This is the Cardston, Alberta, Canada Temple where LDS members go to perform ordinances for their ancestors.  It was such a beautiful Fall day and my iPhone was at the ready.

Have been working on new and exciting projects on FamilySearch.org - so much so that I haven't been making time for my own ancestors.  So, I've decided to take a Sabbath from "work" and concentrate for one day per week on getting my family tree in order.  There re so many leaves on my ancestry.com tree that i\ could start a whole forest.

Last week, as a support agent for FamilySearch, I was able to help two people by giving them the site for Canadian Adoption Registry (because FamilySearch doesn't look for living people, but we can help people find their ancestry/roots)  The URL for the site is: http://www.canadianadopteesregistry.org/   You can register your name if you are looking for a birth parent or a child and, if the other party registers too, they can match you up and call the other person and give non-identifying information (you have given permission).  They also offer counseling services.  I went through them to find my birth family and my son and it worked!  :)

FamilySearch, Historical Records, Added Affiliate Records and Images, BillionGraves Index http://goo.gl/OVw7C #Genealogy, Click on Learn More

FamilySearch, Historical Records, NEW COLLECTION, Added Waypoints and Images, England, Kent, Register of Electors, 1570-1907 http://goo.gl/DSPTR #Genealogy, Click on Learn More

FamilySearch, Historical Records, NEW COLLECTION, Added Waypoints and Images, England, Kent, Workhouse Records, 1777-1911 http://goo.gl/53sS9 #Genealogy, Click on Learn More

FamilySearch, Historical Records, NEW COLLECTION, Added Waypoints and Images, Luxembourg, Notarial Records, 1621-1821 http://goo.gl/lu3BN #Genealogy, Click on Learn More

FamilySearch, Historical Records, NEW COLLECTION, Added Waypoints and Images, Moldova, Poll Tax Census (Revision Lists) and Census Lists 1796-1917 http://goo.gl/NwT1a #Genealogy, Click on Learn More

FamilySearch, Historical Records, NEW COLLECTION, Added Waypoints and Images, Washington, County Divorce Records, 1852-1950  http://goo.gl/1HJNs #Genealogy, Click on Learn More

FamilySearch, Historical Records, Added Index Records, Iowa State Census, 1895 http://goo.gl/u1vft #Genealogy, Click on Learn More

FamilySearch, Historical Records, Added Waypoints, Images and Records, North Carolina, Estate Files, 1663-1979  http://goo.gl/f5fyf #Genealogy, Click on Learn More

FamilySearch, Historical Records, Added Waypoints and Image, California, County Birth and Death Records, 1849-1994 http://goo.gl/znU4w #Genealogy, Click on Learn More

FamilySearch, Historical Records, Added Waypoints and Images, Italy, Bologna, Bologna, Civil Registration (Tribunale), 1866-1941 http://goo.gl/43fDe #Genealogy, Click on Learn More

FamilySearch, Historical Records, Added Waypoints and Images, Czech Republic, Censuses, 1843-1921 http://goo.gl/lYxaX #Genealogy, Click on Learn More
[12:44:05 PM] Elder P.J. (Peter) Sachs: FamilySearch, Historical Records, NEW COLLECTION, Added Waypoints and Images, Tennessee, White County Records, 1809-1975 http://goo.gl/K7eIl #Genealogy, Click on Learn More  

FamilySearch, Historical Records, NEW COLLECTION, Added Waypoints and Images, Germany, Hessen, Civil Registration, 1874-1927 http://goo.gl/6QeCj #Genealogy, Click on Learn More    

FamilySearch, Historical Records, NEW COLLECTION, Added Waypoints and Images, Netherlands, Noord-Holland, Civil Registration, 1811-1950 http://goo.gl/n3XV6 #Genealogy, Click on Learn More  

FamilySearch, Historical Records, NEW COLLECTION, Added Waypoints and Images, Netherlands, Noord-Brabant Province, Church Records, 1473-1909 http://goo.gl/N9tMb #Genealogy, Click on Learn More   

FamilySearch, Historical Records, NEW COLLECTION, Added Waypoints and Images, Netherlands Census and Population Registers, 1645-1940 http://goo.gl/oYZki #Genealogy, Click on Learn More   

FamilySearch, Historical Records, NEW COLLECTION, Added Waypoints and Images, Indonesia, Jawa Tengah, Boyolali, Naturalization and Citizenship Records, 1960-2011 http://goo.gl/ylxfr #Genealogy, Click on Learn More   

