Hi, I did some snooping and found some other hunters to show you what its like. You contact the person and see if you connect as realtives. This may be a little hard to figure till you get used to it. I marked the name of the person who is investigating the surname ALVEY<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<< Surnames matching "alvey" he is only searching for one name<<<<<<Jeff Alvey, [email protected] she is searching for the following names, don't be chased off by her unusual mailing address LOL<<<<<<Susan Jamesion, [email protected] Alvey 1580 1650 ENG sj Babington ---- now ENG>AUS sj Beard 1800 ---- ENG>AUS sj Bradbourne 1420 1500 ENG sj Brown 1770 1840 ENG sj Campbell 1850 now SCT>NZL sj Cody 1800 ---- CLA,IRL sj Coleman 1800 ---- WLS>AUS sj Corbett 1800 ---- CLA,IRL>AUS sj Darcy 1530 1580 ENG sj Drinkwater 1850 ---- Birmingham,WAR sj Fitzherbert 1450 1510 ENG sj Gardner 1800 ---- SCT>AUS sj Graham 1850 ---- SCT>Brisbane,AUS sj Jameson 1880 ---- Birmingham,WAR sj Kempster 1850 ---- DOR,ENG sj Kemster 1800 now DOR,ENG>AUS sj Lavendar 1800 ---- HAM,ENG sj Madden 1800 ---- IND>NZL sj McLaughlin 1800 ---- IRL>NZL sj Moran 1800 ---- CLA,IRL sj Munro 1850 ---- Cobar,AUS sj Murray 1850 ---- DFS,SCT sj O'hehir 1800 ---- CLA,IRL>AUS sj Ormond 1450 1520 ENG sj Sacheverall 1500 1580 ENG sj Taglio 1800 ---- ITA>SCT>AUS sj Vine 1550 1610 ENG sj Wilson 1700 1780 ENG sj <<<<<<<<<<<<<gsmwhite Gary White, [email protected] 800 Winter Top Circle +Alvey 1667 1850 StMarysCo,MD>WashingtonCo,KY>GraysonCo,KY,USA gsmwhite +White 1800 1860 GraysonCo,KY,USA gsmwhite <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<< reashe Ruth E. Ashe, [email protected] 916 NW Pecan Circle, Barefoot Bay, FL, USA 32976 Alvey c1743 1839 SaintMary'sCo,MD,USA reashe Ashe 1825 now SomersetCo,PA>CambriaCo,PA,USA reashe Cable 1827 1870 HarrisonCo,IN>McCrackenCo,KY,USA reashe Cusic 1812 1862 StMary'sCo,MD>UnionCo,KY,USA reashe Cusick 1778 1900 StMary'sCo,MD>MarionCo,KY>UnionCo,KY,USA reashe Desha 1738 1816 BucksCo,PA>FayetteCo,KY>SumnerCo,TN,USA reashe Dowers 1760 1847 Philadelphia,PA>RipleyCo,IN,USA reashe DuPerrieu 1829 1942 Bordeaux,FRA>Philadelphia,PA>McCrackenCo,KY,USA reashe Fowler 1842 1898 UnionCo,KY,USA reashe Hayden 1740 1803 StMary'sCo,MD,USA reashe Jones 1740 1835 UnionCo,SC>GreenvilleCo,SC>LivingstonCo,KY,USA reashe Marks 1716 1905 Montgomery,PA>LoudounCo,VA>HendersonCo,KY,USA reashe Menard 18?? 18?? PortSaintPere,FRA>NewOrleans,LA>McCrackenCo,KY reashe Pell 1760 1904 VA>MD>OH>KY,USA reashe Richardson 17?? 17?? GoochlandCo,VA,USA reashe Roberts 1816 ---- TN>KY,USA reashe Royster 1740 1814 GoochlandCo,VA>ButlerCo,KY>SumnerCo,TN,USA reashe Sams 1723 1962 LoudounCo,VA>OH>UnionCo,KY>McCrackenCo,KY,USA reashe Savage 1850 1876 CarterCo,KY>UnionCo,KY,USA reashe Stone 1770 1840 SC>CaldwellCo,KY>UnionCo,KY,USA reashe Sullivant 1722 1872 GreenvilleCo,SC>LivingstonCo,KY>UnionCo,KY reashe Trepon 18?? 18?? FRA>NewOrleans,LA>McCrackenCo,KY,USA reashe Wheeler 1720 1797 Northampton>Northumberland>ColumbiaCo,PA,USA

Hi everyone, I was sifting thru a mountain of paper and realized that I have never came right out and said: To post on the list send the mail to [email protected] or press reply. It sure is hard to talk to myself <G> By the way, I will be posting some names that are matching up with others--there are two: Ballard, Berry, Walsh, 3 White, and 4 Williams ancestors out there in this group. There are more matches but I don't have my card file handy at the moment. In all sincerity-- I work very hard on this, but its not work, its a Labor of Love. I don't do it to receive thanks or to get attention (although alone it seems that way) I do this and work hard at it for one reason. To be able to help if only one person find an ancestor and the excitement that comes with a find. I Love all of you Brothers and Sisters, in the church or not--We have a feeling of purpose when it comes to genealogy or we don't stick to it. I am never going to stop-for there will always be one more ancestor to find. Dianne

Hi, :-( I am sorry some of the links aren't working as they should. I will give you the address and you can click it on in either way. <A HREF="http://www.ancestry.com/">Ancestry Home Town </A> http://www.ancestry.com/ <A HREF="http://www.rootsweb.com/roots-l/roots-l.html">ROOTS-L Home Page</A> http://www.rootsweb.com/roots-l/roots-l.html <A HREF="http://www.usgenweb.com/">USGenWeb Project</A> http://www.usgenweb.com/ <A HREF="http://home.earthlink.net/~middleton/topten.html">Best Genealogy Lin ks on the WWW!</A> http://home.earthlink.net/~middleton/topten.html <A HREF="http://www.oz.net/~cyndihow/sites.htm">Cyndi's List of Genealogy Sit es on the Internet</A> http://www.oz.net/~cyndihow/sites.htm <A HREF="http://users.aol.com/johnf14246/gen_mail.html">Genealogy Resources o n the Internet</A> http://users.aol.com/johnf14246/gen_mail.html <A HREF="http://www.familytreemaker.com/users/f/u/n/Joe-Jr-D-Funderburk/GENE1 4-0001.html">Family Tree Maker's Genealogy Site: User Home...</A> http://www.familytreemaker.com/search.html <A HREF="http://www.lycos.com/">Welcome to Lycos</A> http://www.lycos.com/ click on people find If you have any more problems we will try something else :-) Dianne

I'll try that again here are the web sites I cannot get. .USGenWeb Project Best Genealogy Links on the WWW! Cyndi's List of Genealogy Sites on the Internet Family Tree Maker's Genealogy Site: User Home... The rest came through fine.I don't know how to get these any ideas. Thanks Jeanie

I have tried to get to the wed sites but they say Failed to Parse <A HREF="htt p://www.usgenweb.com /">USGenWeb Project</A> There are so many good places and links out there---- <A HREF="http://home.ear thlink.net/~middleton/topten.html">Best Genealogy Links on the WWW!</A> <A HR EF="">Cyndi's List of Genealogy Sites on the Internet</A> <A HREF="http://users.aol.com/johnf14246/gen_mail.html">Gene alogy Resources on the Internet</A> <A HREF="">Everton 's Genealogical Helper: Web Site</A> <A HREF="http://www.familytreemaker.com/ users/f/u/n/Joe-Jr-D-Funderburk/GENE14-0001.html">Family Tree Maker's Genealog y Site: User Home...</A>

