Genealogical Gems

ARLINGTON - The National Genealogical Society (NGS) has announced the release of the Mobile Conference App for the NGS 2015 Family History Conference, which will be held 13‒16 May 2015 in St. Charles, Missouri. To download the free NGS Conference App, go to Mobile App . The NGS Conference App is available for iOS, Android, Blackberry, Windows Phone, and web-enabled devices. Search your app store for NGS Family History Conferences. Attendees will be able to download a single app and access all current and future NGS conferences by adding new events to this app. The f eatures include: The Dashboard to keep you organized with up-to-the-minute information About the NGS 2015 Family History Conference to keep all conference information in one place Alerts of important real-time communications from NGS Twitter feed to follow and join in on the conference chatter. The Twitter hashtag is #NGS2015GEN. NOTE: This release was provided by the NGS.

  This week I have to admit genealogy took a back seat. It was my first full week back to work (I work seasonally at a nursery – LOVE IT!) and my kids had some medical issues (one still does actually) but I did get some reading done. EIN Presswire sent me a news release concerning a new online Jewish database. The Knowles Collection links generations of Jewish families from all over the world. It has reached its one-millionth record milestone and is now easily searchable online. The vast majority of new contributions are coming from families and private archives worldwide. The free collection can be accessed at FamilySearch.org/family-trees . The National Genealogical Society conference is 13-16 May 2015 in St. Charles , Missouri . The early bird registration deadline is this Monday, 30 March 2015. For more information see the registration brochure . Blog posts worth reading: Dear Myrtle has finally published a How To that makes Hangouts easier to navigate. ...

The National Genealogical Society (NGS) first published Genealogy and the Law: A Guide to Legal Sources for the Family Historian by Kay Haviland Freilich, CG SM , CGL SM , FNGS , and William B. Freilich, Esq., in September last year. It is now available as a Kindle eBook. The book is a great reference for any land ownership issues and records. The NGS also announced live streaming for 10   lectures from its 2015 Family History Conference. The conference will be held 13‒16 May, in St. Charles , Missouri . For those (sadly, like myself) who are unable to physically attend the conference, we can sign up for these live streaming lectures. Details can be found at http://conference.ngsgenealogy.org/attend/live-streaming/ . An email from Amy Johnson Crow reminded me about 52 Ancestors Week 10 Recap. The theme for week 10 was Stormy Weather . My 2x great grandfather was a rural schoolteacher and his school diary included notations on the weather! Blog posts worth reading: ...

Earlier this week, the National Genealogical Society sent out a reminder that the deadline was fast approaching for their annual Family History Writing Contests. The deadline for six of the competition entries and award nominations is 31 December. The winners will be recognized at the NGS Family History Conference, 13-16 May 2015 in St. Charles , Missouri .   The competitions are: Family History Writing Contest : NGS recognizes the best genealogy covering 3 to 4 generations. Award for Excellence — Genealogy and Family History : NGS presents this award to an individual or nonprofit organization for an outstanding genealogy or family history book published during the past three years. Award for Excellence — Genealogical Methods and Sources : NGS presents this award to an individual or nonprofit organization for a book, article, or series of articles published during the past three years on genealogical methods and sources. Ne...

As I research various postcards and the historical images they present, I often stumble upon some gems - usual sites or information that may have a bearing down the road on my genealogical quests. Today, while searching for information on the timeline of the State Normal School in West Chester, Chester County, I found a timeline for West Chester itself. Lots of great facts here that may help in searches at some point. For example, the Daily Local News was founded in 1872. I'm sure I probably knew that at some point but the reminder is nice! I also listened to some videos from the National Genealogical Society while I was typing. Donna Valley Russell, fasg, was being interviewed and said one standard documentation concerns bible records. She says the first thing she looks for is the publication date of the bible. Things entered before that date have simply been copied in and cannot count as documentation. Switching tracks ... I did some research today for a client whose...

This just in from the National Genealogical Society (NGS): Registration will open on Sunday, 1 December 2013, for the NGS's 36th annual family history conference. The conference, "Virginia: The First Frontier", will be held 7–10 May 2014 at the Greater Richmond Convention Center and the Marriott Hotel in Richmond, Virginia. The conference will again feature the Board for Certification of Genealogists’ Skillbuilding track, which focuses on research techniques useful to both the beginning and the advanced researcher. Among the eighteen lectures in the migration track are David Rencher’s “From Ulster to Virginia and the Carolinas,” Eric Grundset’s “The Chesapeake and New England: Colonial Connections and Migrations,” and J. Mark Lowe’s “The Migration Triangle: Virginia, the Carolinas, and Tennessee.” A two-day German track features lectures on German research in both the United States and Europe. Single-day tracks focus on DNA, NARA, military, and African A...

