Obituary Index and Birth Announcement Index from Lake Geneva, Wisconsin

The Lake Geneva Public Library provides and online index of obituaries and birth announcements. There are a total of about 18,000 obits dating back to the late 1800's. The records include first and last name, maiden name if known and applicable, date of birth and death, and the paper/date/page of the obituary.

The birth announcement index totals over 8000 name and dates back to the 1920's. In addition to the name, you will fine the parent's names, and the paper/date/page of the announcement.

Local History Databases:

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Using the US Public Records Index for Genealogy

Lisa Louise Cooke, writing in her Genealogy Gems Blog, gives us some helpful information about a popular database found on Ancestry.com, FamilySearch.org, and MyHeritage.com. It is the "U.S. Public Records Index."

Lisa gives example of its use, and explains what it is all about. Her tips may help you in your use of the resource.

Just a reminder, Lisa is going to be our primary speaking at the 2017 PGS Annual Seminar on 25 February 2017. She will present four different topics during the all-day event. You can see the entire schedule and download a registration form from: http://www.flpgs.org/NMbrs/seminar/2017/Sem17.aspx
Here is the link to the Public Records Index:
Using the US Public Records Index for Genealogy:

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PGS Events for the Week of 29 Jan - 4 Feb 2017

Monday, 30-Jan-2017 at 6:00 PM--Family Tree Maker 2014 Basics--Part 2 of 6. A detailed explanation and demonstration of the many features of this most popular genealogy database program. Hahn, Local History Room, Largo Library.

Tuesday, 31-Jan-2017 at 6:00 PM--RootsMagic-4, part 4 of 5. This class explores the use of this popular genealogy software program. It consists of five classes, each 1 ½ hours long, held for five consecutive weeks. The intent is to take the student from the basics of initial entry of family information to the more detailed topics of incorporating images in your family history, citing sources, and generating various reports. The class will be most effective if all sessions are attended in order. Summers, Local History Room, Largo Library.

Thursday, 2-Feb-2017 at 1:00 PM--Swedish Genealogy Interest Group--The session will explore the many tools available and methods possible for locating and researching your ancestors who came from Sweden. Contributions of interest to the group as a whole are welcome and encouraged. Charest, Local History Room, Largo Library.

Friday, 3-Feb-2017 at 10:15 AM--Franco-American Discussion Group. Geographic areas include: Europe (primarily France, but not limited to France)-Eastern Canada (primarily Quebec, some Ontario, but including the Acadians of the Maritime Provinces)-USA (Central North America and New England, also Louisiana and the surrounding Southern states). Grandmaison, Local History Room, Largo Library.

Saturday, 4-Feb-2017 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/Bryan, Local History Room, Largo Library.

War of 1812 Records at the Library and Archives Canada

This link takes you to the top level page at the Library and Archives Canada dealing with records from the War of 1812. To get to the database to do a search, click the link on the left side of the landing page titled "Search" Database." But before you do that, scroll down the page to the section titled "The Database" to see what records are there, and how to use the search tools.

These are Canadian records, of course. But remember that some of those Canadians were loyalists that left the United States after the Revolutionary War. So you are liable to find Canadians and Ex-US citizens both in this database.

War of 1812 - Library and Archives Canada:

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MyHeritage Adds DNA Testing

As you may know by now, MyHeritage recently announced its addition of DNA testing to its website offerings. Diahan Southard, writing in Lisa Louise Cooke's Genealogy Gems Blog, gave it a test drive and shares her impressions with us.

Check out her article at:  MyHeritage DNA: What I Like About It:

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PGS Events for the Week of 22-28 January 2017

Monday, 23-Jan-2017 at 6:00 PM--Family Tree Maker 2014 Basics--Part 1. A detailed explanation and demonstration of the many features of this most popular genealogy database program. Hahn, Local History Room, Largo Library.

Tuesday, 24-Jan-2017 at 11:30 AM--DNA Basics—an introduction to DNA that may be help attendees better understand the discussion in the DNA Interest Group following at 1:00 PM. Summers, Jenkins C, Largo Library

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Tuesday, 24-Jan-2017 at 1:00 PM--DNA Interest Group--Share your DNA knowledge and discuss your results with others interested in making DNA Connections.  This is a group for DNA novices to learn together. Luce, Jenkins C, Largo Library.

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Tuesday, 24-Jan-2017 at 6:00 PM--RootsMagic-3, part 3 of 5. This class explores the use of this popular genealogy software program. It consists of five classes, each 1 ½ hours long, held for five consecutive weeks. The intent is to take the student from the basics of initial entry of family information to the more detailed topics of incorporating images in your family history, citing sources, and generating various reports. The class will be most effective if all sessions are attended in order. Summers, Local History Room, Largo Library.

