Eastman's Online Genealogy Newsletter

Soundex Explained

This article has been replaced by a newer, updated version that has more information and contains updated links to other resources on the web. The new version may be found at http://blog.eogn.com/eastmans_online_genealogy/2010/08/soundex-explained.html

Google Maps adds Satellite Photos - Wow!

I wrote about the new Google Maps service about six weeks ago. You can read that article here. Now Google has added something even more spectacular: satellite photographs. To be sure, other companies have offered satellite photos before but the Google pictures are the best quality that I have seen on a consumer-oriented service. These things also have significant genealogy potential as well.

Scotland's Historic Graveyards Questionnaire

The Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland (RCAHMS) is responsible for recording, interpreting and collecting information about the built environment. This information, which relates to buildings, sites, and ancient monuments of archaeological, architectural and historical interest (including maritime sites and underwater constructions) is then made freely available to the public. The Commission's Council for Scottish Archaeology has created Scotland's Historic Graveyards Questionnaire and is asking for your input.

Thieves steal suitcases, genealogies

A woman traveling through Oregon has a warning for residents and fellow travelers. Thieves have a new way of breaking into your car. Yvonne Sinnot was traveling from Arizona to her home in Vancouver, B.C. Thursday morning she was packing her car, getting ready to leave her Wilsonville hotel. "When I came out again, my car had been broken into."

Cousin Calculator

Calculating the relationship between two people is often a confusing issue. There are lots of tables and charts that try to alleviate this situation. For instance, you can read my article of "What Is Second Cousin Once Removed?" However, the terminology can be a bit confusing, and trying to mentally figure the relationships can be a bit taxing. After all, what is a third cousin four times removed? For the majority of us who wrestle with these relationships, there is a simple solution: use your computer!

Scrapbook Answers, a new Genealogy Magazine in England

West-Country-based magazine publisher Future is about to celebrate its 25th anniversary. The company that started with a single computer magazine produced on a kitchen table recently completed the takeover of fellow specialist publisher Highbury House - a deal worth £96.5m, including debt. The company will now leapfrog the BBC to become the third-largest magazine publisher in the UK, with total magazine sales of £145m a year, and the second-largest specialist publisher. The company's name was also simplified, changing from Future Networks to simply Future.

Experts "Discover" That Prince Charles and Camilla Parker-Bowles Are Related

Ancestry.com has published a press release with a title of "Experts Discover..."  I thought that was a bit amusing. I will point out that the connection has been known and published many times in the past ten years or possibly longer. Admittedly, the announcement from Ancestry.com doesn't mention when this was "discovered."

In any case, it makes for interesting reading, especially during this week of the couple's marriage. Here is the full announcement from Ancestry.com:

Genealogy Cruise Sponsored by the California Genealogical Society

The following is an announcement from the California Genealogical Society:

Genealogy Cruise Sponsored by the California Genealogical Society
May 1-12, 2005

What could be better than combining a cruise with your genealogy compulsion? The California Genealogical Society is once again sponsoring a genealogy cruise. You will have the opportunity to learn from and chat with the leaders and then go relax on a deck chair while you read through the wonderful handouts the leaders provide. The departure date is nearing.

NERGC Conference in Portland, Maine is a Success

The New England Regional Genealogical Conference wrapped up last night, and it appears to have been a good one. I saw about 750 people at this event. Almost all of them were smiling all the time, despite cloudy skies and intermittent rain. That's a good sign.

NERGC Opening Evening

The New England Regional Genealogical Conference opened in Portland, Maine on Thursday afternoon. I must admit that I was a bit busy and did not get to many events. I spent the afternoon helping set up the booth of the New England Historic Genealogical Society. As the "resident techie" of the society, I was also charged with getting the multiple computers up and running, connected to the Internet via the hotel's wireless network. A few glitches were encountered but were resolved one by one and the booth is now functional.

My first impression of this place is, "Boy, is it crowded!" Actually, that is a complement to the organizers: a crowded genealogy event is a great thing to see. Crowded or not, everyone I saw seemed to be smiling and enjoying themselves.

Researching Your Aboriginal Ancestry at Library and Archives Canada

Library and Archives Canada has a great site that offers assistance with aboriginal genealogy research in Canada. This source can be quite valuable as there are many challenges in aboriginal genealogical research. Locating records can be challenging, and once found, records can be hard to interpret.