Genealogy Insider - Genealogy societies

Search DAR Genealogy Indexes Free Online

Diane — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 13:47:56 GMT

The Daughters of the American Revolution, a 119-year-old lineage society for women descended from patriots of the American Revolution, has added its Genealogical Research System to its public website.

The system, which is free to search, includes several genealogical databases:

The Genealogical Records Committee National Index (also called the GRC Index) was already on the site, but if you’ve used it before, it has a different interface as part of the Research System. It indexes 20,000 volumes of transcribed gravestones, family Bibles and other records (and not just from the Revolution era) DAR members have collected.

The Ancestor Database of ancestral data from applications of DAR members (who must prove their descent from a Patriot).

A Member search, which lets you enter a deceased DAR member's name for limited information on her ancestors.

The Descendants index, still under construction, lets you search for names in generations between the DAR member and the Revolutionary War ancestor. It includes much 18th and 19th-century information.

Read more about what’s in each database here.

Start searching here (click Enter Site).

Each database has a separate search. Try alternate spellings, as the search doesn’t automatically find them. It does find partial names, though: If you search on Mary Smith, for example, you’d also get entries for Maryann Smith and Mary Smithson.

Depending on the database you search, you may be able to click to the resource’s listing in the DAR’s online library catalog, or to see basic information (name, birth and death dates, parents’ and children’s names) about an ancestor named in a DAR application.

The Family History Library has microfilm copies of some DAR materials; search its online catalog to see if it has the title you need. Then you can rent it by visiting a branch Family History Center near you.

The DAR takes requests for photocopies by fax or postal mail (not e-mail); see the Search Services page for more information.

Genealogy News Corral: November 9-13

Diane — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 19:04:45 GMT

The New England Historic Genealogical Society (NEHGS) is publishing a new scholarly journal called American Ancestors Journal, which will be included as supplement in the New England Historical and Genealogical Register. It’ll contain articles with a national scope, emphasizing New York State and out-migrations from New England. You can download the first edition as a PDF here.

Subscriptions to these publications are included with an NEHGS membership, which starts at $75 per year.

Search three Georgia newspaper archives free at the Digital Library of Georgia: the Macon Telegraph, the Columbus Enquirer and the Milledgeville Historic Newspapers Archive (this includes several titles published in Milledgeville). You can search the full text of the papers or browse by date, and view pages with the DjVu browser plug-in.

Subscription site WorldVitalRecords has added newspaper content from Alaska, California, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Texas, Wisconsin, Mexico and the UK. Click here to see the titles and other details. The papers are accessible with a World Vital Records subscription ($39.96 per year).

David Ferriero was sworn in this week as the 10th Archivist of the United States. The new director of the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) was formerly the Andrew W. Mellon Director of the New York Public Libraries, and he’s served in leadership positions at other academic libraries. You can read more about Ferriero on NARA's website.

Brick Wall Strategies Webinar Update

Diane — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 22:54:44 GMT

Every genealogist has a brick wall ancestor, it seems--so just about everyone can use the advice in our next webinar, titled (predictably) Brick Wall Strategie s.

I'll be hosting the hourlong session Wednesday, Nov. 18 at 7 p.m. Eastern, and as I began preparing for the webinar, I thought: This would be a perfect time to call in a professional who helps family historians surmount their research obstacles every day.

So I'm delighted to announce that David Allen Lambert, online genealogist for the New England Historic Genealogical Society, will be joining me for as the co-host of the webinar. David will offer advice on participants' specific brick wall problems, and be on hand to answer questions during a live Q&A period.

Other good news: We're extending the early bird rate of $39.99 until Thursday (Nov. 12) at midnight. Register now to receive this $10 discount.

Can't make it on Nov. 18? Take advantage of the discount to get access to the webinar recording (which you can view as many times as you'd like), as well as the bonus materials provided only to participants in the live webinar--including a PDF of the presentation slides and our Genealogy Guidebook of 100+ brick wall busting ideas.

When you sign up, you'll have the opportunity to submit your brick wall problem for a chance to receive personalized advice from David.

More resources:

Genealogy News Corral: October 12-16

Diane — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 18:49:28 GMT

Here are some of the news items we've rounded up this week:

I read an interesting post on the Archives Next blog about NARA’s record digitization agreements with firms such as Footnote and Ancestry.com. The blogger outlines possible good, bad and ugly outcomes when NARA is finally legally able to post online the record images obtained through contracts with third parties.

