Salt Lake Institute of Genealogy 2011 registration opens June 10th!

Paula Stuart-Warren  Salt Lake Institute of Genealogy  Leave a comment

This Press Release just received from the Utah Genealogical Association. Visit www.infouga.org to see the list of classes.

Get in on the ground floor.  Registration for the 2011 Salt Lake Institute of Genealogy opens at 9 AM MST Thursday, June 10, 2010 online at www.infouga.org. Some of the country’s best genealogical educators are gathering to help you gain expertise in a flash with small class sizes and hands-on research. Whether you are a beginner or are looking for advanced skills, you can’t afford to miss this wonderful opportunity to learn from the experts. Register early as all class are expected to fill to capacity.

The 2011 Salt Lake Institute of Genealogy will be held 10-14 Jan 2011 at the downtown Radisson Hotel located at 215 West South Temple, Salt Lake City, Utah. Registration is $320 before 30 October 2010, thereafter $345. UGA members are eligible for a $40.00 discount. Registration includes course materials, an orientation breakfast and the Friday night banquet. Evening classes and additional dinner tickets are extra.

Courses for 2011  and the name of the coordinator include:

  • American Records and Research: Focusing on Localities with Paula Stuart-Warren, CG
  • NEHGS part 1 –New England and New York with D. Joshua Taylor, MLS
  • Irish Family History Research with David Ouimette, CG
  • Research of France and her Former Colonies with Earl Charvet
  • Researching in Washington, DC, without Leaving Home with Rick and Pam Sayre, CG, CGL
  • Professional Paths and Income in Genealogy with Kory Meyerink, MLS, AG, FUGA
  • Internet Tools & Techniques with Barbara Renick
  • Producing a Quality Family Narrative with John Philip Colletta, Ph.D., FUGA
  • Advanced Methodology with Thomas W. Jones, Ph.D., CG, CGL, FASG, FUGA
  • Accreditation and Certification with Apryl Cox, AG and Connie Lenzen, CG
  • Problem Solving with Judith Hansen, MLS, AG

Breaking News: New Archivist of the United States to appear at the FGS Conference!

Paula Stuart-Warren  Archivist, Federation of Genealogical Societies  Leave a comment

Breaking News from the Federation of Genealogical Societies. I am so excited about this as his schedule is so full but he is taking time to meet with genealogists. atch the FGS Conference News Blog for more breaking news in the next few weeks.

“FGS is pleased to announce that the Archivist of the United States, David Ferriero, will be speaking at our FGS Focus on Societies Luncheon on Wednesday, August 18th. If you have already registered you can still purchase a ticket — this luncheon is open to everyone! Mr. Ferriero will be speaking on the Citizen-Archivist and about the War of 1812 Digitization Project and will also have a question and answer period. We wish to thank Mr. Ransom Love, and the FamilySearch team for graciously welcoming the Archivist to speak in their place at this luncheon. To register for the conference and to add this luncheon click here.

Following the FGS Luncheon the Archivist will be joining Librarians Day to speak with the Librarians and Archivists who have gathered for that event. Spots in Librarians Day are filling very quickly. ProQuest, our Librarians Day sponsor, has graciously opened that event to a larger audience, but once these reservations are filled we will need to start a wait list. To register for the Wednesday Librarians Day and to see the program click here.

David S. Ferriero Biography

David S. Ferriero was sworn in as 10th Archivist of the United States on November 13, 2009. Previously, Mr. Ferriero served as the Andrew W. Mellon Director of the New York Public Libraries (NYPL).  In this position he was part of the leadership team responsible for integrating the four research libraries and 87 branch libraries into one seamless service for users; and was was in charge of collection strategy; conservation; digital experience and strategy; reference and research services; and education, programming, and exhibitions.

Before joining the NYPL in 2004, Mr. Ferriero served in top positions at two of the nation’s major academic libraries, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in Cambridge, MA, and Duke University in Durham, NC.

Mr. Ferriero earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees in English literature from Northeastern University in Boston and a master’s degree from the Simmons College of Library and Information Science, also in Boston. He served in the Navy during the Vietnam War.”