FamilySearch, Historical Records, NEW COLLECTION, Added Waypoints and Images, Indonesia, Jawa Tengah, Purwokerto, Naturalization Records, 1950-2012 http://goo.gl/n0Qo5 #Genealogy, Click on Learn More   

FamilySearch, Historical Records, NEW COLLECTION, Added Waypoints and Images, Italy, Ancona, Ancona, Civil Registration (Tribunale), 1862-1929 http://goo.gl/Grhhl #Genealogy, Click on Learn More 

FamilySearch, Historical Records, NEW COLLECTION, Added Waypoints and Images, Italy, Bari, Civil Registration (State Archive), 1809-1908 http://goo.gl/aTT6t #Genealogy, Click on Learn More    

FamilySearch, Historical Records, NEW COLLECTION, Added Waypoints and Images, Italy, Cagliari, Cagliari, Civil Registration (Tribunale), 1866-1929 http://goo.gl/4YUyh #Genealogy, Click on Learn More 

FamilySearch, Historical Records, NEW COLLECTION, Added Waypoints and Images, Spain, Province of Lérida, Municipal Records, 1319-1940 http://goo.gl/SDOhs #Genealogy, Click on Learn More   

FamilySearch, Historical Records, NEW COLLECTION, Added Waypoints and Images, Spain, Province of Málaga, Municipal Records, 1842-1925 http://goo.gl/hkiZy #Genealogy, Click on Learn More   

FamilySearch, Historical Records, NEW COLLECTION, Added Waypoints and Images, Brazil, São Paulo, Immigrant Hostelry Records, 1882-1925 http://goo.gl/ytAeq #Genealogy, Click on Learn More

FamilySearch, Historical Records, Added Records and Affiliate Image Links, West Virginia, Births, 1853-1930 http://goo.gl/nDrAA #Genealogy, Click on Learn More  

FamilySearch, Historical Records, Legacy Collection Republished due to Record Relocate, West Virginia, Births and Christenings, 1853-1928 http://goo.gl/2qIZ2 #Genealogy, Click on Learn More

FamilySearch, Historical Records, Added Waypoints and Images, New York, Orange County Probate Records, 1787-1938 http://goo.gl/HGkxX #Genealogy, Click on Learn More   

FamilySearch, Historical Records, Added Waypoints and Images, Washington, County Land Records, 1850-1954 http://goo.gl/jMDbJ #Genealogy, Click on Learn More    

FamilySearch, Historical Records, Corrected Waypoints, Italy, Bologna, Bologna, Civil Registration (Tribunale), 1866-1941 http://goo.gl/y2vTZ #Genealogy, Click on Learn More  

FamilySearch, Historical Records, Added Waypoints and Images, Spain, Province of Barcelona, Municipal Records, 1583-1936 http://goo.gl/dX5va #Genealogy, Click on Learn More   

FamilySearch, Historical Records, Added Images and Records, Brazil, Immigration Cards, 1900-1965 http://goo.gl/wYN91 #Genealogy, Click on Learn More  

FamilySearch, Historical Records, Added Waypoints and Images, India, Hindu Pilgrimage Records, 1194-2012 http://goo.gl/uamXX #Genealogy, Click on Learn More  

FamilySearch, Historical Records, Added Waypoints and Images, China, Collection of Genealogies, 1500-2010 http://goo.gl/lIR7X #Genealogy, Click on Learn More

(*) NEW AND UPDATED COLLECTIONS (*)
17 Sep 2012
-Cote d'Ivoire, Electoral Registers - Added Waypoints and Images NEW COLLECTION
-Italy, Pescara, Civil Registration (State Archive), 1866-1942 - Added Waypoints and Images  
- Barbados, Church Records, 1637-1887 - Added Waypoints and Images NEW COLLECTION
- Montana, Cascade County Records,1500-2002 - Added Waypoints and Images  
- Austria, Seigniorial Records,1537-1888 - Added Waypoints and Images

FamilySearch, Historical Records, Added Waypoints and Images, Ohio, Jefferson County Court Records, 1797-1940 http://goo.gl/TVtqg #Genealogy, Click on Learn More  

FamilySearch, Historical Records, Added Waypoints and Images, Maryland, Register of Wills Books, 1629-1983 http://goo.gl/y0Gdg #Genealogy, Click on Learn More  

