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, 10 Jul 2010, from 9 am to noon in the LDS "Red Chapel", 4050 North Timpview Drive (650 East), Provo. For directions to get there see the map on the group's website http://uvpafug.org . 

The main presentation for this meeting will be by Bret Petersen on ARE YOU MY MOTHER? - FINDING MAIDEN NAMES. This will be a discussion of various types of records and research techniques that can provide clues in determining more about missing mothers. It can often be difficult to discover the maiden name of female ancestors, however, such a find can create a whole new branch on your family tree opening up connections to more and more families. Join us as we explore a few of the resources where you might look for more information regarding those elusive maiden names on your family line. 


Bret Peterson loves teaching and helping others learn all they can about using technology in researching their family history. He is a frequent presenter for classes ranging from just a few users to several hundred. He developed a love of family history research at a very young age and this continued through his college years where he graduated from BYU with a degree in communications/Journalism and a minor in Education/Sociology. His interest in computers began through newspaper writing, editing and design, and this led him into a professional training and support role with a company that supplies newspaper publishing systems internationally. His passion for family history research and the advancements in computer-assisted research led him to the Utah Valley PAF Users Group where he now serves as Webmaster. He is currently working towards accreditation with ICAPGen.

Following the main presentation there will be several classes about family history and technology with something for everyone at any level of expertise. The teachers and classes presently scheduled for this meeting are as follows: 

1. Military Research on the Internet by Laurie Castillo
2. Individual Help with PAF & New FamilySearch by Don Engstrom & Finn Hansen
3. Cemetery Symbolism in Stone by Bret Petersen
4. Video of last month's main presentation How to Light a Fire Under Your Ward by Andrea Schnakenburg 
5. Family Insight by Andrea Schnakenburg
6. Ancestral Quest 12.1 by Gaylon Findlay
7. Legacy 7.4 by Joel Graham
8. Roots Magic 4 by Bruce Buzbee

All meetings of the Users Group are open to the public whether members of the Group or not. The Users Group has the goal of helping individuals use technology to further their family history and there are usually 100-125 attending the monthly meetings on the second Saturdays. The officers are Gerhard Ruf, President; Don Snow, 1st VP; Laurie Castillo, 2nd VP; Liz Kennington, PAFology Editor; Kay Baker, Gerry Eliason, and Don Engstrom working with finances and membership; and Bruce Merrill and Marie Andersen, working with the DVD Library. Several of these will be there to help with membership, answer questions, distribute the current issue of the monthly newsletter PAFology, and check out DVD's of past presentations and classes to members of the group. Information about the Users Group, main presentations, classes, and class notes are available on the Group's website http://uvpafug.org and the press releases are athttp://blog.uvpafug.org/ . For further information contact President Gerhard Ruf atpres@uvpafug.org (801-225-6106) or 1st VP Don Snow at snowd@math.byu.edu or 2nd VP Laurie Castillo at laurie@everythingisrelative.net.

FamilySearch Indexing Update: Freedmen Letters from North Carolina Will Help Expand Popular African American Collection Online

The following is from FamilySearch.

25 June 2010

A project to index Freedmen Letters from North Carolina is now available. This is the second Freedmen’s Bureau collection FamilySearch has worked on with the National Archives. These records provide the earliest major compilation of information on many emancipated slaves, freed Blacks, and Black Union soldiers, including names, marriages, education and employment information, and receipt of rations, health care, and legal support.

New Projects in the Past Month

• Jamaica—Civil Births, 1878–1899 [Part C]
• U.S., Arkansas—WWII Draft Registration, 1942
• U.S., District of Columbia—Deaths, 1874–1959
• U.S., North Carolina—Freedmen Letters, 1862–1870

(See the chart below for a complete list and current status of all indexing projects.)

