> I am doing a study at University on Copyright, Data Protection and > Freedom Of Information Acts and how they effect the family > historian. I particularly want to focus on the various closure > rules that relate to documentation. Can any one suggest and source > books or websites etc that may be useful from an academic point of > view? Anyone know where I may find out what law states what length > of closure should apply to what document type etc. Any help / > advice gratefully received. > > Wendy > NW England > "Sportysprout" <sportysprout@blueyonder.co.uk> Wendy- Federation of Family History Societies http://www.ffhs.org.uk/ In the US The Federation of Genealogical Societies http://www.fgs.org/rpa/ This is a link to their page on records preservation and access. There have been recent problems in various US states concerning record closings, etc. Here are some links to groups which might be able to steer you in the right direction. The Connecticut Professional Genealogists Council has been working with town clerks to clarify what the clerks job is and what clerks should expect from genealogists. http://www.rootsweb.com/~ctpgc/access.html Florida had a problem recently - the governor wanted to close the Florida State Library, and distribute the materials to other institutions: http://www.florida-historical-soc.org/ Massachusetts is having an ongoing problem with legislators submitting bills to restrict access to the vital records. The Massachusetts Genealogical Council http://massgencouncil.home.attbi.com/index.htm Re: The Laws - length of closure - Each US State has it's own rules regarding record access. You could start here http://www.50states.com/ Each page has a link for public records of that state. Freedom of Information Act 2000 http://www.hmso.gov.uk/acts/acts2000/20000036.htm Department of Justice FOIA update page http://www.usdoj.gov/oip/foi-upd.htm For US Copyright - see Library of Congress http://www.loc.gov/ click on US Copyright office For UK copyright - I found this: http://www.copyrightservice.co.uk/index.htm Hope these will give you a place to start. Lisa llepore@juno.com

> Thanks to the helpers who sent me info. - William doesn't appear to > be on the 1910 or 1920 census but I have found one on the 1930 (aged > 47 (correct), born in Scotland, now in Somerville, Middlesex. Mass. > Can anyone see if there is more info. on the bit I can't view? His > wife appears to be a Brunette Baxter and she seems to have dies in > Vancouver in 1948. If she came from there it might be that he was > there earlier in the century. Is it possible to view Canadian > census and marriages? Many thanks, Annette > > "ASHTON-REDLIN ANNETTE" <ashtonredlin@yahoo.co.uk> Annette - I am sending a copy of the census page to your personal address. All of it is very clear in my copy. A few things that may help - William states he immigrated in 1910, and was naturalized. If you can find his naturalization papers, they may tell you more. The problem there is that he could have gone to any local court for this process, and Somerville is close to both Cambridge & Boston. I am not familiar with the court locations. He says he was married at age 39, assuming that is correct, they won't be together in the 1920 census. According to the page, Brunette was born in Missouri. If she died in Vancouver, you should be able to get her death certificate from the archives there, and obtain her last name. Go here for more information: http://www.cbs.gov.on.ca/mcbs/english/4UMPCQ.htm Re the Canadian Census - the most recent one available is 1901, so that won't help you much. Re William in 1920 - not much luck there, except for this one - He is a boarder, not naturalized - employed as a Laborer for what looks like Carbounder? Maybe it's a company name. If he came through Canada, he could have made his way to Massachusetts by way of Niagara. Baxter, William Age: 35 Year: 1920 Birthplace: Scotland Roll: T625_1242 Race: White Page: 20B State: New York ED: 121 County: Niagara Image: 0197 Township: Niagara Falls City Lisa llepore@juno.com

ASHTON-REDLIN ANNETTE wrote: > > Thanks to the helpers who sent me info. - William doesn't appear to > be on the 1910 or 1920 census but I have found one on the 1930 (aged > 47 (correct), born in Scotland, now in Somerville, Middlesex. Mass. > Can anyone see if there is more info. on the bit I can't view? His > wife appears to be a Brunette Baxter and she seems to have dies in > Vancouver in 1948. If she came from there it might be that he was > there earlier in the century. Is it possible to view Canadian > census and marriages? Many thanks, Annette Look for the British Columbia GenWeb site, a BC list or message board and ask there. The last Canadian Census released was the 1901. I do not remember if the Social Security Death Index was mentioned but I did a search on William Baxter born 1883 and came up with 6. If you know his complete birth date one may fit. Go to http://ssdi.rootsweb.com/cgi-bin/ssdi.cgi advanced search and enter name and birth year. bob gillis bob gillis <rpgillis@bellatlantic.net>

