Thursday, August 30, 2012

Mark Your Calendar - UVTAGG Meeting!

UTAH VALLEY TECHNOLOGY AND GENEALOGY GROUP MEETING (UVTAGG)


The next regular, second-Saturday-of-the-month meeting of the Utah Valley Technology and Genealogy Group - UVTAGG (Formerly the Utah Valley PAF Users Group - UVPAFUG) will be on Saturday, 08 Sep 2012, from 9 am to noon in the LDS "Red Chapel", 4050 North Timpview Drive (650 East), Provo.  Information about the Group, main presentations, classes, and class notes are available on their website http://uvtagg.org and the press releases are at http://blog.uvtagg.org .

The main presentation this month will be by Kory Meyerink on GENEALOGY JEOPARDY:  THE TECHNOLOGY EDITION.  Plan to have some fun while learning!  The questions, answers really, will be about genealogy and family history technology, so come and learning in a game environment.  As in the TV game show, there will be game-show contestants in front, but the entire audience will also be participating here.  Kory has put on this game show at several large genealogy conferences and we are looking forward to having him host it at our UVTAGG meeting.  Kory Meyerink, MLS, AG, FUGA, is a Senior researcher at ProGenealogists.  He is a former product manager for Ancestry and was publications coordinator for the Family History Library.  He is a Past President of UGA, founding director of the Salt Lake Institute of Genealogy, editor and author of the book Printed Sources: A Guide to Published Genealogical Records, and adjunct professor of BYU and SJSU.  This promises to be a fun meeting and all are invited.

After the main presentation the following classes are presently scheduled:   

  1. Evaluating Databases and Overcoming Their Errors, by Kory Meyerink
  2. Research, Collaborate and Learn on the Go  (Using Mobile Devices), by Sue Maxwell
  3. Personal Help (including information for FH Consultants), by Don Engstrom and Finn Hansen
  4. Video of last month's main presentation: New Ways to Share and Get Others Interested in Family History, by Marlo Schuldt
  5. Ancestral Quest, by Gaylon Findlay
  6. Legacy, by Dean Bennett
  7. Roots Magic, by  Bruce Buzbee.  
  8. The MAC class has been canceled for this meeting.
All meetings of UVTAGG are open to the public whether members of the Group or not. The 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; Laurie Castillo, 1st VP; Don Snow, 2nd VP; Liz Kennington, Newsletter Editor; Renee Zamora, Secretary; Kay Baker, Gerry Eliason, Don Engstrom, and Rayanne Melick working with finances and membership; and Bruce Merrill and Marie Andersen working with the DVD Library. Several of these will be there to answer questions, help with membership, distribute the current issue of the monthly newsletter TAGGology, and check out DVDs of past presentations and classes to members of the group.   Many members don't live close enough to participate in the monthly meetings, but belong so they can receive the monthly newsletter and purchase DVD's of the presentations and classes.  And many members give gift memberships to friends for presents.  Information about the Group, presentations, classes, and class notes can be found at the websites mentioned above.  For further information contact President Gerhard Ruf at pres@uvtagg.org (801-225-6106) or 1st VP Laurie Castillo at laurie@everythingisrelative.net, or 2nd VP Don Snow at snowd@math.byu.edu.

Findmypast.com partnership with FGS

The following is from FindMyPast.


Findmypast.com Announces Partnership with Federation of Genealogical Societies
Partnership makes records available to findmypast.com and
creates a vital source of revenue for local societies

LOS ANGELES, August 30, 2012 –Findmypast.com, an international leader in online family history research, today announced a national partnership with Federation of Genealogical Societies (FGS) to preserve, digitize and provide access to local records from genealogical societies across the country.

The collaborative initiative will help preserve genealogical records and provide a vital revenue stream for the societies. Throughout the remainder of 2012, findmypast.comwill release records from the following pilot partners:
·         New York Genealogical and Biographical Society, the most authoritative source for research on New York families

“As we aggressively grow our business in the U.S., we are looking to form partnerships that benefit both the genealogical community and findmypast.com,” said Chris van der Kuyl, CEO of brightsolid, the parent company for findmypast. “This partnership will benefit our customers by giving them access to records that can’t be found anywhere else and participating societies will receive royalties for record images viewed.”

