The joy of researching at the Family History Library

Paula Stuart-Warren  Uncategorized  ,  Leave a comment

I am in Salt Lake City to teach at the Salt Lake Institute of Genealogy this coming week. Right now I am sitting at a table on the 3rd floor of the Family History Library. It’s a busy library today. I just looked up and decided to list the states where the people I know here are from: MN, TX, WA, MI, CA, OH, MD, NC, CO, MT, TN, MI, UT, TN, IN, NM, NJ, VA, IL, ME, NY, PA, and I know I have missed some.

The camaraderie is wonderful. The time spent bouncing research issues off each other is helpful. The discussions of research techniques is amazing. We sit at home in front of our computers all by ourselves too often.  It’s also nice to be able to walk to the microfilm cabinets and pull out several films I need to view. Then to just walk over to the film scanners and scan the needed images on to my flash drive.

I have had discussions with fellow researchers I never met before. Others have been with people I have known for 25 years. We are truly friends and colleagues. Seeing long-time friends is wonderful but so is meeting new friends. I already added new friends on Facebook this week.

The weather has been great. I only need my spring jacket! I am definitely not missing the weather back in Minnesota.

After SLIG is finished, many of us will be back here for FGS/RootsTech in February. Two months of great genealogy immersion.

I highly advise saving your dollars for at least one trip to Salt Lake City to experience the great research at the Family History Library and be one of the ardent researchers. Three floors of film cabinet after film cabinet of microfilmed records that are NOT online. It’s one of my favorite places.

 

My day on the way to Salt Lake City

Paula Stuart-Warren  Uncategorized    2 Comments

I have driven to Salt Lake City several times with no issues. Yes, even in winter. My luck finally ran out. I-80 was closed in the western part of Nebraska last evening so I stopped for the night earlier than planned. This morning truckers told me I-80 was closed in parts of Wyoming. They were then traveling I-76 to Denver and then west on I-70. I have taken this route before and felt guilty passing signs that indicated the road to the place where my oldest son is living. Silly me forgot that he was traveling back to Minnesota to visit his daughter and grandson. He was actually at the Denver airport that was near to where I was traveling. By the way, his plane is delayed.

Shortly after 3:00 east of Denver there was a traffic backup. I could see lots of smoke in the distance. Apparently there was an accident. Traffic was not moving and there was no exit nearby. I figured it was a pretty serious crash. I later heard that traffic a mile or so back was made to exit but I was with the cars that had nowhere to go. I saw some drive down into the ditch, through the snow, and up the other side. I am not that brave or dumb.  2 hours later, snow plows cleared a path so our few blocks of cars and trucks could cross to eastbound 76. I exited and came west on Highway 2. I do have a good sense of direction and took that to an exit that got me back on 76. 76 turns into 70 and I was headed to Grand Junction for the night.

I stopped to have some dinner in Golden, got gas, and began my westward trek. It seemed pretty dark in front of my car even though I had just washed the headlights. The light switch was definitely on. I got off 70 at an exit and looked at the headlights. Yep, no headlights. The fog lights worked. Called AAA but it is Sunday night and repair places weren’t open.

Thus, I am staying in Golden tonight and will drive to a dealership in the daylight. When I stopped at the hotel, the woman at the front desk told me their computer system was down. I laughed and told her it fit with my day. I am now safely in the hotel room, armed with water and chocolate.

Now for the punchline. The fire was from a semi that was carrying a load of beer. I like beer. Maybe not today. It was good to hear that there were no injuries.

This link tells about the beer:
http://www.9news.com/story/traffic/2015/01/04/semi-truck-fire-commerce-city/21265627/

This link neglects to mention the beer but has some scary pictures.
http://denver.cbslocal.com/2015/01/04/semi-fire-forces-i-76-to-close-near-commerce-city/

Paula’s 2015 Speaking Calendar Updated

Paula Stuart-Warren  Uncategorized  , , ,  Leave a comment

Already 2015? Where did 2014 go? It’s one of those years that I am glad is finished. I have been doing some calendar management for 2015 and that included updating my speaking schedule. I will be presenting at conferences, seminars, institutes, and also doing several webinars from my home office.

As of today, my schedule takes me physically to Utah (twice), Ohio, California, New York, Iowa, Alaska, Pennsylvania and even once here in Minnesota. My full list may be seen by clicking on Speaking and then Speaking Calendar at the top of this page. More will be added as contracts are signed.

If you click on the link for each event on that page, it will take you to the website of the sponsoring organization. If the lecture lineup for the event isn’t posted there yet, check back to their website in a couple weeks.

Now back to reviewing my PowerPoints for the presentations the week after next at the Salt Lake Institute of Genealogy. That annual event is in its 20th year. I have been with SLIG for 19 of those 20 years.

See you somewhere this year!