Richard Pence wrote: >I don't see anyone questioning this premise. But neither has anyone >actually shown where new generations have been confirmed as a direct >result of this improved focus. It almost seems as if you (and most >of the "testimonials") are defining "success" as a perceived saving >of time and money. What Ardis has sought is some evidence that this >has actually worked in identifying and confirming a new ancestor. What is coming across here at this end, recalling that we are around the other side of the planet, is a whole lot of petty, pedantic bickering over some minor issue apparently looming as of sufficient importance to a few of the American contingent as to cause them to argue over it for weeks on end, but to the rest of us here is a non-issue. Surely placing the whole thing into perspective is sufficient to leave any who choose to adopt the procedure to do so as they wish, and pay whatever money they wish, none of which altering their lack of standing is legitimate researchers one iota. Why would anybody bother arguing with them, for heavens sake? Gil Gil Hardwick <gruagach@highway1.com.au>

"Sportysprout" <sportysprout@blueyonder.co.uk> wrote: > I am doing a study at University on Copyright, Data Protection and > Freedom Of Information Acts and how they effect the family > historian. I particularly want to focus on the various closure > rules that relate to documentation. Can any one suggest and source > books or websites etc that may be useful from an academic point of > view? Anyone know where I may find out what law states what length > of closure should apply to what document type etc. Any help / > advice gratefully received. Any archivist knows the local rules so ask at the PRO for England and Wales, GRO for Scotland, etc. Hugh W "Hugh Watkins" <hugh_watkins@net.dialog.dk>

I am not sure what you cannot view. 43 Ivaloos? Street Seems to be a boarding house as there are at least six families living there. Family 407 Baxter William F Head Rents 33 per month M W age 47 Married at age 39 Burnette Wife of Head Female W 42 married at age 34 Wm (continued) Attended School is last year No Cand Read and Write Yes Scotland Scotland Scotland Scotch Wen came US 1910 Naturalized Cleaner Restaurant wage earner Veteran of US Military World War Bur (continued) No Yes Missouri Missouri Missouri Have you checked the World War I Military Records as it says he is a veteran? Julia FamRSearch@aol.com

aepalmer@a-znet.com writes: > Several of the 13 Colonies were (and still are) "The Commonweath > of ...." Massachusetts & Pensylvania come to mind immediately. >> Virginia is a commonwealth too. Edith ECFensom@aol.com

"Sportysprout" <sportysprout@blueyonder.co.uk> wrote: > I am doing a study at University on Copyright, Data Protection and > Freedom Of Information Acts and how they effect the family > historian. I particularly want to focus on the various closure > rules that relate to documentation. Can any one suggest and source > books or websites etc that may be useful from an academic point of > view? Anyone know where I may find out what law states what length > of closure should apply to what document type etc. Any help / > advice gratefully received. This is very much a hot issue in the UK at the moment. There are proposals to close some BMD information on "people under 100 years old", as they cutely put it, meaning all events within the last 100 years, even if the people involved are long dead. You might try asking on soc.genealogy.britain (alias GENBRIT, if you prefer the mailing list) - although it is technically off-topic, we're a forgiving lot, and there are several regulars who know a lot about this. -- Don Aitken Don Aitken <don-aitken@freeuk.com>

> > You have to find the authorizing documents to get the official > > names. I think some were called plantations, but it would be in the > > official documents for each foundation. I know that Plymouth and > > Massachusetts were once separate foundations and then they were > > united. A good colonial history should cover it pretty well. > > > > FamRSearch@aol.com > > Several of the 13 Colonies were (and still are) "The Commonweath of > ...." Massachusetts & Pensylvania come to mind immediately. > > AEP <aepalmer@a-znet.com> But so is Kentucky, which is not an original state (admitted 1792). -- Don Aitken

