Eastman's Online Genealogy Newsletter

Mega.co.nz Offers 50 Gigabytes of Storage in the Cloud for Free

Mega.co.nz launched today as a cloud storage service. However, it is unlike any other cloud storage service I know of. First of all is the pricing: free for up to 50 gigabytes (that's 50,000 megabytes) of storage space. This is a huge amount of free storage. It’s easily more than the 2 gigabytes offered by Dropbox, the 5 gigabytes by Google Drive, or the 7 gigabytes from Microsoft’s SkyDrive! For those who need even more space, very low fees are charged: 500 gigabytes of storage space for €9.99 a month (roughly $13.31 US dollars), 2 terabytes of storage space for €19.99 a month (roughly $26.62 US dollars), and 4 terabytes of storage space for only €29.99 a month (roughly $40.00 US dollars) a month.

(+) How to Lend an eBook to a Friend

The following is a Plus Edition article written by and copyright by Dick Eastman.

In recent comments to ebook articles in this newsletter, several people have commented, "If I have enjoyed a book, I get pleasure in passing it to a friend to read. I can't do that digitally without paying again." Actually, with Kindle and Nook ebook readers, that is incorrect. Kindle and Nook owners can legally lend books at no charge. In fact, the process is quite simple.

Kindle

Kindle books can be loaned to another reader for a period of 14 days. The borrower does not even need to own a Kindle! Kindle books can be read on a second Kindle or on a Windows PC, Macintosh, iPad, iPhone, BlackBerry, and Android device by using Amazon's FREE Kindle software.

Book Review: The People of the Scottish Burghs

The following book review was written by Bobbi King:

The People of the Scottish Burghs
A Genealogical Source Book
The People of Kirkcaldy 1600-1799

by David Dobson
Published by Clearfield Company; printed by the Genealogical Publishing Co., Baltimore MD. 104  pages.

This book is a compilation of families of Kirkcaldy, Scotland.

The introduction is a brief historical overview of Kirkcaldy, a burgh of barony since medieval times located on the Firth of Forth on the east coast of Scotland.

Ohio Genealogical Society Issues Call for Papers

The following announcement was written by the Ohio Genealogical Society:

Ohio Genealogical Society Issues Call for Papers for the 2014 Annual OGS Conference

January 15, 2013—Bellville, OH: The Ohio Genealogical Society (OGS) announces a request for lecture proposals for the OGS 2014 Annual Conference, “Genealogical Expedition,” to be held April 30-May 4, 2014, at the Kalahari Resort and Convention Center in Sandusky, Ohio.

Among the topics being considered are lectures on the history, records, repositories, and ethnic and religious groups of Ohio, including migrations into, within, and out of the area. Other topics of interest include the origins of early Ohio settlers; land and military records; technology, including DNA, mobile devices, and apps; methodology, analysis, and problem solving in genealogical research.

How Hackers Could Unlock Your Genetic Secrets

Researchers have shown that it's possible to link your identity to supposedly secret genetic information about your predisposition to diseases, merely by analyzing family-tree databases and other publicly available information. The security-cracking trick relies on the availability of genetic information linked to surnames in a variety of public family-tree databases.

Fairfax Genealogical Society Call for Papers

The following announcement was written by the Fairfax Genealogical Society:

Call for Proposals for the Fairfax Genealogical Society 2013-14 Programs

(Fairfax, Virginia)—The Fairfax Genealogical Society is pleased to announce that it is currently accepting speaker proposals for its 2013-14 programs. Proposals are being sought for monthly general meetings September 2013 through May 2014, monthly education classes September 2013 through April 2014, a one-day fair to be held 26 October 2013, and a two-day conference to be held 28-29 March 2014. All events are held in Fairfax County, which is in northern Virginia, just west of Washington, D.C.

More Evidence Why Printed Books Will Never Die

I recently published Has the Death of Printed Books Been Exaggerated? at http://goo.gl/knBcv and the article generated quite a bit of conversation in the comments at the end of the article. Now a new article by Josh Catone continues the same theme but goes even further.

Catone writes:

"Measured en masse, the stack of 'books I want to read' that sits precariously on the edge of a built-in bookshelf in my dining room just about eclipses 5,000 pages. The shelf is full to bursting with titles I hope to consume at some indeterminate point in the future.

