Rose Hill Cemetery at Macon, Georgia Online

The online information from the Rose Hill Cemetery in Macon, GA is rather unique. The sight is a blog where, when you click on your surname of choice, you are given a collection of blog pages that relate to that surname. Those pages can offer photos, obits, inscriptions, etc.

Check it out at:  Rose Hill Cemetery; Macon, Georgia: >> Surnames

Online Searchable Death Indexes, Records & Obituaries Updated

Joe Beine’s “Online Searchable Death Indexes & Records” has been recently updated with more than 60 sources scattered over 24 states.

This is a great resource to keep tabs on. Check it out at:  Online Searchable Death Indexes, Records & Obituaries

Citrus County to Feature Sharon Moody

The Citrus County Genealogy Society meeting on 11 March 2014 will feature Sharon Tate Moody speaking on "Disputes and Unhappy Differences: Surprises in Land Records."

The meeting is at 3474 W. Southern Street, Lecanto, Florida, and starts at 10 am.

The society website is at: http://www.citrusgenealogy.com/

Troy Irish Genealogy Society - Transcription Projects

If your have ancestors from the vicinity of Troy, New York, you may find the link provided below to be will-worth you while.

The Troy Irish Genealogy Society has (and is) engaged in a variety of transcription projects and posted the results on line. You can find lists of WWII casualties, Troy bank officers from 1801-1891, marriage index for Rensselaer County, midwife records, various cemetery transcriptions, and more.

Check it all out at:  Troy Irish Genealogy Society - Transcription Projects

PGS Events for the Week of 23 February

Monday, 24-Feb-14 at 6:00 PM--Roots Magic -4 The last session of how to make the best use of the widely-used RootsMagic genealogy database program. Summers, Local History Room, Largo Library.

Tuesday, 25-Feb-14 at 11:30 AM—“Who Do You Think You Are?” Presentation for the AARP.  Bryan, Roskamp Auditorium, Freedom Square Complex, Seminole.

Tuesday, 25-Feb-14 at 6:00 PM, Military Records--types of records, where to find them and how to use them in genealogy research. Summers, Local History Room, Largo Library.

Wednesday, 26-Feb-14 at 10:00 AM, Library Catalog Searching for Genealogists –This is a new class that will show you how to find libraries and archives that can help you in your search, how to get the most from catalog searches, and discover other helpful resources available through online catalogs. Fortin, Local History Room, Largo Library.

Saturday, 1-Mar-14 at 10:00 AM. Family Tree Maker User Group--Questions& Answers and Demonstration of how to use the Family Tree Maker genealogical database software, Hosmer, Jenkins C, Largo Library. NOTE THE LOCATION—ONE SCHEDULE INDICATES LH ROOM BUT IT WILL BE IN JENKINS C AS USUAL.

Obituaries From Iowa

The Eikemeyer Funeral Chapel, in Page County, Iowa, has made an obituary database available on its website. It can be searched by name or dates of birth and death.

The database covers from the early 1900’s to the present, and may be worth a look if you have ancestors from southwest Iowa.

You can find it at:  Obituaries

Largo Area Historical Society 40th Annual Cracker Supper

It's a great opportunity to sample some good "Cracker" food and meet a lot of interesting people. Join in on March 8, 2014 at 5 pm at the St. Paul United Methodist Church on 1199 Highland Ave, Largo.

The cost is $17 for adults and $12 for children under 12.

Reservations must be received by 1 March...there is no opportunity to pay at the door.

Besides great food, there will be drawings, a commemorative gift for each attendee, a "photo op" in front of an 8' x 8' colorful mural of one of Largo's favorite teenage hangouts, and more

For more information see http://www.largohistory.org/.

Largo Area Historical Society Open House

The Largo Area Historical Society will hold an open house at the Historic Feed Store in Largo Central Park from 10 am to 2 pm on March 1, 2014. Drop by and see the exhibits of artifacts from Largo’s past. Society members will be on hand to give explanations and answer questions.

Greater Largo Library Foundation Art Hop and Taste Fest on 8 March

The 7^th Annual Art Hop and Taste Fest at Largo Public Library sponsored by the Greater Largo Library Foundation runs from 6-10pm on 8 March at the Largo Public Library.

