New Magazine for Genealogy Beginners

All of a sudden there seems to be a run on posts related to magazines. Here is another one I came across this morning. Discovering Family History is a new magazine geared toward the beginning genealogist. You can download a free (no sign-up required) preview at the link above. The publisher writes: “Welcome to Discovering Family History, the latest magazine from the publishers of Family Chronicle, Internet Genealogy and History Magazine. This new bi-monthly magazine is targeted at people who are starting their genealogy, need a refresher course or are tackling a new aspect of genealogy.

 

Discovering Family History articles are being written by some of the most respected book and magazine authors ­ and many of them have extensive experience of teaching genealogy courses, either face-to-face or online.

Even if you have been conducting your genealogy research for many years, you may want to take a look at what Discovering Family History has to offer: as you get more and more into your family history, you will find the need to investigate resources that are completely new to you. Discovering Family History can help.”

I love this free preview. The articles appear to be exciting and well written. Some article titles include:

• A Few Fantastic Free Family History Websites
• Let Obituaries Speak to You (<– With an Excellent Graphic)
• Who Else is Researching Your Name
• What is a Vital Record

Good stuff!

 

…

Where to Next?

Blank Family Tree with Step-by-Step Instructions

…

 

History of Genealogy

In this great article, first published in the July/ August 1999 edition of Family Chronicle Magazine, Donna Porter-Phillips looks at the initial stages and development of genealogy as a hobby and professional practice. Ms. Porter-Phillips states that from the beginning, people have felt the need to leave a record of themselves. “Cave paintings in France, tombstone art all over the world, and even the petroglyphs and pictographs of Native Americans, all point to the fact that early man wanted to be remembered by those who would come after.

 

She goes on to write:

“‘How far back does genealogy go?’ a beginner might ask. And at first thought, Biblical references might come to mind as evidenced by all the chapters of begats. Family descent was important to the ancient Hebrews, in part because Hebrew males had to prove descent from Aaron, the brother of Moses, in order to hold the Levitical priesthood. The first eight chapters of the book of I Chronicles give genealogies from Adam down through Abraham and other Old Testament patriarchs. I Chronicles 9:1 reads, “so all Israel were reckoned by genealogies…”

You can read the rest of the article by clicking here (and then clicking “How To Archives” > “History” > “History of Genealogy”). I suggest you take a close look at the magazine itself. You can pick up a free trial subscription if you’d like.

Maps of Historic London

The folks over at Genealogy Insider have brought us a great post on London Maps. In an article by Grace we learn about the virtual exhibition of historical maps of the city from the British Library. This is a must visit, titles like this one from a map dating from 1653 should spark your interest for more.

‘A guide for Cuntrey men In the famous Cittey of LONDON by the helpe of wich plot they shall be able to know how farr it is to any Street.’

In this exhibit you will find 40 historic plats organized via Google maps that can easily help you clarify the areas they correspond to. If you prefer, you also have the option of looking at maps by time period.

You can access the full post by clicking here. It is really amazing how things are changing with the internet. There is no end to the resources available to us all in our search for our ancestors.

 

…

Not interested in the map?

Blank Family Tree with Step-by-Step Instructions

…

 

National Archives to Host Public Interest Declassification Board

 

…

Where to Next?

Blank Family Tree with Step-by-Step Instructions

…

 

Spring/ Summer Hours begin at the National Archives on March 27

 

…

Where to Next?

Blank Family Tree with Step-by-Step Instructions

…

 

Preview of Magna Carta

I just received this update from the National Archives last week; I won’t be able to make it, but if you’re in the D.C. area, this is quite an opportunity. The National Archives will be holding an exclusive preview of the Magna Carta for members of the press before it goes back on display. This will be a once in a lifetime opportunity to photograph or videotape the Magna Carta outside of its display case. Press will also have the opportunity to talk to its new owner, David Rubenstein, as well as the Archivist of the United States, Allen Weinstein and National Archives Exhibits Curator, Terry Boone.

 

This exclusive event will take place from 1-2p.m. on Monday, March 3^rd, at the National Archives Building Conservation Lab.  Please note that NO ARTIFICIAL LIGHT MAY BE USED.