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. They will be published at pilot.familysearch.org in the near future.)*

• Belgium, Antwerp—Foreigners Index, 1840–1930
• New Zealand—Passenger Lists, 1871–1915
• Nicaragua, Managua—Registros Civiles, 1879–1984 [Part 3A]
• U.K., Isle of Man—Parish Registers, 1800–1950
• U.S., Oklahoma—WWII Draft Registration, 1942
• U.S., Pennsylvania—1910 Federal Census
• U.S., Tennessee—1910 Federal Census
• U.S., Tennessee, Carroll County—Marriages, 1881–1939
• U.S., Vermont—1910 Federal Census
• U.S., Virginia—1910 Federal Census
• U.S., Washington—1910 Federal Census

Current FamilySearch Indexing Projects, Record Language, and Percent Completion

Argentina, Balvanera—Registros Parroquiales, 1833–1934 [Parte B]	Spanish	31%
Argentina, Cordoba—Registros Parroquiales, 1722–1924 [Parte B]	Spanish	24%
Argentina, Santa Fe—Registros Parroquiales, 1634–1926 [Parte A]	Spanish	22%
Argentina, Santa Fe—Registros Parroquiales, 1634–1926 [Parte B]	Spanish	27%
Brasil, Pernambuco, Recife—Registro Civil, 1900–1920	Portuguese	1%
Brasil, Rio de Janeiro—Matrimonios, 1900–1910 [Piloto]	Portuguese	36%
Canada, Ontario—Births, 1869–1912	English	10%
Canada, Ontario—Deaths, 1933–1937	English	56%
Canada, Ontario—Marriages, 1869–1927 [Part A]	English	16%
Canada, Québec, Montreal—Régistres Paroissiaux, 1800–1900	French	29%
Česká republika, Litoměřice—Matriky, 1552-1905 [část 1] (Tschechien, Litomerice—Kirchenbücher [Teil 1])	German	54%
Chile, Concepción—Registros Civiles, 1885–1903 [Parte 2A]	Spanish	84%
Chile, Concepción—Registros Civiles, 1885–1903 [Parte 2B]	Spanish	15%
Colombia, Bucaramanga—Registros Parroquiales, 1649–1959	Spanish	7%
Colombia, Marinilla—Registros Parroquiales, 1815–1959	Spanish	37%
Deutschland, Baden, Achern—Kirchenbücher, 1810–1869 [Part C]	German	23%
Deutschland, Mecklenburg—Volkszählung, 1890 [Div 70–92]	German	25%
España, Avila, Navalmoral—Registros Parroquiales, 1530–1935	Spanish	84%
España, Lugo—Registros Parroquiales, 1530–1930 [Parte 1]	Spanish	38%
España, Malaga—Registros Civiles, 1846–1870	Spanish	81%
France, Cherbourg—Registres Paroissiaux, 1802–1907	French	21%
France, Coutances—Registres Paroissiaux 1802–1907	French	19%
France, Coutances, Paroisses de la Manche, 1792–1906	French	90%
France, Paris—Registres Protestants, 1612–1906 [Partie D]	French	39%
France, Saint-Lo—Registres Paroissiaux, 1802–1907	French	56%
Guatemala, Guatemala—Registros Civiles, 1877–1900	Spanish	1%
Guatemala, Huehuetenango y San Marcos—Registros Civiles, 1877–1900	Spanish	78%
Italia, Napoli, Castellammare di Stabia—Atti di Morte, 1809–1936 [Parte B]	Italian	43%
Italy, Trento—Baptisms, 1784–1924 [Part 2A]	Italian	15%
Jamaica—Civil Births, 1900–1930 [Part A]	English	95%
Jamaica—Civil Births, 1878–1899 [Part C]	English	(New)
Mexico, DF—Registros Parroquiales, 1855–1934 [Parte 4]	Spanish	45%
Mexico, Zacatecas—1930 Federal Censo	Spanish	36%
Norge —Tinglysningskort, 1640–1903	Norwegian	1%
Perú, Lima—Registros Civiles, 1887–1921 [Parte A]	Spanish	23%