The featured collection this year is the art collection of Dennis McBride, Artistic renderings of historic Pinellas County buildings. The featured artist is Jace McTier from Augusta, Georgia, and the featured rising star artist is Lisa Bagley, Largo High School art teacher. Entertainment will be provided by Lisa Casalino.

If you wish to venture outside of the library, busses will shuttle you to various venues around Largo that will showcase their art and treasures an provide snacks.

Several area restaurants will be in the library to treat you to their favorite dishes. The cost of the food is included in the ticket.

Tickets are $35 in advance and $40 at the door. For more information and ticket information see

http://gllf.org/index.php/programs-and-projects/art-hop-and-taste-fest .

PGS Events for the Week of 17 February

Here's what's happening at PGS:

Tuesday, 18-Feb-14 at 6:00 PM--Ancestry Family Tree Online. This class will demonstrate step by step how to put your family tree on ancestry.com and other sites. We will discuss some of the concerns and advantages. Bryan, Local History Room, Largo Library.

Wednesday, 19-Feb-14 at 6:00 PM--Ipad/Ipod/Iphone for Genealogy, Summers, Local History Room, Largo Library

Thursday, 20-Feb-14 at 10:15 AM--"Canadian Genealogy Interest Group--Ann Burns will take us on a Google Earth trip and show us how to organize such a trip for showing the places/towns where our ancestors lived.The group will be naming and showing on screen, some of their own favorite Canadian Genealogy sites. Also covered:

• Standardizing place names with the more correct spelling.  Determining when to use St or Ste or Saint or Sainte.
• Building your Family Tree on the ""noisorigines.qc.ca"" Internet site." Ann Burns, LocaL History Room, Largo Library

Saturday, 22-Feb-14 at 10:00 AM--RootsMagic User Group--Questions and answers and demonstrations of how to use the RootsMagic genealogy database software program. Summers, Local History Room, Largo Library.

Saturday, 22-Feb-14 at 11:30 AM--Familysearch.org—the class will demonstrate how to search the vast databases available on this huge, ever-changing site made available from the LDS (Mormon) genealogy collection. Bryan, Aging Well Center,  1501 N. Belcher Rd., Clearwater, FL.  NOTE CHANGE IN TIME!

 

Special Program Coming on Monday, 3 March 2014

 

“Getting the Most Out of Ancestry.com” on Monday, 3 March 2014 from 3:00-5:00 PM in Jenkins C, Largo Library.  Christa Cowan, the “Barefoot Genealogist” from ancestry.com will be presenting this special program. First come, first served so plan to coming a few minutes early to assure a seat. Take a look at some of her youtube videos at http://goo.gl/qCUAav.

Making Timelines Work for You

Leslie Drewitz, writing in The In-Depth Genealogist, offers some guidance on when to do a timeline, and how to make it effective.

When you hit that inevitable brick wall, or your research effort just seems to become to complicated, using a timeline may help you find a way to proceed.

Leslie gives a good example in her article of using a timeline to demonstrate her point. You can find her article at: When to do a Timeline (...and how to Make it Effective) | The In-Depth Genealogist

Cowlitz County, Washington Obituaries Online

If you have Washington State ancestors, you may find the Longview Public Library obituary collection helpful. An index citing obits from various Cowlitz County newspapers is searchable by name or year, and some of the papers date back as far at 1872.

Check it out at:  Longview Public Library

Caladesi Chapter of the DAR to Host Free Seminar

There will be a free genealogy seminar hosted by the Caladesi Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution at Dunedin Public Library from 1-3pm on 26 February. Debra Fleming will speak on “Researching the Story Using Newspapers.”

 

PGS Events for the Week of 10 February

A very busy week coming up:

Monday, 10-Feb-14 at 6:00 PM--Roots Magic -3. How to make the best use of the widely-used Roots Magic genealogy database program with demonstrations. Summers, Local History Room, Largo Library.