Hi all, I figure since you all have been sharing info with me, I would answer the questions too. Dianne Lynn Curry Morris Athens, AL ward, Huntsville Stake October 27th My surnames are: BANNON BARNES BERRY BOAZ BRASEL BRASWELL BRENNON CANNIFAX CHESSER CURRY DORTCH FAULKENBERRY FORRESTER HALL HELD HENDRIX HOLLINGSHEAD JONES KLUTE LINDHORST LOTZ LUTZ MURRAY NEUNLIST POLAND PRUETT ROSS SCHULTE SNOW STEVENS STONECIPHER SWEARINGEN WYCOFF Some names I only have one know ancestor and some I have in bunches. There are a lot of collateral lines that I have a lot collected on too. Ok, Everybody please participate and post things here rather than sending them to me. (Well I like getting them too but the purpose of having this mailing list is to share ideas. Happy Hunting, Dianne

USING A LDS FAMILY HISTORY CENTER #9 FamilySearch (tm) Computer Databases revised Sept 1997 There are over 2,500 branches of the main Family History Library (FHL) in Salt Lake City. Each branch has a core collection, and access to microfilm and fiche through a rental program. Each center is different, varying in size and staff experience. To locate a FHC in your area, look in the white pages under Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. If there is no special FHC listing, call the church on Sunday mornings to inquire about the nearest Family History Center. Those FHCs that are equipped with computers have a program called FamilySearch(tm) which is used to view the following CD-ROM databases. Ancestral File Pedigree linked data, searchable by given name and surname. Save information to disk or print out a hard copy. GEDCOM compatible. This means you can import the GEDCOM file directly into your genealogy program without having to type each entry individually. Using Ancestral File I was able to save (on my own floppy disk) the genealogy compiled by our Cousin Rolland, a recognized competent genealogist. In a matter of four minutes I had 360 individuals and some 47 marriages, all linked together in family relationships. It took me another four minutes to transfer this data from the floppy disk to the genealogy program on my home computer. All I had to do then was link the duplicated individual and I was set! Without this process using Ancestral File, I would have had to request photocopies of all the family group sheets from Cousin Rolland and then painstakingly type everything into my computer. Why duplicate effort? My time is better spent researching obscure "brick walls" on the pedigree chart than retyping known info! IGI (International Genealogical Index) Individual or Parent Index. This collection comprises all names submitted for temple work from 1969 to the present. Search this collection first by locality (US/Canada, foreign county), then by given name and surname. Modify the search with a birth year if desired. Be sure to also check the Addendum. Save information to disk or print out a hard copy. GEDCOM compatible. Its easier to use this CD-ROM than the microfiche version, though I recommend checking both just to be sure your ancestor wasn't left out of the CD-ROM collection by mistake. Military Death Index Review this CD-ROM to locate information on soldiers whose deaths occurred during the Korean War and the Viet Nam conflict (including those in Laos and Cambodia.) Search by given name and surname. The index lists the branch of the service so it is easier to locate the military service records through other channels. Save information to disk or print out a hard copy. GEDCOM compatible. Social Security Death Index Search by surname and given name to see if the death was reported to the Social Security Administration (SSA). Once you've found Social Security Number you can ask the SSA for a copy of the SS-5 original application (for the number not benefits). Remember this process took a bit of work to prove that an individual was indeed a resident. The SS-5 lists parents, birth date and birth place, thereby providing proof of parentage and adding another locality to research! Save information to disk or print out a hard copy. GEDCOM compatible. FHLC - Family History Library Catalog This is the computer version of the microfiche catalog to the complete collection of genealogical materials of the LDS Family History Library. Unlike the fiche version, the CD-ROM searches are limited to LOCALITY or SURNAME Searches. Additionally, experienced users may look up microfilms by computer ID number. Save to disk or print out a hard copy. This is my favorite part of the FamilySearch CD-ROM collection! I use the computerized version of the FHLC to prepare for a research trip to Salt Lake City. It is best to look at all available records for the localities where my ancestors once lived. Then you can order the microfilm for the time periods in question -- land records, probate files, city directories and the like. I print out everything that looks interesting, one item per page. When visiting the FHLibrary, I know to look first at the books and non-circulating microfilms before beginning my regular microfilm research. I make notes right on the print-out, and staple photocopies from the microfilm to it. When I get home, I will need to enter the source for the document when typing the new information into my genealogy program. The stapler also saves time writing the exact film number and title, author, etc.. Scottish Church Records An index of names listed in the Church of Scotland (Presbyterian) parish registers and similar records, also including records from a few other denominations. Time period: late 1500s through about 1854. Save to disk or print out a hard copy. NOTE: Though the OPR (Old Parochial Registers) are available on microfiche, several researchers at our local LDS FHCenter have noticed not all entries appear in each collection. So be sure to check both! PAF - Personal Ancestral File 2.31 or 3.0 Organize the names/dates/localities and family stories you have found by using this popular DOS-based genealogy management program. Try it here before deciding to buy it for your home computer. Ask the FHC volunteer about the availability of local PAF Users Groups for further assistance. Additional Reading: There are individual resource outlines on each of the CD-ROM collections listed above which provide step-by-step directions in the use of the computer. Ask the volunteer at the FHCenter for a copy. I keep mine in my left hand while I type away with my right hand! Well, just when you thought you had a handle on this genealogy research thing, they throw in things like this to help you even more! Have a great week researching at your local FHC using the CD-ROMs in FamilySearch! FHC #10 MEDIEVAL RECORDS ID UNIT So you say you can trace you ancestry back to Charlemagne? Or better yet, Adam and Eve? Well, you will need to become aware of the activities of a small, select group of individuals working in the MEDIEVAL RECORDS ID Unit, a part of the LDS Family History Library in Salt Lake City, Utah. Experienced researchers are aware that there are no reliable records before the systematic reporting of church activities in parish records or Bishop's transcripts for areas such as England, Western Europe, and the Americas. The MEDIEVAL RECORDS ID UNIT formerly called the Royalty ID Unit, evaluates records from the pre1500 AD time period. We know these records are spotty at best, and contain many errors, due to purposeful human error, and illegability from years of wear and tear. Salt Lake does not permit the submission of names in this time period, as the MRIU is working these lines as completely as possible with their expert training. What do I mean by purposeful human error? Well, many early genealogy type records were based on an individuals desire to be related to land holding gentry. So reports to the authorities were willfully misrepresented. You can access the completed work of the Medieval Records ID Unit using the ANCESTRAL FILE (tm) on FamilySearch (tm) equipped computer systems. All this adds mystery and intrigue. Just remember that if you can push EACH line back to the 1500's, we'll sign you off, and you can QUIT researching! The Medieval Records ID Unit will take it from there for you! DOES THE LDS FAMILY HISTORY LIBRARY HAVE IT ALL? Dear READERS, Yesterday I worked my usual shift at the local LDS Family History Center. I assited a patron who is planning a trip to Salt Lake to work at the main FHL for a week in August. Since her area of research is Germany, I suggested she check with the library about the microfilms she will want to view during her trip.... WHY? BECAUSE the FHL does have it all...but NOT all at the main building! Many items not commonly in demand are stored off-site in the service center or the granite vaults to the south east in the mountains! According to the LIBRARY SERVICES AND RESOURCES: Family history Library and Family History Center brochure published in 1995 by the LDS Church, you can also expect access to be limited on films from Central and South America, Africa and Asia. These films can be ordered at the library attendant's window. However since the brochure states it can take a few hours or up to TEN DAYS to receive your film, its best to plan in advance. What to do? 1. Get a copy of the brochure mentioned above so you can understand the policy in detail. Your local LDS FHCenter has one. 2. Use the FHLCatalog at your local LDS FHCenter on the computer and print out a listing of every item you plan to view on microfilm while in Salt Lake. 3. Compare your localities with the description of microfilms usually stored at the FHLibrary. 4. Highlight any which do not fit the catagories for on-site storage. 5. Write to the FHLibrary at 35 North West Temple, Salt Lake City, Utah 84150 requesting that the highlighted films be available at the library during the time of your visit. 6. You may call the FHLibrary at (801)240-2331. The hours are: Monday 7:30am to 6:00pm. (They close early for Family Home Evening) Tue-Sat 7:30am to 10:00pm. GETTING YOUR OWN COPY OF THE FHLC Most people just drop by their local center regularly, since the microfiche and microfilms mentioned in the catalog must be viewed in the center anyway. You can purchase the FHLCatalog on fiche, but then you'd need to have a microfiche reader to view it. It can be purchased in sections. You would have to order it through your local LDS FHC. I particularly like the idea of having the microfiche FHLCatalog for each LOCALITY where my ancestor's lived. In this manner I can review at home what records are available to order through my local FHCenter. Inquire at 1-800-453-3860 - Family History Library for details of their publications and costs of the various portions of the FHLC. You can also obtain this information through your local FHCenter.

