Eastman's Online Genealogy Newsletter

ProQuest to Open New Microfilm Manufacturing Facility

I have written several times about the demise of microfilm. I was therefore very interested to learn of a new microfilm manufacturing facility to be built near Ypsilanti, Michigan. ProQuest plans to hire 30 new employees and transfer some others. While the facility will be new, it apparently is to replace an existing facility that will be closed.

Finding Treasures, Black Chicagoans Honor Ancestors

For many African-American genealogists, historical artifacts are valuable treasures. Some of these treasured finds were passed down through generations.

The Hotel Florence Museum in the Pullman Historic District is presenting an exhibit of photographs, documents and memorabilia brought to Chicago by black migrants. The items in "The Great Migration and What They Brought with Them" exhibit were presented by families in Chicago. The free exhibit runs through Dec. 1 at the Hotel Florence Museum, 11111 S. Forestville Ave.

Public Areas of Kentucky State Archives Reopen After Water Leak

The public service areas of the state Department for Libraries and Archives reopened today after being closed since Nov. 13 because of minimal damage from a water leak.

The damage was not as widespread or severe as we thought during two initial assessments on Friday night and early Saturday morning. Because of the quick action of our staff, following our disaster response plan, we were able to mitigate any severe damage," said Barbara Teague, state archivist and records administrator and the director of the department's public records division.

Saskatchewan Looking to Preservation of Cemeteries

The provincial government is looking at how to better preserve Saskatchewan's 3,500 known cemeteries and burial sites, some of which are overgrown or even nearly forgotten.

Appointed to lead a review is Al Dwyer, who previously served as registrar of cemeteries in his former role with the province's consumer protection branch.

The Questionable Future of the Plymouth & West Devon (England) Record Office

The following was written by the Devon Family History Society and by the Friends of Devon’s Archives:

In November 2008, an open letter was sent from the Chairmen of Devon Family History Society and the Friends of Devon's Archives to Plymouth City Council and signed by a coalition of 42 Plymouth, Devon and Cornwall County heritage societies and prominent private individuals. It expressed concern regarding the Plymouth & West Devon Record Office building in Plymouth, which has been designated fundamentally unsuitable by the National Archives and the Historical Manuscripts Commission.

State Layoffs Affect Somerset (PA) Historical Center

Starting this week, hundreds of Pennsylvania state employees will be getting pink slips. Museums across the state are especially hard hit.  The Somerset Historical Center is one of the museums set to have layoffs.

Residents in the county use the center to help them trace their genealogy. The center also hosts a Mountain Craft festival during the fall that draws thousands of people every year.

Water Leak Damages Kentucky State Documents

A burst pipe at the Kentucky Department for Libraries and Archives has soaked about 1,000 publications and dampened up to 30,000 more. Officials closed the department's research room and the state library reference room.

Broadlands Archives in England Could Be Sold Overseas

A Hampshire archivist has told of her fear that the four-centuries-old Broadlands archives could be broken up or sold abroad. Janet Smith, county archivist at the Hampshire Record Office, said that breaking up the material would be “dreadful.”

Mysterious Headstones Discovered in Montana Backyard

A fire that destroyed part of a Great Falls, Montana house earlier this year led to some much needed renovations - which turned up more than just dirt.

Cindy Torrez's son discovered five five burial headstones in his neighbor's backyard when he was taking out the trash on Thursday. Then another neighbor came forward, saying she found two more in her backyard.

Willard Cook is in charge of the cemetery records for the Great Falls Genealogy Society, and says that the stones look authentic, but are not typical of the era etched on them. He remarked that they look, "...professional. But normally people used monuments back then."

Wanted: A Home for the Tulare (California) Genealogy Records

Tulare City Manager Darrel Pyle said he and his staff are working to find a new home for the Sequoia Genealogical Society's records collection, which won't make the crosstown trip to the new library building.

"We're fully engaged, working to deliver a win-win resolution," he said. "It's our goal to deliver a solution that'll satisfy everyone."

David Ferriero Confirmed by U.S. Senate as 10th Archivist of the United States

The following announcement was written by the U.S. National Archives and Records Administration:

WASHINGTON, Nov. 6 -- Today, the United States Senate voted to confirm David Ferriero as the 10th Archivist of the United States. Mr. Ferriero was the Andrew W. Mellon Director of the New York Public Libraries and is a leader in the field of library science. Mr. Ferriero, who was nominated by President Obama on July 28, 2009, will succeed Professor Allen Weinstein who resigned as Archivist in December 2008 for health reasons. Deputy Archivist Adrienne Thomas is serving as the Acting Archivist until Mr. Ferriero assumes his duties.

