New FamilySearch Collections in July 2015

 

Family historians hungry for historic Irish records will enjoy FamilySearch’s new collection, Ireland Petty Sessions Court Registers 1828-1912. These indexed court documents bring 22 million records to your fingertips. These records were originally filmed at the National Archives of Ireland and the index was created by findmypast.com. See the table below for additions to over 60 historical record collections, including 46 million US obituaries. Click on the collection’s link to start your discovery. COLLECTION INDEXED RECORDS DIGITAL RECORDS COMMENTS Australia New South Wales Census (fragment) 1891 0 21,315 Added images to an existing collection Belgium Antwerp Civil Registration 1588-1910 0 1,670 Added images to an existing collection BillionGraves Index 1,513,553 1,513,553 Added indexed records and images to an existing collection Brazil Pernambuco Civil Registration 1804-2014 0 164,642 Added images to an existing collection Brazil São Paulo Immigration Cards 1902-1980 1,642,660 0 Added indexed records to an existing collection California Death Index 1905-1939 2,086,638 0 Added indexed records to an existing collection Delaware Vital Records 1680-1971 624,395 0 Added indexed records to an existing collection District of Columbia Marriages 1811-1950 83,822 0 Added indexed records to an existing collection France Finistère Quimper et Léon Diocese Catholic Parish Records 1772-1863 970 0 Added indexed records to an existing collection Germany Saxony Dresden Citizens' Documents and Business Licenses 1820- 1962 0 855,956 Added images to an existing collection Illinois County Marriages 1810-1934 504,033 0 Added indexed records to an existing collection Iowa State Census 1915 0 9,802 Added images to an existing collection India Bihar Koilukh Pandit Kirtinand Jha Maithil Brahmin Genealogical Records 1750-1990 0 175,363 Added images to an existing collection India Hindu Pilgrimage Records 1194-2015 2,782,487 2,843,557 New indexed records and images collection Iowa State Census 1925 5,573,816 0 Added indexed records to an existing collection Ireland Petty Sessions Court Registers 1828-1912 21,833,839 0 New indexed record collection Italy Caltanissetta Civil Registration (State Archive) 1820-1935 0 318 Added images to an existing collection Italy Cremona Civil Registration (State Archive) 1744-1942 0 1,325,362 New browsable-image collection. Italy Grosseto Civil Registration (State Archive) 1851-1907 0 393,814 New browsable-image collection. Italy L'Aquila Civil Registration (State Archive) 1809-1865 1911-1943 0 111,837 Added images to an existing collection Italy Pesaro e Urbino Pesaro Civil Registration (State Archive) 1808-1813 1861- 1865 0 75,456 New browsable-image collection. Italy Pesaro e Urbino Urbino Civil Registration (State Archive) 1866-1942 0 709,381 New browsable-image collection. Italy Ragusa Civil Registration (State Archive) 1900-1940 0 111,281 New browsable-image collection. Italy Toscana Civil Registration (State Archive) 1804-1874 0 80,833 Added images to an existing collection Kentucky Vital Record Indexes 1911-1999 9,865,944 0 New indexed record collection Louisiana First Registration Draft Cards compiled 1940-1945 39,967 0 Added indexed records to an existing collection Massachusetts Boston Passenger Lists Index 1899-1940 1,577,127 0 Added indexed records to an existing collection Massachusetts Town Clerk Vital and Town Records 1627-2001 0 182 Added images to an existing collection Mexico Baja California and Baja California Sur Catholic Church Records 1750- 1984 0 363 Added images to an existing collection Mexico