Summer Genealogy Institute in Pittsburgh

Paula Stuart-Warren  Conferences/Institutes, Genealogical Research Institute of Pittsburgh, GRIP  Leave a comment

Do you know about the Genealogical Research Institute of Pittsburgh? There’s something for everyone this year. Six courses, great instructors, and time for intense networking and even some fun. GRIP 2013 will commence in less than 100 days. It begins the evening of Sunday, July 21 and end at noon on Friday, July 26.

There are still limited seats in a few courses. The early bird course deadline is May 15 by which time the tuition of $390 must be paid. Tuition is $425 thereafter. For those of you thinking about GRIP, now is the time to investigate further!

The dorm is just steps away from the classrooms and cafeteria. Check out the courses and other details at www.GRIPITT.org

“No longer saved for generations, family heirlooms are being shed”

Paula Stuart-Warren  Family, history  Leave a comment

That is the title of an article in today’s online Star-Tribune. I know from my own experience that not all family members want to hang on to furniture, dishes, and other items.

The sentences that really hit me are “Even highly personal items, such as scrapbooks, letters and photos, are now being shed. “We’re surprised,” Burley said. Empty the Nest sells those items to vintage dealers who buy in lots, turning mementos into artwork for others.” and “Mueller has purchased other personal items, including vintage diplomas and handwritten love letters, which she plans to use, along with vintage maps, to create retro decor.”

These items that are then lost represent individual, family, community, church, and military history. The contents might help a family understand issues in the family dynamics. A letter from someone in the military might hold details that explain that person’s experience during a war or could even hold battle history that is found nowhere else. A mention of an illness might be a clue to hereditary health issues.

The photos might include one of the christening dress that is still being worn by family infants today. A scrapbook might contain history of someone’s high school or college experience complete with programs from events, sports photos, graduation photos, and other items that the school archives is lacking. I wonder if any of the people disposing of such items has contacted a county or state historical society to see if any of these items might be appropriate for their collections? Have they contacted the distant cousins to see if anyone might like to have them? It’s easy to do that contacting via email and social media today.

As someone in a family lacking much in the way of old scrapbooks, letters, and photos, this article was especially painful. Do historical societies, archives, special collections departments, and other institutions do enough public outreach about the value of such items? Do they let the public know how to preserve them and what items might be donated? I know a large part of that requires funds our institutions just don’t have  today.

My pie-in-the-sky solution would be to have the funds and time to create a place to house such items. Then to catalog them all and have an online finding aid plus an index so that the information is available to family members and historians who might seek them out in the future.

The full article is here http://www.startribune.com/lifestyle/homegarden/203862871.html

Nordic Genealogy Conference in Minnesota: Early Bird Deadline is April 14

Paula Stuart-Warren  Conferences, Minnesota Genealogical Society  Leave a comment
If you like to save money, don’t forget to register for the discounted rate for the upcoming Nordic Genealogy Conference no later than Sunday, April 14th. The conference will be held in the Fine Arts Building at Inver Hills Community College, located in Inver Grove Heights [suburb of St. Paul] on Friday, April 26th and Saturday, April 27th.      

Friday night includes a dessert social, followed by a presentation by Doug Ohman, photographer of the
popular Minnesota Byways series.  Saturday’s sessions include Nordic Research at the Minnesota Historical Society by Duane Swanson and Find Your Way Home: Using Maps and Gazetteers to Trace Nordic Genealogy by Ryan Mattke, plus 18 breakout sessions.

The conference also features free translations or consultations along with a silent auction, door prizes, and a vendor hall.  The free consultations can be about your Nordic research, Minnesota research, New York brick wall, Civil War research, or anything you need some advice about. You need to sign up for these in advance.

Information about the conference and registration can be found on the Minnesota Genealogical Society’s website. 

Join the FGS 2013 Conference Ambassadors

Paula Stuart-Warren  Conferences, Federation of Genealogical Societies, FGS  Leave a comment
April 8, 2013 – Genealogy bloggers, societies, writers and editors are invited to participate in the Federation of Genealogical Societies 2013 Conference by becoming FGS 2013 Ambassadors. Ambassadors help to spread information about the FGS 2013 Conference in Fort Wayne, Indiana, August 21-24, through social media to their friends, colleagues, and everyone interested in genealogy.
FGS 2013 Ambassadors will be:
  • Participating in monthly blogging prompts.
  • Writing about the conference on their blog. 
  • Using the hashtag #FGS2013 on Twitter.
  • Mentioning FGS 2013 on Facebook, Google Plus, and other social networks.
  • Letting their local historical and genealogical societies know about the conference.
Visit https://www.fgsconference.org/media/ambassadors/ to register as an FGS 2013 Ambassador and find the FGS 2013 Ambassador badge to add to your blog or other social media account. 
Benefits to FGS 2013 Ambassadors:
  • Giveaways for active ambassadors, including conference registrations and discounts, special event tickets, and more.
  • Potential to be guest blogger on FGS Conference Blog.
  • Link to your blog or website on the FGS Conference blog’s Ambassador Page.
  • Part of Twitter list of FGS 2013 Ambassadors.
  • Ambassador badge ribbon at the conference.
The FGS 2013 Conference Committee looks forward to working with the FGS 2013 Ambassadors to make this conference a success. See you in Fort Wayne in August!
Learn More about FGS 2013 and Stay Connected

I am National Conference Co-Chair for this conference and invite you to join us in letting others know about his event. Ambassadors will be entered into drawings for prizes! I am not eligible, though. 

