Over the weekend I watched the movie Field of Dreams with Kevin Costner for the eleventh time. For some reason this movie always makes me cry. This is not normally something I do very often. Sure I enjoy baseball, but got me to thinking. Why do I watch this movie? Then it suddenly dawned on me is because I love Genealogy and my Family History.
The short version of the movie is the main character Kevin hears voices telling him to build a baseball field. He travels the country picking up clues as well as a dead baseball player who is alive. Finally once he builds the field all these dead baseball players come out of a corn field to play baseball. Those that believe can see it.
In my genealogy searches over the past 30 years I have often wished I had a corn field that my dead relatives would suddenly come alive. Oh how easy my brick walls would be to solve. Just think of all the amazing stories you could hear.
As genealogist we are all in the process of building our families stories for ourselves and future generations. Sometimes my research makes me cry as well, but I think that is part of the passion I have for what I do. Are corn fields are the many sources that we search that help bring our relatives alive in some way. Some better than others.
Do you have stories in your families search? Share them.
Thank you again for your support and as always please post your ideas and thoughts.
Monday, August 11, 2014
Friday, August 8, 2014
Family Search Michigan Collection
I am sure by now if you have read my posts you are aware of how much I like the Family Search Website. The records are fantastic and they are constantly being updated. They maintain the largest collection of genealogy information in the world.
You have probably used the standard search feature to do your research, but are you aware there are additional Collections that are not included into the standard search feature. It covers the world, but I am going to speak on what is available for the State of Michigan.
Currently on Family Search there are 21 collections that deal specifically with the State of Michigan. Make sure when you go to the search section that you click on the Collections tab. Once you get there you find a list of all the projects that have been done or being done by Family Search and their indexers. On the left side of the page you will see a list of regions in the world. Click on the United States. Then click on the state of Michigan. You will be on a page with the projects that have been done or are being done for the State of Michigan.
All the Michigan collections that have been completed are listed with total number of records and the last date that the collection was updated. The status of these collections can change due to more records being available for indexing. The second type of collection is one that is being actively indexed at this time and is not complete. In the records row it will say Browse Images and the last date that this collection has been updated. The collections that have a records total are searchable and will be in the regular search feature. The collections that list Browse Images has to be researched manually. This type of search is similar to what you would have to do in person except you are in your pajamas and it's two in the morning in the comfort of you own home.
The following collections I will highlight due to their importance to Southeast Michigan research.
Detroit, Manifests Arrivals at the Port of Detroit, 1906-1954- Great way to check for those ancestors crossing the border.
Eastern District Naturalization Index- 1907-1995- Give you a list with names and records to search for. Popular time to becoming to Detroit to work in the Auto Industry
Please post your ideas and thoughts.
You have probably used the standard search feature to do your research, but are you aware there are additional Collections that are not included into the standard search feature. It covers the world, but I am going to speak on what is available for the State of Michigan.
Currently on Family Search there are 21 collections that deal specifically with the State of Michigan. Make sure when you go to the search section that you click on the Collections tab. Once you get there you find a list of all the projects that have been done or being done by Family Search and their indexers. On the left side of the page you will see a list of regions in the world. Click on the United States. Then click on the state of Michigan. You will be on a page with the projects that have been done or are being done for the State of Michigan.
All the Michigan collections that have been completed are listed with total number of records and the last date that the collection was updated. The status of these collections can change due to more records being available for indexing. The second type of collection is one that is being actively indexed at this time and is not complete. In the records row it will say Browse Images and the last date that this collection has been updated. The collections that have a records total are searchable and will be in the regular search feature. The collections that list Browse Images has to be researched manually. This type of search is similar to what you would have to do in person except you are in your pajamas and it's two in the morning in the comfort of you own home.
The following collections I will highlight due to their importance to Southeast Michigan research.
Detroit, Manifests Arrivals at the Port of Detroit, 1906-1954- Great way to check for those ancestors crossing the border.
Eastern District Naturalization Index- 1907-1995- Give you a list with names and records to search for. Popular time to becoming to Detroit to work in the Auto Industry
Please post your ideas and thoughts.
Wednesday, August 6, 2014
Monday, August 4, 2014
Friday, August 1, 2014
Educating yourself to break down the Brick Walls- 4 Blogs
It is rather ironic that I am writing about blogs being helpful in breaking down your brick walls when this is a blog. Many prove to be helpful sources for your genealogy search.
Blogs tend to be very subjected oriented and there are many of them. There are thousands of them and more are being added every day. Another beauty about blogs is that you can subscribe to them and get the updates sent to your email. try some for a time and don't be afraid to unsubscribe or your email can become full very quickly.
Here are some spots to check for blogs that will be helpful in your genealogy research.
Genealogy Blog Finder- http://blogfinder.genealogue.com/
Cyndi's list- http://www.cyndislist.com/blogs/
GenaBloggers- http://www.geneabloggers.com/genealogy-blogs/
This should give you enough to read for a while. Look for ones that address the challenge you have with your research. Pay special attention to the value get from the comments. Just like anything there are good and bad. Don't be afraid to try several. You can always unsubscribe.
