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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
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Upcoming Classes
Please note that our January and April class dates have changed:
Saturday, January 25, 9:30-10:30 (DATE CHANGE)
Social Media and Genealogy
Presenter: Carol Petranek
Today's genealogist can use today's technology to collect, connect, and share with other researchers. This class will focus on using social media to further your genealogy research.
Saturday, February 22, 10:00-noon
Seminar to Commemorate Black History Month
Presenters: African-American Focus Group
This seminar is being held in conjunction with the Temple Visitors' Center commemoration of Black History Month. Please note that these topics are inclusive and pertinent to all researchers:
Session 1: "I'm Not Who I Think I Am!" - How DNA testing has changed my research strategies and my understanding of my heritage.
Session 2: "Sharing My History" - Presentations on how to share what we learn in our research.
Session 3: "Gathering My History" - Research tips.
NOTE: This seminar will be held at the Temple Visitors' Center at 9900 Stoneybrook Drive, Kensington, MD 20895 (2 driveways away from our FHC).
Saturday, March 15, 9:30-10:30
Birth, Marriages, Deaths, and Alternative Records
Presenter: Rebecca Koford
What to do when the vital record doesn't exist? Join Rebecca Koford to explore alternative sources which may hold the information you are seeking.
Saturday, April 26, 9:30-10:30
DAR Library: Research in Person and Online
Presenter: Julia Coldren-Walker
The DAR Library is a treasure trove of genealogical information,and it is in our backyard! This informative session will explain what resources are available at the Library, those which can be accessed online and those available at the library.
All classes are free of charge, but registration is requested.
* Join a Focus Group to Enhance Your Research Skills *
Beginning Genealogy: weekly on Tuesday mornings at 10:00. Contact Lorraine Minor at ldgene@verizon.net for further information.
DNA Group: No meetings in January.
RootsMagic Users Group: Meetings are monthly, on the 2nd Saturday at 9:30 a.m.
Irish Group: bi-weekly meetings on the 1st, 3rd & 5th Tuesday evenings at 7:00.
African-American Group: weekly on Monday mornings, 9:30.
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What's New at WDC FHC
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New Scanner Has Arrived!Are you stuck with the complexity of getting your photos digitized, or frustrated with the lengthy process of scanning them? We have the answer! A new Kodak PS80 professional photo scanner is now at our FHC.
You can scan about 500 photos in one hour! Photos should be removed from albums and sorted as you desire prior to bringing them to the FHC. You will be thrilled to see how easy it is to preserve your family's visual history and to share these precious pictures. This is a great way to spend you "indoor time" this winter!
Volunteers Needed!
Our WDC FHC is in need of volunteers to work on the following shifts:
Wednesday mornings, 9:30-1
Wednesday afternoons, 1-4:30
Tuesday nights: 1st, 3rd & 5th evenings from 7:00-9:30
This is an opportunity to "give back" and assist patrons who need help with basic research.
For further details, please contact Linda Christensen: 202-674-2556; lindacc6@juno.com. |
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What is "Viz?"
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by Michael John Neill
Old newspapers and obituaries often contain the abbreviation viz. Some genealogists wonder exactly what viz means, so we will look at three abbreviations that often are confused.
- e.g. from exempli gratia - "for example" (common usage is that what follows e.g. is an example and not a complete list of items)
- i.e. from id est - "that is" (common usage is that what follows is a restatement of something previously stated)
- viz. from videlicet - "that is" (common usage is that what follows is a complete list)
The reality:
James Jones was born in Harford County, Maryland and his wife was born in Smith County, Ohio. They were married in Smith County, Ohio, in 1830. James and Elizabeth (Smith) Jones had children named Riley, James, John, Martha, Thomas, and Elizabeth. In addition to being a farmer, James was a cooper and also helped making ends meet by fixing wagon gears and wagon wheels.
