NGS Opens Registration for the Thirty-Third 2011 Family History Conference

The following is from NGS.

NATIONAL GENEALOGICAL SOCIETY OPENS REGISTRATION        

FOR THE THIRTY-THIRD

2011 FAMILY HISTORY CONFERENCE

CHARLESTON, SOUTH CAROLINA, 11-14 MAY 2011

 

Where the Past is Still Present

America's fascination with ancestry is increasing because of the recent television series "Faces of America" on PBS and "Who Do You Think You Are" on NBC. The National Genealogical Society is pleased to announce that registration opens today for next year's conference, which will be held at the Charleston Area Convention Center, 5001 Coliseum Drive, North Charleston, SC 29418, 11-14 May 2011. The Society selected Charleston because of its significance in American history. In addition to attending the NGS 2011 Family History Conference, participants will have an opportunity to tour Charleston's historic buildings, churches and homes as well as its many museums and research facilities. The National Genealogical Society anticipates 2,000 genealogists from around the country will attend next year's event. Read more.

April 2011 will mark the 150th Anniversary of the beginning of the Civil War at nearby Ft. Sumter, so the four day family history conference will feature talks on both Revolutionary War and Civil War records.  More than seventy-five nationally recognized speakers will provide over one hundred and eighty lectures on a wide variety of topics including research in South Carolina and the surrounding states, migration patterns, religious records, research methodology, and problem solving. The conference program will also include lectures about researching various ethnic groups including Germans, Cherokee, African Americans, Huguenots, Irish, Scots, and Scots-Irish.

Special Saturday workshops include an all day beginner's workshop, "Genealogy 101: Getting Started with Family History" and a "Kids' Kamp" for children and young adults ages eight through sixteen.

An exhibit area with more than one hundred exhibitors will be open and free to the public Wednesday through Saturday including the latest in genealogical software, online research providers and DNA testing services.

Founded in 1903, the National Genealogical Society is dedicated to genealogy education, high research standards, and the preservation of genealogical records.  The Arlington, VA-based nonprofit is the premier national society for everyone, from the beginner to the most advanced family historian, seeking excellence in publications, educational offerings, research guidance, and opportunities to interact with other genealogists.  Please visit the NGS Pressroom for further information.

SLIG Black Friday Deal!!

The following is from the Salt Lake Institute of Genealogy.

The Utah Genealogical Association would like to offer a Black Friday/Cyber Monday deal!! Beginning tomorrow, Friday, November 26th, through Tuesday, November 30th:

Registrants for the Salt Lake Institute of Genealogy will also receive free UGA membership ($35 value) and the UGA member discount ($40 discount) for a total value of $75/off the current price!! Classes are filling fast and will fill even faster with this deal. Register at www.ugagenealogy.com.

Remember, the Salt Lake Institute of Genealogy will be January 10-14, 2011 at the Salt Lake Radisson. Instructors are the best in the nation and cover topics from advanced methodology to writing a family narrative, to technology. We are also offering location-specific courses in French and Irish research this year?don?t wait, we?re not sure when they will be offered again.

Questions? Contact Christy Fillerup at christy.fillerup@gmail.com

Coupon code for this deal: SLIG2011

Hurry--the $100 off a Y-DNA kit offer ends Monday!

The following is from Genetree.

Holiday Special

We're going all out this year for our Holiday Special!

Y-46 tests for only $79.95! (That's a savings of $100.)

A DNA test kit makes an extraordinary gift that won't be forgotten!

Valid now through the Monday after Thanksgiving (Nov 18-29, 2010)

Order at www.genetree.com

Plymouth and West Devon family history records set to go online

The following is from FindMyPast.

PLYMOUTH AND WEST DEVON FAMILY HISTORY RECORDS SET TO GO ONLINE
* Findmypast.co.uk awarded contract by Plymouth and West Devon Record Office to publish its record collection
* 343,257  images of records containing details of 3.5 million individuals will be published online for the first time

Leading family history website www.findmypast.co.uk has been awarded the contract by the Plymouth and West Devon Record Office to digitise and publish online its family history records for the very first time, in an exclusive partnership. Findmypast.co.uk will work with FamilySearch International, the world's largest repository of genealogical records, to make the collection fully searchable online, making it easier than ever before to trace Devonshire ancestors.

