Manatee Genealogical Society Features Debbe Hagner at 5 November 2019 Meeting

PGS Family History Repository Provides Safe Harbor for Research

A few years ago, the Pinellas Genealogy Society in partnership with the Largo Public Library announced the formation of the Family History Repository. Its goal is to safeguard and make available to the public unpublished, original family history and genealogy research.

The FHR has been established to give researchers a place to harbor their work when they decide that they want to retire their research collection, or there is no family member who is able to continue the effort. In these cases, the FHR stands ready to accept the material.

Too often the efforts of researchers are neglected or destroyed when their personal involvement in the research ends due to shifting priorities, health, or other reasons. The FHR provides a place and a process where that research can live on. It is not a place to backup your research or to place your research with the intent of adding to it later. It aims to be a safe harbor for research that has run its course and will be lost if not protected here.

To be accepted, the material must be an original work product (family group sheets, pedigree charts, narratives, notes, etc.), it must be un-published, and the author or other authorized person must be willing to pass control of the material-al to PGS. The material should be organized by the donor, as meaningful organization by FHR volunteers is not possible. Although paper files are the focus of the repository, several different electronic formats can be acceptable on a case-by-case basis.

The donated material will be archived either in paper or converted to digital form, and made available to other researchers through the collection in the Genealogy Center of the Largo Public Library or the World Wide Web. if the material is digitized, the paper will be disposed of Since storage space is limited.

If you are in possession of research materials that you think would benefit from the services of the Family History Repository, get in touch with us at info@pinellasgenealogysociety.com.

PGS Events for the Week of 28 October - 2 November 2019

Monday, 28-Oct-19 at 10:00 AM. Proving Your Facts--This class explains how to evaluate the evidence we collect as we build our family trees. Some sources are more reliable, some records bring us closer to the actual event, and some information is more “on point.” How do we rank all of this as we try to assemble genealogical “truth”? The class uses the “Genealogical Proof Standard” as the guide.  Instructor: Summers, Local History Room, Largo Library,

Wednesday, 30-Oct-19 at 1:00 PM. Brick Walls—You will eventually reach a point where you seemingly can’t go back further on a particular line. This class will offer some ideas and suggestions for overcoming dead ends in your family history research.  Instructor: Bryan, Local History Room, Largo Library.

31-Oct-19  1:00 PM--Ancestry.com--Basic search techniques for getting the most from this huge collection of databases. Instructor: Bryan. Local History Room, Largo Library

Saturday, 2-Nov-19 at 10:00 AM. Family Tree Maker User Group--Questions & Answers and Demonstration of how to use the Family Tree Maker genealogical database software. Instructor: Bryan-Hosmer. Local History Room, Largo Library.

Nashua, New Hampshire Offers Online Burial Information for Two Cemeteries

Nashua, New Hampshire has an online index of the Woodlawn and Edgewood cemeteries available. You can search by first name, last name, and date of burial. Both cemeteries are over one hundred years old.

The hit list will provide name of the deceased, birth and death dates, marital status, and location of the grave within the cemetery. Click on the name of the cemetery to see a map of the facility.

https://www.nashuanh.gov/192/Cemetery-Search

Book Available on Hathi Trust Gives Unique Information

This book published by the US Government in 1973 is titled "Foreign Versions, Variations,

and Diminutives of English Names; Foreign Equivalents of United States Military and Civilian Titles."

The content is unique, to say the least, but can be valuable depending on your research needs. It is fully readable online and can be downloaded as a PDF if you wish. If you wish, you can explore the Hathi Turst site and find similar titles published in different years.


https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=pur1.32754079603076&view=1up&seq=1

PGS Events for the Week of 21-26 October 2019

Monday, 21-Oct-19 at 10:00 AM-- Understanding Historical Causes of Death  -Death certificates are important resources when researching the lives of our ancestors. However, due to factors such as outdated terminology and the limits of medical knowledge in the past, it can be hard to interpret the causes of death given. This presentation examines some of those factors, and points to resources that can help you find out what your ancestors really died of. Instructor: Fortin, Local History Room, Largo Library.

Tuesday, 22-Oct-19 at 11:00 AM--DNA Basics for Genealogy. Learn about the types of DNA tests used for genealogy and popular testing companies. We compare the benefits of each type of test and each company’s database. Instructor: Manning. Jenkins A, Largo Library.