Webster County (Mississippi) Courthouse Burns

Burnt courthouses are more than a problem of years past, they still burn today. Webster County and the village of Walthall lost some records this week. Damage is minimal to records kept in vaults. There is some heat and water damage. Steps will be taken to dry them out. Officials say all the computer-related information is secure.

You can read more in an article by Susan Parker in the WTVA-TV web site at http://goo.gl/epGLd.

Rare Color Photos of World War I Discovered

Photographer Anton Orlov recently discovered over 600 color images from World War I on "Magic Lantern" slides in a house in Northern California. The images depict snow-covered villages, train tracks, bullet-riddled buildings, and soldiers in trenches, by houses and on trains. The pictures were taken in Russia, China and Japan. The slides were hand-colored and the colors have been preserved wonderfully.

The photos may be found at http://www.cbsnews.com/2300-205_162-10015434.html.

Quebec Bio-Bank Project Expands

The CARTaGENE bio-bank project is planning to expand its data bank in order to take a snapshot of the health of the Quebec population. The program is collecting blood samples and medical information from thousands of residents, with each sample representing the health, lifestyle and genetic makeup of the population. The results should help researchers better understand both inherited and non-inherited medical conditions.

You can read more in an article in CBC News at http://goo.gl/JxIWa. A similar article is available in French at http://goo.gl/6HSxY.

My thanks to Yvonne Dolbec for telling me about this article.

 

Emigrant Research Center in Växjö, Sweden, is Closing

The Emigrant Research Center in Växjö, Sweden, is closing forever. The information on the Center's web site simply states: "We are still receiving research assignments and answer general inquiries about emigration by e-mail or letter. Visitors to the archives and libraries (NB: No family history) are welcome by appointment."

The words "No family history" mean just that: no genealogy research will be conducted. Anyone contacting the Emigrant Research Center in Växjö is being referred to the Emigranternas Hus in Göteborg.

The Chromebook -- It's Like an iPad, but with a Keyboard

I have written several times about the Chromebook laptop computer. (You can find my previous articles if you start at http://goo.gl/oK2aq.)

I have an older Chromebook and love it. It is an inexpensive computer that does about 95% of the things I need a computer to do. It is a simple computer that runs a web browser and always requires an Internet connection. However, I can also make the case that it is a sophisticated device available at a very low price ($235 to $330), is easy for non-experts to use, never gets viruses, and meets the needs of 99% of Internet users worldwide.

Bobbi King Named as EOGN Book Review Editor

It gives me great pleasure to announce an addition to the staff of this newsletter. Roberta "Bobbi" King has agreed to become EOGN’s Book Review Editor. As such, she will be writing reviews of genealogy books to be published in this newsletter.

Bobbi King has authored numerous articles for local, regional, and national genealogical society publications, including the National Genealogical Society's Quarterly. She has served as editor and contributor for various society newsletters and quarterlies and most recently served as revision editor for the Bylaws Workbook for the Federation of Genealogical Societies. She is currently the Chair of the Bylaws Review Committee for the Federation of Genealogical Societies.

Bobbi received the Association of Professional Genealogists Quarterly's Award of Excellence in 2008 and has published several personal compilations of her family history.

Book Review: Cape Cod and the Islands: Resources for Genealogists

The following book review was written by Bobbi King:

Cape Cod and the Islands: Resources for Genealogists

Published by The Cape Cod Genealogical Society, Inc., 2011, Harwich, Mass.  http://blog.capecodgensoc.org. A paperbound book of 128 pages with photographs, images, and lists.

This is a society publication meant to be a helpful guide for researchers looking for information on their families on Cape Cod and the Islands. This is a companion to the previously published Historical and Genealogical Guide to Barnstable County, Massachusetts (Falmouth Genealogical Society, 1995).

This book is rich in resources, and the society is very tech-savvy. Throughout the book there are dozens of online resources. You’ll be at your computer doing research within minutes of diving into this book.

Book Review: Life in Civil War America by Michael O. Varhola

The following book review was written by Bobbi King:

Life in Civil War America
By Michael O. Varhola
Publisher: Family Tree Books, Cincinnati, OH

A paperback book with 319 pages, with illustrations, drawings, images, photographs, appendices and an index

If this book was a house up for sale, its curbside appeal would create a traffic jam in the neighborhood.

