RootsWeb Review: RootsWeb's Weekly E-zine 13 December 2006, Vol. 9, No. 50 (c) 1998-2006 RootsWeb.com, Inc. http://www.rootsweb.com/ * * * Editor: Myra Vanderpool Gormley, Certified Genealogist Editor-RWR@rootsweb.com Certification: http://www.bcgcertification.org/certification/ * * * ROOTSWEB HELPDESK: Check here for announcements: http://helpdesk.rootsweb.com/ * * * ROOTSWEB REVIEW ARCHIVES: Current and previous editions: http://ftp.rootsweb.com/pub/review/2006/1213.txt http://e-zine.rootsweb.com/ ========================================================= IN THIS ISSUE: 1. 1a. Editor's Desk: News and Some Sites Worth Seeing; Notes, News: WorldConnect Changes Coming; ISFHWE Writing Contest Sites: Confederate Newspaper Project; Buildings and Cemeteries Book Notes: Florida Funeral Home and Cemetery Records 1b. Tips from Readers: Ringing up a Family Tree Making a Memory Book 1c. Using RootsWeb: Dear Editor . . . 2. Connecting Through RootsWeb: Taking an Unexpected Turn Reveals Another Family Swedish Immigrants Found 3. New User-contributed Databases 4. New/Updated FreePages and HomePages 5. New at RootsWeb 6. RootsWeb Review's Bottomless Mailbag: Peevish Ancestor Domino Effect Works in Genealogy Donating Personal Papers Digging Up More on DICKINS, er DICKENS (with links to Dickens and Christmas, family tree and more) 7. Humor/Humour: Finders Keepers! 8. Subscriptions, Submissions, Advertising, Reprints ======================================================= IN THIS ISSUE: 1a. Editor's Desk: News, Notes; Some Sites Worth Seeing NEWS. WorldConnect Changes Coming Currently, in order to upload or delete a tree on WorldConnect, you have to complete a short WorldConnect registration and then use that username and password for your tree administration. Starting next week, you will be required to use your RootsWeb member name and password to do this. Although this may seem like an extra hoop to jump through, remember that WorldConnect users are already required to register and authenticate before administering their trees. Instead of your WorldConnect login, you will now use a RootsWeb login to access WorldConnect. You probably already have a RootsWeb account. You can find out by visiting https://myaccount.rootsweb.com/signin/ for more details or to register. Select the "Remember Me" checkbox if you do not wish to be asked for your member name and password each time you visit RootsWeb. Now is also a great time to create a RootsWeb Public Profile . This will enable community members who view your tree and click on the "Public Profile" link to learn more about you and your research interests. Frequent WorldConnect contributors will now enjoy the added benefit of being able to administer all of your trees with a single login. You can still associate different e-mail addresses with individual trees if you desire. Upon login in you will be provided with a master list displaying all of your WorldConnect trees rather than having to sign in multiple times to see trees associated with different accounts. While changes can be frustrating, the staff at RootsWeb is working hard to make RootsWeb's My Account page a convenient, central location for you to view and access all of the content you have so generously shared with the RootsWeb community. * * * WRITING CONTEST. Recognizing Excellence in Family History Writing The International Society of Family History Writers and Editors (ISFHWE) is sponsoring its annual "Excellence in Writing" competition to recognize excellence in genealogical columns and articles. The contest is open to all members of ISFHWE, both published and unpublished authors. Contest entrants must be members of ISFHWE, which is open to all. The contest is judged by professionals in the fields of genealogy and journalism. The contest has four categories -- newspaper columns, published articles, unpublished genealogy research stories (Category III) and Category IV is for "want-to-be" writers in the field of genealogy/family history or local history. Submissions in the latter category should be original and unpublished and between 500 and 1,000 words. Do you have a story to tell about your ancestors or hometown? Here's your opportunity. Ancestry Magazine (http://www.theancestrystore.com/ProductDetail.aspx?p=mfsku1561) has again agreed to consider publishing the first-place winner in Category III -- the genealogy research story. Upon acceptance and publication, the author will be paid up to $500. Winners in each category will be awarded a cash prize and a certificate. The awards presentation will take place at the Gala ISFHWE Awards Banquet to be held at the National Genealogical Society conference in Richmond, Virginia, 16 May 2007. (Those unable to attend will receive their awards after the