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» Archive for March, 2008

New Magazine for Genealogy Beginners

Monday, March 10th, 2008 by Chris

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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History of Genealogy

Sunday, March 9th, 2008 by Chris

Family Chronicle Cover
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.

Posted in Genealogy History | Comments Off

Maps of Historic London

Saturday, March 8th, 2008 by Chris

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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National Archives to Host Public Interest Declassification Board

Saturday, March 8th, 2008 by Chris
Meeting on March 17

WHAT: The Public Interest Declassification Board (PIDB) will hold an open meeting to solicit public reaction to its recent Report, “Improving Declassification.”
(http://www.archives.gov/declassification/pidb/improving-declassification.pdf)
The meeting will provide an opportunity for individual members of the public to express their views on the Report and will include formal presentations by representatives of selected public interest organizations.

WHEN: Monday, March 17, 2008, 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

WHERE: National Archives and Records Administration
Jefferson Conference Room
700 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Washington, D.C. 20408

This meeting is open to the public.&amp;amp;nbsp; However, due to space limitations and access procedures, individual reservations are required.&amp;amp;nbsp; Persons interested in attending must register by Wednesday, March 12, 2008 by providing their name and telephone number by either sending an e-mail to pidb@nara.gov or by calling the PIDB staff at the Information Security Oversight Office at (202) 357-5039.&amp;amp;nbsp; The PIDB staff will respond and
provide additional instructions for attendees.

Background
The PIDB is an advisory committee established in order to promote the fullest possible public access to a thorough, accurate, and reliable documentary record of significant U.S. national security decisions and activities.&amp;amp;nbsp; The Board is composed of nine individuals, five appointed by the President and four by the Congressional leadership.&amp;amp;nbsp; For more information, see: www.archives.gov/declassification/pidb .

In January of this year, the Board issued its first special report, “Improving Declassification.”&amp;amp;nbsp; The Board examined 15 issues and made 49 separate recommendations to improve the current declassification system.&amp;amp;nbsp; Among other issues, the Board recommended a more comprehensive approach to declassification within the Federal government and called for prioritizing the government’s declassification efforts to ensure a greater focus on “historically significant” records, especially presidential records, with greater involvement of historians and historical advisory panels in setting these priorities.

* * *

For further information contact Lee Johnson, PIDB staff, at (202) 357-5039.

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Spring/ Summer Hours begin at the National Archives on March 27

Saturday, March 8th, 2008 by Chris
With Special Extended Museum Hours Until 8 p.m. for “Magna Carta Days” March 12-26

Washington, DC . . . Following special extended “Magna Carta Days” — March 12 through March 26 — when the National Archives museum will be open until 8 p.m., Spring and Summer hours will go into effect beginning on Thursday, March 27. The museum, located on the National Mall on Constitution Avenue and 9th Street, NW, will be open to the public from 10 a.m. until 7 p.m. seven days a week through Labor Day. Admission is free. The Museum is open every day except Thanksgiving Day and December 25. Last admission is 30 minutes prior to closing.

Rotunda for the Charters of Freedom * On permanent display are the Charters of Freedom - the original Declaration of Independence, Constitution and Bill of Rights.

The Charters of Freedom: “A New World is at Hand” * Surrounding the Rotunda’s centerpiece cases, this exhibit presents a selection of milestone documents that chronicle the creation of the Charters of Freedom in the 18th century and their impact on the course of history in the United States and around the world.

The Public Vaults * This interactive permanent exhibition creates the feeling of going into stacks and vaults of the National Archives. See the raw material from which history is made. From Washington’s letters, Lincoln’s telegrams, and FDR’s fireside chats to UFO reports and declassified secrets of World War II, these documents chronicle both great national events and the lives of individual Americans.

Running for Office: Candidates, Campaigns, and the Cartoons of Clifford Berryman * Just in time for the Presidential campaign swing! “Running for Office” includes 42 exceptional pen-and-ink drawings that highlight timeless aspects of the American campaign and election process. Clifford K. Berryman, staff political cartoonist for The Washington Post and the Washington Evening Star during the first half of the 20th century, drew thousands of cartoons commenting on Presidential and congressional candidates, campaign issues, and elections of his era. Throughout his 53-year extraordinary career, he drew every Presidential administration from Grover Cleveland to Harry Truman. Although faces and personalities change, Berryman’s cartoons illustrate how the political process in our democracy has remained remarkably consistent. The original cartoons on display are part of the official Records of the U.S. Senate housed in the Center for Legislative Archives at the National Archives. This exhibition will be on display through August 17, 2008

William G. McGowan Theater * By day, 290-seat William G. McGowan Theater continuously shows a short signature film about the National Archives and twice daily shows a film about the Charters of Freedom. By night, the McGowan Theater becomes the Capital region’s most important outlet for documentary film as well as a forum for exploring the great issues of American history and other topics related to the National Archives’ holdings and mission.

Museum Shop * After visitors have seen our nation’s most treasured documents in the Rotunda for the Charters of Freedom, there’s another important stop to make before they leave. Visitors can take home some treasures of their own. The Museum Shop offers wonderful gifts including: exclusive handmade jewelry depicting architectural elements of the National Archives Building and images of fragments of the Charters of Freedom; uniquely designed pottery, which is based on the fraktur family trees in the Archives’ holdings; anything one might need to record and preserve memories of the important moments in life, including photo albums, archival storage boxes, and more!

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Preview of Magna Carta

Saturday, March 1st, 2008 by Chris

(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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