I've always been a bit of a rebel. Too smart for my britches, some might say. Even when someone else, (or one of those voices in my head) points out that I'm about to make a mistake, I tell them, "Good advice, but I have my own plan." (By "them" I mean other people. I don't usually answer the voices in my head . . . O.K., well, at least not very often.)
When my husband told me "Don't buy that [actual product name withheld so I don't look too stupid]. You always regret it when you get sucked in to those late night infomercials," of course I didn't listen.
But I knew this one was different. It was going to change my life! [That anonymous product] would work much better than the [similar unnamed product that I already own] that performs exactly the same task. My family and all the animals would sing my praises for investing in this wonder product and . . .
O.K., it didn't exactly work like that. The demonstration on television made it seem so amazing, but let's just say that I'm "underwhelmed" with its performance here at home. We will definitely be taking them up on that 30-day satisfaction guarantee.
It's a classic scenario. You have a problem. Suddenly a solution presents itself and it's easy to convince yourself that this is that perfect answer. But is it? We run across similar situations in our family history. After years of searching you finally find someone who is a close fit with long lost Great-grandpa Joe Schmo. How do you make sure you have the right Joe Schmo? Let's take a look.
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November 26, 2005
November 23, 2005
Thanksgiving in the U.S.
Those of us in the United States will be celebrating Thanksgiving this week. We don’t usually think of this as a genealogy holiday. However, when you think about it, there is a strong "ancestors" connotation involved, even for those of us whose ancestors did not travel on the Mayflower in 1620.
Thanksgiving is a time when we pay homage to all our ancestors who traveled to a strange land to find a better life for themselves, their children, and for succeeding generations. We should all give thanks to our ancestors for helping to establish the American way of life and ensuring that we are a part of it.
I would also suggest that Thanksgiving is a perfect time to ask family members what they remember about departed ancestors. This is especially true if there are elder family members at your Thanksgiving table. Ask them about your grandparents, great-grandparents, and maybe even earlier generations. Who were these people? Where did they come from? How did they earn their livings? Where did they live? What were their hobbies? Where did they go to church? Ask lots of questions!
Oh yes, write it all down. You might want to even ask permission to tape record the conversations. You may learn more across the Thanksgiving table than you could glean in a dozen visits to a local Family History Center. Best of all, you can learn the personal stories and other tidbits that were never recorded in public records.
I hope you have a great Thanksgiving, genealogically speaking, and otherwise.
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Thanksgiving is a time when we pay homage to all our ancestors who traveled to a strange land to find a better life for themselves, their children, and for succeeding generations. We should all give thanks to our ancestors for helping to establish the American way of life and ensuring that we are a part of it.
I would also suggest that Thanksgiving is a perfect time to ask family members what they remember about departed ancestors. This is especially true if there are elder family members at your Thanksgiving table. Ask them about your grandparents, great-grandparents, and maybe even earlier generations. Who were these people? Where did they come from? How did they earn their livings? Where did they live? What were their hobbies? Where did they go to church? Ask lots of questions!
Oh yes, write it all down. You might want to even ask permission to tape record the conversations. You may learn more across the Thanksgiving table than you could glean in a dozen visits to a local Family History Center. Best of all, you can learn the personal stories and other tidbits that were never recorded in public records.
I hope you have a great Thanksgiving, genealogically speaking, and otherwise.
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November 22, 2005
‘Firsts’ From Births to Baseball to Saskatchewan
Do you remember when you first learned to ride a bike? How about your first day of high school? I recently thought about some of the wonderful “firsts” in my life.
In 1987 the Minnesota Twins made their first World Series appearance (which they won) and I was there. I still have my Homer Hanky and lots of good memories. Last spring was the first time I was present at the birth of a baby that was not my own. (Although the births of my own three were pretty special.) My latest granddaughter made her appearance and I was there to see her debut. I was present at the U.S. National Archives in Washington, DC on April 1, 2002 when the ribbon was cut to open the 1930 census for researchers.
A few weekends ago I was a speaker at a seminar in Regina, Saskatchewan. It was one of the events celebrating the centennial of the province and was my first time lecturing in Canada. After my opening session talk there was to be a special announcement regarding a SHIP.