Portugal, Setúbal—Registros da Igreja, 1581–1910	Portuguese	13%
Russland, Sankt Petersburg—Kirchenbuchduplikat, 1833–1885	German	3%
South Africa, Cape Province—Church Records, 1660–1970	Afrikaans, Dutch, English	44%
Sverige, Södermanland—Kyrkoböcker, till 1860 [Del 1]	Swedish	30%
Sverige, Uppsala—Kyrkoböcker, till 1860 [Del 1]	Swedish	42%
Sverige, Örebro—Kyrkoböcker, till 1860 [Del 1]	Swedish	21%
U.K., Bristol—Non-Conformist Registers, Pre-1900 [Part A]	English	14%
U.K., Bristol—Parish Registers, 1837–1900 [Part C]	English	87%
U.K., Essex—Parish Registers, 1538–1900 [Part A]	English	6%
U.K., Isle of Man—Parish Registers, 1598–1850	English/ Old English	52%
U.K., Manchester—Parish Registers, 1813–1925 [Part A]	English	4%
U.K., Warwickshire—Parish Registers, 1538–1900 [Part 2 Adv]	English/ Old English	3%
U.K., Warwickshire—Parish Registers, 1754–1900 [Part 1C]	English	58%
U.S., Alabama—County Marriages, 1809–1950 [Part A]	English	4%
U.S., Arkansas—County Marriages, 1837–1957 [VIII]	English	21%
U.S., Arkansas—WWII Draft Registration, 1942	English	(New)
U.S., California—County Marriages, 1850–1952 [Part A]	English	5%
U.S., District of Columbia—County Marriages, 1811–1950 [Part A]	English	1%
U.S., District of Columbia—Deaths, 1874–1959	English	(New)
U.S., Hawaii—1920 Federal Census	English	93%
U.S., Idaho—County Marriages, 1864–1950	English	59%
U.S., Illinois—County Marriages, 1810–1934 [Part A]	English	3%
U.S., Indiana, De Kalb County—Marriages, 1811–1959	English	20%
U.S., Indiana, Dearborn County—Marriages, 1811–1959	English	13%
U.S., Indiana, Delaware County—Marriages, 1811–1959	English	48%
U.S., Iowa—1885 State Census	English	9%
U.S., Iowa—County Marriages, 1838–1992 [Part A]	English	2%
U.S., Military—1920 Federal Census	English	95%
U.S., Minnesota—1905 State Census	English	70%
U.S., Minnesota—County Marriages, 1860–1949 [Part A]	English	1%
U.S., New Jersey—County Marriages, 1682–1956 [Part 1]	English	3%
U.S., New York—1905 State Census [Part 2]	English	17%
U.S., New York—1910 Federal Census	English	27%
U.S., New York—Marriage Licenses, 1908–1938 [Part A]	English	3%
U.S., New York—Marriages, 1908–1935 [Part A]	English	2%
U.S., North Carolina—County Marriages, 1762–1959 [Part A]	English	22%
U.S., North Carolina—Freedmen Letters, 1862–1870	English	(New)
U.S., Oklahoma—County Marriages, 1891–1959 [Part A]	English	7%
U.S., Puerto Rico—1920 Censo Federal	Spanish	5%
U.S., Puerto Rico—Nacimientos Civiles, 1836–1930 [Parte A]	Spanish	30%
U.S., Rhode Island—1885 State Census	English	40%
U.S., Rhode Island—1935 State Census	English	77%
U.S., Tennessee—County Marriages, 1790–1950 [Part B]	English	12%
U.S., Texas—County Marriages, 1837–1977 [Part A]	English	9%
U.S., Utah—County Marriages, 1887–1966 [Part A]	English	54%
Venezuela, Mérida—Registros Parroquiales, 1654–1992 [Parte 2]	Spanish	11%
Österreich, Wiener Meldezettel, 1890–1925	German	24%
Украина, Киев—Метрические книги русской православной церкви, 1843–1845 [Часть А]	Russian	13%