FamilySearch, Historical Records, Added Waypoints and Images, Texas Deaths, 1977-1986 http://goo.gl/6Hret #Genealogy, Click on Learn More  

FamilySearch, Historical Records, Added Waypoints and Images, Spain, Province of Sevilla, Municipal Records, 1903-1918 http://goo.gl/umBVE #Genealogy, Click on Learn More  

FamilySearch, Historical Records, Added Waypoints and Images, Spain, Cádiz, Testaments, 1550-1920 http://goo.gl/BHr5N #Genealogy, Click on Learn More  

FamilySearch, Historical Records, Added Waypoints and Images, Portugal, Diocese of Vila Real, Catholic Church Records, 1575-1975 http://goo.gl/wt4t7 #Genealogy, Click on Learn More 

FamilySearch, Historical Records, Added Waypoints and Images, New Zealand, Probate Records, 1878-1960 http://goo.gl/mZu3u #Genealogy, Click on Learn More  

FamilySearch, Historical Records, Added Waypoints and Images, South Africa, Orange Free State, Estate Files, 1951-2006 http://goo.gl/Rc0yF #Genealogy, Click on Learn More  

FamilySearch, Historical Records, Added Waypoints and Images, Colombia, Catholic Church Records, 1600-2010 http://goo.gl/S2Tvt #Genealogy, Click on Learn More 
FamilySearch, Historical Records, Added Waypoints and Images, Brazil, Piauí, Civil Registration, 1890-2012 http://goo.gl/JVmBf #Genealogy, Click on Learn More 

FamilySearch, Historical Records, Added Waypoints and Images, Brazil, Rio Grande do Sul, Civil Registration, 1890-1980 http://goo.gl/e9UCl #Genealogy, Click on Learn More  

FamilySearch, Historical Records, Added Waypoints and Images, Peru, Lima, Civil Registration, 1874-1996 http://goo.gl/rJbLT #Genealogy, Click on Learn More

FamilySearch, Historical Records, NEW COLLECTION, Added Records and Affiliate Image Links, United Kingdom, Maritime Births, Marriages, and Deaths, 1787-1933 

was missing entirely. It has been reported and they are now aware of it.

FamilySearch Twitter (*) NEW AND UPDATED COLLECTIONS (*) 10-12 Sep 2012

FamilySearch, Historical Records, NEW COLLECTION, Added Index Records, Canada Census, 1906 http://goo.gl/pjFTi  #Genealogy, Click on Learn More

FamilySearch, Historical Records, NEW COLLECTION, Added Waypoints and Images, Texas, Probate Records, 1800-1990 http://goo.gl/X6eaC  #Genealogy, Click on Learn More

FamilySearch, Historical Records, NEW COLLECTION, Added Waypoints and Images, Paraguay, Miscellaneous Records, 1509-1977 http://goo.gl/w9KoE #Genealogy, Click on Learn More

FamilySearch, Historical Records, Added Waypoints and Images, Quebec, Notarial Records, 1800-1900 http://goo.gl/hAjrU #Genealogy, Click on Learn More 

FamilySearch, Historical Records, Republication from the Efforts of the Rework Team New Scans, Quebec, Catholic Parish Registers, 1621-1979 http://goo.gl/js1iS #Genealogy, Click on Learn More 

FamilySearch, Historical Records, Republished after portion moved into a separate collection WPs for Merida , Venezuela, Catholic Church Records, 1577-1995 http://goo.gl/RfK00 #Genealogy, Click on Learn More 

FamilySearch, Historical Records, Added Waypoints and Images, Venezuela, Archdiocese of Mérida, Catholic Church Records, 1654-2011 http://goo.gl/Q2xvl #Genealogy, Click on Learn More

FamilySearch, Historical Records, Added Waypoints and Images, Peru, Huánuco, Civil Registration, 1889-1997 http://goo.gl/Kkz1r #Genealogy, Click on Learn More


FamilySearch, Historical Records, Added Waypoints and Images, China, Collection of Genealogies, 1500-2010 http://goo.gl/bTJbf #Genealogy, Click on Learn More

Writing-On-Stone Provincial Park - Milk River, Alberta, Canada

FamilySearch, Historical Records, NEW COLLECTION, Added Waypoints and Images, Mississippi, Probate Records, 1781-1930 http://goo.gl/UWY0y #Genealogy, Click on Learn More

