Making a Family Tree

The National Archives will host its fourth annual Genealogy Fair. This year’s program will highlight Federal records located at the National Archives relating to general genealogy, World War I, and the Works Progress Administration (WPA). Sessions will offer guidance on topics including Civil War pension files, Freedmen’s Bureau marriage records, World War I draft registration records, and New Deal publications. National Archives staff will demonstrate how to use databases including the Archival Research Catalog (ARC) and Access to Archival Databases (AAD). The fair will provide information and guidance for experienced genealogy professionals and novices alike. This event is free and open to the public. For a schedule of lectures and demonstrations.

WHEN: Wednesday, April 23, 2008, 9:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

WHERE: Research Center Lobby, National Archives Building, 700 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W., Washington D.C.

WHO: Speakers include historian at the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, Marian Smith, author Raff Ellis (Kisses from a Distance: An Immigrant Family Experience) and National Archives experts Susan Abbott, Bill Creech, John Deeben, Kenneth Heger, Claire Kluskens, Constance Potter, and Reginald Washington.

BACKGROUND: The National Archives holds the permanently valuable records of the Federal government. These include records of interest to genealogists, such as pension files, census and Freedmen’s Bureau materials. For information on National Archives holdings see www.archives.gov.

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All of a sudden there seems to be a run on posts related to magazines. Here is another one I came across this morning.

http://www.discoveringfamilyhistory.com/freepreview.htm

Discovering Family History is a new magazine geared toward the beginning genealogist. You can download a free (no sign-up required) preview at the link above. The publisher writes:

“Welcome to Discovering Family History, the latest magazine from the publishers of Family Chronicle, Internet Genealogy and History Magazine. This new bi-monthly magazine is targeted at people who are starting their genealogy, need a refresher course or are tackling a new aspect of genealogy.

Discovering Family History articles are being written by some of the most respected book and magazine authors ­ and many of them have extensive experience of teaching genealogy courses, either face-to-face or online.

Even if you have been conducting your genealogy research for many years, you may want to take a look at what Discovering Family History has to offer: as you get more and more into your family history, you will find the need to investigate resources that are completely new to you. Discovering Family History can help.”

I love this free preview. The articles appear to be exciting and well written. Some article titles include:

• A Few Fantastic Free Family History Websites
• Let Obituaries Speak to You (<– With an Excellent Graphic)
• Who Else is Researching Your Name
• What is a Vital Record

Good stuff!

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In this great article, first published in the July/ August 1999 edition of Family Chronicle Magazine, Donna Porter-Phillips looks at the initial stages and development of genealogy as a hobby and professional practice.

Ms. Porter-Phillips states that from the beginning, people have felt the need to leave a record of themselves. “Cave paintings in France, tombstone art all over the world, and even the petroglyphs and pictographs of Native Americans, all point to the fact that early man wanted to be remembered by those who would come after.”

She goes on to write:

“‘How far back does genealogy go?’ a beginner might ask. And at first thought, Biblical references might come to mind as evidenced by all the chapters of begats. Family descent was important to the ancient Hebrews, in part because Hebrew males had to prove descent from Aaron, the brother of Moses, in order to hold the Levitical priesthood. The first eight chapters of the book of I Chronicles give genealogies from Adam down through Abraham and other Old Testament patriarchs. I Chronicles 9:1 reads, “so all Israel were reckoned by genealogies…”

You can read the rest of the article by clicking here (and then clicking “How To Archives” > “History” > “History of Genealogy”). I suggest you take a close look at the magazine itself. You can pick up a free trial subscription if you’d like.

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The folks over at Genealogy Insider has brought us a great post on London Maps. Grace writes:

“If your family hails from London (or you just like cartography), you’ll love this site: the British Library’s virtual exhibition of historical maps of the city.