> Tom Morris wrote: > > > > "Greg Lovelace" <gregl@starfishnet.com> wrote: > > > > > I have been reading with some humor and some dismay all the posts > > > > My reaction wasn't quite so mixed. I was appalled by the > > closemindeness demonstrated and the argumentative > > nature of the discussion by the self appointed genealogy > > "experts." > > If one side is going to assert categorically that DNA testing will > "solve your genealogy problems", then the other side is allowed to > present cases in which DNA analysis will NOT solve "your genealogy > problem". Neither side holds exclusive rights to "closemindedness." > > Cheryl <singhals@erols.com> I don't think anyone involved in this discussion claimed that DNA testing would solve every problem for every person, or even one problem for every person or every problem for one person. I know I sure didn't & believe that anyone who did make that claim is a fool. I stated a case where it will help me, as well as the fact that the cost was less than most research trips that require only one overnight stay. Just like the $100 to $600 a year that folks pay for internet access, the $120 +/- for Ancestry.com census & whatever Genealogy.com charges for their services, DNA testing is another tool that is available to anyone who will take the trouble to learn what it really can or can not do for them. Many don't need that tool. Others really do but haven't realized it, yet. Others still, may have some moral, religious or other grounds for not using this tool. In the very early 1900s, many people thought the automobile was a passing fad. Others thought it was a "devil machine". Others still, didn't even know that automobiles existed. I believe that the same principles are at work here. The ONLY way that most men that are my age can come anywhere close to "proving" that their "recorded" great grandfather was the father of their paternal grandfather is through Y DNA testing of several various descendants. There HAVE been surprises doing this - either an un recorded adoption or some hanky panky going on in the late 1800s. I don't think that Y DNA testing of same surname male "recorded" or "expected" parents, grandparents, siblings, cousins, etc. will absolutely "prove" that they are related, and definitely not exactly how, but if they are not related I believe it WILL "prove" that very close to 100% of the time, and that's worth something. And by the way, there is another even more controversial DNA test for "Bio geographical origin" (read as "racial origin"). Due to evidence of both Native American & African ancestors, I was among the early participants in this program that was even more expensive. It didn't "prove" anything - results indicated 100% European but with a +/- 5% error factor, but that doesn't mean that I lost all faith in 21st century science. There's a lot to be learned out there that was never heard of 20 years ago and I, for one, plan to take advantage of it. Ernie Hurst ernie5823@earthlink.net

Many public libraries now have the Heritage Quest program on their computer, and it contains all the census records, with free access via the library's computers. Check with your local library. Anita "buckeyegal" <buckeyegal@insight.rr.com>

Hello, Could anybody please clarify if HG26 (as used, for example, in Rosser et al., 2000) is Indo-European or East-Asian, or both? Thank you Roggivi Paolo <roggivi@yahoo.it>

Thanks to the helpers who sent me info. - William doesn't appear to be on the 1910 or 1920 census but I have found one on the 1930 (aged 47 (correct), born in Scotland, now in Somerville, Middlesex. Mass. Can anyone see if there is more info. on the bit I can't view? His wife appears to be a Brunette Baxter and she seems to have dies in Vancouver in 1948. If she came from there it might be that he was there earlier in the century. Is it possible to view Canadian census and marriages? Many thanks, Annette "ASHTON-REDLIN ANNETTE" <ashtonredlin@yahoo.co.uk>

FamRSearch@aol.com wrote: > Kevin > > You have to find the authorizing documents to get the official > names. I think some were called plantations, but it would be in the > official documents for each foundation. I know that Plymouth and > Massachusetts were once separate foundations and then they were > united. A good colonial history should cover it pretty well. > > Julia Several of the 13 Colonies were (and still are) "The Commonweath of ...." Massachusetts & Pensylvania come to mind immediately. Cheers -- <><><><><><><><><><><> Arrowhead Images <aepalmer@a-znet.com> <><><><><><><><><><><> You can't go swimming in your gene pool !!

> I am looking for a group or list where members can post questions or > share info about marital rites (...what made a marriage given a > particular time and place, laws pertaining to marriage and family > given the region and time period), rites of passage and general > questions/info about customs. I looked at rootsweb. Didn't see a > list dedicated to this. Anyone know of a list/group I should try or > does anyone have a site to recommend? > > Brenda "bransflakes" <bransflakes@earthlink.net> Although it has not yet solved my same-name dilemma, I have been exploring some other customs as well... do the families celebrate Christmas (for example) in a similar fashion? How about religious traditions in general? Do they have similar goals in terms of how much to educate their children? etc. Any of these might be a clue to how the family branched out in early America; if you find a good site, please share it with us. It has long been known that families really moved with "groups of families" to a location.... and within that larger group one will find lots of similar traditions, culture and language. I would add the observation, too, that often one sees a "pioneer" leave the group and move to a new location... farm (the usual occupation) for a while, go back home for a year or two, and then move with a larger group into the area. (I also would acknowledge that in America, from a Native American point of view, this would be an invasion... but that is another story....) Good stuff. Let us know what you find... I wanna' know.... --Charles <lmno@mindspring.com>