NGS has announced the 2014 Family History Conference will be held 7–10 May 2014 at the Greater Richmond Convention Center and Marriott Hotel located in downtown Richmond, Virginia.   Below is their press release issued today:   Conference highlights and contact information for conference hotels can be found in the Announcement Brochure, which can be downloaded at http://www.ngsgenealogy.org/galleries/new-gallery/2014_Announcement_Brochure.pdf . The conference theme, Virginia: The First Frontier, will explore the records and history that draw so many back to their roots in the Old Dominion. Lecture topics will also include migration into, within, and out of the region down the Great Wagon Road, over the Appalachian Mountains, and across the south to Texas and beyond.   Genealogy conferences in Richmond, Virginia, are always well attended, so plan to make your reservations early. The five conference hotels will accept reservations beginning 1 June ...

NGS announces the release of Mastering Genealogical Proof by Thomas W. Jones, p h d, cg, cgl, fasg, fngs . As a unique textbook on genealogical methods and reasoning in the twenty-first century, Mastering Genealogical Proof guides readers in acquiring genealogical skills transcending chronological, ethnic, geopolitical, and religious boundaries. Dr. Jones, a noted writer, lecturer, and editor in the field of genealogy, explains and develops the level of proof that is appropriate to genealogy. Dr. Jones relies on his vast experience as a genealogist to explain the various concepts and techniques involved in the genealogical research process. Mastering Genealogical Proof aims to help researchers, students, and new family historians reconstruct relationships and lives of people they cannot see. It presents content in digestible chunks. Each chapter concludes with problems providing practice for proficiently applying the chapter’s concepts. Those problems, like exa...

Around noon today, the NGS sent the following email: The NGS e-marketing system sent the wrong notice out this morning. The clock is ticking, but pre-registration for the NGS 2013 Family History Conference, 8–11 May at the LVH-Las Vegas Hotel and Casino closes 22 April, and not today. Those hoping to attend the conference still have two weeks to purchase tickets for meals and tours and pre-register. NGS apologizes for any inconvenience and hopes to see you in Las Vegas! My apologies for any inconvenience this may have caused anyone.  

Today is your last chance to purchase tickets for meals and tours and pre-register for the NGS 2013 Family History Conference, 8 –11 May at the LVH-Las Vegas Hotel and Casino .   The conference begins in two weeks. Librarians’ Day is nearly full. The BCG Education Fund Workshop is sold out. You can still purchase tickets for meals and bus tours. On-site conference registration opens Tuesday, 7 May 2013, 12:00 p.m.−7:00 p.m. We look forward to seeing you in Las Vegas!   For more information, and to register, go to: http://www.ngsgenealogy.org/cs/conference_info  

The 2013 Family History Conference of the National Genealogical Society (NGS) will be held 8-11 May at the Las Vegas Hotel and Casino.   The Conference includes topics of interest for all levels of research. Sessions will feature DNA, migration, methodology, ethnic research, women, and the West, to name a few.    The lecture schedule is available on the NGS website in a searchable format at: http://members.ngsgenealogy.org/Conferences/Program2013.cfm . Over 100 exhibitors will be there Wednesday through Saturday featuring   the latest in gen ealogical software, online research providers, and DNA testing services. Registration is now open for the Conference. NGS members will receive a discounted registration fee. For additional information and to register online, go to http://www.ngsgenealogy.org/cs/attendee_registration .      

The National Genealogical Society (NGS) will hold elections for its officers and directors at the annual meeting on Saturday, 12 May 2012, at the NGS Family History Conference in Cincinnati, Ohio. M embers who cannot attend the annual meeting may cast their vote online at http://www.ngsgenealogy.org/cs/members_only between 1 April and 1 May 2012. 

Today's Motivational Monday is a cleaning out of sorts. It is filled with random tips and tidbits. Feel free to add your own tips and tidbits in the "Comments" below the article. Great resource for fellow Poles is the PGSA - the Polish Genealogical Society of America. Membership is open to anyone doing research within the borders of the old Commonwealth of Poland. Eastman's Online Genealogical Helper did an article  on indentifying an unknown Civil War soldier. That reminded me that I need to get back working on my Van Horn line. My third great grandfather had a brother BENJAMIN VAN HORN who served the UNION in the CIVIL WAR. I know very little of his service however and would love to delve into that are more. I received this picture above from a family member descended directly from Benjamin. The plaque shows he was a Prisoner of War.   Social Security Numbers. We all have one - or at least we should! The Ancestry Insider wrote " Social S...

The National Genealogical Society has announced that it will be adjusting the pricing for its American Genealogy Studies courses. Effective 1 October 2011, the price for each course will be $45 for members and $70 for non-members. The current pricing ranges between $35–$38 per course for NGS members and between $50–$53 per course for non-members. The American Genealogical Studies courses include the following: ·          Introduction to Civil War Research ·          Introduction to Religious Records ·          Social Security Sleuthing ·          Special Federal Census Schedules ·          Working with Deeds ·          Transcribing, Extracting, and Abstracting in Genealogical Records Courses can be ordered online through the NGS website at http://...