Over 1500 volumes of records covering an area that includes historic Plymouth, the Dartmoor expanses of Lydford, and the Royal Navy dockyard at Devonport, will be digitised over the coming year. Details of the lives of over 3.5 million Devonians can be found within the 343,257 images. Among the records being published online are:

* Baptisms, marriages and burials dating as far back as 1538
* Monumental inscriptions
* Records of funerals
* Churchyard plans
* Churchwardens' accounts
* Electoral rolls
* Bastardy bonds
* Settlement orders
* Rate books
* Apprenticeship indentures

These records will be joining what is already one of the largest online collections of over 26 million parish records dating back 650 years at findmypast.co.uk.

Today's announcement follows on just a few weeks after findmypast.co.uk published online over 223,000 transcripts of parish baptisms, marriages and burials from Devon Family History Society. Those transcripts will soon be matched up with the images of the original parish registers, to be supplied by the Plymouth and West Devon Record Office, enabling family and local historians to view facsimiles of the original historic documents online for the first time.

FamilySearch will scan original images of the registers for findmypast.co.uk to then transcribe and make available and fully searchable online at findmypast.co.uk with an index search on FamilySearch.org.

Nicola Moyle, City Curator of Plymouth and West Devon Record Office commented: "We are committed to making our archives much more accessible and easy to use. We're really excited to be working with findmypast.co.uk and FamilySearch to digitise these records so that they will be easily available to everyone at the simple click of a button."

Debra Chatfield, Marketing Manager at findmypast.co.uk said: "We are extremely excited that the Plymouth and West Devon Record Office has chosen to make its family history collection available through findmypast.co.uk. Once these records are online, it will be possible for anyone to find out if they had Devon ancestors just by entering a surname in a search engine. They will then be able to see an image of the original parish register, which in some cases could be up to 650 years old."

The online records will be free to access at the Plymouth and West Devon Record Office but will be chargeable if viewed from home or elsewhere, either by buying PayAsYouGo credits or included within a subscription tofindmypast.co.uk.


About findmypast.co.uk
Leading UK family history website findmypast.co.uk (formerly 1837online.com) was the first company to make the complete birth, marriage and death indexes for England & Wales available online in April 2003.

Following the transcription, scanning and indexing of over two million images, the company launched the first website to allow the public easy and fast access to the complete indexes, which until then had only been available on microfiche film in specialist archives and libraries. The launch was instrumental in creating the widespread and growing interest in genealogy seen in the UK today.

Findmypast.co.uk has subsequently digitised many more family history records and now offers access to over 750 million records dating as far back as 1538. This allows family historians and novice genealogists to search for their ancestors among comprehensive collections of military records, census, migration, occupation directories, and current electoral roll data, as well as the original comprehensive birth, marriage and death records.

In November 2006 findmypast.co.uk launched the ancestorsonboard.com microsite in association with The National Archives to publish outbound passenger lists for long-distance voyages departing all British ports between 1890 and 1960.

In April 2007, findmypast.co.uk's then parent company Title Research Group received the prestigious Queen's Award for Enterprise: Innovation 2007 in recognition of their achievement.

Findmypast.co.uk was acquired in December 2007 by brightsolid, the company who were awarded The National Archives' contract to publish online the 1911 census, which it launched in January 2009.

About Plymouth and West Devon Record Office
The Plymouth and West Devon Record Office is the principal archive repository within Plymouth and the West Devon area. It exists to collect and preserve the historical records of the area and to promote and encourage their use by all who want to study them.


The Record Office holds records of the old borough and modern city of Plymouth, as well as the West Devon area. From 1 April 1998, it has been run as an independent archive service by Plymouth City Council and forms one of the services provided by the Community Services Department.


The Record Office holds original records (archives) of many organisations and individuals. Dating from circa 1190, they include deeds, charters, minute books, letters, registers, manorial documents, reports, diaries, financial records, maps, plans, photographs, card indexes, microfilms and microfiche.


The office is open Tuesday to Friday to view records and staff are happy to answer queries by telephone and email.

About FamilySearch
FamilySearch is the largest genealogy organisation in the world. Millions of people use FamilySearch records, resources, and services to learn more about their family history. For over 100 years, FamilySearch has been actively gathering, preserving, and sharing genealogical records worldwide and operates over 4,500 family history centres in 70 countries, including the renowned Family History Library in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Black Friday deal on Footnote.com - Save Big!

The following is from Footnote.

Special Offer for an Annual Membership Only $39.95 Annual Membership Offer Only $39.95! Start today Why you should use Footnote.com Over 70 million documents Unique partnerships with The National Archives and other institutions Perfectly complements other websites like Ancestry.com Over 1 million registered Footnote Members Footnote is offering an Annual Membership for only $39.95 (that's 50% off the regular price!) today only. Click below and get started today. Annual Membership Offer Only $39.95! Start todayor Share with a Friend Hurry! This offer ends Friday, November 26th at 11:59pm!