The 40 historic plats are organized on a Google map, making it easy to determine what areas they represent. The maps and images are also divided by time period, and you can access a zoom-able version to see them up close. I especially like the map from 1653 with the lengthy title ‘A guide for Cuntrey men In the famous Cittey of LONDON by the helpe of wich plot they shall be able to know how farr it is to any Street.’

For more resources for researching your English roots, you can always refer to our Ethnic Toolkit. The University of Texas also has a large collection of historic British maps in its Perry-Castañeda Map Collection.”

You can access the full post by clicking here. It is really amazing how things are changing with the internet. There is no end to the resources available to us all in our search for our ancestors.

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(The update below was received from the National Archives last week. I won’t be able to make it but if you’re in the DC area… this is quite an opportunity.)

Exclusive Press Preview of Magna Carta Before It Returns to Display at the National Archives

WHAT: One time only opportunity for the media to photograph/videotape 1297 Magna Carta outside its exhibition display case and talk to its new owner. The document, however, remains sealed in its protective environmental encasement. It will return to public display in the West Rotunda Gallery of the National Archives Building in Washington, DC, on March 12, 2008.

WHO: Allen Weinstein, Archivist of the United States David Rubenstein, who recently purchased Magna Carta Terry Boone, National Archives exhibits conservator

WHEN: Monday, March 3. Remarks begin at 1 p.m. availability ends at 2 p.m.

WHERE: National Archives Building Conservation Lab 700 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Washington, DC (Use Pennsylvania Avenue entrance)

PLEASE NOTE: NO ARTIFICIAL LIGHT MAY BE USED.

BACKGROUND:
In 1215 on the plains of Runnymede an assembly of barons confronted the despotic King John of England and demanded that traditional rights be recognized, written down, confirmed with the royal seal, and sent to each of the counties to be read to all freemen. King John agreed, binding himself and his heirs to grant “to all freemen of our kingdom” the rights and liberties described in the great charter, or Magna Carta.

Between 1215 and 1297, Magna Carta was reissued by each of King John’s successors. To meet his debts from foreign wars, King Edward I imposed new and harsher taxes in 1297. This provoked another confrontation between the king and the barons, resulting not only in the reissue of Magna Carta, but for the first time its entry into the official Statute Rolls of England. The 1297 document on display represents the transition of Magna Carta from a brokered agreement to the foundation of English law.

Only four originals of the 1297 Magna Carta remain. By the 17th century, the one shown here was in the possession of the Brudenell family, the earls of Cardigan. It was acquired by the Perot Foundation in 1984 and purchased by David M. Rubenstein in 2007. David Rubenstein has placed Magna Carta on loan to the National Archives as a gift to the American people. It is the only Magna Carta permanently residing in the United States.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 25, 2008Noontime Programs at the National Archives in April 2008

Washington, DC. . . The National Archives will present three noontime programs in April on records preservation, presidential speechwriting, and memorials to Abraham Lincoln. These events are free and open to the public and will be held in the National Archives Building in Washington, DC, which is located on the National Mall at Constitution Ave. and 7th Street, NW. The building is fully accessible.

Preserving America’s History at the National Archives Wednesday, April 9, at noon, William G. McGowan Theater Doris Hamburg, the National Archives Director of Preservation Programs, explores how the National Archives preserves and protects the more than 12 million permanently valuable Federal documents and artifacts it holds. Co-sponsored by the National Archives Assembly.

White House Ghosts: Presidents and Their Speechwriters Wednesday, April 16, at noon, Jefferson Room Writer Robert Schlesinger, son of famed historian and JFK speechwriter Arthur Schlesinger, Jr., discusses White House Ghosts: Presidents and Their Speechwriters, the first book to offer intimate comparative portraits of all our modern Presidents and the men and women who helped shape their public record. Drawing on interviews with current and former speechwriters and on archival research, Schlesinger reveals how the crucial relationships between Presidents and their speechwriters can make or break a presidency. A book signing will follow the program.