Pedigree database subscription site OneGreatFamily ($59.95 per year) plans to improve its search function by installing the Perfect Search Database Search Appliance from Perfect Search Corp. Each week, OneGreatFamily makes more than 18.8 trillion comparisons of names, dates and other details in members’ family trees, says CEO Alan Eaton. The new search tool should increase searching capability, improve indexing, and to deliver results faster.

The New England Historic Genealogical Society (NEHGS) has added several genealogical journals to its online subscription ($75 per year): Besides its own New England Historical and Genealogical Register, they are The American Genealogist, The Connecticut Nutmegger, New Netherland Connections and The Virginia Genealogist.

Also from NEHGS: Fellow actors, Boston natives, best buddies and People magazine sexiest men alive Matt Damon and Ben Affleck are 10th cousins once removed. Their common ancestor is William Knowlton of Ipswich, Mass., a bricklayer who died in 1655. Read the full story in the Boston Herald.

Family Tree Magazine Plus members can read our article about Matt Damon’s roots—including his link to Ralph Waldo Emerson—here.

First International Black Genealogy Summit Coming this Month

Grace — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 18:35:08 GMT

October brings an exciting first in African-American genealogical history. The International Black Genealogy Summit (IBGS) Oct. 29-31 at the Allen County Public Library in Fort Wayne, Ind., will be the first mass gathering of all black historical and genealogical societies in the US, Canada and the Caribbean.

"Pulling all the black genealogy societies together has never been done," says conference co-chair Algurie Wilson. "We've all met in our own backyards, but not together. But I've got people coming from everywhere."

IBGS kicks off with a free Thursday pre-conference with workshops, a movie, and extended research hours. Friday and Saturday will be packed with lectures, exhibitors, vendors, and social time (download the schedule here).

"In the workshops, we'll be talking about all the genealogical resources we have," says Wilson. "But besides the workshops, there's great camaraderie. I'm especially looking forward to the banquet and luncheon. We're encouraging African attire. There will be so many beautiful colors. The atmosphere in the room will just be bubbling. I'm also getting an African dance troupe—nobody knows about that yet! I can't wait to hear the keynote speakers, too."

Friday evening's speaker will be Dorothy Spruill Redford, author and nationally recognized interpreter of the African family experience in the South. Hana Stith, curator of the African/African-American Historical Museum in Fort Wayne, will speak at a Saturday luncheon.

Wilson has been encouraged by enthusiastic response despite the difficult economy. "When I talk to someone on the phone and hear their excitement, I realize this is why we're doing it. I've got someone coming on the bus for 17 hours. I'm going to buy that person a drink! That tells you how important it is for us to put this event on."

To Wilson, this event is all about people—both past and present. "I tell new researchers, 'You want to talk to the person next to you. You might find someone looking for the same family tree. You never know what you can discover and more importantly, who you can discover.'"

If you're interested in attending IBGS, visit the conference registration page for more information.

—Sunny McClellan Morton
www.sunnymorton.blogspot.com

Genealogy News Corral: September 7-11

Diane — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 15:16:06 GMT

After skipping last week's news corral due to the Federation of Genealogical Societies conference, I'm back in the saddle and rounding up genealogy news items:

The National Genealogical Society (NGS) has launched a blog called UpFront With NGS, which will complement the society’s monthly e-mail newsletter of the same name. News will be posted regularly on the blog, so you don’t have to wait for the e-mail, and you can leave comments on the blog posts.

Ancestry.com is hosting a free webinar to demo its recently released Family Tree Maker 2010 genealogy software. The webinar is Sept. 30 at 8pm EDT. Learn more about the webinar and link to the registration on Ancestry.com’s blog.
The McMullen Museum of Art at Boston College has a Web site companion to its special exhibit of the Becker Collection: Drawings of the Civil War Era. The drawings by Joseph Becker and others from Frank Leslie’s Illustrated Weekly depict the Civil War, construction of railroads, Chinese in the West, Indian wars, the Chicago fire and more. You can browse drawings by date, place, subject, artist or reference number.
Irish-ancestored people, take note: As posted by Dick Eastman, all counties have been added to the National Archives of Ireland's 1911 census Web site. Later this year, you’ll start seeing 1901 census records. The 1901 and 1911 censuses are the only surviving full Irish censuses open for research. Read what’s special about Irish censuses on Dick’s blog.
Last, I wanted to point out this fun post by Randy Seaver (a re-post of his earlier post, which I missed the first time around) with links to lists of funny/strange place names.

