Thursday, October 19, 2017

FREE Webinar - Directories

Today & archived - so FREE for when you have time, but you must register. City & Rural Directories: more than just names. https://www.americanancestors.org/education/online-classes


Cheers,
Pat

Sunday, October 15, 2017

Happy Bday 174 Years Ago

Just filling in some forms and discovered that my Dad's maternal grandfather, William MUIR was born on this day, 15 Oct 1843 ... 174 years ago. My Dad's maternal family all lived in Ayrshire Scotland, mostly in Kilwinning for at least four hundred years. I was lucky enough to visit there in 2007 - ten years ago. Hmmmmm always interesting to take note of dates, and how often specific dates repeat throughout family members.

Now I just noticed that the grandmother [WYLIE, marion] of my paternal grandnother [MUIR, margaret] was born 10 Oct. 1818 in Dalry Ayrshire Scotland. 199 years and 5 days ago. Oh no!! Help!!! Toooo many shiny things are dragging me down the rabbit hole!!! hahaha THIS is how easily I can get distracted. sigh Still, I'm glad I noticed. haha

Now back to work Patricia.


Cheers,
Pat

Ireland - night of the Big Wind 1839

With Ireland in the direct path of hurricane Ophelia, it seemed a good time to have a good look at what happened during the Big Wind of 1839 - January 6th to be exact. It was NOT good! Let's hope they fare better in 2017. https://irishweatheronline.wordpress.com/climate-of-ireland/historic-weather-events/night-of-the-big-wind/

It so happens that my grandfather's grandparents got married 01 Sept. 1838, so they would have just had their four month anniversary when this storm hit. Being able to put our ancestors into historical events make them so much more real.




Cheers,
Pat

For KIDS!!!

Finally a good program to get kids interested in their own genealogy ... through science!! And their own DNA. https://www.pbslearningmedia.org/resource/19309f17-3d3f-4e9f-bd9a-f59b062131d4/finding-your-roots-the-seedlings-episode-1/#.WeOSWltSx0w


Cheers,
Pat

Ordering BMDs For England & Wales

Source: Source:http://www.whodoyouthinkyouaremagazine.com/news/gro-launches-new-pilot-pdf-birth-and-death-records

Researchers can order birth and death for £6 each for the next three months

Ordering digital copies of certificates is cheaper than ordering print ones

The General Register Office (GRO) is again piloting a scheme where researchers can order birth and death records as a PDF.

From today (12 October), the digital records will be available to order via the GRO website for £6 each for a period of three months.

The PDF scheme provides a cheaper alternative to ordering print certificates, which cost £9.25 each or £23.40 for priority certificates.

Sarah Williams, editor of Who Do You Think You Are? Magazine said, "This new pilot will be welcomed by family historians who will now be able to find out crucial details about births and deaths at a much more affordable price".

GRO, which has run three previous pilot PDF schemes, said the scheme would run for a minimum of three months to allow it to “assess the demand for this service over a prolonged period”.

The scheme applies to birth certificates from 1837 to 1916 and death certificates from 1837 to 1957.


GRO [General Register Office] https://www.gro.gov.uk/gro/content/certificates/default.asp?utm_content=buffer33170&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter.com&utm_campaign=buffer


GRO Official Information on BMDs https://www.gro.gov.uk/gro/content/certificates/PDF_most_customers_want_to_know.asp#PDF17
So to understand how exactly to use this pilot program and order digitized copies, read through this section.

