning and intermediate researchers.  $8.50 includes handout and hour-long lecture. Add to cart here. 
• DeedMapper Geared for the person who is not familiar with DeedMapper--which maps properties described in metes and bounds, allows users to map multiple parcels on the same map, manipulate plats, insert background images. This works through one example and discusses other features of the program. Add to cart here.
• Barbara's Beaus and Gesche's Girls--Case study of two German immigrants to the American Midwest in the mid-19th century. For $8.50 you will be able to download the media file and the PDF version of the handout. Add to cart here. 
• Court Records-Pig Blood in the Snow. This lecture discusses American court records at the county level where cases were typically originally heard. Discusses cases of main genealogical relevance along with searching techniques. For $8.50 you will be able to download the media file and the PDF version of the handout. Add to cart here. 
• Seeing the Patterns-Organizing Your Information. This lecture discusses the problem-solving process and a variety of ways to organize your information with the intent of getting the research to notice overlooked clues, patterns, trends, and information. $8.50 includes handout and hour-long lecture. Add to cart here.
• Determining Your Own Migration Trail/Chain. You can purchase the recorded version of the webinar as a Windows media file and the handout as as PDF via this link for $7. This lecture discusses ways to find the names of your ancestor's associates and ways to determine how your ancestor fit into a larger chain of migration. Geared towards advanced beginners and intermediate researchers.$8.50 includes handout and hour-long lecture 
• Using the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Website. You can purchase the recorded version of the webinar as a Windows media file and the handout as as PDF for $8.50. This lecture discusses effective search techniques for the site, how to formulate your searches, how to trouble-shoot searches, a search template, and what records patents in the BLM site can lead to. Add to cart.
• The Missing 1840 Census Enumeration . This webinar discusses a couple "missing" from the 1840 Census in Ohio and how they were eventually found and the indirect evidence used. A good overview of using land records to solve a "non-land record" problem with some points along the way about organization and visualization. Suggestions for additional research are also discussed. Add to cart.
• Using US Passenger lists on Ancestry.com ---add to cart

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You can also subscribe to my weekly newsletter Casefile Clues. It is sent as a PDF file and comes to your email. 

NOTE-A PayPal account is NOT necessary. Just click the PayPal button and on the next page hit the button for "don't have a PayPal account" and use a credit card.

$4 Intro Offer on Webinar Recordings

We're ending our $4 introductory rate on our webinars in 24 hours. Order before we go back to our usual pricing of $8.50 per session. 

Topics include:

• Making Changes to Your Ancestry.com Tree
• Determining If Your Ancestor had a Civil War Pension
• The Newmans in the 1830-1870 Census--A Case Study
• Using the 1940 Census at FamilySearch and Ancestry.com
• American Revolutionary War Materials on Fold3.com

The presentations can be ordered on this page http://genealogytipoftheday.blogspot.com/p/recent-webinars-released.html

This was a test post to see if this gets on Google+ automatically.

A Rock Island Naturalization

FamilySearch recently released a significant addition to their collection of county naturalization records for Illinois to their site. At this point in time, the records are unindexed, so users will need to search them old-fashioned way, volume by volume. Many of these materials most likely have an index in the front (or back) of each volume, so page by page searches are not always necessary.

Sometimes there are other indexes as well. In the case of these records, the Soundex Index to Naturalization Petitions for the United States District and Circuit Courts, Northern District of Illinois and Immigration and Naturalization Service District 9, 1840-1950 (National Archives microfilm M1285) indexes the records for Rock Island County, Illinois--and other counties as well. This microfilm is available digitally at Ancestry.com and FamilySearch.

The card for Charles Mortier is shown in the image below:

The "V-9 P-227" indicates that the Mortier naturalization appears on page 227 of volume 9 and was dated 27 March 1906.

Using that information, the naturalization for Mortier was easily located as shown below on FamilySearch.

Using card index made the research easier. A search of one volume after another was not impossible, but the index did facilitate locating this naturalization record.