Current FamilySearch Partner Projects, Record Language, and Percent Completion

Australia, Victoria—Probate Records, 1853–1989	English	90%
België—Burgerlijke Stand, 1851–1900 [Deel D]	Dutch	4%
Belgique—Registres Civile, 1851–1900 [Partie A]	French	32%
Canada, Ontario, Toronto—Trust Cemeteries, 1826–1935	English	17%
Deutschland, Westfalen, Minden—Volkszählung, 1880–1900	German	6%
España, Avila, Madrigal y Garganta—Registros Parroquiales, 1530–1935	Spanish	57%
France, Quimper et Leon, St. Louis—Registres Paroissiaux, 1722–1909	French	34%
Norway—1875 Census [Part B]	Norwegian	21%
Philippines, Lingayen, Dagupan—Registros Parroquiales, 1615–1982	Spanish	24%
U.K., Norfolk—Parish Registers, 1538–1900	English	1%
U.S., Ohio—Tax Records, Post 1825 [Part 3]	English	31%
U.S., Utah, Salt Lake County—Birth Registers, 1890–1908	English	51%
U.S., Utah, Salt Lake County—Death Registers, 1848–1940	English	32%

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 News: 26 Million new names added for Costa Rica, France, Hungary, Mexico, Spain, and the U.S.

The following is from FamilySearch.

26 Million New Names Added for Costa Rica, France, Hungary, Mexico, Spain, and the U.S. 

Twenty-nine new collections were updated or added this week at FamilySearch.org—with 26 million names and 1.5 million digital images!

The international collections continue to expand with exciting new additions for Costa Rica, France, Hungary, Mexico, and Spain. In addition, nine more indexes were added to the U.S. 1910 Federal Census collection—that means it is 37 percent complete! This project is moving along quickly.

There are now 428 collections from original source records available online at FamilySearch. Search all of these great collections for free online atFamilySearch’s Record Search pilot (from FamilySearch.org, click Search Records, and then click Record Search pilot).

See the chart below for the complete list of all the newly added or improved collections.

None of this would be possible without the great contributions of many online FamilySearch volunteers. These individuals donate the time and effort needed to make these collections freely available to FamilySearch patrons. If you would like to help by donating a few minutes online with projects of personal interest, become a FamilySearch community volunteer atFamilySearchIndexing.org. Many hands produce great work. Thank you for your support!

Collection Name	Indexed Records	Digital Images	Comments
Costa Rica—Church Records	217,000		Waypointed images
France—Protestant Church Records, Part B and C		122,000	Updated index
Hungary, Abauj-Torna—Civil Registration	70,000		Waypointed images
Hungary, Szabolcs—Civil Registration	104,000		Waypointed images
México, México—Censo de México de 1930		633,657	New index linked to previously published images
México, Durango—Censo de México de 1930		322,598	New index linked to previously published images
México, Guanajuato—Censo de México de 1930		851,154	New index linked to previously published images
México, Hidalgo—Censo de México de 1930		799,861	New index linked to previously published images
México, Jalisco—Censo de México de 1930		1,462,000	New index linked to previously published images
México, Queretaro—Censo de México de 1930		57,647	New index linked to previously published images
Spain, Barcelona—Civil Registration Part 2	1,000		Waypointed images
Spain, Barcelona—Civil Registration Part 3	2,000		Waypointed images
Spain, Barcelona, Vich—Civil Registration	11,000		Waypointed images
Spain, Cordoba—Civil Registration	4,000		Waypointed images
Spain, Gerona—Catholic Diocese Church Records, Part 2	57,000		Waypointed images
Spain, Málaga—Civil Registration	22,000		Waypointed images
Spain, Ripoll (Girona)—Municipal Records	53,000		Waypointed images
U.S., District of Columbia—1910 Federal Census		356,000	New index
U.S., Indiana—1910 Federal Census		2,957,000	New index
U.S., Kansas—1910 Federal Census		1,867,000	New index
U.S., Kentucky—1910 Federal Census		2,516,000	New index
U.S., Maryland—1910 Federal Census		1,419,000	New index
U.S., Massachusetts—1910 Federal Census		3,622,000	New index
U.S., Minnesota—1910 Federal Census		2,282,000	New index
U.S., New Jersey—1910 Federal Census		2,670,000	New index
U.S., New Hampshire—Statewide Deaths, 1901–1937	618,000	803,000	New index and images
U.S., New Hampshire—Statewide Deaths, 1938–1947	143,000	143,000	New index and images
U.S., New Hampshire—Statewide Deaths, Early to 1900	300,000	300,000	New index and images
U.S., Texas—1910 Federal Census		4,000,000	New index

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.