conference.) Entries must be received no later than 15 February 2007. Employees and current contract writers for Ancestry.com or its parent, MyFamily.com, Inc., are ineligible to submit to Category III. Rules, tips, membership information and the entry form are available at: http://www.rootsweb.com/~cgc/contest.htm * * * SOME SITES WORTH SEEING. CONFEDERATE NEWSPAPER PROJECT. The website is the result of the compiler's research into the journalistic accounts of the common Confederate soldiers and their recollections of the war as published in Southern newspapers. http://www.csanewspapers.com/ ABANDONED BUT NOT FORGOTTEN. A website with photos of abandoned and forgotten buildings mostly in the U.S. However, it also includes some cemeteries, such as the real Sleepy Hollow Cemetery in New York and the Old Burying Point in Salem, Massachusetts where many associated with the infamous 1692 witch trials are buried. Arranged by state and slow- loading, but interesting. http://www.abandonedbutnotforgotten.com/ * * * BOOK NOTES: Florida The Pinellas Genealogy Society of Largo, Florida is proud to announce two new books. They are: --The Alexander Funeral Home Records 1917-1947. This Clearwater, Florida funeral home is one of the early mortuaries and it served Pinellas County during the first half of the 20th century. The book consists of 207 pages of history with alphabetically listed names of the deceased; date and place of birth; date, place and cause of death; parents' names and their place of birth; spouse's name and the place of interment. --Lincoln Cemetery. This book has 618 pages, of which 22 pages have color photographs. This predominantly African-American cemetery was established in 1926 and is located in Saint Petersburg, Florida. There are 7,300 alphabetically listed names of the deceased; 20 pages of obituaries and more than 60 pages of obituary extractions. Prices and ordering information may be found at the society's website: http://www.rootsweb.com/~flpgs/pgs-forsale.htm * * * 1b. Tips from Readers: Ringing up a Family Tree By Lena Reid Last week the author of "Telephone and Genealogy," asked, "Can any readers provide sites for low-cost rates from Australia, New Zealand, etc? I use a site called "I connecthere" -- I love it! http://www.iconnecthere.com/nonmembers/eng/index.asp PC to Phone (the person being called doesn't need a computer). I used it for many years, while working in the Middle East, to call my parents, who had no computer. Pay with your credit card, minimum 10 US dollars, the credit is always there ready to use. There are different plans but the "per minute savings" doesn't involve any monthly commitment. Also by using your username and password it can become a virtual telephone card and you don't even have to boot up your computer! (This does cost a few cents more) I talked to my cousin in Canada, from Northern Ireland, for 32 minutes last week and it only cost me $3.90 (U.S.) Here are some examples: US to Ireland shown in US dollars Ireland (353) Dublin (1) USD 0.037 Ireland (353) Mobile (ALL) USD 0.227 Australia to Ireland shown in Australian Dollars Ireland (353) Dublin (1) AUD 0.049 Ireland (353) Mobile (ALL) AUD 0.300 New Zealand to Ireland shown in New Zealand Dollars Ireland (353) Dublin (1) NZD 0.053 Ireland (353) Mobile (ALL) NZD 0.327 * * * Making a Memory Book By Mary Jo Bailey When my dad died last week I asked my kids to begin putting together a list of things they remember about their grandparents. When we get it all collected, I plan to put together a book with pages for each person that lists the memory and the person who contributed it. I will make copies for each of my kids and grandkids. I may add some pictures, too. That way, the names will have a personality and future genealogists will have some "fodder to chew on!" * * * 1c. Using RootsWeb: Dear Editor . . . Over the years the mail received by the editor and others at RootsWeb sometimes takes on a humorous note. The editor, despite rumors to the contrary, doesn't own a crystal ball, isn't clairvoyant and does not know where your ancestors are hiding. The two most common requests we receive are: --"How do I put my data on RootsWeb?" --"How do I get my name, e-mail address, mother's maiden name, GEDCOM, list message, board post, living relatives, (you name it) removed from RootsWeb?" What many writers overlook is the fact that RootsWeb is a pretty big place. They often forget to tell us where at RootsWeb they wish to post their data or where the information is located that they would like to have removed. Are they attempting to upload a GEDCOM to WorldConnect? Are they planning to submit a user-contributed database? Do they have data or a query to post on a mailing list or message board? Or