Ancestry.com, Behindthename.com, and WeRelate.com Announce an Improved Approach For Finding Variant Names

Ancestry.com, BehindTheName.com, and WeRelate.org announce an improved approach to finding variant names in genealogy searches.  Up to now, most genealogy websites have had to rely upon Soundex to return variant names in response to searches. These approaches often miss variants that should be returned, or include variants that aren't very similar.

Ancestry.com, BehindTheName.com, and WeRelate.org have created an open-source database of name variants that is free for any website or genealogy software developer to use. Tested against pairs of names provided by Ancestry.com, it reduces the number of missed name variants by over 25% in comparison with Soundex.

How you can help: A large portion of genealogical expertise involves learning variant spellings for the surnames in your tree. Why not share your knowledge with others? By adding your variant spellings to the database, searches on any website that uses it will include your variant spellings automatically. You can review and add variant spellings here: http://www.werelate.org/wiki/Special:Names

In addition, we need people to review the changes that others have made to the database, to make sure that we have multiple pairs of eyes reviewing the names that are being added and removed. You can review changes that others have made here: http://www.werelate.org/wiki/Special:NamesLog

If you are a website or software developer: The database and source code are available at: https://github.com/DallanQ/Names

In addition to the database of name variants, the source code also includes a function to return the similarity score between any two names. This function has been found useful in duplicate detection.

More information about the project can be found at: http://www.werelate.org/wiki/WeRelate:Variant_names_project

Win an iPad Thanks to RootsMagic and Rootstech!

I know you all see plenty of posts on facebook about winning a new iPad but this one is FOR REAL. In conjunction with the week's Rootstech conference, RootsMagic is giving two away!  ... and YES, IT's FREE! You don't even have to be in attendance to win! Just follow the rules as listed below. (Keep scrottling to find the clue!) The following is from our friends at RootsMagic! 

         It’s been a tremendous last few months here at RootsMagic. We’ve been busy with the new releases of Personal Historian 2 and RootsMagic 5. We're also excited to participate in one of the largest genealogy events in North America- RootsTech!


We want to celebrate these momentous events with you, our loyal users! And what better way to celebrate than with a treasure hunt where you could win one of many prizes including an iPad 2!

Online Treasure Hunt

We've partnered with 15 of the best and brightest genealogy bloggers who will be reporting at the RootsTech conference. Each blogger will place one of 15 clue words on their website
From Thursday, February 2 through Wednesday, February 8, 2012, visit http://www.rootsmagic.com/treasure for a complete list of the blogs where the 15 clue words can be found. Visit each blog, collect all 15 clue words, and you could win software, prizes, or an iPad 2!

Enter at RootsTech or at Home

Once you've collected the clues there are two ways to enter. The first is at the RootsTech conference itself. Pick up an entry card at the RootsMagic booth (#224) in the Exhibit Hall. Write the clue words on the back of the card and return it to the RootsMagic booth in the Exhibit Hall by Saturday, February 4 at 1:20 pm. At that time, we will hold the prize drawings. You must be present to win.


We didn't want those who aren't able to attend RootsTech in person to feel left out so we're holding a second drawing and giving away more prizes including a second iPad 2. To enter this drawing, visit http://www.rootsmagic.com/treasure anytime between Thursday, February 2 and midnight MST on Wednesday, February 8, 2012. Fill out the online form to be entered into the second drawing. You may enter both drawings but one entry per person, per drawing. Winners will be picked at random and notified via e-mail by Friday, February 10, 2012.


Remember, the treasure hunt doesn't begin until this Thursday. Good luck!

African-American and Swedish Research Series Classes at Family History Library in February

SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH -- Genealogists and family history enthusiasts looking for help with African-American research will be interested in African-American classes held at the Family History Library in February. A free African-American Research Series will be held on Saturday, February 11 at the Family History Library. The classes will include:

 9:00 a.m.    “Four Key Resources for Research”

10:15 a.m.  “Genealogical Proof Standard for Solving Research Problems”

11:30 a.m.  “Southern Plantation Records”

For those looking for help with Swedish research a free Swedish Research Series will be held on Saturday, February 25 at the Family History Library. The classes will include:

 9:00 a.m.    “Swedish Military Records and Strategies - Army”

10:00 a.m.  “Swedish Military Records and Strategies - Navy”

11:00 a.m.  “Reconnecting with Living Relatives in Sweden”

To view the class schedule online, go to www.familysearch.org.  Classes will be held in the Main Floor classroom of the Family History Library.  The library is located west of Temple Square on West Temple between North Temple and South Temple Streets in downtown Salt Lake City.  On Saturdays, parking is free to library patrons and is located behind the Church History Museum.  To register for these free classes, send an email to FHLClassReg@familysearch.org or call 1-801-240-4950. 

All Your Rootstech Tips, Tricks and Blogs

I'm so getting ready for Rootstech and so are many of you. I've been busy trying to keep track of everyone's ideas, suggestions and insights into getting the absolute most out of the Rootstech experience. And there are so many wonderful fellow bloggers out there who are posting like crazy. It's a flurry of activity. So I'm going to try to create an index here of what I'm finding in this week or so leading up to Opening Day at Rootstech.