> Please can anyone give me an idea as to how I can search for a > relative? He was born in 1883 in Dundee, Scotland and he sent a > photo of himself aged c.30 from a hospital in Marshall, Texas. > > Thanks Annette <ashtonredlin@yahoo.co.uk> Annette -- I looked on the 1920 for William Baxter, age 36, born Scotland. I used age 36 because this census date is in January, making 36 your William's likely age for this census. There are only 2: William C. Baxter, Westport Twp., Clatsop Co., Oregon. The immigration date is blurred, but I believe it says 1907. This fellow was naturalized in 1919. He is a lumber yarder in a sawmill and single. William Baxter, Wilkinsburg Twp, Allegheny Co., Pennsylvania. This is a very poor census copy -- I am unable to read the immigration information. He is married to a Christina and has 4 children. The two oldest children were born in Scotland (I think) and the two younger in Pennsylvania. I have saved a copy of the Oregon census page. Let me know if you think it is useful for further research. I am not particularly familiar with naturalization records; perhaps someone else can suggest a method for you to pursue this angle. Elizabeth Richardson "Elizabeth Richardson" <erichktn@worldnet.att.net>

> However if there are no immediate heirs known to the court and the > value of the estate is fairly large, a person, such as a lawyer, > familiar with the probate courts may have a researcher find heirs to > the estate. If the search is successful, the lawyer and the > researcher receives a percentage of the estate > > bob gillis In this estate of May READ, the Administrator received $11,500 and the lawyer received the same fee. These fees were on a Total Receipts for the estate of $395,348.60. There is also a cash disbursement to an "Official Reporting Service" for proof of partial heirship for $37 plus a couple more bills for $63.50 and 22.50 these were dated Nov. Dec. 1961 and Mar. 1962. Does this information tell me anything? What is the "official reporting service"? Thanks for your help, Evelyn Bayna "Evelyn Bayna" <ebayna@ucsd.edu>

> If no one comes through with an online list, there's always your > local public or college library. Marriage customs have been a topic > of scholarly research ever since the establishment of anthropology > as a branch of human knowledge. > > Cynthia Van Ness, MLS -- roots@bfn.org Thank you for the suggestion, but I am looking for something more interactive. Example: When I first started looking online for my "Mary" relatives, I soon learned to look for "Polly". I was able to pass this on to others, and in return I was sent links they had found later on supporting the Mary/Polly naming custom. Neither one of us would have gone there on our own. Those links led to other discoveries we would probably had missed out on. I have been looking for online pages of info regarding marriage customs/rites in IT, OK, TX where there was not a minister or Justice of the Peace, etc. I am hoping to find something that will make my great aunt feel OK about talking about the paperless marriages of a number of family members pre 1925 ish. She refuses to talk about them and it has left huge gaps in the family history. Many genealogy lists have "talked" about naming customs and some marriage customs, I was just hoping there would be a list that spent more time on the subjects of customs, rites of passage and the like. I don't have the time and computer knowledge to start my own list, or I would consider it. Thanks again, Brenda Branstetter bransflakes@earthlink.net

Tom Morris wrote: > > "Greg Lovelace" <gregl@starfishnet.com> wrote: > > > I have been reading with some humor and some dismay all the posts > > My reaction wasn't quite so mixed. I was appalled by the > closemindeness demonstrated and the argumentative > nature of the discussion by the self appointed genealogy > "experts." If one side is going to assert categorically that DNA testing will "solve your genealogy problems", then the other side is allowed to present cases in which DNA analysis will NOT solve "your genealogy problem". Neither side holds exclusive rights to "closemindedness." Cheryl singhals@erols.com

Hi Listers, I am doing a study at University on Copyright, Data Protection and Freedom Of Information Acts and how they effect the family historian. I particularly want to focus on the various closure rules that relate to documentation. Can any one suggest and source books or websites etc that may be useful from an academic point of view? Anyone know where I may find out what law states what length of closure should apply to what document type etc. Any help / advice gratefully received. regards Wendy NW England "Sportysprout" <sportysprout@blueyonder.co.uk>