by Lisa Cooke | Feb 11, 2013 | 01 What's New, Conferences, Video
Have you thought about attending a genealogy conference, but found the idea a bit daunting? First-timers can feel thrown back into “junior high school mode”:
- Which classes should I attend?
- Where will I sit?
- What if I don’t know anybody?
Don’t let a little shyness stop you from going! With a little preparation you can be ready to hit the conference running.
In this video presented by George Morgan (The Genealogy Guys) for the Southern California Genealogical Society (the folks who put on the annual Jamboree in Burbank, CA) you’ll learn what to expect, how to prepare, and how to get the most out of your time once you are there.
Watch the video: How to Get the Most Out of a Genealogy Conference from SC Genealogical Society
The Southern California Genealogical Society Jamboree is a terrific conference and plans are already in the works for Jamboree 2013 to be held in Burbank, CA June 7 – 9, 2013. Head to their website for all the details on the schedule and registration. Hurry – according to their website early bird registration ends April 30, 2013.
I hope to see you in some of my classes at Jamboree:
Friday June 7 at 1:30pm Pimp Your Pad! How to Turn Your iPad (and other tablets too) into an Ultimate Genealogy Cruisin’ Machine
Friday June 7 Banquet – Behind the Scenes of WDYTYA? (I’ll be moderating)
Saturday June 8 at 11:30am Master Using Google for Common Surname Searches
Saturday June 8 at 2:00pm The Google Earth Military March Game Show (Ooo…this is going to be good!)
And of course I’ll see you at my booth in the exhibit hall.
by Lisa Cooke | Feb 9, 2013 | 01 What's New, British, Newspaper
Imagine the thrill of pulling up a page on from an old newspaper on your computer screen and seeing your ancestor’s name in print. It’s an event any genealogist would enjoy (and the reason I wrote the book How to Find Your Family History in Newspapers.)
Findmypast.com just made the possibility of that happening a little more likely by adding more than 6 million pages from British newspapers to it’s subscription website. Here are all the details from their recent press release:
LOS ANGELES (Feb. 6, 2013) – Findmypast.com, an international leader in online family history, today announced the addition of more than 6 million pages from British newspapers, including original images, to its extensive historical records collection. The British newspapers include local and regional titles from England, Scotland and Wales from 1700 to 1950, and encompass nearly 200 titles. The British newspapers are part of an exclusive partnership with the British Library to digitize 50 million pages over the next 10 years.
With this new addition, findmypast.com World Subscribers will have access to all of the records and articles they need to research their family tree in one website. Throughout the next 10 years, approximately 8,000 new pages will be digitized every day and every new addition will be included in existing subscriptions.
“This incredible collection of British newspapers breathes life into the past, from local happenings to events of international importance. Each page provides a unique look into the lives of our ancestors – how they lived, worked and died – through notices of vital events and daily activities,” said D. Joshua Taylor, lead genealogist for findmypast.com. “The collection is truly unique with its extensive number of local and regional newspapers each containing intricate details from the lives of our millions of British ancestors.”
The British have always had a particularly voracious appetite for newspapers, especially during the 19th century when nearly every town in the country had its own newspaper. From the man who decided to walk around the world in an iron mask to the coronation of Queen Victoria, British newspapers have captured every aspect of people’s lives.
Learn more about the collection at http://www.findmypast.com/articles/world-records/newspaper-archives/british-newspapers.
by Lisa Cooke | Feb 8, 2013 | 01 What's New, Military, Oral History
An estimated 3200 military wives have lost their husbands in Afghanistan and Iraq. Though nothing can ever truly make up for their loss, a nonprofit 
organization called the American Widow Project (AWP) offers them support as they rebuild their lives. Now Saving Memories Forever, a popular genealogy service, is contributing to the cause.
The AWP and Saving Memories Forever share a common interest: keeping alive the memories and stories of American soldiers, husbands and oftentimes fathers. The AWP hosts a hotline, puts out a monthly newsletter and holds events where widows can come together to enjoy life and heal by sharing stories, tears and laughter. Saving Memories Forever helps people audio-record, save and share their memories in a secure online archive.
Saving Memories Forever has donated 20 premium subscriptions to the AWP. In addition, from now through the end of March, the AWP will receive 40% of the profits from new subscribers who use the special promo code AWP213. If you’re interested in capturing, preserving and sharing oral histories, take a look at Saving Memories Forever.
by Lisa Cooke | Feb 7, 2013 | 01 What's New, Conferences
Do you know any young genealogists who would love to go to the Southern California Genealogy Jamboree? Encourage them to apply for a 0 cash award and free 
conference registration.
The Suzanne Winsor Freeman Memorial Grant Committee is now accepting applications for its 2013 Student Genealogy Grant. As they did last year, the SCGS Jamboree will provide the grant recipient with free three-day registration. Genealogists between the ages of 18 and 25 who have attended school in the last 12 months are eligible to apply. The recipient must attend the 2013 SCGS Jamboree in Burbank, California to receive the award.
I can tell you from personal experience that Jamboree is one of the family history world’s most fun educational experiences! It’s a perfect place for a young person to further his or her genealogical learning and make personal and professional connections that can last a lifetime
Complete details and application materials are available at The Family Curator. The application deadline is 18 March 2013 midnight PST. I hope you’ll forward this post to any young people who should apply!
by Lisa Cooke | Feb 7, 2013 | 01 What's New, NARA, Records & databases
According to the National Archives, pension files for the War of 1812 rate among their most-requested materials. But the files haven’t been easy to use
General Andrew Jackson commands his troops during the Battle of New Orleans. (Credit: Library of Congress)
because they’re only at the National Archives–they haven’t been available in published, microfilmed or digitized form. You’ve either had to research the pension files onsite in Washington, D.C. or order copies from the Archives. Not exactly easy access.
This is about to change. The Federation of Genealogical Societies (FGS), The National Archives, Ancestry.com and Fold3.com are partners in a huge effort: to preserve and digitize 7.2 million pages of War of 1812 Pension Records and make them available for free online.
This mammoth undertaking commemorates the 200th anniversary of the War of 1812, which has been called “America’s Second Revolution.” Many U.S. citizens joined the fight against the British Empire to permanently resolve issues the Revolutionary War was fought over. It’s a near-legendary era in U.S. history when “The Star Spangled Banner” was penned (during the defense of Baltimore’s Fort McHenry) and the White House was burned (during the only foreign occupation of Washington, D.C.).
The pension files are already being digitized, and completed images and their associated indexes are being posted incrementally. You can view them for free at Fold3.com. Follow the progress of this enormous undertaking at FGS’ Preserve the Pensions blog, where you’ll see updates and get inspired by research success stories. Commemorate the War of 1812’s anniversary yourself by looking here for any ancestors who may have served!
