Eastman's Online Genealogy Newsletter

Tom Joyner Seeking Pardons for Executed Uncles

Syndicated talk show host Tom Joyner will appear in a state appeals court in Columbia, SC, on October 14 to seek posthumous pardons for two great-uncles who were put to death for what he says is a crime they didn't commit. Joyner learned the story of his uncles when noted Harvard scholar Henry Louis "Skip" Gates, PhD, announced the results of genealogy research conducted on Joyner's family as part of Gates' PBS special, "African American Lives II."

Michelle Obama's Roots

In 1850, the elderly master of a South Carolina estate took pen in hand and painstakingly divided up his possessions. Among the spinning wheels, scythes, tablecloths and cattle that he bequeathed to his far-flung heirs was a 6-year-old slave girl valued soon afterward at $475.

In his will, she is described simply as the “negro girl Melvinia.” After his death, she was shipped to Georgia. While she was still a teenager, a white man would father her first-born son under circumstances lost in the passage of time. Melvinia Shields, the enslaved and illiterate young girl, and the unknown white man who impregnated her are the great-great-great-grandparents of Michelle Obama, the first lady.

Frank Binette Named Genealogiste Emerite

A well known genealogist and researcher recently received a truly distinctive honor. Frank Binette of Laconia, New Hampshire has been designated Genealogiste Emerite (Genealogist Emeritus) by the Federation Quebecoise Des Societes De Genealogie based in Quebec, Canada, for his extensive work in French genealogy over the past decades. His nomination was by genealogical societies in recognition of the quality of his work and research assisting descendants of immigrants from Canada to New Hampshire, the large majority of whom arrived post-Civil War through to World War II.

I Love My Librarian Award

Genealogists love librarians. Now you have an opportunity to recognize your favorite librarian.

The Carnegie Corporation of New York/New York Times I Love My Librarian Award encourages library users to recognize the accomplishments of exceptional public, school, college, community college, or university librarians. The awards program will demonstrate how librarians are improving the lives of the people in their communities.

Up to ten winners will be selected annually and will receive a $5,000 cash award, a plaque and $500 travel stipend to attend an awards reception in New York hosted by The New York Times at TheTimesCenter in December 2009. In addition, a plaque will be given to each award winner’s library. Winners will be announced in November 2009.

Lloyd Bockstruck Retires

Lloyd Bockstruck is a well known genealogy expert, speaker, educator, and writer. He is also well-known to readers of this newsletter for his frequent articles published here. For the past thirty-six years, Lloyd has been employed at the Dallas Public Library, spending the last thirty years as Supervisor of the Genealogy Section.

Here's a hint: if you ever get a chance to talk to Lloyd in person, ask him about his earlier years when he lived in some remote places in Africa. He has some fascinating stories to tell!

I am sure that Lloyd's many friends and readers will want to read the following announcement from Heather Williams, manager of the History, Social Sciences and Genealogy Department at the Dallas Public Library:

It is with regret that I announce the retirement of Lloyd deWitt Bockstruck after 36 years of service to the Dallas Public Library. His last day with the Library will be Friday, July 31.

New Assistant Editor at Ancestors Magazine

Karen Wicks has taken over from Penny Law as assistant editor of Ancestors Magazine, published by The National Archives of Great Britain. Her appointment fills the vacancy that I mentioned in an article on April 04, 2009.

The Ancestors Magazine blog at http://www.ancestorsmagazine.co.uk/?page=blog#170 states that Karen Wicks has just graduated from the NCTJ course at Harlow College, having originally been a primary school teacher.

Welcome aboard Karen!

Jeff Kintop Appointed Nevada's New State Archivist

Longtime state employee Jeff Kintop has been named Nevada's new state archivist. Kintop, 58, has been the state archives manager since 1991 and worked in university, state history and archives positions since 1979. He replaces Guy Rocha, who retired in February after 28 years in the position of running the Nevada State Library and Archives.

Matt Rutherford Appointed to Curator of Genealogy and Local History at Newberry Library

Matt Rutherford is taking over as Curator of Genealogy and Local History at the Newberry Library in Chicago. He will be replacing Jack Simpson who left recently for other opportunities. (See the article at http://blog.eogn.com/eastmans_online_genealogy/2009/06/farewell-from-jack-simpson.html for more information about Jack Simpson.)

Matt Rutherford has been a reference librarian in local and family history at the Newberry since 2004. He is well known in genealogy circles in an around Chicago.

Farewell from Jack Simpson

Jack Simpson has been the Curator of Genealogy and Local History at the Newberry Library in Chicago for years and has helped guide the Library's many services for genealogists. His many friends will want to know that Jack is moving on to new challenges.