Search Arkansas Marriages Free on FamilySearch

Diane — Fri, 04 Sep 2009 17:01:08 GMT

To coincide with the ongoing Federation of Genealogical Societies conference in Little Rock, Ark., FamilySearch released the first installment of a collection of Arkansas marriage records on its free Record Search Pilot site.

Volunteer indexers from the Arkansas Genealogical Society have completed a quarter of the project so far--that’s 442,058 records linked to 199,431 digital images of original marriage certificates from the counties of Ashley, Baxter, Boone, Chicot, Clay, Crittenden,Desha, Drew, Fulton, Jackson, Johnson, Lee, Logan, Madison, Monroe, Montgomery, Nevada, Perry and Pike.

Genealogy News Corral: June 22-26

Diane — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 19:13:56 GMT

Here are some of the news items we rounded up this week:

To keep tabs on this weekend’s Southern California Genealogical Society Jamboree in Burbank, visit the Genealogy Gems blog, Eastman’s Online Genealogy Newsletter and Genea-Musings. Twitter users can search for #scgs09.

The Federation of Genealogical Societies 2009 conference early bird registration deadline is next Wednesday, July 1. Make the deadline and you’ll pay $175, a savings of $50. Register online or by mail (must be postmarked no later than July 1).

The conference is Sept. 2-5 in Little Rock, Ark.

The New England Historic and Genealogical Society is organizing a few genealogy research trips, led by expert genealogists. Groups are headed to St. John’s, Newfoundland, July 12-19; the NEHGS Library in Boston Aug. 10-15; Edinburgh, Scotland, Sept. 20-27; and Salt Lake City Oct. 25-Nov. 1.

Find more details and prices on NEHGS’ events calendar.

Keep an eye on Miriam Midkiff's city directories portal Online City, County and Rural Directories. This week, she's added links to directories from more than a dozen US states and several Canadian provinces.

In response to a survey, FamilyLink updated its We’re Related Facebook application to let users put pets at the bottoms of their pedigree charts. (I'm not sure what the chart-with-pet looks like, so if you've done this, send me a picture.) It sounds fun—let’s just hope no one gets Bruno and Great-grandpa Charlie mixed up.

The Mystery of the Stray Headstone

Diane — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 16:17:52 GMT

About a year ago, a headstone appeared on the side of a road in the city of Weed, Calif.

Jennifer Bryan, a member of the Siskiyou County Genealogical Society in Yreka, Calif., is trying to find out where it belongs. The stone has never been set into concrete, she says, but it is engraved:

William C. Vann
Dec., 7, 1910 - May 5, 1972

“We’ve checked with all the local cemeteries, monument stone carvers and funeral homes, and haven’t been able to local where this headstone belongs,” Jennifer writes. “We realize this may be a ‘rejected’ headstone, or perhaps it was lost in shipping and the engraver has created a new one for the family by now.”

But in case William C. Vann’s family (or maybe a delivery truck driver who got in a bit of hot water) is wondering what became of his headstone, Jennifer and her fellow society members are asking for your help.

Anyone researching a Vann family, possibly in California, that William may have belonged to? Got a theory how the stone came to be on the roadside? Click Comments (below) to post here.

Here’s a photo of the stone:

Money-Saving Deals on IAJGS and FGS Genealogy Conferences

Diane — Thu, 21 May 2009 21:33:42 GMT

Two upcoming genealogy conferences are offering ways to save on registration fees, plus some opportunities for extra edification and fun:

The International Association of Jewish Genealogical Societies (IAJGS) conference Aug. 2-7 in Philadelphia now has a $50 registration for people under age of 21—a great way to encourage the younger set to join in. The regular rate is $250 for the full conference.

Among the IAJGS' special workshops are a document- and photo-preservation session ($10) and the delicious-sounding Tasting World Jewish Cuisines: Turkish, Syrian, and Ashkenazi-Italkeni Recipes, with cookbook authors Sheilah Kaufman and Aliza Green ($20). Click here to register.

