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You are currently browsing the Crowe’s Nest Genealogy Blog by Elizabeth Powell Crowe weblog archives for the day 15 August 2008.

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Archive for 15 August 2008

Under the “and more” part of the blog…

15 August 2008 by Libbi.

Discovery.com has a disturbing report on the expansion of dead zones in the world’s oceans.I’ve been concerned about the Gulf Dead Zone for years, especially this year, when so much farm land around the Mississippi River  and other rivers were inundated. All that pollution, fertilizer, and more is not a good thing to wash into our estuaries and oceans.

Are we going to have to show our grandchildren pictures of corals, fish and crustaceans? Are we going to have to try to describe the taste of fresh Gulf shrimp, because they won’t have any to taste themselves?

We all need to work on this problem. From the Montana State University page on the dead zone: 

The key to minimizing the Gulf dead zone is to address it at the source. Solutions include:

  • Using fewer fertilizers and adjusting the timing of fertilizer applications to limit runoff of excess nutrients from farmland. (Note from Libbi: This includes using only time-release fertilizer in your yard and garden. Then nutrients are released bit by bit and only when it rains, not washed into the gutter.)
  • Control of animal wastes so that they are not allowed to enter into waterways
  • Monitoring of septic systems and sewage treatment facilities to reduce discharge of nutrients to surface water and groundwater
  • Careful industrial practices such as limiting the discharge of nutrients, organic matter, and chemicals from manufacturing facilities

These solutions are relatively simple to implement and would significantly reduce the input of nitrogen and phosphorus to the Gulf of Mexico. A similar approach has been used successfully in the Great Lakes’ recovery from eutrophication. The government is also funding efforts to restore wetlands along the Gulf coast to naturally filter the water before it enters the Gulf.

Posted in And More..., News | Print | No Comments »

New Genealogy Program at US Citizenship and Immigration site

15 August 2008 by Libbi.

The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service has launched a program to make it easier to find 20th century immigrant ancestors. The agency started this Genealogy program to streamline the process of finding information.
The USCIS Genealogy Program is a fee-for-service program providing family historians and other researchers with  access to historical immigration and naturalization records. This USCIS Genealogy Program offers two services:

*Index Search: Using biographical information provided by the researcher, USCIS searches its historical immigration and naturalization record indices for citations related to a specific immigrant. Search results (record citations) are returned to the researcher, along with instructions on how to request the file(s) from USCIS or the National Archives. Fee: $20.00.
*Record Copy Request: Researchers with valid record citations (USCIS file numbers), gained through a USCIS Genealogy Program index search or through independent research, may request copies of historical immigration and naturalization records.  Fee: $20.00/$35.00  (depending on the record type).

Records available through the USCIS Genealogy Program:

*Naturalization Certificate Files (C-files) from September 27, 1906 to April 1, 1956
*Alien Registration Forms from August 1, 1940 to March 31, 1944
*Visa files from July 1, 1924 to March 31, 1944
*Registry Files from March 2, 1929 to March 31, 1944
*Alien Files (A-files) numbered below 8 million (A8000000) and documents therein dated prior to May 1, 1951

USCIS has records dating back to the late 1800’s documenting the arrival and naturalization of millions of immigrants. The agency also has records of those people who were naturalized citizens between 1906 and 1956. The new program replaces a Freedom of Information Act process that was required to get the information. USCIS reported receiving over 40,000 requests for historical records in the last four years.

If the ancestor you are looking for was born less than 100 years ago, you have to send in a copy of the death certificate with your payment before they will search the records.

NOTE: Under the Frequently Asked Questions portion of the site was this nugget of information for genealogy beginners:

Naturalization activity prior to September 27, 1906, was under the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts.  Naturalization records may be found in Federal, State, or local court records.  Practice and procedure varied greatly over time and geographical location, and as a result the best information on how to find pre-1906 naturalization records is usually available from local sources.  For more information on State and local courts, contact the State or county historical or genealogical society in the location where you believe the immigrant naturalized.  For Federal court records, contact the National Archives or see their webpage at http://www.archives.gov/genealogy/naturalization/

Posted in Genealogy Sites, Genealogy, Genealogy Online | Print | 1 Comment »

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