Wednesday, 12-Feb-14 at 10:00 AM-- England & Wales Genealogy--How to access the parish records of birth/christening/marriage/burials from 1538 to the present. Pearson, Local History Room, Largo Library

Wednesday, 12-Feb-14 at 1:00 PM--England & Wales Genealogy workshop. Pearson, Genealogy Center, Largo Library

Wednesday, 12-Feb-14 at 1:30 PM--Genealogy and/or Personal Memoirs for NARFE.  Bryan, Drew Street Library, Clearwater

Friday, 14-Feb-14 at 1:00 PM--African American Genealogy, Thompkins, SPC Clearwater Campus.

Saturday, 15-Feb-14 at 10:00 AM--Computers in Genealogy--Question and answer session on the use of computers in genealogy research and record keeping. Bryan, Jenkins B, Largo Library.

Saturday, 15 Feb 14 at 11:00 AM—Annual Meeting with a report on the state of the society.  In addition we'll have a social breakout session with an opportunity to discuss and share with peers in groups covering English, German, French-Canadian, and Swedish ancestry.

43d Institute for the Editing of Historical Documents

This is an item of rather specialized interest.

The Association for Documentary Editing welcomes applications for the 43rd Institute for the Editing of Historical Documents, to be held 20–24 July 2014 in Louisville, Kentucky.

This is an annual 5-day workshop where editors experienced in the principles, practices and realities of documentary editing share their insight.

If this interests you, you can find more information at:  The Association for Documentary Editing

How Popular is Genealogy?

You have probably heard statements that paints genealogy as one of the most popular hobbies. But is that really true? Where is the data?

GenealogyInTime Magazine has done an interesting analysis to determine just how popular genealogy is. You may find their analysis interesting. Check it out at:  How Popular is Genealogy?

Suncoast Genealogy Society Meeting - 22 February 2014

The Suncoast Genealogy Society will hold their monthly meeting on 22 Feb 2014 at the Palm Harbor Public Library (2330 Nebraska Ave, Palm Harbor, FL).

The meeting, featuring Jean Van Horn ("Sylvanus Travises all over my genealogy! Which one is my Sylvanus?") at 2 pm will be preceded at 1 pm with  their Roots Magic Users Group.

Crista Cowan From Ancestry.com in the Bay Area

A couple days ago I mentioned Crista Cowan from Ancestry.com appearing at the Palm Harbor Library. Since then, her speaking schedule has broadened a bit. The following gives you more options if you wish to here her speak.

Also known as the “Barefoot Genealogist,” Crista Cowan from Ancestry.com will be in the area in February and March. Join her as she shares tips and what’s new at Ancestry.com. She will explore how to get the most out of Ancestry.com, including how to effectively search for information. Her free programs will be in interest to new as well as experienced researchers.
On 3 March she will be speaking in the Largo Library in Jenkins Room C from 3 to 5pm. Seating is limited, so access will be on a first-come first-served basis.
If you cannot make that appearance, she will be at the Palm Harbor Library on 7 March from 1:30 to 4:30 pm. Seating there is also limited, but you can reserve a seat by contacting Ann James 727-791-1983, or emailing her atjamesamsj@aol.com.

Other appearances include:
28 Feb., at South Shore Regional Library (10:30am). Topic: Five things to Try at Ancestry.com.
3 March at John F. Germany Library (10:30am) Topic: Getting the Most Out of Ancestry.com.
5 March at North Tampa Branch Library (10:30am) topic: Sharing Family History with the Genealogically Challenged.
In all cases the event is free and open to all.
Crista regularly produces You Tube videos on how to get the most out of Ancestry.com that are worth your time. You can find them all by visiting http://www.youtube.com/ and searching on “barefoot genealogist.”

 

Google Cultural Institute

If you are looking for a site on which to spend a lot of quality time, try the Google Cultural Institute.

Google has partnered with hundreds of museums, cultural institutions, and archives to host the world’s cultural treasures online. 

Here you can find artworks, landmarks and world heritage sites, as well as digital exhibitions that tell the stories behind the archives of cultural institutions across the globe.

Recently the National Library of Ireland partnered with Google to display some if its digitized photographs and has plans to contribute more.

