Eastman's Online Genealogy Newsletter

Is the Mormon Church Buying FaceBook?

This rumor is floating around on a number of web sites. Personally, I doubt it. Even so if you'd like to read the latest rumor sites, there are a number to choose from.

A couple sources quote anonymous sources, and Mashable has a lengthy write up at http://mashable.com/2008/08/21/mormon-facebook/ that analyzes the potential benefits for the church in acquiring a huge social network.

Indiana Genealogical Society Offers Searchable Databases

The Indiana Genealogical Society recently added a new feature to its web site; its own collection of searchable databases. These databases (located at http://www.indgensoc.org/membersonly/) are available to IGS members as a benefit of membership.  The databases are searchable by first and last name, and include the ability to search by Soundex.

Shirley Gage Hodges Honored with 2008 Genealogy Appreciation Award

Shirley Hodges was presented with the 2008 Library of Michigan Genealogy Appreciation Award at the 2008 Abrams Genealogy Seminar in July at the Library of Michigan.

Shirley has been actively doing genealogical research since 1967. She has taught family history classes and seminars in the United States and Canada since 1994 and has served as a guest lecturer for several college-level programs since the mid-1990s.

FamilySearch Course Offered at No Charge at British Institute

The following announcement was written by the International Society for British Genealogy & Family History:

The 8th Annual British Institute  ----- Offering Irish Research, British Record Research, Scottish Basic Research, and Using Family Search in British Isles Research.  All courses are taught by experts in their field of genealogy research.

Postgraduate Programme in Genealogical Studies at the University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, Scotland – AND ONLINE

The following announcement was written by Strathclyde University:

In 2006 Strathclyde University launched the Postgraduate programme in Genealogical Studies to address the need for an intensive, practitioner-led university-led award in Genealogical Studies. It is intended for those with an existing interest in Genealogy and related subjects who wish to study the subject in more detail and possibly use it in their careers. Now entering its third year, this is the only professional postgraduate university qualification on Genealogy, Family History, Heraldry, Records and Archives. The Postgraduate Certificate may be taken on Campus by attendance or Online, and the Postgraduate Diploma is fully online from the next session.

Lineage Society for Descendants of Early Settlers of Spanish and Mexican Land Grants

The following announcement was written by the Early Settlers of Spanish and Mexican Land Grants:

HOUSTON, TEXAS - Organizers announced today the formation of a lineage society for Early Settlers of Spanish and Mexican Land Grants (ESSMLG). This is the first national lineage society that recognizes and preserves the contributions of the Spanish / Latino culture in the early settlement of the United States. Even before Jamestowne was founded and the Pilgrims landed, Texas and the southwestern U.S. were being explored. By the 1600s there was a rich Spanish culture in place. The early settlers of the southwestern U.S. included such diverse groups as Spaniards, Canary Islanders, French, Irish, English, Scots, Jewish, German, Dutch, Portuguese, and Native Americans from both sides of the present day U.S.-Mexico border. Much of the early history of this area is barely taught in schools where the curriculum emphasizes the early English settlement of the eastern U.S.

FamilySearch Update: New Records Added

FamilySearch added over 2 million new images or indexed records this week to its pilot Record Search databases this week. Thanks to all of the wonderful volunteers who help bring these projects to the Web for public access. Patrons can search these databases for free online at FamilySearch.org or directly at http://pilot.familysearch.org.   

Ancestry.com and JewishGen to Provide Online Access to Millions of Jewish Historical Documents

The following announcement was written by The Generations Network, Inc., (the parent company of Ancestry.com) and by JewishGen:

Partnership Enables Broader Research of Jewish Ancestry Through Powerful Search Tools in One Centralized Location

CHICAGO – The Generations Network, Inc., parent company of Ancestry.com, and JewishGen, a non-profit organization dedicated to researching and promoting Jewish genealogy and an affiliate of the Museum of Jewish Heritage – A Living Memorial to the Holocaust, today announced a partnership designed to provide easier online access to millions of important Jewish historical documents. JewishGen’s collection of databases will be integrated and be made available for free on Ancestry.com, making these historical Jewish records and information more accessible than ever before. As part of the agreement, the JewishGen site will also be hosted in Ancestry.com’s data center.

(+) Help! Someone is Publishing My Family's Information!

A newsletter reader wrote this week and was obviously upset. Sadly, issues like hers are not uncommon. Here is a slightly shortened version of the message I received:

A clan genealogist is using my family tree in an unauthorized way (by handing it out on CD to complete strangers at Celtic fairs/public events, & putting it in data bases without my consent; moreover, I have it in writing that she did not have knowledge of my family until I sent info in good faith. I believed she had ethics,... but she is citing public record as reason for the indiscretion).