maybe they have a webpage they wish to create at Freepages. Often, it is impossible to tell from the information supplied what is desired. Please remember, when contacting the RootsWeb HelpDesk or the editor or anyone else at RootsWeb to be specific as to what you are trying to do, what type of data you have, and where you wish to post or remove your data at RootsWeb. When using the HelpDesk, be careful in selecting the "area" pertaining to your request. If you select "Mailing Lists" as the "area" then the person trying to help will assume the problem pertains to mailing lists -- not your family tree at WorldConnect or a problem on a Message Board. The quality of the answer to your question depends upon the information you provide. One request to the editor asked, "Please give me the URL for my website." Whether the website was housed at RootsWeb and, if so, the type of website, wasn't specified. The question was simply where was the webpage located. Answer: "If you don't know where your page is, how do you expect me to know?" Another writer asked RootsWeb to help her obtain a birth certificate for her mother. She went on to write "I've already contacted the state and they don't have any certificate on file for her." Hmmm. If the state can't find a birth record for your mother, RootsWeb is not likely to have one handy either. Another person wrote, "I'm going to take a trip to my ancestral homelands of Scotland and Ireland. What records might I expect to find on my trip?" Without knowing the time frame in which the writer is trying to find her ancestors, it is difficult to answer the question. If the writer had provided more specific information about the records she is seeking and when her ancestors lived in these countries, she might have received a more complete and helpful response. Another writer, apparently conflicted, said, "I'd like to post my family tree on RootsWeb but I don't wish to disclose any details about my ancestors, not the town, or even the country, they lived in." The only possible answer to this one is, "Make up your mind -- do you want to post family data or don't you?" One question that is asked time and again goes something like this: "Years ago I posted information on RootsWeb and now I can't find it. Where is it?" We do not have crystal balls. "If you don't remember where you put your data at RootsWeb, how do you expect us to know?" A similar question is "I have a GEDCOM posted somewhere either on RootsWeb or Ancestry and I can't find it. How do I look for it?" Of course, the writer doesn't include any information such as the names included in the database or the e-mail contact address he used when submitting the file. We can't find it without some of that information. The editor is often asked where a person can write for assistance at RootsWeb when the Help link is included in the RootsWeb masthead at the top of every RootsWeb page. Then there is the ever-popular question about how to subscribe or unsubscribe from a mailing list. The answers to these and other questions are easily obtainable by reading the help pages located here: http://helpdesk.rootsweb.com/ and instead of asking us about your passwords, click on the Password tab at the top of any RootsWeb page. Those links at the top of any RootsWeb page are there for a purpose -- to make easier for you to find help you need. Try them: Search, Family Trees, Mailing Lists, Message Boards, Web Sites, Passwords, and Help. While the editor and the RootsWeb staff are unable to do the research on your family tree when personalized help is needed, please include sufficient information for us to assist you. Don't make us pull teeth to try to help you. * * * * * * * * * * Advertisement * * * * * * * * * * REQUEST A SEARCH FOR YOUR ANCESTORS AT THE FAMILY HISTORY LIBRARY ANCESTOR SEEKERS researchers at the Family History Library in Salt Lake City will search this vast collection for your ancestors from the USA, Canada, Australia, Ireland, Germany, Poland, Russia, Holland, Sweden, Norway, Denmark and Italy. If you commission the work (there's no obligation to do that!) prices start from $55 (US). For a FREE! initial e-mail consultation visit http://www.ancestorseekers.com/research.rwr/ For help in finding ancestors from England or Scotland request a FREE e-mail assessment from http://www.britishancestors.com/ or join us February 18-23 for our Seventh Salt Lake City Research Trip -- the ideal genealogy vacation! * * * * * * * * * * End of Advertisement * * * * * * * * * * 2. Connecting Through RootsWeb: Taking an Unexpected Turn Reveals Another Family By Shirley Becker I have been researching my great-grandfather Lucius PLUE for a number of years. A friend finally found him on Ancestry by using his first name and