Last Minute Deal and Why You Should be at Rootstech:
   Rootstech - Should You Go? (Mormon Life Hacker)

Rootstech Website:
   Rootstech
   Rootstech Conference Guide - pdf file
   Schedule for FH Consultants, Priesthood Leaders and FH Directors


Mobile App:
   Mobile App (GenealogyInsider-Jan 25)
   Rootstech App Available for Download (GeneaMusings-Randy Seaver-Jan 24)
   Rootstech App: A Wonderful Resource for Attendees (SCGS Jamboree-Jan 25)
   Rootstech App Is Available (For Your Family Story-Caroline Pointer-Jan 24)


Prepping for the Conference:
   Prepare Before Attending  (Granite Genealogy-SueMaxwell)
   What is Your Rootstech Strategy (Geneabloggers-Randy Seaver)
   Wallflowers Guide to Rootstech (The We Tree Blog-Amy Coffin)
   11 Tips for Attending Rootstech (GenBlog-Julie Cahill Tarr)
   Preparing for Rootstech (Elyse's Genealogy Blog-Elyse Doerflinger)
   Road Trip to Rootstech (The Armchair Genealogist-Lynn Palermo)
   Syllabi Before You Go (Behold Genealogy-Louis Kessler)
   Robert Raymond - FamilySearch Deputy to CGO


Getting Around Salt Lake:
   Quick Insider's Guide (The Chart Chick-Janet Hovorka, who, by the way is the President of UGA here in Utah.)
   Salt Lake Travel and Tourism - Updated Daily


Visiting the Family History Library:
   The Insiders Guide to the Family History Library and SLC (The Ginger Jewish Genealogist-Benai Feldstein)
   Research at the Family History Library (About.com Genealogy - Kimberly Powell)
   Tips For Visiting The Family History Library  (FamilySearch)
   Complete Overview of the Family History Library (FamilySearch)
   Tips for First Time Family History Library Visitors (Shelley Bishop)  

Newspaper Articles:
   Rootstech Conference (Deseret News-Jan 25)
   Genealogy 'Idol' Quest Takes Place (Litchfield County Times-Jan 18)
   Utah Family History Conference Will Broadcast Live

Sponsorship Info:
   brightsolid Sponsors Rootstech (EOGN-Jan 24)
   brightsolid: A Main Partner of Rootstech 2012 (Dear Myrtle-Jan 24)
   brightsolid Sponsors Rootstech 2012 (Press Dispensary-Jan 24)
   APG a sponsor of Rootstech

Presenters - Featured
   Steve Morse - creator of the "One-Step" website
   Dallan Quass - developer behind WeRelate
   Chris Whitten - creator of WikiTree
   Scott Woodward - Sorenson Molecular Genealogy Foundattion and subsidiary, GeneTree
   David Embley - Key Ideas to be Learned From his Presentation - for software developers
   Patricia Van Skaik - Author, web master, manager, conference organizer, etc!
   Capers McDonald - Exec in Residence and faculty member of John Hopkins University
   Amy Johnson Crow - Certified Genealogist and manager at Archives.com
   Robert Lee - Working on Masters in technology at BYU
   Daniel Horowitz - My Heritage Chief Genealogist
   Tevya Washburn and Kurt Francom - LifeHacker.com
   Devin Ashby - Community Advocate for FamilySearch

Interviews:
   Janet Hovorka of The Chart Chick by Amy Coffin at The We Tree Blog
   Martha Mercer - Maia's Books by Shelley Bishop at A Sense of Family

Live Streaming:
   Sessions You Can Watch From Home (GenealogyInsider-Jan 25)
   Rootstech: Live-Streaming Sessions (The Armchair Genealogist-Lynn Palermo)
   Rootstech to Stream Live Sessions (Adventures in Genealogy Education-Angela McGhie-Jan 26)
   Rootstech 2012 Live Streaming Schedule (Roger's Ramblings-Roger Moffat)
   Rootstech 2012 Live Streaming (Bella Online Genelogy - Tina Sansone)
   Watch Select Rootstech Presentations Online - FamilySearch Tech Tips
   Rootstech Notes-Live Broadcast (Genealogy Star-James Tanner) 

Unconferencing:
   Rootstech Unconferencing Schedule
   Genealogical Society Webmasters - Rootstech 2012 Unconference
   fhiso-Build a Better Gedcom

Genealogy Idol:
   Rootstech Genealogy Idol-Your Vote Counts!
   Genealogy Idol Competition
   Gen Idol-At Least We Won't Be Singing
   How Will Be The Next Genealogy Idol?
   Genealogy Idol Finalists

Vendor Posts about Rootstech:   
   Geni.com
   GeneTree
   MyHeritage
   Stories To Tell (An interview by Amy Coffin at We Tree)
   RootsMagic Treasure Hunt
   Billion Graves
   My Heritage (World Vital Records
   Ancestry.com - Scanning Books (Ancestry Insider)
   Mocavo - Context Give-Aways

