The spammers have been attacking my blog and leaving all sorts of ads on it. Some in languages I don't even read. The spammers think they have won. In defeat I have decided to moderate all comments before they are posted. I apologize for the inconvenience to my readers but in the long run we will both be much happier.
See ya tomorrow, for tomorrow is always another genealogy day!
Monday, November 30, 2009
Thursday, November 19, 2009
FamilySearch Indexing Update: Indexing Projects for 25 Countries
The following is from FamilySearch.
New Projects in the Past Month
Recently Completed Projects
(Note: Recently completed projects have been removed from the available online indexing batches and will now go through a final completion check process in preparation for future publication.)
(*Percentage refers to a specific portion of a larger project.)
Current FamilySearch Partner Projects, Record Language, and Percent Completion
(*Percentage refers to a specific portion of a larger project.)
About FamilySearch
FamilySearch International is the largest genealogy organization in the world. Millions of people use FamilySearch records, resources, and services to learn more about their family history. To help in this great pursuit, FamilySearch has been actively gathering, preserving, and sharing genealogical records worldwide for over 100 years. FamilySearch is a nonprofit organization sponsored by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Patrons may access FamilySearch services and resources free online at FamilySearch.org or through over 4,600 family history centers in 132 countries, including the main Family History Library in Salt Lake City, Utah.
18 November 2009
Indexing Projects for 25 Countries
Canada, Colombia, France, Guatemala, Jamaica, U.K., U.S. Venezuela. Those are the countries for which FamilySearch Indexing has recently added new volunteer projects. In all, FamilySearch has active indexing projects from 25 different countries currently with plans to add new projects from more countries throughout 2010. Volunteers can help 24/7 by registering and downloading a project of interest at FamilySearchIndexing.org.
Completed projects and digital image collections can be searched for free at pilot.familysearch.org.
New Projects in the Past Month
- Canada, British Columbia—Deaths, 1872–1986 [Part 2]
- Colombia, Marinilla—Registros Parroquiales, 1815–1959
- France, Quimper et Leon—Registres Paroissiaux, 1772–1909 [Part 1] (In partnership with Cercle Généalogique du Finistere)
- Guatemala, Huehuetenango y San Marcos—Registros Civiles, 1877–1900
- Italia, Napoli, Castellammare di Stabia—Atti di Morte, 1809–1936
- Jamaica, Clarendon—Births, 1878–1930
- U.K., Essex—Parish Registers, 1538–1900 [Part 1]
- U.S., Indiana, Dubois County—Marriages, 1811–1959
- U.S., Indiana, Marshall County—Marriages, 1811–1959
- U.S., Louisiana—1920 Federal Census
- U.S., North Carolina—1920 Federal Census
- U.S., South Dakota—1920 Federal Census
- U.S., South Dakota—1935 State Census [Part 1]
- Venezuela, Mérida—Registros Parroquiales, 1654–1992 [Parte 2]
Recently Completed Projects
(Note: Recently completed projects have been removed from the available online indexing batches and will now go through a final completion check process in preparation for future publication.)
- Argentina, Buenos Aires—1855 Censo [Parte 2]
- Argentina, Santiago, Santa Fe—1869 Censo
- Canada, British Columbia—Deaths, 1872–1986
- Canada, British Columbia—Marriages, 1859–1932
- Chile, Concepción—Registros Civiles, 1885–1903 [Parte 1]
- Deutschland, Mecklenburg—Volkszählung, 1890 [Div 24–38]
- Guatemala, Guatemala—Bautismos de Sagrario, 1898–1920
- U.S., Georgia—1920 Federal Census
- U.S., Illinois, Cook—Birth Certificates, 1916–1922 [Part 2]
- U.S., Indiana, Benton County—Marriages, 1811–1959
- U.S., Kansas—1920 Federal Census
- U.S., Maine—1920 Federal Census
- U.S., Maryland—1920 Federal Census
- U.S., New York—1905 State Census
| Argentina, Cordoba—Matrimonios, 1642–1931 | Spanish | 39% |
| Belgium, Antwerp—Foreigners Index, 1840–1930 | English | 69% |
| Canada, British Columbia—Deaths, 1872–1986 [Part 2] | English | (New) |
| Canada, Québec, Montreal—Régistres Paroissiaux, 1800–1900 | French | 8% |
| Colombia, Marinilla—Registros Parroquiales, 1815–1959 | Spanish | (New) |
| Deutschland, Brandenburg—Kirchenbücher, 1789–1875 | German | 85%* |