Beginning Lesson #18 RESEARCH LOGS After nearly four months of genealogy research, you are beginning to feel the confusion that typically befuddles family historians. You realize now you are working on more than one surname at a time. While waiting for results on letters you've written to family members, you are ordering microfilms, and getting copies of vital records from state or county authorities. Switching gears between projects is beginning to get a little difficult. To remedy the situation, it is advisable to begin keeping both a research log, and a pre-printed checklist of things you might consider doing in the future. We'll talk about the first one this week and tackle the checklist in next week's lesson! PURPOSE: To readily advise the family historian of the current status of research on a particular individual on his family tree. This sounds crazy, but sometimes it takes 6-8 months to get a reply from a letter. By then a lot of water has gone under the bridge. My memory is pretty good, but its easy to get confused about the particulars when so much time passes! A glance at the research log puts one back on track. FORMAT: There are pre-printed research log forms produced by Bill Dollarhide (Managing a Genealogy Research Project), Everton Publishers, the LDS Family History Library and in most beginning genealogy guidebooks. You can also make your own using your wordprocessing program. Print out lots of blank forms, enough for each person on your pedigree chart you need to research further. Basically you'll need the following information at the top of the page: SURNAME: GIVEN NAME: BIRTH DATE: LOCALITY: OBJECTIVES: Then you can have spaces or columns below this to list each type of research you are doing, the date and results of your work. One of my forms looks like this: FROMAN, PAUL born 1705, died 1783 GOAL: To determine/prove service in the Revolutionary War, for my DAR Application. _______________________________________________________________ DATE: 10/18/95 SOURCE: Orlando Public Library - HISTORICAL REGISTER OF VIRGINIANS IN THE REVOLUTION by John H. Gwathmey 1938, reprint 1975. Genealogical Publishing Co., Baltimore. FINDINGS: Index listing for Paul Froman, Captain at Fort Nelson in 1791 T-DV1P422. (The abbreviation key states that "T" denotes that the material is to be found in the Virginia State Library under George Rogers Clark Manuscript, photocopied, bound and indexed. Serial D Volume 1 Page 422.) NEXT STEP: Contact friend Audrey, to obtain copy of record when she goes to the Virginia State Library. _______________________________________________________________ DATE: 1/23/96 SOURCE: Tampa Public Library - Index to Revoltionary War Service, transcribed by Virgil D. White. National Historical Publishing Company, Waynesboro, Tennessee 1992. FINDINGS: Our ancestor, Paul Froman not mentioned. However, other unknown Fromans are listed. NEXT STEP: When at the National Archives in May 1997, obtain copies of the service records for Alexander, Bartholomew, Elijah, Ephriam, Henry, John, and Temple Froman to learn more of the Fromans. _______________________________________________________________ DATE: 3/04/96 SOURCE: Bradenton LDS FHCenter - Microfilm # (forgot to write the number!) - Will Book A, Lincoln County Kentucky, Page 46. FINDINGS: Paul Froman will lists Elizabeth as wife and children, including our known ancestor, Jacob Froman. NEXT STEP: File in Froman notebook as proof of relationship father to son. Beginning Lesson #19 DOCUMENT CHECKLIST DearREADERS, We discussed a research log last week. Now let's talk about using a checklist when attempting to collect documents about our ancestors. This is the truly fun part of family history research. Finding your ancestor mentioned in a will or in an old newspaper clipping adds dimension to our understanding of him as an individual. Sometimes we get so bogged down looking at only one type of record (perhaps census records) that we forget to look for other documents which might mention our ancestor. Here's a little checklist I made to help you remember what type of documents you'll typically find. It is by no means exhaustive. Print it out on a separate sheet for each ancestor. Then check off those items you have located. Don't forget to place copies of the documents you collect in those wonderful mylar top-loading sheet protectors! Name Birth/Place Marriage/Place Occupation Death/Place Buried/Place ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ ------------------------------------- Vital: birth cert ____ christening cert ____ marriage cert ____ marriage bann/bond____ death cert ____ cemetery index____cemetery____ tombstone inscription____ social security death index____ SS#________________ School: report card____ graduation cert____ Colonial/Federal Census: right to bear arms ____ rent roll ____ city directories____ 1790 1800 1810 1820 1830 1840 1850 1860 1870 1880 1900 1910 1920 Soundex: 1880 1900 1910 1920 State Census: ________ ____ ________ ____ ________ ____ Military: federal index to pension/service____service____ pension ____ unit history ____ map of service areas____ historical overview of war of service____ state index to militia____ DAR/SAR membership papers____ Land: tax list ____ grantee/grantor____ bounty land grant____ land lottery____ Sanborn fire maps____ Bureau of Land Management____township maps____ Immigration/Naturalization: passenger lists ____ emigration lists____ Ellis Island Database____ baggage claim lists ____ oath of allegiance____ first papers____ final certificate ____ Newspapers: society page ____ business____ obit____non-related ads of the day____ Family Papers: letters____ diaries ____ bible____ cookbook____ Photos: childhood____graduation____marriage____ military____tombstone____other____ Compiled Sources: Ancestral File dated ( ) ____ IGI International Genealogical Index ( ) ____ state "early pioneer" book ____ PERSI (Periodical Source Index) ____ surname books in LDS Family History Library Catalog____ manuscripts at Library of Congress____ Internet: ROOTSWEB Surname List ____ Family Tree Maker Online____ OCLC____ Ancestry Reference Library (http://www.ancestry.com)____ Beginning Lesson #20 Marriage Records I checked The Source: A Guidebook to American Genealogy, which adds on page 76 notes on the subject of marriage intentions.These are similar to marriage bonds in that they were filed with the local government. Noted genealogy instructor, the late Norman E. Wright states in Building an American Pedigree, pp 128 that "With the exception of New England towns, the county has been the most important jurisdiction recording marriages in the United States. Many counties and towns initiated marriage registers at the date of their organization and havemaintained records since then. ( ) A variety of marriage documents have been created over the years in America, including applications, banns, bonds, certificates, consent notices, intentions, licenses, proclamations, register entries and returns." This means that to access marriage records, one would first expect to contact the county of jurisdiction at the time your ancestor was married there. Review <A HREF="aol://4344:167.my961114.1399205.532385881">The Handybook for Genealogists</A>, Where to Write For Vital Records (US Government Printing Office), The Vital Records Handbook or Ancestry's Redbook. These sources will list the name and address of the government office holding the records. For pre 1900 marriage records, try checking the <A HREF="aol://4344:167.my9602 16.1389948.508976354">LDS Family History Library Catalog</A> under the locality in question. You will then be able to determine if the original records and any indexes are available for viewing at your local LDS Family History Center. The value of marriage records lies in the fact that you will have the full names of both the bride and groom. This is particularly helpful when trying to determine her lineage. Check who is posting the money and who signs as a witness. They are often close friends and family members related to the bride and groom. Unless the couple eloped, one could expect to find land and tax records for the bride's father in the same area as the posted marriage bond. With any luck the land record will have further clues. Also check the census records for that area for the federal enumeration just before and just after the marriage bond date. Further Reading: Cerny, Johni, editor, <A HREF="aol://4344:167.my961022.1413693.530663245">The Source: A Guidebook of American Genealogy</A>. 1st edition, 1984. Salt Lake City: Ancestry Publishing. Chapter 3, pp 90-129. Wright, Norman E., Building an American Pedigree. 1974, Provo, Utah: Brigham Young University Press. (out of print) Beginning Lesson #21 Interviewing Relatives Your letter prompts all sorts of ideas on the fun of interviewing your living ancestors. All too often, when we are younger, we shied away from our elders. The lure of the rocking chair on the front porch was somehow outweighed by the fun of tire swings, swimming holes, playing leap frog, and skipping school. Family dinners (with kids and adult tables) and the ever-attendant "required" kisses from face-pinching maiden aunts were things to be endured, on pain of evil-eye-stares from our mothers should we not submit. The last thing on a kid's mind was to ask gramps about the "olden days." We were young and had no concept of mortality. We were too busy exploring the present to worry about the past. But we're older and wiser, and before it gets any later, let's make a point of calling and arranging to meet with Dad & Mom, their siblings and cousins. The summer is a GREAT time for even informal family get-togethers! Invite yourself over or invite them down for pie a la mode. Don't forget the tape recorder, the camcorder, the camera, the digital camera. Here are some interview ideas! places I've lived... my parents would die if only they knew... favorite teacher... life wasn't easy when... the best part of growing up was when... Grandma(pa) had the unusual habit of... He/she taught me to... I remember their home was... remembering them gives me the feeling of... making friends has always been ... there are times when following the crowd can... true friendship means... being out on my own... the advent if the war meant... I remember life before ...(telephone, tv, computers, stereos, etc.) when the US put men on the moon I felt like... when the Berlin Wall came down it make me think... I met that special someone when I felt a bit... we managed to overcome the odds and... to this day, my spouse doesn't know I secretly wish to... our own family traditions include... the most rewarding hours spent together was when... if I could share anything with future generations... seems you can accomplish anything in this life if... my favorite saying is... my hope for my children and grandchildren is... As you can see, this would also work well for a personal life-history composition on your part! If you have the joy of visiting your relative in his or her home, be sure to ask lots of questions about the photos, old pieces of furniture and other memorabilia out and about. This opens the floodgate of memories. Its also a tactful way of getting the "interview" going along without having to be stiff and formal, and intimidated by the recording equipment. Just let it happen, free form. Go with the flow as the kids these days say! Beginning Lesson #22 SURNAME GROUPS ON THE WEB Subj: Some Instructions Date: 97-05-28 18:36:40 EDT From: [email protected] Hi Family.... Below is a web site for Rootsweb. If you click on the Surname/Family List and do not see the one you want, keep going back. Karen, Larry, and Brian are adding lists daily. All of us are learning our new home, and no, its not easy for most of us. Everything is different than it was at Maiser, but its going to be a lot easier. Lets hang in together!!! <VBG> Elinor Roots WEB User List (is located at): <A HREF="http://www.rootsweb.com/~maillist/">http://www.rootsweb.com/~maillist /</A> If you are reading this article while online with AOL or from the Ancestry WEB site, you only need to click on the blue underlined hypertext to be taken directly to the WEB site. However, I recommend you print out this page before continuing! Once you get to that WEB page, you will find the following links to articles and surnames: USER MAILING LISTS Table of Contents About Mailing Lists How to Subscribe and Unsubscribe General Interest Lists Surname/Family Lists A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z National, State, and Local Area Lists Ethnic Group Lists Miscellaneous Lists Information for Listowners (and Potential Listowners!) I just went to the WEB page and found the following from the portion labeled H ow to Subscribe and Unsubscribe : "It's easy -- just click on the list you want. When the "mail-to" window pops up, write just the single word subscribe in the body of the message. That's all. If you want to unsubscribe from a list, click on it and write just the single word unsubscribe in the body of the message." Ok, in plain English, this is step-by-step what I did to subscribe to the EVANS surname list. 1. While reading this article online, I double-clicked on the hypertext internet address(URL) <A HREF="http://www.rootsweb.com/~maillist/">http://www .rootsweb.com/~maillist/</A> to launch the request through the internet. (My WEB browser then looked for a connection to that site and a new screen came up titled USER MAILING LISTS.) 2. I clicked on the letter E following SURNAME/FAMILY LISTS to get to that portion of the alphabet. (The ROOTSWEB computer then gives me a screen listing the currently available surname lists beginning with the letter E.) 3. I used my mouse on the right scroll bar, to scroll down the list of surnames until I found the EVANS L and EVANS D listings. NOTE: Subscribing to EVANS L will provide EACH message in its entirety to be sent to your e-mail box as they are posted on the WEB. Subscribing to EVANS D will provide a periodic e-mail DIGEST which lists the first message (up to 2K) and then just the subject lines of subsequent messages. If one appears interesting, I may request the complete message later. 4. Since I would like to see EACH message to get the hang of the process, I clicked on EVANS L. This prompts an e-mail screen to come up, with the addressee already filled in. It happens to be: [email protected] 5. In the body of the e-mail form where I normally type letters to my kids, I typed: SUBSCRIBE 6. I added the word SUBSCRIBE for the subject of my e-mail, only because my e-mail program will not send without a subject line completed. Some of you may not have to do this. It doesn't affect your subscription. The ROOTSWEB computer is looking for step 5. 7. I clicked the SEND button. 8. I received a confirmation of my request to subscribe to the EVANS Surname list about 15 minutes later. I printed out this e-mail since it also showed me the rules for subscribing, unsubscribing, etc. I should mention that ROOTSWEB has many other genealogy-related lists you can subscribe to from time to time. My traveling companion, Audrey (aka cpyqueen) found great info on her GWATKINS from VA -ROOTS. May I suggest that you NOT reply to messages for at least a week or two. Just read the messages and print out the ones that really interest you. This way you can get the main idea of protocol, WEB manners, etc. There is nothing more aggravating than having a newbie start with "My name is Smith, can anyone give me my family history back to Adam on a silver platter, by 5pm today if possible." I wouldn't want you to get a bad reputation right off the bat. The people who maintain the lists (like Elinor above) are volunteers. The people who write the messages are healthy mix of beginning to fairly dedicated researchers. We all have to start somewhere, I am just asking your to get the lay of the land before you barge in!

