Does your laptop computer overheat?

July 13, 2010November 21, 2014 Paula Stuart-Warren Computers Leave a comment

I happen to have a 4 year old laptop computer that overheats. For the last year I have had a cooling pad device that sits under it. The USB part that plugged into the computer worked fine but the end that plugged into the device itself was too loose. I was having all kinds of computer issues as it was not being kept cool enough.

I did some online research and found a good replacement. I didn’t want to wait so I went to Office Depot and actually found the one I wanted in the store! It is a “Belkin Laptop Cooling Pad.” It has one fan and you need no power other than plugging it into a USB port on your computer. This brand has space between the computer and the device for air to circulate. It can be elevated by popping open the stand and this also helps to circulate the air.

I have no financial interest in either Belkin or Office Depot but thought I would share this information on a product that really does work. I feel this has bought me some time to save more before I must buy a new laptop. This is the only computer I have so I really appreciate this product.

Fergus Falls [Minnesota] State Hospital

July 13, 2010November 21, 2014 Paula Stuart-Warren Institutions, Minnesota Historical Society Leave a comment

Myths & Legends: Stories from the Fergus Falls State Hospital

Today’s Fergus Falls Daily Journal carried a bit of history of this hospital for the insane and an announcement about a presentation this Friday. “Join the Otter Tail County Historical Society for Myths & Legends: Stories from the Fergus Falls State Hospital on Friday, July 16, 6:30 p.m. on the State Hospital campus. The third Minnesota State Hospital for the Insane was opened in Fergus Falls in July 1890.”

Click here to read the full story.
Click here to search the catalog for the many records and histories that are housed at the Minnesota Historical Society.

2010 August FGS Knoxville Conference update

July 13, 2010November 21, 2014 Paula Stuart-Warren Conferences, Federation of Genealogical Societies Leave a comment

If you haven’t checked the FGS Conference News Blog lately, you have missed some important and exciting updates about the August 18-21 four day conference being held in Knoxville, Tennessee. Everyone is welcome to attend and the lectures and vendors offer something for all levels of interest.

Hotel availability status
Big door prizes to be awarded on Friday evening
Lots of details on the Thursday evening activity
Conference news about vendors in the Exhibit Hall
Expanded info on the Wednesday sessions designed to assist genealogical, historical, and family organization volunteers
More detail from some speakers about their lectures and themselves
Announcement on the FREE Kids Camp

Click here for the full program.

Saturday record retrieval at the National Archives in D.C.

July 6, 2010November 21, 2014 Paula Stuart-Warren National Archives Leave a comment

This press release is from the U.S. National Archives. Oh, how I wished for this service during the years I spent much of my time there. These record pulls are for the textual records that must be retrieved for you to view. Please note this is for July but if used may become a regular option.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE July 6, 2010

National Archives Announces Pilot Program in Research Room at Archives I in DC. New Saturday records retrieval at Archives I – all Saturdays in July, 2010

Washington, DC. . . For the month of July, 2010, the National Archives in Washington, DC, (Archives I) will undertake a pilot program to provide archival records retrieval services on Saturdays. This pull service is only for records that have designated retrieval information, and this pilot program is for Archives I only.

Records will be retrieved for use in the research room at the following “pull” times: 10:00 a.m., 11:00 a.m.,
1:30 p.m., and 2:30 p.m. For details about this pilot program and specific Saturday records retrieval procedures at Archives I in July, see http://www.archives.gov/dc-metro/newsletter/researcher-news.pdf

For information on research at Archives I in Washington, DC, specifically, see
http://www.archives.gov/dc-metro/washington/researcher-info.html
For information on general research at National Archives facilities nationwide, see
http://www.archives.gov/research/start/plan-visit.html

National Archives Celebrates July 4 with New Logo and 1st Ever Parade Float!

June 30, 2010November 21, 2014 Paula Stuart-Warren National Archives Leave a comment

I received this press release from the U.S. National Archives today. I was at the National 4th of July parade several years ago and it was rather neat to be in the nation’s capitol on Independence Day!

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 30, 2010

National Archives Celebrates July 4 with New Logo and 1st Ever Parade Float!

Washington, DC . . .
On Sunday, July 4, the National Archives celebrates Independence Day with its annual ceremony, its first ever National Independence Day Parade float, and a brand new logo.

The first ever National Archives Independence Day Parade Float features the Declaration of Independence and other “National Treasures” from the holdings of the National Archives. This float will launch the National Independence Day Parade in front of the National Archives Building. The parade starts at 11:45 AM.

The float also features a brand new National Archives logo. The National Archives Building in Washington, DC, was designed by noted architect John Russell Pope. Inspired by Pope’s classical architecture and sculptural detail, the logo features a majestic stone eagle. The eagle symbolizes protection – underscoring the role of the National Archives as guardian of this nation’s records.

“Eagles traditionally represent strength, courage, farsightedness, and immortality, and wings symbolize forward movement, swiftness, and protection. The National Archives strives to carry out its mission with the vision to serve not only the citizens of today, but also those of the future,” said Archivist of the United States David S. Ferriero. “Each day our staff across the country works to find new ways to make the rich resources in our holdings accessible and usable more quickly and efficiently. We are a strong, courageous advocate for transparent, participatory government that is accountable to its people,” the Archivist added.

The “Trajan” font selected for this new logo connects with inscriptions on the National Archives Building. Trajan font is named for Roman Emperor Trajan, known for his extensive public building program. The font is based on the letterforms of Roman square capitals, influenced by the style of the chiseled writings of the Romans during the first century A.D. The bronze color of the logo represents the large bronze doors of the National Archives Building that both guard and provide access to the records the National Archives holds in trust for the public.