Hancock County, Illinois, Naturalizations on FamilySearch

Regular readers know that I have a lot of family in Hancock County, Illinois.

FamilySearch recently added digital images of naturalization materials from Hancock County to their website. I've never used the microfilm copies of these records to be honest as I made paper copies from the originals years ago in my research.

It may take awhile, but I'm going to go through the digital format of these records and make digital images of my ancestors who either filed a declaration of intent in Hancock County, Illinois, or completed the process in Hancock County. There six direct line ancestors for whom I need to look in Hancock County.

• John H. Ufkes--probably in the 1880s
• George Trautvetter--1850s
• John Habben--probably in the 1880s
• Hinrich Fecht--probably in the 1880s
• Samuel Neill--probably in the 1880s
• Jans J. Janssen--probably in the 1880s

And that's just the ancestors. I've got one ancestor who naturalized in Knox County, Illinois, in the 1880s only because that's where his uncle was living at the time. I have three ancestors who naturalized in Adams County, Illinois, during the same time period. 

There are several counties represented now in the set of images FamilySearch has. I'll have to look at Rock Island County, Illinois, as my children have a Belgian immigrant who probably naturalized there in the 1890s. 

Maybe I should do a blog post with the date, name, and place of every ancestor's naturalization. 

Webinar on Did Your Ancestor Get a Civil War Pension

Pension records are one of most genealogically rich materials around--particularly if the veteran died first and the widow applied after his death.

My latest webinar discusses finding aids for these records, both Union and Confederate, ways to determine if your ancestor actually served, and search techniques for these records. All finding aids discussed are available free--in one way or another, and we discuss through specific example how to use them.

There is a digital media and a handout to accompany this presentation. The presentation and handout can be downloaded at an initial offering price of $4--which won't last long.

Can You Find Peter Verikios in 1940?

I have been unable to find Peter (Panagiotis) Verikios in the 1940 United States Census. He should be in the greater Chicago, Illinois, area. You can search for Peter in Ancestry.com's 1940 census (at no charge at this time) or FamilySearch. (you don't have to be a paying member of Ancestry.com to use Ancestry.com's 1940 census through 2013--FamilySearch is free period).

I used to run census search contests for famous people. Since those don't interest me anymore, we're running a contest to find Peter instead. Below is  a quick summary of what I know about Peter--no citations are included, but there's enough information there to find where I got what I did if someone is interested.

Peter's Greek name is Panagiotis. He used Peter upon his naturalization and likely after his arrival as well.

Images below are for Peter in the 1920 census, 1930 census, his World War II draft registration card, and his index card for his naturalization. When he died in 1947, he was living at 6934 South Bishop Street. I don't have a scan of the death certificate.

The first person to find Peter in 1940 will receive a gift certificate for $30 towards the purchase of my recorded webinars.

Here's what I believe to have been true about Peter in 1940:

• He should be living in the Chicago area.
• He was born in Greece--at least the early 1880s.
• He probably was working in a grocery as a clerk, running a fruit stand, or something of that type. 

To enter--follow these rules. If you do NOT follow the rules, your entry will not count. The rules are:

• Email submissions to michael.john.neill@gmail.com
• Provide the complete citation for 

1920 Census

1930 Census

World War II Draft Card
Registration done in April of 1942.

Index card for naturalization

Good Luck!

Webinar on Making Changes to YOUR Ancestry.com Tree

We have released the recording of my webinar on making changes to YOUR tree at Ancestry.com. The presentation discusses how to fix errors, what problems can arise when fixing errors, changing relationships, adding parents, spouses, or children, and more.

The recording can be ordered at the introductory rate of $4 via this link.

Webinar Released: Sections, Townships, Base Lines, etc--Land Descriptions in Federal Land States

I just wrapped up my webinar on Sections, Townships, Base Lines, etc--Land Descriptions in Federal Land States.  The presentation focused on interpreting these descriptions, determining acreages and becoming familiar with the terminology.

