52 Weeks to Better Genealogy - Week 17

 Label Family Photos

            Set aside a day, get out your family photos and label them!!!  You’ve seen them a million times because they’re YOUR photos, but what happens when they’re passed down to others? Will those people know the names of everyone in the pictures?

            Some families use their family reunion as a means of getting photos identified, you may not know the people in the photo, but your mother’s great aunt Bertha might. 

            Another means of identifying photos, is to create a Family Facebook Page. One of my lines has a Facebook Page, where we post and share photos.  You might not know everyone in the family Christmas Photo from 1963, but you can post it, and let others in your family tag the photos with the names of your forgotten great-great aunts and great-great uncles.

52 Weeks to Better Genealogy - Week 16

 52 Weeks to Better Genealogy - State Archives

The State of Indiana has several digital online archive sites; 

Indiana State Library

Indiana Memory Project  http://www.in.gov/memories/

 Indiana State Archives

Indiana Digital Archives  http://www.indianadigitalarchives.org/Search.aspx

From photos to manuscripts, books and recordings - there are a great many resources that could connect you to members of your family tree.

GENEALOGY BLOGGING MENTORS

BLOGGING MENTORS

Upon starting this blog, I had no idea WHAT I was going to write about.  While researching other genealogy focused blogs, I began to see a loose pattern, more research uncovered the sources of these blogging prompts.  It is with grateful appreciation that I acknowledge these two wonderful sources!

Thomas MacEntee, of “Geneabloggers”, http://www.geneabloggers.com/about/  provides daily writing prompts for genealogy bloggers.

The “52 Weeks to Better Genealogy” is the brainchild of Amy Coffin of the “We Tree Genealogy Blog”    http://wetree.blogspot.com/

Amy has written several very successful series’ of 52 weekly genealogy prompts

The list I have been using can be found here

http://www.geneabloggers.com/52-weeks-genealogy/

 My thanks to both of these individuals for creating such a wonderful resource for genealogy bloggers everywhere!

52 Weeks to Better Genealogy - Week 15

Keep a Handwritten Journal

Letter Writing and Journaling is becoming a ‘lost art’.  In the age of email, texting, and chatting, the true art of writing a letter is slowly dying, along with the art of writing a diary or journal.

I am reminded of a speech that author David McCullough gave at the NGS Convention in Salt Lake City, last year.  He was speaking about his search for primary documentation regarding a person he was researching for a book.  He had looked EVERYWHERE, for documents and sources, turned over every leaf, in every obscure historical repository and could find anything.  Someone asked if he had checked the Library of Congress, well…uh….no, he hadn’t, why would he look there, they surely wouldn’t have anything, except several volumes of journals and personal papers written by his elusive subject.  Right there under his very nose, in the most obvious place, was exactly what he was looking for and he hadn’t looked.

The moral of the story:  If you want to be remembered as a famous historical figure 200 years from now, write a daily journal about your life and when you die, give it to the Library of Congress.  When someone goes searching for historical information 200 years from now, yours will be the only handwritten diary in the Library of Congress from 2011, since everyone else will have documented their lives on electronic blogs. 

52 Weeks to Better Genealogy - Week 14

USING SEARCH ENGINES

Not all Search Engines are created equal!

Use a different search engine for your online genealogy research.

Google is the best known one, but other search engines will usually provide

different results. Try Yahoo! Search, Bing, Ask.com, Dogpile, and even

Clusty.

And speaking of Google Search Engines, make sure you search Google Books, for family names and regional resources.

52 Weeks to Better Genealogy - Week 13

"Cyndi's List of Genealogy Sites on the Internet"

Having recently celebrated her 15th Online Anniversary, Cyndi’s List is a genealogist’s best friend.  Whether you are a beginner and looking for basic information, or a seasoned genealogist,  Cyndi’s List is a comprehensive resource list for all things genealogy.

**Cyndi's List is currently undergoing a major formatting re-write, in order to make the list easier to manuveur and easier to maintain.  

Make an appointment with Cyndi’s List. If you’ve never used Cyndi’s

List, take the time to look around. If you’re familiar with the site,

look again. Take the time to browse with detail. 