For more information on the annual July 4th Celebration at the National Archives, see http://www.archives.gov/dc-metro/events/july-august.html#july4th

Combine genealogy, history, and a visit to part of Minnesota’s beautiful lake country!

June 29, 2010November 21, 2014 Paula Stuart-Warren Minnesota, Research Leave a comment

Combine genealogy, history, and a visit to part of Minnesota’s beautiful lake country! The Becker County Historical Society and Heart O’Lakes Genealogical Society announce their first joint open house on Saturday, July 10, from 2 to 4 p.m. in the Becker County History Museum. The museum is in Detroit Lakes, Minnesota at 714 Summit Ave at Front Street. Detroit Lakes is in Northwestern Minnesota and is definitely a vacation destination.

“Attendees will be given the opportunity to learn how both societies assist in historical and genealogical research requests.” How perfect is this1 Check out the research library while your non-genealogy friends or family tour the museum, browse the gift shop, golf, swim, boat or even just sit and enjoy a wonderful summer day in Minnesota.

Check out the full notice from June 25th at D-L Online [Detroit Lakes].

Info on the Detroit lakes area: http://www.visitdetroitlakes.com/
Info on Minnesota tourism: http://www.exploreminnesota.com/

Yale Library to Digitize Documents on New England’s Native Americans

June 24, 2010November 21, 2014 Paula Stuart-Warren Native American, NEHGS, New England Historic Genealogical Society, Yale University Leave a comment

The Yale University Office of Public Affairs released this press release on June 22nd. I found reference to it in several of the news outlets I follow.

“New Haven, Conn. — Yale University Library has received a grant of $250,000 from the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) to support “The New England Indian Papers Series: The Connecticut Colony Collection, 1603–1783,” an online compendium of important and rare historical documents relating to the Native American peoples of Connecticut during the colonial period from First Contact to 1783. The grant is part of the NEH’s “We the People” program, which encourages and strengthens the teaching, study and understanding of American history and culture.”

It’s a lengthy press release. One thing is doesn’t mention is that it is somewhat more difficult to track Native Americans in New England because many members of those tribes moved out of New England, some by force and some by choice. During the 19th and 20th century when the Bureau of Indian Affairs was keeping track of Native Americans, those that remained in New England and New York were not included. If we find that some of those who moved westward interacted or married into other tribes that may yield some details. Native American in New England may have purchased land, had births, deaths, marriages, christenings and other things recorded. There may be some church, probate, or census records that include them.

Archives and historical societies have many materials that are helpful in researching New England Native American Ancestry, as does the New England Historic Genealogical Society. No matter the tribe or the locality, the search begins with the same basic records we use for all our ancestors. Then we branch off to other resources.

A family reunion based on Beer!

June 22, 2010November 21, 2014 Paula Stuart-Warren Brewery 2 Comments

Well, sort of. Today’s St. Paul Pioneer Press had a story about the reunion.

365 descendants of August and Theresa Schell had a family reunion at the Schell Brewery in New Ulm, Minnesota to help celebrate the founding of the brewery. New Ulm is a heavily Germanic area. The article reports that Schell’s is Minnesota’s oldest brewery and the second-oldest family-owned brewery in the U.S. It began in 1860.

Now I need to figure out which is the first-oldest! Any guesses?

Click here for the brewery’s own history pages.

Visit Duluth and include genealogy!

June 17, 2010November 21, 2014 Paula Stuart-Warren Minnesota Genealogical Society Leave a comment

MGS/Twin Ports Genealogy Workshop – June 26

Genealogy is a hobby, a business, and an art form. Each of these will be explored at an exceptionally valuable and informative conference presented by the Minnesota Genealogical Society and the Twin Ports Genealogical Society (TPGS) in Duluth on June 26, 2010. It all starts at 9:00 a.m. and finishes by 4:00 p.m., which gives you enough time to drive home if you want – the sun doesn’t set until 9:00 p.m.

Where: Science Auditorium, College of Saint Scholastica,

1200 Kenwood Ave. in Duluth.

Cost: $25 for the program, + $7 if you want the bag lunch

Payment: Mail check by June 23 to MGS (Duluth Program), 1185 N.

Concord St., Suite 218, South Saint Paul MN 55075 or

Questions: Contact Terry Kika ([email protected]) or Joanne Sher ([email protected])

Schedule:

9:00 Registration

9:30 Welcome and information

10:00 Using Postcards for Family History – Tony Dierckins

11:00 Break

11:30 Slovenian Research – Mary Lou Voelk

Using Maps in Genealogical Research – Mary Bakeman

12:30 Lunch / TPGS & MGS updates

1:30 The Blue Army, Grey Samaritans, and the White Cross: Polish Americans in France, 1917-1920 – Joanne Sher

Minnesota Reflections (digital collections) – Marian Rengel

2:30 Break

3:00 Scandinavian Research – Carrie Herfindahl

Solving Problems of Genealogical Identity: Two A.P. Overlands – Jay Fonkert

For visitor and hotel information, go to the Visit Duluth website (www.visitduluth.com) or call 1-800-438-5884, or Visit Superior (www.visitsuperior.com) 1-800-942-5313.

3d hotel added for FGS Genealogy Conference in Knoxville

June 17, 2010November 21, 2014 Paula Stuart-Warren Federation of Genealogical Societies Leave a comment

As promised, an additional hotel has been added for the conference in Knoxville. It is just a few blocks from the Knoxville Convention Center and is on the free trolley line. The hotel is the Crown Plaza Knoxville. Check the FGS Conference News Blog for full details and contact information.