Chihuahua Catholic Church Records 1632-1958 0 195 New browsable-image collection. Mexico Guanajuato Catholic Church Records 1519-1984 0 1,077 Added images to an existing collection Mexico Hidalgo Catholic Church Records 1546-1971 0 574 Added images to an existing collection Mexico Michoacán Catholic Church Records 1555-1996 0 2,758 Added images to an existing collection Mexico Tamaulipas Catholic Church Records 1703-1964 0 1,294 Added images to an existing collection Michigan Births 1867-1902 0 1,428 Added images to an existing collection Michigan Obituaries 1820-2006 1,389,458 0 Added indexed records to an existing collection Newfoundland Vital Records 1840-1949 347,134 0 Added indexed records to an existing collection North Carolina Probate Records 1735-1970 0 1,952 Added images to an existing collection Nova Scotia Births 1864-1877 0 6,103 Added images to an existing collection Nova Scotia Deaths 1864-1877 0 20,661 Added images to an existing collection Nova Scotia Marriages 1864-1918 0 15,831 Added images to an existing collection Peru Callao Civil Registration 1874-1996 0 42,583 Added images to an existing collection Perú Lima Civil Registration 1874-1996 0 111,769 Added images to an existing collection Philippines Negros Occidental Roman Catholic Diocese of Bacolod Parish Registers 1755-1976 0 95,820 New browsable-image collection. South Dakota School Records 1879-1970 2,807,212 0 Added indexed records to an existing collection Spain Province of Valencia Miscellaneous Records 1251-1950 0 850,597 Added images to an existing collection Sweden Halland Church Records 1615-1904; index 1615-1860 0 972 Added images to an existing collection Tennessee County Marriages 1790-1950 3,024,053 1,831,660 Added indexed records and images to an existing collection United States Census 1790 1,606 62 Added indexed records and images to an existing collection United States Census 1800 20 18,454 Added indexed records and images to an existing collection United States Freedmen's Bureau Hospital and Medical Records 1865-1872 4,641 44,734 New Indexed records and images collection United States GenealogyBank Obituaries 1980-2014 46,769,836 0 Added indexed records to an existing collection United States Index to Service Records War with Spain 1898 123,334 0 Added indexed records to an existing collection Utah Mormon Pioneer Overland Travel Database 1847-1868 58,333 0 New indexed record collection Utah Uintah County Discharge Records 1893-2009 0 2,362 New browsable-image collection. Utah Uintah County Land and Property Records 1888-2004 0 195,963 New browsable-image collection. Utah Uintah County Marriage Records 1888-2015 0 8,687 New browsable-image collection. Utah Uintah County Naturalization and Citizenship Records 1888-1929 0 409 New browsable-image collection. Vermont St. Albans Canadian Border Crossings 1895-1924 6,696,703 0 Added indexed records to an existing collection Vermont Town Clerk Vital and Town Records 1732-2005 0 458,533 Added images to an existing collection Help Publish More Free Records Online Searchable historical records are made available on FamilySearch.org through the help of thousands of online volunteers worldwide. These volunteers transcribe (or index) information from digital copies of handwritten records to make them easily searchable online. More volunteers are always needed (particularly those who can read foreign languages) to keep pace with the large number of digital images being published weekly online on FamilySearch.org. Learn how you can volunteer to help provide free access to the world’s historical genealogical records online at FamilySearch.org/Indexing.