You can read Jack Simpson's farewell note at: http://www.newberry.org/genealogy/news/default.asp?postid=770.

David E. Rencher Named FamilySearch Chief Genealogical Officer

The following announcement was written by FamilySearch:

SALT LAKE CITY—FamilySearch today named David E. Rencher Chief Genealogical Officer (CGO). He will have responsibility to help FamilySearch align strategic business decisions with needs and demands of genealogy-related markets. Rencher is a 28-year veteran of FamilySearch and a popular leader in genealogy and archive circles. He has held leadership positions with several national organizations, is a professional genealogist, and is in great demand as a keynote speaker. In addition to his new role as the CGO, Rencher will continue to direct FamilySearch’s collection development activities.

FamilySearch is a growing, worldwide organization focused on providing quicker and more affordable access to genealogical records. The chief genealogical officer helps ensure various efforts in the genealogy community are connecting with FamilySearch’s efforts and that FamilySearch continues to grow in genealogical understanding and depth as an organization.

Obama to Visit Sites of Importance in His Family History in Germany

This seems hard to believe, but an article in the English-language version of Spiegel Online claims that Preseident Barack Obama's planned trip to Germany in June is not going to be an official state visit. German diplomatic sources reportedly told Spiegel Online that the US president is planning a private trip in which he will go on a personal search to places of importance for his family history.

Genealogy for the Rest of Us by Steve Luxenberg

The following article was written by Steve Luxenberg and is republished here with the author's permission:

A writer's guide to diving into family history
By Steve Luxenberg,
Author of Annie's Ghosts: A Journey Into a Family Secret

I am not a genealogist. I am a storyteller.

The difference? Well, I’ll tell you a story.

Teen-Aged Genealogist Wins $10,000 College Scholarship

Despite the troubled economic times, paying for college just got easier for at least one Utah student. Bingham High School senior Brad Jencks is the Utah winner of the 2009 AXA Achievement Scholarship In association with U.S. News and World Report. Brad is one of 52 students nationwide -- one from each state plus Washington D.C. and Puerto Rico -- to win the $10,000 scholarship.

New Librarian and Archivist of Canada Appointed

Daniel J. Caron has been named as the new Librarian and Archivist of Canada. He is replacing Ian Wilson who announced his retirement earlier this month.

The following was written by Libraries and Archives Canada:

Prime Minister Stephen Harper Announces Appointment of New Librarian and Archivist of Canada

Marilyn Labbe Receives Community Service Award

Marilyn Labbe of Moosup, Connecticut was recently awarded the Community Service Award by the Sarah Williams Danielson chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution. Labbe is a member of the Killingly Historical and Genealogical Society and is a genealogy researcher who regularly answers historical inquiries from interested residents. She also oversees membership and conducts research on books and papers submitted by callers. As part of her duties, Labbe is often called on to conduct research at various town halls, as well as at the Connecticut State Library.

Linda Fay Kaufman, R.I.P.

Linda Fay Kaufman was an expert genealogist and was the savior for those who are researching the family name of FAY. She ran the Fay Family web site at http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~fayfamily.

You can read the obituary for Linda Fay Kaufman at: http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/startribune/obituary.aspx?n=linda-fay-kaufman&pid=126113469.

Ian E. Wilson Announces his Retirement as Librarian and Archivist of Canada

The following was written by Ian E. Wilson:

Dear Colleagues,

I wish to advise you of my retirement as the Librarian and Archivist of Canada effective April 24th 2009.  Although retiring, I will continue to be active as I fulfill my mandate as President of the International Council of Archives, and work on projects of interest to libraries and archives.

Stephen A. White Named Genealogist Emeritus

Stephen A. White, the well-known genealogist and author at the Université de Moncton's Centre d'étude acadiennes Anselme-Chiasson, has been named genealogist emeritus by the Quebec genealogy accreditation office.

The office is part of the Fédération québécoise des sociétés de généalogie. It's the highest distinction that the bureau can confer. White is being honoured for his long service and competency in genealogy.

Dick Eastman Speaks

Warning: The following article contains shameless self-promotion.

This is a quick note to remind event organizers that I am available for speaking engagements at conferences and meetings. I speak on a variety of topics, most of them related to technology in some manner. Several of my talks are based on past and/or future articles in this newsletter. I’d love to speak at your society’s meeting!

For more information or to check available dates, drop me a line at: http://blog.eogn.com/eastmans_online_genealogy//contact-us.html.

Dick Eastman Speaks... Remotely

Warning: The following article contains shameless self-promotion.

Bringing speakers to your genealogy conference or meeting can be very expensive. The travel expenses alone are often cost-prohibitive for smaller organizations with limited budgets. I will offer an alternative method: I can make presentations at your event by teleconference.