BEGINNING LESSON #1 Birth Records as Primary Evidence WELCOME to the wonderful world of family history! They tend to call it that sometimes since "genealogy" sounds so formal. Whatever we decide to call it, we're going to have fun this year learning how to discover your roots. Indeed, Alex Hailey stirred up a lot of interest in the subject with his famous television mini-series called ROOTS. One of the first concepts to grasp is the idea of STARTING WITH YOURSELF and working backwards in time. This is opposed to taking your surname (last name at birth) and finding an original immigrant, and trying to trace through his descendants until you connect to your parents. The second choice of action simply is not an option. Your great-great grandparents can have over 1,000 descendants. Complicate that with a name like Smith or Jones, and you have a real headache brewing. THIS WEEK: Your assignment is to get a copy of your birth certificate, proving your parentage. While you are at it, gather ANY other family history type documents together so we can begin to discuss and organize them. This will work except for cases of adoptions, where the original birth record was altered to reflect the adoptive parents. Adoptees will have another row to hoe. You have a perfect right to persue your adopted line. Or you may choose to discover your bloodline. Check with <A HREF="aol://4344:167.myrtli ve.1414159.531676257">Finding LIVE People</A> in my column area, and AOL's <A HREF="aol://4344:1595.adopt.12321274.517073523">Adoption Forum</A> for ideas. Birth records are considered PRIMARY sources of information, a legal document. They generally were created at the time the event happened. Contrast this with a birth announcement in a newspaper. It could have all sorts of human errors in it, since those other than the immediate family and physician are involved in creating, typesetting and publishing the article. Newspaper articles are considered SECONDARY sources of information, since the stories RETELL what people think happened. As competent family historians, we are thankful for the CLUES left in secondary sources, but try to gather as many primary sources as possible to prove our lineages. Beginning Lesson #2 CHOOSING A GENEALOGY PROGRAM I hope you made a lot of progress getting your vital records together from last week's lesson. Now, we'll tackle what to do with the information you collected as you climb your family tree. From: MeNiceGuy DearMYRTLE I would like to know what the best software program (preferably shareware) is to track family histories. I am just beginning, and want to start right. -- Thanks. I receive letters from lots of people who have been working on their own for a few months, making custom databases with Excel or DBase IV. I hope to save you similar heartache by telling you there are lots of good genealogy programs on the market today! The advantage of using one of the main stream genealogy programs is that they adhere (sometimes loosley) to a set of guidelines called GEDCOM for transfering data between different genealogy programs. You simply MUST use a program with this file transfer capability. Without it, you'll just have to type all those names in again, when you realize what wonderful programs are actually out there. I know that by hanging out in the Genealogy Forum here on AOL, you'll hear from lots of other genealogists about what program(s) they are using. Remember that there are both Windows and MAC users. Here's a list of the ones I here the most about! MAC favorite - Reunion (Leister Pro), PAF-Personal Ancestral File (LDS Church) WINDOWS - Family Tree Maker (Broderbund), Family Origins (Parson's Technology), Ancestral Quest (Infobase), Roots IV(Comsoft), Reunion (Leister Pro), Family Roots (Quinsept), Brother's Keeper (Shareware) DOS - PAF-Personal Ancestral File(LDS Church) Make it your goal this week to find out about genealogy programs and begin to make plan to purchase and install one to organize your family history early on!

