Eastman's Online Genealogy Newsletter

Formation of the Keeping Genealogical Records Open Workgroup (KGROW)

The following announcement was written by the Association of Professional Genealogists:

WESTMINSTER, Colo., March 21 – The Association of Professional Genealogists (APG) contends that there is no proof that open records significantly contribute to ID theft or terrorism. In a position paper that outlines the case for open public records, APG asserts that open records are rarely used by identification thieves and maintains that the benefit of open access to records far outweighs any potential abuse.

APG has joined forces with other genealogical organizations including the National Genealogical Society (NGS), The Federation of Genealogical Societies (FGS) and the International Association of Jewish Genealogical Societies (IAJGS) in endorsing the position paper and calling on legislators to keep records open.

ETHS History Award Nominations Sought

The following announcement was written by the East Tennessee Historical Society:

The East Tennessee Historical Society (ETHS) is seeking nominations from across East Tennessee for awards of excellence in the field of history.  Each year, the society recognizes individuals and organizations that have made significant contributions to the preservation, promotion, and interpretation of the region’s history.

Are Genealogy Web Sites Harmful to Societies?

Jim Beidler recently wrote an interesting article about conversations he has had with Jonathan Stayer, the head of reference for the Pennsylvania State Archives. Stayer believes that "Societies have lost members in the last 10 years as a critical mass of genealogical data has moved to the Internet."

True? Or has the Internet brought in millions more people who did not research their family trees in a pre-Internet world?

You can find Jim Beidler's interesting article at: http://www.ldnews.com/columns/ci_8034197.

I wrote an article two years ago offering the exact opposite opinion. I am republishing that article here. The following article was originally published in Eastman's Online Genealogy Newsletter on December 27, 2005:

The DAR

The Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) was founded in 1890. Today this women’s lineage organization has about 168,000 members. Any woman 18 or older who can prove a lineal bloodline descent from a patriot of the American Revolution is eligible for membership. The DAR promotes patriotism, preservation of American history, and education. As a sideline of those goals, the DAR also collects and makes available a lot of genealogy information.

In order to "prove a lineal bloodline descent from a patriot of the American Revolution," members must study their family trees closely, find a patriot, and then submit carefully documented proof of that descent. As such, many of the newer membership applications contained the highest-quality genealogy research you can find.

NGS Seeks Hall of Fame Nominations

The U.S. National Genealogical Society is asking for nominations to the National Genealogy Hall of Fame. The following was written by the NGS:

The National Genealogy Hall of Fame is an educational project sponsored by the National Genealogical Society. The entire genealogical community is invited to participate in this project. Nominations should come from organizations, not individuals and are due by February 15, 2008.

NGS' Writing Competition Deadline Nears

The following announcement was written by the U.S. National Genealogical Society:

The National Genealogical Society Writing Competitions Deadlines for Entry Submissions is 31 January 2008

The NGS Genealogical Writing Competitions program recognizes excellence, scholarship, and achievements in the field of genealogy by presenting awards to individuals and nonprofit organizations for significant contributions to the field of genealogy or for a specific, significant, single contribution in the form of an article, book, or other publication which serves to foster scholarship and/or otherwise advance or promote excellence in genealogy. Nominees need not be members of NGS. The publication must have been published during the past three years.  There are two categories of awards:

Siskiyou County Pioneer Certificates

The Genealogical Society of Siskiyou County, California is offering certificates for anyone who had ancestors living in Siskiyou County between the years of 1850-1880 and 1881-1910.

The Pioneer Certificate will be for the 1850-1880 years and the Centennial Certificate for years from 1881-1910. These certificates will be suitable for framing and would make a great gift.

In order to qualify for either certificate you must prove that your direct ancestor lived in Siskiyou County during those times.

Genealogy Society Receives Free Replacement for the "Ugliest Sign"

The West Valley Genealogical Society near Phoenix, Arizona has "won" a local contest, although not one they are bragging about. The society has been selected as the winner of the FastSigns' 2007 Ugliest Sign Contest.

French-Canadian Genealogy Society to Open a Cultural Center

The American-French Genealogical Society plans to open a Franco-American cultural center in a Woonsocket, Rhode Island church it recently purchased.

The former First Universalist Church could could eventually house the society's genealogical library, displays about French history and culture and perhaps even space for French language classes. Details may be found at http://www.afgs.org/Buildupdate.html.

The society has about 1,400 members in the United States and Canada.

Pickaway County (Ohio) Genealogical Library Seeks Renovation Funding

The Moore House at the corner of Court and Mound streets is a great piece of old architecture. But it doesn't make a good library. And so the Pickaway County Genealogical Library is moving a few blocks north to the former Circleville Herald building on Court Street.

The new building isn't ready to occupy yet and library volunteers have started to raise the $150,000 needed to move.