Eastern European Family History Conference

The following is from FEEFHS (Foundation for Eastern European Family History Studies).

Do you have eastern European ancestry? Have you tried in vain to figure out how to find your ancestors? If so, the FEEFHS conference is made for you!

When: August 13-15, 2015 (Pre-conference workshops August 11-12, 2015)

Where: Plaza Hotel, Salt Lake City, Utah

Who: Anyone who has eastern European ancestry. If you know your history, that could be most everyone in Europe at one time or another!

There will be general research classes that teach methodology particular to eastern Europe. There will also be classes on Jewish, German, Hungarian Empire, Polish, Russian, Croatian, and Slovakian research. This year we have an extended track for German research and we have added DNA and genetic research. This is your year for family discovery!

See the Schedule at a Glance @feefhsworkshop.org/program/schedule.

Russian:

Expanded offerings in Russian research sources, including Stalin's Arrest Files and the Russian 1897 Census. Come learn with us!

Jewish:

Diane Afoumado, PhD, Chief, Research and Reference Branch, U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum will be the keynote speaker and will also present some classes. Expanded offerings in Jewish research sources, including Hebrew for Translating Headstones and Records, Jewish Case Study using ITS Records, and Holocaust research. Come learn with us!

German:

This is the year for all family history researchers interested in German research to jump into the FEEFHS Conference with both feet! The conference will be held in Salt Lake City, Utah at the Plaza Hotel, right next to the world renowned Family History Library. FEEFHS is offering an extensive German track that will get your research moving in the right direction. The classes will start Thursday afternoon, August 13th and will run through Saturday afternoon, August 15th. Some of the class offerings for German researchers are:

Identifying the German Hometown

German Record Sources Online

German Civil Registration

German Guilds and their Records

There are more classes (beginner, intermediate, and advanced) listed in the schedule. This is your opportunity to learn from experienced researchers who want to help you learn and apply successful methodology to your German research. Come join us! 

Schedule at a Glance @feefhsworkshop.org/program/schedule.

FamilySearch Adds More Than 15.6 Million Records

The following is from FamilySearch.