The Statement in the County History:
James and Elizabeth (Smith) Jones came to the county from Coshocton County, Ohio, in 1847. James was born in Harford County, Maryland, and Elizabeth was born in Smith County, Ohio. James and Elizabeth were married in her native county (i.e. Smith County) in 1830. James operated a farm after their marriage and also did coopering and other work (e.g. wagon fixing) for nearby farmers. They were the parents of six children, viz.: Riley, James, John, Martha, Thomas, and Elizabeth.
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The Genealogists Toolkit: Ethnic Research
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by Pam Velasquez, Ancestry.com
Once you have built your family tree a bit and have gotten into the "greats", research methodologies and best practices start to evolve depending on your specific ethnicity. Research for each ethnicity is different and requires its own tailored approach for maximum success.
Each specific ethnicity has its pitfalls and limitations and being able to understand them is crucial to successfully researching your ancestors. Some ethnicities pose language barriers while others a shear lack of records available at your fingertips on the web. Becoming familiar with the historical context of certain ethnic groups and just knowing what historical documents exist and which don't will lead you in the right direction.
Research Guides
The following are resource guides that are available according to ethnicity. These guides are free. downloadable PDFs that you can read, save, print or bookmark as resources when you start to discover your international roots. Many have language tips, notable collections or databases, and can help you get the right start depending on where your ancestor hunt takes you.
Research Centers
Much like our research guides, the following research centers can help with just about any nuance you might encounter with the ethnicity you're working on - whether it's reading a record, translating fields or listing state archives, these research centers can help!
To access the links to these resources, go to the blogpost here.
NOTE: The resources in this article are free of charge. Ancestry.com Institutional version is available FREE at any Family History Center.
Source: Ancestry.com Blog, October 17, 2013
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Preserving Paper Files
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by Dick Eastman
I watched a video today that is an excellent tutorial: Basics of Paper Conservation. I wish every genealogist and every other person concerned with preserving paper documents would view this....In the 33-minute video, Illinois State Archives conservator Dottie Hopkins-Rehan discusses simple techniques that archivists and others can use to preserve and repair documents. Topics include how to humidify, flatten, clean and properly store documents. The video is aimed at genealogists, archivists in small historical repositories and students.
 | | The Basics of Paper Conservation |
Source: Eastman's Online Genealogy Newsletter, December 20, 2013
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Facebook Genealogy
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Have you discovered the benefits of using Facebook in genealogy research? Social media is a driving force, creating environments where people can "find" relatives and connect with those researching in the same locality. FamilySearch.org alone has 105 Research Communities on Facebook.
Katherine R. Willson's recent successes with using Facebook to break down genealogical brick walls (both personally and in her classroom) inspired her to compile a list of 3,000+ Facebook genealogy links, "Genealogy on Facebook." The most recent update was January 4, 2013 and a free download can be accessed here.
The "Genealogy on Faceook" publication is organized alphabetically by state in the United States, and by country worldwide. Below is a sample of just a few Facebook groups for Maryland that appear on page 20 of the publication:
MARYLAND
664. Anne Arundel County, MD Genealogical Society: www.facebook.com/groups/aagsmd
665. Appalachian Genealogy: www.facebook.com/pages/Appalachian-Genealogy/190786844144
666. Baltimore County, MD - Baltimore Heritage: www.facebook.com/baltimoreheritage
667. Baltimore County, MD - Jewish Museum of Maryland: www.facebook.com/jewishmuseummd
668. Baltimore County, MD Historical Society: www.facebook.com/BaltimoreCountyHistory
669. Charles County, MD Memories: www.facebook.com/groups/393686220717315
670. Dorchester County, MD - Lower Delmarva Genealogical Society: www.facebook.com/pages/Lower-Delmarva-Genealogical-Society/116309155095030
671. Dorchester County, MD Genealogy: www.facebook.com/groups/133250573385827
672. Frederick County, MD - Smoketown History (Brunswick): www.facebook.com/pages/Smoketown-History-Brunswick-Md/307806060207
For those who are hesitant to establish a social media presence, remember that you can create a "research name" and control access through Facebook's privacy settings.