FamilySearch, Historical Records, NEW COLLECTION, Removed from a larger 'Super Collection' and published separately, Italy, Prato, Civil Registration (State Archive), 1866-1923 http://goo.gl/thAXo #Genealogy, Click on Learn More

FamilySearch, Historical Records, Republished after portion moved into a separate collection, Italy, Toscana, Civil Registration (State Archive), 1804-1874 http://goo.gl/np3lP #Genealogy, Click on Learn More

FamilySearch, Historical Records, Corrected Index Records Resolved 'Bad' Diacritics, Belgium, Civil Registration, 1795-1910 1804-1874 http://goo.gl/Ad2rh #Genealogy, Click on Learn More

FamilySearch, Historical Records, Added Waypoints and Images, Estonia, Population Registers, 1918-1944 http://goo.gl/VBA5i #Genealogy, Click on Learn More

Sunday - a time for family gatherings around the big farmhouse table with the oilcloth  covering and big ladles in pretty serving dishes piled high with veggies from the garden and platters of not-so-perfectly sliced meat - thick slices.  Pitchers of milk and juice.  ....and seconds available - always.  Nothing fancy.  Just a meal to look forward to....oh wait ----- that was then...this is now.  

If you remember favorite Sunday meals - please post a comment and share.  I would love to hear about it.

FamilySearch, Historical Records, Added Waypoints and Images, Saskatchewan Provincial Records, 1879-1987 http://goo.gl/D40Ny  #Genealogy, Click on Learn More

FamilySearch, Historical Records, Added Waypoints and Images, Louisiana, State Penitentiary Records, 1866-1963 http://goo.gl/DD8IR #Genealogy, Click on Learn More

FamilySearch, Historical Records, Added Waypoints and Images, Washington, Pierce County Marriage Returns, 1891-1950 http://goo.gl/5BTl5 #Genealogy, Click on Learn More

FamilySearch, Historical Records, Added Waypoints and Images, Washington, County Records, 1856-2009 http://goo.gl/RxDGx #Genealogy, Click on Learn More

FamilySearch, Historical Records, Added Waypoints and Images, Spain, Cádiz, Testaments, 1550-1920 http://goo.gl/K5H0t #Genealogy, Click on Learn More

FamilySearch, Historical Records, Added Waypoints and Images, Hungary, Civil Registration, 1895-1980 http://goo.gl/UhqOO  #Genealogy, Click on Learn More

(*) NEW AND UPDATED COLLECTIONS (*)
24 Aug 2012
-Mexico, Baptisms, 1560-1950- Legacy Collection Republished due to Record Relocate
- Mexico, Marriages, 1570-1950- Legacy Collection Republished due to Record Relocate
- Chinese Genealogies - Added Waypoints and Images
- Czech Republic, Land Records 1450-1850- Added Waypoints and Images
- Mexico, San Luis Potosi, Civil Registration 1859-2000 - Added Index Records
 -Brazil, Civil Registration, 1870-2011- Added Waypoints and Images for Espinheiro and Sao Jose
 - Japan, Village Records- Added Waypoints and Images (Fukuoka)
- Billion Graves Index-- Added Records and Affiliate Image Links
- Virgin Islands US, Church Records, 1765-2010- Added Waypoints and Images
- Mexico, Querétaro, Catholic Church Records, 1590-1970-  Added Index Records

FamilySearch, Historical Records, Published the final 5 states of the 1940 Census. All fifty states and all but 2 of the territories are searchable on our partner sites and FamilySearch. The last five states are Massachusetts, Michigan, New Jersey, South Carolina and Tennessee, as well as Guam, Panama Canal and Virgin Islands:  http://goo.gl/ECVsZ  #Genealogy, CHECK IT OUT!