Tuesday, 22-Oct-19 at 1:00 PM--DNA Interest Group: Learn how to interpret your DNA test results, and apply those results to your current family history research. Join our casual group as we research and learn together. Instructor: Manning. Jenkins A, Largo Library.

Thursday, 24-Oct-19 at 1:00 PM--Census tracking--Probably the fundamental way of using the US Federal Census is to track ancestors from one census year to the next. In that process we seek to uncover relationships and lost or heretofore unknown ancestors. This class shows a strategy on how to do that, using an actual family as an example. In addition, it also shows how to uncover hints on using resources outside of the census itself. Instructor: Summers. Local History Room, Largo Library.

Two Searchable Cemetery Indexes for Amesbury, Massachusetts Online

Click on the link provided in the landing page to see the search form. You can search by name of the deceased, burial year, and veteran status. You can also search both of the cemeteries (Mt. Prospect and Union) at once, or individually.

Once you narrow down to your hit list, click on the person's name to see additional details.

https://www.amesburyma.gov/public-works/pages/cemeteries

10 Things Happening With the Gulfport Historical Society in the Fall of 2019

This list of Gulfport happenings comes from the Gulfport Historical Society, which is one of our Organizational Partners.

10 Things Happening with the Gulfport Historical Society this fall There's a LOT happening at the museum and in town, so we'll keep this brief — and, because we like lists, we're going to give you everything we have on offer, everything we need, and a special offer for new members in a listicle format. Herewith, our own version of a Top 10 list! 1. Our archivist/historian, Frank Verdino, has revamped the entire interior of the museum, so stop by and see us Tuesday, Friday or Saturday between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.! 2. We have a new exhibit opening in November — Gulfport in Blue and Grey. The Civil War impacted Gulfport, but perhaps not how you'd think. Let us know to expect you at the 7 p.m. exhibit opening on Nov. 8. Are you a member? Please join us at the VIP reception Nov. 7 at 7 p.m. 3. We need more volunteers! Email us to tell us how you can help and we'll be sure to tell you how you can help (don't worry, we'll train you and it's a lot of fun!) 4. We also need help moving heavy things on Saturday, Oct. 19 in the afternoon. Can you help? Email us and let us know! 5. We're looking for people who like to tell stories, because we need more tour guides! Can you tell stories — and do you enjoy it? Email us for details! 6. We have a great porch party happening Oct. 18 at 7 p.m. — Gary Monroe will speak about Florida's self-taught artists. Gary is an expert on The Highwaymen, Barnhill, and other great Florida talents, so if you're at all interested in art, this is the talk for you! It's free, but please let us know you're coming! 7. If you want more of Gary, we're hosting an intimate Behind the Lens brunch with him on Saturday, Oct. 19 at the museum. In addition to being an expert on Florida artists, Gary's exhibited his own Florida photography far and wide, so if you're a photo-minded person, this is the brunch for you. Yes, we can accommodate special diets, so don't let that stop you. Members get a discount, but anyone can come — register for the brunch with Gary here! 8. Our haunted walking tours are in full swing — we have plenty of tours planned for October (it's kind of our month) and remember, members — you get these trips for free. What are you waiting for? Register for a haunted walking tour for free! 9. We have a fantastic trip for members planned — and to keep the costs low, we're joining forces with OLLI at Eckerd. What's the trip? It's an inside look at the history and culture of the Seminole Tribe of Florida. The trip includes two meals, an air-conditioned, wi-fi enabled, bus ride down and back, and (double occupancy) lodging at the Seminole Hard Rock Hollywood. If you came to our Egmont Key porch party, you won't want to miss this trip. We have 10 spots available, so you can sign up here (Eckerd College is offering 10 of our members the discounted OLLI at Eckerd member rate.) This trip to the Seminole Tribe of Florida is sure to change the way you view Florida's Indian history — and the Seminole people. 10. If you've been thinking about upgrading your membership, have we got a great thank you gift — join at the Mullet Circle level or higher, and we'll pay your way on that overnight trip to the Big Cypress Reservation in South Florida. Again, that's a night at the Seminole Hard Rock Hollywood, two meals, transportation, admission to the Ah-Tah-Thi-Ki, and a life-changing experience. That's a $345 thank you gift — because you're worth it! We're really excited about what's happening at the museum, and we can't do it without your help! Please join us at an event and, as always, we appreciate donations of any size. Happy October! Cathy Salustri, president, Gulfport Historical Society

PGS Events for the Week of 14-19 October 2019

Tuesday, 15-Oct-19 at 10:00 AM--Documenting Your Sources-An introduction on the content of proper source citations. Using modern genealogy programs to enter citations will also be covered (Roots Magic, and Family Tree Maker will be addressed). Instructor: Summers. Local History Room, Largo Library.