The tan matte paper pages and historic font give the book an “old-timey” feel, and reminds me of when I pick up an old yellowed newspaper and I just know I’m going to like what I find when I start opening the pages and read through the columns. Mr. Varhola indicates that this as a second edition follow-up to his first edition Everyday life during the Civil War (1999).

Book Review: Online State Resources compiled by Michael Hait, CG

The following book review was written by Bobbi King:

Online State Resources compiled by Michael Hait, CG
This is a PDF/ E-book, 784 pages, $15.99 for download at http://haitfamilyresearch.com/onlineStates.htm.

This is, essentially, an indexed book of links.

The overall look of the guide is crisp and sharp; it’s a credit to Mr. Hait that he’s a talented writer who knows how to design a readable, understandable, and engaging publication.

Saving Memories Forever Launches Free Genealogy App for Android Devices

In the August 8, 2012 newsletter, I described the launch of a new app for Apple iPhone, iPad, and iPod Touch called Saving Memories Forever. (See my article at http://goo.gl/UsdwG.) Now the company has released a version for Android devices. The following announcement was written by Saving Memories Forever™:

Now iPhones and Android Devices Can Be Used To Easily Record and Share Family History Through Audio Recordings

SPRINGFIELD, Ill., Jan. 15, 2013 – Saving Memories Forever™ (SMF), has just launched its new Android app. The application expands upon the previously introduced iPhone app, making interviewing and preserving family stories through audio recordings even easier. The technology helps families build meaningful story archives they can share and manage through the SMF website, http://www.SavingMemoriesForever.com. Both apps are free.

Federation of Genealogical Societies forms the Society of Preservation Patriots

The following announcement was written by the Federation of Genealogical Societies:

January 16, 2013 – AUSTIN, TX. The Federation of Genealogical Societies (FGS) announces the creation of a new society to promote the preservation of records in the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA): The Society of Preservation Patriots. This new group recognizes donors who have contributed $250 or more to the Stern-NARA Gift Fund or the current Preserve the Pensions initiative, a project to digitally capture the 7.2 million images from the 180,000 pensions of those who served in the War of 1812.

Recognition for members will include a new pin designed especially for the society. The pins will be mailed directly to contributors. The names of members of the society will also be listed on the FGS website.

George Ely Russell Jr., R.I.P.

George Ely Russell Jr. passed away January 9, 2013 at his home in Ijamsville, Maryland. He was an elected fellow of the American Society of Genealogists and devoted much of his time to genealogical activities. George founded the Prince Georges County Genealogical Society in 1969 and served as the editor of the National Genealogical Quarterly from 1971 to 1986. As a Certified Genealogist since 1967, George was the author of more than 140 genealogical writings, articles and books. He was a contributing editor of The American Genealogist, The Russell Register, Western Maryland Genealogy and The Society of the Ark and the Dove.

His obituary may be found at http://goo.gl/6xJJg.

 

This Newsletter is Seventeen Years Old!

I'm opening a bottle of champagne. I rarely drink champagne but today is a time of celebration.

Boy, the time does fly! Seventeen years has slipped by in almost the blink of an eye. It seems like only yesterday that I sent the first e-mail newsletter to about 100 people, mostly members of CompuServe's Genealogy Forums. None of them knew in advance that the newsletter would arrive; I simply mailed it to people who I thought might be interested. In 1996 nobody objected to receiving unsolicited bulk mail; the phrase "spam mail" had not yet been invented. I shudder to think if I did the same thing in today's Internet environment.

Here is an excerpt from the first newsletter sent January 15, 1996:

Well, it's started. This newsletter is something that I have been considering for a long time, but I finally decided to "take the plunge." I've subscribed to several other electronic newsletters for some time now and have found them to be valuable. On many occasions I have said to myself, "Someone ought to do a weekly newsletter for genealogy news." One day the light bulb went on, and I decided that perhaps I was that someone.

I hope to collect various bits of information that cross my desk and appear on my screen every week. Some of these items may be considered "news items" concerning events and happenings of interest to computer-owning genealogists. Some other items will be mini press releases about new genealogy software or other products and services that have just become available. I may write a few articles about things that are not genealogy-related but still seem to be of interest to me and probably to the readers. This may include articles about online systems, operating systems or other things that affect many of us.