PGS Events for the Week of 2-7 December 2019

Tuesday, 3-Dec-19 at 10:00 AM--Census: Non-Population Schedules   Most of us are familiar with the population schedules of the US Census. But there is a wealth of information about our families in other schedules that were created in certain census years. This class identifies what those other schedules are (Agricultural, Mortality, DDD, etc.), what information can be found in them, and where they can be located today. Summers, Local History Room, Largo Library.

Thursday, 5-Dec-19 at 1:00 PM--Maps in Genealogy Research-Part 1. Maps can reveal much about the lives our ancestors led and the conditions under which they lived. They can also reveal hints on where to look for other important documents. There are many different types of maps available to the researcher, and this class deals with road, city, political, insurance, and migration maps. Summers, Local History Room, Largo Library.

Saturday, 7-Dec-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. Bryan//Hosmer, Local History Room, Largo Library.

Florida State Genealolgical Society (FSGS) Virtual DNA Conference on 7 December 2019

Follow this link for more information:
https://flsgs.org/cpage.php?pt=268

MASTER DNA-BASED DISCOVERY   BREAK DOWN BRICK WALLS A one-of-a-kind opportunity! Learn from 5 top experts! Join the Florida State Genealogical Society's Fall Virtual DNA Conference and advance your genealogy research skills without having to leave home. All you need is an Internet connection and curiosity. Ask the experts and put genetic genealogy to work for you!

Clearwater Historical Society's December Vintage Market on 7 December 2019

Clearwater Historical Society’s December

Vintage Market

The former Clearwater City Players theatre troupe’s one-of-a-kind clothing, costumes and props will be offered at the Clearwater Historical Society Museum’s Vintage Market 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. Saturday, December 7 in downtown Clearwater. 

Donated to the Clearwater Historical Society, the extensive collection of wearables, dress-up, day clothes, gowns and uniforms, as well as accessories, hats and costumes from Clearwater City Players productions are a treasure trove for buyers and a unique fundraiser for the Society.

Parking is available at the south entrance of the museum at the intersection on S. Fort Harrison and N. Hamilton Crescent or at the lot on Turner Street across from First United Methodist Church. Handicapped parking is available along Mulberry Alley, between the museum and First United Methodist Church.

A special Preview Night on 6 – 8 p.m. December 6 offers buyers a first peek and purchase. Refreshments available.  Admission is a $20 donation.  Buy tickets online from Eventbrite or at the event.  Check in with Facebook @ClearwaterHistoricalSociety for updates. 

PGS Events for the Week of 25-30 November 2019

Monday, 25-Nov-19 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. Instructor: Summers. Local History Room, Largo Library.

Tuesday, 26-Nov-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, 26-Nov-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.

New York Slavery Records Index Available Oline

This site can be a great resource for those doing African American and slave-related research. It gives us records of enslaved persons as well as slave holders in New York from 1525 through the Civil War.

The landing page contains "must read" information about how to use the site, so bypass it at your own risk of missing something important.

https://nyslavery.commons.gc.cuny.edu/

Scotland Historical Tax Rolls Online

Here is a site for those of you who want to do some serious Scottish research. It gives of transcriptions of mostly 1700's Scottish tax rolls on a variety of things: property, windows, horses, etc.

The landing page gives you the name of the tax. Click on that and you will see a list of the titles of the appropriate volumes with a short description of the contents. Click on the volume of choice and your will be taken to a page where you can read the transcription of the volume contents. There is a search box in the top right of the volume page.

This website--ScotlandsPlaces.gov.uk-- is a rich resource and tax roll are only a small part of what it offers. Explore the tabs at the top of the landing pages before you leave the site.

https://scotlandsplaces.gov.uk/digital-volumes/historical-tax-rolls

PGS Events for the Week of 18-23 November 2019

Monday, 18-Nov-19 at 10:00 AM--Homestead Act-History and Records- A review of the historical and political significance of the 1862 Homestead Act and associated legislation. Includes a discussion of the process followed to establish a homestead on public domain land, and an understanding of the method of legally surveying and describing the land. The presentation will also cover an examination of the records that were created in establishing a homestead, their genealogical value, and where those records are found today. This is an in-depth treatment of the Homestead Act, which is briefly referred to in the presentation on property Research Basics in the US. Instructor: Summers.   Local History Room, Largo Library.