The records are a fantastic addition to a growing collection of US records onfindmypast.com. FGS members who participate will reach new audiences as each society and their collection will be promoted by findmypast.com

The society collection complements the new US and international records that will be made available on findmypast.com and could include:
·         Newspapers and obituaries
·         Bible records
·         Cemetery records
·         Birth, marriage and death records
·         Land records
·         Court records

“Through its partnership with findmypast.com, the Federation of Genealogical Societies is pleased to offer a way for its member societies to engage with content providers and publishers,” said Pat Oxley, President of FGS. “Currently, one of the biggest challenges for societies is the pressure to provide online content, while also growing their membership and operating budgets. Through this partnership, societies will generate income and entice new audiences.”

Findmypast.com (owned by brightsolid) is the U.S. site of findmypast, an international leader in online family history with over 18 million registered members worldwide. Findmypast connects people to core and unique U.S., English, Welsh, Scottish, Irish, Australian and New Zealand records dating back as far as 1200.  

About brightsolid
Findmypast.com is owned by brightsolid online publishing, a British-owned world leader in online genealogy, with over 45 years’ experience in family history and a record of online innovation in the field of family history nearly two decades long. With nearly 18 million registered users across its family of online genealogy brands, brightsolid hosts over a billion genealogical records from across the globe. The company reported a 75 percent growth in turnover and a 47 percent growth in gross profits in its most recent published accounts and was voted Best Genealogy Organization in the Online Gene Awards.

About the Federation of Genealogical Societies (FGS)
The Federation of Genealogical Societies (FGS) was founded in 1976 and represents the members of hundreds of genealogical societies. FGS links the genealogical community by helping genealogical societies strengthen and grow through resources available online, FGS Forum magazine (filled with articles pertaining to society management and genealogical news), and Society Strategy Series papers, covering topics about effectively operating a genealogical society. FGS also links the genealogical community through its annual conference -- four days of excellent lectures, including one full day devoted to society management topics. To learn more visit http://www.fgs.org.

Wednesday, August 29, 2012

RootsTech News: Save $100 on RootsTech 2013 with Exclusive Insider Early Registration!

The following is from RootsTech.



For a limited time, before RootsTech 2013 registration officially opens to the public, you can receive $100 off the full 3-day conference pass price (regular price is $219, exclusive Insider price is only $119). Exclusive Insider Early Registration is available only from August 29 to September 2, 2012.

RootsTech is a fast-growing conference with a unique emphasis on helping individuals learn and use the latest technology to get started or accelerate their efforts to find, organize, preserve, and share their family’s connections and history. The 2013 conference will be held March 21-23 in Salt Lake City, UT. 

In it’s third year, RootsTech 2013 will offer many new, exciting resources for genealogists and family historians of all skill levels. Join the thousands of attendees and experience:

·      More Classes, More Speakers – great new sessions and more hands-on workshops to attend
·      40% Bigger Expo Hall – exciting new exhibitors with great products and services for you to discover 
·      New! Getting Started Track – all the basics and lots of help for beginners to jump start their family research
·      Developer Day – consolidated track specifically designed for technology developers

To take advantage of this limited time offer:

1.   Go to RootsTech.org/Insider
2.   Click the registration button
3.   Be sure to enter in promo code:  BLOG119

For more information about RootsTech 2013, visit rootstech.org. Full conference schedules can be viewed during the registration process.

Search All U.S. Censuses FREE & Jump In the 1940 Time Machine

The following is from Ancestry.com


We are still excited about the 1940 US Census here at Ancestry.com. As you all know, the 1940 Census is available for free on Ancestry.com through 2013, but we wanted to share our excitement even more. We will be opening up 25 more databases from today through September 3rd to allow everyone access to Ancestry’s 713 million U.S. Federal Census Records. Below you’ll see a list of the 25 databases that are now searchable for free at Ancestry.com/census.

