My special offer of a two-hour consultation by phone or via Zoom or a Google Hangout has had success the last few months. I am not booking any in-person consultations due to the Covid-19. I love helping people get started in genealogy research, to figure out a plan to get past some issues with the research, or to learn about more resources both online and off. It’s like a private class for you. At this point, I have no more open consultation hours until after July 9th. I can’t clone myself. I have tried! The cost for these consultations is $100 total.
A press release yesterday told (if you read between the lines) that the library, state archives, and microfilm areas of the Minnesota Historical Society remain closed. The presser further stated “MNHS is recalling 64 staff, while making the difficult decision to extend furloughs for 139 staff and to lay off 176 staff, primarily those who work at MNHS historic sites and museums that remain closed. These actions will address strains on the MNHS operating budget as a result of ongoing closures. Critical staff will continue to ensure the security of historic sites and resources.” Those staff layoffs include MHS historic sites around the state.
I have clients eagerly awaiting research that can only be done onsite at MHS. The records will still be there when it eventually reopens and I feel safe researching there, eagerly looking through wonderful dusty old files, and using shared microfilm readers and printers.
I’m sure it was a lot of work for the board to make new plans, but the Federation of Genealogical Societies 2020 conference is going virtual. It was going to be the very last FGS conference and was to take place in Kansas City, Missouri. I had four presentations on the schedule and was happy to be a part of the last ever FGS conference. I have served on the FGS Board of Directors and on several committees and wanted to be present. Part of the FGS Press Release on the topic:
“Due to the ongoing concerns about COVID-19 around the nation and our concern for the health and well-being of attendees and volunteers involved with the Federation of Genealogical Societies (FGS) 2020 Family History Conference, we are pleased to announce that the conference is going virtual. “Although we are very saddened that the last FGS conference will not be an in-person celebratory event in Kansas City, the well-being of everyone involved with the conference is our utmost priority,” said FGS President Faye Stallings.”
Read the conference websitefor more details on the evolving virtual conference details.
June 14th. It is Flag Day in the United States and my flag is out on the balcony. I should not be here in the U.S. on June 14th for a really nice reason. This is not a short story, so get settled.
Some dear friends that I met because of genealogy are the kind of friends that can knock you off your feet. They presented me with a check that would cover a trip to Scotland to research my Stuart, Edwards, Allardice/yce, Grant, Leighton, etc. families. I would research in Edinburgh, Aberdeen, and visit Strathdon, Brechin, Arbroath and places in-between. I have an issue with a one sparsely kept parish record so I needed records that are not microfilmed or digitized. I was going to make a late spring trip back to the Family History Library in Salt Lake City to check some additional records. I figured I would contact the travel agent and travel later in 2020.
My friend Liz Kelley Kerstens was going to England and Scotland earlier in 2020 with a friend of hers. They were also going to see the Chicago Cubs and St. Louis Cardinals play in London at Olympic Stadium on June 14th. I had been with Liz and other friends at the Family History Library in January 2020 and we talked about our upcoming trips. After our return to our homes, I heard from Liz. Her traveling friend was no longer able to go with her. Would I consider moving my trip up to June? I could attend the Cubs game with her. Yes, this long-time Minnesota Twins fan thought about going to London to a National League game. It sounded interesting, but there was no way I would be ready. She sweetened the deal by talking about other things we could do. She would do the driving, too! My Copping and Saggers ancestry is from London and Essex. The next day my oldest granddaughter practically commanded that I use this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. I did tell Liz that I would go to London with her. We both have Essex ancestry so that would be a stop. We would include my research and specific place visits in Scotland and add some sites from Outlander. This trip was getting more exciting all the time.
Then Covid-19 hit. We talked about it and eventually decided the trip must be cancelled. Then Covid-19 attacked the world and we knew our cancellation was totally warranted. The games in London were officially cancelled as of April 1, 2020. (Hmmm, April Fool’s Day but none of this pandemic is a joke.)
So, today I am imagining myself in London, sitting in Olympic Stadium (now called London Stadium), cheering as Liz’s Chicago Cubs beat the St. Louis Cardinals, and chewing on something probably not healthy, and thoroughly enjoying myself.
I was at the 1987 World Series game here in Minnesota when the Twins won the pennant over the St. Louis Cardinals. Imagine seeing them play again 33 years later and still cheering for their opponent. I am issuing a slight apology to my St. Louis friends. I will get to Scotland at some point when I feel it is safe to travel. I think my Grandpa Stuart would want me to eventually get there.
Didn’t get into my virtual 4 session course “Researching U.S. Government Records 101” the last time? It’s being offered again. If you register no later than 21 June, you can save $10 by using code PAULA10.The lessons are released once a week after you register. There is suggested homework, of course! You may also join us on a special Facebook page to share discoveries with other students and ask questions.
From the course website: “Learn how to research the treasure trove of federal records of the U.S. government and mine the rich personal and other details they contain to compile a better picture of your ancestors and their families.”