Register by July 1 to save $50 off full registration for the Federation of Genealogical Societies conference Sept. 2-5 in Little Rock, Ark. Early bird registration costs $175; after July 1, it’ll be $225. Click here to register.

Bonus for early arrivals in Little Rock: A free Ice Cream Social Tuesday, Sept. 1, 3-5 pm for registered conference-goers.

The Federation of Genealogical Societies is an umbrella organization for genealogical societies. Its conference, planned in conjunction with the Arkansas Genealogical Society, features classes, an exhibit hall, genealogy field trips and banquets.

Helpful Links for NGS Conference in Raleigh

Diane — Mon, 11 May 2009 14:06:18 GMT

Like some of you, we’re headed this week to the National Genealogical Society (NGS) conference in Raleigh. Aside from our booth banner, handouts, door prizes and other supplies, here’s what we’ll be packing for the conference:

Printouts of flight itinerary and hotel confirmation
Printout of downtown Raleigh map
List of appointments, meetings and classes to attend
Conference program
Tips on what to do and where to eat in Raleigh from FamilyTreeMagazine.com Forum Members
Laptop plus a low-tech backup: notepad and pen
Camera, extra batteries, USB cable for transferring photos
Phone and charger
Digital recorder
Flash drive loaded with stuff to work on during downtime
Umbrella (forecasts call for a chance of showers most days)
Sweater to keep warm in the exhibit hall

If you’re going to NGS, stop by and see us at Booth 319 in the exhibit hall. Admission to just the hall is free, and NGS lists a few other free events on its Web site.

To attend classes, you must be registered—see rates and information for registration at the door.

Also, if you want to research North Carolina ancestors while you’re there, the state archives and the genealogical services branch of the state library are about a mile from the Raleigh Convention Center. (Here’s an introduction to research in the Tar Heel state.)

Got a Web site helpful for those attending the NGS conference? Click comments and post the URL.

Talking Genealogy in Northern Ohio

Diane — Sat, 04 Apr 2009 01:34:59 GMT

I had a chance to interview Ian Frazier, author of the book Family (Picador, $16) Thursday evening before the Ohio Genealogical Society Conference started up in Huron (on Lake Erie midway between Cleveland and Toledo). >

Frazier was the speaker at the society’s golden anniversary banquet. The book—one of my favorites—is about Frazier’s family, from the time his ancestors settled small towns in the Western Reserve to his own childhood in the northern Ohio town of Hudson. His incredibly detailed research comes across in the book, so I asked him how he organized it all and decided what to keep and what to leave out. You’ll see his answers in an upcoming Family Tree Magazine.

I snapped a picture of the banquet:

And here's Frazier signing books afterward:

Tips From Genealogy Geniuses

Diane — Mon, 09 Mar 2009 16:24:55 GMT

Shout out to the Green County (Ohio) Genealogical Society, which hosted us at Saturday’s meeting. We administered a light-hearted genealogy IQ test and had a great conversation about preserving photos, reading gravestones and putting family information online.

The tips flowed in both directions. A couple from this enthusiastic group:

Newsletter editor Diana Nelson suggests checking what’s behind old framed photos (not to be confused with encased photos such as daguerreotypes, which shouldn’t be taken apart). Someone might’ve enclosed a written identification or more photos inside the frame.

A person whose name I didn’t catch (I’m sorry!) uses aluminum foil to safely capture impressions of gravestone transcriptions. After making sure the stone is sturdy and secure in the ground, she’ll mold a sheet of foil onto the stone. You can reuse the foil, or save and frame the impression the same way you can a wax rubbing.

Here’s the group pondering our quiz (there were some smart cookies in the room!).

I vigilantly made sure all kept their eyes on their own papers.

Looking for a Genealogy Learning Opportunity?

Grace — Fri, 13 Feb 2009 14:12:09 GMT

A few genealogy events are coming down the pike, including:

Family History Expos—St. George: Family Tree Magazine is a sponsor of this laid-back conference in sunny St. George, Utah, Feb. 27 and 28. Registration costs $60 until Feb. 14 (get a move on!) and $65 after.

Ohio Genealogical Society: This large state society confabs April 2-5 in Huron, Ohio. (If you love roller coasters, Cedar Point isn’t far away.) March 15 is the early registration deadline; download the conference brochure for prices.

National Genealogical Society (NGS): We hope to see you at this conference in Raleigh, NC, May 13-16. Register before March 31 for the early-bird discount (check out the new NGS Web site while you’re at it).