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Wednesday, 25-Jan-2017 at 10:00 AM--Ancestry.com--basic search techniques for getting the most from this huge collection of databases. Summers, Local History Room, Largo Library.

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Saturday, 28-Jan-2017 at 10:00 AM--RootsMagic User Group meeting, Summers, Local History Room, Largo Library.

Early Rhode Island Court Records Project Provides Online Historic Records

The Rhode Island Historical Society has digitized its most important collections related to the colonial RI judicial system and made them available on line.

You can't search the collection by name, you have to browse it, but the collection has an organization to it that makes your search easier. If you know you have an ancestor from Rhode Island in the 1730 to 1784 time frame, your browse time may be fruitful.

Check it out at:
Colonial Justice: Early Rhode Island Court Records Project - Rhode Island Historical Society:

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Why Genealogy is Important

Every once in a while it is refreshing to step away from our interest in databases, facts, dates, and places; and consider a more general and theoretical view of genealogy. This article titled "Why Genealogy is Important" published in GenealogyInTime Magazine gives us that opportunity.

It is fascinating to see the many reasons one might have for being interested in genealogy. Certainly there are some reasons that mean little to me, but seeing what they are helps me in understanding others that I interact with in pursuing my research.

Check it out at:  Why Genealogy is Important:

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Vital Records for Boscawen, NH

If you have ancestors from around Boscawen, New Hampshire, this site may be of interest. The entries were compiled from town reports, books of mortality, and other such documents.

You can search the database by date, first name, or last name. You can also simply browse by birth, death, or marriage.

Boscawen, NH Vital Records:

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PGS Events for the Week of 15-21 January 2017

Tuesday, 17-Jan-2017 at 6:00 PM--RootsMagic-2. This second class in a series of five explores the use of this popular genealogy software program. The intent is to take the student from the basics of initial entry of family information to the more detailed topics of incorporating images in your family history, citing sources, and generating various reports. The class will be most effective if all sessions are attended in order. Summers, Local History Room, Largo Library.        

Thursday, 19-Jan-2017 at 1:00 PM--Irish Genealogy Interest Group, Focareta-Padgett, Local History Room, Largo Library.        

Friday, 20-Jan-2017 at 10:30 AM--German Genealogy Interest Group, Dietz, Local History Room, Largo Library.  

Saturday, 21-Jan-2017 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, 21 Jan 2017 at 11:00 AM—Franco-American/French Canadian Research, monthly program meeting presented by Terry and Jim Willard, Jenkins B, Largo Library.

Saturday, 21-Jan-2017 at 12:30 PM--Workshop tour of the Genealogy Center showing the many genealogical research resources there. Summers, Genealogy Center, Largo Library

Judgeing Our Ancestors Is a Slippery Slope

Responding to one of her readers, blogger Lisa Louise Cooke gives us her take on dealing with some of that less-than-positive information about our ancestors that we invariably come across.

Her thoughts on the situation reinforce what we have learned about responsible research: citing sources, and using common sense about the impact of our research.

Lisa is the featured speaker at our Annual Seminar on 25 Feb 2017. Check out the full schedule and registration form at: http://www.flpgs.org/NMbrs/seminar/2017/Sem17.aspx   

Read Lisa's article at:  Standing in Judgement of Our Ancestors:

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PGS Events for the Week of 9-14 January 2017

Monday, 9-Jan-2017 at 6:00 PM--Google Earth Tours – Google Earth tours can be a fun way to share your genealogical research with relatives. This class will show you the basics of how to create, save, and share a tour that can visually illustrate the life and travels of your ancestors using the Google Earth free program. Fortin, Local History Room, Largo Library.

Tuesday, 10-Jan-2017 at 6:00 PM--RootsMagic-1. This class explores the use of this popular genealogy software program. It consists of five classes, each 1 ½ hours long, held for five consecutive weeks. The intent is to take the student from the basics of initial entry of family information to the more detailed topics of incorporating images in your family history, citing sources, and generating various reports. The class will be most effective if all sessions are attended in order. Summers, Local History Room, Largo Library.

Wednesday, 11-Jan-2017 at 6:00 PM--Facebook for Genealogy--This class will explore how to use this very popular social media site for genealogy--how to connect with friends and family members, discover new relatives and share photos and information with others on Facebook Genealogy Groups.  A very powerful tool for your research! Summers. Local History Room, Largo Library.

PGS Annual Seminar on 25 February 2017 Has Something for Everyone

The Annual Pinellas Genealogy Society Seminar, co-sponsored by the Largo Public Library, is scheduled for 25 February 2017 at the Largo Public Library from 8 am to 4 pm. The library is located at 120 Central Park Drive, Largo, FL.