FamilySearch, Historical Records, Added Waypoints and Images, Alabama, Sumter County Circuit Court Files, 1840-1950 http://goo.gl/c3Fij #Genealogy, Click on Learn More

FamilySearch, Historical Records, NEW COLLECTION, Added Waypoints and Images, Spain, Cádiz, Civil Registration Records, 1870-1960 http://goo.gl/hxHJ1 #Genealogy, Click on Learn More

FamilySearch, Historical Records, Added Waypoints and Images, Peru, Lima, Civil Registration, 1874-1996 http://goo.gl/mo1FI #Genealogy, Click on Learn More

FamilySearch, Historical Records, Added Waypoints and Images, Peru, Amazonas, Civil Registration, 1939-1995 http://goo.gl/2RRCm  #Genealogy, Click on Learn More

FamilySearch, Historical Records, NEW COLLECTION, Added Waypoints and Images, Idaho, Obituaries, 2007 http://goo.gl/oXzFD #Genealogy, Click on Learn More

FamilySearch, Historical Records, NEW COLLECTION, Added Waypoints and Images, Illinois, Cemetery Transcriptions, 1853-2009 http://goo.gl/OioQQ #Genealogy, Click on Learn More

FamilySearch, Historical Records, NEW COLLECTION, Added Waypoints and Images, Alabama, Jefferson County Circuit Court Papers, 1870-1916 http://goo.gl/SyVh4 #Genealogy, Click on Learn More

FamilySearch, Historical Records, Added Waypoints and Images (added Garnet county), Maryland, Register of Wills Books, 1629-1983 http://goo.gl/Mufpe #Genealogy, Click on Learn More

FamilySearch, Historical Records, Added Waypoints and Images, California, San Mateo County Records, 1855-1991 http://goo.gl/96CFc #Genealogy, Click on Learn More

FamilySearch, Historical Records, Added Records and Affiliate Image Links Batch, United States, Civil War Widows and Other Dependents Pension Files http://goo.gl/L7Hqo #Genealogy, Click on Learn More

FamilySearch, Historical Records, Added Waypoints and Images, New Zealand Probate Records, 1878-1960 http://goo.gl/JR3vu #Genealogy, Click on Learn More

FamilySearch, Historical Records, Corrected Collection Metadata, Philippines, Civil Registration (Archives Division), 1902-1945 http://goo.gl/RnPcQ #Genealogy, Click on Learn More

FamilySearch, Historical Records, Added Records and Affiliate Image Links, BillionGraves Index http://goo.gl/qO8sd #Genealogy, Click on Learn More

FamilySearch, Historical Records, Added Index Records, United States, World War One Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918 http://goo.gl/uqE5e #Genealogy, Click on Learn More

FamilySearch, Historical Records, NEW COLLECTION, Added Waypoints and Images, Illinois, County Naturalization Records, 1800-1962 http://goo.gl/LCME5  #Genealogy, Click on Learn More

FamilySearch, Historical Records, Added Waypoints and Images, Washington County Records, 1856-2009 http://goo.gl/K4Vkb #Genealogy, Click on Learn More

FamilySearch, Historical Records, Added Waypoints and Images, Peru, La Libertad, Civil Registration, 1903-1998 http://goo.gl/D7hB0  #Genealogy, Click on Learn More

 FamilySearch, Historical Records, Added Waypoints and Images and reworked the city/town field for previously published data, Hungary, Civil Registration, 1895-1980 http://goo.gl/A5c67 #Genealogy, Click on Learn More

The Family History Library in Salt Lake City in Utah

I got a phone call this week from a cousin in Ontario, Canada that I have never met.  She is on my birth father's side of the family.  We connected in many ways.  How rewarding to see traits and interests flow through a family line! 

Have been very, very busy on www.familysearch.org helping with new and exciting ways to connect with each other in social media.  We are already on Facebook and using Forums pages.  Check it out!!  

https://familysearch.org/learn/wiki/en/FamilySearch_Community_Tools

FamilySearch, Historical Records, Added Waypoints and Images, Quebec, Notarial Records, 1800-1900 http://goo.gl/yxhAJ #Genealogy, Click on Learn More

FamilySearch, Historical Records, Added Waypoints and Images, California, San Mateo County Records, 1856-1991 http://goo.gl/Ek2qz  #Genealogy, Click on Learn More

FamilySearch, Historical Records, Added Waypoints and Images, Missouri, Jackson County Voter Registration Records, 1928-1956 http://goo.gl/du0aH #Genealogy, Click on Learn More

FamilySearch, Historical Records, Added Waypoints and Images, Texas Deaths, 1977-1986 http://goo.gl/fim2c #Genealogy, Click on Learn More 

FamilySearch, Historical Records, Added Waypoints, Images and Records, NEW COLLECTION, South Africa, Free State Dutch Reformed Church Records, 1848-1956 http://goo.gl/P4Ql3 #Genealogy, Click on Learn More