·        1790-1940 United States Federal Census collections
·        1850 U.S. Federal Census – Slave Schedules
·        1860 U.S. Federal Census – Slave Schedules
·        1890 Veterans Schedules
·        Non-Population Schedules 1850-1880
·        U.S. Enumeration District Maps and Descriptions, 1940
·        U.S. Federal Census – 1880 Schedules of Defective, Dependent, and Delinquent Classes
·        U.S. Federal Census Mortality Schedules, 1850-1885
·        U.S. IRS Tax Assessment Lists, 1862-1918
·        U.S., Indian Census Rolls, 1885-1940

Part of our celebration includes what we are calling The Ancestry.com Time Machine. This interactive experience allows you to see what a typical day would be like back in 1940. You can customize the experience by inputting a few of your interests, and it will create a video of what you may have experienced back in 1940. You can then share that video with your friends and family. Show your love of family history by sharing a video you created at Ancestry.com/TimeMachine.  

FamilySearch Records Update 28 August 2012

The following is from FamilySearch. 


28 August 2012

1940 United States Federal Census Indexing Wraps Up


Volunteers have completed the final indexing batches for the 1940 United States Federal Census! The completed census for all states—132 million people—now fully searchable by name at FamilySearch.org and 1940 Census Community Project partners’ websites. It is anticipated that the free 1940 Census index online will be the most used index for US genealogical research for the next decade. US volunteer efforts will now be directed to the US Immigration and Naturalization project. Other new searchable collections online were added this week for Chile, China, England, France, Germany, Italy, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru, Portugal, Sweden, and the United States. Search these diverse collections and 2.8 billion other records for free at FamilySearch.org.

Searchable historic records are made available on FamilySearch.org through the help of thousands of volunteers from around the world. These volunteers transcribe (index) information from digital copies of handwritten records to make them easily searchable online. More volunteers are needed (particularly those who can read foreign languages) to keep pace with the large number of digital images being published online at FamilySearch.org. Learn more about volunteering to help provide free access to the world’s historic genealogical records online atFamilySearch.org.
 
FamilySearch is the largest genealogy organization in the world. FamilySearch is a nonprofit, volunteer-driven organization sponsored by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Millions of people use FamilySearch records, resources, and services to learn more about their family history. To help in this great pursuit, FamilySearch and its predecessors have been actively gathering, preserving, and sharing genealogical records worldwide for over 100 years. Patrons may access FamilySearch services and resources for free at FamilySearch.org or through more than 4,600 family history centers in 132 countries, including the main Family History Library in Salt Lake City, Utah.