Other Blog Posts:
   Four Genealogists Compete for Top Honors at Rootstech (GenealogyInsider-Diane Haddad)
   Be Sure You Check the Right Schedule to Avoid Disappointment (Deb's Delvings-Debbie Parker Wayne)
   Let's Get Happy and Bump at Rootstech (For Your Family Story-Caroline Pointer)
   Who Will Be The Next Genealogy Idol? (Elyse's Genealogy Blog-Elyse Doerflinger)
   I'll Be At Rootstech (Behold Genealogy - Louis Kessler)

Post Conference Webinars:
   DearMyrtle's Rootstech 2012 Review

If I have missed some of the better ones from this last week or so or new ones get posted and I miss them, please let me know.

FamilySearch Record Updates

More new FREE records have been added to FamilySearch over the last month or so and are listed below. Hopefully you are finding these updates and links helpful in finding more information about your ancestors. Some of them take a little extra work on our parts because the databases have not yet been indexed, however, having access from the comfort of your cozy home is much easier than waiting for microfilm to come and then having to sit and scroll through it at a local Family History Center or Library.

FamilySearch can really use many more people to help index these valuable records and they NEED YOU! You can volunteer by registering at the FamilySearch Indexing Site.

Remember that some of these files are updates, some are browsable images and some are indexed.

Canada, Saskatchewan Judicial District Court Records, 1891-1954
Canada, Quebec Notarial Records, 1800-1900
Canada, Saskatchewan Provincial Records, 1879-1987
Estonia, Church Books, 1835-1940
Jamaica Church of England Parish Register Transcripts, 1664-1880
Mexico, Campeche, Civil Registration, 1860-1926
Mexico, Chihuahua, Civil Registration, 1861-1997
Mexico, Guerrero, Civil Registration, 1833-1996
Mexico, Hidalgo, Civil Registration, 1861-1967
Mexico, Michoacán, Civil Registration, 1859-1940 
Mexico, Nuevo León, Civil Registration, 1859-1962
Mexico, Oaxaca, Civil Registration, 1861-2002
Mexico, Puebla, Civil Registration, 1861-1930
Mexico, Tamaulipas, Civil Registration, 1800-2002
Mexico, Veracruz, Civil Registration, 1821-1949
Mexico, Yucatán, Civil Registration. 1860-1926
Russia Tver Church Books, 1722-1918
South Korean Genealogies, 1500-2009
Sweden, Örebro Church Records, 1641-1860
United States:
  Alabama, County Marriages, 1809-1950
  California, San Mateo County Records, 1856-1967
  Georgia Headright and Bounty Land Records, 1783-1909
  Illinois, Cook County, Maywood, Maywood Herald Obituary Card Index, 1885-2002
  Illinois, Probate Records, 1819-1970
  Louisiana, Orleans Parish Second District Judicial Court Case Files, 1846-1880
  Maine, Aroostook County, Probate Records, 1837-2007
  Maine, State Archive Collections, 1790-1966
  Massachusetts, Plymouth County, Probate Estate Files, 1686-1881
  New Hampshire, Hillsborough County, Manchester, Cemetery Records, 1800-2007
  New York, Orange County Probate Records, 1787-1938
  New York, Queens County Probate Records, 1899-1921
  North Carolina, County Records, 1833-1970
  Ohio, Stark County Coroner's Records, 1890-2002
  Texas, Daughters of the Republic of Texas, Membership Applications, 1892-2010
  Texas, Gonzalez de la Garza Genealogy Collection
  Vermont, Vital Records, 1760-1954
  Washington State County Land Records, 1852-1935
  Washington State County Probate Case Files, 1832-1950
  Washington State County Records, 1885-1950
  Wisconsin, Fond du Lac Public Library Records, 1848-1980

New images have been added to the following databases unless otherwise noted:
Australia, Queensland Cemetery Records, 1802-1990
Australia, Tasmania, Miscellaneous Records, 1829-1961
Austria, Seigniorial Records, 1537-1888
Bolivia, Catholic Church Records, 1566-1996
Brazil Civil Registration, 1870-2009

Canada, Ontario Births, 1869-1912  (Index records)
Canada, Quebec Notarial Records, 1800-1900
Canada, Saskatchewan, Judicial District Court Records, 1891-1954
Canada, Saskatchewan, Probate Estate Files, 1887-1931
Canada, Quebec Notarial Records, 1800-1900
Chile, Santiago, Cementerio General, 1821-2010                    
China, Collection of Genealogies, 1500-1900
Colombia, Catholic Church Records, 1600-2008                    
Costa Rica, Civil Registration, 1860-1975
Czech Republic, Censuses, 1843-1921
Czech Republic, Church Books, 1552-1935
Czech Republic, Land Records, 1450-1850
Czech Republic, Třeboň, Nobility Seignorial records, 1664-1698

Dominican Republic Civil Registration, 1801-2006
El Salvador, Civil Registration Records, 1836-1910
England and Wales Census, 1871
England, Norfolk Parish Registers, 1538-1900  (Index records and images)
Estonia, Church Books 1835-194
Germany Marriages, 1558-1929  (Index records)
Germany, Bavaria, Dinkelsbühl Miscellaneous City Records, 1804-1946
Germany, Württemberg, Albstadt, Miscellaneous City Records, 1705-1850
Guatemala, Catholic Church Records, 1581-1977

Hungary Catholic Church Records, 1636-1895  (Index records)                    
Hungary Reformed Church Christenings, 1624-1895  (Index records)
Hungary, Civil Registration, 1895-1980
Italy, Bologna, Bologna, Civil Registration (Tribunale), 1866-1941
Italy, Catania, Caltagirone, Civil Registration (Tribunale), 1861-1941
Italy, Catania, Catania, Civil Registration (Comune), 1820-1905
Italy, Cuneo, Civil Registration (State Archive), 1795-1915
Italy, Genova, Chiavari, Civil Registration (Tribunale), 1866-1941
Italy, Napoli, Civil Registration (State Archive), 1809-1865
Italy, Pistoia, Pistoia, Civil Registration (Tribunale), 1866-1929
Italy, Ravenna, Ravenna, Civil Registration (Tribunale), 1866-1929
Italy, Trieste, Trieste, Civil Registration (Tribunale), 1924-1939

Jamaica, Civil Birth Registration
Korea, Collection of Genealogies, 1500-2009
Mexico, Morelos, Civil Registration, 1861-1920
Micronesia, Pohnpei, Land Records, 1971-2007
Nicaragua, Diocese of Managua, Catholic Church Records, 1740-2008
Norway Census, 1875  (Index records)

Peru, Civil Registration, 1874-1996
Philippines, Civil Registration (National), 1945-1980
Poland, Roman Catholic Church Books, 1600-1950
Portugal, Aveiro, Catholic Church Records, 1550-1911
Portugal, Aveiro, Passport Registers, 1882-1965
Portugal, Aveiro, Testaments, 1900-1936
Portugal, Braga, Catholic Church Records, 1530-1911
Portugal, Bragança, Catholic Church Records, 1541-1985
Portugal, Coimbra, Catholic Church Records, 1459-1911
Portugal, Coimbra, Passport Registers and Application Files, 1835-1938
Portugal, Diocese of Lamego, Catholic Church Records, 1532-1911
Portugal, Diocese of Vila Real, Catholic Church Records, 1575-1975
Portugal, Faro, Catholic Church Records, 1587-1880
Portugal, Guarda, Catholic Church Records, 1459-1911
Portugal, Leiria, Catholic Church Records, 1534-1911
Portugal, Leiria, Passport Registers, 1861-1901
Portugal, Porto, Catholic Church Records, 1535-1949
Portugal, Porto, Catholic Church Records, 1582-1908
Portugal, Setúbal, Catholic Church Records, 1555-1911  
Portugal, Viana do Castelo, Catholic Church Records, 1537-1909
Portugal, Vila Real, Catholic Church Records, 1533-1941

South Africa, Orange Free State, Estate Files, 1951-2004
South Africa, Reformed Church Records, 1856-1988
Spain, Cádiz, Testaments, 1550-1920
Spain, Consular Records of Emigrants, 1808-1960
Spain, Consular Records of Emigrants, 1808-1960
Spain, Municipal Records
Sweden, Älvsborg Church Records, 1642-1897; index 1681-1860
Sweden, Blekinge Church Records, 1612-1916; index 1646-1860
Sweden, Gävleborg Church Records, 1616-1908; index 1671-1860
Sweden, Göteborg och Bohus Church Records, 1577-1932; index 1659-1860
Sweden, Gotland Church Records, 1582-1940; index 1655-1860
Sweden, Halland Church Records, 1615-1904; index 1615-1860
Sweden, Jämtland Church Records, 1582-1928; index 1642-1860
Sweden, Jönköping Church Records, 1581-1935; index 1633-1860
Sweden, Kalmar Church Records, 1577-1907; index 1625-1860
Sweden, Örebro Church Records, 1613-1918; index 1635-1860
Sweden, Skaraborg Church Records, 1612-1921; index 1625-1860

United States:

  Alabama State Census, 1855  (Index records)
  Alabama State Census, 1866  (Index records)
  Alabama, County Estate Records, 1800-1996
  Alabama, Sumter County Circuit Court Files, 1840-1950                      

  California, Marriage Index, 1960-1985  (Index records)                    
  California, San Francisco Area Funeral Home Records, 1835-1931
  California, San Francisco County Records, 1824-1997
  California, San Mateo County Records, 1856-1967
  Connecticut, Death Index, 1949-2001  (Index records)                    