Jamboree: This energetic Southern California Genealogical Society event is June 26-28 in Burbank. I didn’t see registration information yet, but you can book your hotel and sign up to get updates.

International Association of Jewish Genealogical Societies: Online registration http://www.philly2009.org/ just opened for this conference in Philadelphia Aug. 2-7. (The program schedule listing classes is still to come.)

Federation of Genealogical Societies (FGS): FGS is headed to Little Rock, Ark., Sept. 2-5. You can register online—it’s $175 until June 2. (Download the printable registration form to see at-the-door registration fees.)

See more genealogy events and post your group’s events in our online calendar. Posting instructions are in the FAQs and Updates Forum.

News from NewEnglandAncestors.org

Diane — Fri, 23 Jan 2009 17:24:36 GMT

We’ve gotten a few news items from the New England Historic Genealogical Society (NEHGS), whose Web site is NewEnglandAncestors.org:

The Connecticut Nutmegger, the journal of the Connecticut Society of Genealogists, is becoming part of NEHGS' online subscription databases ($75 per year).

The Nutmegger database will be released in stages, starting this week with issues from 1968 to 1973. Members of both organizations’ Web sites can search them.

NEHGS’ 162-year-old journal, The New England Historical and Genealogical Register, is helping people find ancestors and save trees. Society members can opt to get the Register in searchable PDF form.

Last, NEHGS did some math and announced it added 5 million names to the site last year, including a million Massachusetts records and more than 3 million Social Security Death Index records.

In 2009, Web site database development coordinator Sam Sturgis is shooting for one or two databases every week.

"Finest State Genealogy Library" Planned for Ohio

Diane — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 13:47:30 GMT

Ohio genealogists will soon get a new research destination. “We have achieved full funding for our new building project,” reports E. Paul Morehouse, president of the Ohio Genealogical Society (OGS).

Construction starts early next year on "the finest state genealogical library in the country," says OGS spokesperson Wally Huskonen in an announcement.

The 18,000-square-foot library near Mansfield, Ohio, will have climate-controlled space for archives, a reading room, a preservation and digitization lab, meeting space, classrooms and offices.

In mid-November, a $350,000 grant from the Ohio Cultural Facilities Commission brought the total to $2,564,889—just past OGS' $2.5 million goal. Fundraising continues, though, to pay a loan from the Department of Agriculture and build a maintenance fund for the facility.

OGS is the country's largest state genealogical society, with more than 6,000 members in 95 chapters.

Genealogical Society Fundraising Idea

Diane — Tue, 05 Aug 2008 17:16:27 GMT

Several members of the FamilyTreeMagazine.com Forum have mentioned fundraising as a challenge for genealogical societies.

If you register with the shopping site GoodShop, your society can earn money when people select it from a list of charities and schools, then shop on participating Web sites (including eBay, PetSmart, Target, J. Crew and more). The retailer then donates a designated portion of the purchase (averaging about 3 percent) to your group.

How do you add your society to the potential beneficiaries? If the group is a registered nonprofit, you can submit it for participation. The approval process takes a couple of days.

GoodShop has a search engine called GoodSearch that works similarly: A Web surfer selects a charity and then does a search (powered by Yahoo!), and the charity gets a small donation from advertisers on GoodSearch.

I counted at least 15 genealogical societies already on the GoodShop/GoodSearch list. See if your society is one of them here.

Mark Your Calendar: Upcoming Genealogy Classes

Diane — Wed, 09 Apr 2008 14:35:43 GMT

What some people call "spring" and "summer," genealogists refer to as "conference season." Po-tay-to, po-tah-to.

Head over to our self-serve events calendar and add your society’s annual meeting, your library's workshop, your family history cruise or other genealogy-related event. (If you need 'em, posting instructions are on the Forum.)

Whether your family history travels take you across town or across the country, use our online research trip packing list to make sure you don’t forget anything. Here are just a few of the upcoming genealogical goings-on:

The National Archives and Records Administration in Washington, DC, hosts a free, day-long genealogy fair April 23. Sessions cover Civil War pensions, Freedmen’s Bureau records, WWI draft registrations and more, and you'll get to see the Archival Research Catalog and Access to Archival Databases (with its recently added immigration records) in action.

