Over the past week, I've been keeping an eye out for what's been happening in Salt Lake City at the NGS Conference, and I have been reading Dick Eastman's Online Genealogy Newsletter and Randy Seaver's Genea-Musings blogs, as well as Thomas MacEntee's Geneabloggers, the Mormon Times newspaper, and of course, the NGS blog.
A few Canadians (that I know of) have been down to the conference including Alison Hare (she gave two lectures there, and will appear at the upcoming OGS Conference 2010), Ed Zapletal and Rick Cree from Moorshead Magazines, and Louise St. Denis from the National Institute of Genealogical Studies.
As well, Chris McPhail from the British Isles Family History Society of Greater Ottawa (BIFHSGO) was there to pick up first prize in the Anglo-Saxon Connection newsletter category, for their newsletter, Anglo-Celtic Roots. Congratulations to BIFHSGO, and to Chris, as editor!
If I missed any fellow Canadians there, please send me an email, and I will mention you here.
One thing which we can check on at home is the new beta version of the FamilySearch website, FSBeta.FamilySearch.org.
FamilySearch president, Jay Verkler, says that this is the result of the Worldwide Indexing Project, and that they will add about 300-million more names to it.
He said "the flow of names to the Web will continue as The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints seeks to index all of the approximately 3.5-billion names stored on microfilm in the Granite Mountain Records Vault. It will take about 10 years to index all the records, a task previously projected to take more than a century to complete."
I spent this afternoon putting in the names of my genealogy, and although nothing was added to my search, there are million of names left to go, so the BARCLAYs, HALEYs, WEBSTERs, MORTONs and so on will show up somewhere in time, I am sure.
A daily blog about Canadian genealogy, heritage, and history
Saturday, May 1, 2010
Thursday, April 29, 2010
Hamilton Branch Newsletter
The Winter 2010 edition of the Hamilton Branch (OGS) newsletter contains various notes and articles, and one of the best articles is by Brian Pearson called, "What are the ODDS".
It seems as if Brian was born in Northern England in the middle 1940s, and in 1987, when he went back to visit his stepmother, she gave him some stuff that his father had owned. In amongst the papers he found his father's birth certificate.
Guess what? His father and his wife had been born in the same house - 60 years apart!
In addition to this story, there are book reviews, items that have been added to their library, queries, and an article on the National Burial Index for England and Wales, 1538-2003.
You can visit the Hamilton Branch online at www.hwcn.org/link/HBOGS or send them an email at hbogsadmin@mountaincable.ogs.
It seems as if Brian was born in Northern England in the middle 1940s, and in 1987, when he went back to visit his stepmother, she gave him some stuff that his father had owned. In amongst the papers he found his father's birth certificate.
Guess what? His father and his wife had been born in the same house - 60 years apart!
In addition to this story, there are book reviews, items that have been added to their library, queries, and an article on the National Burial Index for England and Wales, 1538-2003.
You can visit the Hamilton Branch online at www.hwcn.org/link/HBOGS or send them an email at hbogsadmin@mountaincable.ogs.
Monday, April 26, 2010
Discovering Family History Closed
Ed Zapletal, the publisher of Moorshead Magazines, has announced today that his newest magazine, Discovering Family History, is closing with the March/April 2010 release.
It had been in production over two years, but as he has put it in his news release, "Although DFH was selling very well on the newsstands, with the stores taking an increasing number of copies each issue, we weren't simply able to get the new subscribers numbers to increase at a fast enough rate".
It is always sad to see a publication end its run, but as Ed says, the numbers to keep it in existence were just not there.
However, Family Chronicle and Internet Genealogy are going along just fine, and expect them to be around for a long time.
This year, Family Chronicle is 15 years old, and Internet Genealogy is five years old.
Over the years, I have written a number of articles for Ed in all three publications, and appreciate the chance to have written for DFH, as well as the other magazines.
I wish Ed and Rick and the staff at Moorshead Magazines continued success.
It had been in production over two years, but as he has put it in his news release, "Although DFH was selling very well on the newsstands, with the stores taking an increasing number of copies each issue, we weren't simply able to get the new subscribers numbers to increase at a fast enough rate".
It is always sad to see a publication end its run, but as Ed says, the numbers to keep it in existence were just not there.
However, Family Chronicle and Internet Genealogy are going along just fine, and expect them to be around for a long time.
This year, Family Chronicle is 15 years old, and Internet Genealogy is five years old.
Over the years, I have written a number of articles for Ed in all three publications, and appreciate the chance to have written for DFH, as well as the other magazines.
I wish Ed and Rick and the staff at Moorshead Magazines continued success.
