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Press Release from Fold3: Special Black History Month Access

This is a press release from Fold3:

Celebrate Black History Month with Free Access to Black History Records

In 1976, President Ford designated February as Black History Month to highlight the achievements of African Americans in U.S. history. He encouraged the nation to “seize the opportunity to honor the too-often neglected accomplishments of black Americans in every area of endeavor throughout our history.”

In honor of Black History Month, we invite you to enjoy free* access to Fold3’s Black History Collection. This collection includes many enlightening historical records documenting African American achievements since the earliest days of our nation. Of particular interest are those from the Civil War era as we continue to observe the 150th anniversary of the Civil War.

As soon as black soldiers were recruited to serve the Union in 1863, records were generated to document their service including Compiled Service Records for the U.S. Colored Troops and, ultimately, pension files. The pension file index cards, like this one for Joel Bedenbaugh, include a soldier’s rank, company, and regiment within the U.S.C. Infantry, his pension numbers, and sometimes a death date, 24 August 1913, in this case. Private Bedenbaugh’s 16-page service record also includes his enlistment record from when he joined up in Dayton, Ohio, in 1864.

Southern Claims Commission files are petitions by southerners who lost property to Union troops during the Civil War, including many blacks, like William and Louisa Ferguson. Though freeborn, Louisa was not only the wife of a slave, but also the daughter of George Washington’s carpenter, also a slave. Their claim for compensation of $150 for the loss of a horse was denied, but Louisa’s tales of Union and Confederate troops in the vicinity includes her encounters with the rebels and her service to the Union hospital nearby. A transcription of her file is here.

Explore these and thousands of other records documenting the history of African Americans in the U.S., from before the Civil War to the War in Vietnam. Join us as we recognize Black History Month and provide free* access to the Black History Collection on Fold3.

*  Free Access ends February 29, 2012 at Midnight

Press Release: Attend some of RootsTech Free Online!

RootsTech Conference Will Broadcast Select Sessions Free Online

SALT LAKE CITY—RootsTech, a leading family history and technology conference held in Salt Lake City, Utah, February 2-4, 2012, announced today that fourteen of its popular sessions will be broadcasted live and complimentary over the Internet. The live broadcasts will give those unable to attend worldwide a sample of this year’s conference content. Interested viewers can watch the live presentations at RootsTech.org. The second-year conference has attracted over 3,000 registered attendees.

The free online sessions include the keynote speakers and a sampling of technology and family history presentations. Following are the fourteen broadcasted sessions and speakers. All times are in Mountain Standard Time (MST):

Thursday, February 2

8:30-10:00 am, Inventing the Future, as a Community (Keynote Address) by Jay L. Verkler

11:00 am-12:00 pm, Do I Trust the Cloud? by D. Joshua Taylor

1:45-2:45 pm, Effective Database Search Tactics by Kory Meyerink

3:00-4:00 pm, Twitter – It’s Not Just “What I Had for Breakfast” Anymore by Thomas MacEntee

4:15-5:15 pm, Eleven Layers of Online Searches by Barbara Renick

Friday, February 3

8:30-9:30 am, Exabyte Social Clouds and Other Monstrosities (Keynote Address) by Josh Coates

9:45-10:45 am, Publish Your Genealogy Online by Laura G. Prescott

11:00 am-12:00 pm, Optimize Your Site for Search Engines by Robert Gardner

1:45-2:45 pm, Genealogists “Go Mobile” by Sandra Crowly

3:00-4:00 pm, Google’s Toolbar and Genealogy by Dave Barney

Saturday, February 4

8:30-9:30 am, Making the Most of Technology to Further the Family History Industry (Keynote Address) by Tim Sullivan and Ancestry.com Panel

9:45-10:45 am Genealogy Podcasts and Blogs 101 by Lisa Louise Cooke

11:00 am-12:00 pm, Future of FamilySearch Family Tree by Ron Tanner

1:45-2:45 pm, Privacy in a Collaborative Environment by Noah Tatuk

For more information:
Jim Ericson,
RootsTech Marketing,
jericson@familysearch.org,
801-592-2520
Paul Nauta,
RootsTech Media Relations,
nautapg@familysearch.org,
801-240-6498

Come hear me speak at the Navarre Library January 31!

