Eastman's Online Genealogy Newsletter

From the In-box: How to Find an Old Book

A newsletter reader asked a question today that has me stumped. I am hoping that someone else will read this and be able to offer a useful suggestion.

I identified two books through Google Books/WorldCat that could help my research. I have checked numerous sites (30+) and can't find copies for sale. Interlibrary loan told me no libraries would loan their copies. The book is not on anyone's Books We Own lists. I can't afford to travel across the country. Any other ideas?

Thanks! 

If you have a suggestion, please add a comment in the space below this article.

From the In-Box: a Replacement for the Palm Handheld Computer

A newsletter reader writes: "My Palm T5, on which I carry my genealogy using GedWise, does not work with Windows 7. I don't want to pay $30/month to carry my own data on a smart phone. What is my best option??"

My suggestion: purchase an iPod Touch, sometimes called "an iPhone without the phone." There is no monthly charge for an iPod Touch and it is much, much more powerful than a Palm device. You can read more about the iPod Touch at http://www.apple.com/ipodtouch/

From the In-box: Microfilm Photo Enhancements

A newsletter reader asked a good question today, one that I cannot answer. I am republishing it here in hopes that someone else can help:

I have gotten far enough into researching German roots that many of the church records from the eighteenth century microfilms are very difficult to read. I have searched without any success for tutorials or programs (Mac OS X is my preferred OS) that can tease more information from microfilm copies of old, faded, and sometimes abused documents.

From the In-box: Search on All Fields in the Database

A newsletter reader asked a question. I can answer for some of today's genealogy programs but not for all of them. I haven't yet learned every detail of every program. I am hoping some other newsletter readers can answer this for the genealogy programs they use:

I have been reading your blog for a while, but forgive me if this question has already been answered. I am looking for a database where I can add specific genealogical information, e.g., cause of death, cemetery, and then be able to enter that information into a search to locate individuals matching that info. I'm not sure if that's something you can do in programs like Legacy or Family Tree Maker (which I have) and just don't know how to do it. Please help!

From the In-box: How to Listen to an Old Phonograph Record?

The following question was asked by a newsletter reader. I'm stumped. Can someone else help?

We found an old record, roughly 6 1/2 inches in diameter that was made by one of my uncles during World War II. (don't know which one, there were four in service)

It's in a paper envelope that states: "This "Letter on a Record" is one of the many services offered to those engaged in the defense of their country. They are available at USO Clubs or centers operated by the National Catholic Community Service. This, and a wide variety of other services, help to make every USO Club operated by NCCS a "home away from home."

From the In-box: Working with Senior Citizens

A newsletter reader sent a message this week asking a question that has me baffled. I don't have a quick answer so I thought I would repeat it here to see if anyone can help. The message states:

I belong to [a local] genealogical society and we have a new member who is elderly and not very knowledgeable about computers and their uses in genealogy. He is subscribed to Ancestry.com but is very confused about what exactly it is and why it is different from genealogy software programs like RootsMagic 4 and Legacy. I have attempted to explain the difference to him but I must not be doing it right because he still does not understand.

From the In-box: Questions About the 1910 U.S. Census

A newsletter reader wrote with questions about the 1910 census. I believe I found the answers but would love "second opinions" from anyone who is more experienced with these records. The newsletter reader wrote:

Do you by any chance (or can you direct me where to find out) what it might mean that I found a list of people, all identified on the 1910 Census as "Partners" (in relation to Head column)?  Their occupation is listed as Soldier and then C.A.C.  A google of C.A.C. turns up numerous possibilities for what C.A.C. might stand for in a military sense.  This isn't something I've run across before, and I'm surprised by the Partner designation if they are military - why not give their specific rank instead?

(Click on the thumbnail image to see a larger picture.)

From the In-box: How to Scan Negatives?

I received a message from a newsletter reader:

Hi Dick,

I am a regular reader of your newsletter.

I would like your advice on the best way to scan negatives with good quality results on a budget. I tried my Canon flatbed. It seems to do a good job, but takes a long time to scan at a good resolution. I tried a cheap negative scanner with terrible results. The good negative scanners are very expensive. I am considering places like CVS and online scanning services.

After scanning an old negative of my parents wedding that was about 60 years old and seeing the results, I want to do more negative scanning. I would like to see what you and other readers recommend.

From the In-box: What to do with Collected Data

A newsletter reader writes: "As we grow old we wonder what to do with the genealogical materials and data we've collected over the years. Most of my data is published in one or more of several family books, but there there is always more than goes in the books. And the sources and documents we've collected, what is the best place for them if no family members are particularly interested?"

I have a few thoughts but must admit I don't have a good answer that totally meets this person's needs. Any ideas?

Messages in the In-box

I often receive questions in email or from the Contact Dick Eastman link on this newsletter's web site. Many of the questions are not related to recent newsletter articles but are related to genealogy or to the use of computers. While I try to answer them privately, I have often thought, "Perhaps I should share the answer with other newsletter readers." I have decided to do just that.

Starting now, I have created a new category: From the In-box. I expect to post occasional short articles that answer questions asked someplace else. In some cases, I can answer the question asked and will share the answer. In other cases, I don't know the answer and will post the question online in hopes that some other newsletter reader can answer it. If you can answer a question or add supplemental information to an existing answer, please post your words in the comments section immediately below the article.

I do expect the From the In-box articles to appear randomly as questions are received, not on any defined schedule.

From the In-box: Columns in the 1910 Census Forms

Question from a newsletter reader: "On the 1910 census, the first 3 columns are numbers, such as 52,28,39. Can you tell what these are? I tried US Census & Archives to no avail. Thanks."

Answer: House number, Number of dwelling house (in order of visitation), and number of family (in order of visitation). 

For more information, see http://usa.ipums.org/usa/voliii/inst1910.shtml and start at paragraph #91. An image of the top part of the census form can also be found at http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~vadennison/graphics/1910_headings.jpg