If you would like to learn more about Social Media and Genealogy, register for our WDC FHC class on that topic which will be presented on January 25 at 9:30 a.m.
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Lost Books, Lost Records, Burned Counties
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by James Tanner
A common complaint among genealogists is that records have been lost. There is a whole area of genealogical research dealing with burned counties research....
A more insidious issue occurs when a researcher encounters gaps in any particular record. The most common gap encountered is in the U.S. Federal Census records for 1890. Contrary to popular belief, the 1890 Census was not entirely destroyed by fire. Parts of this census were destroyed by fire but the remaining documents were maintained for many years and then finally destroyed by an act of the United States Congress when the head of the Library of Congress failed to recommend that the records be preserved. [Read this fascinating story here.]....
In the United States it would be rare not to have alternative records to search even when certain types of county records have been destroyed.
Focusing on one type of record to the exclusion of others is usually at the root of the problem. Turning to the burned counties problem, certain types of records must be reconstructed for the county to operate. Counties cannot exist without land records, tax records, marriage records, and many other types of records. In addition, in many places throughout the United States, copies of land records are kept by title companies and abstractors. If you realize how land sales work in the United States, you would immediately realize that a courthouse fire would merely be a temporary impediment. Land records would have to be reconstituted in order for property to be bought and sold in the county.
Lost records or missing records are really an invitation to extend your understanding of the type of records that could have been maintained and likely were maintained that cover the gaps in your favorite records.
To read the full article, click here.
Source: Genealogy's Star Blog, December 27, 2013
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Tips for Searching Ellis Island Database
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For those trying to locate Eastern European ancestors in the Ellis Island database, the search process can be challenging because of handwriting and transcription issues. If you're having trouble finding great-grandma or grandpa in the sea of immigrant names, here are ten tips to help you track them down.
1. Read the instructions. Before you dive into the database, click under the "Passenger Search" tab and read the Search Tips and Advanced Search Tips .
2. Search on different name variations. Remember, spelling not standardized, especially with largely illiterate rural areas. Consider how various languages may have been converted to English.
3. Think like a transcriptionist. Handwriting of the immigration officials was often poor. Transcription of data into the computer format was done by volunteers who do/did not necessarily know the native language. Look at a letter to determine if it could be mistaken for another (m > n, j > y, i > e, etc.).
4. Vary your searches. Try all variations of beginning letters (e.g. -St -Szt for Hungarian names such as Straka and Sztraka) and endings (e.g. -sky: -ski, -skyj, -skyi, -skyy for Polish names). Try all variations of feminine endings -ska, -cka, -tska for Polish; -ova for Slovak; -skaja, -skaia, -skaya for Russian).
5. Use truncated or shortened searches. Sometimes less is more. Avoid using only "exact match" searches...be creative! Start broad, then add other criteria such as "male" or "female"
6. Try last name/first name, or feminine/masculine endings reversed.
7. Avoid first name searching unless it's a very popular last name.
8. Consider phonetic and alternate spellings.
9. Check other common names from your ancestral village. Relatives and neighbors often traveled together. It may be easier to find another name and then look to see if your ancestor is listed on the same list.
10. Use the "One-Step" search tools by Stephen P. Morse at http://www.stevemorse.org (the Gold form is the most popular, but you may wish to try the "White" form too in certain circumstances. Click on the "About This Site and How to Use It " for tips and search examples.
Read the full article here. Source: Examiner.com, December 31, 2013
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Sorting Out DNA Tests for Genealogy
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by Kimberly Powell
DNA tests are quickly gaining in popularity as a tool used by genealogists to help corroborate or expand their family tree. Increased test options and a wider variety of testing companies offer many options, but also confusion for genealogists. Which DNA test will best help you answer the questions you have about your ancestry?