Using genealogy, history and online resources, Elizabeth Crowe will paint a lively picture of Colonel Guy Wyman, the founder of Navarre, at 5:30 p.m. January 31, 2012, at the library. It’s a story of murder, mayhem, madness and many wives. There’s never a dull moment in the story of Wyman and his family.

 

Libbi Crowe, a Navarre resident, is the author of Genealogy Online, now in its 9th printing. Crowe’s father really was a rocket scientist and she has been involved with computers since the early days. Her family got involved in genealogy after discovering an old Bible with family records going back to 1812.

 

The program is part of the free Lore, Legends and Learning series at the Library sponsored by the Friends of the Navarre Library. The program is held on the last Tuesday of each month, presenting a variety of topics to the public. Reservations are not required..

 

Visit our website:  http://www.friendsofnavarrelibrary.org/ for the most current information.

For NGS members: videos to check out

Thomas H. Shawker, MD, is a frequent lecturer on the subjects of DNA and family health history. He is the author of the NGS publication, Unlocking Your Genetic History: A Step-by-Step Guide to Discovering Your Family’s Medical and Genetic Heritage.

This brief conversation provides an introduction to how DNA analysis can support genealogical research as well as some basic guidelines for studying your family health history.

Log in at http://www.ngsgenealogy.org, click on the Members Only tab, and then click on NGS Videos in the sidebar menu.

Film by Kate Geis and Allen Moore.

Review: Quicksheet for Genealogical Problem Analysis

Just in time to help, I received a review copy of Quicksheet: Genealogical Problem Analysis- A Strategic Plan- Evidence! Style by Elizabeth Shown Mills.

QuickSheet for Problem Solving

So I am going to start pursuing Reason Powell using her 10-step solution to genealogical problems. The QuickSheet is the outgrowth of a lifetime of professional experience, the 10 steps provide a systematic basis for problem solving unique to genealogy.  In addition to the 10 steps, this  QuickSheet contains a “Life Stages Worksheet”–a form to be filled in covering most life events from birth to death through six specific stages of life. This single-page form allows for a systematic listing of records  to review at a glance. You can copy this form and write on that copy, or use grease pencil and write on the laminated sheet itself, rubbing it clean as you find better data. The problem analysis QuickSheet is a laminated two-sided sheet designed, like its companions, for heavy use, in libraries, at your desk, and so on.

Here’s hoping!

Google+ Impressions

So I’ve been trying Google+ ever since my son Matthew sent me the invitation July 8 and I’m ready to give a few thoughts about it on my blog.
1. The “circles” feature is much like “groups” in Facebook, but easier to use. The list of your circles (e. g. Family, Friends, Acquaintances, etc.) is always on the left, so filtering the “stream” is much easier. Creating circles is also much, much easier than creating groups in Facebook. Instead of pawing through each and every friend, you just drag and drop, or when someone adds you, you can put them in a circle with one click.
2. With the installation of StartGoogle+, a Google Chrome browser plug in specifically designed to help make the process of transitioning from Facebook to Google+ as smooth as possible, the new social network is is easy to use. You can also track Facebook, Twitter, and Google+ all at once with this plug in. The StartGoogle+ instructions also say that if you use it to log into Twitter and Facebook using the plugin,  your Google+ posts will appear on the two others.  I have not yet gotten that feature to work, but I’m sure that is operator error.
3. It can be useful for genealogy if you create a circle just for your genealogy buds, and post your genealogy  queries to that circle only.
4. I am in love with the “Hangout” feature. I just had a really fun hangout with +Russ Worthington about Google+, the video features, EfM, printing genealogies, and more! I want to use that with my kids, siblings, cousins, etc!
5. Posting your pictures, especially your profile pictures, from Picasa on your desktop to Google+ is not as easy and intuitive as it should be. I expect they will tweak that in future.
6. Like Twitter, someone can follow you but you don’t have to follow them (see their posts) back. In Facebook, it must be mutual.
7.  With all of that said, Google+ still does not feel quite so friendly as Facebook. The interface is clean and open, but not “cozy.”  Once I get more used to it, perhaps that will change.
I shall keep experimenting with this new tool and put some observations on a later blog.

