Bertha: My relatives, Albert and Mary (Biela) Kopecki, came over on a ship that landed at Indianola instead of Galveston. It probably started out at Breman, Germany. Did ships stop at Ellis Island before they came to Galveston then went to Indianola ... or did they come straight from Germany to Indianola? The first group of Polish settlers came to Galveston in 1854 (November probably); the group my great grandparents came in landed in the 1880s. They then settled in Panna Maria, Texas. Judy Slate At 12:37 PM 7/6/99 -0400, you wrote: >I did check "SHIPS PASSENGER LISTS PORT OF GALVESTON, TEXAS 1846-1871 >Did not find a listing for a VINCENT MEYERS/MEYER >Bertha Ellen > Judith M. Slate Co-ordinating Secretary Department of Geography Michigan State University 315 Natural Science East Lansing MI 48824-1115 517 355-4649 x 102
Thanks Bill for your interesting article. I hope that someone will benefit from your knowledge. I my self do plan on saving it to refer to as needed:} We need more nice people like you to help us in every way in doing all of this research. Thanks again Bertha Ellen in Texas City
> Did ships stop at Ellis Island before they came to > Galveston then went to Indianola ... or did they come straight from Germany > to Indianola? > Most ships came directly from Bremen to Indianola. They also went directly to Galveston. During the time period you're referring to, I don't think Ellis Island existed yet. (could be wrong...check around). But I do KNOW that they would have sailed directly to Texas. Shelly Kelly Galveston TX
Cindy Harris wrote: > > I was wondering if anyone knew where this nursing school is/was located. Cindy, Are you sure you have the correct name? There has long been a St Mary's Hospital in Galveston. Here is a short history: "In 1867 St. Mary's Hospital, Galveston, the first Catholic hospital in Texas, was established by Bishop Claude M. Dubuis and by the recently founded Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word, who were trained in France and came to Texas specifically to start a hospital. The original thirtybed hospital developed by 1994 into an acute-care facility with 322 licensed beds. The sisters so impressed the citizens of Galveston with their dedication and service during a yellow fever epidemic that the city council recommended turning over the city hospital to them in 1868." It is currently located adjacent to the University of Texas Medical Branch complex, at 404 St. Mary's Blvd, near 6th and Market. Jim Turner
This is a multi-part message in MIME format. --------------2227282EE847AB4471A565C1 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=iso-8859-1 Content-Transfer-Encoding: 8bit Speaking of St. Mary's in Galveston, would anyone have any information on a Dr. James Nagle who was the director (if believe) of St. Mary's Hospital back in the 1800's. He came over from Cork (maybe not directly from Cork) but settled in Galveston with his family and was a doctor at the hospital for some time. (1867 - 1884 ???) He was my great-great grandfather. He was born in Cork Ireland in 1800 and a descendant of the Nagle's from Annakissy (and a relative of Nano Nagle 4/9/1718 - 4/26/1784) What I'm looking for are any records of him in Galveston or in Texas. His work, his life etc,.etc., etc. Rich Blenderman Jim Turner wrote: > Cindy Harris wrote: > > > > I was wondering if anyone knew where this nursing school is/was located. > > Cindy, > > Are you sure you have the correct name? > > There has long been a St Mary's Hospital in Galveston. Here is a short > history: > > "In 1867 St. Mary's Hospital, Galveston, the first Catholic hospital in > Texas, was established by Bishop Claude M. Dubuis and by the recently > founded Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word, who were trained in France > and came to Texas specifically to start a hospital. The original > thirtybed hospital developed by 1994 into an acute-care facility with > 322 licensed beds. The sisters so impressed the citizens of Galveston > with their dedication and service during a yellow fever epidemic that the > city council recommended turning over the city hospital to them in 1868." > > It is currently located adjacent to the University of Texas Medical Branch > complex, at 404 St. Mary's Blvd, near 6th and Market. > > Jim Turner --------------2227282EE847AB4471A565C1 Content-Type: text/x-vcard; charset=us-ascii; name="richard.vcf" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Content-Description: Card for Richard Blenderman Content-Disposition: attachment; filename="richard.vcf" begin:vcard n:Blenderman;Richard Michael x-mozilla-html:FALSE org:Blendermann & Associates version:2.1 email;internet:richard@blendermann.com title:Owner tel;fax:(281) 568-0131 tel;work:(281) 568-6979 adr;quoted-printable:;;7770 Highway 6 South=0D=0ASuite 312;Houston;Texas;77083;USA x-mozilla-cpt:;0 fn:Richard Michael Blenderman end:vcard --------------2227282EE847AB4471A565C1--