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In 1987 the Minnesota Twins made their first World Series appearance (which they won) and I was there. I still have my Homer Hanky and lots of good memories. Last spring was the first time I was present at the birth of a baby that was not my own. (Although the births of my own three were pretty special.) My latest granddaughter made her appearance and I was there to see her debut. I was present at the U.S. National Archives in Washington, DC on April 1, 2002 when the ribbon was cut to open the 1930 census for researchers.
A few weekends ago I was a speaker at a seminar in Regina, Saskatchewan. It was one of the events celebrating the centennial of the province and was my first time lecturing in Canada. After my opening session talk there was to be a special announcement regarding a SHIP.
[ Next Page ] - Click Here
November 20, 2005
Ancestry of William Shatner
William ShatnerSee my family tree!
William Shatner was born March 22, 1931 to Ann and Joseph Shatner of Montreal, Canada. His grandfather, a Ukrainian-Jewish immigrant named Wolf Shattner, changed the family name to "Shatner." Though known primarily for his kitsch appeal, Shatner got his start in dramatic films such as "The Brothers Karamazov" and "Judgment at Nuremberg." But it was his role as James T. Kirk in "Star Trek" that made Shatner a bankable star. Though the original show only aired for two seasons, Shatner and the rest of the cast re-teamed for a series of blockbuster "Star Trek" films including "Star Trek V: The Final Frontier" (which he directed). But unlike the confirmed bachelor James T. Kirk, Shatner married four times. He also had three daughters, one son and is now a grandfather. Shatner also recently returned to television work, appearing in "The Practice" and as the spokesperson for Priceline.com.
The Complete Idiot's Guide to Genealogy
Stop trying to dig with your bare hands! Discover quick and easy ways to complete your research.
The Complete Idiot's Guide to Genealogy provides you with the tools you need, from tracking down family records to locating long-lost relatives. Learn idiot-proof steps for finding family documents; money-saving tips for planning investigative trips and helpful hints on using electronic resources. The Idiot's Guide even comes with exhaustive lists of genealogical repositories and archives!
Twenty three short chapters compose this fun and easy-to-read book. To make your life even easier, each chapter concludes with a section termed "The Least You Need to Know".
The authors of this invaluable resource are certified genealogists. Christine Rose has been a Fellow of the American Society of Genealogists for over a decade. Kay Germain Ingalls is the president of the Association of Professional Genealogists and a trustee for the Board for Certification of Genealogists. With author credentials like these, you know you're getting the best information out there!
A great book for both beginning and master genealogists. Get The Complete Idiot's Guide to Genealogy and you'll see just how easy finding your ancestors can be!
[ Next Page ] - Click Here
The Complete Idiot's Guide to Genealogy provides you with the tools you need, from tracking down family records to locating long-lost relatives. Learn idiot-proof steps for finding family documents; money-saving tips for planning investigative trips and helpful hints on using electronic resources. The Idiot's Guide even comes with exhaustive lists of genealogical repositories and archives!
Twenty three short chapters compose this fun and easy-to-read book. To make your life even easier, each chapter concludes with a section termed "The Least You Need to Know".
The authors of this invaluable resource are certified genealogists. Christine Rose has been a Fellow of the American Society of Genealogists for over a decade. Kay Germain Ingalls is the president of the Association of Professional Genealogists and a trustee for the Board for Certification of Genealogists. With author credentials like these, you know you're getting the best information out there!
A great book for both beginning and master genealogists. Get The Complete Idiot's Guide to Genealogy and you'll see just how easy finding your ancestors can be!
[ Next Page ] - Click Here
November 17, 2005
Land Records: What You Can Learn, and Some Pitfalls to Avoid
The topic of this column, the first of a series that will appear in alternate issues of Ancestry, is a reminder that the records we often find most useful in searching for genealogical facts were created for other purposes. We use them for genealogical research but, strictly speaking, they're not genealogical records.
Records based on firsthand knowledge and created at or near the time of a relationship or event of interest are the most helpful, because they tend to be the most reliable. They are often called primary sources or evidence to distinguish them from documents written later or based on recopying secondhand knowledge, or conclusions.
In many cases, a record does not directly describe the relationship or happening for which we're searching, but will provide facts from which it can be inferred, sometimes by adding facts gleaned from other documents. To draw correct conclusions, you need some knowledge of how and why a document was created, and the meaning of specialized terms used in it.