FamilySearch, Historical Records, Added Index Records, Slovakia, Church and Synagogue Books, 1592-1910 http://goo.gl/FpeZe #Genealogy, Click on Learn More

 NEW AND UPDATED COLLECTIONS in http://www.familysearch.org/

6 Jul 2012

-United States Census, 1940 -Added Records Minnesota and Rhode Island
-United States, Civil War Widows and Other Dependents Pension Files - Added Records and Affiliate Image Links Batch 13 (and NARA Title Rework)
-Austria, Vienna Population Cards, 1850-1896 - Added Records Images turned off
-BillionGraves 7 - Records and Affiliate Image Links

This Canadian province has new collections online, put there by http://www.familysearch.org/.  You can find them by going to their website, scrolling down to Canada, then New Brunswick and, on the right, there will be the date that collections have been added.

BUT this is just one of many in the last while.  I will start posting here as they become available.  This is what has been put out there this month so far:


 NEW AND UPDATED COLLECTIONS  on http://www.familysearch.org/

29 June
-Italy, Catania, Catania, Civil Registration (Comune), 1820-1905 -Added Waypoints and Images

2 Jul   
-Ecuador, Catholic Church Records, 1565-2011 -Added Waypoints and Images   
-Dominican Republic Civil Registration, 1801-2006 - Added Waypoints and Images   
-Peru, La Libertad, Civil Registration, 1903-1997 - Added Waypoints and Images   
-Portugal, Braga, Catholic Church Records, 1530-1911 - Added Waypoints and Images   
-Scotland Census, 1881 - Added Affiliate Records NEW COLLECTION 
-Scotland Census, 1891 - Added Affiliate Records NEW COLLECTION 
-United States Social Security Death Index-Added Affiliate Records   
-Nova Scotia, Vital Records, 1763-1957 - Added Affiliate Records NEW COLLECTION 
-Canada Census, 1916 - Added Affiliate Records NEW COLLECTION

3 Jul 2012
-Guatemala, Civil Registration Records - Added Index Records   
-Italy, Palermo, Diocesi di Monreale, Catholic Church Records, 1531-1998 - Already Published Images and Waypoints, split out into separate collections.   
-Italy, Vicenza, Casoni, Parocchia di San Rocco, Catholic Church Records, 1597-1937 - Already Published Images and Waypoints, split out into separate collections.   
-Italy, L'Aquila, Camarda, Parrocchia di San Giovanni Battista, Catholic Church Records, 1606-1941 -Already Published Images and Waypoints, split out into separate collections.   
-Italy, Catholic Church Records 3-Jul-12 Removed Collection from Production UNPUBLISHED 
-Texas, Eastland County Records, 1868-1945 -Added Waypoints and Images

Montana Genealogy Research

 

Montana Genealogy Research

If anyone is looking for ancestors in Montana, this is a good site for resources.  I am learning a lot about the state so i can be of help to anyone who needs help in this Facebook Research page.

Great news!!!!  I had done a lot of work on my adoptive family`s tree in Ancestry.com and invited my brother to see it.  He wasn`t very interested at the time.  I have been using Rootsmagic 5 and couldn`t get a file saved to send to him.  He had to have a genealogy program to open the gedcom.

Yesterday, I downloaded the now Family Tree Maker 2012 and played with it last night.

Well - this morning - my brother emailed me and said a lady from the area wants to know if he had anything past his grandfather, because she is related.

Lo and behold - my new program allows me to save a pdf Family group sheet for each person AND the tree view itself!!  I have traced them back on my father`s side to 1100.

: I was SOOOO excited to save and send all this to him.  Am still in the process, but he has a few already.

: He will be soooo surprised!

Response from my brother:

I am going to email (name of relative) today and give her some of the info you sent if I can figure out how, would you mind if I give her your email address, as she is working on the Daniels family tree, and you might be able to help her.

They, her and her cousin are going to have a small family reunion on Sat. Aug. 25 and invited us to go, so we will go if everything works out.

Thanks again for your trouble getting the info so quick for us!

Nothing to do with genealogy?  From my window - Alberta skies.  Just one of many beautiful sunsets.  Skies are so vast and changing.  They look down on generations and generations.  I know - I'm stretching here. :)  Just being reflective on a Sunday morning.  Have been reading Frank McCourt's  Teacher Man about how he came to America from Ireland and was teaching in the inner city schools of New York.  Known as a "tough little mick that isn't so tough," Mr. McCourt tells how he got away with not teaching the way administrations wanted and sometimes got praised for his efforts and sometimes got fired.

