Have a genealogy question? Are you at the NGS Conference in Cinci?

Paula Stuart-Warren  Uncategorized  Leave a comment

Stop by the findmypast.com booth in the Exhibit Hall to get your burning genealogy questions addressed. Three top family history experts will be in the booth to assist you in your family history quest. The cost? FREE. The consultants are:

Wednesday: Debra Mieszala, CG
Thursday: Paula Stuart-Warren, CG
Friday: D. Joshua Taylor, MLS
Saturday: Debra Mieszala, CG

Sultana Disaster Records online for FREE

Paula Stuart-Warren  fold3.com, National Archives, Research  Leave a comment
I am proud to serve on the Board of Directors for the Federation of Genealogical Societies (FGS) and also to be a contributor the the Stern-NARA Gift Fund and the Preserve the Pensions Project. Have you donated? Our donations are vital to making records available for all of us. This is last week’s FGS Press Release about these records. Thank you to Fold3 too!
FGS STERN NARA FUND HELPS MAKE SULTANA DISASTER RECORDS AVAILABLE TO THE GENEALOGY COMMUNITY

Free Access Provided by Fold3

May 4, 2012– Austin, TX: The Federation of Genealogical Societies (FGS) is proud to announce its recent participation in making the Sultana Disaster records available to genealogists and family history researchers. When the boiler exploded aboard the steamer Sultana on April 27, 1865, more than 1,700 people lost their lives. The records include lists of survivors, along with their military service information, as well as information on those who perished.

Through a grant from the Malcolm H. Stern-NARA Gift Fund, FGS has helped to bring this important Civil War record set to the Fold3 website. The fund is a nationally supported program to finance preservation and imaging of valuable research materials now preserved in the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) in Washington, D.C.

In addition, FGS and NARA, with the help of the genealogical community, have begun an exciting project to digitize the War of 1812 pension files. There are 7.2 million pages in 180,000 pension files that have never been available in any other form before. The Preserve the Pensions Project is in progress to digitize and make every page of these information-rich files available as part of a bicentennial commemoration of this historic conflict. Learn more about this important preservation and digitization project at the Preserve the Pensions page (http://www.fgs.org/1812/) and get involved by making a donation today.

Here is the recent announcement from Fold3 about the Sultana Disaster database and the specific information to be found within the records:

When the boiler exploded aboard the steamer Sultana on April 27, 1865, more than 1,700 people lost their lives. Most of those aboard were recently released Union prisoners from Confederate prisons in Cahaba, Alabama, and Andersonville, Georgia. They were en route from Camp Fiske in Mississippi to Camp Chase, Ohio, but the explosion occurred only a few hours into the journey.
In addition to the faulty boiler, the ship was also grossly overburdened with 2,200 passengers on a vessel built to carry 376.
Records relating to the Sultana Disaster, April 1865, are now available on Fold3. They include lists of the former prisoners who survived the disaster, with military service information and brief comments on their injuries. There are also lists of those who perished, yet not of the civilian survivors or those who died.
The enormity of the disaster led quickly to investigations. By January 1866, a court-martial was convened to charge Captain Frederick Speed, the man who volunteered to coordinate the transfer of prisoners, with “neglect of duty to the prejudice of good order and military discipline.” There are 647 documents in the court-martial case with testimonies, witness accounts, and statements by the defense and prosecution. After “nearly six long weary months” the trial came to a close. Capt. Speed was the only person charged in the incident. He was found guilty, yet the charges were later dismissed by Judge Advocate General Joseph Holt.

The Sultana Disaster records can be accessed on the Fold3 website at http://www.fold3.com/title_797/sultana_disaster_april_1865/. The original publication was financed by The Abrams Foundation of Michigan through the Stern-NARA Gift Fund and the National Archives Trust Fund.

Librarian from the Library of Congress to speak in Northfield, Minnesota

Paula Stuart-Warren  Lectures, Library of Congress  1 Comment

I wish I could attend this presentation down in Northfield, Minnesota at Carleton College. Hopefully some of my blog readers will attend. If you feel like sharing about this event, I’d be happy to publish it on this blog and give you full credit.