Recording the life stories of hospice patients

Paula Stuart-Warren  Oral history  1 Comment

Today’s Salt Lake Tribune carried a story titled “Preserving their voices: S.L. County hospice records patients’ stories.” This is such a neat project. Hospice volunteers were trained to interview the patients and their families. The surviving family members each receive a CD of the interviews. The article states. “The Memory Catcher program was inspired by University of Utah English professor Meg Brady, who initiated an audio history program for terminal patients at the Huntsman Cancer Institute.” 

I hope this Memory Catcher at Silverado Hospice of Utah spreads to other places. I have heard of projects to preserve family memories of patients in regular nursing home, but not those in hospice care. Just think of how neat it will be for these family members to listen to the recorded stories. I imagine that the interviews also helped the patient and family members in other ways — including taking their minds off the inevitable end of life.

Blog anniversary: 1 June 2007

Paula Stuart-Warren  Anniversary, Facebook, Geneabloggers  3 Comments

I have no idea why I began blogging on the first of June in 2007, but I am glad that I did. It has given me a place to talk about my own family and family history, tell about research discoveries, and share news about genealogical methodology, resources, and events. I am now working on a series dedicated to Minnesota research resources that are found online and other items in historical societies, archives, university libraries, and in courthouses.

Being a GeneaBlogger has enabled me to connect both online and in person with many others who blog about genealogy and family. I admire those who post more often than I do. Sometimes family and work just interfere with the writing for me and that is as it should be. I have a great time meeting other bloggers at seminars and conferences. Look for us — we are the ones with the ribbons that say GeneaBlogger.Another great part is that when I am presenting at these events, I have readers who introduce themselves to me. It’s all a way of keeping in contact with others who share the passion. Thank you for reading my blog.

Genealogy is both a passion and a business for me. As my Facebook page says “A professional genealogist who loves family history, both mine and that of others. It tells us who we are and where we have come from. I have researched and lectured in most states and in Canada. Yes, I am lucky to be in this field!” I have to admit that both blogging and being on Facebook has brought clients to me. Most of them have been consultations — helping folks who want advice so they can do their own research.

One person who keeps us Geneabloggers connected, creative, and on our toes is Thomas MacEntee. Thanks Thomas! And thanks to all the other bloggers who keep us informed.

Preserving the records related to military service.

Paula Stuart-Warren  Allen County Public Library, Genealogy Gems, Military, War of 1812  Leave a comment

State archives and historical societies as well as the U.S. National Archives and Records Administration house many older records of military service, bounty land awards, and pension records. These often hold a wealth of family details including birthplaces, marriage date and place, places of residence, and many other important pieces of information. In a future posting I will cover some of the wonderful military materials found at the Minnesota Historical Society.

In today’s Genealogy Gems (No. 75, May 31, 2010, Allen County Public Library, Fort Wayne, Indiana) Curt Witcher talks about preserving such records. Genealogy Gems is a free monthly ezine to which anyone may subscribe. Curt reminded us to “actively engage in preserving historical military records by contributing to preservation and publication efforts.  Many local and state archives around the country are digitizing military records to make them more accessible to researchers. Are you able to support any of those initiatives where you live?”

He then tells about the effort to digitize the War of 1812 pension files. “The National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) has asked the Federation of Genealogical Societies (FGS) to coordinate raising the funds necessary to digitize all the War of 1812 pension files. NARA indicates that the War of 1812 pension files are among the most requested record groups by researchers, with more than three thousand files being requested each year. The files are ready for immediate digital imaging. The task that remains before us is to raise the $3.7 million necessary to scan the more than 7.2 million images. That is certainly a formidable challenge. But what a worthy goal–to make this information freely available to historians, genealogists, military enthusiasts, students, and interested others. Digitizing more than seven million images is a tall order, but remember so was defending a new country struggling to ensure that its independent democracy would prevail. Visit the FGS “Preserve the Pensions!” website at www.FGS.org/1812 to learn more about the project, see sample pension files, and explore the many options for giving.  Are you able to support this important activity?”

I serve with Curt on the Board of Directors of the Federation of Genealogical Societies and also encourage you to participate in this preservation effort. I have already contributed and hope you will, too. Don’t have War of 1812 ancestry? Neither do I, but feel it important to preserve these fantastic records. Stay tuned to this blog and the FGS Conference News Blog for details on a special event related to this effort. It will take place on Friday evening, 20 August, at the FGS Conference in Knoxville, Tennessee.