As a seasoned genealogist, Cyndi’s List serves as my regular reminder to “”Keep it Simple, and Remember the Basics!” Too often, I focus on the obscure, and forget to record the simple things like weddings, census, and  birthdates.  One ancestor took me on a rabbit trail that led me to immigration and passenger lists, probate records, and civil court cases; as interesting as this ancestor was….I forgot to record his most basic information.   So, make Cyndi’s List a regular part of your research.

52 Weeks to Better Genealogy - Week 12

Using Archival Products:

Family historians face many of the same challenges that confront professional archivists everyday – how to store family heirlooms safely

for future generations.

Websites such as the Society of American Archivists, ARMA

International, the American Library Association, and University Products, include  storage ideas, tips, and products to safely preserve even your most fragile family heirlooms.

You may not be a professional archivist, records manager or librarian, but you share the same interests, and preservation needs.

Personally, I have purchased acid free storage boxes, laminate sleeves for photos and newspapers, and other archival products from University Products with pleasing results.

http://www.universityproducts.com/

52 Weeks to Better Genealogy - Week 11

Week 11: Boston University: Certificate in Genealogical Research

This is  one of the programs I am considering, and given the format of the courses is the likely winner of my genealogical educational exploration.  Given the commitment of time, and money, this seems like the most logical choice for me. 

“Boston University’s Online Certificate in Genealogical Research will help you reach the next level of professionalism. Whether you are a serious amateur, a budding professional, or an expert with their CG®, this rigorous program will help you take your genealogical work to the next level.  You will improve your efficiency and effectiveness. You will be more confident that your research meets the highest standards, and you will be able to prove it. You will work side-by-side with an online community of peers. You will learn from a world class faculty of genealogists.” –BU

52 Weeks to Better Genealogy - Week 10

Week 10: ProGen Study Group

 “The ProGen Study Groups are organized to encourage professional and aspiring genealogists to put into practice the principles found in Professional Genealogy: A Manual for Researchers, Writers, Editors, Lecturers and Librarians, edited by Elizabeth Shown Mills. This program employs an innovative method of collaborative learning focused on developing genealogical research skills and business practices." -PGSG

Ordered my book from Amazon, can't wait until it arrives, and can't wait until the next study group starts, hopefully first of May.

"Each month group members study one or two chapters of Professional Genealogy and complete a practical assignment relating to the material.”  Angela Packer McGhie is the administrator, and organizes the groups. 

Yet another way to brush up on my skills, before jumping into a certification program.  One of the particularly interesting  things, is that it uses one of the textbooks required for the Boston University Genealogy Certification Program.  (More about that in the next post)

52 Weeks to Better Genealogy - Week 9

Week 9: Transitional Genealogists Forum on RootsWeb

In recent weeks, I have been considering professional certification in genealogy research. Even though I have been providing genealogy research assistance to many for quite some time, I recognize that there are certain academic parts of the research, that I need to develop. 

There are several forums and study groups that have been recommended, and one such forum is the Transitional Genealogist Forum located on RootsWeb forums. This group is forcing me to think academically and professionally about the science of genealogy, as much as I love to "spin a good tale”, there are certain facts that need to be preserved in the stories.

Read the back posts from the RootsWeb Transitional Genealogists Forum. This is

a message board for genealogists who are taking the steps needed to become professional genealogists.  Even if you aren't looking into actual certification, the lessons learned here will help make you a more knowlegable educated genealogist.

52 Weeks to Better Genealogy - Week 8 - County Resources

COUNTY LEVEL RESOURCES:

Sometimes the records you are seeking, simply are not available on the internet.  Then what?  Where do you go to find that information?  Most county public libraries have Local History Specialists, either on staff, or they have a list of local people to contact.  So, ask your librarians!

County Historical Society's usually have archivists and county historians that can help you locate information.
Contact local Historical Societies!

County Genealogical Society's also have researchers, local family history specialists, county genealogists, etc., that can help research your family history questions.
Contact local genealogy societies!

52 Weeks to Better Genealogy - Week 7

www.FAMILYSEARCH.ORG

Investigate the FREE, newly redesigned  www.FamilySearch.org

This is a wonderful collection of records which literally grows every day. Family Search has added newly digitized records numbering in the millions, since going to their newly formatted website last fall.  It pays to re-check those brickwalls, every month or so.  You never  know when a newly digitized immigration record (or other record, for me it was an immigration record) will ‘pop-up’ and shed new light on you brick wall.