Press Release from FamilySearch July 11

1930 US Census Project Concludes

Volunteers Consider Options for Next Projects

The 1930 U.S. Census indexing project will be completed this month. This enhanced index will be a great benefit to online patrons. We will now start many new U.S. projects for volunteers to consider. We are working toward building a nationwide marriage index. There are several already underway, and many new marriage projects are coming. We also started a Civil War era initiative recently that will include record collections expanding before and after the Civil War that will help researchers identify their Civil War era ancestors. We’re also adding some fun emigration projects (passenger lists, naturalization records).

See the lists below for the newest additions and status of other projects and invite friends, family, and colleagues to help out on projects of interest. Of course completed projects will be searchable for free at FamilySearch.org.

New Projects Added

(See the chart below for a complete list and current status of all indexing projects.)

Recently Completed Projects

(Note: Recently completed projects have been removed from the available online indexing batches and will now go through a final completion check process. They will be published at familysearch.org in the near future.)

  • Argentina, Cordoba, Rio Segundo—Registros Parroquiales, 1888–1926
  • Argentina, Santa Fe—Registros Parroquiales, 1634–1926 [Parte A]
  • Brasil, Rio de Janeiro—Imigração Cartões, 1900–1965 [Parte A]
  • Brasil, Rio de Janeiro—Imigração Cartões, 1900–1965 [Parte B]
  • Chile, Concepción—Registros Civiles, 1885–1903 [Parte 2B]
  • España, Avila, Barroman—Registros Parroquiales, 1550–1930
  • Jamaica—Church of England Parish Baptisms, 1664–1880
  • Mexico, Veracruz—1930 Federal Censo
  • Norway—1875 Federal Census [Part B]
  • Polska, Diecezja Lublin—Księgi Metrykalne, 1902–1945
  • Sverige, Uppsala—Kyrkoböcker, till 1860 [Del 1]
  • Sverige, Örebro—Kyrkoböcker, till 1860 [Del 1]
  • U.K., Yorkshire—Parish Registers, 1845–1930
  • U.S.—Index to War of 1812 Pension Application Files, 1812–1905
  • U.S., Arizona—1930 Federal Census
  • U.S., California—1930 Federal Census
  • U.S., Hawaii—1930 Federal Census
  • U.S., Idaho—1930 Federal Census
  • U.S., Illinois—1865 State Census
  • U.S., Indiana—1930 Federal Census
  • U.S., Indiana, Floyd County—Marriages, 1811–1959
  • U.S., Iowa—County Births, 1880–1935 [Part A]
  • U.S., Iowa—County Marriages, 1838–1992 [Part A]
  • U.S., Michigan—1894 State Census
  • U.S., Missouri—1930 Federal Census
  • U.S., New Hampshire—1930 Federal Census
  • U.S., New Jersey—1930 Federal Census
  • U.S., New Mexico—1930 Federal Census
  • U.S., New York—1930 Federal Census [Part B]
  • U.S., North Carolina—County Marriages, 1762–1959 [Part B]
  • U.S., Ohio—1930 Federal Census
  • U.S., Oklahoma—1930 Federal Census
  • U.S., Oregon—1930 Federal Census
  • U.S., Pennsylvania—1930 Federal Census [Part A]
  • U.S., Pennsylvania—1930 Federal Census [Part B]
  • U.S., Tennessee—County Marriages, 1790–1950 [Part D]
  • U.S., Utah—1930 Federal Census
  • U.S., Vermont—Vital Records, 1760–1954 [Part C]
  • U.S., Virginia, Winchester—Evening Star Obituaries, 1899–1909
  • U.S., Washington—1930 Federal Census