age. His last name had been "misspelled" in the 1870 census. He was working as a farm laborer. Off to the Family History Center. I went down the page and found a Susan PLUE of the right age to be his mother and a couple of pages along I found Filbert PLUE working as a domestic servant. Armed with this information I went to the 1860 census and there was Susannah PLOUGH with daughter Catymaria and son Lucius. Wonderful! I was on a roll. Couldn't find him in 1850 -- then I realized he was born after the census. Duh! I found a copy of the 1855 New York state census for Blenheim, Schoharie County and there was Jacob O. PLUGH married to Susan with children: Rachel L., Catherine Maria, and Lucius. Also living with them was a Polly SHELMANDIN (mother), I knew she was not Lucius mother, so she must be Susan's. So I went looking for SHELMANDIN and found the family, father Henry, mother Polly Purdy and children Susan and Woolsey. I now have two generations back on SHELMANDINEs and nothing on PLUE, PLOUGH, PLUGH line. So my research went in an unexpected direction, but it was worth it. * * * Swedish Immigrants Found By June Moosberg Sherman Thanks to RootsWeb and Ancestry.com and the Ellis Island records that were released recently, I found that my grandmother did have relatives in the United States. My grandmother, Anna Kristina TROFAST, emigrated from Sweden to the U.S. on 31 March 1891. According to family information, she came alone and ended up in the Fort Worth. Texas, area where she met and married another Swedish immigrant. I didn't know where she entered the country so I did a search for her in November on the Ellis Island site and found where she entered the United states on 13 April 1891. I knew who her parents and siblings were from research done in Sweden so I did another search of Ellis Island records for her siblings and found at least one sister, Johanna Emilia TROFAST. Another sister or sister-in-law came in 1882. Johanna Emilia TROFAST married a Mr. OLSSON and settled in DeKalb, DeKalb County, Illinois. I did another search and found that Emilia and Anna's father, Karl Johan TROFAST, came to visit Emilia in 1900 at the age of 72. Thank you so much for making these records available! * * * 3. New User-Contributed Databases at RootsWeb http://userdb.rootsweb.com/submit/ ---------------------------------------------- The following databases have come online recently. They are searchable, but not browseable. Search: To look for specific data or occurrence of text in a file. Browse: To view the entire contents of a file or a group of files. MICHIGAN. Iron County. Stambaugh Cemetery; 5,759 records; Dale Safford http://userdb.rootsweb.com/cemeteries/ OKLAHOMA. 1890 Oklahoma Territory census; 286 records; Benjamin F Pannell http://userdb.rootsweb.com/census/index/ TEXAS. Val Verde County. Aeronautical Order 181; 65 records; Kenneth E. Madl http://userdb.rootsweb.com/military/ WASHINGTON. Spokane County. Basic Survival Training, Class 71-11; 137 records; Kenneth E. Madl http://userdb.rootsweb.com/military/ 4. New/Updated Freepages and Homepages -------------------------------------- Can your cousins find your website at RootsWeb? Has it ever been mentioned here or do you have a new, updated, or substantially revised website at RootsWeb (it will have "freepages" or "homepages" in the URL)? Send the URL (its Web address), along with a brief description, including the major pertinent surnames and what is available on your site, to: Editor-RWR@rootsweb.com * * * If your genealogical or historical related site is located somewhere other than at RootsWeb.com, you can add the link here: http://resources.rootsweb.com/~rootslink/addlink.html * * * ITALIAN. Laurenzana Genealogical Database and Resources -- a website for those whose ancestors came from Laurenzana -- a town and commune in the province of Potenza in the region of Basilicata in Italy. http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~basilicata/ * * * 5. New at RootsWeb To Request a Free Web Account: http://accounts.rootsweb.com/ ------------------------------------------------------------- Some of these webpages might not yet be accessible. They are created by volunteers, so if one that interests you isn't up yet, please check again in a few days or next week. http://www.rootsweb.com/~xxxxxx[accountname] U.S.A. arnewto3 -- Newton County (Arkansas) AHGP ctmwcdar -- Mary Wooster (Connecticut) Chapter DAR kslgar -- Ladies of the Grand Army of the Republic (Kansas) nhgraft3 -- Grafton County (New Hampshire) nynfcdar -- Niagara Falls (New York) Chapter DAR ohahgp -- Ohio AHGP State Site ohbutle3 -- Butler County (Ohio) AHGP ohhighl2 -- Highland County (Ohio) AHGP ohmontg2 -- Montgomery County (Ohio) AHGP okths -- Turley Historical