FAMILY SEARCH PROGRAM

Speaking of FAMILY SEARCH, be sure to mark your calendars for April 12, 2011.  The Brown County Genealogical Society is having its monthly program and meeting at the Brown County Public Library, and our speaker will be Mary Decker, from the Bloomington Family History Center, and she will be showing us some of the new features of www.FamilySearch.org and how to navigate the new site.

52 Weeks to Better Genealogy – Week 6

Genealogy Blogs

Another interesting way to learn about GENEALOGY is by reading specialized Blogs. As children we wrote in our diaries and journals, now ... we are 'Bloggers'. 

Reading Blogs and Blogging are great ways to learn about new trends in genealogy, as well as keep up with important genealogical discoveries.  Technololgy and Social Media are changing  the methods we use to conduct genealogy research.

Pick five genealogy blogs and read them every day. If you need some suggestions, look at my "Favorite Blogs" list in the right hand column.  If you are already subscribe to some genealogy blogs, find five new ones that are“outside the box,” perhaps in history or archives.

Blogs are great ways to learn about new methods, as well as share your discoveries. 

52 Weeks to Better Genealogy – Week 5

http://www.worldcat.org/ 

WorldCat is a massive network of library content that the public can search for free (user name and password not required).  Looking for something that you can’t find in your local library?  Use WorldCat.org to see if you can locate your item in another library.  Many libraries utilize Inter-Library Loan systems and many times they will loan the item to your library so you can check out the item. 



52 Weeks to Better Genealogy – Week 4

FIND A MENTOR

Whether you are just getting started in researching your family history, or you are an experienced genealogy researcher, you will benefit from having someone you can call your mentor, your encourager, your cheerleader, or even your partner in crime. 

No matter what your level of experience, you can always benefit from having someone else to review your findings, share in your new discovery, analyze your problems, and help you organize your research.  Mind you, they aren’t going to do it for you, but they can offer advice and direction when you get to the place where you don’t know where to look next.

My mentor, helps keep me on track.  I like to chase 'rabbit trails', and well, sometimes I get so lost in 'the hunt', I forget who it was I was searching for in the first place.

Where do you find a genealogy mentor?  Start with your local genealogy society’s, or your library.  Most librarians know the local family history buffs, and can help you locate a local history specialist.

On Tuesdays, at the Brown County Public Library, and the Brown County Historical Society Archives, local volunteers are available to help you with your family history research.  Anyone can join us at the Library from 1pm-3pm, or at the Archives from 12n-2pm, every Tuesday.

Remember, genealogy is all about finding clues. You are the Sherlock Holmes of genealogy detectives, who is your 'Watson'?

52 Weeks to Better Genealogy - Week 3

DIG DEEPER for other LOCAL RESOURCES

“The ARCHIVES”

In addition to the genealogy materials and family studies at the Brown County Library, the Brown County Historical Society houses a fabulous collection of photographs, school records, early court documents, and various other, well, for lack of a better phrase…. Cool Stuff!

The Archives at the Brown County Historical Society are open on Tuesdays from 12-2pm.  Rhonda Dunn, the Brown County Genealogy Society President, and others, are available to help you search and answer questions about your Brown County family connections.

The Archives contain thousands of photographs, early tax records, a good collection of data from the 72 one room schoolhouses that once existed in Brown County, Early Brown County Probate Records, Early Criminal and Civil court documents, family history files, Indexes from the Personal Ledgers from Drs. Ralphy, Arwine, and others; etc; lots, and lots of etc.

If you have hit a ‘brick wall’ in searching for a Brown County ancestor, then try the archives, you might just be amazed at what you will find.

Along the same lines, when you are spring cleaning your closets and find old letters, photographs, personal memorabilia, diaries, journals, anything, etc. that belonged to your Brown County Ancestors, and you don’t have a clue what to do with it, PLEASE CONSIDER donating your personal family historical items to the Brown County Historical Society.  Your families history, may help someone else discover theirs.