This presentation is geared towards those who have had difficulty using land descriptions or who have avoided using land records because of the use of legal descriptions. The use of land records for genealogy and searching those records are not a part of this presentation. This presentation concentrates on how land is described.  We are offering this presentation (including media and handout) at an introductory rate of $4. 

Our searching land record webinar is described below:

      Local Land Records in Public Domain States--This lecture discusses obtaining, using, and interpreting local land records in areas of the United States from Ohio westward where land was originally in the public domain. This lecture is geared towards those who have some experience with land records--advanced beginning and intermediate researchers.  $8.50 includes handout and hour-long lecture. Add to cart here. 

Where Did Henry Johnson Live in 1900?

I use the online trees at Ancestry.com so that I'm familiar enough with them to help people. I'm not necessarily a big fan of them myself.

In working on my uncle, I discovered an interesting nuance.

I used the auto merge feature to add the 1900 census to Henry's entry. This indicated he lived in "Basco Village" in 1900.

That did not sound right to me as the family never lived in "town" and would have been on the farm in 1900. Clicking on the "source citation" for the 1900 residence pulled up the results page for Henry.

This indicates Henry's home in 1900 was Bear Creek [Township], Hancock County, Illinois. This is "correct" as the family's farm was within the township borders, but outside the village border of Basco.

I was (am) confused why the 1900 residence indicates Basco when the "results" screen indicates Bear Creek.

A little reading of the census is helpful--and not just the page on which the Johnson family appears. Pages 30A through 33A in Bear Creek Township are apparently for the village of Basco as 33A ends with the statement "Here ends the enumeration of the Village of Basco."

Sheet 33B through 40A are apparently for the Township of Bear Creek--that portion outside of the Village of Basco. "Village of Basco" is written in the heading area for several of these pages...and is crossed out on some but not all.

Based upon the "Here ends the enumeration" statement, I'm to think that that's actually where the village of Basco ends and that the enumerator simply copied the heading material onto too many pages.

The Johnson's entry is on page 35B, making it outside village limits:

Watch those locations that Ancestry.com just "pulls in." Sometimes it pays to do a little looking at the record.

[Tenia Johnson--the five year old--is my great-grandmother.]

1940 Census at Ancestry.com and FamilySearch Webinar Released

I just wrapped up my webinar on using the 1940 census at Ancestry.com and FamilySearch. This presentation is geared towards intermediate level researchers--we assume you're familiar with what the census is, what common search problems are, etc. I've gotten good feed back from attendees--including ones in the US and overseas.

We look through several examples and I make a few discoveries along the way myself--which is a good thing and probably which shows during the presentation. The method of presentation is informal, with a focus on procedure and method.

You can order the presentation at our initial price of $4. The usual purchase price is $8.50 which will be the price after this initial rate is pulled in a few days. Video/audio and handout are included.

Download can be done immediately, but the link expires after 24 hours. The media file, once downloaded, can be viewed at your convenience.

Anything Unusual About this 1940 Census Entry?

I think there's something a little bit different about the census entry from 1940 highlighted in yellow on the image above. This image comes from Elvaston, Prairie Township, Hancock County, Illinois, which can be viewed here completely. This is sheet 2B from Enumeration District 34-27--for those who keep track of such things.

Webinar on the American Revolution at Fold3.com

We recently completed the webinar on American Revolutionary War materials on Fold3.com.

Our discussion concentrated on what items from the Revolutionary War era were on Fold3.com and how to search those materials. The presentation was approximately 45 minutes in length. A short handout was also included. 

We are taking pre-orders for the recording and the handout. The presentation was too long for our normal distribution system, but we've got a solution worked out. 

The presentation is geared toward those who have not utilized these materials on Fold3.com and aren't all that familiar with how to interact with the search and navigational system of Fold3--both are discussed in addition to the records. 

You can order the recording and handout for only $4 securely via this link. The normal price is $8.50--the $4 price is good while the link is still active--now through 9 May 2013.

Order confirmation is immediate. 