Current FamilySearch Indexing Projects, Record Language, and Percent Completion

Argentina, Balvanera—Registros Parroquiales, 1833–1934 [Parte C](Argentina, Balvanera—Church Records, 1833–1934 [Part B]) Spanish 66%
Argentina, Córdoba, Bell Ville—Registros Parroquiales, 1759–1946(Argentina, Cordoba, Bell Ville—Parish Registers, 1759–1946) Spanish (New)
Brasil—Registro Civil, 1852–1914 [Parte 2A](Brazil—Civil Registration, 1852–1914 [Part 2A]) Portuguese 9%
Brasil, Florianópolis—Registros da Igreja, 1751–1954 [Parte A](Brazil, Florianópolis—Church Records, 1751–1954 [Part A]) Portuguese 23%
Brasil, Pernambuco, Recife—Registro Civil, 1900–1920(Brazil, Pernambuco, Recife—Civil Registration, 1900–1920) Portuguese 5%
Brasil, Rio de Janeiro—Cartões de Imigração, 1900–1965 [Part C](Brazil, Rio de Janeiro—Immigration Cards, 1900–1965 [Part C]) Portuguese (New)
Brasil, Rio de Janeiro—Cartões de Imigração, 1900–1965 [Parte D](Brazil, Rio de Janeiro—Immigration Cards, 1900–1965 [Part D]) Portuguese (New)
Brasil, Rio de Janeiro—Matrimonios, 1900–1910 [Piloto](Brazil, Rio de Janeiro—Marriages, 1900–1910) Portuguese 66%
Canada—Passenger Lists, 1881–1922 English 8%
Canada, Bas-Canada—Recensement de 1831(Canada, Lower Canada—1831 Census) French 43%
Canada, Ontario—Births, 1869–1912 [Part B] English (New)
Canada, Ontario—Marriages, 1869–1927 [Part B] English 23%
Chile—Registros Civiles, 1885–1900(Chile—Civil Registration, 1885–1900) Spanish 91%
Chile, Concepción—Registros Civiles, 1885–1920 [Parte 3](Chile, Concepción—Civil Registration, 1885–1920 [Part 3]) Spanish (New)
Colombia, Bucaramanga—Registros Parroquiales, 1649–1959(Colombia, Bucaramanga—Church Records, 1649–1959) Spanish 19%
Deutschland, Baden-Württemberg, Emmendingen—Kirchenbücher, 1810–1869(Germany, Baden-Württemberg, Emmendingen—Church Books, 1810–1869) German (New)
Deutschland, Brandenburg, Posen—Kirchenbücher, 1794–1874(Germany, Brandenburg, Posen—Church Books, 1794–1874) German (New)
Deutschland, Mecklenburg, Schwerin—1867 Volkszählung(Germany, Mecklenburg, Schwerin—1867 Census) German (New)
El Salvador—Registros Civiles, 1835–1910(El Salvador—Civil Registration, 1835–1910) Spanish 67%
El Salvador—Registros Civiles, 1836-1910 [Parte B](El Salvador—Civil Registration, 1836–1910 [Part B]) Spanish 12%
España, Andalucía—Registros Civiles, 1837–1870(Spain, Andalucia—Civil Registration, 1837–1870) Spanish 33%
España, Lugo—Registros Parroquiales, 1530–1930 [Parte 1](Spain, Lugo—Parish Registers, 1530–1930 [Part 1]) Spanish 47%
España, Málaga—Nacimientos, 1841–1870(Spain, Malaga—Births, 1841–1870) Spanish 13%
Estonia—Lutheran Church Books, 1603–1940 [Part B] German (New)
France, Cherbourg—Registres Paroissiaux, 1802–1907(France, Cherbourg—Parish Registers, 1802–1907) French 70%
France, Coutances—Registres Paroissiaux, 1802–1907 [Part 2](France, Coutances—Parish Registers, 1802–1907 [Part 2]) French (New)
France, Protestant Church Records [Part 2A] French 11%
Guatemala—Registros Civiles, 1800–1900 [Parte B](Guatemala—Civil Registration, 1800–1900 [Part B]) Spanish (New)
Guatemala, Guatemala—Registros Civiles, 1800–1900(Guatemala, Guatemala—Civil Registration, 1800–1900) Spanish 46%