| Deutschland, Mecklenburg—Volkszählung, 1890 [Div 39–69] | German | 8% |
| España, Avila, Madrigal y Garganta—Registros Parroquiales, 1530–1935 | Spanish | 12% |
| España, Avila, Navalmoral—Registros Parroquiales, 1530–1935 | Spanish | 18% |
| España, Lugo—Registros Parroquiales, 1530–1930 [Parte 1] | Spanish | 26% |
| France, Cherbourg—Registres Paroissiaux, 1802–1907 | French | 5% |
| France, Coutances—Registres Paroissiaux 1802–1907 | French | 4% |
| France, Coutances, Paroisses de la Manche, 1792–1906 | French | 90% |
| France, Paris—Registres Protestants, 1612–1906 [Partie 2] | French | 68% |
| France, Saint-Lo—Registres Paroissiaux, 1802–1907 | French | 21% |
| Guatemala, Huehuetenango y San Marcos—Registros Civiles, 1877–1900 | Spanish | (New) |
| Italia, Napoli, Castellammare di Stabia—Atti di Morte, 1809–1936 | Italian | (New) |
| Italy, Trento—Baptisms, 1784–1924 [Part 1] | Italian | 95% |
| Italy, Trento—Baptisms, 1784–1924 [Part 2] | Italian | 67% |
| Jamaica, Clarendon—Births, 1878–1930 | English | (New) |
| Mexico, DF—Registros Parroquiales, 1898–1933 [Parte 2] | Spanish | 78% |
| Mexico, Hidalgo—1930 Federal Censo | Spanish | 39% |
| Mexico, Jalisco—1930 Federal Censo | Spanish | 21% |
| Mexico, Mexico—1930 Federal Censo | Spanish | 86% |
| New Zealand—Passenger Lists, 1871–1915 | English | 52% |
| Nicaragua, Managua—Registros Civiles, 1879–1984 [Parte 1] | Spanish | 25% |
| Perú, Lima—Registros Civiles, 1910–1930 [Parte 3] | Spanish | 77% |
| Philippines, Lingayen, Dagupan—Registros Parroquiales, 1615–1982 | Spanish | 1% |
| Russland, Sankt Petersburg—Kirchenbuchduplikat, 1833–1885 | German | 1% |
| South Africa, Cape Province—Church Records, 1660–1970 | English | 13% |
| Sverige, Södermanland—Kyrkoböcker, till 1860 [Del 1] | Swedish | 4% |
| Sverige, Uppsala—Kyrkoböcker, till 1860 [Del 1] | Swedish | 12% |
| Sverige, Örebro—Kyrkoböcker, till 1860 [Del 1] | Swedish | 1% |
| Tschechien, Litomerice—Kirchenbücher, 1552–1905 [Teil 1] | German | 16% |
| U.K., Cheshire—Parish Records, 1538–1850 [Part 2] | English/Old English | 54% |
| U.K., Essex—Parish Registers, 1538–1900 [Part 1] | English | (New) |
| U.K., Warwickshire—Parish Registers, 1754-1900 [Part 2] | English | 53% |
| U.S., Arkansas—County Marriages, 1837–1957 [VII] | English | 88% |
| U.S., Indiana, Allen County—Marriages, 1811–1959 | English | 91% |
| U.S., Indiana, Boone County—Marriages, 1811–1959 | English | 50% |
| U.S., Indiana, Brown County—Marriages, 1811–1959 | English | 88% |
| U.S., Indiana, Dubois County—Marriages, 1811–1959 | English | (New) |
| U.S., Indiana, Harrison County—Marriages, 1811–1959 | English | 35% |
| U.S., Indiana, Marshall County—Marriages, 1811–1959 | English | (New) |
| U.S., Louisiana—1920 Federal Census | English | (New) |
| U.S., New York—1920 Federal Census | English | 56% |
| U.S., North Carolina—1920 Federal Census | English | (New) |
| U.S., Rhode Island—1905 State Census [Part 1] | English | 74% |
| U.S., Rhode Island—1935 State Census | English | 71% |
| U.S., South Dakota—1920 Federal Census | English | (New) |
| U.S., South Dakota—1935 State Census [Part 1] | English | (New) |
| Venezuela, Mérida—Registros Parroquiales, 1654–1992 [Parte 1] | Spanish | 90% |
| Venezuela, Mérida—Registros Parroquiales, 1654–1992 [Parte 2] | Spanish | (New) |
| Österreich, Wiener Meldezettel, 1890–1925 | German | 4% |
| Украина, Киев—Метрические Книги, 1840–1842 | Russian | 47% |
(*Percentage refers to a specific portion of a larger project.)
Current FamilySearch Partner Projects, Record Language, and Percent Completion
| Australia, Victoria—Probate Records, 1853–1989 | English | 79% |
| België, Mechelen—Overlijdens Registers, 1851-1900 | Dutch, Flemish | 56% |
| Belgique—Registres Des Décès—En Français, 1796–1910 | French | 42%* |
| Canada, Ontario, Toronto—Trust Cemeteries, 1826–1935 | English | 1% |
| Deutschland, Bremen—Schifflisten, 1904–1914 | German | 83% |
| France, Quimper et Leon—Registres Paroissiaux, 1772–1909 [Part 1] | French | (New) |
| Norway—1875 Census [Part 1] | Norwegian | 77% |
| U.S., Ohio—Tax Records, Post 1825 [Part 2] | English | 90% |
| U.S., Ohio—Tax Records, Post 1825 [Part 3] | English | 1% |
| U.S., Utah, Salt Lake County—Birth Registers, 1890–1908 | English | 1% |
| U.S., Utah, Salt Lake County—Death Registers, 1848–1940 | English | 25% |
(*Percentage refers to a specific portion of a larger project.)