In a message dated 7/6/99 12:52:15 PM Central Daylight Time, slate@pilot.msu.edu writes: << My relatives, Albert and Mary (Biela) Kopecki, came over on a ship that landed at Indianola instead of Galveston. It probably started out at Breman, Germany. Did ships stop at Ellis Island before they came to Galveston then went to Indianola ... or did they come straight from Germany to Indianola? The first group of Polish settlers came to Galveston in 1854 (November probably); the group my great grandparents came in landed in the 1880s. They then settled in Panna Maria, Texas. Judy Slate >> Hello Judy I don't have all of them answers I do know that PATSY HAND of VICTORIA, TX is working on the settlers that came into Indianola she does something with the Victoria web page but I have no way to contact her personally. I need to get her email address for times like this. PATSY HAND 13 Tonto Circle Victoria, TX, 77901 maybe if you check the website for a VICTORIA TX rootsweb that will get you to her. Sorry that I don't have the address. Bertha Ellen
In a message dated 7/6/99 11:34:43 AM Central Daylight Time, richard@blendermann.com writes: << Speaking of St. Mary's in Galveston, would anyone have any information on a Dr. James Nagle who was the director (if believe) of St. Mary's Hospital back in the 1800's. He came over from Cork (maybe not directly from Cork) but settled in Galveston with his family and was a doctor at the hospital for some time. (1867 - 1884 ???) He was my great-great grandfather. He was born in Cork Ireland in 1800 and a descendant of the Nagle's from Annakissy (and a relative of Nano Nagle 4/9/1718 - 4/26/1784) What I'm looking for are any records of him in Galveston or in Texas. His work, his life etc,.etc., etc. Rich Blenderman >> Hello Rich In the book that I have: ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ "EARLY TEXAS DEATH & LEGAL RECORDS FROM JOSEPH FRANKLIN'S DIARY & JOHN GRIFFIN'S SEXTON RECORDS" PG 101 18 January 1889 NAGLE, Mrs Helena, widow of Doc NAGLE, formerly of Galveston, aged 80 years, died at Corpus Christi "ST. JOSEPH 'S CATHOLIC CHURCH, GALVESTON,TX BAPTISMAL, CONFIRMATION,MARRIAGE & DEATH RECORDS" 1860-1952 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ PG 82 FUNERAL RECORDS:1860-1899 128 -NAGLE, STEPHEN 16 Aug 1867:Rev. Jos. Anstaett, Minister BAPTISMAL RECORDS: 1860-1900 JOHN NELSON NAGLE---JOHN NAGLE, PARENT--JAMES NAGLE, Godparent born --, baptized 25 Feb 1866 #267 ##################################################################### These recorders can be obtained from: Lisa May DIOCESE of GALVESTON-HOUSTON ARCHIVES 1700 San Jacinto P. O. Box 907 Houston, TX 77001 <713>659-5461 FAX <713>759-9151 email address:LMay@diocese-gal-hou.org This is a listing of the Sacramental Records that they have on Galveston County, TX. 1840 St. Mary's Cathedral 1860 St. Joseph 1870 St. Mary's Infirmary <1891> 1872 St. Patrick 1884 Sacred Heart 1890 Holy Rosary 1927 Our Lady of Guadalupe <1992> ##################################################################### "SHIPS PASSENGER LISTS PORT OF GALVESTON,TX 1846-1871" PG 62 Franzistra NAGEL/ age 49/country of birth BADEN/last residence BADEN ##################################################################### BROADWAY CEMETERIES BOOK 2 VOL 2 #648 NAGEL GUSTAR age 74 male/married/RACE:German residence:1606 M 1/2 Cemetery:New Cahill Date of Interment:28 July 1912 Undertaker:F. P. MALLOY MALLOY & SON Funeral Directors 3028 Broadway Galveston, TX 77550 Phone<409>763-2475 Don't forget to send a large envelope SASE Malloy's was established in 1902 You can get the Record of the Funeral which has lots of good information sometimes. Hope that this will be of some help to you'll as well as others. Bertha Ellen
I did check "SHIPS PASSENGER LISTS PORT OF GALVESTON, TEXAS 1846-1871 Did not find a listing for a VINCENT MEYERS/MEYER Bertha Ellen
In a message dated 7/6/99 1:49:28 AM Central Daylight Time, charris@csus.edu writes: << I was wondering if anyone knew where this nursing school is/was located. >> Hello Cindy I called a friend & she said to check with your local Catholic Church to see if they have Directory of Nursing Schools & if that doesn't work to check with the Bishop & see if he can be of some help. I have not heard of St Edwards in our area, but not that up on it. Just me Bertha Ellen
I was wondering if anyone knew where this nursing school is/was located.