The National Genealogical Society annual conference is in Kansas City, Mo., May 14-17. Classes run the gamut from general genealogy topics to research in Midwestern locales. Members can register for $210 and nonmembers for $245, or attend a single day for $100.

Besides going to classes at the Southern California Genealogy Jamboree, June 27-29 in Burbank, Calif., you can attend a genealogy blogger summit, sit in on ethnic research roundtables or access several genealogy databases free in the TechZone. If you’re a Southern California Genealogical Society member, you can register for $65; nonmembers pay $80. Day rates also are available.

July 16 at 10 am, the New England Historic and Genealogical Society offers a free presentation on preserving your family's records at its Boston headquarters. See the group's lectures calendar for more free learning opportunities.

The Federation of Eastern European Family History Societies (FEEFHS) holds is annual shindig in Aug. 1-3 in Pittsburgh. It features keynote speaker Stephen P. Morse (legendary creator of the One-Step Web Pages) and plenty of other presentations. Registration costs $120 for FEEFHS members or $150 for non-members, or attend a day for $90.

Swing down to Philadelphia Sept. 3-6 for the Federation of Genealogical Societies conference. Hear about regional topics such as Colonial and Mennonite research, as well as broader subjects including tracing women and finding wills. Register for the whole shebang for $175, or a day for $95.

Web Updates on Geni, NEHGS

Diane — Tue, 08 Jan 2008 13:14:30 GMT

We got some updates on a couple of genealogy Web sites this week:

The free family networking site Geni has added two features for members. Now you can create a visual history of events in your life by setting up a timeline. Each timeline event, in turn, has its own page, where you can add more information, photos, attendees’ names and comments.

And a new family news page lets you track the latest goings-on in your family—additions to the family tree, birthdays, photos, discussions and more. All your family members’ new events are automatically included on the news page unless the member opts to keep something private. Or, relatives can post directly to the news page.

You can see what these features look like by visiting Geni’s blog.

The New England Historic Genealogical Society (NEHGS) ended 2007 with another 3.2 million-plus names in its online databases, thanks in part to more than 100 volunteers who help scan and digitize the paper collections in the society's Boston library.

New databases include Massachusetts Vital Records to 1850 (and a project to add record images is halfway complete), early New York probate records, Connecticut vital records, Massachusetts census records (1855-1865), and New York calendar of wills (1636-1826).

NEHGS marketing director Tom Champoux says in 2008 you can look for significantly more records from Connecticut, New York, New Hampshire and Maine.

A Happy Holiday Field Trip

Allison — Mon, 10 Dec 2007 23:19:15 GMT

Few aspects of our Family Tree Magazine editor jobs are as enjoyable as getting out into the genealogical community and meeting the readers of the magazine—particularly our friends at the Anderson (Ohio) Senior Center Genealogy Group.

The group’s fearless leader, Bill Warden, invited our staff to speak to the group at Christmastime in 2004. Thus began our now-traditional “Editors and Cookies” visit each December, wherein the group members bring their favorite cookies to share, including some from heirloom recipes. (Yum!)

So we were delighted to learn that Bill brought take-out boxes to today’s session so we could bring some back to the office! Check out the spread:

But the cookies weren’t the best part of our visit. Far better is the opportunity to interact with people who are passionate about family history—and in many cases, Family Tree Magazine. It’s truly gratifying to hear how the work we do every day helps people, and to know that we make their hobby more enjoyable.

I think everyone had fun today taking the genealogy personality quiz that will appear in our March 2008 issue. Here is everyone concentrating on selecting their answers…

Although we can’t visit every genealogy group personally, of course, we’d love to hear what you like (or don’t like) about Family Tree Magazine. Post your feedback in our Talk to Us Forum.

Ancestry.com, NewEnglandAncestors.org Offer Joint Discount

Diane — Mon, 22 Oct 2007 17:39:17 GMT

The New England Historic Genealogical Society (NEHGS) and The Generations Network (TGN) are are tying up a loose end left over from the Federation of Genealogical Societies Conference in August.

The two organizations announced a partnership at the conference, but until now, didn’t say what their partnership meant for you.

Here’s the answer: You can join both TGN's Ancestry.com and NEHGS’ NewEnglandAncestors.org for a special annual price of $155.40, a savings of $75. ($155.40 is the regular price of Ancestry.com’s US Deluxe records collection.)