As always please leave your comments. I am always welcome to comments and on new subjects that you would like to see covered.
Blogs tend to be very subjected oriented and there are many of them. There are thousands of them and more are being added every day. Another beauty about blogs is that you can subscribe to them and get the updates sent to your email. try some for a time and don't be afraid to unsubscribe or your email can become full very quickly.
Here are some spots to check for blogs that will be helpful in your genealogy research.
Genealogy Blog Finder- http://blogfinder.genealogue.com/
Cyndi's list- http://www.cyndislist.com/blogs/
GenaBloggers- http://www.geneabloggers.com/genealogy-blogs/
This should give you enough to read for a while. Look for ones that address the challenge you have with your research. Pay special attention to the value get from the comments. Just like anything there are good and bad. Don't be afraid to try several. You can always unsubscribe.
As always please leave your comments. I am always welcome to comments and on new subjects that you would like to see covered.
Tuesday, July 22, 2014
Educating yourself to break down the Brick Walls- 3 Area Genealogy Societies
One of the areas that I see the newer genealogist not participating in is the local chapter meetings of genealogical societies in their area. These clubs offer wonderful learning situations normally held once a month. Participating in them will help you accelerate your genealogy journey.
Local chapter meetings are beneficial due to the speakers they have come into speak once a month and the ability to meet with other like minded individuals that can help you with your research. Even if your family does not come from the area you live in you still have so much to gain from joining the local group. The speakers tend to cover a wide variety of topics that will help you with your current research as well as challenges you might have moving forward. Group members tend to have a wide variety of experience levels that can benefit you with your own research. Sharing with others is the key to getting your help on your own research. Members tend to be more than willing to share their knowledge. Having a second set of ears hear your challenges can be very helpful to your search.
Many groups maintain a newsletter and some form of internet presence. These can help you with again learning new skills and sharing with others. Joining the group that is located in the area where the majority of your family lived will also prove helpful in your search. As time moves forward even groups that are not in your local area are conducting their meetings over the Internet so people that are not able to physically attend meetings can participate. This is so important.
Another valuable mission of most groups is cemetery or transcription projects. Without this valuable service the genealogy community as a whole will not continue to grow with new sources. Make sure to be a part of this.
So go out there and find your local genealogy group. Attend some meetings. Make sure to be open to sharing. You will gain so much from participating in the group.
Please share your thoughts and ideas.
Local chapter meetings are beneficial due to the speakers they have come into speak once a month and the ability to meet with other like minded individuals that can help you with your research. Even if your family does not come from the area you live in you still have so much to gain from joining the local group. The speakers tend to cover a wide variety of topics that will help you with your current research as well as challenges you might have moving forward. Group members tend to have a wide variety of experience levels that can benefit you with your own research. Sharing with others is the key to getting your help on your own research. Members tend to be more than willing to share their knowledge. Having a second set of ears hear your challenges can be very helpful to your search.
Many groups maintain a newsletter and some form of internet presence. These can help you with again learning new skills and sharing with others. Joining the group that is located in the area where the majority of your family lived will also prove helpful in your search. As time moves forward even groups that are not in your local area are conducting their meetings over the Internet so people that are not able to physically attend meetings can participate. This is so important.
Another valuable mission of most groups is cemetery or transcription projects. Without this valuable service the genealogy community as a whole will not continue to grow with new sources. Make sure to be a part of this.
So go out there and find your local genealogy group. Attend some meetings. Make sure to be open to sharing. You will gain so much from participating in the group.
Please share your thoughts and ideas.
Monday, July 21, 2014
Educating yourself to break down the Brick Walls- 2
This will be my second installment of using learning to break down your Brick Walls that you face in your genealogy research. Another great way to learn and educate yourself on problems you are having with your genealogy is online seminars. Many venues for this type of thing are offered.
Two that I have participated in are put on by Ancestry and Legacy. Go to either one of these websites for times and schedule of upcoming programs. The advantage to this type of format is that you can ask questions either during the presentation or upon completion. I have been in some of these programs and there has been hundreds of people. This allows you to learn from the speaker and the participants in the presentation.
Many genealogy groups are starting to offer online presentations. APG, Southern California Genealogical Society and Rootstech are just a few that come to mind. Watching live is not only exciting, but very informational.
As always please comment with thoughts and ideas. Tomorrow I will write about attending area genealogical meetings and their benefits.
Two that I have participated in are put on by Ancestry and Legacy. Go to either one of these websites for times and schedule of upcoming programs. The advantage to this type of format is that you can ask questions either during the presentation or upon completion. I have been in some of these programs and there has been hundreds of people. This allows you to learn from the speaker and the participants in the presentation.
Many genealogy groups are starting to offer online presentations. APG, Southern California Genealogical Society and Rootstech are just a few that come to mind. Watching live is not only exciting, but very informational.
As always please comment with thoughts and ideas. Tomorrow I will write about attending area genealogical meetings and their benefits.
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