Hi I am looking for Vincent Meyer or Myers. He was in Lavaca County , Tx. on the census in the 1860. He was born 06/12/1847 in Austria Germany. Died in 10/10/1932. This came off the census recorded, became a citizen in 1852 and Naturalized in 1860. His wife that I know about from the census is Barbra Neuman and she may have died in 1884? He had a son named Vincent Antone Meyer. And have not found where he came in at what port or the name of the ship. So that is my story so far. Any help would be great. Or ideas on where to look. Thanks in advance for any help. Teresa iraggi@tisd.net
This was a WONDERFUL history lesson. I insisted that my husband read it. Not only did he like it, he wanted me to print it for future reference. Thanks for sharing. Estelle
Wow! They don't teach you that in History class! Thank you for this moving and insightful piece of information. tonya harris ----- Original Message ----- From: Jim Turner <jnturner@gte.net> To: <TXGALVES-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Sunday, July 04, 1999 12:22 PM Subject: [TXGALVES-L] 4th of July > Have you ever wondered what happened to the 56 men who signed the Declaration of > Independence? > > Five signers were captured by the British as traitors, and tortured before they > died. Twelve had their homes ransacked and burned. Two lost their sons serving > in the Revolutionary Army, another had two sons captured. Nine of the 56 fought > and died from wounds or hardships of the Revolutionary War. They signed and > they pledged their lives, their fortunes, and their sacred honor. > > What kind of men were they? > > Twenty-four were lawyers and jurists. Eleven were merchants, nine were farmers > and large plantation owners; men of means, well educated. But they signed the > Declaration of Independence knowing full well that the penalty would be death if > they were captured. > > Carter Braxton of Virginia, a wealthy planter and trader, saw his ships swept > from the seas by the British Navy. He sold his home and properties to pay his > debts, and died in rags. > > Thomas McKeam was so hounded by the British that he was forced to move his > family almost constantly. He served in the Congress without pay, and his family > was kept in hiding. His possessions were taken from him, and poverty was his > reward. > > Vandals or soldiers looted the properties of Dillery, Hall, Clymer, Walton, > Gwinnett, Heyward, Ruttledge, and Middleton. At the battle of Yorktown, Thomas > Nelson, Jr., noted that the British General Cornwallis had taken over the Nelson > home for his headquarters. He quietly urged General George Washington to open > fire. The home was destroyed, and Nelson died bankrupt. > > Francis Lewis had his home and properties destroyed. The enemy jailed his wife, > and she died within a few months. John Hart was driven from his wife's bedside > as she was dying. Their 13 children fled for their lives. His fields and his > gristmill were laid to waste. For more than a year he lived in forests and > caves, returning home to find his wife dead and his children vanished. A few > weeks later he died from exhaustion and a broken heart. Norris and Livingston > suffered similar fates. > > Such were the stories and sacrifices of the American Revolution. These were not > wild eyed, rabble-rousing ruffians. They were soft-spoken men of means and > education. They had security, but they valued liberty more. Standing tall, > straight, and unwavering, they pledged: "For the support of this declaration, > with firm reliance on the protection of the divine providence, we mutually > pledge to each other, our lives, our fortunes, and our sacred honor." > > Have a happy, safe, and thoughtful 4th of July. > > >
The following article is from Eastman's Online Genealogy Newsletter and is copyright 1999 by Richard W. Eastman. It is re-published here with the permission of the author. - New Civil War Research Database The following is an announcement from Ancestry.com: Ancestry is pleased to announce a new and exciting Civil War Database now available to our subscribers in a format specially tailored to fit the needs of family historians. The Civil War Research Database is a historic effort to compile and link all available records of the individual soldiers who fought in the Civil War. It seeks to collect all available data about individual soldiers, thus offering unprecedented research possibilities. Historic Data Systems has compiled and inter-linked a wide array of records including state rosters, pension records, regimental histories, photos, and journals. The genealogical value of this database is immeasurable. More than authoritative names and dates, this database connects our ancestors with this turbulent period of American history. The database is a work in