BYU Family History Conference Set for July

PROVO, Utah — “Strengthening Ties That Bind Families Together Forever” is the theme of the 42nd annual BYU Conference on Family History and Genealogy, July 27-30, 2010 at the BYU Conference Center, 770 E. University Parkway, Provo, Utah.


The conference will offer 140 classes, with topics that include Beginning Family History, FamilySearch, Writing the Narrative Family History, Using Computers, Internet and Technology, Basic Research, Methodologies, Using the BYU Harold B. Lee Library, Research in the United States and Canada, Colonial America, International Research, British Research, and Tips for Professional Genealogists.

Keynote speakers are:

Tuesday, July 27, 2010, Elder Dennis B. Neuenschwander — “It Is More than About Names.” Prior to his call as a general authority (now emeritus), Elder Neuenschwander was responsible for the acquisition of genealogical sources throughout Eastern Europe.

Wednesday, July 28, 2010, Curt B. Witcher — “This I Believe: The Urgent Need to Record Living History.” Curt B. Witcher manages the Genealogy Center at the Allen County Public Library in Fort Wayne, Indiana. He is a member of the Genealogy Committee of the American Library Association, a former president of both the Federation of Genealogical Societies and the National Genealogical Society, and president of the Indiana Genealogical Society.

Thursday, July 29, 2010, Daniel C. Lawyer — “The Future of FamilySearch (Something Big is Coming Soon).” Daniel C. Lawyer is a senior product manager for FamilySearch.

The conference will offer the following unique tracks: Basic Research, Beginner, British Isles, Canada, Computers & Technology, FamilySearch Methodology, ICAPGen, International, Methodology, Scandinavian, U.S. Research, U.S. States, and Writing Family History.

Register online at http://familyhistoryconferences@byu.edu.

Conference participants can register for credit (2 credits of History 481R–Family History Directed Research; cost $440) or noncredit (cost $175).

Limited on-campus housing is available. For more information call 801-422-4853, or visit http://familyhistoryconferences@byu.edu.

Riverton FamilySearch Library Open House Wrap-up

I was able to attend the Riverton FamilySearch Library Open House Thursday afternoon. It is a state-of-the-art family history research center equipped with a variety of resources.  I brought a camera with me to take pictures but ended up not taking any.  (I have never been the photographer in our family.)  I was so tickled to see that Sue Maxwell took wonderful pictures of the building and you can enjoy them on her blog "Granite Genealogy" Visit to the Riverton FamilySearch Library Open House.

Before opening the Riverton FamilySearch Library they conducted a survey of the films ordered from the recently closed, surrounding 22 Family History Centers. The library then ordered 50,000 highly requested films from, England, Ohio, New York, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and Massachusetts. I like the idea of them having New York films there.  That is going to be way nice for me.

You can order films from Salt Lake for the reduced price of $2.50 per roll.  If you renew it twice after that the film will stay on indefinite loan. If you order your film before 12pm noon, it will be waiting for you at noon the next day.

There is a website for the Riverton FamilySearch Library at http://familysearch.org/fhc/riverton/ . Not only can you find a list of films available there but also a lists of classes. They will be holding conferences there too.

Here's a taste of what's coming

• June 24-25 Large Family History Director Conference
• July 17 Saturday Seminar 9-12
• Aug 21 Saturday Seminar 9-12
• Sep 18 Saturday Seminar 9-12
• Oct 15-16 1st Riverton FamilySearch Library Conference
• Nov 20 Saturday Seminar 9-12

Research Workshop 2010 -  Runs each Thursday evening at 7 PM, through September 9th

• June 24 Vital Records
• July 1 Maps
• July 8 Land Records
• July 15 Probate Records
• July 22 Church Records
• July 29 LDS Church Records
• Aug 5 Military - Early Wars to Civil War
• Aug 12 Military - Late Wars, Civil War to Present Day
• Aug 19, 26 Emigration Records
• Sept 2 Naturalization, Paleography, Old Handwriting
• Sept 9 Advanced Class - Migration, New England, Southern, Mid Atlantic, Mid Western

The computers in the Library all have the same desktop you will find in the Salt Lake Family History Library.  It also means all the same paid websites available in Salt Lake can be found in Riverton too.  For a complete listing of the websites click here. I was personally tickled to see Ancestry and New England Historical Genealogical Society's websites available for free.