Ancestry.com is Now a Public Company

Ancestry.com opened this morning on the NASDAQ Exchange. Tim Sullivan, President and Chief Executive Officer of Ancestry.com Inc. (ACOM), presided over the Opening Bell for this morning's session.

Shares opened this morning at $16.10, peaked at $16.32, then dropped off to $15.10 at mid-day.

UPDATE: ACOM shares closed the day at $14.20, up from its initial public offering price of $13.50. A total of 7.4 million shares were sold.

Help Save the Massachusetts State Library!

Still another state library is under attack by the politicians. At a press conference on Thursday, October 29, the Governor's Office announced that Governor Patrick is considering closing the State Library of Massachusetts as a cost-saving measure. This closure will have a monumental impact on the cultural heritage of the Commonwealth.

Information Sought on Williamsburg, Mississippi Area

The Covington County Genealogical and Historical Society is trying to locate old photographs of the Williamsburg area, including pictures of families, stores, the courthouse and homes of Williamsburg in the 1800s.

The society also is seeking information on a W. Morgan buried in the Old Williamsburg Cemetery. This Morgan information was copied from a tomb for the Covington County Cemetery Book of 1976. All other information must have broken off the tomb.

Ancestry.com Hopes to Raise $100 Million in IPO

Genealogy web site Ancestry.com hopes to raise about $100 million when it goes public this week. With more than a million paying subscribers, little competition, a small debt load and a record of increasing revenues, it may fare better than other IPOs that have recently priced below their filing ranges.

The Provo, Utah-based company, which is the world's largest online resource for birth certificates and marriage records, expects to price the shares between $12.50 and $14.50 apiece on Wednesday. Underwriters are being offered up to an additional 1.1 million shares to cover overallotments, which would boost total proceeds to about $115 million.

State Historical Society of Missouri Hours and Services Cut

The following announcement was written by the State Historical Society of Missouri:

Due to a 25 percent withholding in its fiscal year 2010 state appropriation, the State Historical Society of Missouri is decreasing its hours open to the public to Mondays through Thursdays, 8:00 a.m.-4:45 p.m., effective immediately.  The Society will no longer be open for research on Fridays or Saturdays.  The withholding ($364,010), caused by the continued downturn in Missouri state revenues, was made public last Wednesday, October 28.  The State Historical Society’s response to the withholding, determined by its board of trustees, was announced at the annual membership meeting in Columbia on Saturday, October 31.

My Tree & Me - Modern Genealogy Graphics

My daughter found this web site. It has very modern graphics images for sale. They can be used for newlywed presents, birthday celebrations, or for framing and hanging on the wall. In fact, you might want to give a gift to yourself with one of these!

My Tree & Me creates non-traditional family tree charts.

The process is simple. You first choose the design you want. On some charts, you may need to specify colors.

Who Knew the Genealogy Market was This Cut-Throat?

That's the question asked in the  Wall Street Journal European Edition's web site. The Journal has an article about ITV's problems trying to sell Friends Reunited at a £145 million loss and not being able to do so. In the article entitled, "ITV, Mormons and Family Trees," editor Lauren Mills describes the tough competition from other commercial companies and from perhaps the biggest competitor of all: the Mormon church. Competing with a religious organization that gives information away free of charge is perhaps the toughest task of all.

Jim Tipton, founder of Find a Grave, Featured on CNN

He's chipped his way through more than a foot of snow and ice to get to Ernest Hemingway. He's walked right up to Al Capone and Karl Marx. He's dragged his mom to visit the infamous cannibal Alfred Packer and just came back from seeing Farrah Fawcett.

He is Jim Tipton, founder of Find a Grave, a free online database of burial sites for the famous and otherwise around the globe.

The Day of the Dead (El Día de los Muertos)

Some Latin American countries have a day dedicated to celebrating the lives of their ancestors. El Día de los Muertos (or All Souls' Day) is a holiday celebrated in Mexico. The holiday focuses on gatherings of family and friends to pray for and remember friends and family members who have died. The celebration occurs on November 1st and 2nd in connection with the Catholic holiday of All Saints' Day which occurs on November 1st and All Souls' Day which occurs on November 2nd. Traditions include building private altars honoring the deceased, using sugar skulls, marigolds, and the favorite foods and beverages of the departed, and visiting graves with these as gifts.