Eastman's Online Genealogy Newsletter

Simmons Historical Publications Places More Than 765 History & Genealogy Books Online

The following announcement was written by Simmons Historical Publications and World Vital Records, Inc.:

Provo, UT, December 03, 2007 -- Simmons Historical Publications has recently partnered with World Vital Records, Inc. to make more than 765 of its valuable genealogical books accessible online for the first time.

“I have personally transcribed nearly 600 of these books from this collection. These are books that normally one would have to travel to a courthouse to read a microfilm to view. Through this transcription work and our partnership with World Vital Records, we have made these records much easier to access and are excited to have them available online for the first time at World Vital Records,” said Laura Willis, Co-owner, Simmons Historical Publications.

Ancestry.com Launches U.S. Passport Applications

The following announcement was written by Ancestry.com:

U.S. Passport Applications Document the Voyages of 2.4 Million American Travelers, Between 1795 and 1925

PROVO, Utah, Dec. 4 -- Ancestry.com, the world's leading online family history resource, this week released a collection of U.S. Passport Applications spanning from 1795 to 1925 and including names of nearly 2.4 million American travelers. Babe Ruth filled one out to before sailing to Havana, Cuba, for a 1918 baseball game. Walt Disney and Ernest Hemingway submitted applications so they could travel to Europe and drive ambulances during World War I. And pictures of Tom Cruise's great-grandparents -- Thomas and Anna Mapother -- adorn their application filled out in 1924 in preparation for a European tour.

CD-ROM: Probate Records of the Province of New Hampshire, 1635-1771

This week I used a massive collection of books all scanned and placed onto one CD-ROM disk. The "Probate Records of the Province of New Hampshire, 1635-1771" has long been a standard reference for anyone researching colonial New Hampshire ancestors.

I have spent a significant amount of time in those nine volumes myself in years past. I always had to travel to a genealogy library to access them, however. Reprints of the original books may be purchased but at prices that are a bit too expensive for most individual genealogists. Searching online, I found that a reprint of Volume 1 alone is available for about $150. I assume the prices for the other eight volumes would be about the same for a total in the neighborhood of $1,350. I don’t think I can find that much money in the piggy bank! Besides the purchase price, I am not sure where I would find room in my bookshelf at home for nine more thick, hardbound volumes.

Luckily for me and for many other New Hampshire descendants, Archive CD Books USA recently released all nine volumes on one half-ounce plastic disk. In fact, it is now possible to search all nine volumes for any word or phrase within seconds, something that is impossible with nine printed volumes. The best part is the price: $59.95 for all nine volumes.

Nazi Archive Will Help Save Lost Names

When Bill Connelly heard that the heirs of a collector of Jewish memorial books were cleaning out his library, he rushed to New York and fished dozens of the Yiddish-language volumes out of a municipal trash bin.

With their lists of residents from long vanished European communities — sometimes recorded street by street — the books often are all that's left of entire villages or neighborhoods consumed in the Nazi genocide of World War II.

Fired West Virginia Archivist Receives Award

Fred Armstrong was the West Virginia State Archivist until he was fired last month under questionable circumstances. His firing reportedly was was politically motivated simply because he and his boss did not get along. Most recently, Armstrong opposed his boss' plan to convert the archives library into a café/catering service/mini-Tamarack gift shop.

You can read my early article and all the comments by newsletter readers at http://blog.eogn.com/eastmans_online_genealogy/2007/11/west-virginia-s.html.

Armstrong had an exemplary record in his 30 years of service to the state and was often cited as a leader in his field. Now, only a month after his clumsy firing, Armstrong has been honored again. He has been given Virgil A. Lewis Award.

(+) The Latest Practical (?) Gadget: A Two-Pound Laptop

This week I have been using a new laptop computer that is about the size of a VHS videotape. In fact, I can carry this powerful laptop in my overcoat pocket. This tiny computer weighs about two pounds (0.92 kilograms). It is an ideal system for use when traveling since it is so portable. This laptop’s keyboard is a bit smaller than standard computers, but one of my touch typist friends was able to use it easily after about five minutes’ practice.

This coat-pocket sized computer even includes more than 40 built-in applications, including a rather powerful word processor (similar to Microsoft Word), a spreadsheet program (similar to Excel), a presentation program (similar to PowerPoint), the Firefox web browser, the Thunderbird e-mail program, Adobe Acrobat to read PDF files, a complete dictionary on the hard drive, an instant messaging program that is compatible with the most popular IM services, Skype for making free telephone calls, and even two-way video conferencing, an MP3 music player, a video player, a paintbrush program, and a lot more. It also includes a microphone and "voice command" software, a feature that allows you to control the PC by just speaking to it. (This isn't a true "voice recognition" system; it can only "launch" or start certain programs for you. You still need to use the touchpad and keyboard to interact with and end programs.) This tiny powerhouse also includes Solitaire and a few other simple games. All the included programs are included free of charge. If I had to purchase similar, commercially-produced programs, I probably would have to pay more than $500 for software functionality to match what is already included in this tiny laptop.

Genealogy Society Receives Free Replacement for the "Ugliest Sign"

The West Valley Genealogical Society near Phoenix, Arizona has "won" a local contest, although not one they are bragging about. The society has been selected as the winner of the FastSigns' 2007 Ugliest Sign Contest.

Hal J. Belcher Wins Outstanding Achievement in Florida Genealogy Award

Fernandina Beach, Florida resident Hal J. Belcher won the Florida State Genealogy Society Award for Outstanding Achievement in Florida Genealogy at the society's conference in Orlando on Nov. 9.

Belcher has volunteered for more than 20 years to preserve local written history, landmarks and cemeteries. He has written books on a variety of local historical subjects. He continues to participate in and to promote the preservation of local history, even at the age of 86.

You can read more in the My Nassau Sun web site at http://www.jacksonville.com/tu-online/stories/120107/nen_221578337.shtml.

Attendee Registration for 2008 NGS Conference is Now Open

The National Genealogical Society's Conference in the States and Family History Fair will be held 14-17 May 2008 at the Hyatt Regency Crown Center, in Kansas City, Missouri. The theme, Show me the Way to Our Nation's Records, is based upon the unofficial state motto of Missouri.

In addition to more than 150 lectures and workshops, receptions will be held at the Mid-Continent Public Library and the National World War I Museum. Research opportunities are also available at the new Mid-Continent Public Library and the National Archives Regional Center.

I must say that I am delighted that the conference syllabus will be available on CD or as a traditional paper publication or both. No more dragging those huge books back home! I much prefer to have my syllabus on CD-ROM.