NEHGS has a new website: AmericanAncestors.org

The following is from NEHGS.


NEHGS OFFICIALLY MOVES ITS WEBSITE TO AMERICANANCESTORS.ORG

Boston, MA – November 23, 2010 – Today, The New England Historic Genealogical Society (NEHGS) in Boston bids farewell to its former website www.NewEnglandAncestors.org and officially welcomes AmericanAncestors.org as its new home.

In August, D. Brenton Simons, President and CEO of NEHGS, announced the launch of AmericanAncestors.org. Unlike the former website, AmericanAncestors.org contains all of the Society’s New England and New York content, features, articles, and resources, as well as weekly updates and databases in a variety of regional and ethnic specialties, like mid-Atlantic, Irish, and African American research.

Simons said, “This website marks a transformative experience in our 165-year history, the first genealogical society founded in America. It represents the next major step ahead as we continue to expand our resources.” Simons added, “AmericanAncestors.org is a new, dynamic platform from which we will grow in our position as a leader in American genealogy and as the nation’s largest genealogical society.”

AmericanAncestors.org provides online access to some of the most vital research tools and resources available. Some of the improvements include a new image viewer, faster navigation and search results time, and more unique content. This expanded scope allows greater opportunity for NEHGS to bring unique content to its members as well as the public while establishing new and beneficial collaborations with likeminded non-profit organizations and important commercial entities.

Ryan Woods, Director of Technology, notes a significant advantage of the AmericanAncestors.org website, “The new advanced search form provides all of the necessary search fields to conduct a thorough and specific query, removing the need to navigate across what were previously four hundred different search pages.”

Since the launch of AmericanAncestors.org, there has been constant praise of the new site. Compliments have been given to specific features, such as the advanced search engine, the quality of the images for the Massachusetts Vital Records, the heighted processing speed, and effortless navigation of the website.      

Other features that AmericanAncestors.org offers include:

• More exclusive content: more unique, searchable, highly vetted materials for New England, New York, and other regions added weekly

• Enhanced search engine: an all-new, true “master search” that will search across all databases and other web-based content, with faster results and easier navigation

• Personal research profile: a social networking feature for NEHGS members to develop an online profile and input family research information, and even share them with others
  
• Improved images: a state-of-the-art new image viewer that will provide easier saving, and viewing of images and data

• Timely information: more news on our homepage and an enhanced blog “The Daily Genealogist” will bring our weekly electronic newsletter to the next level with stories and helpful research tips

Moreover, NEHGS is continuing to invite people to sign up for the NEHGS free registration “Guest Registration” program. This program provides anyone with free access to the popular weekly news stories as well as special access to a variety of databases, resources, articles, and other tools to help with their research. More information can be found on the NEHGS website at www.AmericanAncestors.org.

About NEHGS

The New England Historic Genealogical Society is the country's leading resource for family history research. We help family historians expand their knowledge, skills, and understanding of their family and its place in history. Founded in 1845, NEHGS is today the oldest and largest non-profit genealogical organization, with more than 26,000 members nationally. The NEHGS research headquarters, located at 99-101 Newbury Street in Boston, is home to some 28 million books, journals, manuscripts, papers, photographs, documents, and other artifacts, many of which date back centuries.

Its award-winning website offers access to more than 135 million names from 2,400 databases. NEHGS staff includes some of the leading expert genealogists in the country specializing in American, Irish, English, Italian, Scottish, Atlantic and French Canadian, African American, Native American, and Jewish genealogy.

FamilySearch Indexing Update: Indexers Pass 160 Million Record Mark

The following is from FamilySearch.

22 November 2010

FamilySearch volunteers have been busy–we have indexed 160 million records so far this year and more are on the way! New projects now available include records from Canada, England, Russia, and the United States. Completed collections that will soon be available onbeta.familysearch.org include records from Canada, Germany, England, Russia, and the United States.

New Projects in the Past Two Weeks

•  Canada, New Brunswick—Deaths, 1815–1938 [Part B]
•  U.K., Bristol—Parish Registers, 1837–1900 [Part H]
• U.K., Manchester—Parish Registers, 1813–1925 [Part B]
• U.S., Arkansas—1930 Federal Census
• U.S., Connecticut—1930 Federal Census
• U.S., Rhode Island—1930 Federal Census
• U.S., West Virginia—WWII Draft Registration, 1942
• Украина, Киев—Метрические книги русской православной церкви, 1843–1845 [Часть B]

(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 beta.familysearch.org in the near future.)