Guatemala, Guatemala—Registros Civiles, 1877–1900(Guatemala, Guatemala—Civil Registration, 1877–1900) Spanish 58%
Honduras, Tegucigalpa—Registros Parroquiales, 1684–1930(Honduras, Tegucigalpa—Parish Registers, 1684–1930) Spanish (New)
Ireland—Tithe Applotment Books, 1824–1840 English 40%
Italia, Mantova—Registri Civili, 1806-1815(Italy, Mantova—Civil Registration, 1806–1815) Italian (New)
Italia, Napoli, Castellammare di Stabia—Atti di Morte, 1889–1924 [Part 2](Italy, Napoli, Castellammare di Stabia—Death Records, 1809–1885 [Part 2]) Italian (New)
Italia, Napoli, Castellammare di Stabia—Atti di Nascita, 1809–1885 [Part 1](Italy, Napoli, Castellammare di Stabia—Birth Records, 1809–1885 [Part 1]) Italian (New)
Italia, Provincia di Vicenza—Registri Parrocchiali, 1597–1937(Italy, Vicenza Province—Parish Registers, 1597–1937) Italian 71%
Italia, Torino, Torre Pellice—Atti di sepoltura, 1692–1969(Italy, Torina, Torre Pellice—Burial records, 1692–1969) Italian (New)
Italy, Trento—Baptisms, 1784–1924 [Part 2A] Italian 91%
Magyarország, Szabolcs—polgári anyakönyvi adatok, 1895–1978 [1. Rész](Hungary, Szabolcs—Civil Registration, 1895–1978 [Part 1]) Hungarian 67%
Mexico, Aguascalientes - Nacimientos 1860-1921(Mexico, Aguascalientes—Birth Records, 1860–1921) Spanish (New)
Mexico, D.F.—Bautismos, 1536–1900 [Parte A](Mexico, D.F.—Church Baptisms, 1536–1900 [Part A]) Spanish 17%
Mexico, Tlaxcala—Nacimientos, 1867–1925(Mexico, Tlaxcala—Births, 1867–1925) Spanish 19%
New Zealand—Passenger Lists, 1871–1915 [Part 2A] English 21%
Nicaragua, Masaya—Registros Civiles, 1879–1984(Nicaragua, Masaya—Civil Registration, 1879–1984) Spanish 18%
Norge —Tinglysningskort, 1640–1903(Norway—Probate Index Cards, 1640–1903) Norwegian 5%
Perú—Registros Civiles Nacimientos, 1860–1978 [Parte A](Perú—Civil Birth Registrations, 1860–1978 [Parte A]) Spanish 38%
Philippines, Lingayen-Dagupanâ—Registros Parroquiales, 1615–1982 [Part 2](Philippines, Lingayen-Dagupanâ—Parish Registers, 1615–1982 [Part 2]) Spanish (New)
Polska, Księgi Metrykalne—Diecezja Radom, 1654–1946 [Część 1](Poland, Radom Diocese—Church Books, 1654–1946 [Part 1]) Polish 58%
Portugal, Setúbal—Registros da Igreja, 1581–1910(Portugal, Setúbal—Church Records, 1581–1910) Portuguese 33%
República Dominicana—Nacimientos Civiles, 1828–1906(Dominican Republic—Civil Births, 1828–1906) Spanish 3%
Russland, Sankt Petersburg—Kirchenbuchduplikat, 1833–1885(Russia, Saint Petersburg—Parish Register Duplicates, 1833–1885) German 57%
South Africa, Cape Province—Church Records, 1660–1970 Afrikaans, Dutch, English 84%
Sverige, Södermanland—Kyrkoböcker, till 1860 [Del 2](Sweden, Sodermanland—Church Records, to 1860 [Part 2]) Swedish (New)
Sverige, Uppsala—Kyrkoböcker, till 1860 [Del 2](Sweden, Uppsala—Church Records, to 1860 [Part 2]) Swedish (New)
Sverige, Örebro—Kyrkoböcker, till 1860 [Del 2](Sweden, Örebro—Church Records, to 1860 [Part 2]) Swedish (New)
U.K., Dorset—Church of England Parish Records, 1538–1910 [Part A] English 85%
U.K., Essex—Parish Registers, 1538–1900 [Part A] English 24%
