The DAILY genealogy technology newsletter for genealogy
consumers, packed with straight talk - hold the sugar coating - whether
the vendors like it or not!
A false email claiming to be sent by the Social Security Administration is currently being circulated. The letter begins with "Dear Social Security Number And Card owner." It goes on to inform the reader that someone is illegally using their Social Security number and directs the victim to a phony website designed to look like the Social Security Administration's website.
Once on the website, the victim is asked to verify their identity by providing a Social Security number and financial information such as a credit card number, expiration date, and PIN number.
The "alert" is bogus and has one purpose: to steal your Social Security Number. Don't fall for this one.
On October 20, I published a brief article that mentioned the National Genealogical Society's concerns about the National Archives and Records Administration's plans to downsize the Finding Aids/Consultants' area at the National Archives Building in Washington, D.C. (The article is available at http://blog.eogn.com/eastmans_online_genealogy/2009/10/nara-seeks-to-shrink-research-space-and-services-in-dc.html.) The National Archives has now responded with the following statement to address the "erroneous information."
I am not so sure the original article is erroneous. This latest response strongly stresses the fact that NARA is not eliminating things. However, the original NGS blog article never mentioned eliminating anything. Instead, the NGS blog article expressed concern about the REDUCTIONS which this response from the National Archives conveniently never mentions:
The following announcement was written by the New England Historic Genealogical Society (NEHGS):
Boston, MA, October 22, 2009 – The New England Historic Genealogical Society (NEHGS) is pleased to announce the appointment of three new staff positions:
The T. Elmer Cox Historical and Genealogical Library in Greeneville, Tennesee, which has been temporarily closed since October 12, plans to re-open on Wednesday, October 28, but with dramatically reduced hours of operation. The total number of operational hours per week for the library under the new schedule will be reduced to 20 from the previous 38, and the facility will be open four days a week instead of six, according to an announcement Wednesday by Greeneville-Greene County Public Library executive director Don Miller.
FamilySearch Labs added something new today: FamilySearch Community Trees.
As the site says, "Ever wish you could reconstruct the families that lived in your ancestral village in the 1750s? FamilySearch works with individuals and groups with the expertise to piece together the families that lived together historically in a community. We’re experimenting with ways to make these richly-sourced lineage-linked trees more available and expand the number of people helping with this effort. Check it out and tell us what you think.
A slavery museum and an African-American genealogical center are among the features of a proposed heritage site for Richmond, Virginia. The Richmond Slave Trail Commission on Tuesday released a master plan for the $100 million to $150 million proposal in the city's Shockoe Bottom section, once a center of the capital city's lucrative slave trade.
Geni, the online family tree and genealogy web site, was hit by unexpected downtime Tuesday and today, the firm told its users Wednesday afternoon. According to Geni, it had "network difficulties" starting the morning of Tuesday, October 20th, with the firm taking the site down at 3:45PM to investigate. The company said it managed to get the service back online at 4:30am Wednesday.
The National Genealogical Society's "UpFront" blog is reporting:
The National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) has proposed some major changes that will significantly reduce the space and services available to researchers who wish to use NARA records in Washington, D.C. Specifically, the proposal is to relocate the Finding Aids/ Consultants to a smaller, open space within the library, reduce the number of microfilm readers, and replace self-serve microfilm access with a "pull on demand" process that requires staff to retrieve each film as someone requests it.
The Wall Street Journal reports that Ancestry.com released estimated terms for its pending initial public offering. The company will sell at least 4.1 million shares with prices somewhere between $12.50 and $14.50 each. According to my calculator, that should raise $50 million to $60 million. That's a bit less than the $75 million originally announced last August. However, another 3.3 million shares will also be sold by current stockholders.
Windows 7 will be released on Thursday. I suspect that some people are planning to upgrade their Windows XP systems to Windows 7 soon after the release. If you are a Windows XP user who is thinking of upgrading, I'd suggest that you first read the instructions carefully. The upgrade path from XP to Windows 7 is a bit rocky.
