5 bits of recent genealogy news for 2013 and beyond

September 11, 2013November 21, 2014 Paula Stuart-Warren Ancestry.com, Cyndi's List, FamilySearch, Minnesota Genealogical Society, Salt Lake Institute of Genealogy, WDYTYA Leave a comment

The world is full of genealogy news in the last several days.

Who Do You Think You Are?” has been renewed for a second season on TLC! See the news release on Variety!
FamilySearch and Ancestry.com recently announced a joint agreement to begin a 5-year effort to digitize and index more than 1 billion records from around the world. Read more here.
There is still time to register for the The Minnesota Genealogical Society’s October 4-5, 2013 “6th Annual North Star 2013 Family History Conference.” It features Steve Luxenberg
Steve, a Washington Post associate editor, who wrote Annie’s Ghosts: A Journey Into a Family Secret plus many breakout sessions with other great speakers. Click here for details.
Spots are still available in several courses at the week-long Salt Lake Institute of Genealogy, January 12-17, 2013. The early bird savings ends October 31st. Click here for more details. The American Records intermediate course which I coordinate has some very special components including one-on-one consultations, hands-on computer session, and some surprises that you won’t find out about until the classes begin!
CNN.com reposted a story from Real Simple magazine that talks about the growing interest in family history searching. You may recognize the name of the experts the author consulted, including my friend, Cyndi Ingle Howells of Cyndislist.com.

Ancestry.com and FamilySearch partnership

September 6, 2013November 21, 2014 Paula Stuart-Warren Ancestry.com, FamilySearch Leave a comment

Just in case you didn’t see this news yesterday, here is a press release from Lou Szucs at Ancestry.com:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

ANCESTRY.COM AND FAMILYSEARCH TO MAKE A BILLION GLOBAL RECORDS AVAILABLE ONLINE

Groundbreaking Agreement to Deliver Valuable Historical Content Over the Next Five Years

PROVO, Utah, September 5, 2013 – Ancestry.com and FamilySearch International (online at FamilySearch.org), the two largest providers of family history resources, announced today an agreement that is expected to make approximately 1 billion global historical records available online and more easily accessible to the public for the first time. With this long-term strategic agreement, the two services will work together with the archive community over the next five years to digitize, index and publish these records from the FamilySearch vault.

The access to the global collection of records marks a major investment in international content as Ancestry.com continues to invest in expanding family history interest in its current markets and worldwide. Ancestry.com expects to invest more than $60 million over the next five years in the project alongside thousands of hours of volunteer efforts facilitated by FamilySearch.

“This agreement sets a path for the future for Ancestry.com and FamilySearch to increasingly share international sets of records more collaboratively,” said Tim Sullivan, CEO of Ancestry.com. “A significant part of our vision for family history is helping provide a rich, engaging experience on a global scale. We are excited about the opportunities it will bring to help benefit the family history community and look forward to collaborating with FamilySearch to identify other opportunities to help people discover and share their family history.”

The organizations will also be looking at other ways to share content across the two organizations. Both organizations expect to add to the already digitized records shared across the two websites in addition to new record projects to be completed over the next five years.

“We are excited to work with Ancestry.com on a vision we both share,” said Dennis Brimhall, President of FamilySearch. “Expanding online access to historical records through this type of collaboration can help millions more people discover and share their family’s history.”

This marks a groundbreaking agreement between the two services. But the two organizations aren’t strangers to working with each other; hundreds of millions of records have already been shared and are available on Ancestry.com and FamilySearch.org. The companies also announced in early 2013 an additional project where they plan to publish 140 million U.S. Wills & Probate images and indexes over the next three years—creating a national database of wills and other probate documents spanning 1800-1930 online for the very first time.