Wednesday, 16-Oct-19 at 1:00 PM--Irish Genealogy Interest Group. Topics vary monthly. Customs and culture, review of online resources, strategies for breaking down walls. Members are given an opportunity to share their ancestor discoveries, their travels to Ireland, and topics of interest. Instructor: Commons. Jenkins A, Largo Library.

Wednesday, 16-Oct-19 at 6:00 PM--Was Your Ancestor Accused of Being a Witch? Exploring the Colonial New England Witchcraft Trials--We have been fascinated by the stories of the New England witchcraft trials, particularly those in Salem, Massachusetts in 1692, for hundreds of years. This presentation will explore what happened and what our ancestors believed and try to explain why these events took place. Instructor: Fortin, Clearwater Public Library 100 N. Osceola St., Clearwater

Wednesday, 16-Oct-19 at 6:00 PM--Who Do You Think You Are? Brief presentation introducing genealogy, especially tailored for local community groups. Instructor: Bryan. St. Brendan's CC, 145 Dory Passage, Clearwater.

Thursday, 17-Oct-19 at 1:00 PM--Internet Genealogy for beginning genealogists introduces a strategy for using the internet in genealogy research. It presents examples of the different types of websites that can aid in research and highlights the top 3 or 4 that are “musts” on everyone’s favorites list. Instructor: Bryan, Local History Room, Largo Library.

Thursday, 18-Oct-19 at 10:30 AM--German Genealogy Interest Group. This meeting of the German Genealogy Interest Group will feature a talk by Lea Rummler on German customs and much more. Lea was born in Germany and has had wide experience in teaching and translating German into English. Don’t miss this interesting and informative presentation! Local History Room, Largo Library.

Saturday, 19-Oct-19 at 10:00 AM--Computers in Genealogy. Question and answer session on the use of computers in genealogy research and record keeping. Instructor: Bryan, Jenkins B, Largo Library.

Saturday, 19-Oct-19 at 11:00 AM--Program Meeting--Records from the Indian Wars. There were six major Indian wars in the southeastern U. S. that left genealogically significant records. This lecture briefly discusses each of the Indian wars and then uses examples to describe each of the record types generated by the wars. Learn where to find the records in online, microfilm, and print resources, for these and other conflicts. Speaker: Jack Butler, Jenkins B, Largo Library.

Lea Rummler to Speak at German Interest Group on 18 October 2019

PGS Events for the Week of 7-12 October 2019

Tuesday, 8-Oct-19 at 10:00 AM. Occupation Research-This class explores the world of ancestor occupations--what our ancestors did for a living, where to find that information, and what to do with it once found. Instructor: Summers, Local History Room, Largo Public Library.

Thursday, 10-Oct-19 at 1:00 PM. Six Key Records in Genealogy Research-- This is a class aimed primarily at beginning genealogists. It identifies six records that are a must for early concentration in research. It identifies what those records are, why they are so important, and where they can be found. Instructor: Summers, Local History Room, Largo Library.

Saturday, 12-Oct-19 at 1:00 PM. DNA Drop-in: Come by and let one of our DNA-savvy consultants assist you with some personalized, one-on-one help with your DNA questions. Instructor: Manning, et al, Jenkins C, Largo Library.

Clearwater Historical Society (CHS) Museum and Cultural Center Seeks Volunteers

The newly opened Clearwater Historical Society (CHS) Museum and Cultural Center in downtown Clearwater seeks volunteers to serve as museum docents and historical character interpreters. Museum docents start out staffing a reception desk and can learn more about the museum to gain the ability to lead tours. Character interpreters portray real-life people who helped build Clearwater and are costumed for their era. Other exciting volunteer roles are also available, including outreach ambassadors, artifact entry, event hosts, and special projects. To learn more, come to the museum during normal hours, visit clearwaterhistoricalsociety.org and click on the Volunteer tab, email clearwaterhistoricalsociety@gmail.com or call (727) 754-8019. Clearwater Historical Society (CHS) Museum and Cultural Center is located at 610 S Fort Harrison Ave, Clearwater, FL 33756 and is open Thursday through Saturday 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Admission is free.  Donations gratefully accepted.