You may not find your specific ancestor in these photos (but you never know), but you can, with a bit of searching, get some “historic feel” for places your ancestors may have been.
Google Cultural Institute

Jewish Genealogical Society of Tampa Bay Features Dr. Emil Isaacson

The Jewish Genealogical Society of Tampa Bay will offer a two-session seminar entitled: “The JGSTB 2014 Guide to Jewish Genealogy Research: A Foundation for Beginners and an Update for Experienced Researchers” on February 9 (Part 1) and March 9, 2014 (Part 2) at 2:00 PM at Gulf Coast Jewish Family Services, 14041 Icot Blvd., Clearwater, Florida. Registration will be held at 1:30 PM on both dates. A seminar booklet summarizing all the material to be presented will be provided and will be essential for those able to attend only one of the two sessions.

This seminar will focus on developing the proper approaches and applying the necessary tools, techniques and short cuts to most effectively connect you with your ancestors in the old country. Internet resources as well as local non-internet resources will be emphasized to enable the beginner to discover his or her family history as well as facilitate the experienced researcher in resolving “brick wall” problems. 

Dr. Emil H. Isaacson will lead the seminar. Dr. Isaacson has 30 years of experience in genealogy and has researched his ancestral roots back seven generations to the late 1700’s in Europe. He will share his successful and sometimes unsuccessful techniques.

The course is free to current paid-up members of the Jewish Genealogical Society of Tampa Bay. A one-year family membership will be included in the $25 course fee for non-members. An additional $10.00 fee will be charged for seminar materials to defray printing costs, but only one booklet will be needed per couple or family. Annual membership in the Jewish Genealogical Society of Tampa Bay is $25 per individual or family.

Anyone interested in learning how to do Jewish genealogical research is invited to attend. Early registration is recommended so that sufficient copies of the printed booklet and handouts will be available.

To pre-register for the class, for further information on the organization, or for directions to the meeting, call Bruce Hadburg at 727-796-7981.

Crista Cowan from Ancestry.com to Speak at Palm Harbor on 7 March

Crista Cowan, also known as the Ancestry.com Barefoot Genealogist, will be visiting the Suncoast Genealogy Society Friday March 7^th from 1:30 to 4:30 pm at the Palm Harbor Library.

Her talk is free and open to all, but you must register with Ann at 727-791-1983, or jamesamsj@aol.com.

 

FCOGS Annual Meeting Features Dr. Deborah Abbott

This notice was received from the Florida Chapter of the Ohio Genealogical Society:

Florida Chapter OGS Annual Meeting

• The FCOGS is pleased to announce its 2014 Annual Meeting, featuring Dr. Deborah Abbott, Ph.D., in Melbourne, Florida, 28 February to 1 March 2014.
• Friday’s events include a day trip to the Kennedy Space Center and dinner in Melbourne followed by a Genealogy Roundtable led by Dr. Abbott at the Hampton Inn Melbourne.
• Saturday at the hotel, Dr. Abbott will speak on three topics: Cluster Genealogy: finding your lost ancestor; Finding your female ancestors and From the Voice of a Slave: Ohio and the underground railroad.
• To reserve your conference hotel room at a greatly reduced rate, please visit the Chapter website at www.ogsfl.org and click on Events.

 

PGS Events for the Week of 3-8 February 2014

Monday, 3 Feb 2014 at 6:00 PM--Roots Magic -2  How to make the best use of the widely-used RootsMagic genealogy database program with demonstrations. Local History Room, Largo Library.

 

Tuesday, 4 Feb 2014 at 6:00 PM--Swedish Genealogy Interest Group--There will be a presentation by Gwen Stuler on the Rites of Passage which covers the four stages of life in Sweden. This will focus on the cultural customs of the 18th and 19th centuries. There will also be discussion of some present day practices by Gunnel Pidgeon.  . Local History Room, Largo Library.

 

Wednesday, 5 Feb 2014 at 10:00 AM--Ancestry.com--search techniques for getting the most from this huge collection of databases.  Local History Room, Largo Library.

 

Thursday, 6 Feb 2014 at 10 AM--INTRODUCTION TO GENEALOGY (Beginner) -- Basics of how to get started in researching your family history—what to do first, where to look& how to do it.  Local History Room, Largo Library.

 

Saturday, 8 Feb 2014 at 8:00 AM-4:00 PM--Annual Seminar—See http://www.flpgs.org/NMbrs/seminar/2014/Sem14.aspx for details.