HELP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  Do I have any recourse?

Let's look at a few facts.

1916 Census of Western Canadian Provinces on Microfilm

The following announcement was written by Library and Archives Canada:

The 1916 Census of the Western Provinces (Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Alberta) is now available at Library and Archives Canada.  The self-serve microfilm reels (reels T-21925 to T-21956) are in the Microfilm Consultation room.  Copies are also available for interlibrary loan.

Pricing Changes at Footnote

Footnote.com has always been noted as the low-cost leader in online providers of historical data. Now the company is announcing a modest price increase, although I believe the company remains as one of the lowest-priced commercial services available today.

The following announcement was written by Russ Wilding, CEO of Footnote:

Biologists Create Genetic Map of Europe

Want to know where your ancestors came from? Soon you may be able to tell by testing your DNA.

Stolen Art Works Found in Genealogist's Apartment

Nearly two years ago, I wrote several articles about the death of William M. V. Kingsland. He died intestate (without a will) and with an apartment crammed with rare works of art. You can see my earlier articles at http://tinyurl.com/6gjapa. Now it seems that much of the artwork was stolen.

After winding through the legal system, a probate judge ordered that Kingsland's possessions be auctioned off and the proceeds held for a number of years, waiting for claims by heirs, if any. If the money is unclaimed, it will eventually be given to the State of New York.

Records of First Irish Police Force Officers Now Online

Records of more than 80,000 officers from the first Irish police force are being released online on www.Ancestry.co.uk. The new genealogical source will contain the personal details of every man that enlisted in the Irish Constabulary between 1816 and 1921, including their name, year and place of birth, age on enlistment and marital status. These records contain huge genealogical significance because many census records were destroyed during fighting in Dublin in 1922. In many cases, the Irish Police Force Officers records may be the only surviving records of the lives of these men.

(+) “Canvassing the County Resources” by George G. Morgan

Geographical research is important to every genealogist. Early in our family history odyssey, we learn the importance of using maps and historical records to locate the right place to search for ancestral records. State, territorial, province, and national boundaries have changed – maybe frequently – over time. Location names have also changed. It is therefore essential to determine the geopolitical administration in power at the time period during which your ancestors lived in a specific place. Those governmental entities will have been responsible for creating official records at the time and, wherever the central offices were located at that time, will still be the logical place to search for your ancestor’s records.

Family Tree Maker 2009

The Generations Network (or TGN) is the company that produces the popular Windows genealogy program called Family Tree Maker. It is also the parent company of Ancestry.com (and a number of similar sites in other countries), MyFamily.com, and others. The company's web site at www.FamilyTreeMaker.com now displays the following words:

Family Tree Maker 2009

Whether you’re a seasoned pro or just starting on your family tree, Family Tree Maker 2009 can help you create a family tree faster, easier, and better than ever before. The end result is a family history that you and your family will treasure for years to come.

A Free Upgrade to Family Tree Maker 2009

From Kathi Reid's Ancestor Search Blog at http://ancestorsearch.blogspot.com/2008/08/family-tree-maker-2009-free-to-those.html:

If you have a copy of FTM 2008 and have not yet registered, now is the time to do so by going to Help>Register FTM. All those who registered their copy of FTM 2008 will receive FTM 2009 for free. Here is the notice I just received from the FTM team:

Quote of the day

"Encouraging genealogy is an effective method of combating racism. By understanding the diversity of one's own background, 'celebrating,' or at least respecting, the diversity of others becomes more likely.

"Genealogy can also be a spur to education. We will pay more attention to history and geography if our families are caught up in it. There is also the sobering thought that as we evaluate our ancestors we focus on what our descendants will think of us – if they can be bothered to find out."

-- British writer Harry Phibbs in an article in The Guardian

New "Down Under: Florida" Episode at RootsTelevision.com

The Genealogy Guys (a.k.a. George G. Morgan and Drew Smith) made a great video some months ago, called "Down Under." It featured the long-lasting memories illustrated by tombstones. Now the one video is expanding into a series.

George wrote with a description of the latest episode:

GRO Abandons £16 Million Effort to Digitize 171 Years of U.K. Family Records

Here is a great waste of taxpayers' funds: the General Register Office (GRO) of the United Kingdom yesterday announced that the U.K. government is abandoning a £16 Million (roughly $30 Million US Dollars) project to digitize 250 million records of births, marriages and deaths in England and Wales from 1837 to the present day.

Technically, the announcement did not use the word "abandon." Instead, the announcement stated that the project has been "delayed indefinitely." However, informal conversations with government employees indicate that all employees assigned to the project are being re-assigned elsewhere and that all funding has stopped.