If any of you have stories such as this about your people who emmigrated to America and made their way in poverty and in riches, but don't consider yourselves "writers" and are timid about putting yourselves "out there,"  send me your (short) story and I will edit and publish them on this blog for you.  This will benefit both of us, because I think it will be interesting for my reading public and will give you a forum for your stories.  Please be assured, I will email you the final draft for your approval before I publish it.

Remember to keep it to blog  size and, if you can't, I will edit for you.
Send stories to nsharon2@telus.net

Have a wonderful day and happy writing! - and don't worry about spelling, grammar, or punctuation.  I will take care of all that.  I'm just excited to read your stories.

This is the Family History Library in Salt Lake City, Utah

Just found this:  http://blog.familyhistorysearches.com/category/366-days-of-genealogy/

Since the 1940 US Census has come out, we are busier than ever on the phones, answering emails, answering questions from the Feedback tab on http://www.familysearch.org/, and doing Live Chats from the site.  Can things get any more exciting?  Well - yes they can.  And they will.  Always new things to try.  That blog site "366 days of genealogy" for example - lots of good stuff there to peruse.

Well - I'm gone for another little while helping people find their ancestors.
I wish you all success in your searches until we meet again here.

Rocky mountains in the distance as seen from my living room window

I can’t go ANYWHERE without getting into a conversation about genealogy.  Case in point:  I was getting my black  ink cartridge refilled and was discussing the merits of laser printing, since I do so much black printing.  Then I mentioned why I used so much and………..and hour later I had some printed profile pages from Ancestry.com and names, dates, and places, and a business card and the kiosk dealer had my email address.

Now I have a Word document with url’s, gravesite screenshots, and ideas for further research.

Why do I DO this to myself?  The dyed-in-the-wool genealogist out there will know what I’m talking about.  There is a passion in our work.  We are 24-hour genealogists.  And we are a patient bunch.

People like to talk about their families – about their roots, their bloodline; in other words, themselves.  And mixed in with all that verbiage is a tidbit of valuable information – a clue – the one you have been waiting for with pen poised above paper.  Hurry, get it down before he goes on to something else and a new clue pops up.  Ya gotta be ready!!!!

Finally, you get to ask a question or two and off you go, forgetting all about what it was you came to the mall for besides getting your black ink cartridge filled.

INDEXING and Other Oddities

Anybody want to learn how to do indexing?  Want to index your childhood province or state?  What about the country where you grew up?  FamilySearch has batches and batches for people to index and, when they are finished, they will be available to view online.  Free!  In perpetuity!!! 

Right now there is a big hooforah about the US 1940 Census, which will be ready to index April 2.  Both Ancestry.com and FamilySearch have put out a call for indexers to help.  Ancestry's results will be available for free for one year (that's the scoop, anyway) and FamilySearch's will be available online free, as with the rest of their indexed records.

Indexing is easy, once you get the hang of it.  I talked to a woman today who did her very first batch and needed help with one button to click on.  She was very proud and, I suspect, will become just as addicted as the rest of us.  There is a satisfaction in completing a record that you know will be seen by someone looking for and ancestor that they couldn't find before.  Their "aha" moment will be thanks to you!!

While being accurate is of prime importance, don't shy away from indexing because you fear making a mistake.  A batch is indexed by two people - independent of each other - and then, if there are different entries for the same thing (the name of a place, for instance), the arbitrator will look at the original image and the project information and decide which indexer is right (Key A and Key B is used, not indexers' names) or if there is a third option that neither indexer knew about.  As soon as the batch is arbitrated, it will go with the rest in that collection and get put online.

Presently, I am arbitrating Ontario, Canada marriages in the early 1900's.  I grew up there and I'm familiar with the county and town names, as well as many last names and the popular first names of the day. No, I wasn't alive then, but grandparents hand down stories from their parents.  For instance, did you know that, in certain areas/families, a daughter-in-law was taken in and treated as a daughter; therefore, when the census-taker came around, she was listed as a daughter, not a daughter-in-law.