Y-DNA Tests
Used For: paternal lineage only
Available To: males only
mtDNA Tests
Used For: Deep (distant) maternal lineage
Available To: females; males testing their mother's lineage
Autosomal DNA Tests
Used For: Ethnic ancestry, plus relative connections on all branches of your family tree
Available To: males and females
This article describes each test and provides links for further information. Click here.
Source: About: Genealogy, December 24, 2013
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Genealogy "Tips of the Day"
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by Michael John Neill
Names in the Funeral Book. If you are working on a more recent relative and you've got a copy of their "funeral book," look and see if the names of those who came to pay their respects are in the book. It is a good way to get ideas of who might have been your ancestor's associates and who was alive when your ancestor died. They may have even written in their city of residence. And there's always their signatures...hopefully they are readable.
How Far? For your "brick wall" ancestor, do you know (or have any idea) how far they lived from:
- the county seat?
- the nearest church of their denomination?
- the nearest place they could get supplies or transact necessary business?
- their nearest neighbor?
- the cemetery?
The list here is not exclusive. If you've got no idea of the answers to these questions, determining those answers may help you solve your problem.
How Many Courts? In some local jurisdictions, during some time periods, there may have been multiple courts that each heard specific types of cases. Make certain you have searched the records of all courts in the location--not just one.
Was Great-Grandma's Second Husband A Civil War Veteran?
If your female ancestor married again after her husband's death and that second husband was a Civil War veteran, your female ancestor may have qualified for a pension based upon that husband's service. And even if you don't descend from the second husband, there may be good information in that pension application. Great-grandma may indicate where and when the first marriage took place and how that marriage ended.
Two Wives with the Same First Name? If certain details of your ancestor wife change, but the first name remains unchanged, have you considered that he had two wives with the same first name?
Houses Renumbered? If you are researching in an urban area, are you aware if the house numbers were changed at any point during your research time period? Are the contemporary numbers different from what they were during the time your ancestor lived there? Location matters. And if you don't have the answers to these questions, start with the reference section of the town/city library and go from there.
Did the Name of the Place Change? Names of locations can change over time. Is it possible that the village or place for which you are looking is now known by a different name? Street names can change as well, causing confusing for researchers with city ancestors. Neighborhoods can have names that may also change over times. Churches merge together and form a new congregation, frequently with a new name.
ABC Order is Not Your Friend. When an index or manual searching takes you to an ancestral entry in a census, tax or other list entry take times to look at the neighboring names. Are the names in rough alphabetical order? If so neighborhood clues can't be inferred from the proximity of names. That is unless all the "B" surnames lived in the same part of the county.
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Research Tips & Resources
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New York State Newspapers:
http://www.fultonhistory.com/Fulton.html
The Fulton History web site, a great FREE collection of old newspapers, photographs, and post cards. Read Dick Eastman's description here.
Source: Eastman's Online Genealogy Newsletter, December 28, 2013
Jamaican Family Research: http://jamaicanfamilysearch.com/
This is a virtual genealogy library for those researching family history for Jamaica, West Indies, especially for people born before 1920. The site contains transcriptions from various documents including nineteenth century Jamaica Almanacs (which list property owners and civil and military officials), Jamaica Directories for 1878, 1891 and 1910, extractions from Jamaican Church records, Civil Registration, Wills, Jewish records, and excerpts from newspapers, books, and other documents. There is information on immigration and on slavery.
Civil War Soldiers and Sailors:
http://www.nps.gov/civilwar/soldiers-and-sailors-database.htm
he Civil War Soldiers and Sailors System (CWSS) is a database containing information about the men who served in the Union and Confederate armies during the Civil War. Other information on the site includes histories of Union and Confederate regiments, links to descriptions of significant battles, and selected lists of prisoner-of-war records and cemetery records, which will be amended over time.
New Jersey State Archive Free Online Records
Beth Foulk (Genealogy Decoded) has a list of resources for New Jersey research here.
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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
Co-Directors, Washington DC Family History Center
10000 Stoneybrook Drive, PO Box 49
Kensington, MD 20895
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