 
CollectionIndexed RecordsDigital ImagesComments
Chile, Santiago, Cementerio General, 1821-2011098,596Added browsable images to existing collection.
China, Collection of Genealogies, 1500-20100283,647Added browsable images to existing collection.
Czech Republic, Land Records, 1450-18890177,141Added browsable images to existing collection.
England, Northumberland, Miscellaneous Records, 1570-2005042,747Added browsable images to existing collection.
France, Quimper et Léon Diocese, Catholic Parish Records, 1772-191027,84061,297Added indexed records and browsable images  to existing collection.
Germany, Mecklenburg-Schwerin Census 1867105,1150Added indexed records to existing collection.
Italy, Napoli, Castellammare di Stabia, Civil Registration (Comune), 1809-193645,0580Added indexed records to existing collection.
Italy, Trento, Diocesi di Trento, Catholic Church Records, 1548-1937376,906128,966New indexed records and browsable images.
Italy, Vicenza, Casoni, Parocchia di San Rocco, Catholic Church Records, 1597-194131,1900Added indexed records to existing collection.
México, San Luis Potosí, Miscellaneous Records, 1570-1842077,652Added browsable images to existing collection.
New Zealand, Probate Records, 1878-19600384,275Added browsable images to existing collection.
Peru, Huánuco, Civil Registration, 1889-1997024,182New browsable image collection.
Peru, La Libertad, Civil Registration, 1903-1998057,649Added browsable images to existing collection.
Peru, Lima, Civil Registration, 1874-1996040,760Added browsable images to existing collection.
Portugal, Braga, Catholic Church Records, 1530-1911010,205Added browsable images to existing collection.
Portugal, Castelo Branco, Catholic Church Records, 1714-1911046,964Added browsable images to existing collection.
Portugal, Castelo Branco, Catholic Church Records, 1714-1911018,945Added browsable images to existing collection.
Portugal, Setúbal, Catholic Church Records, 1555-1911089,395Added browsable images to existing collection.
Sweden, Södermanland Church Records, 1604-1900; index 1640-186037,3390Added indexed records to existing collection.
United States, Alabama, Jefferson County Circuit Court Papers, 1870-19160283,698New browsable image collection.
United States, California, San Mateo County Records, 1855-19910170,095Added browsable images to existing collection.
United States, Census 1940 (Arkansas, Connecticut, Georgia, Illinois, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Texas, West Virginia, Wisconsin)43,882,3610Added indexed records to existing collection.
United States, Civil War Widows and Other Dependents Pension Files404,049404,049Added indexed records and images to an existing affiliate collection.
United States, Colorado, Denver County Probate Case Files, 1900-192501,544,153New browsable image collection.
United States, Idaho, Obituaries, 200709,165New browsable image collection.
United States, Illinois, Cemetery Transcriptions, 1853-200905,040New browsable image collection.
United States, Illinois, DeKalb County Land Records, 1838-1927068,048New browsable image collection.
United States, Indiana, Marriages, 1811-195984,500858,401Added indexed records and browsable images to existing collection.
United States, Kentucky, Probate Records, 1792-197712,4290Added indexed records to existing collection.
United States, Maine, State Archive Collections, 1790-1966021,092Added browsable images to existing collection.
United States, Maryland, Probate Estate and Guardianship Files, 1796-19404,174123,900Added indexed records and browsable images to existing collection.
United States, Maryland, Register of Wills Books, 1629-198308,643Added browsable images to existing collection.
United States, Montana, Yellowstone County Records, 1881-2011067,240Added browsable images to existing collection.
United States, New Hampshire, County Naturalization Records, 1771-20010173,600New browsable image collection.
United States, New Jersey, Probate Records, 1678-198003,084,661New browsable image collection.
United States, North Carolina, Civil Action Court Papers, 1712-19700143,369Added browsable images to existing collection.
United States, North Carolina, Estate Files, 1663-197912,060287,222Added indexed records and browsable images to existing collection
United States, Ohio, County Marriages, 1789-1994140,274218Added indexed records and browsable images to existing collection.
United States, Social Security Death Index337,4950Added indexed records to an existing affiliate collection.
United States, Texas, Deaths (New Index, New Images), 1890-19764,543,2344,459,231Added indexed records and browsable images to existing collection.
United States, Texas, Deaths, 1977-1986036,767Added browsable images to existing collection.
United States, Washington, County Probate Records, 1853-19290105,620Added browsable images to existing collection.
Venezuela, Civil Registration201,5750Added indexed records to existing collection.

Family History Library September 2012 Research Series

The following is from the Family History Library.

Free Research Series on Sweden Research
The Family History Library Hosts Events in September.
 
SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH - Genealogists and family history enthusiasts looking for help with Swedish research will be interested in Swedish classes held at the Family History Library in September. A free Swedish Research Series will be held on Saturday, September 8 at the Family History Library. The classes will include:

 9:00 a.m.    “Beyond Parish Moving & Migration Records in Sweden”
10:00 a.m.    “Swedish Court Records for Family History Research”
11:00 a.m.    “Online and Offline Databases for Swedish Research”

To view the class schedule online, go to https://familysearch.org/locations/library_class_schedule.  Classes will be held in the Main floor classroom of the Family History Library.  The library is located to the west of Temple Square on West Temple between North Temple and South Temple Streets in downtown Salt Lake City.  On Saturdays, parking is free to library patrons and is located behind the Church History Museum.  To register for these free classes, send an email to FHLClassReg@familysearch.org or call 801-240-4950. 