This all-day event features Lisa Louise Cooke, the primary speaker, as well as three breakout speakers. Lisa’s four presentations are (1) “Google Tools and Procedures for Solving Family History Mysteries,” (2) “Getting the Scoop on Your Ancestors with Newspapers,” (3) “Nine Strategies for Finding Living Relatives,” and (4) “Future Technology and Genealogy--Five Strategies You Need.” Lisa is a nationally known speaker and author as well as a renowned genealogy blogger, and we are excited about her presentations at this event.

The topics of the breakout sessions will be (1) “How Do I Organize My Genealogy Records?” by Debbe Hagner, (2) “What’s New at FamilySearch.org with Focus on ‘Memories’” by Debra Fleming, and (3) “English & Welsh Family History: Useful Online Research Resources” by Liz Pearson.

In addition to the speakers, this event boasts a continental breakfast, box lunch, raffles, door prizes, huge book sale, and plenty of time to network with guest organizations and other researchers. The all-inclusive registration fee is $40 for PGS members and $45 for non-members. After 18 February, the cost is $50, so register early.

We at PGS are proud of this annual, day-long event; and proud of the lineup of speakers and events we have scheduled. There is something for everyone—novice researcher and experienced alike. Join us.

A detailed schedule of events and a registration form are found at http://www.flpgs.org/NMbrs/seminar/2017/Sem17.aspx . Questions can be addressed to pgsfla@yahoo.com.

Index to deaths in the Saint Louis Globe-Democrat

The St. Louis County Library, St. Louis, MO, offers us an online index to deaths reported in the newspaper Saint Louis Globe-Democrat. The deaths range from 1860 to 1883.

If you find an index entry of interest to you, you may request it from the library using the email address provided on the landing page. On that page there is also a link to the library's lookup policy.

Check it out at:
Index to deaths in the Saint Louis Globe-Democrat | St. Louis County Library:

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Lee County Genealogical Society Features George Morgan on 19 January Meeting

Google for Genealogy: a Few Good Tips

These tips about using Google for genealogy come from Lisa Louise Cooke as reported by Tyler Stahle in FamilySearch Blog. It is and abbreviated list of just three tips, but they are good ones and worthy of review.

Remember, Lisa is our featured seminar speaker on 25 February 2017, and one of her presentations is on this topic. In it you will get many more hints and tips on using Google.

So put the seminar on your calendar for 8am to 4pm on 25 February 2017. Use the following link to see a detailed seminar schedule:  http://www.flpgs.org/NMbrs/seminar/2017/Sem17.aspx

Here is the link for the article:  3 Tips for Using Google for Genealogy:

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West Pasco Genealogical Society Seminar on 18 Jan 2017

News from the West Pasco County Genealogical Society:

The West Pasco County Genealogical Society  will host a seminar on solving ancestry research problems through event timelines on Wednesday, January 18, 2017 from Noon to 1:30 p.m. at Faith Lutheran Church, 5443 Sunset Rd., New Port Richey, FL 34652.

You will learn how to create timelines that reflect historical events and how to utilize them to fill in information gaps and determine what events occurred during an ancestor’s lifetime.

Cost of the seminar is $7.00 for non-members; $5.00 for Society members. Following the lecture, the Society member meeting will be held from 2 to 4 pm. Non-members are invited to also attend the meeting where Debbe Hagner, president of WPCGS will discuss two governmental programs that were instituted during the mid-1930’s to mid-1940’s -- the Work Projects Administration (WPA) and the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) -- and their importance to the depressed U.S. economy. Examples of how those records can assist in tracing ancestry will be presented. Please register for the seminar by telephone: 727-271-0770 or email: debbehagner@yahoo.com.

Bill Israel Speaks on Virtual Family Reunions on 8 Jan. 2017

This just received from JGSTB:

 Dear JGSTB Members and Friends,

   This is to wish you a Happy New Year and to remind you that the Jewish Genealogical Society of Tampa Bay will meet this Sunday, January 8, 2017 at Gulf Coast Jewish Family & Community Services, 14041 Icot Blvd., Clearwater, Florida for our first meeting of the new year.  The program will feature a presentation by Bill Israel on Virtual Family Reunions. A social with refreshments and library access begins at 1:30 PM, and the featured program starts at 2:00 PM.

Vale Cemetery in Schenectady New York

The Vale Cemetery in Schenectady, New York was established in 1857 and today has more than 33,000 burials on 100 acres of ground.

You can search for burials by name or browse the interments. The options are found at the top of the landing page under the tab titled "Records & Research.

Vale Cemetery | 907 State Street, Schenectady NY 12307 | (518) 346-0423:

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