The price, which gets you access to Ancestry.com’s US records as well as NEHGS' vital, church, court and other New England records, is good until Dec. 31 and isn't open to those who already belong to both groups.

Additionally, members of Ancestry.com can join NEHGS for $60 (a $15 discount), and members of NEHGS can join Ancestry.com for $99.95.

Another part of the agreement: Ancestry.com databases will include indexes to NEHGS’ New England Historical and Genealogical Register from 1847 to 2002.

More New Stuff Spotted at FGS

Diane — Wed, 22 Aug 2007 20:07:03 GMT

We’ve blogged about Federation of Genealogical Societies conference news from FamilySearch, The Generations Network, RootsTelevision and us here at Family Tree Magazine. We also found these new products and services meant to make your genealogical life easier:

World Vital Records has partnered with the National Genealogical Society to provide society management services including member benefits (in the form of World Vital Records subscription discounts), membership renewal processing, online data hosting and a Web platform (on FamilyLink) for member communication.

Genlighten.com is a not-yet-available service that matches people who have well-defined research tasks that need doing (such as getting an obituary from library microfilm) with experienced—but not necessarily professional—researchers who'll complete them for a fee. Expect a launch by March 2008.

FacTree from The Genealogy Shop is a Windows utility for entering data into your genealogy software. The theory is, you type data into an online form that approximates the source document, and facTree puts the data in the right format and place in your software. You can try it free with the 1880 census; other facTree forms cost $3.50.

Ages-Online is a Web-based genealogy program you can access from any Internet-connected computer. It has features similar to traditional software and backs up your data nightly, though not all packages support multimedia files. Subscriptions range from $39.95 (Economy) to $109.95 (Deluxe) per year.

Several Web sites, such as Geni, Footnote, WeRelate and FamilyLink, have enhanced or added free social networking features that let you upload photos, post research information, build trees and collaborate with other researchers. Watch upcoming issues of Family Tree Magazine for more information on genealogy social networking.

New Genealogy Society Fundraiser Announced

Allison — Thu, 16 Aug 2007 16:06:00 GMT

As the Federation of Genealogical Societies (FGS) conference kicked off yesterday, the society announced partnerships with several genealogy companies, including our own Family Tree Magazine.

These partnerships are designed to help FGS and its 500-plus member societies earn much-needed funds for programs, volunteer projects and other efforts to benefit and grow the genealogical community. When individual members of FGS societies purchase the partners’ products, those companies will donate a portion of the sales back to the societies.

Family Tree Magazine initiated the partnership program with FGS, and we’ve launched a Web site that makes it easy for member groups to participate in our fundraiser. Societies can go to HelpFGS.org and download a button to put on their Web sites. Then individual members can visit to society’s site to sign up for a $24 new subscription, and we’ll donate $6 of the proceeds to that member society and $6 to FGS.

Further information and FAQs are on the HelpFGS.org Web site.
Other partners include genealogy records Web sites Footnote and Ancestry.com, and Legacy Family Tree software.

Live from the FGS Conference

Allison — Wed, 15 Aug 2007 12:57:39 GMT

Family Tree Magazine staffers are at the Federation of Genealogical Societies conference in Fort Wayne, Ind., this week. During the conference, we’ll have the opportunity to tour the new Allen County Public Library facilities—featuring the largest public-library genealogy collection in the country—and catch up on the latest products, services and resources for genealogists. We’ll be sharing that news with you throughout the conference, so stay tuned to the Genealogy Insider blog for updates.

NYG&B Update: Member Voting Eliminated

Diane — Mon, 23 Jul 2007 13:31:24 GMT

At the New York Genealogical & Biographical Society’s (NYG&B) July 19 meeting, a proposal to change the bylaws to eliminate member voting passed. The tally was 1,401 in favor to 227 opposed.

Decision-making authority now rests with the nonprofit’s 15-member board of trustees. Read our coverage of the controversial proposal and NYG&B chairman Waddell Stillman’s comments.

We’ve heard (but haven’t confirmed) that several members may file a class action lawsuit and/or ask the New York attorney general to investigate the vote, based on member assertions they didn’t receive proxy ballots in the mail.

The contentious meeting (read an eyewitness account from attendee and proposal opponent Dick Hillenbrand) shed no light on the board’s plans for the society’s library and other assets. A synogogue recently purchased the NYG&B headquarters and will lease space to the society for two years.

