Family History Library research trip 2007

Our 2006 research trip to the Family History Library in Salt Lake wrapped up last week, we all had a great time and some even hung around for a few extra days wrapping up loose ends and following new leads.

Dates of our 2007 trip to Salt Lake have been announced on our trip website. Stay tuned for future details about 2007!

http://www.rootdig.com/slctrip.html

Michael

In Salt Lake City

We're in Salt Lake City for our first annual research trip to the Family History Library. I arrived a day early and did some probate work and a few other loose ends. We are looking forward to our time in the library. Those who missed this year's trip can stayed tune for information on next year. There probably won't be too many blog postings in the near future....unless I find something really great.
Michael

Find Spencer Tracy in 1920

Our latest census search contest:

Spencer Tracy in 1920
http://www.rootdig.com/contest/1920_spencer_tracy.html

Michael

Genline--Swedish online Church Records-Workshop

Carl Sandburg College is hosting a two-day workshop I am presenting on using Genline for Swedish ancestral research. This site has millions of images of Swedish church records and is an excellent site for anyone with Swedish ancestors.

The workshop will be held on 18 and 19 August in Galesburg, Illinois. For more details, visit our website:
http://www.rootdig.com/genline.html
Michael

Old Men's Draft Registration in World War II

The fourth registration for the World War II draft in the United States included men born between 28 April 1877 and 16 February 1897. These cards are an excellent genealogical source for anyone born in this time frame.

The card on the right is a sample.

We are taking requests for lookups in these cards until 21 May 2006.

There is more information on the cards and additional sample images on our site
http://www.rootdig.com/draft/worldwartwo.html
Michael

Find Bob Hope in 1910

We have announced our latest "famous census search." This time it is Bob Hope in 1910.
http://www.rootdig.com/contest/1910_bob_hope.html
Michael

Names reversed in Census

Panagiotis Verikios is enumerated in the 1930 census and was not toooo hard to locate except for the fact that his first name and his last name were reversed. Occasionally this happened, more likely with non-English names, but one never knows. When searching the index, consider switching the first and last names...you never know.

Panagiotis' entry can be viewed here:

http://www.rootdig.com/panagiotis1930/

He's living on the south side of Chicago.
Michael

Still room on our Ft. Wayne Trip

Procrastinator that I am, I just made my reservation at the Ft. Wayne Hilton for our research trip there at the very end of May. Those who are still thinking about joining us still can. Anyone from the US is welcome and more information about our research trip is posted online. We always have a good time and get lots of research done.
Michael

Searching World War I Draft cards at Ancestry.

We've posted an article with search techniques for the WWI Draft card database at Ancestry.com on our site:
http://www.rootdig.com/adn/using_world_war_i.html
You will need access to Ancestry.com to use the index (your library may have access onsite--ask them and find out, your local Family History Library has access). My suggestions for what to do when requesting a free trial are posted on our site.
Michael

Illinois Genealogy Articles

Over the years I have written several articles on Illinois research and posted them on our site. Those with Illinois roots may wish to venture over and take a look:
http://www.rootdig.com/illinois.html
Michael

Analyzing A Probate

Estate records are a great source for the genealogist. In a past article on our site, we analyze an estate from 1860s in Missouri and include clues about the family that are hinted at in the estate inventory and sale.

http://www.rootdig.com/john_lake/
Even when the estate doesn't list the heirs, you may still learn something. Record images are included.

Michael

1910 Postcard

Ever thought of postcards your ancestor might have sent? I've posted one to my site that my ancestor sent to his father-in-law when he made a return trip to Germany. The text he wrote is pretty short and generally refers to his trip and the weather...no real hard genealogy information, but it was neat to have it. Consider looking for cards in your own background.

http://www.rootdig.com/immigrate/dirks_card.html

Michael

Bureau County Genealogical Society meeting

Thanks to the group from Bureau County (Illinois) for inviting me to speak at their monthly meeting. I always enjoy my trips to Princeton and the society has a very active group with a nice downtown facility. Those with Bureau County roots may wish to check out the society's website; their membership is over 400!
http://www.rootsweb.com/~ilbcgs/
Michael

Birth Certificate Spellings

One always has to keep in mind the creative spellings that were used, especially when the families did not speak English. My great-grandfather Frederich Ufkes is listed as Elineny Ufcuss on his birth certificate. And no, nothing close to "Elineny" was ever used as a nickname for him.
Michael

Ohio Gene. Conference-Toledo

I'll be giving two lectures on Saturday at the annual Ohio Genealogical Society Conference in Toledo.

• Where did the Farm go?
• Math for Genealogists

If you'll be attending, be certain to say hi.

Michael

Find Glenn Miller in 1930

Our latest census contest:

Glenn Miller in 1930.

Click on the link and please follow the directions if you want to try and win. If you can't find him, that's ok, but please don't send me suggestions...and yes his first name is not Glenn.

Michael

Tennessee Genealogical Society

We had a great time in Memphis at the recent Tennessee Genealogical Society's Spring workshop. The handout for our Tight Budget lecture has been posted online. The group was very hospitable and my daughter enjoyed everyone of the Brownie Bites the ladies in the kitchen gave her! Thanks again for having me as your speaker.

Michael

Do You Ear?

This has been one of the most popular articles on our site. Think about how that word got into the ear of the censustaker or records clerk. It makes all the difference.

http://www.rootdig.com/adn/earwhatiear.html

Michael

1841 UK Census

Ancestry.com has the 1841 UK Census online—16 million names from England, Wales, the Channel Islands, and the Isle of Man. The 1841-1901 UK Census Collection is now complete. It appears they have cleaned up some images as well. I'll be spending too much time looking for the Frames and Watson's from County Cumberland.

We've posted some 1841-1871 samples here. The 1841 image was taken from a microfilm copy. What I just saw at Ancestry.com was MUCH cleaner. The darkness on the left hand side that made reading difficult was essentially gone.

A World Deluxe Membership is needed to see the images (Monthly or Annual), or else get a 14-day free trial. Remember to write down day 13 if you take the trial and decide then to keep or cancel. Don't call the day AFTER to cancel. ;-)


Michael

Lessons from Searching for the Rich and Famous

Over the past several years, we've located hundreds of the famous and infamous in US census records. An article discussing my experiences and lesssons learned has been posted on our site. In most cases, looking for the well-known is not all that different from locating the not-so-well-known.


http://www.rootdig.com/adn/1930lifestyles.html

Michael

Find B B King in 1930

Our latest contest is to find jazz musician B B King in 1930.

http://www.rootdig.com/contest/1930_b_b_king.html

Michael

Famous Contest Announcement

Our first contest is to find Hank Williams, Sr. in 1930. First correct submission wins a current edition of Family Tree Maker.
More details are on our site at:
http://www.rootdig.com/contest.html
As of 1:00 CST 19 April 2006 we had no winner.
Good Luck!
Michael

Jackie Kennedy in 1930

She's living in NYC with her parents, but interestingly enough she and her mother are enumerated with the father/husband, John Bouvier, but they are un-named. Very interesting, but made finding them a little more difficult than usual.

The image on our site was reduced in quality to save space, but one can still get the idea.

http://www.rootdig.com/1930census/jackie_kennedy.html

Michael

John Tyler in 1860 Census

We have added President John Tyler to our rich and famous census page for 1860. The image can be viewed for free here:

http://www.rootdig.com/1860census/1860_john_tyler.html

Michael

Famous Census Search Contest

In the next week, we will be restarting our "find the famous person in the census contest," complete with prizes. Information will be posted on our Contest page

http://www.rootdig.com/contest.html


Michael