U.K., Warwickshire—Parish Registers, 1538–1900 [Part 2 Adv] English,Old English 85%
Uruguay—Registros Civiles (Nacimientos), 1879–1930(Uruguay—Civil Registration (Births), 1879–1930) Spanish 39%
U.S., Alabama—County Marriages, 1809–1950 [Part B] English (New)
U.S., Alaska—1930 Federal Census English (New)
U.S., American Samoa and Guam—1930 Federal Census English (New)
U.S., Arkansas—WWII Draft Registration, 1942 English 78%
U.S., California—WWII Draft Registration, 1942 English 20%
U.S., Florida—County Marriages, 1830–1957 [Part A] English 49%
US, Illinois—Northern District Naturalization Index Cards, 1840–1950 English (New)
U.S., Indiana, Fountain County—Marriages, 1811–1959 English (New)
U.S., Indiana, Fulton County—Marriages 1811–1959 English (New)
U.S., Iowa—County Marriages, 1838–1992 [Part B] English (New)
U.S., Maine—Vital Records, 1892–1907 [Part A] English 42%
U.S., Michigan—County Marriages, 1820–1956 [Part A] English 22%
U.S., Montana—1930 Federal Census English 92%
U.S., Nevada—1930 Federal Census English (New)
U.S., New Jersey—County Marriages, 1682–1956 [Part 1] English 84%
U.S., New York—Marriage Licenses, 1908–1938 [Part A] English 93%
U.S., New York—Marriages, 1908–1935 [Part A] English 83%
U.S., North Carolina—County Marriages, 1762–1959 [Part C] English (New)
U.S., North Carolina—Freedmen Letters, 1862–1870 English 66%
U.S., North Dakota—1930 Federal Census English 82%
U.S., Ohio, Franklin County—Marriage Records, 1929–1951 English (New)
U.S., Oklahoma—Land Allotment Records, 1899–1907 [Part B] English 86%
U.S., Oregon—County Marriages, 1851–1975 [Part A] English (New)
U.S., Pennsylvania—WWII Draft Registration Cards, 1942 English 44%
U.S., Puerto Rico—1910 Censo Federal(U.S., Puerto Rico—1910 Federal Census) Spanish 89%
U.S., Puerto Rico—Nacimientos Civiles, 1836–1930 [Parte B](U.S., Puerto Rico—Civil Births, 1836–1930 [Part B]) Spanish 18%
U.S., Tennessee—County Marriages, 1790–1950 [Part B] English 78%
U.S., Texas—Birth Records 1903–1934 [Part E] English 11%
U.S., Virgin Islands—1930 Federal Census English (New)
U.S.—Registers of Enlistment in the U.S. Army, 1798–1913 English (New)
Venezuela—Nacimientos Civiles, 1873–1909(Venezuela—Civil Births, 1873–1909) Spanish 13%
Venezuela, Mérida—Registros Parroquiales, 1654–1992 [Parte 2](Venezuela, Merida—Parish Registers, 1654–1992 [Part 2]) Spanish 74%
Česká Republika (Tschechien), Litoměřice—Matriky, 1552–1905 [část 1B](Czech Republic, Litomerice—Church Records, 1552–1905 [Part 1B] German 41%
Česká Republika (Tschechien), Litoměřice—Matriky, 1552–1905 [část 1C](Czech Republic, Litomerice—Church Records, 1552–1905 [Part 1C] German (New)
Österreich, Oberösterreich, Steyr—Kirchenbücher, 1601–1906(Austria, Upper Austria, Steyr—Church Books, 1601–1906) German (New)
Österreich, Wiener Meldezettel, 1890–1925(Austria, Vienna—Population Cards, 1890–1925) German 61%
Россия, Самара—Метрические книги церкви, 1869–1917 [часть 2](Russia, Samara—Church Books, 1869–1917 [Part 2]) Russian 43%
Украина, Киев—Метрические книги русской православной церкви, 1843–1845 [Часть C](Ukraine, Kyiv—Orthodox Consistory Church Book Duplicates, 1843–1845 [Part C]) Russian 61%

