| FHC Info | |
Hours of Operation:
Mon: Closed
Fri: 9:30 am-1:00 pm
Saturday:
9:30 am-4:30 pm
Tues, Wed, Thurs:
9:30am-4:30pm, & 7-9:30 pm
Directors: Linda & Kurt Christensen Washington DC Stake Carol & Gary Petranek, Silver Spring MDStake |
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| WDC FHC News | | |
Annual Conference - May 4, 2013
Mark your calendar! Our 7th Annual Family History Conference will be held on Saturday, May 4 from 9:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. at 10000 Stoneybrook Drive, Kensington, MD (the home of our FHC). This year, we are offering 29 classes, with DearMYRTLE as our keynote speaker and presenter of two classes. A separate announcement with complete information will be coming soon to everyone who receives this newsletter.
Upcoming Classes
February 16, 10:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. A Peak At Our Past: African-American Mini-Conference
Celebrate Black History Month with this special program presented by members of the WDCFHC African-American Interest Group and the Prince Georges Couty Chapter of AAHGS.
Program: Members of the WDCFHC Interest Group have created a lovely heritage quilt depicting events in their ancestors' lives. Each artist will discuss the life or events which inspired their quilt block.
Meet the artists during the break, then attend one of these classes:
- Contributions of Black Inventors, presented by Patricia Sluby
- Beginning African-American Research, presented by Carolyn Rowe
This event will be held at the Washington DC Temple Visitors' Center, 9900 Stoneybrook Drive, Kensington, MD (next door to our FHC).
February 19, 7:00 - 8:00 p.m. Men of the Same Name: A Baltimore Case Study (NOTE: This is a Wednesday evening class)
Presenter: Rebecca Koford
Most of us have them -- several ancestors with the exact name, living in the same place at the same time. Or are they the same person? Learn the methodology of untangling this genealogy dilemma.
March 16 - 9:30-10:30 a.m. Digging Deeper: City Directories, Taxes, and Voter Registration
Presenter: Rebecca Koford
Learn how to go beyond census and vital records to find clues in these often-overlooked resources.
April 20 - 9:30-10:30 a.m. Conducting Research on FamilySearch Using Parents' Names
Presenter: Natonne Kemp
While there are many ways to filter a search at FamilySearch.org, this session will specifically focus on various techniques of using the names of parents to locate your ancestor.
June 15 - 9:30-10:30 a.m. Using Chronologies to Enhance Your Family History Narrative
Presenter: Sue Mortensen
Learn how to use this invaluable tool to chronicle events in the life of your ancestor, identify the gaps in your research, and construct a comprehensive narrative of your ancestor's life.
Thank you to all of our presenters who volunteer their time to teach!
All classes are free of charge, but registration is requested.
Email info@wdcfhc.org, or call 301-587-0042
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5 Little-Used Records for Genealogy Research
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Are you at a research dead-end? Do you think you've completed an exhaustive search? This article details five often-overlooked records that you may not have considered:
- Consulate Records
- Local Census Records
- Fraternal/Benefit Organizations
- Ear or Cattle Marks
- Dog Licenses
Sound intriguing? Learn what information can be gleaned from these sources by reading the full article here.
Source: Mocavo Blog, January 30, 2013
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A Simple Way to Read Old Tombstones
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Old tombstones are often worn and difficult to read. Here is a simple trick to help you overcome this common problem. The next time you go to the cemetery take a bottle of water with you. Pour the water over the face of the tombstone. It won't hurt the tombstone. What it will do, however, is to help make indents on the surface stand out more.
Basically, this simple trick will make it much easier to read the remains of chiseled letters on old tombstones. Give it a try and you will be amazed at how much it can make old letters pop out.Technically, what is happening is that the surface of a worn and faded tombstone presents what is known as a diffuse reflection surface. This means that light reflecting off the tombstone tends to scatter and move in different (diffuse) directions. This makes it difficult for the human eye (or an image taken by a camera) to discern the pattern of faded letters chiseled into the surface.
When water is added to the face of the tombstone, the water will fill in the letter crevices and make the surface more reflective. Scientifically, this is known as a specular reflection. In essence, the application of water to the surface of the tombstone helps convert it from a diffuse reflection surface to a specular reflection surface. The lining up of the light rays in a specular reflection makes it much easier to discern the pattern of letters on a faded tombstone. This technique is particularly useful if you want to get good photographs of old tombstones. It is always a good idea to wet the tombstone first.
Source: GenealogyInTime, January 24, 2013
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Wills vs Testaments: What is the Difference?
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by Arlene Eakle
Much of American probate is based on the English Common Law, and expanded by Acts of Parliament passed before the American colonies revolted against the British Government. Knowing the difference between the will and the testament can be especially helpful in interpreting the genealogical evidence they provide.
- Wills: before 1540, the will covered only real estate-land and attached buildings- ownership of which came from the Crown. It included rentals, leases, and uses.
- Testaments: before 1540, the testament covered personal estate-furniture, clothing, crops, debts and money due, chattels (human and animal).
