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Page 4 Page 1 | Page 2 | Page 3 | Page 4 | Page 5 | Page 6 FEBRUARY 2012 genetic genealogy,” or “Everything you wanted to know about Fold3.” There were workshops such as “The FamilySearch Wiki as social media,” and ticketed luncheons sponsored by FGS, NGS, NEHGS, and several of the big content providers that included very interesting speakers. Wherever we went, whatever we listened to, we learned something new about genealogy technology. Not all of it was futurespeak; some of the tools are available for use today. The exhibit hall was always busy, with crowds of users learning how to help index the 1940 census, and others watching demos of Family Tree Maker, the new FamilySearch, RootsMagic, or almost any other application or service available to genealogists. There was a long line at the FlipPal scanner booth to watch demonstrations of the product, followed by another long line several booths to the left at Family Roots Publishing. There, attendees were buying scanners, carrying bags, window protectors, and the new Sketch kit as fast as the folks in the booth could invoice them! The Sketch kit allows you to overlay a caption on a picture you want to scan by using a dry erase marker on a clear plastic sheet. Genealogist Susan Farrell Bankhead has re-created a virtual Exhibit Hall for you to browse online, on her blog, at http:// www.susansgenealogyblog.com/2012/02/07/your-own -virtual-exhibit-hall-my-rootstech-recreation/ . Thanks, Susan!! After watching a presentation on the new autosomal DNA testing by Family Tree DNA, which they call Family Finder, we joined the throngs of people lined up at their booth to upgrade the testing that we already have on file for several of our own ancestors. This test promises to add an entirely new dimension to the use of DNA in genealogical research. In other DNA news, Ancestry.com kept making very loud noises about some sort of new DNA integration services of their own. I hope that this addition to ancestry will allow the entry of data from all of the existing labs that have been testing for over a decade now, or else genealogists who have already invested hundreds of dollars in previous testing are unlikely to receive the new service favorably. We shall see, once they actually implement it. On Friday night, the Family History Library held extended hours for us until midnight, with pizza to boot. Saturday concluded with more exceptional workshops and sessions, and I attended a luncheon where one of the NEHGS staff described in detail which tools it was using to digitize, OCR, index, and publish to their web an average of one new database every week. That was very impressive, and a reminder that you have to keep returning to search the online databases frequently since the hosting institutions and companies are adding new content continuously. Overall, it was an exceptional conference, and we can recommend it to anyone interested in using technology to enhance his or her genealogical research. Mark your calendars now for March 21-23, 2013, in Salt Lake City. Pictures were taken at the end of the conference, Saturday, during the last program session, so you can actually see the booths and displays without the usual crowds of people.
Page 5 Page 1 | Page 2 | Page 3 | Page 4 | Page 5 | Page 6 FEBRUARY 2012 ANCESTRY FAMILY HISTORY TIPS Check More Recent Records My great-grandparents died in the late 1920s-early 1930s in Keithville, Caddo Parish, Louisiana. I went to the Shreveport Louisiana Courthouse in hopes of finding a probated will. Unfortunately the probate records were not computerized back that far. However, the clerk was kind enough to do a search for John Patrick Walton and much to my delight she hit gold. My great-grandparents estate was probated in August 1964—thirtysix years after my great-grandfather died and thirty-two years after my great-grandmother. The probate record has been a gold mine of information. It mentions children that died in infancy that none of my living family knew about. Now with everything computerized, do yourself a favor and search the older ancestors in the newer records just in case there is a hidden gem out there. Elaine Walton Lewis, Conroe, Texas Funeral Homes Funeral Homes are a great source of information. I knew my great-grandfather, Milton Folger Bray, died between 1920 and 1930 either in Virginia or North Carolina. Virginia is a difficult state to get vital records from. So I looked up funeral homes in the area where he last lived in and started calling. The first one I called told me which funeral home would have been in business in that time period. I called them, left information, and asked them for their assistance at their convenience. Ten minutes later they called me back. They had done his funeral services and gave me detailed information on his family and his death that wasn't on his death certificate or in his obituary. Although some people find funeral homes a little morbid, they are my genealogical friends. Michelle Landers Siblings' Death Records Be sure to cross-check the death certificates of your ancestor’s siblings. My great-grandfather's mother was a mystery. Her first name had been listed as Eleanor, Elender, and Elvira in different census records. There was also a question about her last name. Unfortunately, the death certificate of my great-grandfather was hard to read. I couldn't make out his mother's name with certainty. So I looked for his siblings' death certificates and compared them all to figure it out. Now I search and save death certificates of all siblings. It's also helpful in making sure I have the right brothers and sisters listed. Cindy Lee Copy the Entire Page When writing or visiting a county clerk's office for a record, I ask for a copy of the entire page, not just a certified copy. I found that strikeouts in the original record can tell a lot more than whether the recorder was accurate. "Originals" may not be the first record, as in a case in Western Virginia where the recorder apparently had put information pertaining to my ancestor's death into one book, and then transcribed it into a record (complete with strikeouts and corrections) that went to Richmond at the end of the year. Marilyn Steber, San Diego Commonwealth War Graves As someone with family roots in England, I have frequently (and sadly) come across relatives who bravely gave their lives in the First World War. For other family history researchers who have identified military personnel from Commonwealth countries who died in both World Wars, I highly recommend the website of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission at www.cwgc.org. The commission is responsible for maintaining the military cemeteries for most Commonwealth countries (the U.K., Canada, Australia, New Zealand, etc.) in Europe and around the world. Their records list every fallen service person individually and are fully searchable, allowing researchers to identify in which cemetery a family member was laid to rest or where those whose remains were never found are commemorated. The site has extensive information about each cemetery and directions for visiting if one were able to do that, as well as other educational resources. Every November we remember those who sacrificed their lives to maintain our liberties. This site affords a further opportunity to illuminate their histories. Barry Buckler, Markham, Ontario 2009-2010 OFFICERS President—E. Richard Thomas Vice-President—Dayonne Work Secretary—Cynthia Gage Treasurer—Holly Hervey Librarian—Kathy Strauss Webmaster—Chris Strauss Parliamentarian—Vickie Davis NEXT MEETING OF THE DENTON COUNTY GENEALOGICAL SOCIETY WILL BE ON MARCH 8, 2012 Emily Fowler Central Library 502 Oakland St. Denton
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