progress and considering the scope of its ambition, the amount of data already available is very impressive. The project to date has digitized, indexed, and inter-linked the roster records of 2.1 million soldiers (out of approximately 4 million who served), 2,719 regimental chronicles, 1,010 officer profiles, 3,343 battle synopses, and 1,012 soldier photographs. As the database continues to grow, so will the impact of this unique genealogical resource. Visitors will be able to search for a soldier and click on his name for more information. You will learn the regiment with which he served, and by clicking on the regiment, you will be taken to the regimental history, which includes statistics, a chronology of battles fought, and a link to the entire roster of that regiment. Those with an interest in officers (Brigadier General and higher) will want to search the Officers' database for biographical information and/or photos. Civil War buffs with an interest in a particular regiment can search for regiments separately. Be sure to check back often as this database will be updated regularly. You can search the Civil War database at: http://www.ancestry.com/cwrd/cwrd_index.htm
In a message dated 7/3/99 5:06:00 PM Central Daylight Time, jnturner@gte.net writes: "EARLY TEXAS DEATH & LEGAL RECORDS FROM JOSEPH FRANKLIN'S DIARY & JOHN GRIFFIN'S SEXTON RECORDS" pg 38 29 Feb 1880 Eaton, Mary Agnes, nee McDonnell & wife of Stephen Vincent died near Dublin, Ireland 29 Feb 1880 so the Galveston News says. 19 March 1871 Eaton, Benjamin, Episcopal Minister, died at Galveston, left a Will pg 40 Eaton, Catherine C. aged 32 years, died at Galveston pg 171 11 January 1891 EATON, Henry aged 50 years, drowned in Galveston Bay. 6 July 1906 EATON,Mrs Jane wife of W. R. Eaton aged 66 years died at Galveston 1827 Ave L, left husband & 5 children, Irish These were the only entries that I found. Bertha Ellen Subj: [TXGALVES-L] SURNAMES: Yeager, Honeycutt, Williams, Eaton, Clinch, Sheehan Date: 7/3/99 5:06:00 PM Central Daylight Time From: jnturner@gte.net (Jim Turner) Reply-to: TXGALVES-L@rootsweb.com To: TXGALVES-L@rootsweb.com Galveston County, Texas, Queries A new message, "Yeager c. 1897," was posted by Chanda on Sat, 03 Jul 1999 --- NAME: Chanda EMAIL: Jekayda@yahoo.com SURNAMES: Yeager, Honeycutt, Williams, Eaton, Clinch, Sheehan DATE: Jul 03 1999 Charles Bernard Yeager b. 21 May 1897-Galveston d. 1985-90 Married Mary Catherine Clinch b. 2 May 1902 St. John's NwFndLnd d. 10 Sep 1969. Charles and Mary Catherine had 15 children: Charles Jr. c.1922 d. 13 Aug 1926 Henry W. c. 1924 d. 22 Nov 1993(Florence Onzelle Honeycutt) Thomas; James; Mary; Laurence; Julia; Agnes; John; Steven; Paul; Theresa; Phillip; Micheal; Patrick Charles' brothers: Frank A. d.(c.june 1965); Henry; Charles' sister: Loretta E. Does anyone reconize these people or names in their search? Chanda. ----------------------- Headers -------------------------------- Return-Path: <TXGALVES-L-request@rootsweb.com> Received: from rly-yh02.mx.aol.com (rly-yh02.mail.aol.com [172.18.147.34]) by air-yh05.mail.aol.com (v59.54) with SMTP; Sat, 03 Jul 1999 18:06:00 -0400 Received: from bl-11.rootsweb.com (bl-11.rootsweb.com [204.212.38.27]) by rly-yh02.mx.aol.com (vx) with SMTP; Sat, 03 Jul 1999 18:05:49 -0400 Received: (from slist@localhost) by bl-11.rootsweb.com (8.9.3/8.9.3) id PAA03685; Sat, 3 Jul 1999 15:03:19 -0700 (PDT) Resent-Date: Sat, 3 Jul 1999 15:03:19 -0700 (PDT) Message-ID: <377E953D.61B@gte.net> Date: Sat, 03 Jul 1999 15:57:01 -0700 From: Jim Turner <jnturner@gte.net> X-Mailer: Mozilla 2.01E-GTE (Win16; I) MIME-Version: 1.0 Old-To: TXGALVES-L@rootsweb.com Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Subject: [TXGALVES-L] SURNAMES: Yeager, Honeycutt, Williams, Eaton, Clinch, Sheehan Resent-Message-ID: <AlNdbB.A.13.miof3@bl-11.rootsweb.com> To: TXGALVES-L@rootsweb.com Resent-From: TXGALVES-L@rootsweb.com Reply-To: TXGALVES-L@rootsweb.com X-Mailing-List: <TXGALVES-L@rootsweb.com> archive/latest/207 X-Loop: TXGALVES-L@rootsweb.com Precedence: list Resent-Sender: TXGALVES-L-request@rootsweb.com >>
