Eastman's Online Genealogy Newsletter

Family Tree Legends Version 5

Family Tree Legends is a powerful Windows genealogy program produced by Pearl Street Software. While the program is noted for its power, it also features ease of use. In addition, it contains an excellent online matching system that compares the genealogy data you enter into your own database with millions of records stored on Pearl Street Software's servers. Finally, it has the best automated backup system I have ever seen in a genealogy program. Backups are made constantly without user intervention.

Pearl Street Software has just announced the release of a major update to Family Tree Legends (FTL). Version 5 is available now and adds a number of new features. I have reviewed previous versions of this program in the past and have been very impressed with its power and ease of use. This week I used the newest version and am now even more impressed. Pearl Street Software has made a first-class program even better.

New Chief Executive at the UK National Archives

The following is an announcement from the UK National Archives:

Natalie Ceeney has been appointed the new chief executive of The National Archives. She succeeds Sarah Tyacke.

Ms Ceeney is currently director of operations and services at the British Library, where she manages all of the British Library's services, including both its famous reading rooms and its remote delivery services. She has previously managed clinical services in the NHS, and has led strategic consultancy projects across a range of industries at McKinsey and company. She takes up her new post on October 17.

Announcing the International Institute of Jewish Genealogy

A group of Jewish genealogists want to give the study of the Jewish past a brighter future. The genealogists recently announced the formation of the International Institute of Jewish Genealogy, to be housed in the Jewish National and University Library of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem.

Family History Hour begins new broadcast method

The following is an announcement from Pat Richley:

Popular genealogy columnist, Pat Richley, better known as DearMYRTLE to her readers, has overcome the after-affects of Hurricane Charley and resumes the weekly broadcasts of DearMYRTLE's Family History Hour internet radio show.

Your Inherited DNA Isn't Your Destiny

The more we learn about the human genome, the less DNA looks like destiny. While you do inherit much from your ancestors, other factors are at work as well.

As scientists discover more about the "epigenome," a layer of biochemical reactions that turns genes on and off, they're finding that it plays a big part in health and heredity. By mapping the epigenome and linking it with genomic and health information, scientists believe they can develop better ways to predict, diagnose and treat disease.

CenMatch for Ancestry.com

Are you struggling to find families when searching census records on Ancestry.com? Do you think they must be in the census records but you simply cannot locate them? Do you wish there were more options available? If so, CenMatch may be the answer for you.

One In 25 Fathers is not Biological Parent

Here is an interesting statistic: according to a recent study in England, about 4% of all children born in the country are not fathered by the person claimed, according to DNA tests.

PathWiz! Version 5.0 Released

The Master Genealogist (TMG) is a very popular and powerful Windows genealogy program. As good as it is, someone can always determine some way to make it even better. PathWiz! is an add-on utility written by Bryan Wetton in Australia that adds a lot of functionality. You can read my earlier article about PathWiz version 4.0 in the January 2, 2005 newsletter.

Workhouse Rules

Peter Higginbotham has created an excellent web site that presents the history of workhouses (or poor houses) throughout the UK. The site has extensive descriptions of many historical topics and is supplemented with many photographs. I recently spent more than an hour looking at all the material that Peter placed online. The one section that I will remember for some time is the description of a particular workhouse from the late 1700s.

Google suspends Library Project

In the October 8, 2004 newsletter, I wrote about Google's plans to scan millions of books and to make them available to everyone on the web at no charge. You can read that newsletter article here with follow-up articles in the December 15, 2004 newsletter here and in the May 26, 2005 newsletter here.

Google's plans sent shockwaves throughout the publishing industry as well as amongst librarians worldwide. Many expressed concerns about Google's plans to scan copyrighted books as well as those that do not enjoy copyright protection. Now it looks like the management team at Google has heard those concerns: the company is slowing down the project. Google revealed this week that the company will delay scanning copyrighted texts until November. Apparently, that gives the company time to work out agreements with several industry trade groups.

Phil DeSilva Joins Wholly Genes

I was delighted about one notice I read this week: Phil DeSilva is joining the Technical Support department at Wholly Genes Software, the producers of The Master Genealogist Software.

I first met Phil about 15 or 16 years ago when he joined the staff on the CompuServe Genealogy Forums. I soon discovered that he is both a very knowledgeable genealogist as well as a computer expert. He also is very good at explaining things to others; I saw him do that hundreds of times on CompuServe's Genealogy Forums.

Thieves Steal Family History

The thieves who broke into a storage locker in Auburn, Washington, last month did more than cut a lock and steal two trunks and antique chairs. They also broke the heart of a 94-year-old woman.

Online Swedish - English Dictionary

If you are having difficulty translating documents from "the old country," a bilingual dictionary can be a great help. If the country in question is Sweden, Lexin is an online tool provided by Swedish SchoolNet, a service of the Swedish Agency for School Development. The translation service is available at no charge.

National British Fair for Family and Local History

The National British Fair for Family and Local History will be held on 10th September 2005 at the Gateshead International Stadium on Neilson Road in Gateshead. Last year's event attracted nearly 2,000 attendees to examine the wares of 104 exhibitors. This year's event promises to be even bigger. More than 120 exhibitors are already scheduled to attend.

One Reason to Keep the Paper

I am enthusiastic about new technology, but sometimes the old technology is best. One case in point is the 1911 Canadian census. This national census collected information about each inhabitant of the country that is critical to genealogists. The information included place of habitation, marital status, age, place of birth, religion, occupation, education, and more. It covered the nine provinces and two territories that were then part of the Confederation.

Government Buys Genealogy Records

It isn't often that we hear of a government paying significant money to obtain genealogy records and pictures. Then again, Jan Goodacre's collection was not your ordinary collection.

World War II Kansas Veterans Database Online

The Kansas State Historical Society (KSHS) is launching the Kansas World War II Veterans Database on Friday, August 12, 2005. The date was picked to coincide with the 60th anniversary of V-J (Victory over Japan) Day.

Legacy Genealogy Cruise to Alaska

The folks at Millennia Corporation sponsor a genealogy cruise every autumn. These always have been very popular cruises. In fact, the eastern Caribbean cruise scheduled for October of this year has been sold out for a long time. Now the company has announced that next year's cruise will be a West Coast trip up the Inland Passage to Alaska.

Gary T. Johnson to head Chicago Historical Society

Gary T. Johnson of Evanston, Illinois is an attorney, civic leader, history enthusiast,and genealogist. He will become the eighth president of the Chicago Historical Society, effective Aug. 22.

Just Call Him "My Lord"

It isn't often that an American awakes to find himself in line for an English title. While retired grocery store worker William Jennings Capell of Yuba City, California, always knew he had noble blood, he didn't know that he might one day become the 12th Earl of Essex, successor to some of the most powerful and feared noblemen in English history. This will happen if the current Earl dies before the American Capell. It is a distinct possibility as the current Earl is nine years older than the Californian.