Learn more about this and other Research Write Connect Academy courses and register Here.
I have blogged before about my Great Granduncle James E. Stuart who was Chief Postal Inspector for the United States Postal Service’s Chicago District from 1876 until 1920, with one break in the years. He was publicly a stickler for morality, justice, and loved being a prominent person. I was doing some research for a course I am teaching on U.S. Government Records and found an item I hadn’t seen before. I had seen something about Stuart’s Alley before but not this document. He apparently loved to catch mail thieves, those abusing the system, sending pornography via the mails, and others and had even loved to spy on his employees.
“Hand processing of mail required a substantial number of line managers to prevent theft and to ensure quality control and discipline. One method used at the Old Chicago Main Post Office Building, as well as elsewhere in the national system, was a feature known as “Stuart’s Alley.” Named for James E. Stuart, a 1920s-era Chicago postal inspector who invented the system, this post-office feature was a narrow enclosed runway that ran through a sorting or processing floor. Wide enough for only one person, Stuart’s Alley was built with sound-proofing and viewing slits that allowed an inspector to pass through a work space observing workers and work flow without being observed or heard in turn. He or she could look from side to side, or, using slits in the floor, look down on employees working below. Such a system allowed inspectors to identify theft or sloth; it also served as a psychological deterrent for workers contemplating misbehavior.”
This is from Final Landmark Recommendation adopted by the Commission on Chicago Landmarks, December 7, 2017 for the Old Chicago Main Post Office Building, 433 West Van Buren Street. It appears old James didn’t work in this building as it was built in 1921 but that leads me to believe that he was involved in the decisions and design? Someday, I need to look at more Post Office records at the National Archives.
2007 seems so long ago. Both of my parents were still alive. I lived in Saint Paul. Many changes have taken place in life and my residence since then. Yes, I am still in Minnesota. I’ve been busy with my genealogy business of research for clients, consultations to get clients going, and lecturing all across the U.S. 2020 has seen no travel since January but many virtual presentations. I am not a daily nor a weekly blogger. At times, the client work and prepping for presentations take precedence. After all, that’s what pays the bills. Then there are days when time with all my descendants and other extended family take precedence. I kinda like all of them!
For more than the last two years, I have been involved in a research case involving 20th and 21st century work. With some assistance from a subcontractor, thousands of descendants of early 1920s U.S. residents have been identified. No DNA, no contacting individuals to ask questions, just thorough research. Prior to that and since that time, I have done extensive research involving Native American tribes.
After my teaching online in July for six days for the Genealogical Research Institute of Pittsburgh, I plan to blog a bit more regularly. I plan to discuss more about wonderful Minnesota records for historical and genealogical research. Then I plan to do more on Native American research topics.
Stay tuned and thank you for reading since 2007 or whenever you started!
MyHeritage has something special planned for the month of June! Starting today, June 1, each day of the month a different and significant historical record collection will be available for free!
From the Press Release: “The collections we have chosen for this offer were handpicked for their value for family historians and include collections that are exclusive to MyHeritage. Among them are the Sweden Household Examination Books, 1840–1947, 1940 Denmark Census, and U.S. City Directories. Altogether, we’ll be providing free access to more than 2 billion historical records throughout June! All the collections are available on www.myheritage.com/research, and you can find the full schedule for the free collections, including direct links, on our blog.”
Researching U.S. Government Records 101by Paula Stuart-Warren, CG®, FMGS, FUGA.. Yes, that would be me. I haven’t only been twiddling my thumbs during these stay-at-home months. The course is designed for those who don’t know a lot about U.S. government records and the U.S. National Archives. If you read until the very end, there is a special offer for you! I have enjoyed working with Liza Alzo’s company Research Write Connect Academy on this.
This new four-session course is designed to introduce students to the vast number of records held by the United States government. Federal records are found with the U. S. National Archives (NARA) (in many locations), Library of Congress, Federal Depository Libraries, Family History Library/FamilySearch, state historical societies, university libraries, state archives, and via many of today’s genealogy subscription websites. Others remain with the designated federal agency. Many are one-of-a-kind documents. The details found in the records are astounding and help to compile a better picture of our ancestors and their families. From birth, marriage, and death details all the way to how great grandpa’s leg was injured or what happened to the family business can be found. The federal census and military pension records you may know about are only the tip of the proverbial iceberg. We will focus on NARA and you may be surprised at all that you can find online and learn more about what can be done on future visits to NARA locations. Once you have completed the course and a few assignments, you may return to the recorded lessons at any time to refresh what you learned. The course is accompanied by a six-page handout filled with details and an extensive list of books and websites. A special way of learning more, asking questions, and sharing discoveries is shared at the end.
This course has a regular price of $79.00 and you are not restricted to viewing it only once. Through Sunday, May 31, 2020, use this code to save $20.00 off that price. PAULA20