For background on the Magna Carta, as well as directions, please view the entire press release at: http://www.archives.gov/press/press-releases/2008/nr08-67.html.

 

…

Where to Next?

Blank Family Tree with Step-by-Step Instructions

…

 

Noontime Programs at the National Archives in April 2008

During the month of April, the National Archives will be presenting three free programs available to the public:

 

 

 

 

1.      Preserving America’s History, April 9^th, will explain how the National Archives protects and preserves the documents and artifacts it holds.

2.      White House Ghosts: Presidents and Their Speechwriters, April 16^th, will be presented by Robert Schlesinger (son of famed JFK speech writer Arthur Schlesinger, Jr.), and will discuss how the relationship between President’s and their speechwriters can impact a presidency.

3.      Summers with Lincoln, April 17^th, explores the meanings of monuments erected in memorial to Abraham Lincoln.

 

All three events will be held at noon at the National Archives Building, located on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. For more information, please visit: http://www.archives.gov/press/press-releases/2008/nr08-66.html.

…

Where to Next?

Blank Family Tree with Step-by-Step Instructions

…

 

Are You up to Date? By Paula Stuart-Warren, CG

I came across a heartfelt genealogy post at another blog and felt it was very much worth sharing. In her article, “Are You Up to Date,” Paula Stuart-Warren writes about keeping your family tree current with events in your family. While we may spend the majority of our time looking for distant ancestors, we need to remember to enter recent family data as well. She also discusses such topics as:

 

 

• Obituaries and Tombstones
• Family Group Sheets
• Funeral Guest Books
• Social Security Death Index
• Other key considerations

Paula, if you read this, my condolences and thank you for sharing such a great article. It is truly the testament you intended and a solid introduction to Genealogy and thus I felt it fitting to share it with the visitors here.

You can read Paula’s full article here.

Thank you – Chris

 

 

 

Social Security Death Records

Another great article by Leo Talbot:

The Social Security Death Index (SSDI) contains the names and vital information of around 65 million deceased Americans. It is an extremely large and important database for genealogy enthusiasts. Information is archived in the SSDI when a death has been reported to the Social Security Administration (SSA), such as when a family member stops the Social Security Benefits (SSB) of a person, or applies for survivor’s benefits.

 

In the early 1960’s, the SSA began using computer technology to store vital records. Therefore, most records included in the SSDI have death dates of 1962 or later, and birth dates from the early 1900’s. Although there are a few birth dates as far back as the 1850’s, and death dates prior to 1960, not all earlier data has been entered into the current SSDI.

Social Security Death Records

Social Security Death Records (SSDR) usually contain the following data on a deceased individual:

• Last name
• First name
• Date of Birth
• Date of Death
• Where the last SSB was sent
• State of residence
• Where the SSN was issued
• Last known address

SSDI Search Tip #1: Use maiden names when searching for women. SSDI is a valuable genealogy tool. The SSDI can assist your genealogy research by providing data that will help you locate birth certificates and death certificates. By providing the names of parents, a female’s maiden name, people’s places of residence and their occupation, it may also assist in the search for marriage certificates and other vital records.

SSDI Search Tip #2 : Start your search on the SSDI with just a few facts. You can search on any combination of data. A last name and known possible birth period may be a good place to start. If the results are too large, add additional data and search again. Also, do not use middle initials – middle names are not recorded in the SSDI.

Soundex Search is a very useful feature that can assist where names may have been misspelled.

Leo Talbot writes genealogy articles such as the social security death index and others

(A Genealogy Beginner Sponsor)

 

Updated Confucius family tree has two million members

I thought this was interesting when I came across it. More than 2 million family members… that was a big genealogy project for sure! The Confucius Genealogy Compilation Committee tells us that the task of registering new members was completed in 2007 and the descendant report for Confucius is due to be published in 2009; 2,500 years after his death. Kong Dewei, a Confucius descendant who has been updating and directing the work on this project reports that there are over 1.3 million new “living member” entries to the Confucius family but deceased members have also been included.

 

The work for this project began in 1998 when a 77^th generation member Kong Deyong established the committee. To help complete the project over 450 branches of the committee worldwide were set up to assist with the work

Follow this link to Read the full story

 

…

Where to Next?

Blank Family Tree

…

 

« Previous Page — Next Page »