About FamilySearch
FamilySearch International is the largest genealogy organization in the world. Millions of people use FamilySearch records, resources, and services to learn more about their family history. To help in this great pursuit, FamilySearch has been actively gathering, preserving, and sharing genealogical records worldwide for over 100 years. FamilySearch is a nonprofit organization sponsored by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Patrons may access FamilySearch services and resources free online at FamilySearch.org or through over 4,600 family history centers in 132 countries, including the main Family History Library in Salt Lake City, Utah.
FamilySearch Record Search Update: New Records for Brazil, Massachusetts, Mexico, Spain, and the U.S.
The following is from FamilySearch.
18 November 2009
More free online records for Brazil, Massachusetts, Mexico, Spain, and the U.S.
The states of Texas, Ohio, and Iowa were added to the U.S. 1920 Census at FamilySearch’s Record Search pilot. Spanish researchers will enjoy new civil registration images for the provinces of Cadiz, Granada, Malaga, Spain, from 1837–1870. Over 500,000 new digital images were added to the Brazil Catholic Church Records Collection. These birth, marriage, and death records are from the states of Bahia, Menas Gerais, Paraná, Pará, Pernambuco, and Sao Paolo. Over 400,000 Massachusetts marriage records were added for the period 1906 to 1915, and Catholic baptismal records were added for the Distrito Federal of Mexico.
See the chart below for a list of all the newly added collections.
These collections can be searched for free at the FamilySearch.org Record Search pilot (click Search Records, and then click Record Search pilot).
None of this would be possible without the great contributions of many online FamilySearch volunteers. These individuals donate the time and talent needed to make these collections freely available to FamilySearch patrons. Find out more about volunteering at FamilySearchIndexing.org. Thank you!
Collection Name Indexed Records Digital Images Comments Brazil Catholic Church Records, 1805–1979 587,053 Digital images only; update to ongoing project. Massachusetts Marriage Records, 1842–1915 408,589 24,485 New index and image collection. This update contains marriage records for the period 1906–1915. Mexico, Distrito Federal, Catholic Church Records 17,001 2,818 New index and images for baptismal records; part of an ongoing project. Spain Municipal Records, 1837–1870 168,653 New digital image collection; part of an ongoing project. United States 1920 Federal Census 13,134,234 Added indexes for Texas, Ohio, and Iowa About FamilySearch
FamilySearch International is the largest genealogy organization in the world. Millions of people use FamilySearch records, resources, and services to learn more about their family history. To help in this great pursuit, FamilySearch has been actively gathering, preserving, and sharing genealogical records worldwide for over 100 years. FamilySearch is a nonprofit organization sponsored by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Patrons may access FamilySearch services and resources free online at FamilySearch.org or through over 4,600 family history centers in 132 countries, including the main Family History Library in Salt Lake City, Utah.
Introducing a New Resource - FamilySearch Forums
The following is from FamilySearch.
18 November 2009
Dear consultant or center director,
As a family history consultant or center director, you know the joy that comes from helping someone with a family history question. Did you know that the answer you gave a member in your ward is most likely the exact answer needed by someone somewhere else in the world? Have you ever been stumped by a family history question and wished you could get help from someone who has solved the very issue that has you stumped?
Well, now you can give and receive help from fellow family history consultants and FamilySearch users who reside anywhere in the world.
FamilySearch is pleased to introduce a prototype for FamilySearch Forums, found at forums.familysearch.org, where in one central place you can reach out and:
· search for answers to your family history research questions.
· ask questions and receive answers from experienced FamilySearch patrons.
· provide answers to fellow FamilySearch patrons in need.
Click here to immediately begin finding answers or to join an existing conversation regarding:
· family history research questions.
· the new FamilySearch.
· FamilySearch indexing.
· Family history centers.
It’s fast, easy, fun, and as always, it’s free!
Sincerely,
FamilySearch
support@familysearch.org
Toll-free: 1-866-406-1830
International: Additional toll-free numbers may be found at contact.familysearch.org
18 November 2009
Dear consultant or center director,
As a family history consultant or center director, you know the joy that comes from helping someone with a family history question. Did you know that the answer you gave a member in your ward is most likely the exact answer needed by someone somewhere else in the world? Have you ever been stumped by a family history question and wished you could get help from someone who has solved the very issue that has you stumped?
Well, now you can give and receive help from fellow family history consultants and FamilySearch users who reside anywhere in the world.
FamilySearch is pleased to introduce a prototype for FamilySearch Forums, found at forums.familysearch.org, where in one central place you can reach out and:
· search for answers to your family history research questions.
· ask questions and receive answers from experienced FamilySearch patrons.
· provide answers to fellow FamilySearch patrons in need.
Click here to immediately begin finding answers or to join an existing conversation regarding:
· family history research questions.
· the new FamilySearch.
· FamilySearch indexing.
· Family history centers.
It’s fast, easy, fun, and as always, it’s free!