Federation of Genealogical Societies Partners with German Association

Paula Stuart-Warren  Federation of Genealogical Societies  Leave a comment
For Immediate Release
March 28, 2013

March 28, 2013 – Austin, TX. The Federation of Genealogical Societies (FGS) announces a new partnership with Deutsche Arbeitsgemeinschaft genealogischer Verbände e. V. (DAGV), an umbrella organization of genealogical and heraldic associations in Germany, in order to further the exchange of ideas and information between genealogists and family historians across the globe.

Originally announced during the recent RootsTech 2013 conference in Salt Lake City, Utah on Saturday, March 23, 2013, FGS and DAGV will work to “develop technical solutions to preserve and present records
and to increase the mutual contact” between both societies and their members.

DAGV, founded in Frankfurt am Main in 1949 and based in Stuttgart, represents 63 member associations in Germany with a total of 20,000 individual members among the organizations. Combined with the over 500 member associations and 500,000 individuals represented by FGS, both organizations intend to work closely together within the world umbrella organization of the Confédération Internationale de Généalogie et d’Héraldique (CIGH).

A prevailing goal of this new alliance between FGS and DAGV is for a World Conference to be held in the near future to further the public’s interest in genealogy. Both organizations will focus on strengthening the world organization in order to build bridges for generations to come and setting the world family history research agenda for the 21st century.

Dirk Weissleder, DAGV National Chairman stated “ I personally want to ensure strong co-operation between our two umbrella organizations in the US and Germany. In order to support genealogical research at this level, we must leverage our personal contacts in sharing information and experiences. A key initiative will be to get younger people interested in genealogy through the use of the Internet as well as the structures of our genealogical societies.”

D. Joshua Taylor, FGS President, added: “The challenges and opportunities facing genealogical societies are not limited by geography and it is an an honor and privilege to begin looking at ways our organizations can work together for the future of a global family history community.”

Visit the DAGV website at http://dagv.org for more information about its projects, publications and activities. And follow FGS at http://fgs.org or on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/fgsgenealogy.

About the Federation of Genealogical Societies (FGS)

The Federation of Genealogical Societies (FGS) was founded in 1976 and represents the members of hundreds of genealogical societies. FGS links the genealogical community by helping genealogical societies strengthen and grow through resources available online, FGS Forum magazine (filled with articles pertaining to society management and genealogical news), and Society Strategy Series papers, covering topics about effectively operating a genealogical society. FGS also links the genealogical community through its annual conference — four days of excellent lectures, including one full day devoted to society management topics. To learn more visit http://www.fgs.org.

This is an exciting venture. I am a member of the Board of Directors of the Federation of Genealogical Societies and look forward to this evolving partnership.

Minnesota State Archives acquisitions

Paula Stuart-Warren  Minnesota Historical Society  Leave a comment

The Minnesota State Archives continues to acquire records from around the state. This is a sampling of acquisitions over the last several months:

  • February 2013:  Olmsted County.  Common School District No. 95/1354 (Kalmar Township).  Clerk’s Book (dated 1882- 1887).  1 volume.
  • January 2013:  Ramsey County, St. Paul school records ( I.SD. No. 625), including a photograph of the Bryant Elementary Kitchen Kabinet Orchestra (K.K.O) dated ca. 1920s. Also,  records (dated 1938-1940) of Wilson High School.  Inter-file with a master set of similar records of St. Paul public schools.   4 folders.
  • December 2012:  Ramsey County.  Independent School District No. 621 (Mounds View) Records (dated 1937-1968).  2 boxes.
  • November 2012:  Kittson County.  District Court.  Civil (dated 1880-1903), and criminal (dated 1880-1903, 1932-1960) case files.  13 boxes.

If you would like to see the list of other records click here. To learn more about the holdings of the Minnesota Historical Society, including the State Archives, click here and then click on Library.

Wisconsin Gene-A-Rama here I come!

Paula Stuart-Warren  Seminars, Wisconsin, Wisconsin State Genealogical Society  Leave a comment

I just finished two great seminar weekends. The first was March 16th with the Dallas Genealogical Society and on the 23d  with the Conejo Valley [CA] Genealogical Society. It’s always tough to leave the places where I present the seminars and have spent time renewing old friendships and meeting new friends. It was even tougher for me because the weather in both these places was perfect and since Spring has been ignoring Minnesota, it was tough to leave the sunshine.