Society (Oklahoma) txarche2 -- Archer County (Texas) txmilam -- Milam County (Texas) txsanja2 -- San Jacinto County (Texas) txsmd -- Society of Mayflower Descendants (Texas) wiwgs -- Winnebagoland Genealogical Society (Wisconsin) Key: AHGP -- American History and Genealogy Project DAR -- Daughters of the American Revolution * * * New Mailing Lists at RootsWeb Request a New Mailing List: http://resources.rootsweb.com/adopt/ ----------------------------------------------------------------- For information and an index to the more than 30,000 RootsWeb-hosted genealogy Mailing Lists and for easy subscribing (joining) options go to: http://lists.rootsweb.com/ No new mailing lists were created this past week. * * * 6. FROM ROOTSWEB REVIEW'S BOTTOMLESS MAILBAG [Editor's note: The opinions expressed herein are those of the authors and are not necessarily those of the editor or of RootsWeb.com]. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Peevish Ancestor By Sharon Cheney in Gooding, Idaho, USA I doing research on some of my family I found the following entry: Leonard HOAR married Bridget, daughter of John LISLE, the Regicide, and his unhappy wife. They didn't even mention her first name. She must of been really cranky. * * * Domino Effect Works in Genealogy By Marie Navarro in Kaufman, Texas, USA For months I had been searching for the parents of my great-grandmother Cornie HEARD. What I knew: Her maiden name was DEAN, she was born in 1890 and she and her parents were born in Tennessee. I would have thought that Cornie was such an unusual given name that I would be able to find her in a snap. No such luck. From my dad I learned after Grandma Cornie's father died that her mother married one of my mother's grandfather John BURNS' brothers (now how small a world is that?) But, he didn't know any of the names of grandfather John's brothers, plus he didn't know if grandma Cornie had any siblings. The brick wall thicken because I didn't know the names of John BURNS' parents. Since I didn't know their names I couldn't learn what his brother's names were. In the 1870s the name John BURNS was about as common as John SMITH. I had resigned myself to the grim reality that I would probably never be able to locate the names of my 2g-grandparents on my grandma Cornie's side or on grandfather John's side. I had all of the census records for John BURNS after he married except for one -- 1910. I finally found it; his name was listed as Jno. BURNS You can't imagine my excitement when I discovered a brother named Arthur listed as living with him. Then as I scanned down the page I noticed a record for a William A. BURNS, living just two entries down from my grandfather. Could this be another brother? I checked census records from other years and soon discovered that in 1900 William BURNS had a wife named Martha and one child named Dean Burns. Now, that just seemed liked too big a coincidence to me. Then I noticed Dean was listed as female not male. Then I saw her age and realized that she was born in 1890 and the clincher -- both she and her mother were born in Tennessee. Eureka! I found her and I now knew her mother's given name. I still have not located the name of grandma Cornie's father, nor the name of grandpa John BURNS' parents. But, having broken down a brick wall that was so thick I thought would never come down, I'm not giving up and I know I will eventually break them down -- one brick wall at a time! * * * Donating Personal Papers By Christine Phelps I work for a state library, which is the keeper of our state's history. If people have personal papers that they don't know what to do with, or don't have a family member who wants them, consider donating them to the state library. These papers could help future genealogists. Slightly Understated By Jeanne Hlavac In the 1860 census taken in Independence Township, Washington County, Ohio. I found a great-aunt listed along with her children. I'm assuming her husband died before the enumerator arrived. No exact date has been found for him, but we believe it was early 1860. It amused me to see the widow's occupation given as "laboring woman." * * * Digging Up More on DICKINS, er DICKENS By Peter E. Dant in the UK With regard to the response from Jim Lancaster to the article. "A DICKENS of a Search" I would like to make a few points. The question of the spelling "DICKINS" was stated as coming from the extracted marriage record (not the baptismal) and was thus provided by John Dickens. Additionally I would have to state that I believe the more appropriate term would be "accepted spelling." Mr. Lancaster states that, "We do not know if Charles' parents could read or write," As a clerk in H. M. Dockyard, I doubt that John Dickens was illiterate and