Citing Your Sources

We've talked about keeping track of where you get your information from. How important is citing the original source? It really depends on what you are planning to do with your information. If you are planning on publishing the work in some way, then you must absolutely be honest about the source you received the information from, even if it is your second cousin's wife. If it is simply for your own records so you know where the information came from, you could simply write a reminder such as "Emily Watson's will Via Jane Doe". Just keep in mind to give credit where credit is due!

AniMap Historical Atlas

AniMap is a commercial program that was created by Ohana Software. It is incredibly cool! This software shows which county in which state a city was located in during a specific year. We all know how boundaries can change. This can effect which county records you look in for more information.

AniMap is available for purchase, but can be used for free at the Family History Library Desktop or in many Family History Centers.

Philadelphia

The city of Philadelphia was originally settled by the Dutch in 1633, but they abandoned it in about 1643. After that it switched hands a few times but ultimately the Dutch retook possession of it in 1655. By the end of the 17th century it was a major harbor for immigration. Many people came into Philadelphia as indentured servants coming over and working for the cost of their passage.

Did your relative come into the Colonies via Philadelphia? If so, there is A Health Officer's Register of Passenger's Names located in the State Archives. Check these records for your ancestor's name!

Household Records

Household records does not refer to our files that keep personal and financial information. These refer to things such as a family tree drawing, a family bible, or even a needlepoint listing a family history.

Bukovina Bukovina

Today Bukovina is in an area of Romania that was once part of the Austria until the end of World War I. The region became offical in 1775 when the region was annexed from Moldavia to what became Austria-Hungary in 1867. The population quickly swelled in part to the religious tolerance and relaxed feudal obligations in that area.

Immigrants came to the United States primarily to the Ellis, Kansas; Lewis County, Washington; Naperville, Illinois; and Yuma, Colorado areas.

The LDS Church Has Everything

The LDS Church certainly has the largest collection of genealogical material, but that does not mean it has the completed genealogy of everybody in the country. Many people mistakenly believe that the church already has all the genealogies and that they can just go in and get the information from them. It still requires a lot of effort to find what you are looking for!

Cold Calling

People are fearful. It is just part of who we are. Some people are terrified of heights, others are terrified of spiders, and many, many people are afraid of public speaking. Public speaking could even include something as simple as a telephone call to a distant relative to gain more genealogical information. Have a list of questions ready and names and dates of ancestors on hand. Ask a couple of questions to jog their memory and find out if they're willing to help. Just remember to be thoughtful about their time!

Interviewing Children

With the upcoming launch of ArtisticAncestry.com I thought I would start a project. I, Gayla Mendenhall, interviewed my children. I asked them several questions ranging from "What is your favorite thing to do?" to "What do you want to do when you are a grown up?" I'll upload these questions and every year I'll ask the same questions. Wouldn't it be wonderful to have all the answers for the next few years in the same place and available?

The 1940 Census

Guess what!!! For the first time ever, the NARA will allow free access to digital images of the 1940 United States Federal Census.

There has been a coordinated effort by FamilySearch, Archives.com, findmypast.com, and other leading genealogy websites to provide quick access to these images upon their release.

Happy Valentine's Day

As we all know, the history of Valentine's Day began in the year 278 A.D. when a priest in Rome was beheaded for secretly wedding couples when it was against Roman law.

Where would we be now if brave individuals didn't stand up to unjust laws, or if governments dictated who was allowed to marry? How many of us would be here today?

Making Your Work Endure

There are several ways that you can make your genealogical research continue once you are gone. First of all, you could always pass your research efforts on to another person. Make them the "Keeper of the Records" so to speak. Next you could make a literal or figurative monument. Create an art piece with each family members names or cities where they live, or you could start a scholarship fund (if you have the monetary means to do this) in the family name for a genealogical student.

Or lastly, you could create a book with the information you've found. So much is self published, high cost, and a minimum number you have to order that you may never need. Soon Artistic Ancestry will be up and running. You can create ebooks with your family history information and quickly pass them along to other family members!

Mormons Begin Exodus West

On this date in 1846, Brigham Young led 1,600 members of the LDS church westward to escape persecution and to find peace. They made a temporary refuge in Sugar Grove, Iowa. Young did the trip with strategic stopping points sending out scouting parties to find the best routes westward.

Many died along the journey. Family members would try to at least describe the general area where the family member died. Journals were kept about the journey, but so much else was lost. No cemeteries to visit, sometimes children had to be given to others to take care of, and so much information was lost.

Mennonites

Members of the Mennonite culture are deeply dedicated to keeping records of ancestors and descendants. They issue a monthly publication called the Pennsylvania Mennonite Heritage. This publication has articles about early Mennonite ancestors and the religion. Copies of these publications are all available in the LDS Family History Library and a complete index is available as an online PDF download.

Family Bibles

I was recently at a Flea Market and saw a very old family Bible sitting on one of the shelves. I understand that some people are willing to sell anything to make a buck, but instead, think of the historic value of the family Bibles. Since some of them may have the only recorded information for births and deaths, especially if they were in a new settlement without a local government.

Instead of throwing them away or selling them, think about donating them to your state's archives or historic centers. They will input the records and preserves the Bibles in good condition.

February 2, 1876

On this date in 1876, the National League of baseball was founded. For many boys, baseball was a part of who they were, whether it was playing stickball in the street of baseball in the local sandlot. Baseball was a way that boys became close to their fathers and lasting friendships were made.

Personally, I think that knowing what hobbies and activities our ancestors enjoyed is as much a part of genealogy as names and dates. It really brings to life who our ancestors were.

Civil Registration

Civil Registration in Sweden is very unique. Beginning in 1860, they began requiring church ministers to send a copy of birth, death, and marriage information along with special forms to the Central Bureau of Statistics. It wasn't until 1950 they began to keep their own records, and in 1991 vital records became the responsibility of the local tax office. If you aren't sure what you're doing, finding ancestors in Sweeden could make you want to pull your hair out!