It's getting to be a bit more than a rumor that more of these "Regional FamilySearch Libraries" are coming. Family Search PLEASE pick American Fork for your next location!

They showed the Church videos of the Granite Mountain Records Vault from the NGS conference.  You could also view all the videos from "A Celebration of Family History".  When I went to watch a couple, I noticed the worker put in a professional CD with all those videos on it.  Man I hope they come out with them at the Distribution Center.

I am posting some of the videos in my blog so you can view them.

From NGS Conference Opening Sessions by Jay Verkler, CEO of FamilySearch

The Granite Mountain Vault - Part 1

The Granite Mountain Vault - Part 2

In 2004 a cyclone struck the island of Niue, destroying all vital records. FamilySearch had filmed the records and was able to provide a copy of the original records to the island.


From "A Celebration of Family History"

Woven Generations

Searching for Emma

Letters from Estonia

Clan McCloud


See ya tomorrow, for tomorrow is always another genealogy day!

Findmypast.co.uk's second World Cup widows offer

The following is from FindMyPast.

With the next England match just around the corner, we’re warming up to provide further entertainment for any non-football fans in the form of our second World Cup widows offer:

90 minutes free access to findmypast.co.uk at a time of your choice on the day that England play – when England play, you still don’t pay!*

How to get free access

-          Make sure you are registered on the website before midnight (UK time) on the day before the match. If you have already registered, you do not need to do this again.

-          Return to findmypast.co.uk at a time of your choosing between 9am (UK time) on the day of the match and 9am (UK time) the day afterwards.

-          Once you have signed in, you will have 90 minutes to search and view the records for free.

The free 90 minutes are available as a continuous period and will begin the moment you sign intofindmypast.co.uk between the times stated above. If you’re not in the UK, you can convert the UK times above into local time here. A listing of the scheduled England matches is available here.

Our World Cup Widows offer for the second England match is now much more flexible, particularly for those of you based outside of the UK. You are now able to use the records atfindmypast.co.uk at a time that suits you. We’ve been working hard to improve the speed of the site after the overwhelming popularity of our first offer so that even more customers will be able to benefit from it.

Visit our World Cup page for more information. If you need a helping hand with your research, take a look at our video tutorials or our Getting Started page which provide advice and tips about using our records.

We'd love to hear about any discoveries you make while our records are free to view - post anything you'd like to share with us and our readers on our Facebook page.

Please pass this on to friends, family or anyone else you think might want to make the most of our free family history records.

*All records available using our Full subscription (including the 1911 Census) will be free: Living Relatives searches and Memorial scrolls are not included.

FamilySearch News: New FamilySearch Library in Riverton Opens

The following is from FamilySearch.

June 17, 2010

New FamilySearch Library in Riverton Opens to the Public

SALT LAKE CITY — Whether for seasoned researchers with years of experience, or curious family history newcomers with simple questions about their ancestors, a new FamilySearch Library in Riverton, Utah, is making it easier and more convenient for south valley residents to look into the branches of their family tree. The new Riverton FamilySearch Library is a state-of-the-art family history research center equipped with a treasure trove of tools and resources.

The Library replaces 24 smaller family history centers that had been operating in Latter-day Saint stake centers (meetinghouses) in the southern part of the Salt Lake Valley until earlier this year. Consolidating the smaller centers into a larger facility will enhance the experience of patrons significantly. In the new library, visitors will enjoy extended hours, broader research assistance and access to significantly more genealogical resources.

“Once fully stocked, the new Library will be home to 50,000 microfilms of most interest to researchers in the area,” said Sharon Hintze, acting director, Riverton FamilySearch Library.  “If we don’t have a specific film, a patron order can be delivered the very next day.”

When the Library opens officially on Monday, 21 June, 2010, its resources will be available free to the public (a small fee may be incurred for computer printing or photo copies). Patrons are invited to participate in free training and research classes. In fact, the library is equipped with a state-of-the-art computer training lab and four multi-purpose training rooms.

