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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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Summer Break: Aug. 18-Sept. 1
The Washington DC Family History Center will be closed for summer break from Monday, August 18 until Monday, September 1. We will reopen on Tuesday, September 9.
New! Eastern European Focus Group
We are excited to announce the formation of a new Focus Group specializing in learning how to research in the countries of Eastern Europe. The focus will be on Czech Republic, Poland, Slovakia, Hungary, Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, Slovenia, Ukraine, and Belarus, and that the scope may be expanded if there is a demand and if resources are available. This group will meet the 4th Saturday of every month at 12:00 noon, beginning October 25. The session will begin with a brief overview of a specific topic, then adjourn into the FHC for hands-on research.
Upcoming Classes
Saturday, September 20
9:30 - 10:30 American State Papers and the U.S. Serial Set Collection
Presenter: Julia Coldren-Walker
American State Papers cover the period 1789 to 1838 and was succeeded by the U.S. Serial Sets, published 1831 to 1861. They contain over 6,000 documents including public land records, post office records and claims. Americans have always been ready to write their Congressman to settle perceived wrongs or for political reasons. Learn about this often-overlooked resource and find our if YOUR ancestor may be among the thousands of ordinary citizens who appear in this collection.
Saturday, October 18
9:30-10:30 Obituaries: A Treasure Trove for Genealogists
Presenter: Adrian Gravelle
This presentation will include a short history of obituaries, a discussion of their reliability in genealogical research, the importance of obituaries in genealogical research, internet tools and techniques for finding obituaries on the internet, some pitfalls in relying on obituaries, understanding the wording in obituaries, and examples of good, bad, humorous and not-so-humorous obituaries.
Saturday, November 15
9:30-10:30 Researching Norwegian Ancestry
Presenter: Linda Balderson
Jump start your research into Norwegian ancestry by learning the basics of how and where to begin; which websites and repositories are most helpful; and online resources for collaboration.
All classes are free of charge, but registration is requested.
* Join a Focus Group to Enhance Your Research Skills *
African-American: weekly on Monday mornings at 9:30.
Beginning Genealogy: weekly on Tuesday mornings at 10:00. Contact Lorraine Minor at ldgene@verizon.net for further information.
DNA Group: On summer break.
Eastern European Group: monthly on the 4th Saturday at noon; begins October 25; focus countries: Czech Republic, Poland, Slovakia, Hungary, Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, Slovenia, Ukraine, and Belarus.
Irish Group: bi-weekly meetings on the 1st, 3rd & 5th Tuesday evenings at 7:00.
RootsMagic Users Group: Monthly meetings on the 2nd Saturday at 9:30 a.m.
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New FamilySearch Tree App
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FamilySearch recently introduced a new mobile app which will enable you to view and add information to ancestors in the FamilySearch Family Tree.
With this app, you can easily:
- View an ancestor: the photos, life stories, and recordings you have added to the ancestor. See spouses, children, parents, brothers and sisters, and important events in your ancestor's life.
- Make audio recordings and take photos of important documents, family photos, sources, and family events, and add them to Family Tree.
- Share photos, stories, and recordings with your family.
- Save and print charts that show generations of your family.
Read the details of how to use this new app here.
Source: FamilySearch blog, August 7, 2014
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Free Genealogy Downloads
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by Lynn Palermo, The Armchair Genealogist
I've compiled a list of various eBooks and software downloads from across the web that are free and aimed to help you with your family history research. Most require an email address sign-up in exchange for the free information.
1. Family Tree Tips, 23 Secrets to Organize Your Genealogy by Family Tree Magazine. This guide provided tips for organizing your family history. It offers space-saving ideas, organization habits, sample filing systems and ideas for how to arrange your genealogy workspace. Also included is a research calendar form a biographical outline.
This eBook contains information to help you use the popular website Ancestry.com. It includes an exclusive excerpt from the Unofficial Guide to Ancestry.com by Nancy Hendrickson.
This guide offers tips on basic surname research strategies, tips for seeking ancestral maiden names, what your surname reveals about your ethnic heritage, how to refine Google surname searches, and what you can learn by understanding surname meanings.