Making appointments for genealogy tasks

Paula Stuart-Warren  Uncategorized    3 Comments

If you had or will have company over during this holiday season, did you groan as you had to “hide” some of your piles of genealogy papers, documents, CDs, thumb drives, and other things? As you take it all back out, did you groan again? Why didn’t I just file these to begin with? Why didn’t I put the CDs or thumb drives back in the box where I keep them?

One way to overcome this is to make an appointment with yourself. It’s no different from making an appointment with the dentist or doctor. You don’t have to leave the house or apartment, but you should still keep the appointment.

I have said it before, but with the New Year about to arrive, it’s time to be more organized. That appointment can be used in several ways:

  • Filing or placing things away at least an hour every week.
  • Spending time online doing some searches at the appointed time each week. You will likely still do some at other times, but this specific time should be when you are wide awake, have fewer distractions, and are not thinking you should be going to bed.
  • Sending emails to the distant relatives to ask a couple questions.
  • Taking a few old files and sorting through them to dispose of extra paper and find goodies to scan.
  • Reviewing old files or stacks of paper to update your “research to do” list.
  • Going to the Family History Center or public library to look at films you ordered.
  • I would be remiss if I didn’t include a reminder to work on a “to do” list for February when you attend the FGS Conference in Salt Lake City and research at the Family History Library.

It’s your choice, but an appointment that stares out at you from your calendar helps to keep you on track. I am using Sunday afternoons for some of those tasks. Will you keep your appointments?

 

Christmas 2014

Paula Stuart-Warren  Uncategorized  Leave a comment

This Christmas was another special one. I spent Christmas Eve with my oldest granddaughter and her family. That meant 4 hours with my happy, smiling first great grandchild. Oh my, does he ever have a lot to say at almost 4 months old. It was a relaxed evening. Then on Christmas Day afternoon I drove north to Duluth (actually, Hermantown) where my daughter and her family live. We also had a relaxing evening and lots of laughs. It amazes me to look at her three children who have grown up way too fast. Weren’t they just babies? This also means I have to look up at the boys. Talk about getting taller!

Tomorrow my daughter will do a DNA test. Last night I spent time doing charts with my oldest Treegranddaughter so that she could fill in the blanks when she celebrates with her Mom’s family this weekend.  I am awaiting the granddaughter’s results. A holiday just isn’t a holiday without some genealogy.

Before this Christmas Day ends, I wanted to post on my blog a wish for all my readers. Whatever holiday you celebrate in December, I hope it’s filled with family and new genealogical knowledge.

Merry Christmas!

 

Anna Stoehr, 114 year old Facebook lover

Paula Stuart-Warren  Uncategorized  ,  Leave a comment

I planned to blog about this extraordinary Minnesota woman back in October when she turned 114 but my sudden move to a new apartment interfered. You may have read about her in Minnesota newspapers or heard about her in other area media. Her story even hit the national news. She was the oldest living woman in Minnesota per all those news stories.

She had to lie to get on Facebook. She was born in 1900 and the cut-off year is 1905. Now, if she has been on Facebook, why aren’t some of my own younger family members on there to keep up with family news? (Hint, hint.)

Back to the story of Anna (Rott) Stoehr who was born in Iowa, but raised in South Dakota and Minnesota. She passed away this weekend.  Of course, I looked her up online. For a while she lived in an area in Winona County, Minnesota where I have distant Irish cousins. Now I wonder if they knew each other.

Just think about all that she saw, heard, and experienced in her life.

Rather than give you a list of links to stories about her, just type her name into your favorite search engine and stories galore will appear. Rest in peace, Anna.

 

Tracking the First Americans: Native Americans and Asian Influence

Paula Stuart-Warren  Uncategorized  , ,  Leave a comment

One of my research and consultation specialties is Native American research. I have been doing this for more than twenty years. A fascinating article in the January 2015 National Geographic by Glenn Hodges makes me wish once again that I had taken an array of archeology courses. My oldest son did take some and participated in digs on reservations and has worked with a state archeologist on several cases.

This article is titled “Tracking the First Americans: New finds, theories, and genetic discoveries are revolutionizing our understanding of the first Americans.”

Genetic and other testing of human remains continues to amaze me in what is able to be determined about the earliest people in North America. There has been much study, peer-judged results, and also speculation as to the connection to the Asian continent and why today’s Native Americans look so different from their earlier ancestors. This article has a lot to say about that.

Read the full article here: http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/2015/01/first-americans/hodges-text

My wise every year’s genealogy resolution for you

Paula Stuart-Warren  Uncategorized  3 Comments

This post could be just five words. Sort. Scan. Toss. Donate. Now.

It’s actually more than genealogy advice. I recently moved to a much smaller place on a very quick and unplanned timeline. The story is not fun and I won’t bore you with the details but let’s say I am happy to be away from a certain landlord. I am settling into my new place. Between relatives and genealogy friends I got packed, moved, and am somewhat livable again. Movers did do the heavy lifting and transporting. For the last couple of years I had promised myself to do a lot of sorting and tossing. I did some. Not enough. Not even close.