Besides arbitrating batches of indexed records, what am I doing these days that keeps me away from my blog?  Clicking on those little green leaves in Ancestry.com and checking out the results and documentation.  Downloading the gedcom that results from weeks of work, and putting the gedcom into Rootsmagic, where I check for duplicates (an automatic process in Rootsmagic) and merging duplicate records.  Then I check everything with my tree on FamilySearch and put it there.  Now I have a database on my computer, one on Ancestry, and one on FamilySearch.  I am also updating my wall chart for my hallway.  Makes for a good conversation piece as guests walk in the door....my hallway is long and narrow and there is room for many generations.  Oh - and I just bought the upgrade from version 4 to version 5 of Rootsmagic and am attending classes for the public at our local Family History Center.  Every day I learn more new things about programs I've been using for a few years.  Oh yes - and I've taken up stamp collecting.  It is intriguing to see how boundaries of countries have changed, which affects genealogy searches and that history is told in the stamps of those countries.

What do I do for fun?   You just read about it. 

There is a fairly new blog out there:  The McCaws of the World Clan

There are many Mccaws and many questions about origins.  A lot of genealogy work and a lot of great discoveries, from both past and present.

And don't forget to check out our blog:  McCaws Come to Life

I have learned that when genealogists, or people doing just their own genealogy say:  "Have you got a minute?"  I need to look at the clock and see if I have an hour or so.  We love to tell stories.  Stories about our family history, about unusual happenings with people we have helped, about the exciting new technological inventions that will make it easier for us.  I love stories.  I love to tell them.  I love to be told them.  People tell me stories about their ancesotrs - about people I don't know, never knew, and never cared about - until now.   My contact with people - both living and dead - through doing genealogy has made me realize that these are, and have been, real people with personality quirks and wonderful stories to tell.  They lived in the material world with "things" just like us, only in some cases, different things.  I've come to realize that these people and their things that make up their stories are important, not just to the people telling them, but to all of us.  We are connected by genealogy work.  And by our humanity.

I thought you might like to see a prairie sunset.
The Rootstech conference was incredible!  I think you can still download the syllibi from their website www.rootstech.org  Some great stuff that I need time to try - but try I will - already checking out Goggle + using Google Chrome.  Integration is a great thing.
 I have heard from the editor of Internet Genealogy magazine and he says the articles Stewart and I wrote will be in the March/april issue.  We thought it was going to be in the Jan/Feb one, but was disappointed when I didn't see it, so I emailed him and he was prompt and apologetic.  Nice man. 

I had the opportunity lately to read a "Life Book" of a young man who went through much uncertainty and pain in his younger years and everything has worked out so well for him.  That book is not for publication - for family only, but I hope they keep it for their children and on down the line.  Journals, blogs, whatever, are so important.  Birth, marriage, etc. certificates are wonderful finds, but personal stories - well, those are the real treasures in genealogy searches.  With that said, happy researching!

Rootstech Live Stream

Today, tomorrow, and Saturday  is the annual Rootstech Conference.  If you are into genealogy and aren't anywhere near Utah and can't get there, you can listen and watch to live streaming all weekend.  Go to their page and check out the times and titles..  You can learn how to use WikiTree to collaborate with you non-genealogist family Members, how to minimize security threats, and how to mine newspaper archives - and that's just this morning!!!
Check it out!

I have been so busy doing, that I haven't set writing as a priority.  Seems there is a rather urgent need for indexers to help with the US Census 1940.  FamilySearch has recruited those of us in the Historical Records department to call County Genealogical Societies to get them involved and, for the most part, response has been enthusiastic.  Getting indexers from the area they will be indexing will ensure more accurate transcriptions; for instance, place-names won't be misread or misspelled, not to mention people names and occupations.  Exciting times!  Some of these people are still alive - the "greatest" generation - have lived through the great Depression, the Second World War, and the rise of technology.  Those actually born in 1940 would be in their 70's today and can help in the setting down of correct records.

If you would like to get involved helping index this census, go to

https://www.familysearch.org/1940census

I have also been arbitrating indexed records - mainly from the UK and Wales  1871 census.....and the usual answering phones a couple of days a week and answering emails - maybe two per day.  I love the variation in the work...and the best part...it is all volunteer and flexible.  With the help of technology, I can attend training meetings online with many others.

That friend in my apartment building I was helping is getting along quite nicely in her genealogy and is attending free Apple computer classes AND iPad classes! - the secret to being an interesting person:  get interested!!

Thank you for your patience and waiting .