Land records kept by states, counties, or towns were not made with the future genealogist in mind; nonetheless, they are among the most useful and reliable sources we have, particularly to identify spouses and sort out the identities of different people with the same name. Sometimes a single record will name members of several generations in a single family.
Land records can conveniently be considered in two broad classes, based on whether they were originally created to administer a tax system, or to provide evidence of land ownership and transfers.
Records made for tax purposes include assessment lists, which give names of property owners and the value of each property; and tax lists, which record the taxes actually due and/or paid. In the present United States, such lists were (and still are) kept almost everywhere for real estate, and in some jurisdictions for taxes on personal (moveable) property such as livestock, furniture, and equipment; or for head or poll taxes on individuals. Unfortunately, some weren't kept as permanent records, and others have been lost through accident.
Tax records seldom contain information bearing directly on family relationships; however, they are very useful in establishing when a family arrived in an area. They serve as partial census substitute, because the head of each land-owning household is named on land tax records, and all adult males are named on head tax lists, sometimes with ages to further distinguish individuals.
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Records based on firsthand knowledge and created at or near the time of a relationship or event of interest are the most helpful, because they tend to be the most reliable. They are often called primary sources or evidence to distinguish them from documents written later or based on recopying secondhand knowledge, or conclusions.
In many cases, a record does not directly describe the relationship or happening for which we're searching, but will provide facts from which it can be inferred, sometimes by adding facts gleaned from other documents. To draw correct conclusions, you need some knowledge of how and why a document was created, and the meaning of specialized terms used in it.
Land records kept by states, counties, or towns were not made with the future genealogist in mind; nonetheless, they are among the most useful and reliable sources we have, particularly to identify spouses and sort out the identities of different people with the same name. Sometimes a single record will name members of several generations in a single family.
Land records can conveniently be considered in two broad classes, based on whether they were originally created to administer a tax system, or to provide evidence of land ownership and transfers.
Records made for tax purposes include assessment lists, which give names of property owners and the value of each property; and tax lists, which record the taxes actually due and/or paid. In the present United States, such lists were (and still are) kept almost everywhere for real estate, and in some jurisdictions for taxes on personal (moveable) property such as livestock, furniture, and equipment; or for head or poll taxes on individuals. Unfortunately, some weren't kept as permanent records, and others have been lost through accident.
Tax records seldom contain information bearing directly on family relationships; however, they are very useful in establishing when a family arrived in an area. They serve as partial census substitute, because the head of each land-owning household is named on land tax records, and all adult males are named on head tax lists, sometimes with ages to further distinguish individuals.
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November 16, 2005
My Ancestor’s John Hancock
Whether he signed with a flourish, scribbled out a scrawl, or literally made his mark, seeing your ancestor’s “signature” provides a different perspective especially when pictures and images are not available. This week we look at some places where you might find traces of your ancestor’s handwriting among the records.
Wills
Estate Records
Court Records
Petitions
Marriage Records
Note Holder
Pension Records
World War I Draft Cards
World War II Draft Cards
SS-5 Applications
Birth Records
Death Certificates
Home Sources
Extended Family Approach
Other Places
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Wills
Estate Records
Court Records
Petitions
Marriage Records
Note Holder
Pension Records
World War I Draft Cards
World War II Draft Cards
SS-5 Applications
Birth Records
Death Certificates
Home Sources
Extended Family Approach
Other Places
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Canadian Directories
The arrival of the 21st century more or less coincided with the end of the publication of directories in Canada. For at least 150 years city and regional directories served as a useful source of information about businesses and residents across the country. Several factors combined to bring about their demise including privacy legislation, Internet resources and the expense of production.
Fortunately cessation of publication does not mean directories cease to be available. They will continue to provide useful information about communities and individuals to historians and genealogists alike.
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Fortunately cessation of publication does not mean directories cease to be available. They will continue to provide useful information about communities and individuals to historians and genealogists alike.
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November 13, 2005
Somewhere in France
"Gas masks were given to some of our troop today and we expect ours tomorrow or the next day. It's France for us now." So wrote Edwin Dyer from Camp Wadsworth in South Carolina on 11 December 1917. There's no way of knowing exactly what was going through the eighteen-year-old's mind as he wrote that in a letter to his sister almost 80 years ago, but reading the letter with the knowledge of his fate gives those two lines a particular sadness. Within a few years, Ed and millions of others like him would be victims of the slow death wrought by gas warfare which began when the Germans introduced it against the French and British at Ypres, Belgium in 1915.