Memorial Day 2010

Paula Stuart-Warren  Memorial Day, Military  Leave a comment

I have failed in the education of at least one of my grandchildren. As my daughter and granddaughter were driving by a cemetery the five year old was amazed to see cars there. She told my daughter that she didn’t know you could visit in a graveyard. Yep, she used the term graveyard. My daughter is sure that word came from watching Scooby Doo!

I know I have taken her brothers to cemeteries, especially the oldest one who thought that the phrase “buried” in a cemetery was actually “married” in a cemetery. He was only about 4 at the time. The oldest granddaughter has been to cemeteries with me.

I am thankful for all those women and men who have served in the military whether in the U.S. or other countries. My husband served during the Vietnam era, my father and father-in-law served in WWII, uncles served in WWI, Great Great Grandfather William Slaker served in the Civil War, and a Great Granduncle served in the Civil and Spanish American wars and then was called to service again in World War I. They all returned home to their families. My maternal aunt lost her first husband during the Korean War.

My children and grandchildren also have paternal ancestors who served in the Revolutionary and Civil wars. I have not told my grandchildren nearly enough about these folks and their military service. It’s time they understood what their forebears did that made our freedom possible today. I think it is time to educate my grandchildren about Memorial Day. This posting is just the beginning.

St. Louis County, Missouri genealogy library expansion

Paula Stuart-Warren  Libraries  Leave a comment

Some wonderful news out of St. Louis County Library during this tough time for libraries, archives, and historical societies. A new genealogy center will be built in suburban Chesterfield, Missouri. A story in today’s St. Louis Business Journal says that “Plans call for a two-story facility of 63,000 square feet, which would allow expansion of the existing genealogy collection. The building is to include an auditorium and a family history museum.” The center is scheduled to open in 2010.

Online indexes at county historical societies in Minnesota

Paula Stuart-Warren  Historical Societies, Minnesota  2 Comments

County historical societies in Minnesota (and in other states) are treasure troves of material useful in our family history search. This is a sampling of some online indexes for several of the county societies in Minnesota. Some of these societies have other online indexes and information on how to obtain the actual record or publication the index references.

  • The History Center of Olmsted County subject index to Rochester newspapers 1859-1912: [This is one of my favorites because I found the birth notice for one of my maternal grandmother’s siblings.] http://www.olmstedhistory.info/apps/index.htm

For links to other county, city, town, and ethnic historical societies check the Minnesota Historical Society’s list of Minnesota Historical Organizations.

June 26th Duluth, Minnesota Genealogy Meeting

Paula Stuart-Warren  Conferences, Minnesota Genealogical Society  Leave a comment

Saturday, June 26th is a big day in Duluth, Minnesota. The Minnesota Genealogical Society and the Twin Ports Genealogical Society are hosting a day-long genealogy conference at the College of St. Scholastica. The day begins at 9:00 a.m and the program is set to end at 4:00 p.m. Check out the full details on the MGS website. The site has details on the speakers and topics. A variety of sessions are offered for only $25.00 for the day.

RIP Donald Whyte

Paula Stuart-Warren  Scotland  Leave a comment

I just learned that Donald Whyte passed away on 23 April 2010 in Scotland. When I began research on my Scottish Stuart ancestry I found many of his books. Yes, there was info on my family. Years later, I used his compilations to help clients, especially one whose Scottish ancestors immigrated to Canada.

I found my family in his Dictionary of Scottish Emigrants to the USA (pre 1855) and corresponded with him about the source of the information. If you go to Worldcat.org and type in Donald Whyte you can see page after page of genealogical publications that he authored.

An extensive obituary for him can be found in the Scotsman.com under the date of 3 May 2010. The first paragraph states: “His fascination with family and Scottish history sparked a lifelong interest in his craft and left an extraordinary legacy for genealogists and those researching their family history worldwide.” Oh, do I ever agree with this.

I was astounded at all this man accomplished before the ravages of Parkinson’s Disease slowed him down. His contributions to genealogy in Scotland and throughout the world adds to my pride of my Scottish heritage.