“Mark Dimunation, Chief of the Rare Book and Special Collections Division of the Library of Congress, will give a talk on digitizing library materials. His presentation, entitled “Living with the Real Thing: From the Original to the Digital,” will take place at 4:30 p.m. on Thurs., May 10 in the Carleton College Boliou Hall, Room 141. This event is free and open to the public.”

Dimunation is a graduate of Carleton’s St. Olaf College. Read more about him and the presentation in Carleton News. http://apps.carleton.edu/news/news/?story_id=841544

Free expert advice at findmypast.com booth at NGS Cincinnati

Paula Stuart-Warren  Consultations, findmypast.com, National Genealogical Society  1 Comment

findmypast.com is hosting an “Expert of the Day at its Exhibit Hall  booth at the National Genealogical Society Conference in Cincinnati this coming week. (May 9-12)

Ask questions and receive expert advice from some of the nation’s leading genealogists. No appointment necessary! Visit one on one with the Expert of the Day for free at the findmypast.com booth.

Wednesday: Debra Mieszala, CG
Thursday: Paula Stuart-Warren, CG, FUGA
Friday: D. Joshua Taylor, MA, MLS
Saturday: Debra Mieszala, CG

About the Experts:

Debra Mieszala specializes in forensic genealogy, 20th century research, and the Midwest. She does genealogical research for the military to help locate family members of service members missing in past wars. A national-level lecturer and author, she has taught at the Salt Lake Institute of Genealogy, the Institute of Genealogy and Historical Research, and other events. Debbie al so holds a certificate in paralegal studies.

Paula Stuart-Warren has been conducting research since the early 1980s and works full time in the areas of genealogical and historical research, lecturing, consulting, and writing. A board-certified genealogist since 1988, Paula is a firm believer in continuing education in genealogy and frequently participates in national and local conferences. Among her many activities, she is a member of the Board of Directors for the Federation of Genealogical Societies.

D. Joshua Taylor is the Business Development Manager – North America for brightsolid online publishing, the creators of findmypast.com, and a nationally known and recognized genealogical author, lecturer, and researcher. Active in the genealogical community, Joshua is the current Vice President of Administration for the Federation of Genealogical Societies and has been a featured genealogist on NBC’s Who Do You Think You Are?

Minnesota 1940 census is 19% indexed

Paula Stuart-Warren  census, Indexes, Minnesota, Minnesota Genealogical Society, Minnesota Historical Society  Leave a comment

That is amazing news. In less than a month since the 1940 census was made public, volunteers have indexed 19% of the 1940 U.S. census for Minnesota. I love indexing my home state. I recognize many names or can easily figure out what the enumerator wrote in most cases. I love seeing the multi-generation families all living in the same house. Yesterday I indexed four batches.

I do have to use other databases and indexes to help figure out the given or surname for some of the entries. Those names have to be indexed as the census enumerator wrote them. For Minnesota  and other place names, the spelling is to be corrected to the proper spelling. One helpful Minnesota place name guide is Minnesota Place Names: A Geographical Encyclopedia (3d ed) which is also online in expanded and searchable format at http://mnplaces.mnhs.org/upham/index.cfm

A bit of bad news, there is still 81% of the 1940 census for Minnesota to be indexed. It takes many people to accomplish 100%. On average, how many batches (pages) are you indexing in a week? My work and other volunteering schedules have kept me from doing as many as I want to do. But, I am averaging a dozen batches a week. Promise me you will try indexing at least a couple batches in the five days. Then tell me you were able to stop with just two!

A friend in Arizona sent me an email to tell me that since her home state of Indiana is all indexed and Arizona, her state of residence, is also indexed, she is now indexing in states that mean something to her genealogy friends. I love that she is helping to index Minnesota!

To sign up visit www.familysearch.org and click on the 1940 census image. That will take you to a page where you can quickly sign up. You may also indicate that you are doing this under the auspices of the Minnesota Genealogical Society or any other group.