NYG&B Chairman Comments on Controversy

Diane — Mon, 16 Jul 2007 20:09:11 GMT

After speaking with New York Genealogical & Biographical Society (NYG&B) board chairman Waddell Stillman, I’m updating Friday’s coverage of the controversial proposal to eliminate member voting.

The proposal is a response to members’ attempts to stop the sale of the society’s headquarters building (finalized in March), but Stillman says it’s not retaliation. “We’re updating our form of governance so the society isn’t exposed to a repeat of the loss of funds. If we stood by and ignored the six-figure loss we incurred, we’d be shirking our duties as fiduciaries.”

NYG&B trustees say “a handful” of members delayed the sale, causing a loss of investment income based on the $24 million sale price.

If passed, the proposal will do away with proxy voting system, which Stillman says New York State laws require. (The society must mail ballots to members, who can send back their votes, cast votes at a meeting, or designate meeting attendees to vote on their behalf.) If the proposal passes, the board would appoint new officers rather than hold elections.

Before issuing the proposal, NYGB’s board surveyed other non-profit organizations and consulted with the New England Historic Genealogical Society (NEHGS), whose members passed a similar measure—after a similar debate—several years ago. NEHGS has an advisory board in addition to its board of directors. “I wouldn’t know what our board would say about adopting that structure, because we didn’t fully consider it,” says Stillman.

He says NYG&B members will still have access to the group’s services and online resources, though he doesn’t yet know what the society will do with its research collections and financial assets. (The board has two years from the building sale date to move.) “After we take care of housekeeping matters and governance … we will face those huge questions and we’ll benefit from all the debate.”

That debate won’t lead to reduced membership, he predicts. “I think people will act in their self-interest and then continue to enjoy the benefits of membership.”

Stillman also posted to Eastman's Online Genealogy Newsletter blog—visit to read his and others' comments.

NYG&B Controversy: Members Decry Voting Proposal

Diane — Fri, 13 Jul 2007 20:46:12 GMT

A simmering dispute within the New York Genealogical & Biographical Society (NYG&B) has risen to a boil as the society’s 5,000 members consider a proposal from the Board of Directors to divest themselves of voting privileges.

The dispute began in September 2006, when the board voted to sell the society’s 58th Street headquarters in New York City. In a letter to members, chairman Henry C.B. Lindh cited a shortage of funds for crucial building upgrades, and said that a sale would let the organization focus on the "research and education that are the core of [its] mission."

Members voted to approve the sale at an Oct. 12 meeting, and beforehand by proxy. The society hasn’t announced its new home, but is permitted to remain in the building for two years

In January, at least one member suggested, in a note on Eastman’s Online Genealogy Newsletter blog, that a mail merge glitch may have prevented some members from receiving proxy vote letters. President William C. Johns sent a response denying a problem occurred and calling the e-mail “a fishing expedition attempting to identify any reason to delay or thwart the approved transaction.” (Johns hasn’t yet responded to voice mail messages left today.)

Members launched an e-mail campaign to protest the sale before the New York Supreme Court approval hearing, but the Hampton Synagogue's $24 million purchase of the building was finalized.

In June, the NYG&B sent members and proxy voting materials and a letter about the proposal to remove their voting privileges and leave decision-making power with the 15-member board of directors. (The New England Historic Genealogical Society operates in a similar way, but it has both a board of directors and a larger advisory board.)

In the letter, board chairman Waddell W. Stillman said passing the proposal would streamline the society’s operations and allow faster response to challenges and opportunities. About the NYG&B building sale, he added, “A handful of members, acting to thwart the unanimous vote of the board of trustees and overwhelming vote of the membership, delayed the sale for months. The NY State Supreme Court felt obligated to hear these few dissenters out, long after the NY State Attorney General had endorsed the sale, because our governance system gives each individual member legal standing to object to a proposed action.”

The full proposal was available by request and on the NYG&B Web site members-only section.

That’s when members’ e-mails and message board postings really began to fly, all encouraging members to vote down the proposal. (Supporters of the measure have been quiet.) Some examples we found:

Their messages express concern over the directors’ intentions for the society’s assets, which now include $24 million in addition to the library, online resources, and publications and education programs.

In-person voting on the proposal will take place at a July 19 meeting at the NYG&B headquarters. We’ll keep you updated.