• Canada, Ontario—Deaths, 1933–1937
• Deutschland, Baden, Achern—Kirchenbücher, 1810–1869 [Part C]
• Deutschland, Mecklenburg—Volkszählung, 1890 [Div 93–156]
• U.K., Bristol—Parish Registers, 1837–1900 [Part G]
• U.S., District of Columbia—1930 Federal Census
• U.S., Indiana—WWII Draft Registration Cards, 1942
• U.S., Kentucky—1930 Federal Census
• U.S., Vermont—Vital Records, 1760–1954 [Part A]
• U.S., West Virginia—1930 Federal Census
• Украина, Киев—Метрические книги русской православной церкви, 1843–1845 [Часть А]

Current FamilySearch Indexing Projects, Record Language, and Percent Completion

Argentina, Balvanera—Registros Parroquiales, 1833–1934 [Parte B]	Spanish	49%
Argentina, Cordoba—Registros Parroquiales, 1722–1924 [Parte B]	Spanish	89%
Argentina, Santa Fe—Registros Parroquiales, 1634–1926 [Parte A]	Spanish	33%
Brasil—Registro Civil, 1852–1914 [Parte 2A]	Portuguese	1%
Brasil, Florianópolis—Registros da Igreja, 1751–1954 [Parte A]	Portuguese	12%
Brasil, Pernambuco, Recife—Registro Civil, 1900–1920	Portuguese	3%
Brasil, Rio de Janeiro—Matrimonios, 1900–1910 [Piloto]	Portuguese	51%
Canada—Passenger Lists, 1881–1922	English	5%
Canada, New Brunswick—Deaths, 1815–1938 [Part B]	English	(New)
Canada, Ontario—Marriages, 1869–1927 [Part A]	English	91%
Česká republika, Litoměřice—Matriky, 1552-1905 [část 1] (Tschechien, Litomerice—Kirchenbücher [Teil 1])	German	89%
Chile—Registros Civiles, 1885–1900	Spanish	26%
Chile, Concepción—Registros Civiles, 1885–1903 [Parte 2B]	Spanish	33%
Colombia, Bucaramanga—Registros Parroquiales, 1649–1959	Spanish	12%
Colombia, Marinilla—Registros Parroquiales, 1815–1959	Spanish	60%
Deutschland, Baden, Achern—Kirchenbücher, 1810–1869 [Part D]	German	3%
El Salvador—Registros Civiles, 1835–1910	Spanish	22%
España, Andalucía—Registros Civiles, 1837–1870	Spanish	2%
España, Lugo—Registros Parroquiales, 1530–1930[Parte 1]	Spanish	41%
France, Cherbourg—Registres Paroissiaux, 1802–1907	French	43%
France, Coutances—Registres Paroissiaux 1802–1907	French	45%
France, Paris—Registres Protestants, 1612–1906 [Partie D]	French	80%
France, Saint-Lo—Registres Paroissiaux, 1802–1907	French	58%
Guatemala, Guatemala—Registros Civiles, 1800–1900	Spanish	9%
Guatemala, Guatemala—Registros Civiles, 1877–1900	Spanish	21%
Italia, Napoli, Castellammare di Stabia—Atti di Morte, 1809–1936 [Parte B]	Italian	68%
Italy, Trento—Baptisms, 1784–1924 [Part 2A]	Italian	40%
Mexico, D.F.—Bautismos, 1536–1900 [Parte A]	Spanish	1%
Mexico, Puebla—1930 Federal Censo	Spanish	70%
New Zealand—Passenger Lists, 1871–1915 [Part 2A]	English	7%
Nicaragua, Managua—Registros Civiles, 1879–1984 [Part 3B]	Spanish	74%
Norge —Tinglysningskort, 1640–1903	Norwegian	2%
Perú, Lima—Registros Civiles, 1887–1921 [Parte A]	Spanish	72%
Portugal, Setúbal—Registros da Igreja, 1581–1910	Portuguese	23%
República Dominicana—Nacimientos Civiles, 1828–1906	Spanish	1%
Russland, Sankt Petersburg—Kirchenbuchduplikat, 1833–1885	German	35%
South Africa, Cape Province—Church Records, 1660–1970	Afrikaans, Dutch, English	63%
Sverige, Södermanland—Kyrkoböcker, till 1860 [Del 1]	Swedish	64%
Sverige, Uppsala—Kyrkoböcker, till 1860 [Del 1]	Swedish	71%
Sverige, Örebro—Kyrkoböcker, till 1860 [Del 1]	Swedish	29%
U.K., Bristol—Parish Registers, 1837–1900 [Part H]	English	(New)
U.K., Essex—Parish Registers, 1538–1900 [Part A]	English	13%
U.K., Manchester—Parish Registers, 1813–1925 [Part B]	English	(New)
U.K., Warwickshire—Parish Registers, 1538–1900 [Part 2 Adv]	English/ Old English	24%
Uruguay—Registros Civiles (Nacimientos), 1879–1930	Spanish	4%
U.S., Alabama—County Marriages, 1809–1950 [Part A]	English	55%
U.S., Arkansas—1930 Federal Census	English	(New)
U.S., Arkansas—County Marriages, 1837–1957 [IX]	English	45%
U.S., Arkansas—WWII Draft Registration, 1942	English	37%
U.S., California—County Marriages, 1850–1952 [Part B]	English	31%
U.S., Connecticut—1930 Federal Census	English	(New)
U.S., District of Columbia—County Marriages, 1811–1950 [Part A]	English	23%
U.S., District of Columbia—Deaths, 1874–1959	English	74%
U.S., Illinois—County Marriages, 1810–1934 [Part A]	English	57%
U.S., Indiana, Bartholomew—County Marriages, 1811–1959	English	26%
U.S., Iowa—County Births, 1880–1935 [Part A]	English	9%
U.S., Iowa—County Marriages, 1838–1992 [Part A]	English	38%
U.S., Louisiana—1930 Federal Census	English	92%
U.S., Minnesota—County Marriages, 1860–1949 [Part A]	English	25%
U.S., New Jersey—County Marriages, 1682–1956 [Part 1]	English	24%
U.S., New York—Marriage Licenses, 1908–1938 [Part A]	English	33%
U.S., New York—Marriages, 1908–1935 [Part A]	English	31%
U.S., North Carolina—County Marriages, 1762–1959 [Part B]	English	15%
U.S., North Carolina—Freedmen Letters, 1862–1870	English	9%
U.S., Oklahoma—Allotment Records, 1899–1907	English	61%
U.S., Oklahoma—County Marriages, 1891–1959 [Part B]	English	17%
U.S., Puerto Rico—1910 Censo Federal	Spanish	7%
U.S., Puerto Rico—1920 Censo Federal	Spanish	94%
U.S., Puerto Rico—Nacimientos Civiles, 1836–1930 [Parte B]	Spanish	3%
U.S., Rhode Island—1930 Federal Census	English	(New)
U.S., Tennessee—County Marriages, 1790–1950 [Part B]	English	29%
U.S., Tennessee—County Marriages, 1790–1950 [Part C]	English	36%
U.S., Texas—County Marriages, 1837–1977 [Part B]	English	12%
U.S., West Virginia—WWII Draft Registration, 1942	English	(New)
Venezuela—Nacimientos Civiles, 1873–1909	Spanish	1%
Venezuela, Mérida—Registros Parroquiales, 1654–1992 [Parte 2]	Spanish	22%
Österreich, Wiener Meldezettel, 1890–1925	German	32%
Россия, Самара—Метрические книги церкви, 1869–1917 (часть 1)	Russian	53%
Украина, Киев—Метрические книги русской православной церкви, 1843–1845 [Часть B]	Russian	(New)