Sincerely,
FamilySearch
support@familysearch.org
Toll-free: 1-866-406-1830
International: Additional toll-free numbers may be found at contact.familysearch.org
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
RootsMagic Releases Free Genealogy and Family Tree Software
"RootsMagic Essentials" Brings Free Tools for Family History
SPRINGVILLE, Utah. — November 18, 2009 — RootsMagic, Inc. announced the immediate availability of RootsMagic Essentials, free desktop genealogy software based on their award-winning RootsMagic 4 system. RootsMagic Essentials contains many core features found in its namesake that allow the public to easily start tracing their family trees.
Essential Features for Everyone
“Many of our users have told us that they have friends and family members who are interested in getting started in family history but aren’t ready to invest in a more comprehensive package like RootsMagic,” said Bruce Buzbee, president. “RootsMagic Essentials gives them the features they need to start researching and recording their family tree at a price that can’t be beat—free!”
RootsMagic Essentials shares many of the same features with the full RootsMagic software including clean and friendly screens, the ability to add an unlimited number of people and events, pictures and media management, the SourceWizard to write your source citations for you, powerful merging and clean-up tools, dozens of reports and charts, support for international character sets, FamilySearch integration, and the ability to share data with other people and software programs. The full version of RootsMagic is available for purchase and includes features not available in RootsMagic Essentials.
Free and Available Now
RootsMagic Essentials is available now for free at http://www.rootsmagic.com. Users of other genealogy software products will find it easy to experiment with RootsMagic Essentials using their own data. RootsMagic Essentials can directly import data from PAF, Family Tree Maker (through 2006), Family Origins, and Legacy Family Tree. It can also read and write data using the popular GEDCOM format.
"We're excited to make RootsMagic Essentials available to the community," said Michael Booth, vice-president. "Our mission is to provide 'software to unite families' and our hope is that RootsMagic Essentials will encourage more people to record their family trees and connect with their family histories".
About RootsMagic, Inc.
For over 20 years, RootsMagic, Inc. has been creating computer software with a special purpose—to unite families. One of our earliest products- the popular "Family Origins" software, introduced thousands of people to the joy and excitement of family history.
That tradition continues today with "RootsMagic", our award-winning genealogy software which makes researching, organizing, and sharing your family history fun and easy. "Personal Historian" will help you easily write and preserve your life stories. "Family Reunion Organizer" takes the headaches out of planning those important get-togethers. And "Family Atlas" creates beautiful and educational geographic maps of your family history.
For more information, visit http://www.rootsmagic.com.
Source: RootsMagic, Inc.
Friday, November 06, 2009
FamilySearch Record Search Update: Brazil, Indiana Marriages, Italy, Netherlands, and 1920 U.S. Census, Among New Collection Updates
The following is from FamilySearch.
5 November 2009
The Indiana marriages, Netherlands, 1920 U.S. Census, Brazil, and Italy collections were recently added or updated in FamilySearch’s Record Search pilot.
FamilySearch applauds members of the Indiana Genealogical Society and FamilySearch volunteers for the great work done on the Indiana Marriages collection. Volunteers are indexing marriage records from 1811 to 1959. The recent update will surely be attractive to those with Indiana roots.
The new Brazil Catholic Church Records and Naples, Italy, Civil Registration collections are a sampling of what’s coming to FamilySearch.org for these countries. See the chart below for a list of all the newly added collections.
These collections can be searched for free at the FamilySearch.org Record Search pilot (click Search Records, and then click Record Search pilot).
None of this would be possible without the great contributions made by many online volunteers who help make these collections freely available by donating a few minutes of their time and talents through the FamilySearch Indexing program. Thank you!
About FamilySearch
FamilySearch International is the largest genealogy organization in the world. Millions of people use FamilySearch records, resources, and services to learn more about their family history. To help in this great pursuit, FamilySearch has been actively gathering, preserving, and sharing genealogical records worldwide for over 100 years. FamilySearch is a nonprofit organization sponsored by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Patrons may access FamilySearch services and resources free online at FamilySearch.org or through over 4,600 family history centers in 132 countries, including the main Family History Library in Salt Lake City, Utah.
5 November 2009
The Indiana marriages, Netherlands, 1920 U.S. Census, Brazil, and Italy collections were recently added or updated in FamilySearch’s Record Search pilot.
FamilySearch applauds members of the Indiana Genealogical Society and FamilySearch volunteers for the great work done on the Indiana Marriages collection. Volunteers are indexing marriage records from 1811 to 1959. The recent update will surely be attractive to those with Indiana roots.
The new Brazil Catholic Church Records and Naples, Italy, Civil Registration collections are a sampling of what’s coming to FamilySearch.org for these countries. See the chart below for a list of all the newly added collections.
These collections can be searched for free at the FamilySearch.org Record Search pilot (click Search Records, and then click Record Search pilot).