Have you ever wondered what happened to the 56 men who signed the Declaration of Independence? Five signers were captured by the British as traitors, and tortured before they died. Twelve had their homes ransacked and burned. Two lost their sons serving in the Revolutionary Army, another had two sons captured. Nine of the 56 fought and died from wounds or hardships of the Revolutionary War. They signed and they pledged their lives, their fortunes, and their sacred honor. What kind of men were they? Twenty-four were lawyers and jurists. Eleven were merchants, nine were farmers and large plantation owners; men of means, well educated. But they signed the Declaration of Independence knowing full well that the penalty would be death if they were captured. Carter Braxton of Virginia, a wealthy planter and trader, saw his ships swept from the seas by the British Navy. He sold his home and properties to pay his debts, and died in rags. Thomas McKeam was so hounded by the British that he was forced to move his family almost constantly. He served in the Congress without pay, and his family was kept in hiding. His possessions were taken from him, and poverty was his reward. Vandals or soldiers looted the properties of Dillery, Hall, Clymer, Walton, Gwinnett, Heyward, Ruttledge, and Middleton. At the battle of Yorktown, Thomas Nelson, Jr., noted that the British General Cornwallis had taken over the Nelson home for his headquarters. He quietly urged General George Washington to open fire. The home was destroyed, and Nelson died bankrupt. Francis Lewis had his home and properties destroyed. The enemy jailed his wife, and she died within a few months. John Hart was driven from his wife's bedside as she was dying. Their 13 children fled for their lives. His fields and his gristmill were laid to waste. For more than a year he lived in forests and caves, returning home to find his wife dead and his children vanished. A few weeks later he died from exhaustion and a broken heart. Norris and Livingston suffered similar fates. Such were the stories and sacrifices of the American Revolution. These were not wild eyed, rabble-rousing ruffians. They were soft-spoken men of means and education. They had security, but they valued liberty more. Standing tall, straight, and unwavering, they pledged: "For the support of this declaration, with firm reliance on the protection of the divine providence, we mutually pledge to each other, our lives, our fortunes, and our sacred honor." Have a happy, safe, and thoughtful 4th of July.
Galveston County, Texas, Queries A new message, "Yeager c. 1897," was posted by Chanda on Sat, 03 Jul 1999 --- NAME: Chanda EMAIL: Jekayda@yahoo.com SURNAMES: Yeager, Honeycutt, Williams, Eaton, Clinch, Sheehan DATE: Jul 03 1999 Charles Bernard Yeager b. 21 May 1897-Galveston d. 1985-90 Married Mary Catherine Clinch b. 2 May 1902 St. John's NwFndLnd d. 10 Sep 1969. Charles and Mary Catherine had 15 children: Charles Jr. c.1922 d. 13 Aug 1926 Henry W. c. 1924 d. 22 Nov 1993(Florence Onzelle Honeycutt) Thomas; James; Mary; Laurence; Julia; Agnes; John; Steven; Paul; Theresa; Phillip; Micheal; Patrick Charles' brothers: Frank A. d.(c.june 1965); Henry; Charles' sister: Loretta E. Does anyone reconize these people or names in their search? Chanda.
With an eye, I'm sure, toward the upcoming holiday, BerthaElen@aol.com submitted this: "THAT RAGGED OLD FLAG" (Author Unknown) I walked through a county courthouse square. On a park bench an old man was sitting there. I said, "Your old Court House is kinda run down." He said, "No, it will do for our little town." I said, "Your old flag Pole is leaning a little bit. And that's a ragged old Flag you`ve got hanging on it." He said, "Have a seat," and I sat down "Is the first time that you`ve been to our little town?" "Well," he said, "I don't like to brag, But we're kinda proud of that ragged old Flag. You see, we got a little hole in the Flag there, When Washington took it across the Delaware. And it got powder burns, the night Francis Scott Key, Sat watching it, writing 'Oh, Say, Can You See.' And it got a bad rip at New Orleans, When Packingham and Jackson took it to the scene And, it almost fell at the Alamo beside the Texas Flag But she waved on through She got cut with a sword at Chancerville, And she got cut again at Shilo Hill There was Robert E. Lee, Bouregard and Bragg The South wind blew hard on that Old Ragged Flag On Flanders Field in World War One She got a big hole from a Bertha Gun She turned BLOOD RED World War Two, And she hung limp and low a time or two She was in Korea and Vietnam She went from our ships upon the briny foam Now they've about quit waving her back here at home In our good land she's been abused, She's been burned, dishonored, denied, and refused And the Government for which she stands Is scandalized through out the land She's getting threadbare and she`s wearing thin, But, she's in good shape for the shape she's in Because she's been through the fire before, I believe she can take a whole lot more So we raise her up every morning, and we Take her down every night, We don't let her touch the ground, and we fold her up right, On second thought, I DO LIKE TO BRAG, BECAUSE I'M MIGHTY PROUD OF THAT RAGGED OLD FLAG. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ The foundations of our national policy will be laid in the pure and immutable principals of private morality. > ~~ George Washington in his inaugural speech.