Sunday, April 25, 2010
"News and Views" - Leeds and Grenville Newsletter
News and Views—the newsletter of the Leeds and Grenville Branch of the Ontario Genealogical Society—arrived recently, and, as usual, is full of interesting articles and information.
The first article is on the Graham Burying Ground (sometimes known as the Luckey Farm Burial Ground) in Kitley Township.
Originally published in 1996, the article has been brought up to date by Larry Driver when the question arose as to who owns the land now. You will have to read the article to find the answer.
"Lost and Found in Elizabethtown" is an article by Terrance Edwards on how he explored the life of George Boulton of Lyn. In "A Short Story about Schools in Maitland, Ontario", the reason is given as to why all the schools were built, inlcuding pictures of some of the schools.
On the other pages, they have reports for 2009, upcoming meetings and special events, and queries.
Their website is www.leedsandgrenvillegenealogy.com and their email is leedsgrenvillegenealogical@bellnet.ca.
News and Views Editor, Myrtle Johnston, is always on the lookout for articles and queries. She can be reached at myrtlejohnston@hotmail.com.
The first article is on the Graham Burying Ground (sometimes known as the Luckey Farm Burial Ground) in Kitley Township.
Originally published in 1996, the article has been brought up to date by Larry Driver when the question arose as to who owns the land now. You will have to read the article to find the answer.
"Lost and Found in Elizabethtown" is an article by Terrance Edwards on how he explored the life of George Boulton of Lyn. In "A Short Story about Schools in Maitland, Ontario", the reason is given as to why all the schools were built, inlcuding pictures of some of the schools.
On the other pages, they have reports for 2009, upcoming meetings and special events, and queries.
Their website is www.leedsandgrenvillegenealogy.com and their email is leedsgrenvillegenealogical@bellnet.ca.
News and Views Editor, Myrtle Johnston, is always on the lookout for articles and queries. She can be reached at myrtlejohnston@hotmail.com.
Saturday, April 24, 2010
FamilySearch Offers Workshop on Toronto
This year's OGS Conference is sponsored in part by FamilySearch, "Where Generations Meet".
Stephen Young, a project manager with FamilySearch, will lead a workshop in "New Toronto Research Tools" on Saturday afternoon, and will also deliver a newly-scheduled Saturday lunchtime learning lecture on new developments at FamilySearch.
What you may not know is that Young was born in London, Ontario, although he now works for the Utah-based LDS Church.
Currently, he is working on a book about his father's experience in the Canadian Navy Volunteers Reserve during World War Two.
He can be reached at YoungSC@familysearch.org.
Stephen Young, a project manager with FamilySearch, will lead a workshop in "New Toronto Research Tools" on Saturday afternoon, and will also deliver a newly-scheduled Saturday lunchtime learning lecture on new developments at FamilySearch.
What you may not know is that Young was born in London, Ontario, although he now works for the Utah-based LDS Church.
Currently, he is working on a book about his father's experience in the Canadian Navy Volunteers Reserve during World War Two.
He can be reached at YoungSC@familysearch.org.
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
OGS Conference 2010 is Nigh
Hello again,
It's been over a month since I have posted on the blog.
I feel bad about this, but the work demands on my time have been great since December, which didn't leave much time for the blog.
My time was taken up with doing the May issue of the Ontario Genealogical Society's print newsletter, NewsLeaf (this is the big issue, complete with reports), three issues of the electronic e-NewsLeaf, ten magazine articles, two conferences, and so on and so forth ... phew!
But I am back now, just in time for Conference 2010 in Toronto next month.
This week, I received this press release from the organizers of the conference, and I thought I would pass it along to you in case you are still deciding...
Elizabeth
_________________________________________________________________
Let's spread the word outside our usual circles ...
We need your help to make sure news of these special Conference 2010 programs gets to the people who need to know.
Do you know anyone who is?
· of Dutch descent
· of Italian heritage
· wanting the scoop on how "libraries" can help people trace their roots
Our information-packed Conference has it!
Dutch Ancestry Stream (Saturday, May 15) - three expert speakers on finding your Dutch Ancestors, researching European records & strategies, and a case study on how it's done - perfect for anyone you know with Dutch ancestry
Italian Ancestry Stream (Saturday, May 15) - four lectures on Italian family history research, finding Italian records & how to get started and a fascinating case history of Italian immigrants finding their way to Canada - help spread the news to your Italian friends and neighbours
Libraries & Genealogy (Thursday, May 13) - Ontario Library Association is presenting a full-day workshop designed for people looking for local family information and for novice and experienced providers of family history and genealogy services - make sure your local librarians are aware of this opportunity.
Just a few weeks away ...
OGS Conference 2010 will be held May 14-16 at the Doubletree by Hilton-Toronto Airport.