None of this would be possible without the great contributions made by many online volunteers who help make these collections freely available by donating a few minutes of their time and talents through the FamilySearch Indexing program. Thank you!
| Collection Name | Indexed Records | Digital Images | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|
| Indiana Marriages, 1811–1959 | 134,338 | Updated index-only collection. This is a joint volunteer indexing project with the Indiana Genealogical Society. | |
| Netherlands, Limburg Parish Register Transcripts, 1600–1822 | 26,607 | Updated image browse only collection; part of an ongoing project. | |
| 1920 United States Census | 11,687,573 | Added indexes for Pennsylvania, Idaho, and West Virginia. | |
| Brazil Catholic Church Records | 121,718 | New image browse only collection; part of an ongoing project. | |
| Italy, Napoli Province, Municipal Records, Castellammare di Stabia | 199,602 | New image browse only collection; part of an ongoing project. |
About FamilySearch
FamilySearch International is the largest genealogy organization in the world. Millions of people use FamilySearch records, resources, and services to learn more about their family history. To help in this great pursuit, FamilySearch has been actively gathering, preserving, and sharing genealogical records worldwide for over 100 years. FamilySearch is a nonprofit organization sponsored by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Patrons may access FamilySearch services and resources free online at FamilySearch.org or through over 4,600 family history centers in 132 countries, including the main Family History Library in Salt Lake City, Utah.
Tuesday, November 03, 2009
Mark Your Calendars - UVPAFUG Meeting!
UTAH VALLEY PAF USERS GROUP MEETING
The next regular, second-Saturday-of-the-month meeting of the Utah Valley PAF (Personal Ancestral File) Users Group will be on Saturday, 14 Nov 2009, from 9 am to noon in the Edgewood/Riverside LDS Chapel, 3511 North 180 East, Provo, Utah. The chapel is in the Provo "River Bottoms" behind the Jamestown shopping plaza on the east side of University Avenue. You get to it by turning east from University Avenue at 3700 North ("Will's Pit Stop") and then south on 180 East. There is a map showing the location on the group's website http://uvpafug.org .
The main presentation for this meeting will be by Marlo Schuldt on EASIER SCANNING - AN ART AND A SCIENCE. He will be demonstrating the use of a scanner so that you can see and understand the actual steps and processes you need to get better scanning results. This workshop will provide you with some very useful information, tips, and tricks. Questions will be welcome.
Marlo Schuldt is President of LifeStory Productions, Inc., an Orem, Utah based company that develops family history software and provides assistance to individuals desiring to gather, prepare, print, and share family history. He earned both BS and MS degrees from Brigham Young University in Communicative Disorders. Mr. Schuldt is married and has five children and 12 grandchildren. He recently received a patent on Heritage Collector Software - see http://heritagecollector.com/ . His past presentations for the UVPAFUG have been well-received and he has published 35 free newsletter articles on family history topics. You can read them at http://www.heritagecollector.com/Newsletter/Newslist.htm .
Following the main presentation there will be several classes taught concerning technology and family history. As usual, there will be something for everyone at all levels of expertise. The teachers and classes currently scheduled for this meeting are the following:
The next regular, second-Saturday-of-the-month meeting of the Utah Valley PAF (Personal Ancestral File) Users Group will be on Saturday, 14 Nov 2009, from 9 am to noon in the Edgewood/Riverside LDS Chapel, 3511 North 180 East, Provo, Utah. The chapel is in the Provo "River Bottoms" behind the Jamestown shopping plaza on the east side of University Avenue. You get to it by turning east from University Avenue at 3700 North ("Will's Pit Stop") and then south on 180 East. There is a map showing the location on the group's website http://uvpafug.org .
The main presentation for this meeting will be by Marlo Schuldt on EASIER SCANNING - AN ART AND A SCIENCE. He will be demonstrating the use of a scanner so that you can see and understand the actual steps and processes you need to get better scanning results. This workshop will provide you with some very useful information, tips, and tricks. Questions will be welcome.
Marlo Schuldt is President of LifeStory Productions, Inc., an Orem, Utah based company that develops family history software and provides assistance to individuals desiring to gather, prepare, print, and share family history. He earned both BS and MS degrees from Brigham Young University in Communicative Disorders. Mr. Schuldt is married and has five children and 12 grandchildren. He recently received a patent on Heritage Collector Software - see http://heritagecollector.com/ . His past presentations for the UVPAFUG have been well-received and he has published 35 free newsletter articles on family history topics. You can read them at http://www.heritagecollector.com/Newsletter/Newslist.htm .
Following the main presentation there will be several classes taught concerning technology and family history. As usual, there will be something for everyone at all levels of expertise. The teachers and classes currently scheduled for this meeting are the following:
- Duane Dudley on Using "Record Search" to Examine Records Being Indexed
- George Scott on Getting to Know New FamilySearch (Class 2 of 4)
- Venita Parry on Genealogy on Your MAC
- Marlo Schuldt Q&A on Easier Scanning and More
- Robert Raymond on The Genealogy Game Show - video of last month's main presentation
- Merlin Kitchen on Ancestral Quest
- Dean Bennett on Tagging in Legacy
- Sue Maxwell on RootsMagic.
Monday, November 02, 2009
Continued Need for Church Service Missionaries
The following is from FamilySearch.
October 29, 2009
Family history center directors and consultants,
The Family History Department continues to need Church Service missionaries who can serve in a support role in answering family history questions. Please help by contacting Church members you know who would be interested and able to serve and encouraging them to consider this opportunity. These individuals will enjoy a unique missionary experience by providing assistance to FamilySearch patrons all from the convenience of their homes.