4. Sharing Your Family Tree by Thomas Jay Kemp on Family Tree Magazine. This download will show you how to communicate your genealogy findings with the rest of your family. It provides the basic tools needed to share and distribute your family history research online.
5. Legacy Tree Software, Standard Edition by Legacy Family Tree - Legacy is a family history computer program for storing your genealogical information. This is the standard edition; there is a paid deluxe edition also available
Family Tree Builder is a family history program intended to help you store your genealogical information. It is free and offers a premium version.
7. The Complete Guide to the Family History Interview by The Armchair Genealogist. This guide will help you set the stage for a successful family history interview. Filled with over 100 questions this guide offers suggestions for handling a variety of interviews styles.
8. Family History: A New Start by Robin Foster at Saving Stories. In this free eBook you receive advice on how to manage the time you spend on family history research. You will also learn how to find resources to identify missing information, make your family history available instantly for all your relatives and make sure you are not overlooking helpful information right within your reach.
A free software download, this program offers the core features of their award-winning paid family tree software.
NOTE: For Facebook users, be sure to download this pdf of Genealogy Pages on Facebook: Genealogy on Facebook |
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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? DNA tests are offered by a wide variety of testing companies, and each works a little differently.
To read the full article which describes various tests and companies, click here.
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How Do I Know I Am Right?
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 | | How Do I Know I'm Right? Some Genealogy Basics |
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Five Tips For Solving Immigration Problems
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by Michael LeClerc
Researching nineteenth- and twentieth-century immigrant ancestors can be tricky. Immigration resources and records can be different than other types of research. And the most important thing is doing all you can to identify exactly where the ancestors came from, as most records in Europe are local and decentralized. To read the tips for researching in the following records, click here.
1. Local and Church Histories
2. Social Organizations
3. Derivative Citizenship
4. Voter Registration Records
5. Ports of Arrival
Source: Mocavo Blog, January 21, 2014
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Free Photoduplication Service at FHL
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The Family History Library in Salt Lake City offers a FREE photoduplication service. This is especially invaluable for people who need information from a book at the library, which cannot be circulated. The details are:
All requests for information copied from films, book pages, CDs, marriage, death or birth certificates, wills and/or deeds, etc. will be copied in digital format and emailed to patrons in a zipped PDF or JPG file format. There is no charge for this service if we are able to email to information to patrons. NOTE: Requests are limited to 5 image shots per month.
If a patron does not have an email address, we can mail the information to the patron using the US Postal Service. However, as much as possible, we will rely on emailing all requests for information through the internet. If patrons do not own a computer or do not have an email address, they can request to have the information emailed to their local Family History Center, where they can print the information at the center.
Patrons should request copies by submitting their request here: Photoduplication Request Form. All requests MUST include the following information:
- Film or Fiche number
- Item number
- Name of Individual(s) referred to in the record
- Title of the record
- Name of parents, spouse, grantor, grantee, etc.
- Event type (Birth, Death or Marriage)
- Complete event date and place
- Event place (county, parish, township, etc.)
- Volume or page number
- Registration or Certificate Number
- Any other information that will help us locate your record.
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5 Things About the Port of Boston
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by Julianna Smith
Boston's history as a port is long. Here are 5 things you might not know about the port of Boston.
1. Not that Popular Early On
2. Many Went to Canada First
3. Potato Famine Immigrants Chose Boston... and Stayed
4. Eastern Europeans Joined the Mix in the Late 19th Century
5. The Processing Station Didn't Process Everyone
This informative article can be read here.
Source: Ancestry.com blog, July 17, 2014
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Death Records: A Checklist for Genealogists
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by William Dollarhide
Here are ten places to look for a death record. All ten sources should be obtained for every ancestor on your pedigree chart, and every member of a family on your family group sheet.
- Death Certificate
- Funeral Record
- Cemetery Record
- Obituary
- Social Security Record
- Probate Records
- Private Death Records (Insurance Papers, Medical Records, etc.)
- Coroner and Medical Examiner Records
- Military Records for deceased veterans are public records
- Church records
Go get the death records! A death certificate is not enough, and may not even be correct. If you know a person's exact date and place of death, there are several more sources relating to a person's death. If you get these other death records, you will certainly learn more about your ancestors.
