Eastman's Online Genealogy Newsletter

EOGN Web Site Redesigned

Those who read this newsletter on the web at www.eogn.com may have noticed some significant formatting changes made to that web site recently. I am trying to simplify the design, making it less "busy." The result hopefully will allow for a better focus on the news items.

Comments and suggestions are appreciated. Please post your comments at the end of this article at http://blog.eogn.com/eastmans_online_genealogy/2006/04/eogn_web_site_r.html

Announcement: Five Year Scottish History Project Completed

The following is an announcement from ScotlandsPeople:

A groundbreaking five year project which has seen Scotland's historians working to make available online the nation's census records, today (Thursday 20 April 2006) culminated with the publication of the 1841 census.

Leland Meitzler joins Everton Publishers

The many friends of Leland Meitzler will be delighted to learn that he has landed on his feet, back in the genealogy publishing business. Leland has been named Managing Editor of Everton's Genealogical Helper.

Unclaimed Persons Online

Did a relative suddenly disappear, never to be heard from again? The Unclaimed Persons Online service may have the answer for you.

The web site sounded humorous at first, but as I read about it, I realized that it has a very serious intent. The information it provides could be valuable to anyone seeking a long lost loved one.

(+) Hotels at FGS Conference

The U.S. Federation of Genealogical Societies will host the organization's annual conference on August 30 through September 2, 2006. This is shaping up to be one of the biggest genealogy conferences ever held in North America. You can read more about this conference at http://fgs.org/2006conf/FGS-2006.htm.

This year's conference will be held at the Hynes Convention Center in Boston, Massachusetts. I used to work about two blocks from that location. I can give you some hotel advice that you will not find on the FGS web site.

Germany to Open Holocaust Records

In a move that will benefit many genealogists, on Tuesday Germany agreed to clear the way for the opening of Nazi records on some 17 million Jews and enslaved laborers who were persecuted and slain by the Nazis and their collaborators more than 60 years ago during the Holocaust.

Justice Minister Brigitte Zypries said at a news conference in the US Holocaust Memorial Museum that Germany would work in partnership with the United States to assure the opening of the archives, held in Bad Arolsen, Germany, and allow historians and survivors access to some 30 million to 50 million documents.

Your Family Tree Magazine Unveils Home History Supplement

Your Family Tree, a major genealogy magazine published in England, says that "the next big thing" in genealogy will be researching the history of homes. The magazine is publishing a 16-page supplement dedicated to what it claims is the next big craze.

Tracing Your Irish Ancestors

I just read a "new/old book" that is one of the genealogy classics. Tracing Your Irish Ancestors by John Grenham first appeared some years ago and quickly became one of the leading Irish genealogy reference books. I suspect you will find a copy of Tracing Your Irish Ancestors on the shelves of every significant genealogy library, in most city libraries, and in thousands of private homes. A third edition of the book has just been released, and I had a chance to look at the new publication this week.

The Most Exclusive Genealogy Society

There are thousands of genealogy societies in the United States. Most are open to anyone with an interest in the society's area of specialization. Generally speaking, anyone is welcome to join most societies.

A few genealogy societies may restrict membership to the descendants of a particular couple or to descendants of those who lived in a specific area in history, participated in a particular event, or arrived on a certain ship. These are often referred to as "lineage societies." For instance, such societies include the Daughters of the American Revolution, the Sons of the American Revolution, the Mayflower Society, and the Society of The Ark and The Dove. Membership in these organizations is restricted to those who can prove descent from specific people.

One society remains much more exclusive, however.

ProQuest Obituaries

ProQuest, the company that produces HeritageQuest Online, has now announced another service of interest to genealogists: online listings of obituaries.

2006 NGS Conference Early-Bird Deadline Approaches

If you are thinking of attending the U.S. National Genealogical Society's annual conference in Chicago on June 7 through 10, I'd suggest that you get your registration in now. Any procrastination will cost you an extra $35.00.

Anglicized French Names

Those of us with French-Canadian ancestry who now live in predominantly English-speaking areas know a lot about name changes. For instance, the name Hebert often became Abar or something similar. (The two words are pronounced the same, even though English speakers might not know the French pronunciation of Hebert.) Leblanc often became White and Beaudoin may have been changed to Bodine. Such name changes can drive you crazy when researching old records!

EOGN Standard Switches to Daily Updates

This newsletter switched to a daily publication on the World Wide Web a couple of years ago. However, the e-mail notices have remained in the old fashioned weekly format, which never seemed right to me. Standard Edition subscribers have always received one e-mail per week, even though new articles are being posted daily. The weekly e-mails often contained notices that were six or seven days old.

I am now changing that. Standard Edition subscribers will now receive brief, daily updates. You will now always receive the latest news.

Dick Eastman Visits Colorado

The following is an announcement from the Colorado Genealogical Society:

Dick Eastman will be in Denver to speak to the Computer Interest Group of the Colorado Genealogical Society on May 8 and 9, 2006. Dick will be featured speaker at the evening meeting of the group on May 8th, and will give 3 talks, open to the public, on Tuesday, May 9th. This will be Dick's first visit to Colorado to speak to a genealogical group, and it promises to be an interesting and informative experience.

(+) A New Family Site Appears in Beta Test

This week I had a chance to use a new genealogy-related web site. It is designed to appeal to genealogists and non-genealogists alike. In fact, it should attract many who would never use a "family tree" web site otherwise.

Opinion: DNA Should Not Be Used as a Tool to Identify Family Trees

An unsigned article in the Arab Times of Kuwait claims that use of DNA will lead to the "disintegration of families."

Sixteen Ways to Become a Successful Genealogist

The following is an announcement from the Board for Certification of Genealogists:

The Board for Certification of Genealogists (BCG) is proud to announce sponsorship of a Skillbuilding track at the NGS conference to be held in Chicago in June 2006.

In Memoriam: William Kingsland, New York City 'Gazetteer'

William M.V. Kingsland, a prodigious researcher and genealogist, died recently of a heart attack. "He was an unending trove of historic facts of the Upper East Side," as described by longtime friend, Eliot Rowlands.

The Complete Idiot's Guide to Genealogy

Click to display larger image

Alpha Books is the publisher of the very successful "Complete Idiot's" line of books. It seems that there is a Complete Idiot's Guide to almost everything: Buying and Selling a Home, Microsoft Word, Writing Business Letters and Memos, Calligraphy, Digital Photography, Knitting and Crocheting, Understanding Catholicism, Learning Spanish, and even a Complete Idiot's Guide to Cigars. This week I had a chance to read one of the newest additions to the series of books: The Complete Idiot's Guide to Genealogy, Second Edition.

Town Sues to Block Sale of Historic Document

A document from 1776 was advertised on eBay a few months ago. The listing described the document as an "important proclamation announcing the forming of a new government." The document is addressed to the town clerk of Danvers, Massachusetts. Danvers Town Archivist Richard Trask saw the eBay listing and immediately began investigating. He then notified the town manager and began negotiations for its return. Since it was addressed to the town clerk, the town manager and town archivist claim that the document belongs to the Town of Danvers.