| 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 |
| Join Our List |
 |
|
|
|
WDC FHC News
| | |
Saturday Classes
Saturday, November 21, 9:30 a.m.
Denise Nelson: Precious Heirlooms, a Voice from the Past.
Items our ancestors treasured can tell us surprising facs about who they were, who hey associated with, their status, their ethnicity, their surroundings and their personal thoughts. Often neglected as a research tool, examining Gems and Jewelry owned by our ancestors provide us with a rather personal glimpse at our ancestors and their stories.
No Classes in December
We invite you to join us! No registration is required. For further information, call the FHC at 301-587-0042 or email: info@wdcfhc.org
|
|
WDC FHC Focus Group Schedule
| | |
Join a Focus Group to Enhance Your Research Skills
African-American: Meets weekly on Monday mornings at 10:00. Every 2nd Monday, there is special training to learn how to index Freedmen's Bureau records.
Beginning Genealogy: Meets weekly on Tuesday mornings at 10:00. Contact Lorraine Minor at ldgene@verizon.net for further information.
DNA Group: Meets bi-weekly the 2nd and 4th Wednesdays of the month at 7:00. Due to Veteran's Day and Thanksgiving, there will be one meeting on November 18. December meetings will be the 9th & 16th.
Eastern European Group: Meets monthly on the 4th Saturday at noon; focus countries: Czech Republic, Poland, Slovakia, Hungary, Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, Slovenia, Ukraine, and Belarus. Due to Thanksgiving, the November meeting will be Saturday, November 21. No meeting in December.
Irish Group: Meets bi-weekly on the 1st, 3rd & 5th Tuesday evenings at 7:00.
RootsMagic Users Group: Meets monthly on the 2nd Saturday at 9:30 a.m.
All are welcome - no registration needed.
|
Seeking Confederate Ancestors in Richmond, VA
| | |
by John McLuckie, WDC FHC Volunteer
Do you have ancestors that served in the Southern army during the civil war? If they died in a battle or in a civil war hospital of wounds or disease, in the Richmond area, they may be buried at Oakwood Cemetery.
The Oakwood Cemetery was mainly for enlisted men, one of the largest burial sites for southern soldiers during the American Civil War. Over 17,000 dead were buried in numerically recorded graves in this cemetery. While the number of daily interments (about 75 per day) taxed the efforts of the burial details, records were kept of the location and the identity of the deceased if known. It is estimated that there are about 8000 unknown soldier burials just at this cemetery. The officers were buried in Hollywood cemetery, also in Richmond.
Recently, I accompanied John Lowe, a family historian and descendant of Private William D. Lowe of the 13th Mississippi Infantry Regiment in search of his final resting place. He was seeking the grave of his great-great uncle who was one of 3 brothers who served in Company E of the 13th Mississippi Infantry Regiment. Two of the brothers survived into the 20th century. One lost an arm at the battle of Antietam and the other, the family historian's great grandfather, lived out his life in Oklahoma.
To read the full article of John's trip to Oakwood, click here.
For additional information about the Lowe family in the Civil War, click here.
|
|
8 Ways to Avoid Barking Up the Wrong Family Tree
| | |
By Kimberly Powell
There is nothing more frustrating than finding out the ancestors you've been so diligently searching aren't really yours. That the hours and money you've spent on your research has been wasted. That the ancestors you've come to know and love aren't connected to you by history or blood. Yet, it happens to most of us at one time or another. Genealogy research isn't perfect. A lack of records, incorrect data, and embellished family stories can easily send us off in the wrong direction.
How can we avoid this heartbreaking result in our own family research? It isn't always possible to avoid wrong turns, but these steps may help keep you from barking up the wrong family tree.
1. Don't Skip Generations
2. Don't Make Assumptions About Family Relationships
3. Document, Document, Document
4. Does it Make Sense?
5. Get Organized
6. Verify Research Done By Others
7. Rule Out the Other Possibilities
8. Turn to DNA
To read the details of each step in the full article, click here.
Source: About.com: Genealogy
|
|
Golden Rules of Genealogy
| | 
|
|
| | |
by Jim Bartlett, DNA Specialist
[Note: To help readers better understand the use of DNA in genealogy research, this newsletter will feature extracts of monthly posts from Jim Bartlett's new blog, Segment-ology.]
Does Triangulation Work?
Sure it does! Triangulation is a tool to use with autosomal DNA. Let's see how it might work:
- Does it work in grouping your shared segments?
- Does it work in culling out IBS segments?
- Does it work to define and map your ancestral segments?
- Does it work to insure that all Matches in a Triangulated Group have an IBD segment?
- Does it work in identifying Matches who all share the same Common Ancestor?
- Does it work for any size segments? - see more at: Does Triangulation Always Work?
The Big Picture
Let's start with the Big Picture. We take an atDNA test and the company reports a list of our Matches. We can also get Matches by uploading our raw DNA data to GEDmatch. Each of the companies compares our raw DNA data to that of all the others in their database, and uses their proprietary matching algorithm to generate a list of Matches. At 23andMe, FTDNA and GEDmatch, they also provide the shared segment information (Chromosome, Start Location, End Location, cMs, and SNPs) for each shared segment. For this discussion I'm only going to be talking about segments over 7cM, just to avoid any debate about smaller segments. Each of the companies have pluses and minuses that go along with their matching algorithm, but we are going to go with the list of Matches they provide to us. So this is the data we want to work with using the Triangulation tool.
To read Jim's detailed article, click here.
|
52 Questions in 52 Weeks: Writing about Your Life Has Never Been Easier
| | |
by Steve Anderson
Few people would argue the value of creating a story about a life lived. In fact, it's really quite a noble idea to create your life's story. From it, your descendants will likely learn something valuable and endearing from things you experienced and will get to know you as an individual.
Many people believe that it takes a huge amount of time to write their history and feel that the task is just too big. Because of that, they never start. But sharing memories of your life does not have to be a big, involved effort. Imagine for a moment, how much easier the task of writing about your life might be if you were to focus on writing about just one topic each week. It doesn't matter if you write a few paragraphs, a single page, or several pages. The important thing is that you write something. Anything is better than nothing at all. Now imagine if someone provided you with one question to write about each week for 52 weeks. At the end of just one year you will have created your own life story to share with your children and your future posterity. You will never be forgotten because your own life story will exist. Add some pictures, and you can make it even more inviting to read. Below are 52 questions. Each week for one year, take one question and write as much or as little as you want. Don't worry about how much you write for each question, but do write something. Questions do not need to be answered in any special order. At the end of the list are a few extra questions in case there are some that don't apply to your life. To review the 52 questions, read the full article here. Source: FamilySearch Blog, September 28, 2015
|
|
Videos: The 4 Types of DNA
| |
If you're a novice or new to DNA testing for genetic genealogy THE VERY FIRST THING you should do is review these five short videos created by the University of Utah. Each video is less than four minutes long and will help you immensely with an inaugural understanding of this complicated field.
Click on each title to link to each of the five videos:
Source: Roots & Recombinant DNA, November 2, 2015 |
|
Ellis Island: Things You May Not Know
|
|
This article from Genealogy In Time Magazine has 5 pages of information about Ellis Island and those who came (or did not come) through its gates. There are tips that may not be readily know, such as:
|
| | Immigrants at Ellis Island |
"Be aware that not all immigrants who landed at New York City had to go through Ellis Island. Passengers in first class and second class were processed aboard their ships and then disembarked in downtown Manhattan. It was only passengers in steerage (third class) who had to go to Ellis Island. Immigrants who could afford first or second classes clearly were not destitute and were probably also not communists or anarchists. They were viewed as lower risk."
"Some immigrants had strong reasons for wanting to hide their past. This is more common than you might think. This unfortunately also makes it hard to trace your ancestor back to the old country. One potential clue that you might be dealing with this type of situation is if your ancestor has the name of a famous person or a famous aristrocat from the old country. It might have been the only last name they could think of when the immigration officers asked for a name."
To read this article, which has historic photos as well as important facts, click here.
|
|
Obituaries - Don't Make This Rookie Genealogy Research Mistake
| |
A typical newspaper obituary gives the usual genealogical information, including name, age, & date and place of birth. I could easily transcribe this information and move on to the next relative to research in my family tree - but that would be a mistake.
Historical newspapers often published two items about the deceased: the obituary and the more compact "death notice." Death notices come in all shapes and sizes, and vary from newspaper to newspaper - but, you must look for them while doing your genealogy research or you will miss important clues.
Comparing both news articles, we quickly see that additional relatives are named in the death notice. Good thing we checked or we'd have missed four family members.
Always check for both the Obituary AND the Death Notice. You'll likely be glad that you did.
To read the full article with examples of obituaries and death notices, click here.
|
|
The International Tracing Service
| |
Immediately following the end of World War II, the International Tracing Service was founded as a tracing service for the purpose of reuniting holocaust survivors with their families, and for clarifying the fates of those murdered and those missing. Today, the ITS is also an archive and open for research. Some of the archived collections of the ITS will be made accessible in the future for the interested public, thereby broadening the knowledge about these unique documents and the research potential to be found there. At the same time, by way of the comment function, we would like to encourage exchange about the collections not only among users, but also between users and the ITS archive
The ITS preserves historical records, answers the requests of survivors and family members of victims and makes use of the collections for research and education. The ITS archives store about 30 million documents which can help to shed light on the fate of so many.
The alphabetically and phonetically arranged Central Name Index contains over 50 million reference cards for over 17.5 million people and is the main key to the documents and the correspondence files'. The ITS collections comprise information about Incarceration, Forced Labor, the Post-War Period (Displaced Persons) and the Child Tracing Branch.
In her blog, Lara's Family Search, Lara Diamond submitted a request to the ITS: " Over a year ago, I contacted the International Tracing Service (ITS) to see if they had information on my grandfather during or after WWII. I had forgotten that I even submitted the request--and was pleasantly surprised to get multiple documents from them, tracing my grandfather's life after WWII finished until he left Europe for America." To read Lara's article and see the documents she received, click here.
The International Tracing Service Website is found here. The Digital Archive Collection of the ITS is found here. A list of victims' personal effects preserved at the ITS and found in the Digital Archive Collection (which includes names and photos of items), is found here. A random example is here. [Note: the ITS website and Digital Archive Collection is extensive. Be sure to click on links to access the full contents]
|
|
American Indian Research in the 1800's
| | |
by by Paul Rawlins
In 19th-century America, the eyes of the country were looking west. The Louisiana Purchase, annexation of Texas, Mexican-American War,
resolving of the Oregon boundary dispute, California gold rush, Homestead Act, and transcontinental railroad all contributed to opening more of the American continent to white settlement.
This westward expansion also spelled the end of the life they had known for tribes that had not yet encountered European settlers. By time the 19th century was over, disease, war, the reservation system, allotments, and assimilation would all take their toll on native homelands, cultures, and lives. And the inevitable clash of peoples led to many of the records you can use to trace your American Indian ancestry.
...Records documenting the lives of American Indians increased steadily during the 19th century. Various NARA research facilities have the largest collections of records relating to American Indians, and the recent additions to the American Indian Collection on Ancestry make this the largest online collection available. But again, finding out what is available and where records might be will often depend on learning the history of a tribe.
To read the full article, click here.
Source: Ancestry.com blog, November 10, 2014 |
|
Locating Historical U.S. Deeds Online
| | |
by Kimberly Powell
he bulk of American land records are found in the form of deeds, or private land/property transfers between individuals and corporations (non-governments). The vast majority of deeds in the United States are recorded and maintained by the county, parish (Louisiana), or district (Alaska). In the New England states of Connecticut, Rhode Island, and Vermont, deeds are recorded at the town level.
Due primarily to increased interest by title searchers for online access, as well as to help cut access/personnel costs in the future, many U.S. counties, especially in the eastern part of the country, have started putting their historical deed records online. The best place to begin your search for online historical deed records is the website of the Register of Deeds, or Clerk of Court, or whoever is in charge of recording deeds and other real estate records for your county/locality of interest.
There are also other online sources for historical deed records, such as state archives and local historical societies.
To access the full article, click here.
|
|
Genealogy Tip of the Day
| | | by Michael John Neill
Were the Witnesses to the Marriage an Unmarried Couple??
If there are two witnesses to a marriage and you can "figure out" who one of the witnesses is, consider the possibility that the other witness was the
significant other of the first witness. Or the other witness could just be a
friend of the couple of which you are unaware.
Probate or Pensions May Provide Evidence of Alternate Names
For most of American history, people could change their names or alter the spelling of their names relatively easily-without going to court. Among the places where you may find evidence of those name changes are probate and pension records. The court may notice that deeds of property acquisition do not quite match with the name of the deceased. Pension application examiners may notice that the name at marriage does not match the name on the application. There may be affidavits about the name differences in the record, or a judge or clerk may make some notation about it.
What Evidence Did They Have?
Most of the information given in original documents (census, death certificates, birth certificates, etc.) came from what someone remembered. Documentation was not required by the census taker when information was provided. The same thing is true of much of the information on a death certificate (especially information about the person's and parents). Ask yourself, "what evidence" did the informant have to have to get this information included in the record? Chances are none was required.
No Siblings and No Descendants
Do you have a fairly near relative who died and who left no descendants of their own and whose siblings had no descendants? If there was no will and there was property requiring an estate settlement, that probate file may mention a number of distant relatives-and if recent enough (usually post 1900), addresses may be included.
Search for Patronyms and Father's Last Name
Affidavits in court cases and pension applications may mention how long the person giving testimony has known the person about whom they are giving testimony. Do the math. In what year did they first become acquainted with each other? Was it when they were living somewhere else? Was it during a time when you know nothing about your ancestor? Does it mean that they had known each other since they were children?
That "length of time known" could help you trace your ancestor's origins.
How Long Had They Known the Other Party?
I have a relative who was married three times, having survived all three husbands. She was married to her third husband some twenty years before she died and she survived him by several years. For reasons unknown to me when she died in 2012 she is listed in the statewide death index under her second husband's name. She was married to him for five years and they had no children. She continued to use her third husband's last name after his death. Took me forever to find her.
|
|
Research Tips & Resources
| |
U.S. Railroad and Retirement Board
The Midwest Genealogy Center's"Genealogy Quick Look" feature features several online collections, of which this is one. Click here, then choose a collection in the dropdown box to search.
Norwegian Genealogy
Article and links in this post by MyHeritage.com: click here.1891 Norway census information, click here.
Swedish Household Examination Books
Access here at MyHeritage.com. If you do not have a subscription, you can search the website free at any Family History Center.
Luxembourg Genealogy
Follow the blog, Researching Luxembourg Genealogy: click here.
Officer Down Memorial Page
This website allows users to search through a list of over 20,000 law enforcement officers who have lost their lives in the line of duty between 1791 and 2015. Most entries are from the 20th century: http://www.odmp.org/search
|
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
|
|
|
|
|