The Library staff is anxious to assist patrons. “Bring in your tough family history questions and dead ends,” said Hintze. “Our research staff is ready to help. We love the excitement patrons experience when they make a discovery or find something unexpected.”

The public is invited to an open house, 17–19 June 2010, at the new Library. Open house activities will include ongoing orientations, a video tour of the Granite Mountain Records Vault, opportunities to explore FamilySearch’s newest products and services, and hands-on demonstrations of the process and technologies used to digitally preserve and publish historic records online. There will also be fun family history–related activities for children 8 years of age and older.

The library is located on the main floor of the Church-owned Riverton Office Building at 3740 West Market Center Drive (13400 S. Bangerter Highway). 

Open House Dates and Times

Thursday, 17 June 2010          1 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Friday, 18 June 2010              1 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Saturday, 19 June 2010          10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Quick Facts about the Riverton FamilySearch Library

·         The library is open to the public. There is no admission fee and all resources are available at no charge (a small fee is required for computer printing, photo copies, and microfilm orders).

·         The library offers 127 patron computer work stations with free Web and premium subscriptions access.

·         Patrons will benefit from 20 microfilm and fiche readers. Some of the readers are equipped to capture and convert film images to digital files that can be saved to a flash drive allowing patrons to document their family history sources electronically.

·         Once fully inventoried, the library will be the permanent home of 50,000 high demand microfilms.

·         Popular training and research classes will be offered for free on a daily/weekly basis.  In fact, the library is equipped with a state-of- the-art computer training lab and 4 multi-purpose training rooms. See the schedule online at http://familysearch.org/fhc/riverton for a complete list.

·         The library is staffed with skilled and experienced researchers offering free assistance to patrons.

·         Youth and community groups are welcome to tour the library or schedule a time to work together in a group setting.

·         Adjacent to the library is a cafeteria available to library patrons offering lunch service only.

·         Following the open house, the library’s regular hours of operation are Monday, Friday and Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. The library is closed on Sundays.

Ancestry.com to Acquire Sweden's Genline.se

The following is from Ancestry.com, Inc.

Ancestry.com Inc., the world's largest online family history resource, today announced that it has agreed to acquire the leading Swedish family history website Genline.se.

Total consideration for Genline is approximately US$6.7 million, to be paid in cash at closing. The offer has been accepted by Genline's Board of Directors but remains subject to approval of Genline Holding AB's public shareholders and other ordinary course closing conditions.

Genline expects to provide proxy materials to shareholders immediately and hold a Special Meeting of Stockholders shortly to vote on the transaction. Genline trades on the Stockholm exchange AktiTorget under the ticker symbol GENL.

Upon completion of the transaction, Genline will join Ancestry.com's family of nine web properties globally, which together serve more than 1.2 million subscribers and host over five billion historical records and 17 million family trees containing 1.7 billion profiles.

Genline currently has more than 17,000 paying members with access to 26 million pages of digitized Swedish church records spanning more than 400 years from the 16th to the 20th century.

Josh Hanna, SVP and General Manager, International, Ancestry.com Inc., comments: "The Genline.se transaction, our first international acquisition, represents an exciting opportunity for Ancestry.com to access Sweden's avid family history community and to provide Ancestry.com subscribers of Swedish heritage in the U.S. and other markets with access to important historical content.

"For Genline members, the millions of US and Canadian records with Swedish relevance will provide many new opportunities to discover North American ancestors."

Mikko Ollinen, Genline AB Managing Director, comments: "We are delighted that Ancestry.com sees the potential of Genline. Together we look forward to continuing to grow our business in Sweden and to making new and exciting historical records, both local and international, available to our members."

Ancestry.com expects to acquire all shares of Genline AB for approximately 53 million Swedish kronor with an adjustment for net working capital. Based on a June 11, 2010 exchange rate of SEK7.94 to US$1.00, the net purchase amount approximates US$6.7 million

Genline's 2009 reported revenue was $2.4 million. Ancestry.com does not expect the acquisition to have a material impact on its financial guidance as issued in connection with its first quarter earnings release on April 29, 2010.

