Fields of Honor Database Pays Tribute to WWII Fallen Soldiers Buried on Foreign Soil

This database relies on volunteers to establish a personal memorial page on the website. So far there are about 24,000 of those entered. They are soldiers who are either buried at the overseas American War Cemeteries of Ardennes, Epinal, Henri-Chapelle, Lorraine, Luxembourg, or Margraten, or who are listed at the Walls of the Missing at the same cemeteries.

The landing page gives  you some background on the project, and information on how to search for a soldier's name.

Check it out at:  Fields of Honor Database:

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Special Instructions for 15 July PGS Field Trip to Tampa Library

Our regular monthly meeting for July will be a field trip to the John F. Germany Library in Tampa. If you would like to carpool, please let Debbie Schuler know ASAP and also indicate if you can drive your vehicle. Debbie's email is  deborah.e.schuler@hotmail.com. Also, please let Debbie know if you are planning to go and drive yourself.

Here are some details:

• 9:00 am Car pool departure from Largo Library
• 10:15 am "Photo Identification for Genealogy"  John F. Germany Library (2 west: Florida History & Genealogy)--Learn to recognize the styles of the times, physical formats, and details in photos that help us determine photograph age and ancestor identity.  This program is part of the celebration of the City of Tampa's Archives Awareness Week and it's 130th Birthday. Cake cutting follows the program.  In partnership with the City of Tampa. Funded by the Friends of the John F. Germany Public Library.
• 11:15 am Cake to celebrate The City of Tampa's 130th birthday
• 11:30-12:00  Guided Tour of the genealogy collection of Tampa's John F. Germany Library for PGS 
• 12:00-whenever   Time for individual research; librarians will be on hand to assist
• 1:00 pm (or negotiable) car pool cars depart for Largo library.

Thanks for your prompt response to Debbie!

US Military Old Soldiers Home History and Records

A lesser used record set is that pertaining to National Military Homes, or Old Soldiers Homes. The FamilySearch WIKI is a good place to start if you are new to the subject. By the late 1920s there were 17 federal homes in operation, and through the years an additional 55 operated by various states.

The link below takes you to a WIKI page that gives a short history of the program, and also links to online records as well as to records available specifically at the Family History Library.

Check it out at:
US Military Old Soldiers Home Records Genealogy - FamilySearch Wiki:

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Bridgewater, Vermont Cemeteries

The Bridgewater, Vermont Historical Society gives us a searchable index of interments in the major cemeteries of the community. You can do a global name search or browse each cemetery. Each entry has a link to an image of the gravestone.

Bridgewater Historical Society | Bridgewater, Vermont » Cemeteries:

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PGS Events for the Week of 25 June - 1 July 2917

Tuesday, 27-Jun-2017 at 11:30 AM--DNA Basics, Manning, Jenkins A, Largo Library.

Tuesday, 27-Jun-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. Manning, Jenkins A, Largo Library.

Online Military Records -- Indexes and Rosters of US Soldiers

I have mentioned genealogist Joe Beine in several previous posts, pointing out the various indexes of record sets he makes available to us. This one is a guide to online military indexes and records. They are organized by conflict, and then by state, so using the list is easy.

Near the bottom of the landing page is a link to "More Online Genealogy Records and Indexes" if you want to see the other indexes Joe keeps updated.

Check it out at:
Online Military Records, Indexes and Rosters of Soldiers - USA:

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Women and the Law

Judy Russell, the Legal Genealogist, gives us a bibliography that may be helpful in searching for those elusive female ancestors. It is a long list of resources and should keep you busy for some time.

By the way, we are fortunate to have Judy as our featured speaker for the 2018 PGS Seminar to be held on 24 February. Mark your calendars now.

http://www.loc.gov/rr/genealogy/bib_guid/female.pdf

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PGS Events for the Week of 18-24 June 2017

Wednesday, 21-Jun-2017 at 10:00 AM--Organizing Your files-paper and electronic--some methods and suggestions for keeping track of your genealogy documents. Summers, Local History Room, Largo Library.

Saturday, 24-Jun-2017 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.

Jack Butler to Speak on Territorial Records at Suncoast Genealogy Society on 24 Jun 2017

This notice was received from our friends at Suncoast Genealogy Society:

SUNCOAST GENEALOGY SOCIETY – JUNE 24,2017 – 2 - 4:30PM

PALM HARBOR LIBRARY – 2330 Nebraska Ave., Palm Harbor

JACK BUTLER

Our speaker will be Jack Butler, a professional genealogist, lecturer and author who has been active in serious genealogical research for more than 20 years. Active in the genealogical community, he holds memberships in the Association of Professional Genealogists, where he is past president of the Florida chapter National Genealogical Society, the New England Historical Genealogical Society, and past president of Florida State Genealogical Society. Jack participates in the Genealogical Speakers Guild and the International Society of Family History Writers and Editors. His research has involved extensive work in the Southeastern United States and New England, as well as Canada, the United Kingdom and Sicily.