I am looking for any info that anyone may have on Albert Ballard of Kentucky he is my great-grandfather I do not know who is parents are: BALLARD Albert William BIRTH-unknown DEATH -1940-1944 Louisville Kentucky,Jefferson Co married WALKER, Mary Birth -unknown Death- early 1910-1925 son BALLARD, George Birth 13 nov 1910 DEATH !990-1991 Louisville Kentucky San Diego Ca. unknown son I do not know how many siblings there may be probaly the two boys supposedly there was some kind of family fued I don't know what. My mom said that my grandmother told her there was a brother that she was told by grandpa not to notify even of his death so something was wrong somewhere. married Gertrude Carwile dates Unknown Albert Married Gertrude after death of first wife daughter -Lula mae I don't know if lula mae is a BALLARD or a CARWILE from a previous marriage grandpa referred to her as his step-sister George Married Rosella HALL Born 1908 allenstown Kentucky married July 5 July 1930 George E. Ballard Jr. Born 19 May 1931 Louisville,Ky(my DAD) Wallace Lynn Ballard Born April 1933 Louisville Ky Patricia Ann Ballard Born May 1936 Louisville, Ky Virginia Lee Ballard Born Feb1938 Louisville Ky Ronald Dale Ballard Born sept 1941 pee wee Valley Ky died July 1961 wheeling West Virginia buried Valley Station Ky Albert Wayne Ballard born june 1944 Louisville Ky (goes by Wayne) James Warren Ballard born March 1946 Louisvill Ky All dates have not been proved yet George E Ballard married Elizabeth Ann BRADLEY born 9 sept 1932 date July 5, 1953 Medford Mass. george Ballard III Pamela- jean (me) Laural lynn Richiele Marie Richard Wallace Born 16 May 1961 Providence Rhode Island died 13 sept 1991 San Francisco, Ca Rohnda Dale

Hi Everyone, Now that we have all the formalities over with we can start learning about what we need for our genealogy (everyone has different needs- basics, research areas, etc) I think I started out in too much of a rush with all the lessons at one time so we are going to get more personal and learn what we need right now. Greenies, I will take you thru the how to's until you get the hang of it. Those with a bit of practice we will start out on links to get you searching Those who know what they are doing, let us know what to do LOL. We are here to help each other, no one can do all your work for you but I will help all I can and go that extra mile if you work with me. In some cases, it takes more one on one but we want to keep the list moving too so don't be too shy to ask questions--there are no dumb questions-only dumb answers. I looked for my great-great-grandfather for five years and was able to find him thru a contact off a query. Start writing your queries to get your name out there working for you. They should be to the point but not too abbrieviated. Read over some to get the general idea. The best place to start posting your names is in the county or state that you know your ancestors came from. The US GenWeb is fantastic--A wonderful group of volunteers that are a blessing to all of us. You can find it at <A HREF="http://www.usgenweb.com/">USGenWeb Project</A> . If this comes thru blue just click on it and it will take you there--you select the state you need and go from there. Each State and County should have query pages and most have surname lists of others trying to find the same surname. I am trying not to get too ambitious and race ahead because it is an addictive and time consuming hobby as you will see. Its my obsession <g>. If there is ever anything you don't understand ---ask!!!!! For example LOL means either Laugh out Loud or Lots of Laughs and <g> means a small grin. :-))For those on AOL we can meet in chats if you have any questions or you can IM me(instant message). I have been on AOL since the middle of Dec and love it. My brother has a slightly different attitude and its a lively topic thru email haha. I have several bad habits as you will see, I like to type as much as I like to talk so I tend to rattle on (sorry) and forget spelling- I goof up a lot but you will get my drift. ASSIGNMENT#1- I would like for each one of you to tell about your surnames on the list- not just me. We have four with Williams, and many other similarities. We won't ever know if we are related or not if we don't ask. That is also the reason for the queries and asking anyone researching the same surname to exchange info. Good Luck and hope to see all of you real soon! ( Where do your Williams come from?? ^i^ Dianne

I hope this reaches you all. This is the first time i am writing everyone as a group... I am in need of some help. This month coming up in YOung Women's I have to give a lesson on the value Integrity. My ideas are all used up and I've read all the story i've had in my file to the YW ( WHich wasn't too much)... Does anyone have any quotes, stories or ideas to make a fast sunday joint YW lesson great? Any response would be greatly appreciated... By the way ... YOu are all awesome women and i am glad to be a part of this dynamic group... Thanks a million!