“Ask a Genealogist” this Saturday

Paula Stuart-Warren  Association of Professional Genealogists, Conferences/Institutes, Minnesota Genealogical Society, Northland Chapter APG  1 Comment

The Association of Professional Genealogists Northland Chapter is sponsoring a “Ask a Genealogist” panel session this Saturday, April 28th at Inver Hills Community College in Inver Grove Heights, Minnesota. IGH is a suburb of St. Paul.

This session will be held from 12:00 – 12:30 p.m. and is open to all conference registrants. Each registrant will receive Ask a Genealogist forms in their registration packet. APG Northland Chapter members David Suddarth, Joanne Sher, and Sandy Thalmann will be there to answer your family history questions.

The session is part of the Central & Eastern European Genealogy Conference being held Friday evening and all day Saturday. For more information on the event check the Minnesota Genealogical Society website at www.mngs.org.

The conference features three sessions by John Philip Colletta, Ph.D. plus 15 breakout sessions in 5 ethnic tracks.

For more information on the Northland Chapter please visit our page on the Association of Professional Genealogists website: http://www.apgen.org/chapters/northland/index.html

Jimmy B. Parker SLIG Scholarship

Paula Stuart-Warren  Salt Lake Institute of Genealogy, SLIG, Utah Genealogical Association  Leave a comment

The Utah Genealogical Association has announced a new scholarship program. for its annual Salt Lake Institute of Genealogy. It is named in honor of the late Jimmy B. Parker who was an avid genealogist, former Director of the Family History Library, and a great friend to all who knew him.

The Salt Lake Institute of Genealogy is pleased to announce we are now accepting essays for the Jimmy B. Parker Salt Lake Institute of Genealogy scholarship. Full tuition to SLIG 2013 will be awarded to the student whose essay and application exemplify the culture of giving back lived by Jimmy B. Parker. The scholarship will be awarded by a committee comprised of SLIG committee members and the family of the late Jimmy B. Parker.

Applicants are asked to submit the following via email to [email protected]:

  1. A one-page essay detailing how attending SLIG will help you prepare to give back to the genealogical community, following Jimmy B. Parker’s example.
  2. A short biography including previous volunteer and research experience.
  3. The name of the course you would like to attend.
  4. A letter of recommendation from a someone who has benefited from your volunteer service.

The winning essay will be posted on the UGA blog at http://ugagenealogy.blogspot.com/.

The Salt Lake Institute runs from January 14-18, 2013 and the winning student will have their choice of the following tracks:

  1. American Research and Records: Focus on Localities (with Paula Stuart-Warren, CG, FUGA, FMGS)
  2. Bridging the 1780-1830 Gap: From New England to the Midwest (and Points in Between) (with D. Joshua Taylor, MA, MLS)
  3. Researching Your English Ancestors: Beyond the Parish Register (with Apryl Cox, AG)
  4. Advanced German Research (with F. Warren Bittner, CG)
  5. Researching in Washington D.C. without Leaving Home (with Richard G. Sayre, CG, and Pamela, Boyer Sayre, CG, CGL)
  6. A Genealogist’s Guide to the Internet Galaxy (with Thomas MacEntee)
  7. Principles of Forensic Genealogy (with Melinde Lutz Byrne, CG, FASG and in partnership with Boston University)
  8. Producing a Quality Family Narrative (with John Philip Colletta, Ph.D..
  9. Advanced Genealogical Methods (with Thomas W. Jones, Ph.D., CG, CGL, FASG, FUGA, FNGS)
  10. Advanced Evidence Analysis Practicum (with Angela McGhie and Kimberly Powell)
  11. Problem Solving (with Judith Hansen, MLS, AG)

Applications and essays are due by May 15th and the winner will be announced May 31st. SLIG registration opens soon — June 2, 2012 at 9:00 AM Mountain Time.

Minnesota genealogy webinar

Paula Stuart-Warren  Classes, Minnesota  Leave a comment

I just did a run-through of my Minnesota Genealogy Crash Course for Family Tree University. I will be presenting it live next Wednesday, April 25th at 7:00 pm here in the Midwest. That will be at 8:00 Eastern, 6:00 Mountain, and 5:00 Pacific.