His topic for us is “Finding and Using Territorial Records”. These are records of the various states before they were states. The amount of time that a State spent as a Territory varied widely, with Ohio only a territory for two years, while Florida spent 25 years in that territorial status. Many of the records created by our ancestors during these periods are not usually found among the normal resources we use. Jack will address the types of records to be found, as well as major resources for Territorial records and were to find them.

Hope you can join us for this informative program. 

Original Will Registers from 1858 to1920 at findmypast.com

Working with the National Archives of Ireland, FindMyPast has added a collection of Irish wills for the period of 1858 to 1920. You get both a transcription of the will and images of the original document.

You need at least a free membership to FindMyPast to see the details of your search. When you click on a name in the hit list, you will be given the opportunity to establish the free membership or sign in if  you already have one.

Try it at:
Ireland, Original Will Registers 1858-1920 | findmypast.com:

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New Jersey State Census, 1865 on FamilySearch.org

The New Jersey State Census is a relatively new addition to the FamilySearch collection. It consists of over 2,000 images and is indexed, so it is searchable.  Primarily it only lists the head of household by name, but there are exceptions where all adults are listed.

Check it out at:
New Jersey, State Census, 1865 — FamilySearch.org:

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Facts about Immigration Through Ellis Island

Most genealogists know the important roll Ellis Island played in processing immigrants who arrive at New York City, and most have been exposed to truths as well as falsehoods about the immigration experience there.

The GenealogyInTime Magazine gives us a fact-filled article about Ellis Island and what went on there. You may be surprised at some of the facts it reports.

Ellis Island Immigration Facts:

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PGS Events for the Week of 11-17 June 2017

Tuesday, 13-Jun-2017 at 10:00 AM--LOYALISTS OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION – who were the Loyalists, and how were they affected by the outcome of the war? Were they rewarded for their loyalty to the British crown, and if so, in what manner? Get the answer to these questions and more, including what records may exist and where they might be found. Summers, Local History Room, Largo Library.

Friday, 16-Jun-2017 at 10:30 AM--The German Genealogy discussion group will be reviewing information from MAGS-Mid Atlantic Germanic Society with early maps and more web sites and resources. Dietz, Local History Room, Largo Library.

Saturday, 17-Jun-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, 17-Jun-2017 at 11:00 AM--PGS Business and Program Meeting--Identifying and Dating Photos, Maureen Taylor, Jenkins B, Largo Library.

1940's Era Maine Alien Registration Records Online

In 1940, the Governor of Maine proclaimed that state alien residents were required to register. Over 30,000 did so. Today several record sets are available to us: summary datasheets, registration cards, and the registration documents themselves.

You can browse or search the various collections. Click on the record category to limit your search. If you use the search form in the upper left of the landing page, you search all record categories at once.

Check it out at:
Alien Registrations | Maine State Library Research | Maine State Documents:

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Jewish Genealogy Society of Tampa Bay to Highlight the Use of Its Library at 11 June 2017 Meeting

Members and Friends of the Jewish Genealogical Society of Tampa Bay,

This is to remind you that the JGSTB will meet next Sunday, June 11, 2017 at Gulf Coast Jewish Family & Community Services, Inc., 14041 Icot Blvd., Clearwater, Florida.  This meeting will introduce you to the precious jewels in our library cabinet.  If you have not been taking full advantage of our library’s extensive print and digital resources, you are missing some very important tools in your genealogical research kit.  This program will introduce you to them. 

Jewish Genealogical Society of Tampa Bay Meeting

JEWELS IN THE CABINET

(Library Resources That Really Sparkle)

Sunday, June 11, 2017

A social with refreshments begins at 1:30 PM, and the featured program starts at 2:00 PM.

Take a Break For Some Humor - Genealogy "Hate" Mail

Kerry Scott, writing in her Blog Clue Wagon, Gives us a bit to smile about. So take a break from those brick walls and read her article to put it all into perspective.

Ancestor Hate Mail | Clue Wagon:

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PGS Events for the Week of 4-10 June 2017

Only one class this week, as we begin the summer season:

Tuesday, 6-Jun-17 at 10:00 AM--Library of Congress Website--what genealogy help it provides, veterans’ information, historic newspapers, digital collections, photographs, and use of the catalog. Summers, Local History Room, Largo Library.