Hi Everyone, My mailbox is up and full but I am working on the backlog (150+) Just wanted to fill you in on how things are going here. As you send me your surnames I am cross-referencing everyones surnames to find any matches. I have found a few that I find interesting and matching others so as soon as I have them all compiled-will send each connection a message about that connection. I am also working on a list of available info so you can pick and choose things in what subjects you want to recieve. Happy Hunting!! Dianne PS be sure and get your surnames in soon so I can get them finished. Also it is okay to ask genealogy questions so that all may learn. I am trying to get this list into better genealogical lines rather than just social. God Bless

Beginning Lesson #6 Government Sources DearREADERS, As we progress beyond collecting family history documents found at home or with relatives, we look to other sources for original documents that were created at the time our ancestors lived. The next logical place to look is government sources. Here are some examples of the types of <A HREF="http://ww w.itsnet.com/home/gfa/chap8.html">records</A> you are likely to run into. STATE & COUNTY : vital recors of birth, marriage & death wills & probate records pre-1906 naturalization records land transactions tax lists state/territorial census records FEDERAL: military muster rolls, service records & pension files land grants/homesteads census 1790-1920 naturalizations after 1906 passports EXAMPLE: If you are missing a marriage record for your grandparents, you'll need to contact the goverment agency that holds the old records for the place where they lived. For instance, if your grandparents were married in Erie County, Pennsylvania, you could check either the <A HREF="aol://4344:167.my961114.1399 205.532385881">Handybook for Genealogists (Everton)</A> or <A HREF="http://www .ancestry.com">The Redbook (Ancestry)</A> and discover that the county clerk has marriage records from 1820 to 1935. Since your grandparents were married in 1891, you will need to contact that county clerk. The address, city, state and zip are listed in the books as follows: Erie County Clerk 140 West 6th Street Erie, PA 16501 These books do not list the prices for marriage records, but I would forward a check for $5 with my request. You could elect to call directory information and speak with someone at the clerk's office on the phone about the charge for a photocopy of the marriage record. When preparing your letter of request for the marriage record, be sure to include: both ancestor's full names date of marriage your return address Since you are writing to a governmental agency, it is NOT necessary to include a self-addressed stamped envelope. You can also check the International Vital Records Handbook by Thomas Kemp for the addresses to order vital records from a state or foreign county. ASSIGNMENT: Determine which governmental agencies have the birth, marriage & death records you seek, by first checking the three reference books listed above. Then compose 7 mail your letters of request. When the documents arrive place them in protective top-loading sheet protectors. Remember to enter the information in your computer genealogy program. For instance, a marriage record may list the parents for each of your grandparents. If this information is new to you, add the parents, and reference the original documents which gave you the clues to their identity. References to a marriage record would then be listed in notes/sources (in your genealogy program) under each of the following individuals: groom bride parents of bride (2 more people) if mentioned parents of groom (2 more people) if mentioned So a total of 6 people could be entered into your genealogy program database and documented in notes/sources just from the one marriage record example we have used today! Beginning Lesson #7 Public Library Resources DearREADERS, You have written inquiring about public library resources, and oddly enough that is this week's scheduled topic for the Beginning Genealogy Lesson. Of course the since the size and scope of collections vary from one public library ot another, you'll have to investigate the holdings at libraries in your region of the state. Tyically public libraries with some interest in genealogy will have: passenger list indexes census indexes military records indexes printed family histories local histories how-to books on genealogy genealogy periodicals microfiche/microfilm (though limited) Ours has the complete 1850 census on microfilm because the local genealogy society purchased it for them. The Orlando Public Library has ALL census microfilms, many book indexes, but no Soundex microfilms. A public library may elect to belong to: <A HREF="aol://4344:167.gfn96120.1415596.533875663">AGLL - American Genealogic al Lending Library</A> <A HREF="aol://4344:167.my960427.1396337.514841940"> National Archives Microfilm Lending Program</A> Interlibrary loan - OCLC allows you to find books for genealogy, regimental histories and manuscripts through OCLC First Search, using their World Catalog. This is available at local public library, and through LUIS terminals at university libraries. You can fins where a book on a desired topic is held, and determine if that library will loan through interlibrary loan. You copy the information, and ask the reference librarian at your public library how to use the services of this program. Some participating libraries will lend books to your local library, but not permit you to remove the book from the library. I had a friend locate a priceless book published in the mid 1800's in Scotland. He was able to view it in person, without having to travel to Glascow for the honor. Most local genealogy societies act as volunteers at their local public library. They may publish a special catalog of genealogy holdings, maintain an obit index for the local newspaper at the library, volunteer to reshelve books or assist patrons in the genealogy section of the library, etc. Well organized reference librarians will have a handout describing the scope of the genealogy materials available. Society members tend to know which libraries in the county or adjoining county will have additional resources of interest to family historians. Other than that, you'll just have to dive in and investigate! Beginning Lesson #8 Previously Compiled Genealogies DearREADERS, As you work through the resources at libraries you will run across printed family histories, compiled indexes and CDs of genealogy data. As you browse the online file libraries, visit WEB sites on your surnames, join surname newsgroups, etc. you are also tapping into the vast wealth of information in previously compiled genealogies. As valuable as these sources appear to be, you must take them with a grain of salt. It is incumbent upon serious family historians to get to the root of the matter. Consider what documentary evidence supports the assumptions of lineage. I am currently working on my DUTTON line in England. For years, we had thought the father of our John Dutton 1693 was John. We received this information from a book on the Dutton family. However, there were no footnotes stating the source of this information. I have diligently searched the records for John Dutton's christening records in the local parish which fortunately are available on microfilm. I have not yet located his christening entry. The real kicker is the total lack of references to any Duttons in the parish registers for the place where the family was reputed to live for three generations. In fact, a review of extant church records for the entire shire indicate that Duttons are only found in one parish about 50 miles east of the area in question. Getting back to the concept of evaluating previously compiled genealogies... Its possible to use them to find good clues. Better still are those which cite the sources of information for each point. Your job is to verify each source mentioned. (You would want a copy of the wills, census, marriage and christening records anyway, wouldn't you?!) See if you arrive at the same conclusions of relationship as the original researcher. You may have additional information which was not available at the time of publication. Don't be afraid to rock the boat.