Download links are sent manually--please wait 24 hours for delivery. Thanks!

The American Revolutionary War materials on Fold3.com-Links

These are the links mentioned in the webinar I'm giving tonight on The American Revolutionary War materials on Fold3.com.

• Pension Files
• Service Records
• Revolutionary War Rolls
• Final Pension Payment Vouchers--1818-1864

This was the easiest way to publish these for webinar attendees. Thanks to those who are joining us tonight.

Webinar on 1850-1870 Census -Newman Family

I just wrapped up my census webinar on the Newman family in the 1850-1870 census. It's geared towards advanced beginner or intermediate level researchers and discusses search techniques, comparing information, and starting the next stage in the search process--in this case the 1880 census.

The webinars normally sell for $8.50, but in the first twenty-four hours, we're offering it at $4. This includes the presentation (screen and audio) and handout.

Ancestry.com defines a Source and Indicates "original" means "irrefutable"

This is the brief snippet of how Ancestry.com defines a "source" when a user of their tree is on the "create source" page.

I'm not certain I agree with all of it.

I realize that an index can be a source, but I think I would have left index off the list in this quick blurb. In my opinion, indexes should only be used as sources when the records which were used to create them cannot be located. Indexes are finding aids to guide one to sources. Have I used an index as a source? Probably, but rarely.

I'm not certain that legible images qualify as original sources either. The actual document itself is the original. It's been my perspective that reproductions are derivative in nature, regardless of the means by which the reproduction was made. I think there's the unspoken assumption that derivative sources are "bad," which is not true. Derivative or original merely discusses the form of the source.

Original sources do NOT provide "irrefutable proof." Whoa. That's such a loaded statement. Are there any genealogists who take their research relatively seriously who think that an original source is irrefutable "proof." And one source is not proof either, but that's a post for another day.

Just because a source is "original" does NOT mean it is irrefutable. I don't think any source is irrefutable, even Grandma.

What to Leave on Those Stones

For those who visit graves, do you leave plastic flowers? I've thought about some biodegradable things I can leave that won't need to be removed and won't take forever to decompose either. Some things that come to mind:

• real flowers
• piece of for that relative who had a sweet tooth
• a little bit of pipe tobacco for the relative who always smoked a pipe
• an apple for that relative who was a teacher

Not certain what the policies of the cemetery will be, but there could items you could place that won't need to be picked up when mowing time comes around. 

Readers have any ideas?

7 August Genealogy Webinars for $30

You can sign up for all my August 2012 webinars for only $30. Topics and registration link are on this page. http://genealogytipoftheday.blogspot.com/p/webinar-discounts.html

Webinar On Using the 1940 Census-9 August

We are offering a webinar on using the free 1940 census search sites--Ancestry.com (free through through 2013) and FamilySearch. Get tips, tricks and suggestions for using these sites to find your 1940 era relatives.

Registration is only $1.50 for the hour-long presentation. Our webinars don't have a sponsor, so we do have to recoup the hosting fees, but this is the lowest we've ever offered registration.

Your registration can be processed via this link securely.

Log in information will be sent within 24 hours of your registration.

Thanks!

Marie Williams in 1940

Ancestry.com released the complete 1940 census index today and I've spent a little time experimenting with it. Like any index, it will have errors and issues, but the option is to search page by page. This is slightly impractical when research urban ancestors for whom no good address is known. I'll avoid opining about errors in indexes. Indexes are meant to be finding aids, not definitive transcriptions. And the subscription to Ancestry.com would be even more if they paid professionals to create the indexes instead of taking the approach that is apparently taken.

This is part of the entry for Marie Williams, my wife's great-grandmother. Marie lived in Chicago in 1940 with her third husband, Wayne Williams.

Without the index, it would have taken me forever to find them. Williams is not the most unusual name.

Google Maps indicates that there is still a home standing there today.

I've got a few more 1940 people to find, but the index is helping with those who were "missing."

Remember that through 2013, you can search the 1940 for free atAncestry.com (no credit card is necessary).

