#3 in my Series on Tombstones and Cemeteries
Now that you know, from reading my first two articles in this series, all the incredible things you can learn from your ancestor’s Tombstones and how to find their Cemeteries, you need to know how to photograph those weathered and eroded tombstones so you can read their inscriptions. That’s what this post will cover.
Hey, you’re thinking, what’s so tough about taking a photo? Just point the camera and press the button. Do that and you might get... Read Full Story
#2 in a Series of 3 About Tombstones and Cemeteries
Cemeteries are wonderful places to research Family History, as I discussed in Tombstones, Our Ancestors’ Monuments to Genealogy Research, my first post in this series where I gave examples of the many things that can be learned from tombstones. Even if you’re lucky enough to know the name of your ancestor’s Cemetery, finding it can be an archaeological task worthy of Indiana Jones, especially with lost family cemeteries or towns that have... Read Full Story
Even before I began researching my Family History, I loved visiting Cemeteries. Aunt Betty and I once found a grave completely capped in copper. I wanted to know why, but there was no one to ask. In Arizona I saw Tombstones of settlers marked with “Killed by Apaches.” I wondered if Apaches marked their graves “Killed by Settlers.” And the graves of my own ancestors caused me to ask if I looked like them, were they pirates and why were they were buried so far from where we lived... Read Full Story
There’s going to be a Scanfest this Sunday, which is a combination live chat and scanning get-together via the Internet, for getting your Family Documents scanned. In my post, Protecting Family Documents, I discussed the importance of scanning all our Documents and Photos and storing them safely. After reading my post, Miriam Robbins Midkiff, the wonderful Blogger of AnceStories: The Stories of My Ancestors, invited me and my readers to join in during her Scanfest on July 27, 2008, the... Read Full Story
We all do it. We search and beg and pound the keyboard mercilessly, desperate to find someplace to glean just one little bit of information that will break down that unassailable brick wall that keeps us from the Holy Grail of Genealogy—The Unfindable Ancestor. I’ve destroyed my share of keyboards and still have a brick wall so unscalable that I truly believe my Unfindable Ancestor was beamed up by aliens, which may explain my siblings’ love of science fiction books, my crush on Chewbacca... Read Full Story
Genealogists spend most of the time looking for old documents, however we should spend a little time preserving not only our historical documents, but also the ones we produce in our daily lives. If a disaster happened in your life today, would your papers and photos be safe or would you be devastated by the loss of all your research, in addition to your insurance papers, property inventory, tax records and birth certificates—everything you need to start your legal life over again? We... Read Full Story
Without question, losing a family member is the most devastating thing that can happen in a disaster. The second hardest loss is Family Photos. Going back to what is left of your home and seeing the remnants of your former everyday life is unbelievably painful. And seeing those irreplaceable photos lying in a water-soaked heap will break your heart.
What should you do with that heap of wet photos? Many people think they are hopeless and throw them away. Don’t. Here’s what you can do... Read Full Story
I don’t know a lot about the Military, other than I’m grateful for every person who ever served our country and that I never had to go through boot camp myself, but I do know that Military Records are proof that the American Government loves Genealogists.
For example, let’s take a look at the Civil War Pension Index Card below for my great-great grandfather, Lewis Young Blackwell.
Doesn’t look like much does it? The purpose of this card is exactly like a library catalog card. It lists... Read Full Story
I was recently contacted by Genealogy.com, at which time their spokesman stated:
“We have stopped adding information to Genealogy.com . . . ”
Ali, Genealogy.com
It’s sad to hear this. Genealogy.com has been a great addition to family history websites for many years.
If you are currently a subscriber to Genealogy.com, there is no reason to cancel your membership. Just remember that they will no longer be adding new data to their existing holdings. Anyone wanting to join with a new... Read Full Story
What a great announcement! A portion of the National Archives‘ massive holdings is going to be digitized by Ancestry.com and uploaded to its online subscription database. Oh happy day!
Although digitizing the National Archives’ records will be a five-year task for Ancestry, their reward will be adding a huge dollop of vital statistics, immigration and military service data to their website. The National Archives will also receive a copy of the digitized records for use in what they are... Read Full Story