Current FamilySearch Partner Projects, Record Language, and Percent Completion

België—Burgerlijke Stand, 1851–1900 [Deel 3A](Belgium—Civil Registration, 1851–1900 [Part 3A]) Dutch, Flemish 45%
Belgique—Registres Civile, 1851–1900 [Partie A](Belgium—Civil Registration, 1851–1900 [Part A]) French 94%
Belgique—Registres Civile, 1851–1900 [Partie C](Belgium—Civil Registrations, 1851–1900 [Part C] French 21%
Brasil, Minas Gerais—Church Records, 1706-1952 Portuguese 1%
Canada, Ontario, Toronto—Trust Cemeteries, 1826–1935 English 44%
Deutschland, Westfalen, Minden—Volkszählung, 1880–1900(Germany, Westphalia, Minden—City Censuses, 1880–1900) German 20%
España, Avila, Bernuy-Zapardiel—Registros Parroquiales, 1530–1935(Spain, Avila, Bernuy-Zapardiel—Parish Registers, 1530–1935) Spanish 73%
España, Malaga—Registros Civiles, 1846–1870(Spain, Malaga—Civil Registration, 1846–1870) Spanish 54%
España, Sevilla—Nacimientos Civiles, 1844–1874(Spain, Sevilla—Civil Births, 1844–1874) Spanish (New)
France, Quimper et Leon, Brest, Notre Dame des Carmes—Registres Paroissiaux, 1771– 1909(France, Quimper et Leon, Brest, Notre Dame des Carmes—Parish Registers, 1771–1909) French (New)
Hungary—Jewish Vital Registers Hungarian, German, and more 1%
Italie, Turin, Torre Pellice—Registres paroissiaux 1692–1969 [Partie1A](Italy, Turin, Torre Pellice—Parish Registers, 1692–1969 [Part 1A]) French (New)
Norway—1875 Federal Census [Part C] Norwegian 54%
Polska, Diecezja Lublin—Księgi Metrykalne, 1864–1948 [Część 2](Poland, Diocese of Lublin—Church Books, 1864–1948 [Część 2]) Polish (New)
U.K., Norfolk—Parish Registers, 1538–1900 English 89%
U.S., California—1852 State Census English 78%
U.S., California—County Marriages, 1850–1952 [Part C] English 35%
U.S., Colorado—1885 State Census English 31%
U.S., Pennsylvania, Pittsburgh—City Deaths, 1870–1905 English 88%
U.S., Texas—County Tax Rolls, 1837–1910 [Part A] English 7%
U.S., West Virginia—Naturalization Records, 1814–1991 English (New)

About FamilySearch

FamilySearch International is the largest genealogy organization in the world. FamilySearch is a nonprofit, volunteer-driven organization sponsored by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Millions of people use FamilySearch records, resources, and services to learn more about their family history. To help in this great pursuit, FamilySearch has been actively gathering, preserving, and sharing genealogical records worldwide for over 100 years. Patrons may access FamilySearch services and resources free online at FamilySearch.org or through over 4,600 family history centers in 132 countries, including the main Family History Library in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Press Release–National Archives to Host Conference on Media Access to Government Information April 12

Press Release
March 7, 2011
National Archives to Host Conference on Media Access to Government Information April 12

Washington, DC…The National Archives and Records Administration and Duke University’s DeWitt Wallace Center for Media and Democracy will host the Media Access to Government Information Conference (MAGIC) on Tuesday, April 12, 2011, from 9 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., with a networking reception from 4:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. The event will be held in the William G. McGowan Theater of the National Archives Building in Washington, DC, located on the National Mall. Please use the Special Events Entrance, Constitution Ave. and 7th St., NW.

This conference is free and open to the public, but registration is required (e-mail MAGIC@nara.gov). A continental breakfast, lunch, and refreshments will be provided.

Journalists, bloggers and others who write about public affairs will gain insights and learn strategies for improving access to government records. Experts from within the Federal government and from the private sector will provide roadmaps to the often frustrating and challenging task of tracking down government information.

Archivist of the United States David S. Ferriero will welcome the participants. Government officials, reporters, scholars and NGO leaders who will participate in the discussions include: Gary Bass, Founder and Executive Director, OMB Watch; Sarah Cohen, Knight Professor of the Practice of Journalism and Public Policy, Duke University; William Kammer, Chief, FOIA Division, U.S. Department of Defense, and Vice President, American Society of Access Professionals; Miriam Nisbet, Director, Office of Government Information Services, National Archives; Derek Willis, Web developer, New York Times; Jennifer LaFleur, Director of Computer-Assisted Reporting, ProPublica; Mark Horvit, Executive Director, Investigative Reporters and Editors; and Charles Lewis, Executive Editor, Investigative Reporting Workshop.

The conference will address the following issues:

* Improving access to federal government records;
* Analyzing technical challenges faced by journalists in making sense of government documents;
* