My Top 2015 Genealogical Finds

As 2015 comes to an end, I like to look back and enjoy revisiting my big genealogical discoveries and events for the year.  Here are my top six:

6. I spent many hours using https://www.wiewaswie.nl/en/search/, the awesome archival website from the Netherlands to fill in information on my Dutch ancestors going back to the 1700’s. This includes many BMD’s I’d been missing for the Knudde and Verbeke (Verbeck) families.  Unlike 1996 when I ordered dozens of films from the Church of Latter Day Saints for information, it is now nicely indexed from all over the country.

5.  Likewise, I found the Geneseo Public Library, in Henry County, Illinois has the Henry County local newspapers 1836-now available online at http://geneseo.advantage-preservation.com/.  Love OCR! I spent many hours finding obits, and stories that would otherwise have been lost in time.

4. One of my genealogical goals is to present outside the local area. Last winter, the well-known and popular Florida State Genealogical Society asked me to present my “Overseas Genealogy” class as a webinar.  Information about giving and finding webinars is here: http://seedstotree.blogspot.com/2015/03/my-first-webinar-im-presenter-you-can.html  Also, about 10 years ago, my brother-in-law suggested teaching a class at the elegant Chautauqua Institution in New York.  I nervously applied for their summer 2015 program and taught a one week genealogy class there.  So one goal, two successes!  Yeah! Both were a thrill!

3.  While researching Rice Dunbar (b. 1802), the leader of a Oregon Trail wagon train, I found troubling information about his nephew, my 3x gr-uncle Rice O. Dunbar (b 1848), who served time in a Texas prison for a felony.  The courthouse in Fannin County, Texas sent me a copy 1875 trial transcript!  The three part story starts here:  http://seedstotree.blogspot.com/2015/10/rice-dunbar-familys-black-sheep-part-1.html

2.  For 18 years, I looked for the parents and siblings of my 3^nd gr-grandfather Hiram R. Dunbar (1804 KY-1880 KS). A sharp eyed genealogical friend, and a single article at http://www.genealogybank.com/ broke down that brick wall.  I’m still doing the happy dance.  You can read about it here: http://seedstotree.blogspot.com/2015/01/ater-18-years-hiram-dunbars-father-has.html

1.  The birth of my fourth grandchild, and third grandson.  In my eyes, the best genealogical event of 2016.

What strikes me is that there is such a variety of sources, websites, and just plain luck involved in finding new genealogy gem.  You never know what you are going to find next.  Isn’t that what makes it all so exciting?

As an additional review of 2015, my readers may be interested in my most read blogs.  Here are the links:

4.  George Smarsty (1896-1980) – Was Grandpa a High School Dropout? http://seedstotree.blogspot.com/2015/03/george-smarsty-1896-1980-was-grandpa.html

3.  After 18 Years, Hiram Dunbar’s Father has been Found

http://seedstotree.blogspot.com/2015/01/ater-18-years-hiram-dunbars-father-has.html

2.  Reflections of a Grandmother

http://seedstotree.blogspot.com/2015/08/reflections-of-grandmother.html

(Drum Roll)

My most read blog in 2015 is:

Crowd Control and Genealogy – What Would you Do?
http://seedstotree.blogspot.com/2015/06/crowd-control-and-genealogy-what-would.html

Thank you to all of my readers for a great 2015, and I look forward to the unexpected discoveries in 2016.

My Memorable Monthly Mentions (AKA My Favorite Blogs this Month)

I admit, I love reading genealogy blogs...daily. AND...I keep a list of my favorites. Each month, I am happy to share these with you. I call them my monthly mentions. I hope you enjoy them too. Blogs I've liked in the past month are:

 

Using familysearch’s wiki: http://worldwidegenealogy.blogspot.com/2015/12/record-selection-tables-at-familysearch.html

Julie Tarr is retiring her popular Friday Finds, but tells us how to find our own information: http://genealogy.julietarr.com/blog/reevaluating-life-why-friday-finds-series-will-be-discontinued-beginning-january-1/

The power of information only at a local library: http://theindepthgenealogist.com/getting-local-at-the-library/

Good simple advice on applying to a lineage society: http://www.amyjohnsoncrow.com/2015/06/24/5-things-to-do-when-applying-to-a-lineage-society/

A nice side trip to the FHL in Salt Lake City: http://onwresearch.thinkinggenealogically.com/2015/12/december-in-fhl.html

This gave me the giggles, but there’s some truth to this letter to a gr-grandchild: http://rootsbid.com/blog/open-letter-to-my-great-grandchild/

Are family histories at archives – yes: http://agenealogistinthearchives.blogspot.ca/2015/12/are-family-histories-in-archives-you.html

Information on features of using various social media: http://theindepthgenealogist.com/the-ins-and-outs-of-social-media-for-genealogists/

Too late for this holiday, but great gift ideas: http://organizeyourfamilyhistory.com/clutter-free-gifts-for-the-genealogists-on-your-list/

E-gift ideas: http://www.insidetoronto.com/news-story/6192964-toronto-roots-top-10-gifts-for-the-family-historian-on-your-christmas-list/

Looking to 2016, a list of free webinars: http://www.geneamusings.com/2015/12/tuesdays-tip-year-of-genealogy.html

 

My Memorable Monthly Mentions (AKA My Favorite Blogs)

I admit, I love reading genealogy blogs...daily. AND...I keep a list of my favorites. Each month, I am happy to share these with you. I call them my monthly mentions. I hope you enjoy them too. Blogs I've liked in the past month are:

Fun quiz about how much you know about genealogy: http://familyhistorydaily.com/genealogy-help-and-how-to/whats-your-genealogy-know-how-score-find-out-with-our-fun-quiz/

Photos of immigrants wearing their native clothes in the early years of Ellis Island:  https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/wonkblog/wp/2015/10/24/what-americas-immigrants-looked-like-when-they-arrived-on-ellis-island/?postshare=8711445706882243

Do you wonder if there are railroad pension records for your ancestor?  You can check an index for free by scrolling to the US Railroad Retirement Board under collections: http://quicklook.midwestgenealogycenter.org/

This couple took a photo of themselves every Christmas 1900-1942.  See how they and their circumstances changed: http://historydaily.org/richard-and-anna-wagner-christmas-portraits/

Three types of genealogy databases explained (finally!): http://www.geneamusings.com/2015/11/dear-randy-why-buy-genealogy-software.html
Remarks on being the family historians – pros and cons: http://www.whoisnickasmith.com/genealogy/dear-family-historian/

Funny article about the new ancestry.com: http://www.cluewagon.com/2015/11/14-reasons-the-new-ancestry-is-the-worst-thing-since-unsliced-bread/

Hints on using google to find information more efficiently: http://familyhistorydaily.com/genealogy-help-and-how-to/6-secret-google-search-tricks-for-genealogy-thatll-help-you-find-your-ancestors/

A comparison of different photo editing programs.  Some are free: http://rootsbid.com/blog/6-options-for-bringing-old-photos-back-to-life/

Instructions for using google alert: http://www.familytree.com/blog/how-google-alerts-can-help-genealogists/

My Memorable Monthly Mentions (AKA My Favorite Blogs)

I admit, I love reading genealogy blogs...daily. AND...I keep a list of my favorites. Each month, I am happy to share these with you. I call them my monthly mentions. I hope you enjoy them too. Blogs I've liked in the past month are:

 

An answer for questions you have about Dutch genealogy (and more)  http://www.dutchgenealogy.nl/dutch-genealogy-webinar-questions-about-records/

Why it is difficult to let go of our possessions: https://estatelady.wordpress.com/2015/10/08/letting-go-of-our-possessions-is-hard/

Fourteen fast genealogy tasks – do one on your lunch hour: http://familytreemagazine.com/article/lunch-hour-genealogy

A grandfather, a violinist who died on the Titanic, had a big secret.  Interesting story and how the grandson found it: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3237565/How-discovered-guilty-secret-Titanic-violinist-grandfather-CHRISTOPHER-WARD-explains-bargained-uncovered-story-doomed-relative.html

Just in time for the holidays – easy genealogy DYI gifts: http://familytreemagazine.com/article/family-history-DIY-projects

Recently 567 databases suddenly disappeared from ancestry.com.  This explains why: http://www.geneamusings.com/2015/10/where-did-567-databases-n-ancestrycom.html

Easy to follow instructions to find overseas records available on familysearch.org: http://rejoiceandbeexceedingglad.blogspot.com/2015/10/putting-historical-record-collections.html

Top nine heirlooms that people save: http://blog.myheritage.com/2015/09/top-9-family-heirlooms/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+MyheritageBlog+%28MyHeritage+Blog%29

Books to include in your genealogical library: http://emptybranchesonthefamilytree.com/2015/10/building-a-genealogy-reference-library-updated/

Donating your personal papers?  Read this, including the links: http://upfront.ngsgenealogy.org/2015/10/before-you-donate-your-genealogy.html

 

My Memorable Monthly Mentions (AKA My Favorite Blogs)

I admit, I love reading genealogy blogs...daily. AND...I keep a list of my favorites. Each month, I am happy to share these with you. I call them my monthly mentions. I hope you enjoy them too. Blogs I've liked in the past month are;

Why start a blog? Here are seven reasons and at the end, links to more blog information:

http://lisalouisecooke.com/2015/08/5-reasons-you-should-start-a-family-history-blog/

Dutch records online (and free): http://www.dutchgenealogy.nl/where-to-find-dutch-genealogy-records-online/

Ancestry.com job listings help predict their future growth areas.  Are you interested in a job? http://www.ancestryinsider.org/2015/08/ancestrycom-hiring-shows-future-plans.html

Joshua Taylor explains how he time-manages his genealogy projects: http://organizeyourfamilyhistory.com/time-management-wisdom-from-joshua-taylor/

I want to create this chart to know my annual progress: http://www.thegeneticgenealogist.com/2015/08/11/how-much-of-your-family-tree-do-you-know-and-why-does-that-matter/

OCR and small town newspapers are wonderful for genealogy: http://www.insidetoronto.com/news-story/5797160-genealogy-with-janice-small-town-newspapers-are-a-boon-for-family-historian/;send

Randy Seaver helps you find records which are not online: http://www.geneamusings.com/2015/08/how-can-i-find-what-paper-or-microform.html

Two sets of identical twins switched at a hospital and raised as fraternal twins found each other by a stroke of luck: http://www.nytimes.com/2015/07/12/magazine/the-mixed-up-brothers-of-bogota.html?_r=0

How finding records in various areas of the United States compare: http://onwresearch.thinkinggenealogically.com/2015/08/comparing-challenge.html

Heirlooms, will the next generation see the value?: http://cognoscenti.wbur.org/2015/08/14/heirlooms-in-a-digital-age-jan-doerr

Cool map idea: http://ancestoring.blogspot.com/2015/08/i-have-new-toy.html

Author lists her top ten documents.  What are yours? http://emptybranchesonthefamilytree.com/2015/08/top-ten-most-valuable-research-documents/

Lisa Louise Cook give ideas on better googling: http://lisalouisecooke.com/google-for-genealogy-google-keyword-search-tips/

Who owns the photo? Who can copy it?  http://www.legalgenealogist.com/blog/2015/08/20/the-limits-of-ownership/

 

My Memorable Monthly Mentions (AKA My Favorite Blogs this Month)

I admit, I love reading genealogy blogs...daily. AND...I keep a list of my favorites. Each month, I am happy to share my favorites with you. I'll be calling them my monthly mentions. I hope you enjoy them too. Blogs I've liked in the past month are;

Genealogy and Elitism – very interesting subject: http://www.amyjohnsoncrow.com/2015/06/11/genealogy-and-elitism/

Migration routes and early Virginia tax information: http://rootsbid.com/blog/found-yellow-brick-road-ancestors-used/

New genealogy books set to come out this fall.  There are some interesting ones listed: http://anglo-celtic-connections.blogspot.ca/2015/06/forthcoming-genealogy-books.html

A cool trick to find someone who is hiding in a census: http://blog.familytreemagazine.com/insider/2015/06/09/ACensusSearchTrickForHardtoFindAncestors.aspx

Links to many Michigan newspapers, most free, listed by county: http://libforms.cmich.edu/condor/newspaper_portal.php

Simple four part system that names and sorts your photos: http://blog.familytreemagazine.com/insider/2015/05/19/ASimpleFourPartSystemForNamingDigitalPhotoFiles.aspx

Great ideas on preserving items including wood items, paper and textiles: http://www.nationalww2museum.org/give/donate-an-artifact/preservation-of-artifacts.html

Can you guess a word that no genealogist wants to hear: http://afamilytapestry.blogspot.com/2015/06/the-most-hated-word-in-genealogists.html

Using Pinterest for genealogy: http://lisalisson.com/2015/06/25/pinterest-for-genealogists/

One of my favorite websites Cyndislist is celebrating a 20 year anniversary.  Read how it all started: http://cyndislist.blogspot.com/2015/06/it-all-began-20-years-ago.html

 Hope you enjoyed the long July holiday weekend and your summer!  In the meantime, here's to some great blogs.

My Memorable Monthly Mentions (AKA My Favorite Blogs this Month)

I admit, I love reading genealogy blogs...daily. AND...I keep a list of my favorites. Each month, I am happy to share my favorites with you. I'll be calling them my monthly mentions. I hope you enjoy them too. Blogs I've liked in the past month are:

13 Ways to Know You are a Genealogist: http://blog.myheritage.com/2015/05/13-ways-to-knowyoureagenealogist/utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+MyheritageBlog+%28MyHeritage+Blog%29

The Moment I Realized Family History is Awesome:  http://oneshetwoshe.com/2015/01/family-history-is-awesome.html

Free census for everyone: http://blog.mocavo.com/2015/05/u-s-federal-census-images-viewer-now-free-for-everyone

Great questions to ask and answer: http://www.lonetester.com/2015/05/the-when-i-was-young-geneameme-collection/

German mega-search engine: http://www.many-roads.com/2015/04/29/german-prussian-mega-search-engine/

Top 100 genealogy websites in a mega-search: http://www.many-roads.com/tips-opinions-pointers/top-100-genealogy-sites-mega-search-engines/

NEHGS information.  If you are planning a trip, links to tips from her visit at this wonderful library are at the end of the blog: http://www.thefamilycurator.com/home/2015/6/1/a-few-thoughts-a-new-leaf-on-the-nehgs-family-tree.html#.VXZJ3O_bKpo

Have you reviewed your research and found a mistake?  Even the pros do and here is one story: http://blog.familytreemagazine.com/insider/2015/06/02/ConfessingAGenealogyMistake.aspx

How fast our society is in comparison to the past.  This author writes of this well. http://theindepthgenealogist.com/getting-started-in-the-family-history-library-part-2/

Going to FHL in Salt Lake City is on my bucket list.  Here are some great tips on researching there.  (Why the link to part 2 ?  Because it has the link to part 1, but not the reverse. http://theindepthgenealogist.com/getting-started-in-the-family-history-library-part-2/

So many things are found at a courthouse.  Worth a visit. See what this author found: http://lisalisson.com/2015/06/04/suprising-information-found-court-order-books-index/

Enjoy your summer and these blogs!

My Memorable Monthly Mentions (AKA My Favorite Blogs this Month)

I admit, I love reading genealogy blogs...daily. AND...I keep a list of my favorites. Each month, I am happy to share my favorites with you. I'll be calling them my monthly mentions. I hope you enjoy them too. Blogs I've liked in the past month are:

Thomas MacEntee offers a list of free online resources.  Wow!  What a find!: http://www.geneabloggers.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/RESOURCE-Free-Online-Genealogy-Education-Resources.pdf

By including more information this blogger got the results she was looking for: http://researching-relatives.blogspot.com/2015/03/genealogy-research-requests.html

Looking for history in older books online?  Here is information about google books and archives.org that may be of interest http://blog.eogn.com/2015/03/28/google-books-reduces-its-digitizing-and-preservation-of-old-books-while-internet-archive-increases-its-efforts-at-the-same-thing/

A history of the different types of photography and how it can help you identify a photo:

http://crestleaf.com/blog/8-common-types-vintage-photos-help-identify-past/

Randy Seaver gives great information on a survey about various family tree databases, both online and software program we use to keep our information.  I was surprised by the results: http://www.geneamusings.com/2015/03/what-family-tree-program-do-you-use-for.html

A two part series titled: 11 Things I would do Differently and A Dozen Things I got Right.  What would be on your list?: http://dna-explained.com/2015/03/18/eleven-things-i-would-do-differently/ and http://dna-explained.com/2015/03/19/and-a-dozen-things-i-got-right/

Good advice for beginning genealogists: http://www.geneamusings.com/2015/03/advice-for-beginning-genealogists.html

 If you had one thing you would have done differently when you started researching, what would it have been?  Here’s some answers from other genealogists: http://www.thearmchairgenealogist.com/2015/03/if-i-had-to-start-again-this-is-what-i.html

Have you looked for a webpage to find that it’s no longer available?  Here’s one way to recover it: http://lisalouisecooke.com/2015/03/how-to-make-google-cache-pay-off-in-your-genealogy-research/

Lots of good tips on researching Russian and Ukrainian records:  https://lostrussianfamily.wordpress.com/2015/04/02/secrets-of-searching-the-internet-in-russian-and-ukrainian-like-a-native-speaker/

Immigrants come to ports other than New York.  Read about experiences in other cities: http://blogs.ancestry.com/ancestry/2015/04/06/destination-america-your-immigrant-ancestors-arrival-in-u-s-ports/?utm_

Why genealogy websites charge for their service: http://blog.eogn.com/2015/04/04/i-have-a-complaint-concerning-many-genealogists/

 Here’s what happens when you visit a small town where family lived, if you are lucky and willing to walk away from online only research. http://lisalisson.com/2015/03/26/genealogy-uplugged-getting-local-perspective/

 

My Memorable Monthly Mentions (AKA My Favorite Blogs this Month)

I admit, I love reading genealogy blogs...daily. AND...I keep a list of my favorites. Each month, I am happy to share my favorites with you. I'll be calling them my monthly mentions. I hope you enjoy them too. Blogs I've liked in the past month are:

Organization ideas – something everyone wants:  http://worldwidegenealogy.blogspot.com/2015/03/finding-your-desk-another-take-on.html.

I like this author’s methods of finding information using local organizations:  https://msualumni.wordpress.com/2015/03/06/are-you-using-genealogical-and-historical-societies-in-your-research/.

Randy Seaver’s Top 10 Educational Resources, and you’ll find more in the comments: http://www.geneamusings.com/2015/03/my-top-10-genealogy-education-resources.html.

Old Chicago maps starting in the 1830s until the 1920s. My favorite might be the 1926 map of the distribution of licensed automobile drivers:  http://lisalouisecooke.com/2015/02/old-maps-chicago-now-online/.

The Abraham Lincoln Museum and Library in Springfield, IL, has photos of Illinois Civil War soldiers here: http://cdm16447.contentdm.oclc.org/cdm/landingpage/collection/p15414coll1.

A new website for genealogical books: http://blog.eogn.com/2015/03/03/a-new-genealogy-website-went-online-today-genealogy-gophers/.

Protecting your genealogy from disasters: http://blogs.ancestry.com/ancestry/2015/03/11/plan-ahead-protect-your-genealogy-from-disaster.

How to use historical maps in your research:  http://blog.familytreemagazine.com/insider/2015/03/03/TipsForUsingTheFreeDavidRumseyHistoricalMapsWebsite.aspx.

Did you know you can purchase supporting documents from the DAR?  Here’s how: http://beginwithcraft.blogspot.com/2015/03/supporting-documents-dar-resource.html.

An 8-year-old from Australia researches her family for a history report in school. She has an ancestor convict and this is what she wrote – and remember she is only 8: https://tstclairhoney.wordpress.com/2015/02/25/overview-of-a-convicts-life-by-an-8-year-old/.

Do you have Germany ancestors?  Here are four lists of German genealogical resources part 1,2,3 and part 4.

http://ortburg.blogspot.com/2015/03/lost-in-homeland-part-1-researching.html

http://ortburg.blogspot.com/2015/03/lost-in-homeland-part-2-researching.html

http://ortburg.blogspot.com/2015/03/lost-in-homeland-part-3-researching.html

http://ortburg.blogspot.com/2015/03/lost-in-homeland-part-4-researching.html

Facebook genealogy ideas here: http://www.copperleafgenealogy.com/genealogy-on-facebook/.

And if you are looking for more, here is a place to find a list of over 4,000 (yikes!) Facebook links: http://socialmediagenealogy.com/genealogy-on-facebook-list/.

An interview with D. Joshua Taylor, rock star of genealogy: http://crestleaf.com/blog/breaking-genealogical-stereotypes-interview-d-joshua-taylor/.

After Ancestry purchased Heritage Quest, it was pretty much unchanged – until recently Here is a list of the changes: http://www.newberry.org/heritagequestonline-now-powered-ancestry.

  

My Memorable Monthly Mentions (AKA My Favorite Blogs this Month)

I admit, I love reading genealogy blogs...daily. AND...I keep a list of my favorites. Each month, I am happy to share my favorites with you. I'll be calling them my monthly mentions. I hope you enjoy them too. Blogs I've liked in the past month are:

This author is correct when she says that DNA is going to be a big topic in genealogy. Here are some great ideas when working with DNA: http://rootsrevealed.blogspot.com/2015/01/20-dos-and-donts-of-dna.html.