  Delaware, Vital Records, 1680-1962
  District of Columbia Marriages, 1811-1950 (Index records and images)
  Florida Marriages, 1830-1993 (Index and images)                    
  Florida, Tampa, Passenger Lists, 1898-1945
  Georgia Headright and Bounty Land Records, 1783-1909
  Idaho, Cassia County Records, 1879-1960                      
  Idaho, Cassia County Records, 1879-1960
  Idaho, Minidoka County Records, 1913-1961
  Illinois, Probate Records, 1819-1970
  Indiana, Death Index, 1882-1920   (Index records)
  Indiana, Marriages, 1811-1959 (Jay and Hamilton counties)  (Index records)

  Kentucky, Confederate Pension Applications, 1912-1950
  Kentucky, County Marriages, 1797-1954  (Index records and images)
  Louisiana, Orleans Parish Vital Records, 1910, 1960
  Louisiana, Parish Marriages, 1837-1957  (Index records and images)
  Louisiana, Second Registration Draft Cards, compiled 1948-1959

  Maine, State Archive Collections, 1790-1966
  Maine, Washington County Courthouse Records, 1785-1950
  Maryland, Garrett County Probate Estate and Guardianship Files, 1920-1940 
  Maryland, Register of Wills Books, 1629-1983  Added Baltimore and Somerset counties
  Massachusetts, Boston Passenger Lists, 1891-1943
  Massachusetts, Death Index, 1970-2003 (Index records)
  Massachusetts, Plymouth County, Probate Estate Files, 1686-1881
  Massachusetts, State Vital Records, 1841-1920
  Michigan, Death Index, 1971-1996   (Index records)
  Minnesota, Birth Index, 1935-2002  (Index records)
  Minnesota, Clay County, School Census Records, 1909-1962
  Minnesota, Death Index, 1908-2002   (Index records) 
  Mississippi Confederate Records, 1889-1942
  Mississippi Confederate Veterans and Widows Pension Applications, 1900-1974
  Mississippi State Archives, Various Records, 1820-1951
  Mississippi, Tippah County Family Histories
  Montana, Cascade County Records, 1888-1945
  Montana, Cascade County Records, 1888-1955
  Montana, Death Index, 1860-2007   (Index records) 

  New Jersey, Middlesex County Probate Records, 1830-1921
  New York State Census, 1875  (Index records)
  New York, County Marriages, 1908-1935  (Index records and images)
  New York, Orange County Probate Records, 1787-1938
  New York, Probate Records, 1629-1971
  New York, Queens County Probate Records, 1899-1921
  North Carolina Civil Action Court Papers, 1712-1970
  North Carolina, Birth Index, 1800-2000    (Index records) 
  North Carolina, County Marriages, 1762-1979  (Index records and images)
  North Carolina, County Records, 1833-1970
  North Carolina, Estate Files, 1663-1917
  North Carolina, State Supreme Court Case Files, 1800-1909

  Oklahoma County Marriages, 1891-1959   (Index records and images) 
  Oregon, Columbia County Records, 1854-1958
  Oregon, County Marriages, 1851-1975  (Index records and images)
  Oregon, Death Index, 1903-1998   (Index records) 
  Pennsylvania County Marriages, 1885-1950    (Index records and images)                      
  Pennsylvania, Eastern District Petitions for Naturalization, 1795-1931

  Texas Birth Certificates, 1903-1934  (Index records and images)
  Texas Birth Index, 1903-1997  (Index records)
  Texas Deaths, 1890-1976
  Texas Deaths, 1977-1986
  Texas, County Marriage Index, 1837-1977  (Index records) 
  Texas, Daughters of the Republic of Texas, Membership Applications, 1892-2010 
  Vermont, Bennington County, Manchester District Estate Files, 1779-1935
  Vermont, Franklin County Probate Records, 1796 to 1921
  Virginia, Historical Society Papers, 1607-2007

  Washington, County Records, 1856-2009
  Wisconsin, Birth Index, 1820-1907   (Index records) 
  Wisconsin, Death Index, 1959-1997   (Index records) 
  Wisconsin, Probate Estate Files, 1848-1935
  Wisconsin, Shawano and Oconto Counties, Indexes-Records, 1850-2007

United States, Applications for Headstones for Military Veterans, 1925-1941
United States, General Index to Pension Files, 1861-1934
United States, Index to Service Records, War with Spain, 1898
United States, New England Naturalization Index, 1791-1906   (Index records) 
United States, Records of Headstones of Deceased Union Veterans, 1879-1903  (Index) 
Wales, Probate Abstracts, 1544-1858

RootsTech Schedules Are Posted - Come Join The Fun!

What will you be doing 17 days from now? Unless you will be in attendance at the RootsTech 2012 Family History and Technology Conference you will probably be pretty jealous of everyone that is!

Last February was the first annual RootsTech Conference held in Salt Lake City, Utah and sponsored by FamilySearch. Of all the conferences, I've ever attended this was by far the best and most exciting. This year will be no exception. There will be plenty of classes available for genealogists, both beginning and experienced; as well as, workshops for developers. The Session Schedule has been posted to the RootsTech site so you can plan ahead. Don't waste your time during the Keynote addresses each day trying to decide what workshops to attend - plan that out right now for the best experience.