Letters such as this stir up a world of questions about what life was like for those who fought so gallantly and often gave their lives for their country in war. Many families include heroes like Edwin Dyer, and stories about their time in service to their country can really enrich a family history.
Their letters to family tell much about them personally. For instance, Edwin's letters reveal a cheerful personality. He was always teasing and forever begging for letters, photographs, and "eats" (especially cake). The fact that he wrote almost weekly (sometimes more) reflects a closeness to his family.
In one letter dated 7 August 1918, postmarked "Somewhere in France," he writes, "I have received a few Eagles [referring to the Brooklyn Eagle newspaper] since I sailed but I think the subscription ran out. I don't think it will pay to renew it, but you can send one of the old Eagles after you finish reading it at home, and every once in a while you can wrap an envelope around a Popular Mechanics or any old magazine, school paper, etc. and we will enjoy reading them." From Edwin's comment we realize how desperately the soldiers longed for anything from home to read while in the trenches.
Although the soldiers wrote home often...
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Letters such as this stir up a world of questions about what life was like for those who fought so gallantly and often gave their lives for their country in war. Many families include heroes like Edwin Dyer, and stories about their time in service to their country can really enrich a family history.
Their letters to family tell much about them personally. For instance, Edwin's letters reveal a cheerful personality. He was always teasing and forever begging for letters, photographs, and "eats" (especially cake). The fact that he wrote almost weekly (sometimes more) reflects a closeness to his family.
In one letter dated 7 August 1918, postmarked "Somewhere in France," he writes, "I have received a few Eagles [referring to the Brooklyn Eagle newspaper] since I sailed but I think the subscription ran out. I don't think it will pay to renew it, but you can send one of the old Eagles after you finish reading it at home, and every once in a while you can wrap an envelope around a Popular Mechanics or any old magazine, school paper, etc. and we will enjoy reading them." From Edwin's comment we realize how desperately the soldiers longed for anything from home to read while in the trenches.
Although the soldiers wrote home often...
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November 9, 2005
Can't Find Father's Family
Q: I have emailed you in the past asking for advice on how to get started researching my father's family. A few more weeks have gone by and I have spent plenty of hours on the Internet. Still I come up empty handed. I have birth dates and death dates and still I find nothing. Is there a possibility that I am not going to find anything at all? Is there a possibility that the data hasn't been entered into any of your databases yet? -- Diane
A: Your first letter, in April, gave some more information. I will quote it here so that the readers know where you are in your research.
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A: Your first letter, in April, gave some more information. I will quote it here so that the readers know where you are in your research.
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November 4, 2005
Local Church Histories
A source that you may not think of is the local church history. A letter to the church that was probably attended by your ancestor will tell you whether one exists and if any copies are still available, either through the church or in the local historical society archives.
One such find may reveal formerly unknown facts, such as marriages, baptisms, deaths, etc. Through one such find, I found that...
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One such find may reveal formerly unknown facts, such as marriages, baptisms, deaths, etc. Through one such find, I found that...
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November 3, 2005
Discovering Community
Connecting with those Present and Past
Family history is about connecting people—those who have passed on and those who are living. For years you’ve trusted Ancestry.com to connect you with your past. Now Ancestry.com is able to connect you to a community, so that you can better connect to your dead and your living family members. The new connection service at Ancestry allows you to find Ancestry members with research objectives similar to yours and to then connect with them in a safe, anonymous, and comfortable way.
What is the connection service?
Ancestry.com uses searching and matching technology to introduce you to other members who may be looking for the same people you are or have similar names. The connection service provides you with the power to connect with these people, while protecting your identity until you feel comfortable sharing it.
How will the connection service help me?
Ancestry members are spread throughout the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and many other countries. The connection service allows you to link up with those who may be searching the same lines you are searching and who may have family information that you lack. It also provides a way for you to connect with Ancestry members who have interests to similar yours, creating a community of Ancestry members who can support and encourage each other in the important endeavor of connecting family historians. The connection service is yet another tool that Ancestry is providing to help you achieve the vitally important connections you are seeking. It is all a part of our mission to connect families wherever they may be.
How can I participate in this community?
