1. So many interesting people to talk with
2. So many interesting people to just watch
3. Teaching genealogists in a relaxed setting and then sitting around talking genealogy at lunch (even better watching the people who hear the word genealogy and want to join the group — but, it’s too late, you have to be a part of our special group)
4. Visiting white sand beaches and wading in the clean, bright blue water and then sitting on the beach talking about genealogy brick walls
5. Shopping on ship and in the ports of call (such bargains!)
6. Walking around the ship listening to neat music on my headset
7. Taking historic and nature tours in the ports of call
8. Doing nothing except sitting in a deck chair sipping a cool drink and reading a book
9. Singing in the piano bar at night
10. Having a late night snack with new genealogy friends and just laughing
11. Teaching genealogists in a relaxed setting and then sitting around at an umbrella table talking genealogy at lunch with a pool and the ocean in the background
12. Having breakfast on a beautiful morning as I look out at the ocean and the blue sky
13. Winning an exquisite tennis bracelet (I really did win one on a cruise)
14. Attending a free Broadway style stage show one night, a movie the next day, and playing miniature golf in-between
15. Not using the rock-climbing wall but instead having a glorious massage

And talking with someone you never met before who says that the genealogy groups seem to have a better time on the cruise than some of the other groups! I know why — we are quite passionate about what we do, we enjoy life, we want to help each other, and we understand that people and networking are vital to our passion. To join the entertaining and educational fall 2008 Genealogy Cruise check out this website.

The post immediately below this one about the U.S. National Archives and the restored hours being cut again is thankfully not correct. I relied on the posting on the National Coalition for History’s site and on information from another reliable source, but did not double check the “facts.” I was just going to pull the posting I did, but thought it would serve us all as a reminder to double check. The loss of hours would have been another research blow and I thought it was important to post immediately. I am guessing that the word had spread already as I saw the same item posted on Dick Eastman’s blog and some electronic mailing lists at about the same time I did. It just shows that U.S. citizens are truly interested in the archives that is supposed to be protecting our nation’s history and allowing “ready access.”

Check here for the correction.

Today’s electronic world of history, archives, and genealogy offers us many ways to learn about new offerings, finding aids, accessions, classes, indexes, and other things helpful in our family history searches.

When is the last time you checked an ancestral state’s historical society or state archives website? (or of a county historical , genealogical society, regional archives, or local history collection, etc.?) Is there a periodical electronic newsletter you can sign up for? Is there a website section that lists recently acquired records or updated finding aids? Are there publications you should be reading regularly, both online and off?

The website of the U.S. National Archives includes a section listing acquisitions and record openings. The list for the 1st Quarter of 2008 includes these Minnesota connected records at the federal regional archives in Chicago:

Chicago—NARA’s Great Lakes Region Contact archival operations, 773-948-9001.
Records of District Courts of the United States (Record Group 21)20 cubic feet Federal courts in Minnesota:Third Division of Minnesota, St. Paul Division. Naturalization Index, 1930–88; Declarations of Intention, 1969–87; Naturalization Petitions, 1970–91; Naturalization Transfer Petitions, 1970–92.Fourth Division of Minnesota, Minneapolis Division. Naturalization Index, 1930–88; Naturalization Index, 1989–92; Declarations of Intention, 1970–85; Naturalization Petitions, 1970–91; Naturalization Transfer Petitions, 1970–92; Correspondence Relating to Naturalization Transfer Petitions, 1977–85.Fifth Division of Minnesota, Duluth Division. Naturalization Index, 1927–92.Sixth Division of Minnesota, Fergus Falls Division. Naturalization Petitions, 1978–88.

The online lists go back to mid-2001. One place to find earlier lists is in Prologue, which is still published quarterly by the National Archives. Iif you subscribe by April 1st, the cost is only $20.00. If any of these records pertain to your family history, put a trip to Chicago on your spring or summer schedule.