Obtaining Records Without Traveling

There are a lot of things researchers can do from home, but there comes that day when that vital piece of data is just not on the internet. There are various reasons, children at home, finances, work, school, etc., you may not be able to just pick up and go to the court house, funeral home or the Family History Center in Salt Lake City, Utah. Do you just give us on that information?

Documenting You

We tend to document our families or those we are doing research for, but what about “YOU”. Are you thinking about the records, documents, certificates, and resources that YOU are creating and citing those sources? Who is documenting/citing YOU?

USGenWeb Volunteering

USGenWeb needs YOUR help! Do you have extra time to volunteer in a genealogy related activity? The USGenWeb has posted the following: Volunteers Needed!

Genwriters Review

In order for our descendants to learn the things we have researched about our families, we have to documents and write down the facts and stories. Genwriters is a great website to assist you in getting started. Personally, I have referred to it many times and I wanted to share it with you.

Genealogy New Year’s Resolutions

Genealogy New Year’s resolutions are a good way to renew your family history spirit. Here are a few of my New Year’s Resolution I would like for you to consider when making your own commitments for the 2009 year in genealogy

DNA Genealogy Sources

DNA and Genealogy is a topic that many are gaining an interest in.  I am learning right along side my readers.  If you discover a great book or internet site please share this information with me. I recently attended a seminar and Genealogy & DNA was one of our topics. Here is a portion of what I learned.

DNA is basically a long molecule that contains coded instructions for the cells. Everything the cells do is coded somehow in DNA – which cells should grow and when, which cells should die and when, which cells should make hair and what color it should be. Our DNA is inherited from our parents. We resemble our parents simply because our bodies were formed using DNA to guide the process – the DNA we inherited from them.

We may resemble our parents, but we are never exactly like them. This is because each child gets only some of the DNA each parent carries. About half our DNA comes from our mother, and half comes from our father. Which pieces we get is basically random, and each child gets a different subset of the parents’ DNA. Thus, siblings may have the same parents, but they usually do not have exactly the same DNA (except for identical twins). (University of Michigan: DNA Sequencing Core)

A great internet site I recommend to gain a better understanding is The Genetic Genealogist. The Genetic Genealogist examines the intersection of traditional genealogical techniques and modern genetic research. The blog also explores the latest news and developments in the related field of personal genomics. Genetic genealogy is another tool for the genealogist’s toolbox. It is the use of genetics to study genealogy, the relationship between individuals. There are at least four types of genealogical DNA testing, including Y-chromosome, X-chromosome, mtDNA, and autosomal DNA test. 

Here are some other internet sites that can help you understand more about DNA and how it can possibly help you in your family research.

Major DNA Testing Services (for informational purposes only; no endorsement implied)

http://www.familybuilder.com/dna; Familybuilder DNA
 
http://www.africanancestry.com;African Ancestry

http://www.dna.ancestry.com;Ancestry DNA

http://www.dnaheritage.com;DNA Heritage

http://www.dnaprint.com;DNAPrint Genomics

http://www.dnasolutions.co.uk;DNA Solutions Ltd

http://www.dnaconsultants.com;DNA Testing Systems

http://www.ethnoancestry.com;Ethnoancestry

http://www.familytreedna.com;Family Tree DNA

http://www.genebase.com;Genebase Systems,Inc.

http://www.genelex.com;Genlex Corporation

http://www.genomac.com;Genomac International, s.r.o.

http://www.igenea.com;Igenea

http://www.geogene.com;GeoGene, Inc.

http://www.oxfordancestors.com;Oxford Ancestors Ltd

http://www.rootsforreal.com;Roots for Real Genetic Ancestry
 
DNA Database Websites
 
http://www.dnalist.net;DNA List

http://www.ybase.org;ybase

http://www.ysearch.org;ysearch

http://www.smgf.org>Sorenson Database
 
www3.nationalgeographic.com/genographic.html; National Geographic Genographic Index

DNA Books

Forensic Genealogy by Colleen Fitzpatrick

How to Interpret your DNA Test Results for Family History & Ancestry by Anne Hart, Writers Club Press, 2002

Trace Your Roots with DNA: Using Genetic Tests to Explore your Family Tree by Megan Smolenyak and Ann Turner, Rosedale Press, 2004

The Seven Daughters of Eve by Bryan Sykes, Norton, 2001

Deep Ancestry: Inside the Genographic Project by Spencer Wells, National Geographic Society, 2006

The Journey of Man: A Genetic Odyssey by Spencer Wells, Princeton University Press, 2003

For more articles by Tina Sansone visit Genealogy@Bellaonline

Genealogy Chat November 9, 2008

The Bellaonline Genealogy Chat will be on the 2nd and 4th Sunday at 6:00 PM EST. The first one was held on November 9th. Here is the link to that chat:

Genealogy Chat Log

The next chat will be held on November 23 and you are invited to join us!

Bellaonline Genealogy Chat: Starting November 9th

Genealogy @ Bellaonline is going to start having genealogy chats to give its members a place to discuss their research questions. There are several reasons why discussing a genealogy problem or plan with someone might help.

A. Another researcher may have already broken that brick wall you are hitting now.
B. Comparison of surnames might introduce you to a distant cousin researching the same family ties as you.
C. Researchers from different locales could come together to help each other. Someone in Tennessee might chat with someone in California who could look up a document for them.
D. A place for beginners to learn tips from those more experienced researchers.
E. To learn about genealogy events coming up.
F. Chats can occasionally be specialized for a certain group. For example, African American, Native American, Italian, Adoptions or the many other groups.
G. Case Studies on research projects can be discussed and analyzed.
H. Chats can be held to help those interested in becoming certified, accredited or becoming professional.
I. Genealogy related books or magazines can be discussed.
J. A chance for you to moderate a chat on a topic you are familiar with.
K. Special guests that can help us in our research endeavors.
L. Invite your friends and introduce them to family research.
M. Plus much more…….

The first chat will be announced on the genealogy forum. The genealogy forum is a great place to list suggested topics you might be interested in. If a chat has to be canceled, this is the place where that would be listed. The schedule will be the second and fourth Sunday evenings, at 6 PM EST.

In order to enter the chat, you will need to do a FREE registration for the Bellaonline forums. Your forum name and password will get you into the chat rooms. Once you are in the chat room, you can pick an icon if you wish. If you are a private/shy person, you can remain anonymous if you wish. You can communicate via your forum name you have chosen. Bellaonline has weekly chats that you are welcome to visit. You might visit one before the genealogy chat to make sure you know how to enter the chats beforehand.

The first chat will be a time for everyone to introduce themselves and where they are from (if they wish to share). A discussion can be held on what each person’s individual needs and expectations are for the chat. The moderator, Tina Sansone, Genealogy Editor, will take notes and try to arrange future chats based on everyone’s need. If there is enough interest, she will be happy to set up a chat to start a beginner’s group.

Check the genealogy forum for the first chat date soon to come and leave any questions you may have.  (First Date is November 9th at 6 PM EST)

Bureau of Refugees, Freedmen and Abandoned Lands

The Bureau of Refugees, Freedmen and Abandoned Lands was established by the War Department on March 3, 1865. Its primary function was to supervise all relief and educational activities relating to refugees and freedmen. It assumed custody of abandoned or confiscated lands or property in the former Confederate States, border states, District of Columbia, and Indian Territory.

The National Archives gives us the following information: “In the years following the Civil War, the Bureau of Refugees, Freedmen, and Abandoned Lands (the Freedmen’s Bureau) provided assistance to tens of thousands of former slaves and impoverished whites in the Southern States and the District of Columbia. The war had liberated nearly four million slaves and destroyed the region’s cities, towns, and plantation-based economy. It left former slaves and many whites dislocated from their homes, facing starvation, and owning only the clothes they wore. The challenge of establishing a new social order, founded on freedom and racial equality, was enormous.

Read more at http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art58414.asp

Getting the Family Involved in Family Research

There are those times when it is a great idea to get the rest of the family involved in Family Research. Explaining to them what family history is, and why you do it, may take the mystery out of it. It may make them more understanding of what you do. What can you do to include the rest of the family in your genealogical research? Here are some ideas:

• Frame a pedigree. Each night give a story about each generation.
• Show your ancestors on the census. Tell the family what some of the columns represent and what it tells you about your ancestors.
• Have a night to dress up like your ancestor, serve a meal they may have eaten.

For the rest of the article visit http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art9786.asp