by Lisa Cooke | Aug 26, 2013 | 01 What's New, Conferences, FamilySearch, RootsTech, Technology
Ever had to choose between attending two fantastic genealogy conferences? In 2015, your choice will be easier: RootsTech and the Federation of Genealogical Societies (FGS) will host events in the same time and place: the Salt Palace Convention Center in Salt Lake City, Utah. Mark your calendars and make your hotel reservations early for February 12-14, 2015!
Never been to either of these events?
- RootsTech is a mammoth event hosted by the folks at FamilySearch. There’s lots of genealogy education but the primary focus is one I love: harnessing advances in technology to better help us discover and share family history.
- FGS helps genealogical societies strengthen and grow by providing events and online resources. Their annual conference is a 4-day event with tons of excellent lectures, including a full day on society management topics.
According to a press release from FGS, “With the Salt Palace Convention Center as the common venue, both FamilySearch and FGS are committed to producing a one-of-a-kind genealogy event addressing the educational needs of the family history, technology and genealogical society communities. As the logistics of this sizeable event are still being worked out, both FGS and FamilySearch will work together to share resources and provide cost benefits for all parties, including attendees and exhibitors. Attendees can expect to see familiar elements of previous FGS and RootsTech events including keynote presentations, a Society Showcase and Expo Hall.”
More details will be announced later: watch for them here e at the RootsTech and FGS websites.
by Lisa Cooke | Jul 17, 2013 | 01 What's New, FamilySearch, RootsMagic, Technology
Now you can find short training videos in addition to free full-length webinars on RootsMagic’s new YouTube Channel, RootsMagicTV.
If you’re a RootsMagic user (or may be interested in becoming one), FamilySearch Family Tree or PAF user , you’ll love these helpful tutorials.
And let your voice be heard: They are even taking suggestions for topics to cover in future short videos, too! email them at support@rootsmagic.com.
by Lisa Cooke | Jul 15, 2013 | 01 What's New, FamilySearch, Technology
If you’ve been doing family history research for awhile, you probably have heard of (and maybe used) PAF: Personal Ancestral File software. Well, it’s been hard at
work for a long time–as a true pioneer in genealogy computing–and now it’s retiring.
It’s not that your PAF software suddenly doesn’t work. But as of today, July 15, 2013, you won’t be able to get downloads, supports or upgrades from FamilySearch, which has made the software available since 1984.
What does that mean for PAF users? The current version of PAF supports exports to GEDCOM files, still a universal file type for genealogy software. So while GEDCOMs still remain supported on other software and online family tree hosts, you’ll be able to transfer the data from your tree. Those who want to continue to use FamilySearch products (like Family Tree) are advised by FamilySearch to switch to software that partners with FamilySearch: Ancestral Quest, Legacy Family Tree or RootsMagic. Learn more about the PAF discontinuation, what it means to you and supported software options at FamilySearch.
And just to put in a plug for RootsMagic, a Genealogy Gems Podcast sponsor, RootsMagic 6 is the only software that is “share+ certified” by FamilySearch for use with Family Tree: the only software, as RootsMagic says, “certified to collaborate and share data and sources with FamilySearch Family Tree.” If you’re already using RootsMagic 4 or 5, you’ll need to upgrade. Purchase RootsMagic 6 or order your upgrade here.
by Lisa Cooke | Jun 5, 2013 | 01 What's New, FamilySearch, Records & databases
Millions of new images and indexed records are added to FamilySearch.org every week. But here’s one that particularly caught my eye: 5.6 million records from Massachusetts Land Records dating from 1620 to the 1980s.
Massachusetts Land Records, Hampshire County, sample deed from browsable record set at FamilySearch.org.
It’s a browsable collection of “land and property records from the Massachusetts Land Office and county courthouses. Records include land grants, patents, deeds, and mortgages. This collection includes all counties in Massachusetts.” Though these images aren’t indexed in FamilySearch per se, I noticed that when I clicked on a sample county (Hampshire), there were alphabetical deed indexes dating back as far as the records themselves. So it looks like in at least some cases, you’ll be able to browse those indexes and then find the deeds you want.
Looking for other new records just added to FamilySearch.org? Check out the table below.
|
|
| Collection |
Indexed Records |
Digital Images |
Comments |
| Austria, Seigniorial Records, 1537–1888 |
0 |
237,988 |
Added images to an existing collection. |
| Brazil, Piauí, Civil Registration, 1875-2012 |
0 |
116,423 |
Added images to an existing collection. |
| China, Cemetery Records, 1820-1983 |
0 |
72,747 |
New browsable image collection. |
| China, Collection of Genealogies, 1239-2011 |
0 |
204,422 |
Added images to an existing collection. |
| Honduras, Civil Registration, 1841-1968 |
0 |
337,367 |
New browsable image collection. |
| Luxembourg, Civil Registration, 1793-1923 |
0 |
84,251 |
Added images to an existing collection. |
| Peru, Amazonas, Civil Registration, 1939-1995 |
0 |
5,417 |
Added images to an existing collection. |
| Portugal, Beja, Catholic Church Records, 1550-1911 |
0 |
94,902 |
Added images to an existing collection. |
| Portugal, Braga, Priest Application Files (Genere et Moribus), 1596-1911 |
0 |
69,030 |
New browsable image collection. |
| Portugal, Évora, Civil Registration and Miscellaneous Records, 1554-1938 |
0 |
5,708 |
New browsable image collection. |
| Portugal, Viana do Castelo, Catholic Church Records, 1537-1909 |
0 |
83,446 |
Added images to an existing collection. |
| Switzerland, Fribourg, Census, 1811 |
0 |
2,387 |
New browsable image collection. |
| Switzerland, Fribourg, Census, 1818 |
0 |
2,369 |
New browsable image collection. |
| Switzerland, Fribourg, Census, 1834 |
0 |
2,436 |
New browsable image collection. |
| U.S., Hawaii, Honolulu Passenger Lists, 1900-1953 |
0 |
191,701 |
New browsable image collection. |
| U.S., Idaho, Gooding County Records, 1879-1962 |
0 |
52,108 |
New browsable image collection. |
| U.S., Maine, Piscataquis County, Deed Books, 1838-1902 |
0 |
56,970 |
New browsable image collection. |
| U.S., Massachusetts, Land Records, 1620-1986 |
0 |
5,766,135 |
New browsable image collection. |
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by Lisa Cooke | May 21, 2013 | 01 What's New, FamilySearch, Inspiration, iPad, Maps, Technology
A new app for FamilySearch.org users lets you map your ancestors’ birthplaces. It retrieves information about your ancestors from your data at FamilySearch.org. It’s called Family Map and it looks like this:
Family Map app for FamilySearch.org users.
While there are lots of maps online, it’s fun to see your relatives all mapped at once (with no extra effort from yourself). This tool is especially great for sharing your family history with relatives. They can see at a glance your family migration patterns, remark on the number of people who stayed in the old hometown (or didn’t) and put themselves in context.
Thanks to Devin Ashby at FamilySearch for tipping me off to this app. The app is FamilyMap – Scoutic and is available
on iTunes for $1.99.