Also, be an informed consumer/reseacher https://www.gro.gov.uk/gro/content/certificates/most_customers_want_to_know.asp#OrderingCertificates


Cheers,
Pat

Saturday, October 14, 2017

History Ireland Magazine

This looks like a really interesting magazine. Periodically I get articles from them, but I don't know why, as I have a membership, and I am unable to share the articles here. Hmmmmm Can you tell I'm about to begin immersing myself BACK deeply into Irish research? haha I just joined the Irish Genealogical Research Society yesterday so am quite excited. Anyone else have a membership, or experience, with this group? Reply below or shoot me an email please pryan@sasktel.net

Or if anyone subcribes to this magazine I'd also be interested in hearing your thoughts please. http://www.historyireland.com/



Cheers,
Pat

Tips for Using GEDmatch

This is for those who have already had their DNA tested, or are thinking about it. I haven't had the opportunity to delve in deeply to her tips, but will certainly do so asap. http://www.genie1.com.au/blog/78-tips-for-using-gedmatch


Remember there is a 'search box' on my blog page that you are welcome to use. You just need to match some 'word' or term that I used and the search will locate anything I've blogged about. It's how I find things 'cause Lord knows I don't remember what month, or year, I may have talked about any particular subject.


Cheers,
Pat

Irish Genealogy Toolkit

Claire Santry is one of my most respected Irish researchers, and Claire runs the Irish Genealogy Toolkit website at http://www.irish-genealogy-toolkit.com/

She also has a new book out, really reasonably priced, and her website is just chock-a-block full of wonderful FREE advice! I've never met this lady. Maybe one day. But I certainly appreciate all the hard work she does for Irish researchers. Thank you Claire.


Cheers,
Pat

11 Ordinary ThingsWomen Weren't Allowed To Do

Ohhhhh myyyyy ... I sadly remember every one of these things women weren't allowed to do! We all work from our own perspectives, so it's pretty amazing how much the World has changed in just this short time - within our lifetimes AND we're all still young. Right? LOL I believe this list in from the USA, but not a lot different in Canada I suspect, although I know I had a bank account in the 60s. No memory of anyone having to sign for me ... although that might have happened. Anyway, enjoy this little stroll down the 'good ole days'? https://www.littlethings.com/things-women-couldnt-do-50s/

I LOVE adding things like this to my family history stories. Something everyone can relate to.


Cheers,
Pat

Monday, October 9, 2017

Scottish Paternity Cases and a Lesson

There is a larger site here, so be sure to look around. What I mainly wanted to share today is the Index created for Scottish Paternity cases. Usually I just point you in the right direction, share a web link, and send you on your way as I save my real 'teaching' for my classroom students and my conference attendees. Today I wanted to share a very large hint that soooo many are missing. I have no idea HOW it's being missed, but I kow it is so ....

When you are about to begin searching within a database, start thinking of all the ways you can force that database to give you answers. One example is to stop thinking of only entering names. For instance, in searhing the Paternity Cases in Sheriff Court Records officially entitled 'Actions of Affilitation and Aliment' ... try inputting just one detail. One. Only one. So for my example I did NOT enter any names. No ocupation. No birth year info. No birth location info [no parish, co county, no country]. No event year info. No address info. No father. No mother. No husband. No wife.

All I entered was the name of the town I knew my ancestors lived in. That's it! One word.

Results? I found the birth to my great grandmother of her first child. An illigitimate child. The year of that childs birth. AND ... the name of the father, his occupation, and his address! WOW!! I also discovered one of my grandfather's brothers who (ashamedly) manged to impregnate two women within the same year - I know it's him because his name, occupation, and address were all listed. This is the only record I have ever come across for this man - and I had played with the idea that he maybe went to Australia. He may very well have, and these records could be the reason why! Who knows, but it's a clue.

So my friends. READ, READ, READ so you understand what this website is all about. And then THINK - how you can YOU force that database to give you answers. There are always LOTS of ways. That's my present. haha

Happy Thanksgiving and Happy Searching. http://www.scottishindexes.co.uk/default.aspx


Cheers,
Pat

Polish Research

UPDATE: The link below does not seem to be working as of today 05 Nov. 2011. Google has saved a screen shot from yesterday which is http://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:http://www.kartenmeister.com/&gws_rd=cr&dcr=0&ei=CoX_WanSEoKSjwOVrYy4CQ

Thanks to Susan K. for altering me of the broken link. If anyone can help in sorting this out, please contact me and I'll fix it.