Summers with Lincoln: Looking for the Man in the Monuments Thursday, April 17, at noon, Jefferson Room Local author and educator James A. Percoco examines many of the nearly 200 memorials erected in memory of Abraham Lincoln-part of a quest to learn what these monuments meant when they were unveiled, what they mean to the nation today, and what they mean to him. His book is the first in 50 years to explore Lincoln sculpture in the context of post-civil rights America. Summers with Lincoln gives a tantalizing new look at Abraham Lincoln, encouraging the reader to question assumptions about Lincoln, civic commemoration, American civil religion, collective memory, and mythology.

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I came across this heartfelt genealogy post at another blog and felt it was very much worth sharing. Paula Stuart-Warren writes in her article, “Are You Up to Date” . . .

My Mom, Patricia (Hanley) Stuart, passed away on 8 January 2008 while I was teaching at the annual Salt Lake Institute of Genealogy. I remember exactly when I received the call from my sister, Linda. I was eating a hot fudge sundae at JB’s in the Salt Lake Plaza Hotel with a friend while another friend was massaging my neck and shoulders already tight from stress and not enough sleep. Mom always did things on HER own schedule! That night I stayed up ‘til the wee hours of the morning writing Mom’s obituary and a tribute to her.

It got me to thinking. Whether you use paper to record your family history or a software program such as Family Tree Maker, are you up-to-date? I mean, have you entered all recent family data, logged those cute new family additions, added marriages and spouses, checked for your family in the Social Security Death Index, gathered obituaries, funeral cards, and even prepared questions for the next family gathering of any kind?

Read the Full Article

Paula goes on to write about the key areas of a genealogy project and how this relates to her recent experience. She goes on to discuss topics such as:

• Obituaries and Tombstones
• Family Group Sheets
• Funeral Guest Books
• Social Security Death Index
• Other key considerations

Paula, if you read this, my condolences and thank you for sharing such a great article. It is truly the testament you intended and a solid introduction to Genealogy and thus I felt it fitting to share it with the visitors here.

Thank you - Chris

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Another great article by Leo Talbot

Social security death index. What is it? Containing around 65 million names and vital information of mainly deceased Americans, the SSDI is an extremely large and important database, especially for genealogy enthusiasts.

What sort of details are kept? For information to be archived in the SSDI, a death needs to have been reported, or, for example, a surviving relative may have contacted the Social Security Administration (SSA) seeking to stop the Social Security Benefits (SSB) of a parent.

Social Security Death Records

Social Security Death Records (SSDR) contain the following data on a deceased person:

• Last name
• First name
• Date of Birth
• Date of Death
• Where the last SSB was sent
• State of residence
• Where the SSN was issued
• Last known address

A Search Tip: When doing a search in the SSDI, do not include the middle initial. Middle names were not indexed. Use first and last names only.

What period is covered by these records? Most of the birth dates recorded are from the early decades of the last century: 1900 to 1930 Death dates are mainly from the period 1962 to 1988. It was in the early 1960’s that the SSA commenced using computer technology to store and archive vital records. Although there are birth dates as far back as the 1850’s (about 1856), and death dates prior to the 1960’s, not all earlier data has been included in the current SSDI.

A SSDI Search Tip #1: Use maiden names when searching for women. SSDI is a valuable genealogy tool. The SSDI can assist your genealogy research by providing data that will help you locate birth certificates and death certificates. By providing the names of parents, a female’s maiden name, people’s places of residence and their occupation, it may also assist in the search for marriage certificates and other vital records.

A SSDI Search Tip #2 : Start your search on the SSDI with just a few facts. This facility allows you to search on any combination of data. A last name and known possible birth period may do for starters? If the results are very large, then add additional data and search again.

Note: There is a very useful feature, “Soundex Search” which assists where names may have been misspelled. Leo Talbot writes genealogy articles such as the social security death index and others.

(A Genealogy Beginner Sponsor)

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