I hear that Spring is actually making baby steps toward Minnesota and Wisconsin and I am happy that I will be back in Wisconsin for Gene-A-Rama at the Plaza Hotel & Suites in Wausau on April 5 & 6. Wisconsin Genealogical Society events are always fun. I will be presenting four regular lectures:

  • Organizing Your Genealogical Materials: Methods to Keep it Current.
  • Your Anytime Library: Success in the Virtual Stacks
  • NUCMC & Its Cousins: Key to “Lost” Ancestral Records
  • What Next? Developing Research Plans

On Friday evening I am the banquet speaker and will present “Prepared! Of Course! Genealogical Research Trips & Murphy’s Law!” It’s a lighthearted look at research trips but with several messages to help us all with our trips.

I think that all my Wisconsin ancestors from Douglas, Fond du Lac, Green Lake, Jefferson, Waukesha, and Winnebago counties and the cousins in many other counties will be supporting me that weekend. Now if they would just tell when my Scottish paternal Great Great Grandmother Helenor (Edwards) Stuart’s brother James Edwards and wife Elizabeth Cowie died I will be so happy. The last trace of them I have is in Omro (1880 census). Oh, they also need to tell me why my maternal French-Canadian Great Great Grandfather Arsene Daoust (Samuel Dow) ended up in Superior with small children and no wife. Did Georgina Margretta Reinhardt die in Quebec (Montreal or Rawdon) or on the way to Superior? I don’t ask for much.

To view the full program for the two days click here.

FGS 2013 Genealogy Conference Registration Opens

Paula Stuart-Warren  Allen County Public Library, Conferences/Institutes, Federation of Genealogical Societies, FGS, Preserve the Pensions  Leave a comment

A great way to start Monday! The FGS 2013 conference website is now ready for conference registrations.

It is easy to use. The FGS webmaster has designed a secure step-by-step system for us. This is the place to register now and save $50.00 off the full registration price. You may also purchase tickets for luncheons, special events, a paper syllabus (every registrant receives an electronic version), subscription to FGS
FORUM, and support the War of 1812 Preserve the Pensions Project.

The FGS Opening Social at the botanical conservatory across the street from the Grand Wayne Convention Center is only $8. findmypast.com is supporting this fun evening.

Friday is a special evening at the Allen County Public Library and the cost is only $10. However, why not add more to that ticket price to support the Preserve the Pensions Project. FamilySearch is supporting this evening event.

Visit the FGS conference website pages to learn more about all the parts of this major genealogy conference and register for a great educational and fun time in Fort Wayne, Indiana. It’s the home of the famed Genealogy Center and the Allen County Public Library is providing special research hours for conference registrants.

I am a co-chair of this conference and hope to see you there!

Student Genealogy Grant Announced

Paula Stuart-Warren  Awards, Conferences  Leave a comment

I received this press release yesterday. I look forward to meeting the winner at the Southern California Genealogical Society’s Jamboree this June 6-9th in Burbank, California.

Student Genealogy Grant Announced

February 5, 2013 – Do you know a young genealogist who could use $500 toward their family history education and free registration to the Southern California Genealogy Jamboree in June 2013?

The Suzanne Winsor Freeman Memorial Grant Committee is pleased to announce that applications are now being accepted for the 2013 Student Genealogy Grant. In addition, SCGS Jamboree will once again provide the recipient with free three-day registration.

Any genealogist who is between the ages of 18 and 25 and has attended school in the last 12 months is eligible to apply. The recipient must attend the 2013 SCGS Jamboree in Burbank, California to receive the award.

The $500 cash award was established in 2010 in memory of Suzanne Winsor Freeman, family historian and life-long volunteer, and an enthusiastic annual attendee at the SCGS Jamboree.

“The Freeman Student Genealogy Grant pays tribute to these interests by awarding the annual cash grant to a young genealogist attending the SCGS Jamboree, Southern California’s premiere regional genealogy conference,” notes Denise Levenick, committee chair and Freeman’s daughter.

“We are especially grateful to Jamboree for providing a three-day conference registration to the grant recipient,” she adds. “SCGS is truly a leader in conference organizations by encouraging youth involvement in genealogy through the popular Kids Camp program and now through the student grant project.”

Past recipients of the award include Elyse Doerflinger (Lomita, California), A.C. Ivory (Salt Lake City, Utah), and Anthony Ray (Palmdale, California).

Funding for the cash award is provided by the family grant program; Jamboree registration is provided by the conference.

Complete details and application materials are available at The Family Curator, Suzanne Freeman Student Genealogy Grant < http://www.thefamilycurator.com/swf-grant/>. Follow Grant News at www.thefamilycurator.com. Application deadline is 18 March 2013 midnight PST.

For More Information Contact: Denise Levenick, [email protected].

Suzanne Winsor Freeman Obituary: TheFamilyCurator.com

Genealogical Research Institute of Pittsburg Registration Opens February 7th!

Paula Stuart-Warren  Conferences/Institutes, Genealogical Research Institute of Pittsburgh  Leave a comment

Another great genealogy event that I am involved with is the Genealogical Research Institute of Pittsburgh. Learn, eat, and sleep in air-conditioned comfort on the beautiful campus of LaRoche College in Pittsburgh from July 21-26, 2013.

Choose from six courses and get energized and educated in this setting. I tell you about this now because online registration opens this Thursday, February 7th at noon Eastern time!

I am coordinator of the Intermediate Course: Tools for Digging Deeper. You may learn more about this course here and here.