Log on to Ancestry.com and click on the Ancestry Community tab. You will see a button that says “Create Profile Now.” A profile may contain basic personal information, family history experience, and research interests that help other researchers find you. Click on this button and follow the instructions to enter as much or as little information about yourself as you want. Remember that the more information you enter, the easier it will be for other researchers to decide whether to contact you. Once you have entered this information, you are ready to take full advantage of the connection service.
As you search on the Ancestry.com website, you will notice links that say “Contact Ancestry members interested in this person,” or “View Ancestry members with research interests similar to yours,” or “Find other people looking for (name of person you are searching).” Click these links, and you will be presented with a list of (and a way to contact) Ancestry members who are researching names similar to ones you are searching.
If an Ancestry member has not created a profile, he or she will be listed as a New Member. You can invite this person to create a profile by clicking on the “Invite” link The New Member will receive an e-mail from Ancestry.com inviting them to log on and create a profile. The e-mail will not include any of your profile information. If an Ancestry member has created a profile, you will see his or her username in the list of possible research connections. You can click on the username and view the information that the person has included in his or her profile, and, if you choose, you may also contact this person by e-mail. Be assured that nothing but your username will be shared in the communication process, unless you decide to include more information in the body of the e-mail.
If you receive an e-mail through the Ancestry.com connection service, you can respond as you would to any other e-mail. Ancestry will pass your response onto the correct member, and your identity will be protected.
Join the Community
At some point every family historian hits the proverbial “brick wall,” becomes discouraged, or would just like to share his or her discoveries with someone that shares the same passion for family history. The connection service on Ancestry.com is available to meet your needs in all these situations. So log on to Ancestry.com and make a connection today.
[ Read Past Articles ]
Family history is about connecting people—those who have passed on and those who are living. For years you’ve trusted Ancestry.com to connect you with your past. Now Ancestry.com is able to connect you to a community, so that you can better connect to your dead and your living family members. The new connection service at Ancestry allows you to find Ancestry members with research objectives similar to yours and to then connect with them in a safe, anonymous, and comfortable way.
What is the connection service?
Ancestry.com uses searching and matching technology to introduce you to other members who may be looking for the same people you are or have similar names. The connection service provides you with the power to connect with these people, while protecting your identity until you feel comfortable sharing it.
How will the connection service help me?
Ancestry members are spread throughout the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and many other countries. The connection service allows you to link up with those who may be searching the same lines you are searching and who may have family information that you lack. It also provides a way for you to connect with Ancestry members who have interests to similar yours, creating a community of Ancestry members who can support and encourage each other in the important endeavor of connecting family historians. The connection service is yet another tool that Ancestry is providing to help you achieve the vitally important connections you are seeking. It is all a part of our mission to connect families wherever they may be.
How can I participate in this community?
Log on to Ancestry.com and click on the Ancestry Community tab. You will see a button that says “Create Profile Now.” A profile may contain basic personal information, family history experience, and research interests that help other researchers find you. Click on this button and follow the instructions to enter as much or as little information about yourself as you want. Remember that the more information you enter, the easier it will be for other researchers to decide whether to contact you. Once you have entered this information, you are ready to take full advantage of the connection service.
As you search on the Ancestry.com website, you will notice links that say “Contact Ancestry members interested in this person,” or “View Ancestry members with research interests similar to yours,” or “Find other people looking for (name of person you are searching).” Click these links, and you will be presented with a list of (and a way to contact) Ancestry members who are researching names similar to ones you are searching.
If an Ancestry member has not created a profile, he or she will be listed as a New Member. You can invite this person to create a profile by clicking on the “Invite” link The New Member will receive an e-mail from Ancestry.com inviting them to log on and create a profile. The e-mail will not include any of your profile information. If an Ancestry member has created a profile, you will see his or her username in the list of possible research connections. You can click on the username and view the information that the person has included in his or her profile, and, if you choose, you may also contact this person by e-mail. Be assured that nothing but your username will be shared in the communication process, unless you decide to include more information in the body of the e-mail.
If you receive an e-mail through the Ancestry.com connection service, you can respond as you would to any other e-mail. Ancestry will pass your response onto the correct member, and your identity will be protected.
Join the Community
At some point every family historian hits the proverbial “brick wall,” becomes discouraged, or would just like to share his or her discoveries with someone that shares the same passion for family history. The connection service on Ancestry.com is available to meet your needs in all these situations. So log on to Ancestry.com and make a connection today.
[ Read Past Articles ]
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