Here is a sampling of classes and workshops available for beginning users and genealogists:

      *  Learn about the various online paid databases and decide To Pay or Not to Pay.

      *  Unscramble those messy relationship problems on new FamilySearch.

      *  Too many internet sites? Want to know which are the best and most popular? 

      *  Learn to effectively use those paid websites (free at FH Centers and Libraries).

      *  Using Blogs as your online research log.

For those who have acquired the basics and want to learn more you will find additional classes and workshops, such as:

      *  Understanding just what "the Cloud" is and how it works.

      *  Using Google Earth to tell your family's story.

      *  Understanding and effectively using DNA in your research.

      *  Building and maintaining Blogs and Websites.

      *  Publishing your history as an E-book, online or printed.

      *  Geo-caching, Web Analytics, and going Mobile.

Those are just a few of the many presentations and workshops available for users. To see the complete list for users, click here for the User Schedule.

If you are a developer see the complete Developer Schedule.

The Week-At-A Glance will help guide you through the all the activities planned for this terrific RootsTech Conference!  There is still time to register and join us!

Salt Lake City, Utah

Riverton FamilySearch Library to Host an Event on January 21st from 9:00 A.M. to Noon

RIVERTON, UTAH¾Ever wish that your enthusiasm for family history research was contagious and you could get priesthood leaders and others excited about the potential of family history and temple work? If so, you will not want to miss Shipley Munson’s keynote address at the Riverton Saturday Seminar on January 21. In his address, “Getting Priesthood Leaders Psyched,” he will share ideas intended to motivate and inspire leaders and others to do family history.

Shipley Munson serves as the director of the marketing division of FamilySearch. In this role, he helps people get excited about their family histories and works to establish the FamilySearch brand in the minds of the general public. Munson came to FamilySearch after a 25-year career in marketing where he advised such companies as Frito-Lay, McDonalds’s, Gillette, Apple, Delta Airlines, and Fidelity Investments. He speaks seven languages and has two degrees from Harvard University and an MBA from the University of Chicago.

Following the 9:00 a.m. keynote presentation, there will be two blocks of four classes each that will cover topics of interest to both beginning and advanced family history enthusiasts.

Classes to be held from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. are:

           ·       “Records Say the Darndest Things”-The Ancestry Insider

• “Pennsylvania Research: An Overview”-Tim Bingaman
• “Navigating the Globe with Google”-Devin Ashby
•  “Introduction to Italian Indexing”-Brad Jensen

The classes available from 11:00 a.m. to noon are:

           ·       “Tips, Tools, and Freebies, Part 1”-Ron Ray

• “Learning to Read the Scandinavian Gothic Script”-Anka Macgee
•  “FamilySearch Wiki: Our #1 Tool”-Pat Jensen
•  “Features Beyond PAF 5 in Ancestral Quest”-Gaylon Findlay

Registration is not required for this free seminar. The Riverton FamilySearch Library is located in the LDS Riverton Office Building at 3740Market Center Drive.

Free Access to WWII Records at Ancestry!

In honor of the 70th Anniversary of the Pearl Harbor attack, which marked the United States entrance into World War II, Ancestry.com has provided free public access to the WWII military records! Take advantage of this great opportunity until midnight ET on 7 December 2011.

One in five Americans is a direct descendant of a WWII veteran! By the end of the war, nearly 16 million Americans had served in the U.S. Armed Forces - more than a quarter in the U.S. Navy.

Some of the most significant collections include:

* World War II Navy Muster Rolls (1939-1949)
* National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific (Punchbowl Cemetery) Database
* U.S. WWII Young Men’s Draft Cards

Simple Kindness Grants Small Miracle

Have I ever told you how much I love old newspapers? Well, they put life to a name and a date. Newspapers often make the person come to life! And I love having my ancestors "come to life".

Frank

I've been researching my great-uncle Frank's life and struggled with the fact that he committed suicide at the tender age of 21 in 1897. Distraught over the loss of the love of his life, Lena, three months earlier, he said his goodbye's to family and friends and shot himself to death. A distraught mother lost her first-born child, having already lost three more babies shortly after birth. Frank never had the opportunity to marry Lena, nor raise a family of his own with her. My heart has ached for them both.

Lena

I had been able to piece together much of Lena's family but found it difficult to prove relationships. Different sources listed different parents names. I had two potential sets of parents for her. And her name had two middle initials or names. I discovered that Lena's mother died when she was only a little over a year old, so I figured that someone else must have helped to raise her.

I had searched all the available issues of newspapers online that I could find but none told me about Lena's father nor could I find anything explaining the multiple names for both Lena and her father. Then, just a few days ago I received an email from an angel, Laura. She had sent me a newspaper page from 1892 with a small article explaining how Lena's father had legally changed his name because he was not raised by his parents, but rather an aunt and uncle. He was always being asked why his name was different from his "parents", was embarrassed, and wanted his name changed to match theirs. I had missed this article!