it would be unlikely that his wife was as she was the daughter of a senior clerk in the pay office and is reputed to have taught Charles to read -- certainly she attempted to run a school in order to help the family finances. The comparison of his stating his own birthplace with varying degrees of detail is not comparable to the examples given in Ms. Lovell's article where the marriage place is given as varying between Portsmouth, London and Stafford. This is a comparison of chalk and cheese and it is important to realise that there is a difference between precision and accuracy. England, Manchester and Bury are all ACCURATE and progressively more precise, London, Portsmouth and Stafford cannot all be accurate but are equally precise. The point about the IGI is well made -- it IS an index, and Ms. Lovell inferred in her piece that material found on the Web should be checked against original sources wherever possible. I would add that if the original sources are NOT available it is not acceptable for people to publish information as though it were fact. Finally, in support of both correspondents, I quote Sir Josiah Stamp: "The government is very keen on amassing statistics. They collect them, add them, raise them to the nth power, take the cube root and prepare wonderful diagrams. But you must never forget that every one of these figures comes in the first instance from the village watchman, who just puts down what he **** well pleases." --Josiah Charles Stamp, 1st Baron of Shortlands, 1880-1941 * * * Understanding evidence, sources and citations -- a must for family historians. See RootsWeb Guide on this subject: http://www.rootsweb.com/~rwguide/lesson12.htm * * * Dickens and Christmas http://www.fidnet.com/~dap1955/dickens/christmas.html Charles Dickens Page http://www.fidnet.com/~dap1955/dickens/ Dickens Family Tree in PDF. http://www.fidnet.com/~dap1955/dickens/dickens_family_tree.pdf Dickens Biography http://www.victorianweb.org/authors/dickens/dickensbio1.html A Christmas Carol, the first of Charles Dickens's enormously successful Christmas books, appeared in December 1844. http://www.stormfax.com/dickens.htm * * * 7. Humor/Humour: Finders Keepers! --------------------------------- Thanks to: Carol Botteron who spotted the following in America's Historical Newspapers: Paper: Independent Chronicle; Date: 05-02-1811; Volume: XLIII; Issue: 3134; Page: [3]; Location: Boston, Massachusetts One Cent Reward. Ran away from the subscriber on the 28th ult. an indentured Apprentice by the name of IIRA [sic] HARLOW, about 18 years of age. Whoever will return said Apprentice to the subscriber, shall receive One Cent reward, and no thanks. I hereby forbid all persons from harbouring or trusting said Apprentice, as they would avoid the penalty of the law. --JACOB HIXON, Sharon, April 30. (Jacob Hixon was the son of John HIXON Jr. and Mary MORSE. Didn't really want the apprentice back, did he?) * * * Found a funny or "proper name for the job" in old records or an amusing entry in census, parish, church, etc. records? Send them to: Editor-RWR@rootsweb.com 8. Subscriptions, Submissions, Advertising, Reprints ----------------------------------------------------- SUBSCRIPTIONS. To manage your e-mail communications (i.e. to subscribe or unsubscribe to this newsletter, or to sign up for others), visit our newsletter management center any time at: http://newsletters.rootsweb.com/ If you use a spam-filtering program, in order to receive the RootsWeb Review please make sure that you're allowing e-mail from: newsletter@reply.myfamilyinc.com The RootsWeb Review is a free publication of MyFamily.com, Inc., 360 West 4800 North, Provo, UT, 84604 * * * The RootsWeb Review does not publish or answer genealogical queries, and the editor regrets that she is unable to provide any personal research assistance or advice. RootsWeb Review welcomes short (500 words or less) articles, humor, stories, or letters, and reserves the right to edit all submissions. The announcement of books and products is provided as a community service and is not an endorsement in any way. All mail sent to the RootsWeb Review editor is considered to be for publication -- send in plain text (please, no attachments) to: Editor-RWR@rootsweb.com and please include your full name and e-mail address in the text. * * * ROOTSWEB REVIEW ADVERTISING CONTACTS. AdSales Worldwide: Shana Davis, creative@myfamilyinc.com * * * REPRINTS. Permission to reprint articles from RootsWeb Review is granted unless specifically stated otherwise, provided: (1) the reprint is used for non-commercial, educational purposes; and (2) the following notice appears at the end of the article: Previously published in RootsWeb Review: 13 December 2006, Vol. 9, No. 50. * * * *