Diane Haddad at the Genealogy Insider just posted some teasers about the presentation. Click here to read that and for the link to sign up for the class.

Minnesota genealogy webinar April 25th

Paula Stuart-Warren  Classes, Minnesota, Webinars  Leave a comment

On Wednesday, April 25th, I will be presenting a webinar on Minnesota genealogy. It’s part of Family Tree University. I have been researching, writing, and teaching about Minnesota genealogical research for more years than I am willing to admit. When I began my Minnesota research, the late Minnesota Historical Society librarian, Wiley Pope, gave me stacks of his personal genealogy periodicals to read. Then I used to sit at the state archives and read through the voluminous finding aids to learn more about the government, business, personal, military, organizational, and other collections. Then I would request box after box of these records to actually see what was in them. Fast forward to today and we have many finding aids, records, and indexes online. Having Minnesota ancestry is wonderful. I think it’s the best! I love telling others about it whether through classes, private consultations, articles, or webinars. 

Join me on your computer for the webinar next Wednesday. Visit the Family Tree University website to see a bit more about this Minnesota Genealogy Crash Course and to sign up. The early bird price is only $39.00. Listening live also comes with the opportunity to ask questions.

The webinar is at 8:00 pm. EDT, 7:00 CDT, 6:00 MDT, and 5:00 PDT.

FGS seeks website administrator

Paula Stuart-Warren  Federation of Genealogical Societies, FGS  Leave a comment
The Federation of Genealogical Societies (FGS) seeks an experienced Website Administrator to maintain its current web presence and assist with the transition to a new web platform during the coming months. This is a paid position.
Responsibilities
The duties and responsibilities of the Web Administrator are to:
  • Create, maintain and support all components of the current FGS website hosted at Tiger Technologies and using the FGS domain http://www.fgs.org. This includes the 2012 FGS Conference website component at http://www.fgs.org/2012conference.
  • Maintain backup copies of data for the purpose of data recovery and re-creating the FGS web presence if necessary due to data loss or disaster.
  • Write and maintain HTML, PHP and MySQL code necessary to maintain a stable web presence for FGS.
  • Track all website changes using accepted change control and tracking methodologies.
  • Update and create website documentation as needed and to ensure successful transition to future web administrators.
  • Create and generate reports as needed and as requested by various FGS committee chairs.
  • Maintain the Records Preservation and Access Blog (http://www.fgs.org/rpac) and assist RPAC members with blog posts and technical issues.
  • Assist with transition from current PHP/MySQL platform to the Easy Net Sites platform (http://www.easynetsites.com) during 2012.
Qualifications
  • Previous experience creating and managing websites. Experience with non-profit organizations preferred.
  • Comprehensive knowledge of HTML, PHP and MySQL. Ability to generate reports via MySQL as requested.
  • Ability to explain technology and website operations in a non-technical manner to various FGS board members via written periodic reports.
  • Ability to respond quickly to requested website changes.
  • Experience in website transition and upgrade to new platforms.
Reporting Relationship
The Web Administrator will report to the Vice President of Administration. The Web Administrator will submit a timesheet each month to the Treasurer for payment.
Fees
The Web Administrator will be paid at a rate of $45.00 per hour for up to ten (10) hours per month for all work performed. If additional work beyond ten (10) hours per month is required, the Vice President of Administration or the President must authorize the additional work and the Web Administrator shall be paid at the same rate of $45.00 per hour.
Format and Ownership of Code and Data
The current FGS website has been developed using Open Source development tools including HTML, PHP and MySQL. The proposed FGS website is written in proprietary code and uses a WYSIWYG format with optional HTML code input. The Web Administrator will make no claims of ownership of any code created for FGS. The Web Administrator will make all of the source code available as request by FGS.
Confidentiality
The Web Administrator will hold all information concerning FGS, its member societies, and other information as confidential.
Term of Contract
The term of contract will be until December 31, 2012 and can then be extended in one-year increments by mutual agreement.

Interested? Send a cover letter and resume to D. Joshua Taylor, FGS Vice-President-Administration: at [email protected]