Thanks so much to Hans-Henning MUENDEL for pointing me to this amazing website developed by Uwe KRICKHAHN of Medicine Hat Alberta. I first met Mr. Muendel at Lethbridge Alberta where I was speaking over two days in June, and then he appeared again [yahoo] in Kelowna BC where I spoke in Sept. I always appreciate when folks share with me, and I in turn can share with my readers so thanks to you all. Here is the website http://www.kartenmeister.com/preview/databaseuwe.asp Happy Searching!


Cheers,
Pat

Colonial Approaches to Land Ownership

A very interesting look at how land became a comodity in North America AND how differntly Britain, France, and Spain colonized the New World. Thanks to Dave Obee for pointing me to this article http://www.canadashistory.ca/Explore/Settlement-Immigration/Colonial-Approaches-to-Land-Ownership

I'll be starting a new course beginning 17th October that will deal with land records created in Canada and the USA. Full details below:

FREE LAND
Western Canada was primarily settled by homesteaders. Most were recent immigrants, and few had any farming experience. Many 'town' folks also homesteaded, to make ends meet. It is therefore, very normal to find homesteaders also included teachers, doctors, lawyers, ministers, and business owners/shop keepers within the term 'homesteaders'.

A file was created about each piece of land - not organized by personal names - so you need to learn how to locate and read legal land descriptions, using a special map that you'll each get to keep. There is a wealth of information within each file regarding the person(s) who farmed that piece of land. We have found details such as former residences, important dates, the size and cost of buildings, livestock, family details, signatures, personal correspondence, and even birth/marriage/death and divorce papers.

The fortunate students enrolled in this course will learn how to use the Internet to locate land details across Canada, and will also spend the last two classes doing hands-on research AT the Provincial Archives of Saskatchewan in Regina ... with your instructor there to assist you every step of the way!

These students will also be treated to a private tour of the Archives 'hidden' records - those precious records that are only accessed through normally locked doors/drawers/cabinets!! An archive is very different from a library. In a library we browse the shelves looking at the books. A library is meant to disseminate information. An archive holds original materials - often one of a kind, available only in that one archive. An archives records are mostly held in the stacks, behind closed and locked doors. You need to fill out their forms properly, and then an archivist will go through those locked doors to retrieve what you have asked for. BUT how do you know what to ask for if you can't just browse the shelves? THAT is part of what this course will teach you.

What kinds of records might you find there? Things like local histories, Canadian censuses, biographies, provincial newspapers, fur trade, Metis, immigration, ships passenger lists, provincial settlement, rural life, urban life, economics, government, politics, court records, maps, architectural drawings, private records, border crossing, fire insurance, police, certain indexes to births, marriages, deaths etc. etc as well as audio/video and a huge collection of historical photographs. This is an opportunity not to be missed. Extensive computer use. Class size is limited to ensure I have the time to work with each person. Prior completion of Unpuzzling Your Past is strongly recommended as you will need all the skills learned in that course. Email pryan@sasktel.net if you have additional questions or to register if you miss Registration night. Pat Ryan

BTW, this course always fills very fast!

REGINA Classes
Tue, Oct. 17 7 - 9pm Arcola East Community Centre classroom session
Tue, Oct. 18 receive your emailed lessons (no classroom session)
Tue, Oct. 24 Sask. Archives, 3303 Hillsdale St, Regina 9:00am - noonish
Tue, Oct. 31 Sask. Archives, 3303 Hillsdale St, Regina 9:00am - noonish
COST: $200.00


Cheers,
Pat

Poverty in Austrian Galicia

Anyone researching the Austro Hungarian Empire, and Poland should read this https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Poverty_in_Austrian_Galicia


Cheers,
Pat

When Your Original Record Isn't an Original Record

This is a good article from our friends over at Legacy http://news.legacyfamilytree.com/