After a few exchanges of emails, I found that my angel, Laura, was not even related to this family. She apparently was researching someone else and just happened to run across the article. She went online to FamilySearch, found that I had entered information about the family and sent the article to me! How special is that! Laura had taken that extra step, a few extra minutes, and found me! She could have just as easily skipped it and moved on -- but she didn't! She touched my heart!

So to you, Laura, may all your research prove fruitful! And, may all your miracles come to pass!

Ancestry.com Updates Apps for iPhone, iPad, Touch

Ancestry Brings Family History Alive With New Features

PROVO, UTAH (November 29, 2011) – Ancestry.com, the world’s largest online family history resource, today announced the availability of a new, upgraded version of its Ancestry.com Mobile app for iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch with features designed to enable more rewarding discoveries as users build, update and share their family trees. The Ancestry.com mobile app, which to-date has been downloaded more than 1.7 million times, is now available for free from the Apple App Store.

This upgrade adds three new features to Ancestry.com’s existing family history app:

Ø  “In-app purchasing,” which allows non-Ancestry.com subscribers to view, then buy fascinating historical records about their ancestors – such as World War I draft cards, Census records, birth/death certificates, and school yearbook photos, from among billions of historical documents in the Ancestry.com database

Ø  A “Shaky Leaf” hinting feature that employs predictive analytics to suggest possible new connections between a user’s family tree and undiscovered documents in the world’s largest family history database

Ø  A new merge feature, which automatically identifies and extracts information about family members from historical records so users can quickly and easily update their family tree

“Our goal with the new Ancestry.com mobile app is to enable more people to discover their family history through our billions of historic records, and allow them to share their findings easily with others,” said Eric Shoup, Senior Vice President of Product at Ancestry.com. “Our ‘Shaky Leaf’ hinting feature has resulted in tens of millions of successful family history discoveries online and it’s now accessible to our growing mobile user base.”

For users new to Ancestry.com, the latest iOS app provides an easy way to get started by giving access to relevant historical documents on the site without a subscription.  For existing Ancestry.com members, the new app gives them the ability to grow their tree using Ancestry.com records and share them with others while on-the-go. 

The Ancestry.com mobile app offers many of the most popular features available in the online version of Ancestry.com’s industry-leading family history website, including the ability to add and edit family information, view and share documents and photos, take and attach photos and create and navigate multi-generational family trees.

To get started, download the free Ancestry.com mobile app to an iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch, and either register for a new, or log in to an existing Ancestry.com account and choose a family tree. Ancestry.com subscribers can download family history records in the app free of charge. Non-subscribers pay a special introductory price starting at $0.99 for each record purchased through the Mobile app’s “in-app purchase” feature.

RootsMagic Releases New Version 5!!

NEW features! ..Research logs, Timeline View, Media Enhancements, CountyCheck, Database Tools, Source Enhancements, and more!


RootsMagic has announced the release of RootsMagic 5! Some of the most requested features have been added making RootsMagic better than ever -- a timeline view showing a person's events as well as those of their immediate family members, a research manager which lets you create and track unlimited research logs, the ability to filter the people view, as well as enhancements to multimedia, sources, to-do lists, and much more.  There's a little something for everyone.


You can see screen shots and more detail about what's new here. and a webinar is scheduled Tuesday, November 29, 2011 5:00 PM - 6:00 PM MST

Archives.com Partners with Family Tree DNA

REDWOOD CITY, Calif., Nov. 22, 2011 -- Archives.com, a website devoted to making family history simple and affordable, announces another exciting way users can explore their family heritage. Archives has partnered with Family Tree DNA, the world leader in genetic genealogy, to enable users to purchase DNA tests through its website for the first time. These are being offered at up to 30 percent off the regular price for a limited time. Archives recognizes that DNA testing plays a critical role in family history research, and is glad to offer a simple, convenient way for users to get started with genetic genealogy.


If you want to read the entire press release, click here.
If you want to take advantage of the special 30% off deal on DNA testing, click here!


I've had a good deal of personal experience using Family Tree DNA and Archives.com! I really like both of them. I have done three different surname DNA tests (well, I did have to get the guys to take the tests!). One of them conclusively proved that the research was going down the WRONG line. Now I just have to jump from Tennessee to North Carolina in the late 1700s. The other two I am still struggling with, but I'm sure, will payoff one of these days. One is on a very common surname of Williams and comes out of Georgia during the Civil War era. I get lots of hits in the lower marker counts but haven't yet been able to tie in to one of the higher marker groups. My third surname test is extremely uncommon in the United States, so I'm patiently (haha) waiting for someone in England to also submit to a study. There just may not be any other descendants.


I originally received a free membership trial  to Archives.com and have grown to really appreciate it! I'm having a great deal of luck finding records for living cousins, and, I have found a lot of marriage and divorce records that have answered many a question in my research. They have vital records, newspapers, living people/public records. obituaries and much more. You may want to consider giving them a try to help you get past some of those brick walls!