FamilySearch Support missionaries serve part-time from home, using their home computer and phone to receive phone calls and / or e-mails to provide assistance to patrons across the world. Missionaries receive help and training through a variety of computer and Internet-based systems. The missionaries assist in supporting the following family history programs and resources:
· The new FamilySearch
· Familysearch.org
· Internet Indexing and Name Extraction
· Record Search
· Family History Center Support
· Research Support and the Research Wiki
Missionaries help in the release and testing of new family history programs, and provide feedback and suggestions essential to this great effort. There is a special need for missionaries fluent in Spanish, Portuguese, French, German, Japanese, Korean, or Chinese. Missionary candidates may include those currently unable to serve a full-time mission due to health or other concerns. Priesthood leaders may see this service opportunity as ideal for temple-worthy young men and women who are unable to serve full-time missions.
To serve as a Church Service missionary, members will review specific service requirements with missionary support personnel. In addition, members are to meet with their local priesthood leaders to discuss the opportunity and complete a church service missionary application.
Prospective FamilySearch Support missionaries should meet the following qualifications:
· Be temple worthy (not necessarily endowed)
· Be willing to commit to a mission call of at least 12 months, and preferably 18-24 months (can extend up to 30 months of total service)
· Be able to serve at least 15-20 hours per week, and be available for 20 hours a week of training during the first two months of service
· Have prior family history experience
· Have access to a personal computer, phone line, and broadband (DSL, Cable or other) speed internet connection
· Have considerable personal computer and internet experience
For more information, please contact FamilySearch Support at 1-866-406-1830 or by e-mail at support@familysearch.org. Additional toll-free phone numbers may be found by clicking here.
Thank you for your help in sharing this FamilySearch missionary opportunity with interested members.
Sincerely,
FamilySearch
support@familysearch.org
U.S. and Canada: 1-866-406-1830
International: go to http://contact.familysearch.org for more toll-free phone numbers
October 29, 2009
Family history center directors and consultants,
The Family History Department continues to need Church Service missionaries who can serve in a support role in answering family history questions. Please help by contacting Church members you know who would be interested and able to serve and encouraging them to consider this opportunity. These individuals will enjoy a unique missionary experience by providing assistance to FamilySearch patrons all from the convenience of their homes.
FamilySearch Support missionaries serve part-time from home, using their home computer and phone to receive phone calls and / or e-mails to provide assistance to patrons across the world. Missionaries receive help and training through a variety of computer and Internet-based systems. The missionaries assist in supporting the following family history programs and resources:
· The new FamilySearch
· Familysearch.org
· Internet Indexing and Name Extraction
· Record Search
· Family History Center Support
· Research Support and the Research Wiki
Missionaries help in the release and testing of new family history programs, and provide feedback and suggestions essential to this great effort. There is a special need for missionaries fluent in Spanish, Portuguese, French, German, Japanese, Korean, or Chinese. Missionary candidates may include those currently unable to serve a full-time mission due to health or other concerns. Priesthood leaders may see this service opportunity as ideal for temple-worthy young men and women who are unable to serve full-time missions.
To serve as a Church Service missionary, members will review specific service requirements with missionary support personnel. In addition, members are to meet with their local priesthood leaders to discuss the opportunity and complete a church service missionary application.
Prospective FamilySearch Support missionaries should meet the following qualifications:
· Be temple worthy (not necessarily endowed)
· Be willing to commit to a mission call of at least 12 months, and preferably 18-24 months (can extend up to 30 months of total service)
· Be able to serve at least 15-20 hours per week, and be available for 20 hours a week of training during the first two months of service
· Have prior family history experience
· Have access to a personal computer, phone line, and broadband (DSL, Cable or other) speed internet connection
· Have considerable personal computer and internet experience
For more information, please contact FamilySearch Support at 1-866-406-1830 or by e-mail at support@familysearch.org. Additional toll-free phone numbers may be found by clicking here.
Thank you for your help in sharing this FamilySearch missionary opportunity with interested members.
Sincerely,
FamilySearch
support@familysearch.org
U.S. and Canada: 1-866-406-1830
International: go to http://contact.familysearch.
Sunday, November 01, 2009
Organizing My Life - Backups
I have two new toys that I have been playing with lately. One is a 320GB Western Digital MyBook and the other is a 320GB Western Digital Passport Mini Portable. They are the results of the evolution of my backup system. The last process I had, was to backup up nightly to a 80GB Western Digital External Hard Drive, plus offline to Mozy. Then approximately once a month I would create some DVD copies of my files. I say approximately because I was getting more and more sporadic about making DVDs, because they took so long to make. Sometimes I wouldn't back up everything, like my music, because it didn't change that often.
Several weeks ago, I decided to rearrange all my genealogy files. Before doing that I started to make a DVD backup of my files, in case something went terribly wrong. I spent 5 hours trying to figure out how to fit the files, without breaking up the main folder, onto a DVD and then waiting for it to burn. I was sick of the process by then and hopelessly realizing I had an estimated 7 more hours to go to finish. Out of frustration I commented on Facebook that there had to be a better way.