Salt Lake Institute of Genealogy 2014 Intermediate Course

August 29, 2013November 21, 2014 Paula Stuart-Warren Salt Lake Institute of Genealogy, SLIG Leave a comment

This intermediate level course provides in-depth learning on 19th-21st century U.S. resources and the methodology for using them. The 2014 course focuses on topics more related to researching families and individuals. Informative and interactive classroom hours delve into significant records and strategies that take you beyond basic research tools both online and off. On-site FHL library support and a computer lab from course instructors provide one-on-one assistance and guidance with your own research. This course alternates years with a course focused on localities. It’s not just lectures, we have fun sharing research and stories, too. Prerequisites: experience researching in a variety of repositories, familiarity with FamilySearch.org and other websites, and previous class room learning related to family history. Schedule is subject to change.

Monday

9:00-10:15 General Class Information

From Clues to Records: Step-by-Step Planning: Paula Stuart-Warren, CG

10:30-11:45 Vital Records – Strategies and Substitutes: Paula Stuart-Warren, CG

1:00-2:15 US Census Records – Beyond the Basics: Non-Population and Special Schedules: D. Joshua Taylor, MA, MLS

2:30-3:45 U.S. Passport Applications: Debra Mieszela, CG

Tuesday

9:00-10:15 Church Records: Locating and Excavating: Paula Stuart-Warren, CG

10:30-11:45 Institutional Records: Extensive Family Details: Paula Stuart-Warren, CG

1:15-2:45 Computer Lab at FHL (Paula Stuart-Warren)

2:45-6:00 One-on-one consultations at FHL (Mieszala, Stuart-Warren, Taylor)

Wednesday

9:00-10:15 Clustering and More: Maximizing Your Online Searches: D. Joshua Taylor, MA, MLS

10:30-11:45 More than Just People: Lessons and Hints from Public Directories: D. Joshua Taylor, MA, MLS

1:00-2:15 Twentieth and Twenty-First Century Research: Resources, Methods, and Skills: Debra Mieszala, CG

2:30-3:45 The Grey and the Blue: Beyond Pensions: Paula Stuart-Warren, CG

3:45-4:30 Optional time in classroom for groups to discuss their project

Thursday

9:00-10:15 The Write Stuff: Family Histories with Substance and Appeal: Debra Mieszala, CG

10:30-11:45 Researching the Occupations of Our Ancestors: Paula Stuart-Warren, CG

1:00-2:15 The Three Rs: Reading, ‘Riting, and Research In School Records: Paula Stuart-Warren, CG

3:00-5:30 One-on-one consultations at FHL (Mieszala, Stuart-Warren)

Friday

9:00-10:15 Finding Family Gems in Manuscript Repositories and Special Collections: Paula Stuart-Warren, CG

10:30-11:45 Discussion and Review of Group Research Projects: Paula Stuart-Warren, CG

11:45-12:15 Wrap-up; Completion Certificates; Q&A (Paula Stuart-Warren)

Evening SLIG Banquet

Register now for 2014 Salt Lake Institute of Genealogy

August 29, 2013November 21, 2014 Paula Stuart-Warren Salt Lake Institute of Genealogy, SLIG Leave a comment

Are you thinking about attending the Salt Lake Institute of Genealogy next January? Don’t forget to save your spot! There are courses for all levels of experience.

I am coordinating and teaching in the Intermediate Course, “American Research and Records.” This course offers classes, interaction, time in the Family History Library, one-on-one consultations, and I also promise some fun! I am joined by two other great instructors, Debbie Mieszala, CG and D. Joshua Taylor, MA, MLS. Please see my next blog post for more details.

SLIG’s Early-Bird Registration is only weeks away, ending on October 31, 2013! The following courses still have some seats left:

American Research and Records: Focus on Families
Advanced Research Tools: Land Records
Credentialing: Accreditation, Certification, or Both?
Advanced Evidence Analysis Practicum
Problem Solving
Utilizing Social History
Researching in Eastern Europe

Immerse yourself in a specific genealogical topic for a week-long educational opportunity that is unparalleled.
The library is a short walk from the Institute’s location and, if available, the Radisson often provides shuttle service to the library.