There's still time for new registrants. Complete details of program, speakers and registration can be found on the conference website.
Pass this on to anyone you think might be interested! In fact, please "tell two people, and so on, and so on". We appreciate your help!
_________________________________________________________________
Ontario Genealogical Society | 40 Orchard View Blvd., Suite 102 | Toronto | ON | M4R 1B9 | Canada
It's been over a month since I have posted on the blog.
I feel bad about this, but the work demands on my time have been great since December, which didn't leave much time for the blog.
My time was taken up with doing the May issue of the Ontario Genealogical Society's print newsletter, NewsLeaf (this is the big issue, complete with reports), three issues of the electronic e-NewsLeaf, ten magazine articles, two conferences, and so on and so forth ... phew!
But I am back now, just in time for Conference 2010 in Toronto next month.
This week, I received this press release from the organizers of the conference, and I thought I would pass it along to you in case you are still deciding...
Elizabeth
_________________________________________________________________
Let's spread the word outside our usual circles ...
We need your help to make sure news of these special Conference 2010 programs gets to the people who need to know.
Do you know anyone who is?
· of Dutch descent
· of Italian heritage
· wanting the scoop on how "libraries" can help people trace their roots
Our information-packed Conference has it!
Dutch Ancestry Stream (Saturday, May 15) - three expert speakers on finding your Dutch Ancestors, researching European records & strategies, and a case study on how it's done - perfect for anyone you know with Dutch ancestry
Italian Ancestry Stream (Saturday, May 15) - four lectures on Italian family history research, finding Italian records & how to get started and a fascinating case history of Italian immigrants finding their way to Canada - help spread the news to your Italian friends and neighbours
Libraries & Genealogy (Thursday, May 13) - Ontario Library Association is presenting a full-day workshop designed for people looking for local family information and for novice and experienced providers of family history and genealogy services - make sure your local librarians are aware of this opportunity.
Just a few weeks away ...
OGS Conference 2010 will be held May 14-16 at the Doubletree by Hilton-Toronto Airport.
There's still time for new registrants. Complete details of program, speakers and registration can be found on the conference website.
Pass this on to anyone you think might be interested! In fact, please "tell two people, and so on, and so on". We appreciate your help!
_________________________________________________________________
Ontario Genealogical Society | 40 Orchard View Blvd., Suite 102 | Toronto | ON | M4R 1B9 | Canada
Friday, March 5, 2010
Quinte Branch - Online Finding Aid
The following is an announcement regarding an update made by the Quinte Branch of the Ontario Genealogical Society (OGS) to its online finding aid.
It was sent in by Bob Dawes, the IT Coordinator of Quinte Branch.
==========================================================
The Quinte Branch of the Ontario Genealogy Society has expanded its online Names Index Database finding aid by adding a self-help document.
Even though the finding aid's primary purpose is to find a reference in the group's research library, there is a lot of information that can be extracted from the search tool by itself. For example, there are newspaper birth, marriage and death notices where the page reference identifies the publication date which would be close to the event date.
In other cases, just being able to decode the library reference code of a family genealogy to its actual title by cross-referencing the search results with the online Library Catalogue means you can look for it in other libraries or online. Using this new self-help tool will enable researchers, at a distance, to do their own initial investigative work without having to contact a branch volunteer to do it for them. The document is supplied in PDF format so it can be downloaded and printed for local use.
With over one million surname references, this database is a significant resource for genealogists researching ancestors in the Bay of Quinte region of Ontario, Canada. The new self-help guide can be found under "Using the Names Index Database Finding Aid" on the Quinte Branch homepage at www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~canqbogs.
It was sent in by Bob Dawes, the IT Coordinator of Quinte Branch.
==========================================================
The Quinte Branch of the Ontario Genealogy Society has expanded its online Names Index Database finding aid by adding a self-help document.
Even though the finding aid's primary purpose is to find a reference in the group's research library, there is a lot of information that can be extracted from the search tool by itself. For example, there are newspaper birth, marriage and death notices where the page reference identifies the publication date which would be close to the event date.
In other cases, just being able to decode the library reference code of a family genealogy to its actual title by cross-referencing the search results with the online Library Catalogue means you can look for it in other libraries or online. Using this new self-help tool will enable researchers, at a distance, to do their own initial investigative work without having to contact a branch volunteer to do it for them. The document is supplied in PDF format so it can be downloaded and printed for local use.
With over one million surname references, this database is a significant resource for genealogists researching ancestors in the Bay of Quinte region of Ontario, Canada. The new self-help guide can be found under "Using the Names Index Database Finding Aid" on the Quinte Branch homepage at www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~canqbogs.
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