Cheers,
Pat

Friday, October 6, 2017

Ukraine

This is an interesting site http://euromaidanpress.com/?s=ukrainian+mosaic , although I've just found it courtesy of the East European Genealogicafl Society. We have two photos - copies appear in many of my husbands family members photobooks - so the people are probably family, but no one knows who they are, or where they were taken. I'm always looking for pictures of historical Ukrainian clothing, hoping for clues. This is why I am looking at this site. If you scroll down their page a bit to Ukrainian Mosaic: fice unique ethnic groups you will see what caught my interest. Hope this helps some of my Ukrainian researchers. OH, and if anyone has any hints to share regarding the two photos I've included, I would be so very grateful.




Cheers,
Pat

England Research

Any interested in researching in England's records needs to have a look around this site http://parishregister.net/history.htm

Anyone just beginning - may I remind you to always poke around inside any website of interest. For instance, look the left on the above site, click away, read, learn.


Cheers,
Pat

Genealogy Bargains & Free Stuff

Thanks to Thomas MacEntee for gathering together the many genealogy bargains offered on his site. Have a look for yourself http://www.genealogybargains.com/

If you scroll down a bit you'll find another FREE ebook offer - 52 weeks of genealogy - projects for every week of the year.


Cheers,
Pat

Thursday, October 5, 2017

FREE Webinars Friday 06 Oct.

I know I told you guys about the FREE webinars before, BUT this is a reminder - there are 6 offered FREE & LIVE tomorrow, Friday Oct. 6th. Read. Register. Learn. https://familytreewebinars.com/


Cheers,
Pat

The Dead No Longer Entitled to Secrets.

As always, our Irish friend John Grenham, has a unique way to look at genealogy! haha He is Irish, but this article could apply to all nationalities. https://www.johngrenham.com/blog/2017/10/03/the-dead-are-no-longer-entitled-to-secrets/


Cheers,
Pat

Wednesday, October 4, 2017

Finding Your Roots TV

Apparently the following link does not work for those of us for sure in Regina area - don't know where else. One of the 'joys' of living here, BUT just do a search on your TV as I've found it rebroadcast several times. No point in me telling you where though as I've got Bell Satellite so you'll just need to search. Come on! You're genealogy researchers, aren't you????? Lol

I watched this first episode last night on my PVR after my class. I thought it was one of the best I've seen, but then who doesn't love Larry David? haha Anyway if you missed it, and can't find it as a repeat on your TV, you can watch and listen, online, FREE here http://www.pbs.org/show/finding-your-roots/


Cheers,
Pat

Tuesday, October 3, 2017

How Fixed was That Last Name?

Thanks to Michael John NEILL for this - raesons a surname may have changed http://genealogytipoftheday.com/index.php/2017/10/02/how-fixed-was-that-last-name/


Cheers,
Pat

Poland, Radom RC Church Books, 1587 - 1966

https://www.familysearch.org/search/collection/1407440?collectionNameFilter=false

Thanks as always to the LDS Church and familysearch.org


Cheers,
Pat

British Home Children

It's like they never existed!!!! If you know nothing about this, read here http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/british-home-children-farms-abuse-1.4314384

If you want to research them https://www.bac-lac.gc.ca/eng/discover/immigration/immigration-records/home-children-1869-1930/Pages/home-children.aspx

If you are a serious researcher, read it all, and learn.


Cheers,
Pat

Brits Horrified by the Great Hunger

So many people talk about the Irish Famine of the mid 1800s. That would indicate the lack of food in Ireland. That was NOT the case!! Read about what really happened!! https://www.irishcentral.com/culture/entertainment/british-horrified-by-brutal-irish-famine-episode-of-victoria-drama


Cheers,
Pat

FamilySearch New Web Tool

Read all about it and how YOU can help http://media.familysearch.org/familysearchs-new-web-tool-makes-ancestry-records-easier-to-find/


Cheers,
Pat