Windows
7 will be released the day after tomorrow. I am thinking of purchasing
a copy so that I can write software reviews while testing the programs
on Microsoft's latest version. This morning I read a sales flyer to
check out prices. In this case, it was an advertisement from
MicroCenter, a chain of 22 computer stores. I think most other discount
computer stores have similar pricing.
MicroCenter will start selling Windows 7 full version software on
Thursday morning for $199.99. An upgrade version sells for $119.99.
(You might note than only Vista can be upgraded. All older Windows
operating systems will require a full reformat of the hard drive and a
new installation, not an upgrade.)
I couldn't help but notice the same sales flyer lists a number of
laptops being sold with Windows 7 pre-installed. Prices begin at
$299.99.
You mean that I can buy a complete computer for only $100 more than the
cost of the operating system? In effect, MicroCenter is saying, "Buy
the operating system and we will throw in a complete computer for
another $100."
It's interesting to see one's genealogy end up as a court case. However, such disputes are not uncommon in Indian affairs when gambling or tax-free sales of cigarettes are involved.
John Maynes is a member of the Unkechaug Indians in Mastic, New York. He has asked a Suffolk judge to stop the chief of the Unkechaug Indians from conducting business and is challenging the chief's genealogical right to be part of the tribe. He claims Unkechaug chief Harry Wallace does not have ancestry that can be traced to American Indian descendants of Shinnecock Indians.
In a comment on the end of the recent "(+) Life Expectancy of Audio Tapes and VHS Video Tapes versus CD and DVD Disks" Plus Edition article, a newsletter reader asked, "Do you suggest that I copy all my old 3 and 1/2 inch floppies that I have backed up from my earlier research from my hard drive? Do you know of life expectancies for these?"
Flat bed desktop scanners are the most common method of scanning old family photographs and they do work well for that purpose. However, they are a bit large and awkward to carry. That may not be much of a problem if you do all your scanning at home and if you have plenty of space on your desktop. However, I typically end up doing my scanning on the kitchen table and then keep the scanner in a closet when not in use. The typical flatbed scanner is a bit large and awkward for that purpose. It also is a bit too big for easy transport to family reunions or to a cousin's house.
The following announcement was written by the Salt Lake Institute of Genealogy:
For sixteen years, genealogy researchers have basked in an exciting week of in-depth learning. The majority also took the opportunity for personal research at the renowned Family History Library.
In 2010,the Salt Lake Institute of Genealogy will take place January 11-15, taught by expert genealogists, such as Paula Stuart-Warren, Thomas W. Jones, Kory Meyerink, John Philip Colletta, Mary E.V. Hill, Barbara Renick, Patricia Law Hatcher, Craig Scott, Elissa Scalise Powell, Karen Clifford, John M. Kitzmiller, Debby Horton, and Kahlile Mehr.
FamilyBee, a genealogy viewer for the Google Android phone, has been released in Beta version. This viewer includes all data in a genealogy file, including family, pedigree and descendants views, notes and sources.
FamilyBee is advertised as "an industrial strength family tree browser. Allows viewing of all details for individuals and families in GEDCOM genealogy files." The beta test version is available free of charge although it will stop working some day. The developer expects that, once the beta is complete, the regular version will sell for $10.
The following announcement was written by the Board for Certification of Genealogists:
Laura DeGrazia, CG, President of the Board for Certification of Genealogists, announced the retirement of two respected trustees, effective on October 12th, 2009.
The following announcement was written by FamilySearch:
19 October 2009
There are some fascinating new collections in FamilySearch’s Record Search. Ten million new records and images were added this update. Some particularly interesting highlights included the 1865 Massachusetts State Census, Wisconsin 1855 State Census, and 1869 Argentina Census—all now complete, the Ghana Census, 1982–1984 digital images, and the England, Cheshire School Records, 1796–1950, collections. See the chart below for a list of all the newly added collections.
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