Sign-up before October 31st and you will save over 10% off your registration. Become a member of UGA and increase your savings even more. The registration page can be accessed at http://www.infouga.org/aem.php?lv=p&epg=51

I will be back to blogging, lecturing, and consulting.

August 14, 2013November 21, 2014 Paula Stuart-Warren Uncategorized Leave a comment

I have been having a great time co-chairing next week’s big FGS genealogy conference in Fort Wayne. Unfortunately, that meant that my blog has usually slipped to the bottom of my task list.

In September I will be back to more blogging here along with being available for presentations. Just contact me for my bio, lectures, and fees as well as date availability.

I will also have time to get back to one of my other loves and that is consulting with folks just starting on their family history journey or others that need some advice on where to turn next. It’s like having a private genealogy class!

Last day to pre-register for FGS Genealogy Conference

August 14, 2013November 21, 2014 Paula Stuart-Warren Uncategorized Leave a comment

Today (that’s Wednesday, August 14) is the last day to pre-register for the FGS 2013 Conference that takes place next week in Fort Wayne, Indiana. If you want to add luncheons or other activities to your registration, it’s also the last day to do that.

Register now before time runs out. The APG luncheon, Farewell Brunch, German Workshop, and the Scanning Workshop have already filled to capacity and several other luncheons and workshops are close to that.

Once you are preregistered, you can log-in to your account and download the full syllabus.

I hope to see you next week in Fort Wayne!

FGS Conference Online Registration Deadline

August 9, 2013November 21, 2014 Paula Stuart-Warren Allen County Public Library, Federation of Genealogical Societies, FGS Leave a comment

My poor blog has been a victim of my current schedule. Between client deadlines and co-chairing the FGS Conference that begins in less than two weeks in Fort Wayne, I have no extra time to write. It’s going to be a great conference. The registration numbers are fantastic and don’t forget that conference registrants can avail themselves of extended research hours at the Genealogy Center of the Allen County Public Library.

I do want to let my readers know that online registration for the FGS Conference ends on Wednesday, August 14. Click here to register and learn more about the conference.

Today, August 9, is the last day to register by regular mail.

You may still register at the door beginning Tuesday, August 20, at the Grand Wayne Convention Center in Fort Wayne. It will be a great educational and fun time.

FGS Genealogy Conference registration deadlines near

August 1, 2013November 21, 2014 Paula Stuart-Warren Federation of Genealogical Societies, FGS, Genealogical Research Institute of Pittsburgh, GRIP Leave a comment

I am back home from a wonderful week of teaching at the Genealogical Research Institute of Pittsburgh. The 29 students in my course were amazing. The group discussions were fantastic and I thank them all for their participation.

Now my mind is turned toward the August 21-24 Federation of Genealogical Societies annual conference. My conference co-chair, Dawne Slater-Putt, and I are looking forward to seeing family historians of all experience levels in Fort Wayne. Tuesday, August 20 has several pre-conference activities. Then there is the Genealogy Center of the Allen County Public Library. The wonderful aspects of that week in Fort Wayne are detailed at https://www.fgsconference.org/

As the FGS Conference New Blog states, “if you haven’t registered for the FGS 2013 Conference yet, you still have time to register online, by mail or at the door. Mailed registrations must be postmarked by Friday, August 9. Online registration ends on Wednesday, August 14th. Pre-registering for the conference gives you access to some great benefits.” One of the benefits is access to the online syllabus in the coming days!

Of course, you may still register at the door!

Read that blog for more info on all days at www.fgsconferenceblog.org

Press Release on PERSI and periodicals digitization

July 19, 2013November 21, 2014 Paula Stuart-Warren Allen County Public Library, findmypast.com, PERSI Leave a comment

Five days ago I blogged about a newspaper article discussing a project that would revolutionize our access to the Periodical Source Index (PERSI) and the articles that the index covered. Today I received the official press release about the project. I am excited about this. For many years I have promoted PERSI and all those wonderful periodicals from the past that hold valuable family history information, queries, indexes, bible abstracts, cemetery abstracts, and more. I will definitely be renewing my findmypast subscription! The Allen County Public Library is one of the local hosts for next month’s Federation of Genealogical Societies genealogy conference in Fort Wayne, Indiana. Findmypast.com is a Platinum sponsor of that conference of which I am one of the co-chairs.