tonya you are too cute!!! I miss you chick.... be good!!!LOL love jeana

Beginning Lesson #3 RELATIONSHIP TERMS As the collection of primary & secondary family history documents proceeds, you are likely to notice some interesting wording. The phrases we use currently to describe relationships between people are not necessarily the definitions used in previous centuries. For instance: A husband and wife were thought of as a single entity, so the term SISTER could mean either sister or sister-in-law. IN-LAW could also mean a step child. COUSINS could mean anything in a familial relationship OTHER than the immediate family of parents & children. Frequently during the colonial American time period, NIECES & NEPHEWS were referred to as COUSINS. BROTHER & SISTER could denote a religious association, not a blood relationship. SENIOR & JUNIOR didn't always imply father-son relationships, merely that one was the OLDER of that name in the community or extended family. NEPOS is latin for GRANDSON not nephew. MY SON'S NOW WIFE didn't imply a previous marriage. It was used to protect the estate from subsequent wives should this one die and the son remarry. Remember too, that pink USED to be a baby boy's color, and BLUE was for baby girls. For further reading on this subject, turn to Val Greenwood's THE RESEARCHER'S GUIDE TO AMERICAN GENEALOGY. 1983, Genealogical Publishing Company. Beginning Lesson #4 HOME SOURCES DearREADERS, This entire month you've been collecting family history documents from various nooks and crannies in your own home and from relatives. Just so you don't miss anything don't forget that in addition to the normal birth, marriage and death certificates you are likely to find the following: military service & discharge papers naturalization records newspaper clippings - society page, obituaries funeral cards journals letters diaries scrapbooks year books church membership telephone lists photos family bible (check the middle, as well as the front and back pages) casette tapes old movies videos Don't forget to check great-grandma's old secretary desk. I found two sales receipts for hand hooked rugs purchased by one of mine at the end of the 19th century! A sales receipt puts someone in a specific place at a specific time. It never occurred to me to look for a marriage record in that adjoining county, until I found she had lived at an address for delivery of said carpets. That clue led to a BINGO! I found the certificate we hadn't been able to locate since the mid-50's when we began looking! I also have a "priceless to me" Gregg shorthand manual, with some practice pages in my ancestor's struggling pen. Check the old family cookbook, too. When times were rough, people used whatever precious book they had on hand to record names and dates of births, marraiges & deaths. This is quite common in the US Civil War time period, and on the emerging 19th century western US territories. Beginning Lesson #5 CALENDARS & DATES DearREADERS, As you move back in time, you'll run across the fact that our ancestors changed calendering methods. This was to handle the problem with the original Julian calendar, instituted by Julius Caesar in 46 BC. In the year numbered 1582AD, Pope Gregory XIII issued an edict to reform the calendar in order to correct and reduce the accumulating errors. With the newer Gregorian calendar system, leap year was added, and the new year began in the month of January instead of March. The current year, 1996, is referred to as a "leap year" because we have inserted a "leap day" to make the length 366 days rather than the usual 365 days. The official name of the "leap day" is an intercalary day (with the accent on the second syllable). From: <A HREF="http://www.as.wvu.edu/~jel/skywatch/skw9602a.htm">"The Gregori an Calendar and Leap Years" -- skw9602a</A> (http://www.as.wvu.edu/~jel/skywatch/skw9602a.htm) Naturally because we're living in an imperfect world, different countries adopted the newer calendar at different times! For instance, the Gregorian calendar began on October 5, 1582, but was not adopted by Great Britain and the American colonies until September 14, 1752. Tomorrow I will annotate this article with a simple listing of major countries and when they adopted the Gregorian calendar. Here is a reprint of an excellent article appearing elsewhere in the AOL Genealogy Forum to improve understanding of calendars, days and dates. (author unknown.) DATES, DAYS AND MONTHS It's difficult to understand other languages. Even the most rudimentary things like days and dates turn into a morass if you don't understand the language. It's even worse if calendars changed! We hope to offer a little help here. The following days of the weeks and months of the year may help you translate tombstones or documentary material: THE DAYS OF THE WEEK WELSH * ENGLISH GERMAN CZECH NORWEGIAN (Dydd/Nos) FRENCH Sunday Sonntag Nedele Sondag Dydd Sul/No Sul Lundi Monday Montag Pondeli Mandag Llun Mardi Tuesday Dienstag Utery Tirsday Mawrth/Fawrth Mercredi Wednesday Mittwoch Streda Onsdag Mercher/Fercher Jeudi Thursday Donnerstag Stvertek Torsday Iau Vendredi Friday Freitag Patek Fredag Gwener/Wener Samedi Saturday Samstag Sobota Lordag Sadwrn Dimanche * Welsh does not use Sun-day as in English. Sunday would be Dydd Sul. Sunday night (Sun-night) would be Nos Sul. One also has to watch for mutations in night references to Tues-night, Wednes-night, and Fri-night which become Nos Fawrth (instead of Mawrth), Nos Fercher (instead of Mercher), and Nos Wener (instead of Gwener). THE MONTHS OF THE YEAR ENGLISH GERMAN CZECH NORWEGIAN WELSH FRENCH January Januar Leden Januar Ionawr Janvier February Februar Unor Februar Chefror Fevrier March Maerz Mars Mars Mawrth Mars April April Duben April Ebrill Avril May Mai Keten Mai Mai Mai June Juni Cerven Juni Mehefin Juin July Juli Cervenec Juli Gorffennaf Juillet August August Serpen August Awst Aout September September Zari September Medi Septembre October Oktober Rijen Oktober Hydref Octobre November November Listopod November Tachwedd Novembre December Dezember Prosinec Desember Rhagfyr December NOTE: Notice the obvious influence of Latin, the "language of the church," on the days of the week and month, as in March, for the god of war, Mars. THOUGHTS ABOUT CALENDARS In the ecclesiastical calendar, December was the tenth month, hence the names September (Sept=7), October (Octo=8), etc. The "Old Style" calendar was in effect in the British Empire before 1752, when the present calendar was adopted. The historical calendar recognized January 1 as the first day of the year, while the ecclesiastical calendar recognized March 25 as the first day. Thus, dates between those two days were often written with both year numbers (e.g., January 5, 1712/13). Also, the old calendar was defective by 11 days, so when the switch was made to the new calendar on September 2, 1752, dates were often made compatible with it by adding 11 days. Folks went to bed September 2 and woke up the next day on September 13; there were many protests against the thought of losing 11 whole days out of one's life! Example: Under the double-dating system, George Washington was born February 11, 1731/32 ("Old Style" or "O.S."). Adjusting this to the new calendar made it February 22, 1732 ("New Style" or "N.S."). Next time somebody bemoans the fact that we aren't really celebrating George Washington's birthday when we get a holiday on the nearest Monday to February 22, tell 'em when George was actually born: the 11th day of the 12th month of 1731, not the 22nd day of the 2nd month of 1732! Further readings on the internet include: <A HREF="http://www.math.clemson.edu/~rsimms/g/calendar.html">Julian vs. Grego rian Calendars</A> http://www.math.clemson.edu/~rsimms/g/calendar.html <A HREF="http://www.maa.mhn.de/Scholar/calendar.html">Astronomical Time Keepin g</A> http://www.maa.mhn.de/Scholar/calendar.html <A HREF="http://www.jewishgen.org/mentprog/m_datcon.htm">Automatic Date Conver sion</A> http://www.jewishgen.org/mentprog/m_datcon.htm <A HREF="http://www.sdsu.edu/doc/texi/gcal_5.html">Gcal 2.10 - Genesis of the Gregorian Calendar</A> http://www.sdsu.edu/doc/texi/gcal_5.html <A HREF="http://www.as.wvu.edu/~jel/skywatch/skw9602a.htm">"The Gregorian Cale ndar and Leap Years" -- skw9602a</A> http://www.as.wvu.edu/~jel/skywatch/skw9602a.htm <A HREF="http://www.transimage.com/Cal/CalOther.html">TransImage: Calendar/Oth er</A> http://www.transimage.com/Cal/CalOther.html <A HREF="http://www.engr.orst.edu/~crowl/time/britgreg.html">The British Switc h to the Gregorian Calendar</A> http://www.engr.orst.edu/~crowl/time/britgreg.html <A HREF="http://www.veda.is/~adam/calendar.html">the gregorian calendar</A> http://www.veda.is/~adam/calendar.html <A HREF="aol://4344:167.my960227.1391405.509979876">Julian and Gregorian Calen dars</A> aol://4344:167.my960227.1391405.509979876 The bottom line, when you list a date in the US that occurred during the months of Jan, Feb or March 1752 you will list BOTH years as follows: 28 Feb 1751/1752. For other counrties, the duplicate years must be listed on the first year of the acceptance of the Gregorian calendar for that country.