Current FamilySearch Partner Projects, Record Language, and Percent Completion

België—Burgerlijke Stand, 1851–1900 [Deel D]	Dutch	84%
Belgique—Registres Civile, 1851–1900 [Partie A]	French	58%
Brasil, Minas Gerais—Church Records, 1706-1952	Portuguese	1%
Canada, Ontario, Toronto—Trust Cemeteries, 1826–1935	English	18%
Deutschland, Westfalen, Minden—Volkszählung, 1880–1900	German	11%
España, Avila, Barroman—Registros Parroquiales, 1550–1930	Spanish	10%
España, Avila, Madrigal y Garganta—Registros Parroquiales, 1530–1935	Spanish	89%
España, Malaga—Registros Civiles, 1846–1870	Spanish	54%
France, Quimper et Leon, St. Louis—Registres Paroissiaux, 1722–1909	French	72%
Norway—1875 Census [Part B]	Norwegian	57%
Philippines, Lingayen, Dagupan—Registros Parroquiales, 1615–1982	Spanish	72%
U.K., Norfolk—Parish Registers, 1538–1900	English	17%
U.S., Ohio—Tax Records, Post 1825 [Part 3]	English	80%
U.S., Utah, Salt Lake County—Birth Registers, 1890–1908	English	67%
U.S., Utah, Salt Lake County—Death Registers, 1848–1940	English	32%

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.