LOS ANGELES (July 19, 2013) – Findmypast.com, an international leader in online family history, today announced a partnership with the Allen County Public Library (ACPL) Genealogy Center to revolutionize the PERiodical Source Index (PERSI), the world’s largest and most widely used subject index for genealogy and local history literature. As part of the partnership, findmypast.com is enhancing PERSI, most notably by linking thousands of individual genealogical periodicals and resources to the index, allowing the original content to be accessed and connected digitally for the first time in the history of PERSI.

During the past 30 years, the ACPL Genealogy Center has created more than 2.5 million searchable records in PERSI, indexing every article from more than 8,000 different periodicals, including magazines, newsletters and journals, according to location, topic, surname, ethnicity and methodology. In the coming months, findmypast.com will launch the most complete version of PERSI online. Once launched, findmypast.com will work in tandem with the Genealogy Center to provide frequent updates to the collection as new entries are added.

PERSI has become an essential tool in helping genealogists and family historians locate valuable information, and this new partnership with findmypast.com will transform PERSI into an even more powerful resource. Findmypast.com subscribers will be able to search and view digitized images of the articles, allowing unprecedented access to the information contained in these periodicals.

“We are proud to partner with The Genealogy Center of the Allen County Public Library to continue indexing and offering PERSI – an essential tool for genealogical research,” said D. Joshua Taylor, lead genealogist for findmypast.com. “This is an ideal partnership given findmypast.com’s expertise in digitizing records and Allen County Public Library’s continual dedication to adding new records to the index. We look forward to working together to once again revolutionize the way genealogy and local history literature is accessed.”

“Partnering with findmypast.com represents an exciting opportunity to grow PERSI into an extremely relevant twenty-first century discovery tool for genealogists worldwide,” said Curt Witcher, ACPL Genealogy Center manager. “Having the ability to provide much more frequent updates and link index entries to serial issues is a real game-changer, not only for genealogists and local historians but also for the librarians and archivists who serve them.”

The future of online search through this partnership aligns with findmypast.com’s Society Data Initiative, a joint project between the Federation of Genealogical Societies and findmypast.com to preserve, digitize and provide access to the rich resources created by family history, genealogical and historical societies over many decades.

PERSI, and each periodical to be linked over time, will be available across all international findmypast sites, to personal subscribers and library users.

Findmypast.com’s expertise at digitizing historical records and uniting communities provides the tools to help people connect with their past.

To learn more about findmypast.com or to get started on your own family history:

Findmypast.com’s expertise at digitizing historical records and uniting communities provides the tools to help people connect with their past.

To learn more about findmypast.com or to get started on your own family history:

· Like findmypast on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/findmypastus

· Follow findmypast on Twitter at https://twitter.com/findmypastus

· Follow findmypast on Pinterest at http://pinterest.com/findmypastus/

University of Minnesota Archives and Special Collections

July 19, 2013November 21, 2014 Paula Stuart-Warren Archives, University of Minnesota Leave a comment

The opening two sentences of a 17 July article in the Minnesota Daily, the newspaper of the University of Minnesota’s main campus, tells the story of why we still need to visit such places in our family history research.

“In the last five years, the University of Minnesota Archives has digitized about 1 million pages of records.”

“But that’s only 1 percent of its total content.”

I have seen the underground storage of many of these materials and just that part alone was impressive. The article further stated, “The University Libraries’ Archives and Special Collections Department houses 16
collections of rare and unique research material. Thirteen of these are stored in an underground room the size of two football fields stacked on top of each other, located beneath the Elmer L. Andersen Library and the University Law School.”

Read the full article here.

Check out the website of the University Archives here.
Check the Special Collections, Rare Books, and Manuscripts here.

I have used several of the special collections in research projects and found them quite valuable.