Beginning Lesson #31 COURTHOUSE RESEARCH You don't need to be a lawyer to benefit from researching the records at the courthouse near the ancestral home of your progenitors. Your ancestor didn't have to be a criminal or even a wealthy merchant for records on his activities to show up in courthouse files. Whether your research takes you to Arkansas, Virginia or England, states and civilized countries often maintain court records which prove useful to genealogists. Remember, they were originally created to document legal actions, not to chronicle family history. The variety of courthouse records will vary according to the mandates of that particular governmental jurisdiction and your ancestor's point in time. This means as researchers we must acquaint ourselves with the name of the local courts and their assigned responsibilities. For instance, a will might be found in the probate court in a state in the US, but the Prerogative Court of Canterbury is a source of wills in England. Notice that although the responsibility to probate estates is the same, the name of the particular court is different. How can you best orient yourself to the local court system? Check basic reference books such as: Cerny, Johni & Elliot, Wendy, The Library: A Guide to the LDS Family History Library. 1988, Ancestry Publishing. Everton, The Handybook for Genealogists, 8th Edition. Everton Publishing LDS Family History Library, Research Outline: United States, also available for individual states and many countries. Szucs, Loretto & Luebking, Sandra, The Source: A Guidebook of American Genealogy, Revised Edition, 1996, Ancestry Publishing. Using the LDS Family History Library Catalog From a practical point of view, perhaps the easiest way to quickly orient yourself to what's available, use the LDS Family History Library Catalog (FHLC) available on CD-ROM and fiche at local LDS Family History Centers. See also the "Using LDS FHCenters Lessons" on AOL at keyword: DearMYRTLE and on the web at Ancestry: <A HREF="http://www.ancestry.com/home/MYRTLE/fhccheklist.htm">http://www.ances try.com/home/MYRTLE/fhccheklist.htm</A> When you look in the locality section of the FHLC and then look at the topics available at the township, county or country level, you'll run across the topic COURT RECORDS. The available microfilm will be listed, with descriptions and listings for the time period covered on each roll. Viewing court records on microfilm can save you time and money you would have to spend traveling to all the little courthouses throughout the country tracing your ancestry. These more commonly used court records include: wills & probate records guardianships land records oaths of allegiance naturalization claims and equity cases Less commonly used court records include: criminal proceedings name changes adoption records military court martial Admiralty court records court minutes, dockets Indexes May Be Available Often in the FHLC you'll find a printed indexto the court records, usually available in book format. Though the main FHLibrary does not circulate books to local FHCenters, you can perhaps find the book in a nearby public library or through inter-library loan. There may be an online searchable indexfor court records in the locality where your ancestor once lived. This area of the internet is expanding rapidly. The following resources might provide clues: Ancestry's HomeTown Library <A HREF="http://www.ancestry.com/search.htm">http://www.ancestry.com/search.ht m</A> Cyndi's List of Genealogy Sites<A HREF="http://www.oz.net/~cyndihow/sites.htm" > http://www.oz.net/~cyndihow/sites.htm</A> US GenWeb Project <A HREF="http://www.usgenweb.com">http://www.usgenweb.com</A> Many early courthouse record collections were "indexed in progress." This is my little name for the loosely alphabetical cross-reference index pages created at the time the case was processed. Here's how it works: 1. The local clerk receives a new empty book to record all wills. 2. The clerk creates index pages by labeling each of the first 24 pages of the book with a letter of the alphabet. 3. As the clerk enters the first will on page 25 of the book, perhaps for John Smith, he also enters the name of the testator on the "S" page of the index, indicating page 25 as the location of the actual will. 4. In this manner a chronological listing of all wills filed by people whose last names begin with the letter "S" will develop on this index page, etc. 5. Note that since the letter "S" is popular, any overflow might be carried to a less popular index page, such as the one designated "Q." Genealogists are wise to search the entire set of "index in progress" pages to ensure they will find listings for their ancestors. Why use courthouse records? In researching my step-mother's line, I found the will of her grandfather. At least I hoped it was her grandfather! We were most fortunate, because the gentleman did as was customary by listing his heirs by name. In the case of his son, who eventually became the father of my step-mother, the will mentioned "my son Edward Bethel Jackson, who moved to Seattle..." Indeed, we knew Edward had broken the mold and moved from the eastern seaboard to the Seattle area where my step-mother was born. The will of her grandfather only confirmed the father-son relationship. Proof of relationships is what we hope to gain by reviewing courthouse records. BEGINNING LESSON #32 Wills and Probate Records Last week's lesson provided an overview to courthouse records for genealogical research. My example was of a step-great-grandfather's will mentioning heirs by name. This is perhaps the main reason we hope to unearth the wills of our elusive ancestors - the confirmation of famillial relationship signed and sealed by the testator. Many write to say their ancestor was a lowly farmer, obviously of humble means, and that there would have been no need for a will. In that case, you can bet he owed someone some money when he died! His estate most certainly went through probate. I think of probate as a general reckoning of what money is owed, how much is available after the funeral expenses, and who gets what in the final analysis. It might help to understand this further if you realize that seemingly insignificant items like belt buckles, a linen shirt and a wooden bucket are items of value mentioned in colonial wills and probate records. A man probably owned one pair of pants and two linen shirts. It took months to grow the flax to weave the linen and to sew the shirt. Remember that even with the arrival of the industrial age, the majority of people had only a few pieces of clothing. The grandiose wealth of post-WWII United States is not the norm from a historical perspective. Of course, if your 17th-19th century ancestor was highly-placed socially, more than likely much has already been done on his family history. Alas, the rest of us must scurry for meager clues from whatever obscure records have withstood the ravages of time. Inheritable items might include: feather beds, wagon box, pick axes, spectacles, shoes, a leather strap, 1 milking cow, two silver spoons, a quilt, an overcoat, and a book of poems. Indeed land, cattle, horses, even slaves changed hands on the death of the father or uncle. Its interesting to note that the idea of an estate passing to wives is a relatively new legal concept. Late 20th century customs often dictate that the wife obtains at least half of the estate. Women did not have the right to own property in many societies of the past. Indeed, if she were to inherit property, it often came to the possession of her husband on their marriage. He could dispense with the inheritance as he willed without consulting her. Amazingly archaic?? Is my prejudice is showing! Reviewing wills and probate proceedings from local courthouse records provide obvious clues to family relationships. There might possibly be clues to towns of origin in the old country. If money is sent back to a distant cousin who lives in a tiny section of London, you'd best begin to search for other family members in that local! Neglecting to look at wills and probate records means you'd miss out on this little peek into history! You'll learn more about your ancestor's daily life in his will, oddly enough, by seeing what he considered valuable inheritable implements and property.

Hello, For those of you who know something about what they are doing(we hope so anyway) here are some links for you to snoop; SSDI Searchable Link <A HREF="http://www.ancestry.com/search.htm">Genealogy - Ancestry Library Search</A> A few searchable places to look are: <A HREF="http://www.geocities.com/~alacy/spring_c.htm">Surname Springboard In dex</A> <A HREF="http://www.everton.com/c1.htm">Everton's On-Line Search</A> <A HREF="http://www.rootsweb.com/roots-l/roots-l.html">ROOTS-L Home Page</A> <A HREF="http://web.mountain.net/~wfmoney/cd/">Ancestral Findings -Free Searc hes!!-</A> I have found USGenWeb to be an excellent reasearch base. They cover each state broken down by county. Some have a lot of information and some don't , they almost all have queries pages to post your names on and see if anyone else is searching for the same name.<A HREF="http://www.usgenweb.com /">USGenWeb Project</A> There are so many good places and links out there---- <A HREF="http://home.ear thlink.net/~middleton/topten.html">Best Genealogy Links on the WWW!</A> <A HR EF="http://www.oz.net/~cyndihow/sites.htm">Cyndi's List of Genealogy Sites on the Internet</A> <A HREF="http://users.aol.com/johnf14246/gen_mail.html">Gene alogy Resources on the Internet</A> <A HREF="http://www.everton.com/">Everton 's Genealogical Helper: Web Site</A> <A HREF="http://www.familytreemaker.com/ users/f/u/n/Joe-Jr-D-Funderburk/GENE14-0001.html">Family Tree Maker's Genealog y Site: User Home...</A> If there is a particular site you want or need for instance Native Americans- you can find links on Best or Cyndi's. We will be comparing surnames too. I have already seen some interesting(to me) names. We are just starting. Our group is growing everyday. A place to see if you have a live cousin online or off(snail address) go to <A HREF="http://www.lycos.com/">Welcome to Lycos</A> and click on People find. You can choose email or snailmail addresses . Happy Hunting! Let us all know how you are doing. :-)) Dianne

Hi everyone, Well I finally got my mail going again- I was beginning to feel dejected by my computer LOL I had 134 pieces of mail when it made it thru. Whew- so I am behind on every one so please be patient. Those who have asked to be removed will be done today. I will send out Beginning Lessons today and start getting the other info out too. Glad to see all of you!! Dee

I thought I saved the e-mail stating how to subscribe. Sorry to send this to all, but please put me on the list. I remember you wanted your church affiliation, that would be LDS. I am interested in having help in researching my family history. This sounds like the place to find that. Thanks!!!