RootsTech Registration - We have a Winner!

Thanks so much to everyone that submitted an entry in my contest for the FREE registration to RootsTech! Congratulations to the winner, Warren Curtis! For those of you that didn't win --- blame it on my husband!  :-)  I made him draw the winning name.

Remember that the Early Bird Registration rates are only good until November 30! Registration will go from $129 to $189 the following day, so take advantage of it! You won't want to miss out on this great conference! There were about 3,000 people in attendance at the first conference last February, both genealogists and techies! It's an amazing way of bringing the two groups together to learn from each other.

If you are ever planning on attending a genealogy conference, pick this one! You won't be sorry. To read more about RootsTech and what it is all about, click on RootsTech.

Archives.com Partners with the National Archives to Unveil the 1940 Census

1940 is Coming!

We are exactly 136 days away from the unveiling of the 1940 U.S. Federal Census! This is such an exciting time for genealogists and for anyone who is interested in their family's history!

Today, Archives.com, has announced a partnership with the National Archives to provide free digital access to  the 1940 Federal Population Census beginning on April 2, 2012 at 9:00 AM (Eastern Daylight Time) on a new website created in collaboration between Archives.com and the National Archives. In close collaboration with the National Archives, Archives.com will build this new website for researchers to browse, view, and download images from the 1940 Census, the most important collection of newly released U.S. genealogy records in a decade.

The new 1940 collection will consist of 3.8 million images that the National Archives scanned from over four thousand rolls of microfilm. Public access to the images will not require payment or registration, and will be available to any person with internet access. The name and web address of the website will be announced at a later date.

  

To learn more about Archives.com and the National Archives bringing the 1940 Census online, please visit www.archives.com/1940census. The National Archives also has published a number of helpful resources available to researchers on their website, which can help you to prepare to most effectively search the 1940 Census on April 2nd. As the project progresses, updates and additional information will be posted at www.archives.com/blog. Join the conversation on Twitter using the hashtag #1940Census.

Keep an eye on the countdown to the release of the 1940 census right here on my blog! -->>

FamilySearch News! Brimhall Replaces Verkler

FamilySearch Announces New CEO

15 November 2011

Brimhall

Verkler

SALT LAKE CITY— FamilySearch International announced today a change in its chief executive officer. Effective January 2, 2012, Dennis C. Brimhall will succeed Jay L. Verkler as CEO of FamilySearch.  Mr. Verkler will continue in a consulting capacity for a few months to ensure a smooth transition.

It is the business culture and practice of FamilySearch, as an organization sponsored by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, to regularly rotate its senior leaders. This pattern assures the forward momentum of its core programs.

Over the past decade under Mr. Verkler’s leadership, FamilySearch has shifted its vast stores of genealogical records and resources to a digital, worldwide, internet-based focus.  FamilySearch has developed partnerships with many genealogy and technology industry organizations, helping form a broad and deep industry community including companies, societies, and archives.

FamilySearch has helped make the world’s historic records easier to access online, publishing over 2.4 billion names in historic records at familysearch.org, including 870 collections from over 50 countries indexed by over 250,000 volunteers. During this period, FamilySearch has also created an unprecedented, free global service organization that engages over 70,000 volunteers who provide needed local and online support to research patrons and the genealogical community.  FamilySearch has pioneered genealogical search, record linkage, imaging, crowd-sourcing, and digital preservation technologies.

“It has been a career highlight for me to work in such a significant and meaningful effort,” said Jay L. Verkler regarding his time at FamilySearch’s helm. “I have had the privilege to work with countless great individuals, organizations, and companies, all striving to provide the best of user experiences.”

Mr. Brimhall comes to FamilySearch with a deep background in management.  He is a graduate of Brigham Young University and Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management. He recently served for 17 years as president and CEO of the University of Colorado Hospital in Denver from 1988 until 2005.  Since then Mr. Brimhall has held positions of increasing responsibility in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

“I am very excited to help lead the work of FamilySearch, to continue the great things that have been done and move forward in new directions as appropriate,” said Brimhall.  “FamilySearch provides services to millions of people worldwide. We really need to understand our customers’ needs and satisfy them. Our focus will be to ensure that FamilySearch’s customer experiences are really first rate.”

FamilySearch looks forward to further strengthening its commitment to the global genealogical community, to publishing and digitizing the world’s records, and encouraging all people to discover, preserve, and share their family histories.

About FamilySearch

FamilySearch International is the largest genealogy organization in the world. FamilySearch is a nonprofit, volunteer–driven organization sponsored by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Millions of people use FamilySearch records, resources, and services to learn more about their family history. To help in this great pursuit, FamilySearch and its predecessor organizations have been actively gathering, preserving, and sharing genealogical records worldwide for over 100 years. Patrons may access FamilySearch services and resources free online at FamilySearch.org or through over 4,600 family history centers in 132 countries, including the main Family History Library in Salt Lake City, Utah.