New Records Reveal Previously Unknown Mormon Pioneers

Salt Lake City, UT—In a collaboration between the Church History Library and FamilySearch, individuals can now discover and explore more of their pioneer heritage on the newly redesigned Mormon Pioneer Overland Travel website that also includes information about previously unknown pioneers. In addition to discovering your pioneer ancestors, new features enable people to read their ancestors’ personal journals, see available photos, and learn key details about major events in their ancestors’ lives. 

Since the site was first launched, an influx of pioneer documentation has allowed historians to reconcile and expand their understanding of the trek west. The site now includes information about more than 57,000 individuals in 370 pioneer companies, with thousands of original trail excerpts that are authoritatively documented. “This is an extremely significant database,” said Keith Erekson, Church History Library Director. “It reveals so much about individual pioneers and their experiences, but it also offers fresh new insights about their collective experience.” Site updates include the ability to submit family photographs of pioneers and to link to digital copies of sources on the Internet. There are also new articles of interest, including humorous stories from the trail.

Individuals have two options for accessing the site. Through FamilySearch.org/pioneers, your personal FamilySearch family tree will be polled for matches in the updated pioneer database.  Through history.lds.org/overlandtravels you can explore known pioneers and companies and lots of other interesting facts and documentation about this exciting period of Mormon and Western history.

Millions of people continue to be inspired by the courage, faith, and triumphs of the Mormon pioneers. Many of us are unknowingly modern pioneers, whose courage, personal achievements, and applied faith will be equally inspiring to future posterity and generations. This updated site will be featured in the international “I Am a Pioneer” social media campaign (#IAmAPioneer) that will encourage individuals today to see themselves as modern-day pioneers and recognize the need to readily capture their stories of triumph online for future generations. Learn more about this initiative at FamilySearch.org/iamapioneer.

Those without Utah pioneer ancestry may be interested in reading stories of pioneers worldwide by visiting the Church History Department’s website, history.lds.org/section/pioneers.

Bring your genealogical data to life by discovering the stories and photos of your ancestors or the ancestors of others. Visit the newly updated Mormon Pioneer Overland Travel website today.

“Fuel the Find!” 2nd Annual Indexing Challenge! August 7-14

One Week. 100,000 Online Volunteers. Time to “Fuel the Find!”

Millions of Family History Discoveries Likely from Worldwide Event

SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH, July 22, 2015—A record-setting 100,000 online volunteers are expected to participate in the second annual Worldwide Indexing Event, facilitating millions of discoveries for eager family history researchers. Scheduled for August 7–14, the event will show how anyone with a computer and Internet connection can help “Fuel the Find” by making information from historical documents easily searchable online.

What Does It Mean to “Fuel the Find”?  
Indexed (transcribed) historical records are like the fuel that powers genealogical search engines such as FamilySearch.org, enabling people to find missing or unknown branches in their family trees. Beyond simple name searches, indexed records also allow FamilySearch.org to provide patrons with highly relevant and accurate hints, essentially bringing the records of their ancestors to them automatically. Every name that a volunteer indexes from a historical record adds another drop of precious fuel that can ultimately help someone easily and quickly find a missing ancestor.

International Language Emphasis
Already one of the largest and most successful volunteer transcription programs in history with more than 1.3 billion records indexed since 2007, FamilySearch indexing is looking toward this year’s event to launch an expanded push for indexed records in languages other than English. Currently FamilySearch.org offers 20 times more searchable records in English than in all other languages combined. To balance this ratio, people with fluency in other languages, especially French, Italian, Portuguese, and Spanish, are being sought as indexing volunteers.

“Family history research in English-speaking countries is a dream compared to research in other parts of the world,” said Mike Judson, manager of FamilySearch’s indexing workforce development. “Our goal is to make research for our friends in other lands as joyful and productive as it is in the United States, Great Britain, and other English-speaking countries. To do this we need tens of thousands of volunteers with well-developed language skills to step forward and use those talents to bless others’ lives. We have the records—now we just need the hands.”

To help volunteers with language skills to get started, FamilySearch indexing has launched carefully chosen indexing projects in its four focus languages of French, Italian, Portuguese, and Spanish. Special training guides are now available to help new and experienced English indexers with skills in these languages to quickly familiarize themselves with how to index these particular records.

New One-Week Record Anticipated 
Last year’s Worldwide Indexing Event established a one-week record of 91,721 participants. This year, more than 100,000 participants are expected. To be counted, each volunteer must submit at least one indexing or arbitration batch sometime during the week. Volunteers and potential volunteers can visit FamilySearch.org/indexingevent2015 to learn more, including strategies for avoiding high demand periods that may tend to slow down the indexing system.  
  
 © 2015 by Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved. A service provided by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

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 predecessors 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.

UVTAGG mtg -11 July 2015

The next meeting of the Utah Valley Technology and Genealogy Group - UVTAGG will be on Saturday, 11 July 2015, from 9 am to noon in the LDS "Red Chapel", 4050 North Timpview Drive (650 East), Provo. This is the regular second-Saturday-of-the-month meeting. Information about the Group, meeting location, main presentations, classes, and class notes are available on their website  http://uvtagg.org.

The main presentation this month at UVTAGG will be by James Tanner on COPYRIGHT LAW FOR GENEALOGISTS. Family historians are constantly confronted with issues involving copyright protected books, documents and other items. For example, how many researchers have found an important family story only to realize that the story is subject to a copyright claim? In addition, we are frequently confronted with the issue that a document or photograph pertaining to our family is also subject to a copyright claim and what if we want copyright protection for our own work? In many cases, understanding the basics of United States copyright law, or the law of other countries, becomes of more than academic interest. 

In this  presentation former attorney James L. Tanner will provide an essential look at modern copyright law as it applies to genealogical research. The presentation and accompanying handout will cover important topics such as the concepts of fair use and what is and is not in the public domain. Tanner will also discuss some of the rulings in current important copyright litigation. James L. Tanner received a B.A. Degree in Spanish, an M.A. Degree in Linguistics, University of Utah, and a J.D. Degree, Law, Arizona State University. He spent two years as an Intelligence Analyst for the U.S. Army, 39 years as an Arizona trial attorney, over 33 years in genealogical research, and is an Avid Blogger of Genealogy’s Star blog and Rejoice, and be exceeding glad. He has also spent ten years as a family history missionary at the Mesa, Arizona FamilySearch Library and is presently serving at the BYU Family History Library. He is a presenter at conferences and expos around the U.S. and Canada. He was previously the owner of a retail computer business and an Apple Macintosh software company, as well as being a professional photographer. He and his wife have seven children and 32 grandchildren.

After the main presentation the following classes are scheduled.  See our website for last minute changes and additions.

(1)  Q&A: Copyright Law for Genealogists, by James Tanner 

(2)  Using the Family History Guide to Jump Start Your Genealogy, by Bob Taylor.  This is a new website that is available to help you negotiate the family history learning process. It's great for beginners and more advanced genealogists. It is especially helpful to family history consultants in helping others learn more!

(3)  It's About Time (Calendars), by Ginny Ackerson 

(4)  Ask An Expert (Personal Help), by Don Engstrom & Finn Hansen 

(5)  Video of last month's main presentation: Finding the Living Among the Dead - Using the Internet, by Amy Archibald 

(6)  Ancestral Quest, by Gaylon Findlay 

(7)  RootsMagic, by Diana Olsen

Notice that there is something for everyone no matter what their level of family history expertise. This includes youth, those just getting interested in genealogy, long-time genealogists, and ward family history consultants. All meetings of UVTAGG are open to the public, whether members of the Group or not. The Group has the goal of helping individuals use technology to further their family history and there are usually about 100 attending the monthly meetings, most of whom are family history consultants. 

FamilySearch Makes Historic Announcement Regarding Historical Records of African American Families

Bank Record

SALT LAKE CITY – On Friday, June 19^th Elder D. Todd Christofferson, leader in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, made an historic announcement  regarding the release of Civil War-era free slave records at a press event in Los Angeles.

FamilySearch, the largest genealogy organization in the world, in partnership with the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, the Afro-American Historical & Genealogical Society and the California African American Museum, are working together to make these records available and accessible on-line for those interested in their ancestry.

ABOUT FREEDMEN’S BUREAU RECORDS:

·         The Freedmen’s Bureau was organized following the passage of the 13^th Amendment to assist newly-freed slaves in 15 states and the District of Columbia. 
·         From 1862-1872, the Bureau gathered handwritten, personal information on freed men, women and children, including marriage and family information, military service, banking, school, hospital and property records.
·         In 2001, the FamilySearch Freedman’s Bank project provided more than 460,000 historical records and, at the time, were the largest bank of Civil War-era slave records.
·         Records, histories and stories will be available on DiscoverFreedmen.org.
·         To engage on social media use #DiscoverFreemen

# # #

ABOUT FAMILYSEARCH

FamilySearch is the largest genealogical organization in the world providing billions of ancestral records. FamilySearch is a nonprofit organization sponsored by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Our commitment to helping people connect with their ancestors is rooted in our beliefs—that families are meant to be central to our lives and that family relationships are intended to continue beyond this life. Learn more at FamilySearch.org.

The next meeting of the Utah Valley Technology and Genealogy Group - UVTAGG

The next meeting will be on Saturday, 13 June 2015, from 9 am to noon in the LDS "Red Chapel", 4050 North Timpview Drive (650 East), Provo.   This is the regular second-Saturday-of-the-month meeting.  Information about the Group, meeting location, main presentations, classes, and class notes are available on their website  http://uvtagg.org.  

NOTE: This month on Saturday morning 13 June will be the Provo Marathon down University Avenue so there will be delayed crossing of University Avenue.  The police at each intersection will probably let you cross University Avenue when there is a break in runners, but you might have to wait several minutes.  Or you can go down to 3rd South in Provo and get around the block offs.  

The main presentation this month at UVTAGG will be by Amy Archibald on FINDING THE LIVING AMONG THE DEAD:  USING THE INTERNET TO FIND YOUR LIVING COUSINS.  The missing link in your family history may be one phone call or email away.  She will explore clues available in family trees, obituaries, online tools, and the resources available to identify your cousin's contact information.  Come and discover your living cousins online.  Amy Archibald is a family historian and reunion organizer with a passion for teaching others.  She has spent 30 years researching her own family and 20 years teaching others.  She lives in Clearfield, Utah with her husband and two children and blogs on family history topics at  http://revealingrootsandbranches.blogspot.com/  .  Amy's earlier version of this topic was streamed live at RootsTech 2015, was very well-received, and is still available to watch online.  Go to  http://rootstech.org/?lang=eng  > About > Video Archive. 

After the main presentation the following classes are scheduled.  See our website for last minute changes.

(1)   Q&A: Using the Internet to Find Your Living Cousins, by Amy Archibald

(2)   Using DNA in Family History, by Rick Klemetson

(3)   WHAT! My Temple Reservations Have Disappeared?, by Marilyn Thomsen

(4)   Video of last month's main presentation:  Robert Raymond discussing A Genealogically Correct FamilySearch Family Tree

(5)   Ask An Expert (Personal Help), Don Engstrom and Finn Hansen

(6)   RootsMagic, by Renee Zamora 

(The Ancestral Quest classes will start again in July.)    

Notice that there is something for everyone no matter what their level of family history expertise.  This includes youth, those just getting interested in genealogy, long-time genealogists, and Family History Consultants.  All meetings of UVTAGG are open to the public, whether members of the Group or not.  The Group has the goal of helping individuals use technology to further their family history and there are usually about 100 attending the monthly meetings.   

Many members don't live close enough to participate in the monthly meetings, but pay the $10 per year online dues to belong so they can receive the monthly newsletter via email and purchase the inexpensive DVDs of the presentations and classes.  Gift memberships make great presents for family history-minded relatives, friends, and Family History Consultants, and membership is on a calendar year basis.  See more information about the presentations, classes, class notes, and how to join the Group on at http://uvtagg.org/. 

The Family History Guide - A New Genealogy Tool

We all have family or friends that want to learn about their family history. There is so much great information on the web to help, however, until one becomes a bit more experienced it's hard to even know where to begin!

So your help is needed to test a new Family History Guide. It's meant to get you started and to guide you along the way to becoming more proficient and comfortable with the process. We know there are things that still need tweeking and we are rapidly adding new information every day. You are the best to tell us if it flows smoothly or if there are things that could be done better!

I've been helping a couple of friends who just want to help others become more comfortable in learning and confident in their efforts. This web tool can help those family and friends become more self-sufficient and learn to enjoy the process. Besides, they can do this at their own speed!

A facebook page for the Guide is located here along with some instructions:                   https://www.facebook.com/TheFamilyHistoryGuide.

The website is located here:  http://www.thefhguide.com/. The website has a tracker sheet that can help you keep track of what you cover in the site.

Please share this with your friends and family and give it a try. You can add your feedback to the facebook page or post comments in the blog under "Contact Us".

Thanks so much and Enjoy!