This article explains in depth each of these resources, where to obtain them, and their importance to your research: click here.
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Hashtags, Tweets & Blogs
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by Ellen Bahr
Some tips for incorporating social media sites into family history research:
Facebook
- Create a family page or group
- Post old family photos to share with or be identified by family members
- Create family reunions and events
- Connect with genealogical societies, organizations, and groups
- Find and connect with distant cousins or family members in foreign countries
YouTube
- Create a family history channel
- Upload and share family videos or photo montages
- Watch how-to videos about family history research
- Watch videos about places your ancestors lived or events they went through
Instagram
- Create a family history hashtag or username
- Use key words or ancestors' names for hashtags
- Share hashtags with other family members so everyone can see their photo shares
- Post photos of ancestors
- Post photos of current family history activities
Twitter
- Create a family history hashtag or username and share with family members
- Share posts about current family history activities and needs
- Connect with family history organizations and libraries
If you're reading this right now and wondering what a "hashtag" or "tweet" is, don't despair! Ask your children, your grandchildren, or the teenager next door to tell you. Chances are they'll be happy to bring you up to speed and teach you how to use this new technology. What can you then share with them?
Think of how family history technology has advanced so dramatically in the last few decades. In the comfort of our own homes we can now research our ancestors' names, expand our family trees, search through archives of photos, explore countless genealogical websites, do indexing, download digital images, upload stories of our ancestors, and share instantly what we find with family members who live thousands of miles away, to name just a few. We can even "tweet" about it to our friends, blog about it, or post our finds on Facebook and Instagram. With so much technology at our fingertips, shouldn't we be taking advantage of it?
Source: FamilySearch blog, August 1, 2014
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Genealogy "Tips of the Day"
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by Michael John Neill
Record Copies Reflect the Original. Copies of materials that genealogists use in local courthouses are considered record copies of the original document. All of those deeds in the deed book from the 1830s are not originals, they are handwritten transcriptions of the original. The original normally was given to the person who obtained the property via the deed. The clerk's job was to transcribe the document as accurately as possible, making no changes--even when errors were obvious.
So that's why in some of those old books the signatures match the rest of the handwriting. It's not really the signature, it's the clerk's handwriting from start to finish.
How Easy to Confuse. In some locations, there are places that have similar sounding names that could easily be confused. Did someone confuse Bedford and Bradford Counties in Pennsylvania? Did someone confuse Williamsfield in Illinois with Williamstown? A few letters may not "really" change the sound, but they may very well change the location by a hundred miles or more.
Do State Archives Have Military Records? US researchers typically think of the National Archives as being the place to obtain records related to military service. Some state archives also have records related to your ancestor's military career. Don't let you search stop in Washington, DC. The appropriate state archives may have some enlistment materials, muster rolls, etc. Never hurts to take a look.
Did They Move Back? 19th century migration in the United States is not always about heading west. Some families headed west only to return from whence they came. Some immigrants did not like the new area or found the connections to home strong enough to take them back.
Contact Smaller Libraries. The problem many genealogists have with digital newspapers is that small papers are often not available in digital format. If there is a specific item of interest for which you have a date, have you considered seeing if a local library in the area where the newspaper was published has the newspapers on microfilm and will search them for you?
They'd need a narrow estimate of a date, but some may respond to these requests via US mail or email. Google the name of the library and see if you can find contact information on their website.
A State Act Mentioning Your Ancestor. s it possible that there was a special act of the state legislature involving your ancestor? Up through the 19th century, it was not uncommon for the state legislature to mention acts regarding specific individuals-perhaps granting them a divorce, citizenship, name change, or other "relief" they could not get through some type of court action. Google Books has digitized many of these pre-1900 acts--an example can be found here.
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Research Tips & Resources
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U.S. GenWeb Sites
Have you looked at this resource lately?
http://usgwarchives.net/search/searcharchives.html
State Newspapers Online
James Tanner has compiled a list of state newspapers that have been digitized; click here.
Internet Lending Library
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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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