FamilySearch Collections Update June 26, 2015   FamilySearch Adds More Than 15.6 Million Indexed Records and Images for Australia, Canada, Czech Republic, India, Italy, Mexico, Peru, Philippines, and the United States FamilySearch has added to its collections more than 15.6 million indexed records and images for Australia, Canada, Czech Republic, India, Italy, Mexico, Peru, Philippines, and the United States. Notable collection updates include 5,573,816 records from the US, Iowa, State Census, 1925 collection; 2,086,638 records from the US, California Death Index, 1905–1939 collection; and 1,325,362 images from the Italy, Cremona, Civil Registration (State Archive), 1744–1942collection. See the table below for the full list of updates. Search these diverse collections and more than 5.8 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 historical genealogical records online at FamilySearch.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. Collection Indexed Records Digital Images Comments Australia, New South Wales, Census (fragment), 1891 0 21,315 Added images to an existing collection. Canada, Newfoundland, Vital Records, 1840–1949 347,134 0 Added indexed records to an existing collection. Canada, Ontario Births, 1869–1912 0 413,055 Added images to an existing collection. Canada, Ontario Deaths, 1869–1937 and Overseas Deaths, 1939–1947 0 947,200 Added images to an existing collection. Canada, Ontario Marriages, 1869–1927 0 1,162,449 Added images to an existing collection. Canada, Quebec, Index to Civil Copy of Church Records, 1642–1902 0 1,300,530 New browsable image collection. Canada, Ontario Births, 1869–1912 0 413,055 Added images to an existing collection. Czech Republic Church Books, 1552–1963 0 93,901 Added images to an existing collection. India, Bihar, Koilukh, Pandit Kirtinand Jha, Maithil Brahmin Genealogical Records, 1750–1990 0 9,802 Added images to an existing collection. India, Hindu Pilgrimage Records, 1194–2015 0 175,363 Added images to an existing collection. India, Madras Diocese Protestant Church Records, 1743–1990 0 39,904 New browsable image collection. Italy, Caltanissetta, Civil Registration (State Archive), 1820–1935 0 318 Added images to an existing collection. Italy, Cremona, Civil Registration (State Archive), 1744–1942 0 1,325,362 New browsable image collection. Italy, Grosseto, Civil Registration (State Archive), 1851–1907 0 393,814 New browsable image collection. Italy, L'Aquila, Civil Registration (State Archive), 1809–1865, 1911–1943 0 111,837 Added images to an existing collection. Italy, Pesaro e Urbino, Pesaro, Civil Registration (State Archive), 1808–1813, 1861–1865 0 75,456 New browsable image collection. Italy, Ragusa, Civil Registration (State Archive), 1900–1940 0 111,281 New browsable image collection. Mexico, Baja California and Baja California Sur, Catholic Church Records, 1750–1984 0 363 Added images to an existing collection. Mexico, Chihuahua, Catholic Church Records, 1632–1958 0 195 New browsable image collection. Mexico, Guanajuato, Catholic Church Records, 1519–1984 0 1,077 Added images to an existing collection. Mexico, Hidalgo, Catholic Church Records, 1546–1971 0 574 Added images to an existing collection. Mexico, Michoacán, Catholic Church Records, 1555–1996 0 2,758 Added images to an existing collection. Mexico, Tamaulipas, Catholic Church Records, 1703–1964 0 1,294 Added images to an existing collection. Peru, Tacna, Civil Registration, 1850–1998 0 253,910 New browsable image collection. Philippines, Negros Occidental, Roman Catholic Diocese of Bacolod, Parish Registers, 1755–1976 0 95,820 New browsable image collection. US, California Death Index, 1905–1939 2,086,638 0 Added indexed records to an existing collection. US, Connecticut, District Court Naturalization Indexes, 1851–1992 0 260,508 New browsable image collection. US, District of Columbia Marriages, 1811–1950 83,822 0 Added indexed records to an existing collection. US, Iowa, State Census, 1925 5,573,816 0 Added indexed records to an existing collection. US, Louisiana, First Registration Draft Cards, compiled 1940–1945 39,967 0 Added indexed records to an existing collection. US, Michigan, Births, 1867–1902 0 1,428 Added images to an existing collection. US, South Dakota, Pennington County Probate Case Files, 1880–1937 0 69,017 New browsable image collection. US, United States Census, 1790 1,606 62 Added indexed records and images to an existing collection. US, United States Census, 1800 20 18,454 Added indexed records and images to an existing collection. US, Utah Mormon Pioneer Overland Travel Database, 1847–1868 58,333 0 New indexed record collection. US, Utah, Uintah County Discharge Records, 1893–2009 0 2,362 New browsable image collection. US, Utah, Uintah County Land and Property Records, 1888–2004 0 195,963 New browsable image collection.

FamilySearch User Newsletter - June 2015

The following is from FamilySearch.

FamilySearch User Newsletter
June 2015 The Promised Blessings of Family History See promises given by Church leaders about how doing family history will bless our lives here and now. Watch the Video New View in Family Tree Read More Users Love the Mobile App-You Will Too! Read More Discover Your Ancestors in Obituaries Read More

How Partner Sites Can Help You Find a Name to Submit to the Temple: Records Use the unique record sets on partner sites to find more ancestors to take to the temple! Read More Releasing Reservations after Two Years Starting in the next few months the Family History Department of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints will begin releasing user temple reservations that have been inactive for more than two years. See what you can do. Read More Youth Find Strength in Service to Community and Ancestors In the San Antonio Texas West Stake, youth have experienced the truth of the scriptural promise that as they serve others they will discover and strengthen themselves. Read More Nothing Is Impossible Since my childhood, my heart has been turned to my ancestors, so when the invitation from my bishop came to participate in indexing, I readily accepted. Read More