This article clearly describes the attributes of both types of documentation and how they apply to genealogy: click here.
Source: Arlene Eakle's Genealogy Blog, February 2, 2013
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Introduction to Using Land Records
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This video from Ancestry.com describes both techniques and resources in using land records for genealogy research.
 | | Introduction to Using Land Records for Family History |
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Bureau of Land Management Tract Books Online at FamilySearch.org
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by James Tanner
The United States, Bureau of Land Management Tract Books, 1820-1908 were just added to FamilySearch.org's Historical Record Collections (access here).
Land case entry files can contain a wealth of genealogical and legal information. Depending upon the type and time period of the land entry, the case file may yield only a few facts already known to the researcher or it may present new insights about ancestors, family history, title, and land use issues. For example, the records may attest to the one's age, place of birth, citizenship, military service, literacy, and economic status, and may even include similar information about family members. But even the smallest case files can establish locations of land ownership or settlement and dates.
The full blogpost with further details about these records can be found here.
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Focusing Your Family History Search
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by Kimberly Powell
If your family history search has left you feeling like you're in the middle of a tornado with papers, files, clues, and theories flying around and around, you are not alone. For all of you family historians wandering aimlessly from clue to clue here are some tips for pulling everything together and keeping your research on track....When undertaking a family history search it is best to focus on one small chunk at a time - a single family group, or a single surname in a particular locality.
Suggestions discussed in this article include:
- Get It in Writing
- Log Your Progress
- Success Starts with a Plan
- Genealogy on Hold
Read the full article here.
Source: About.com: Genealogy, January 1, 2013
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Getting Started in Deed Research
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by Bill Dollarhide
Understanding how to research deeds is a critical skill for genealogists. A deed is a private document that records that the ownership of a parcel of land was transferred from one party to another. A deed certificate acts as the title to property in the possession of the buyer.
This article examines the following:
- Where and how are deeds recorded?
- Accessing Deed Records
- Four ways you can conduct research in deed records
- A Check List for Deed Research
- Online Deed Research (through netronline.com)
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Genealogy "Tips of the Day"
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by Michael John Neill
Map It. Put all your ancestor's residences on the same map. Compare it to your chronology. Is there a chance they might have stopped somewhere "in between" two places and left records of some type? If the locations are urban with street addresses, make certain you have contemporary materials.
Obituaries Provide Half the Story. Obituaries and death notices, particularly more recent ones, may not mention previous spouses or the fact that children of the deceased are not full siblings. Be careful before concluding that the children listed in an obituary share the same set of both parents.
Get Out in the Neighborhood. Regardless of the person, the location, or the record, look at the surrounding entries in any record book. If you've found one deed, perhaps a relative had more than one recorded at the same time. If you've found someone in the census, other names on the page may be relatives. If you've found a relative's farm in a county atlas or plat book, look at owners on neighboring properties. If you ancestor obtained Federal land, look at the people who obtained nearby properties.
Did They Bother to Naturalize? Your immigrant ancestor might not have even bothered to become an American citizen--particularly before the naturalization reform of 1906. Voting was the main benefit that came from citizenship. Unnaturalized aliens could own property, bequeath property, etc. without becoming American citizens. If you are unable to locate a naturalization for your 19th century American immigrant and you have looked diligently for it, it may that your relative never bothered to naturalize.
Did It Really Happen? A marriage license does not mean a couple actually got married. It means they requested permission to get married. A marriage record indicates they get married. A declaration of intention does not indicate a person actually became a citizen. A naturalization record does. Filing a homestead claim does not mean a person actually got the property. A final patent issued for the land does.
She Wouldn't Have a Probate File. Never assume that a relative would not have had a probate file. A relative of mine had an estate opened for them after their death in the 1920s only because there was a $50 savings bond in her name that had to be sold.
Is That Really Their First Marriage? Don't assume that a bride or a groom was only married one time. That marriage when great-grandpa was 24 might not have been his first. And the maiden name for great-graandma on her marriage when she was 26 might not have been her real maiden name. She easily could have been married for the first time when she was 23.
Source: Genealogy Tip of the Day
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Research Tips & Resources
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Fold3: Free Access to Black Genealogy Records in February
These records document slavery, the Civil War, Reconstruction, the World Wars and the Civil Rights Movement. Access the Black History collection at http://go.fold3.com/blackhistory/.
Harold's List of Upcoming Genealogy Events
Harold McClendon keeps a master list of genealogy events in the Washington DC metropolitan area, and has just published the first list of 2013.
RootsTech 2013
This popular family history and technology conference will be held March 21-23 in Salt Lake City, Utah. Click here for information.
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Thank you for subscribing to Generations. We hope this publication will motivate you to successfully begin or continue your family history research. We would like to hear from you! Please submit your questions, research tips, and favorite websites to us at info@wdcfhc.org
Sincerely,
Carol Petranek, Newsletter Editor
Linda & Kurt Christensen
Gary Petranek
Directors, Washington DC Family History Center
10000 Stoneybrook Drive, PO Box 49
Kensington, MD 20895
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