  • How many old genealogy periodicals are you saving? Time to lighten your bookshelves by saving what’s vital to your research, donating some to a library (IF they want them), and recycling many. Recycling could be just taking them to a genealogy meeting and letting others take what they want.
  • If you have been researching your family history for many years, do you really still need that photocopy that tells you how to use the 1910 census miracode? Another safe bet is that you don’t need that sheet of paper that gives the hours of the historical society in 2003. They have probably changed more than once and the current hours should be on its website.
  • I decided that I don’t need 4 copies of recent Minnesota and Wisconsin highway maps.
  • Look at the measuring spoons, small appliances, mixing bowls, serving bowls and other kitchen and dining items. Many of mine found new homes with my oldest granddaughter and a genealogy friend.
  • What about your favorite shirt from ten years ago? I bet you won’t fit into it ever again or if you haven’t mended that ripped seam in ten years, you aren’t likely to do it today. Other need clothes so why not share the warmth?
  • In recent years I have been good about sorting, tossing, and donating holiday decorations. Your turn.

I did have 7 tall Ikea bookshelves filled with genealogy and history books along with periodicals. I now have 4. Many painful decisions had to be made. I do have a 10×10 storage locker that awaits more decision making. I will be selling a french provincial china cabinet, a filing cabinet, and maybe some other items. I won’t buy more books with the money, but will be saving for a self-feeding scanner.

My children and some friends are not shy in wishing me a very happy tossing and sorting new year.

p.s. when you move, do use large and bright colored labels to mark boxes and tubs that you will need immediately. I didn’t do that this time. One vital tub of papers is somewhere piled high in storage. I need that for a current project. HELP!

Preparing for the February FGS Conference and the FHL

Paula Stuart-Warren  Conferences/Institutes, Family History Library, FamilySearch, Federation of Genealogical Societies, FGS, Uncategorized  3 Comments

Just about 9 weeks till the 2015 FGS Conference in Salt Lake City.Where has the time gone! I am so excited for this event.

One of the things I will be doing while at the FGS and RootsTech joint conferences in February (Feb 11-14) is some of my own research at the Family History Library. The FHL is just a block away from the Salt Palace Convention Center. I never run out of things to do at the FHL. I have my list started. It’s really easy to prepare by using the library’s catalog and also double checking to see if the items I need to look at have already been digitized on FamilySearch.org.

I am going back to review some much earlier work on my Germans that settled in Watertown, Jefferson County, Wisconsin. This time around I am broadening the search to other people that also arrived around 1853. I am looking for probate, deeds, and other records that may have my family members listed as witnesses and sponsors. I need to sort out a conflict in possible locations in Germany.

You will see me running back and forth from the convention center and the library. I don’t want to miss lectures and will be staying some extra days, but I have so much I want to do! Plus the chance to talk with other genealogists from all over the United States and many other countries. That is an aspect I don’t want to miss.

I always bring my computer cable lock and pencils are a must. You may also bring pens, but I tend to get excited about what I am finding on the microfilm and end up with ink on my clothes. The FamilySearch Wiki has some info on visiting the FHL.

If you have never been to the FHL or if it has been a while, be sure to ask others question, do a self-tour of the four floors, and be sure to have your research plan of attack ready before you travel to Salt Lake City. I have been to SLC for other conferences and still found plenty of time to work at the FHL

Sign up for the FGS Conference, special activities, read the blog, and add RootsTech for a bit extra: https://www.fgsconference.org/

Visiting the FHL: https://familysearch.org/learn/wiki/en/Family_History_Library

FamilySearch Catalog: https://familysearch.org/

Minnesota prison inmates raise funds for tombstones

Paula Stuart-Warren  Cemeteries, Uncategorized  Leave a comment

In a perfect world, everyone would have an engraved stone identifying his or her place of burial. It would include details that genealogists seek. I have written before about my Great Grandfather Alexander Charles Stuart who lies in an unmarked grave not very far from where I live. His career was carving tombstones in Wisconsin, Illinois, Kansas, and Minnesota. But he died in poverty.

I love reading heartwarming cemetery stories. Many people who died in an institution such as a prison are often buried without a tombstone. According to an article in the Shakopee Valley News (Scott County, Minnesota), inmates at the Shakopee women’s prison learned of unmarked graves of former prison residents. The burials are at St. Mark’s Cemetery which is on the former prison property of the old state reformatory for women. Along with prison staff they figured out that two inmates and two infant children of offenders  were in graves just marked by prison inmate numbers and raised the funds to erect proper markers. The new ones give each person’s full names with date of birth and death. Three burials were from the 1920s and the other was from 1954.

I applaud them for this project!

Read the full story here.