Thursday, 21-Nov-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: Cheri Adams, Jenkins C, Largo Library.

Saturday, 23-Nov-19 at 10:00 AM--RootsMagic User Group--Questions and answers and demonstrations of how to use the RootsMagic genealogy database software program. Instructor: Summers. Local History Room, Largo Library.

We Have the Power to Restore Photographs, but Should We?

James Tanner writing in his Blog, Genealogy's Star, offers us a "think piece" on "The Ethics of Photo Restoration." We are all familiar with the power of the many computer programs that allow us to clean up, colorize, and otherwise change original photos we unearth in our research. But are there limits to the changes we can or should make?

Check out James' thoughtful article here:
https://genealogysstar.blogspot.com/2018/05/the-ethics-of-photo-restoration.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed:+blogspot/GACzzI+(Genealogy%27s+Star)

PGS Events for the Week of 11-16 November 2019

Monday, 11-Nov-19 at 1:00 PM: FamilySearch Family Tree.  The class will demonstrate how to build a family tree using the free site, FamilySearch.org.  Most importantly it will show how to deal with incorrect information in a shared environment and encourage family contacts. Instructor: Nerge. Jenkins A, Largo Library.

Tuesday, 12-Nov-19 at 6:00 PM: Facebook for Genealogy-- How to use this very popular social networking site for genealogy. Instructor: Summers.     Local History Room, Largo Library.

Wednesday, 13-Nov-19 at 4:30 PM: Introduction to Genealogy. This presentation will discuss the basics of how to get started in researching your family history--what to do first and how to do it, where to look for information and mistakes to avoid. Instructor: Bryan, Clearwater Public Library 100 N. Osceola St., Clearwater.

Saturday, 16-Nov-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, 16-Nov-19 at 11:00 AM  Program Meeting--Lecture Series: “The National Road: America’s First Federal Highway.” There will be a break for lunch about 12:30 and the second lecture will begin about 1:15 p.m. “Exodusters: The Exodus of Freed Slaves to Kansas in the 1870s.” Presented by Annette Burke Lyttle, Jenkins B, Largo Library. 

Name Translations

Ever wonder what the foreign language equivalents are for a name you are researching? It is a handy thing to know, especially if you run into a brick wall...in documents William could be changed from William, etc.

This link will take you to a database of names translated into various languages. It is good for first names, but not so much for surnames.

https://www.behindthename.com/names/translate

Lee County Genealogical Society Features Michelle Chubenko at 21 November 2019 Meeting

PGS Events for the Week of 4-9 November 2019

Tuesday, 5-Nov-19 at 10:00 AM: War With Spain-This class is an exploration of the causes, conflicts, and results of the United States’ war with Spain in 1898. In addition to the history of the conflict and its consequences, the types of records generated during the conflict will be discussed along with guidance on where to find those records. Instructor: Summers. Local History Room, Largo Library.

Thursday, 7-Nov-19 at 1:00 PM: Familysearch.org—This class will demonstrate how to search the vast databases available on this rapidly-expanding site made available from the LDS (Mormon) genealogy collection. Instructor: Bryan. Local History Room, Largo Library.

Saturday, 9-Nov-19 at 12:00-4:00 PM: Family History Assistance Day-This semi-annual event has been held for 9 years and is directed toward helping beginners get started but anyone is welcome. Bring your "brick wall" and we will try to break it down for you! Genealogists from the Pinellas Genealogy Society will be on hand to help you find your ancestors.  Free, individual assistance will be provided to each person who attends.  Be sure to bring what you know (names, dates, places of birth, death, marriages, residence, etc.) concerning your parents, grandparents, and great-grandparents. We will help you find earlier generations. Instructors: Various PGS genealogists, Jenkins A, Largo Library

Saturday, 9-Nov-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.