One friend suggested that I get a second external hard drive and skip the DVDs altogether. Yes, that was reasonable to me. No more breaking up folders to make them fit on a DVD. I was then on the quest to find a second external to backup to. My 80GB External Hard drive was nearly full anyways. At first I wanted to just buy one new external, I was thinking a terabyte here. Then later on get another external to replace my 80GB. After looking at prices, reading reviews and thinking things over, I realized I could get two 320GB externals for about the price of one 1TB external on eBay. It wasn't the size I was hoping for, but 320GB was plenty big enough for me. By the time I want/need a TB, the prices would have come down even more. This was a win-win solution.
I was very picky about what type of external hard drives I wanted. For my main external, I wanted it to have a separate power cord to plug in. It would be always plugged into my computer and backed up to every night. I bought the WD MyBook to suit that purpose. Here's an interesting side note: Never move an external hard drive when it is writing/reading. You could damage it or make it wear out prematurely.
For my second external I wanted it to be tiny and portable. Something I could store away in a safe place and not be connected to my computer all the time. I bought the WD Passport Mini Portable for that need. The portable external will be backed up to at least weekly, or sooner, dependent upon if there are major changes to my files before that.
Within a week of my order my new external hard drives arrived at my door. I just love eBay. (I use SquareTrade to buy extended warranties on my items.) The only issue I had backing up was the software that was included with my hard drive to sync my files. I just couldn't get it to do what I wanted it to do. I had used a freeware program called Syncback previously on my old external. It allowed me to customize things just the way I wanted them set. I dumped the external's backup software after two days and went back to Syncback. If I win the GeneaBloggers' contest I would happily give Handy Backup a whirl.
I guess, I really backup more than sync files. When I delete a file off my computer I don't want my external to send it back to me when you sync them up. I also don't want real time backup (at least I don't think I do). After I make changes, I am comfortable with, I run Syncback to make the same changes on the external. My external is a mirror image of my computer files. My second hard drive is not as current and would give me a week to decide if I made mistakes in deleting files.
So far, once I delete files, I have never really wanted them back again. That being said, there are times you need old copies of your genealogy software database. During the first beta period of new FamilySearch, I actually had to send an old 1993 GEDCOM file to them so they could determine what was happening in some old Ancestral File submissions. I felt so clever that I could actually give them such an old GEDCOM. I save my genealogy database in GEDCOM format for long term storage.
Besides GEDCOM format, I also save all my current or working databases as zip backup files. They are dated so I can go back in time and restore from them if needed. Thankfully RootsMagic helps me by automatically including the date when I backup. Sometimes I just need to add a b, c, d, etc., if I am making a lot of changes that day.
Example:
renee (2009-09-10b)
renee (2009-09-12)
renee (2009-10-13)
renee (2009-10-13b)
renee (2009-10-13c)
Here are two older posts of mine that discuss my genealogy database backup process.
Backup vs GEDCOM - 10 Nov 2005
The Art of Storing Your Genealogy Database - 11 Nov 2005
The articles are a little dated but it will help you understand why you need BACKUPs and GEDCOMs of your database and the importance of a BACKUP SYSTEM. With my new system, without CD/DVDs, I needed to work out when I would make my GEDCOMs. Since I wrote the older articles I have used Legacy 6, Legacy 7, RootsMagic 3 and RootsMagic 4. Having a GEDCOM of my database, as long term storage, is more important than ever. Who wants to uninstall a new program for an old version just to find out if an old backup has something you needed.
My plan is to every month make a GEDCOM of my genealogy database for long term storage. I will name it using the database title, date created and what version of software I am using, i.e. "renee(2009-11-01)RM4". I would suggest running file maintenance on your database before hand if you have that option.
When you keep all those zip files of your working database, your backup folder can get pretty full. I used to burn a CD when it was getting crowded and then delete all but the last six zip files from my computer hard drive. To replace that system I made a "Archive" folder with sub-folders by year>month to hold them. Once a month after making my GEDCOM, I will then move my older zip files into the archive folder where they belong.
When a new version of my genealogy software comes out, and I feel comfortable with it, I will delete the archive for the old program, and just keep the GEDCOM files for long term storage. I think this will cover all my bases. Now I just need to go back through all my old CD/DVDs and finish migrating my older GEDCOM files off them. It will be wonderful to shred and get rid of all those old CD/DVDs. YIPEE!!! more physical space!
Here are my recommendations now:
1. Make multiple backup copies of all your files, using various storage devices.
2. Have an off site storage plan for a copy of your files.
3. Make a Backup of your working genealogy files, daily or as needed.
4. Make monthly GEDCOMs for long term storage.
5. Move backup zip files monthly into their Archive>Year>Month folder
6. Name and date your backups - "renee (2009-10-13c)"
7. Name and date your GEDCOMs - "renee(2009-11-01)RM4"
8. Do file maintenance on your database before creating a GEDCOM.
9. Delete your backup zip file archive once you migrate to a new version of software.
Now after saying all that....DO IT!
See ya tomorrow, for tomorrow is always another genealogy day!
Several weeks ago, I decided to rearrange all my genealogy files. Before doing that I started to make a DVD backup of my files, in case something went terribly wrong. I spent 5 hours trying to figure out how to fit the files, without breaking up the main folder, onto a DVD and then waiting for it to burn. I was sick of the process by then and hopelessly realizing I had an estimated 7 more hours to go to finish. Out of frustration I commented on Facebook that there had to be a better way.