For a list of the top 100 Genealogical Websites for 2014: http://www.genealogyintime.com/articles/top-100-genealogy-websites-of-2015-page01.html.

Randy Seaver, author of Geneamusings, writes several blogs a DAY! He is so good. Here is a list of his favorites in 2014: http://www.geneamusings.com/2015/01/best-of-genea-musings-for-2014.html.

A Find a Grave story: http://youngandsavvygenealogists.blogspot.com/2015/01/does-this-couple-in-missouri-own-your.html.

Do you ever plan to visit the Netherlands? Here are some travel and genealogical research ideas: http://www.dutchgenealogy.nl/11-things-to-know-if-you-plan-a-trip-to-the-netherlands/.

Here is a DNA story with a very surprising twist:  https://strangepilgrimage.wordpress.com/2015/01/22/and-who-wouldve-thought-it-figures/.

Life before cellphones? Here are some interesting and funny thoughts:

http://stephenslighthouse.com/2015/02/20/friday-fun-20-questions-i-have-for-people-who-were-in-their-20s-before-cell-phones-internet-see-more-at-httpforevertwentysomethings-com2015012720-questions-i-have-for-people-who-were-in-t/.

 What start up company was the winner of the Innovator Showdown prize of $25,000 at Rootstech 2015? Find out here: http://genealogysstar.blogspot.com/2015/02/storyworth-winner-of-innovator-showdown.html.

Did you wish you could go to Rootstech 2015 and see the great presentations? Thank goodness (and Rootstech) for allowing us to see some of them online at: http://www.rootstech.org/video/4050134760001. And here is the link to the handouts in the syllabus: https://rootstech.org/About/syllabus?lang=eng.

My Memorable Monthly Mentions (AKA My Favorite Blogs this Month)

I admit, I love reading genealogy blogs...daily. AND...I keep a list of my favorites. Each month, I am happy to share my favorites with you. I'll be calling them my monthly mentions. I hope you enjoy them too. Blogs I've liked in the past month are:

A fascinating article on the history of 120 years of genealogy research by the Church of Latter Day Saints  https://familysearch.org/blog/en/120-years-pioneering-genealogy/

This author just turned in her portfolio needed to become a licensed genealogists.  She lists things she learned along the way.  https://carigenealogy.wordpress.com/2014/12/19/bcg-portfolio-madness/

Some genea-gift ideas that you create, in plenty of time for gift giving next holiday season; http://familytreemagazine.com/article/family-history-DIY-projects

Five lessons from the TV show, Who Do You Think You Are? http://www.dutchgenealogy.nl/five-lessons-we-can-learn-from-who-do-you-think-you-are/

Who owns your favorite genealogy database?  You might be surprised! http://www.gouldgenealogy.com/2014/12/who-owns-what-in-the-genealogy-world/

Sometimes it’s worth it to spend a little more on your documents: http://www.legalgenealogist.com/blog/2014/12/16/spend-the-money/

Booklets were written to give information and tips for our immigrant ancestors.  Here’s a fascinating list of several guides.  If you want to know about the immigration experience, these give lots of information your immigrant would have used: http://genealogy.about.com/od/immigration/fl/What-did-Our-Ancestors-Face-Settlers-amp-Emigrant-Guides.htm

Are you thinking of going to Salt Lake?  There have been several nice changes at the library.  Here are some tips about researching there: http://brickwallgenealogist.com/?p=3105

I hope you enjoy these blogs as much as I do. Thank you to all you bloggers out there who work hard to bring us their very best.