I am Related to President Tyler's Wife--Not

I made the most interesting discovery in the "trees" at Ancestry.com. I am related to the wife of President Tyler--at least that is what the entry for John Mimka Habben indicates as of this writing.

I will admit that the site contains this warning:

"The Relationship Finder Tool is as accurate as the data we pull from OneWorldTree. The quality of each relationship shown is measured by stars (where 5 stars shows high probability of an accurate relationship)."

But I mean, really Ancestry.com, can't you set your parameters to be a little bit better than this?

Ancke Jansen (-1719) is the mother of Hinrich Hinrichs as shown on the left hand side of the page. Ancke died in Wrisse, Ostfriesland, Germany, which is where several of the following generations on the left-hand side of the page were born and died until the family moved to nearby Wiesens.

I'm not certain what is up with the right hand side of the page. Johan Heinrich DeLange, according the the Ancestry.com tree from which his information was pulled, was born in 1728 in Germany. Ostfriesland is in modern-day Germany, but locations aside, Ancke died in 1719.

I'm not familiar with the right-hand side of the "chart," but the Johanna Catharine De Lange (1848-1925) is indicated as the mother of someone born in 1628.

1628?!

You have got to be kidding me.

John Mimka Habben is my great-great-grandfather. Julia Gardiner Tyler is not. 

My advice--stick to the images of actual records on Ancestry.com. If you use the compiled trees-have a pair of pruning shears handy. A very large and very sharp pair.

Tennessee Marriages on FamilySearch

It makes me wonder how many people are confused about the Tennessee marriages that appear on FamilySearch.

There are three databases relative to marriages from Tennessee:

• "Tennessee, County Marriages, 1790-1950"
• "Tennessee, Marriages, 1796-1950"
• "Tennesse, State Marriage Index, 1780-2002"

What is the difference? Good question.

"Tennessee, County Marriages, 1790-1950"

From the FamilySearch  site: "Name indexes and images of Tennessee county marriages from 1790 through 1950 acquired from local courthouses. This collection contains searchable index data and images for marriage registers, marriage licenses, marriage bonds, and marriage certificates. Currently this collection is 16% complete. Additional records by county will be added as they are completed. Some images may not be viewable due to contract restrictions."

"Tennessee, Marriages, 1796-1950"

From the FamilySearch site: "Name index to marriage records from the state of Tennessee. Microfilm copies of these records are available at the Family History Library and FamilySearch Centers. Due to privacy laws, recent records may not be displayed. The year range represents most of the records. A few records may be earlier or later. "

Clicking on the link to "learn more," it is indicated that these entries come from the International Genealogical Index. This means that the entries might come from county records that were transcribed or submissions from church members that may have been completely undocumented.

"Tennesse, State Marriage Index, 1780-2002"

From the FamilySearch site: "Index of marriages from the Tennessee State Library and Archives. Index provided by Ancestry.com"

What Is the Difference?

FamilySearch has microfilmed copies of county level records--those are in the first database.

FamilySearch compiled the IGI over decades and this database contains just those entries that were for marriages in Tennessee--these entries can come from extractions of local records done by volunteers in the pre-Internet days or submissions from church members.

FamilySearch has, for the time being, obtained the rights to an index of marriages that Ancestry.com created to records of Tennessee marriages that are maintained by the Tennessee State Library and Archives. It may be that the "records maintained" by the TSLA are simply microfilmed copies of the county records.

What to do?

Learn about the records and make certain you are getting the original if at all possible. Some of the records used for the TSLA index and the "County Marriage" index appear to have been ledgers created years after the marriage. These items would be considered derivative in nature at best.

We'll have an additional blog post about a specific entry later. Stay tuned.

We Are Still Here...

In case anyone wondered, I'm still around. The last week and a half have centered around a family health issue, which has turned out better than expected.

I'm at the Allen County Public Library in Ft. Wayne for the next three days, so there may be some posts about my activities there.

We'll return to our normally posting early next week. Thanks!