One friend suggested that I get a second external hard drive and skip the DVDs altogether. Yes, that was reasonable to me. No more breaking up folders to make them fit on a DVD. I was then on the quest to find a second external to backup to. My 80GB External Hard drive was nearly full anyways. At first I wanted to just buy one new external, I was thinking a terabyte here. Then later on get another external to replace my 80GB. After looking at prices, reading reviews and thinking things over, I realized I could get two 320GB externals for about the price of one 1TB external on eBay. It wasn't the size I was hoping for, but 320GB was plenty big enough for me. By the time I want/need a TB, the prices would have come down even more. This was a win-win solution.
I was very picky about what type of external hard drives I wanted. For my main external, I wanted it to have a separate power cord to plug in. It would be always plugged into my computer and backed up to every night. I bought the WD MyBook to suit that purpose. Here's an interesting side note: Never move an external hard drive when it is writing/reading. You could damage it or make it wear out prematurely.
For my second external I wanted it to be tiny and portable. Something I could store away in a safe place and not be connected to my computer all the time. I bought the WD Passport Mini Portable for that need. The portable external will be backed up to at least weekly, or sooner, dependent upon if there are major changes to my files before that.
Within a week of my order my new external hard drives arrived at my door. I just love eBay. (I use SquareTrade to buy extended warranties on my items.) The only issue I had backing up was the software that was included with my hard drive to sync my files. I just couldn't get it to do what I wanted it to do. I had used a freeware program called Syncback previously on my old external. It allowed me to customize things just the way I wanted them set. I dumped the external's backup software after two days and went back to Syncback. If I win the GeneaBloggers' contest I would happily give Handy Backup a whirl.
I guess, I really backup more than sync files. When I delete a file off my computer I don't want my external to send it back to me when you sync them up. I also don't want real time backup (at least I don't think I do). After I make changes, I am comfortable with, I run Syncback to make the same changes on the external. My external is a mirror image of my computer files. My second hard drive is not as current and would give me a week to decide if I made mistakes in deleting files.
So far, once I delete files, I have never really wanted them back again. That being said, there are times you need old copies of your genealogy software database. During the first beta period of new FamilySearch, I actually had to send an old 1993 GEDCOM file to them so they could determine what was happening in some old Ancestral File submissions. I felt so clever that I could actually give them such an old GEDCOM. I save my genealogy database in GEDCOM format for long term storage.
Besides GEDCOM format, I also save all my current or working databases as zip backup files. They are dated so I can go back in time and restore from them if needed. Thankfully RootsMagic helps me by automatically including the date when I backup. Sometimes I just need to add a b, c, d, etc., if I am making a lot of changes that day.
Example:
renee (2009-09-10b)
renee (2009-09-12)
renee (2009-10-13)
renee (2009-10-13b)
renee (2009-10-13c)
Here are two older posts of mine that discuss my genealogy database backup process.
Backup vs GEDCOM - 10 Nov 2005
The Art of Storing Your Genealogy Database - 11 Nov 2005
The articles are a little dated but it will help you understand why you need BACKUPs and GEDCOMs of your database and the importance of a BACKUP SYSTEM. With my new system, without CD/DVDs, I needed to work out when I would make my GEDCOMs. Since I wrote the older articles I have used Legacy 6, Legacy 7, RootsMagic 3 and RootsMagic 4. Having a GEDCOM of my database, as long term storage, is more important than ever. Who wants to uninstall a new program for an old version just to find out if an old backup has something you needed.
My plan is to every month make a GEDCOM of my genealogy database for long term storage. I will name it using the database title, date created and what version of software I am using, i.e. "renee(2009-11-01)RM4". I would suggest running file maintenance on your database before hand if you have that option.
When you keep all those zip files of your working database, your backup folder can get pretty full. I used to burn a CD when it was getting crowded and then delete all but the last six zip files from my computer hard drive. To replace that system I made a "Archive" folder with sub-folders by year>month to hold them. Once a month after making my GEDCOM, I will then move my older zip files into the archive folder where they belong.
When a new version of my genealogy software comes out, and I feel comfortable with it, I will delete the archive for the old program, and just keep the GEDCOM files for long term storage. I think this will cover all my bases. Now I just need to go back through all my old CD/DVDs and finish migrating my older GEDCOM files off them. It will be wonderful to shred and get rid of all those old CD/DVDs. YIPEE!!! more physical space!
Here are my recommendations now:
1. Make multiple backup copies of all your files, using various storage devices.
2. Have an off site storage plan for a copy of your files.
3. Make a Backup of your working genealogy files, daily or as needed.
4. Make monthly GEDCOMs for long term storage.
5. Move backup zip files monthly into their Archive>Year>Month folder
6. Name and date your backups - "renee (2009-10-13c)"
7. Name and date your GEDCOMs - "renee(2009-11-01)RM4"
8. Do file maintenance on your database before creating a GEDCOM.
9. Delete your backup zip file archive once you migrate to a new version of software.
Now after saying all that....DO IT!
See ya tomorrow, for tomorrow is always another genealogy day!
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