Free Research Series on England Intermediate Research
The Family History Library Hosts Events in September.
 
SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH - Genealogists and family history enthusiasts looking for help with intermediate research in England will be interested in English classes held at the Family History Library in September. A free England Intermediate Research Series will be held on Saturday, September 15 at the Family History Library. The classes will include:

9:00 a.m.   “Records of the Poor”
10:00 a.m.   “Probate Records and Indexes”
11:00 a.m.   “Pre-1837 Research Strategies”
1:00 p.m.     “Assisted Practice Time”

Other mid-week classes in September on England research will be held on:

Thursday,   6 Sep, 1:00 p.m. “England Civil Registration Records and Indexes”
Thursday, 13 Sep, 1:00 p.m.  “England Census Records and Indexes”
Thursday, 13 Sep, 7:00 p.m.  “England Probate Records and Indexes”
Thursday, 20 Sep, 1:00 p.m.  “Church of England Records and Indexes”
Thursday, 27 Sep, 1:00 p.m.  “England Land and Other Tax Records”
 
To view the class schedule online, go to https://familysearch.org/locations/library_class_schedule.  Classes will be held in the B2 classroom on the second lower level of the Family History Library.  The library is located to the west of Temple Square on West Temple between North Temple and South Temple Streets in downtown Salt Lake City.  On Saturdays, parking is free to library patrons and is located behind the Church History Museum.  To register for these free classes, send an email to FHLClassReg@familysearch.org or call 801-240-4950. 



Free Research Series on German Gazetteer Research
The Family History Library Hosts Events in September.
 
SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH - Genealogists and family history enthusiasts looking for help with research in Germany will be interested in classes held at the Family History Library in September. A free German Gazetteer Research Series will be held on Saturday, September 29, at the Family History Library. The class will include:

9:00 a.m.  “German Gazetteer” (3 hour class)

To view the class schedule online, go to https://familysearch.org/locations/library_class_schedule.  The class will be held in the B1 classroom on the first lower level of the Family History Library.  The library is located to the west of Temple Square on West Temple between North Temple and South Temple Streets in downtown Salt Lake City.  On Saturdays, parking is free to library patrons and is located behind the Church History Museum.  To register for these free classes, send an email to FHLClassReg@familysearch.org or call 801-240-4950. 

FamilySearch Indexing: Insider's Update

The following is from FamilySearch.

Indexing Newsletter

Country Sunrise
 
   
Insider's Update - July/August   
  
Are you one of many who has worked on the 1940 US Census Community Project and are now unsure of what to do next? Are you stuck in a rut and ready for a change?
Check out the articles below to find out what's next for indexing.
Languages
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Aspen Trees

Pando, "The Trembling Giant"

Pando and Indexing, a unified system connecting generations.

Read the Full Story
  
Dog

Changing Projects - Dog Gone It!

Find out what's next for the community project.

Read the Full Story
  
Training Tip

Training Tip: Adding Rows

New projects are here. Are you ready?

Read the Full Story
  
Vault

An Inside Look at the Future of FamilySearch Indexing

Changes are coming, and we’re excited!

Read the Full Story
  
Smiling Woman

Indexers Share their Stories

A peek into the inbox of FamilySearch indexing.

Find Out More


A Word From Our Volunteers


"My little contribution did not seem like much, but with all of us together it really matters!”
~ Cheryl ~

"We are all volunteers, we are all putting forth our best efforts, and we are all on the same team. So here’s a big thank you to each of you!”
~ Marjorie ~
 

FamilySearch
Indexing Statistics


894,453,173
Total Records Completed
198,966,794
Total Records Completed in 2012
276,882
Total Contributors in 2012
187
Current Projects
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