Galveston County, Texas, Queries A new message, "Marriage Records or anything else really.," was posted by Cindy Harris on Thu, 01 Jul 1999 --- NAME: Cindy Harris EMAIL: charris@csus.edu SURNAMES: Raymond CARPENTER, Corinna MCVAY DATE: Jul 01 1999 QRYTEXT: I am looking for any record that places Raymond Carpenter in the Galveston area around 1920. He moves to Arkansas around this time but there is a beleif that this where he moved from. Corinna McVay moves here to go to Nursing school gets married to Raymond and moves back to Arkansas with her new husband. If anyone can find eveidence of any of this I would be greatly appriciative. Thanks. Cindy.
The following article is from Eastman's Online Genealogy Newsletter and is copyright 1999 by Richard W. Eastman. It is re-published here with the permission of the author. Beginning Monday morning June 28, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is offering free downloads of Personal Ancestral File version 4.0. This is a brand new version of one of the most popular genealogy programs in the world. The new version has two major changes from previous versions: (1.) for the first time it is a Windows program, and (2.) it is a free program. Personal Ancestral File version 4.0 will be available to everyone online. Personal Ancestral File has always been known as a "bare bones" genealogy program that does the basics. It has also been famous for its low price. Ten years ago the low-end genealogy programs sold for $50.00 or so while more powerful ones cost $200 and more. In those days, Personal Ancestral File, usually referred to as PAF, sold for $35.00. In 1997 The LDS Church released PAF version 3.0. Software prices had tumbled, and many genealogy programs were selling for $35.00 or less. As a result, the price of PAF 3.0 was dropped to $15.00. Prices of genealogy software have continued to drop further in the past two years, and apparently the LDS Church is reacting by cutting the price still further. Personal Ancestral File has the ultimate bargain price: zero dollars. Another factor is the low- cost distribution method available today: digital downloads. While the capability of downloading digital files has been available for more than 15 years, it has become a lot more popular with the explosion of the World Wide Web. By making the new PAF version 4.0 available on the Web, the LDS Church does not have to pay for CD- ROM disks, packaging, printed manuals, warehouse space, postage, or the labor involved in receiving orders and packing the product into shipping boxes. The other significant change is the choice of Windows. In the June 5, 1999 newsletter I repeated a rumor of a new Windows version. Earlier versions of PAF were available only for MS-DOS and for Macintosh. While the Mac version has always sported a user- friendly, event-driven interface, the MS-DOS version has long looked rather archaic with its menu-driven interface. There are very few MS-DOS programs available in today's marketplace. The switch to Windows seemed inevitable; PAF is the last of the popular genealogy programs to make that switch. Personal Ancestral File version 4.0 requires the following: * Windows 95, 98 or NT * 486/66 processor or faster with a Pentium processor strongly recommended * At least 16 megabytes of memory. The program will run even faster with more memory. * 20 megabytes of hard disk space * A 256-color display adapter supporting 640x480 screen resolution. However, the program is optimized for 800x600 pixels. Obviously, Internet access is required to obtain the program although such access is not required during the program's operation. Personal Ancestral File 4.0 will also be available on CD-ROM for a nominal price in early 2000. The exact price hasn't been announced, but apparently it will be just enough to cover the cost of making the CD-ROM disks, handling and postage. Users will be able to purchase the CD-ROM version from the Church's distribution centers worldwide. The Macintosh version of Personal Ancestral File has not changed for some time and it continues to sell for $35.00. This week's announcement did not mention any changes in the Macintosh version. Version 4.0 of Personal Ancestral File for Windows should be available Monday morning at: http://www.familysearch.org