My Memorable Monthly Mentions (AKA My Favorite Blogs this Month)

I admit, I love reading genealogy blogs...daily. AND...I keep a list of my favorites. Each month, I am happy to share my favorites with you. I'll be calling them my monthly mentions. I hope you enjoy them too. Blogs I've liked in the past month are:

A visit to the DAR library with photos.  This library is on my to-to list. Good news! They have recently waived the $6 entrance fee. http://onerhodeislandfamily.com/category/dar-library/

Are you watching Henry Gates on PBS?  I’m hooked every Tuesday night.  Here’s an interview with this interesting man. http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/tv/la-et-st-finding-roots-henry-louis-gates-jr-20141019-story.html#page=2

Every cloud has a silver lining is the saying.  Genealogical brickwalls also have their own version of a silver lining.  Read about it here: http://ancestralbreezes.blogspot.com/2014/11/joys-of-brickwall.html

Here is a story about two of the most unusual gravestones, chosen by one man for each of his wives.http://genealogyblog.geneanet.org/index.php/post/2014/11/The-Puzzle-Tombstone-of-Henrietta-and-Susanna-Bean-in-Rushes-Cemetery-near-Crosshill-Wellesley-Township-Ontario-Canada.html

I love watching webinars.  The Illinois State Genealogical Society announced their 2015 monthly webinar presentations and they are free! http://ilgensoc.blogspot.com/2014/11/illinois-state-genealogical-society.html

 A list of funny things that people do when they have Genealogical OCD and links to other lists. I’ve done many of them myself. http://www.geneamusings.com/2014/11/saturday-night-genealogy-fun-signs-you.html

It’s time to start thinking of gift ideas for the holidays.  Here is a list of 50 genea-gifts ideas. http://onerhodeislandfamily.com/2014/11/09/50-gifts-for-genealogists-2014/

How could I not include some interesting facts about French probate rules.? http://french-genealogy.typepad.com/genealogie/2014/11/probate-genealogy-in-france.html  If you are researching French genealogy, this blog regularly gives great information.

Judy Russell has so many good thoughtful blogs.  Here’s one on plagiarism…or is it just sharing?  http://www.legalgenealogist.com/blog/2014/11/04/its-not-sharing/

Why genealogy is a popular hobby?   Could it be the forgotten but surprisingly “black sheep” stories we find:
http://online.wsj.com/news/articles/SB10001424127887324734904578241822679163276

Do you have a favorite blog?  Let us know about  it!

 

 

My Memorable Monthly Mentions (AKA My Favorite Blogs this Month)

I admit, I love reading genealogy blogs...daily.  AND...I keep a list of my favorites.  Each month, I am happy to share my favorites with you.  I'll be calling them my monthly mentions.  I hope you enjoy them too.  Blogs I've liked in the past month are:

Why do you love genealogy? Over 40 responses. http://blog.genealogybank.com/why-do-you-love-genealogy.html

A sweet story about a mother who “retires” from genealogy. http://nutsfromthefamilytree.blogspot.com/2014/08/mom-has-officially-retired-from-active.html

Another very funny blog post from Kerry Scott of Clue Wagon fame. http://www.cluewagon.com/2014/08/ancestor-hate-mail/

So you want to write your family stories, but can’t find the time? Here are some good ideas. http://ambernagle.com/2014/08/finding-time-to-write/

There have been many articles about WWI recently. This is a poignant letter by an army father, sent to his sons to be opened if he did not survive the Great War. Its sentiments could be felt and written by many fathers who went to war. http://chrispaynebooks.com/blog/remembrance-charlie-paynes-letter-to-my-darling-boys-23-august-1917/

 17 Genealogical Things to Do if You Only Have a Few Minutes, not much more to say. http://blog.familytreemagazine.com/insider/2014/09/10/17GenealogyThingsToDoIfYouHaveOnlyAFewMinutes.aspx

Have you been looking in Illinois for an elusive marriage record? Maybe you should try Indiana or Iowa where the requirements for marriage were more flexible. These easy marriage areas are called often Gretna Greens after the infamous Scottish town. http://www.sassyjanegenealogy.com/gretna-green-and-marriage-records/

This is not a blog but a website where you can find museums in any area by putting in the zipcode. If you are looking for historical societies, you can narrow the search. Great way to find those hidden records when you are planning a visit. http://museums.hackingthehumanities.org/

An interesting blog on citing sources. No, not your normal take on the subject, http://genealogysstar.blogspot.com/2014/09/the-challenge-of-sources.html

The name of this blog, Ten Tips to Revive and Refocus Your Family History Research, says it all. http://www.thearmchairgenealogist.com/2014/08/10-tips-to-revive-and-refocus-your.html

When it comes to “nonpaternity” events in our family trees, we usually won’t know the “why” of what happened. Here are some thoughts about the subject to ponder. http://www.cluewagon.com/2014/09/dna-non-paternity-event/

 

Do you have a blog you enjoy?  Please let me know about it.