About Ancestry.com

Ancestry.com Inc. , the world's largest online family history resource, has digitised and put online over five billion records over the past 13 years. Ancestry users have created nearly 17 million family trees containing 1.7 billion profiles. Ancestry.com Inc. has web properties directed at nine countries, including its flagship website at http://www.ancestry.com

About Genline.se

Genline AB is the Swedish market leader in genealogy and local heritage research. Its collection of Swedish church records contains more than 26 million digitalized pages of records dating from the 1600's to the 1900s.

Genline also operates Familjeband.se, a web-based genealogy software and community for people interested in family, genealogy and local heritage, and Bygdeband, a social networking archive that enables local heritage societies to digitize their archives.

nFS June release beta includes new features, discussion boards, etc.

The following is off FCHNET.

Submitted by James Anderson

The beta for the June nFS update and upgrade is in progress, and several new features are coming.

The biggest one is 'Discussion boards'. Behind each ancestor will be a discussion board, sort of like a talk page on a wiki, where one can discuss what they are doing or what they need to find in regards to that ancestor.

It could be a good place for sources until the sourcing feature is readied later this year.

They also recommend, since the discussions will be available to nonmembers when nFS becomes the 'Family Tree Feature' on FamilySearch.org, that any discussion of temple ordinances between people be done via email.

The next feature is 'exact search', you will need to have several of the fields filled out to activate this. There will also be some things with the standardized places to allow for defunct places that are not yet in the database to be added.

Asian temple data is also included in this release, some was added a few months back, and I think it seems that there is more coming with this release as well.

To see the details on how the forums work, there is a pdf at the 'What's New' link to the right of the login boxes on this page:

http://ftbeta.familysearch.org/


If printed out, it will be about seven pages long. 



New Features as of June 2010

Ohana Software - Summer Family History Webinars

The following is from Ohana Software.

We have two new webinars for our genealogy friends this summer season. So even with all the barbecues, hikes, and family fun, we hope there is still some time for family history.  

Summer Guest Presentation:

-------------------------------------------- 

New England Land, Probate, and Tax Records  

By Marilyn Markham, SLC Family History Library

Date: Saturday, July 10, 2010

Time: 10:00 AM- 11:00 AM Mountain Time

Description:

The New England states are Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont.  New England has a rich genealogical heritage.  Some of the best records for genealogists are land, probate and tax records.  In New England, these records are especially useful, often surprisingly so.  This class will discuss how to find, use, and interpret these wonderful records.

 

Reserve your Webinar seat now at: https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/907499555 

--------------------------------------------

New Presentation done by John Vilburn:

-------------------------------------------- 

Using FamilySearch Wiki 

Date: Thursday, July 22, 2010

Time: 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM Mountain Time

Description: John will cover how to contribute, edit and navigate the new FamilySearch Wiki. We now have a wonderful tool to use to collaborate and share useful information about the places and people we are researching. Come learn how to use it.

Reserve your Webinar seat now at: https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/389582819  

 --------------------------------------------

These other webinars are available this summer:

-------------------------------------------- 

Syncing Your File with FamilySearch(tm) using FamilyInsight

Date: Wednesday, June 30, 2010

Time: 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM Mountain Time

Description: Learn to use FamilyInsight to synchronize your PAF files with the new.familysearch.org website. We'll walk you through an actual synchronization so you can quickly start updating your records and helping others. After the presentation, there will be a short question and answer session.

Reserve your Webinar seat now at: https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/632701347

 

--------------------------------------------

Separating Incorrectly Combine Persons, Correcting Place Names, and More

Date: Thursday, Aug. 19, 2010

Time: 7:00PM - 8:00 PM Mountain Time

Description:  Have you ever come across an individual on new FamilySearch that has been incorrectly combined? We'll show you how to quickly find, correctly separate, and lower the chances that the records will be incorrectly combined again. Come learn how to make sure your place names match each other and match the standardized list onnew.familysearch.org. Did you know that you can mark your unique place name as correct and choose a "standardized" name to use only when you do a search on the new FamilySearch website? Come see how.

 

Reserve your Webinar seat now at: https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/186362275