Family History Expos Upcoming Events

UPCOMING EVENTS:​​​​

Southern States Library Learning Experience

Jul 13-18, 2015

FHL & Crystal Inn Hotel

230 W. 500 S.
Salt Lake City, Utah 84101

Southern States Virtual Expo

Jul 13-18, 2015

Online

New England Library Learning Experience

Aug 17-22, 2015

FHL & Crystal Inn Hotel

230 W. 500 S.
Salt Lake City, Utah 84101

German Research Library Learning Experience

Sep 21-26, 2015

FHL & Crystal Inn Hotel

230 W. 500 S.
Salt Lake City, Utah 84101

Using DNA & Resources at the FHL

Oct 19-24, 2015

FHL & Crystal Inn Hotel

230 W. 500 S.
Salt Lake City, Utah 84101

Basic Sources for Military Research 

Nov 9-14, 2015

FHL & Crystal Inn Hotel

230 W. 500 S.
Salt Lake City, Utah 84101

Reconstructing Immigrant Neighborhoods

Nov 30 - Dec 5, 2015

FHL & Crystal Inn Hotel

230 W. 500 S.
Salt Lake City, Utah 84101

Family History Library Free Classes for July 2015

The Family History Library Announces Free Classes for July 2015 These classes and workshops are designed to help individuals and families find their ancestors and teach others family history techniques. July 2 7:00 P.M. Danish Church Records: Feast Days Webinar. July 9 6:00 P.M. United States Naturalization Webinar. July 13-17 Wales Research Series Webinars will be held Monday through Friday at 1:00 P.M. Classes include: “Welsh Naming Patterns,” “Wales Maps and Gazetteers,” “Wales Online Websites,” “Wales Anglican and Nonconformist Church Records,” and “Wales Probate Records.” July 18 9:15 A.M.–12:15 P.M. Danish Research Series Webinars. Classes include: “Danish Probate Record Research,” “Accessing Danish Probate Records: Online and Microfilm,” and “Probate Records: Extracting Genealogical Information.”   10:00 A.M. Boy Scout Genealogy Merit Badge (1½ hours) To register, call 1-801-240-4673 at least one week prior to the workshop to find out which requirements should be completed before attending.   1:00 P.M. Fuentes en FamilySearch Webinar. July 23 6:00 P.M. Beginning LDS Research Webinar. Webinars can be accessed by going to FamilySearch.org; click Search; select Wiki. Type Family History Library and choose the top entry. Click on 2.2 Live Online Classes for details; scroll to find desired classes.

TLC Announces Summer Season and Celebrity Contributors for “Who Do You Think You Are?”

The following is from TLC.

TLC ANNOUNCES SUMMER SEASON AND CELEBRITY CONTRIBUTORS FOR “WHO DO YOU THINK YOU ARE?”

Series returns Sunday, July 26 at 9/8c 

The two-time Emmy nominated series WHO DO YOU THINK YOU ARE? returns this summer to share more fascinating stories, and shed light on surprising revelations, of the real life family history of celebrities. Executive Produced by Lisa Kudrow and Dan Bucatinsky, the new season premieres Sunday, July 26 at 9/8c.

The contributors featured in the upcoming season include:

·         Tom Bergeron, who is aware of his French Canadian roots on his paternal side, but wants to know what brought his ancestors to North America. He goes as far back as his 10x great grandmother to find the answer.

·         Bryan Cranston, who comes to discover an unfortunate pattern amongst the men in his family.

·         Ginnifer Goodwin, who sets out to learn about her mysterious paternal great grandparents, whom her father, regretfully, does not know much about either.

·         Alfre Woodard, who strives to find out more about the paternal side of her family, and explores how her surname came to be.

Additionally, TLC will air the U.S. premiere of J.K. Rowling’s episode of the series, where the best-selling author sets off to uncover her maternal French roots. She finds that a family war story might not be what she thought when military records reveal a surprising twist.

Ancestry, the leading family history company, is teaming up again with TLC as a sponsor of the upcoming season. As part of the show sponsorship, Ancestry provides exhaustive family history research on each of the featured celebrities to help make discoveries possible and build out the story of each episode.

The series is produced for TLC by Shed Media and Is or Isn’t Entertainment, and is based on an original format created by Wall to Wall Media and Alex Graham. For Shed Media Executive Producers are Stephanie Schwam and Pam Healey. More information can be found at TLC.com/WDYTYA. ‘Like’ Who Do You Think You Are? on Facebook.com/WDYTYA and follow @WDYTYA on Twitter.