Karl Marx in the Census

Karl Marx spent a great deal of his life in the United Kingdom (which I forgot) and is enumerated in the 1851-1881 Census for the UK. We have created a webpage with links to the images here:

http://www.rootdig.com/uk/karl_marx/index.html

Famous United Kingdom Residents in the Census

We've modified our UK Famous census page, which includes links census images for the following:

Queen Victoria
Lewis Carroll
Charlie Chaplin
Agatha Christie
Winston Churchill
Charles Darwin
Charles Dickins
Alfred Hitchcock
Rudyard Kipling
A A Milne
Florence Nightingale
Beatrix Potter
Alfred Tennyson
J R R Tolkien
H G Wells
Oscar Wilde

Find Mae West in 1930

We have announced our latest search contest:
Mae West in 1930
More details have been posted at:
http://www.rootdig.com/contest/
Michael

2007 Research Trip to Salt Lake

We are taking reservations on our 2007 trip to Salt Lake City, where you can overload on genealogical information. More information about our trip has been posted on our site.

Before Looking for a Civil War Pension

There is a lot one should do before searching for a Civil War pension, and there are several finding aids to these records that are NOT online.

A recent article posted to our site discusses searching for pension records--one of the best genealogical sources there is.

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

Michael

1920 Famous Census Additions

We have added the 1920 census image for
Mae West
Cy Young

to our site. These two individuals were subjects of our "famous census" search contest.

The images can be viewed from
http://www.rootdig.com/1920census/
Michael

Fred Astaire, Irving Berlin and Henry Ford

We've added census images for the following to our site:
1910 Henry Ford
1910 Irving Berlin
1920 Fred Astaire

Just go to our main page and choose the desired year:
http://www.rootdig.com/contest/

These were submitted by contest winners. We are hoping to announce more contests later in the week at http://www.rootdig.com/contest/

Michael

Primary and Secondary

The difference between primary and secondary confuses many genealogists. I posted an article today which discusses the difference. It is also important to remember that classifying a piece of information as either primary or secondary is only PART of the process by which one decides how reliable a given piece of information is.

The article can be found at:

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

Michael

New Famous Census Search Contests

We have added famous census search contests for the following individuals on our site:

1910 Henry Ford
1910 Irving Berlin
1920 George Burns
1920 Fred Astaire

details are on our site at:http://www.rootdig.com/contest/

Thanks!

1910 Everyname Census Index at Ancestry

Ancestry has finally released their 1910 everyname census index. A recent column posted on this website discussed some ways to prepare for that release. The article is here:

http://www.rootdig.com/adn/ready1910.html

The 1910 census index at Ancestry.com is here:
1910 United States Federal Census Index (everyname)

Michael

President Lincoln in 1850 and 1860 census

For those who are interested, we have posted links to 1850 and 1860 census images of President Lincoln.
http://www.rootdig.com/abraham_lincoln.html
Michael

Potential Security Breach at WIU

Just what you want to read in your email. WIU (Western Illinois University) alumns probably already know, but just in case:
http://www.wiu.edu/securityalert/
Michael

NGS 2006

Our time at NGS 2007 was short, but very eventful!

Personally I get great deal of value out of the program syllabus, which includes speaker's handouts which summarize their lectures. I tend to be a learner who (ironically) learns best and easiest by reading--so the syllabus is usually of significant interest to me. When a national conference is close enough, I would encourage attendance.

Thanks to those who came up to ask questions after my Illinois and Ohio lectures. I always enjoy the questions and appreciate the time that some of you give to wait patiently for a chance to ask and get an answer.

Those interested in our research trips to Ft. Wayne and Salt Lake should stay tuned. Details are forthcoming.

Michael

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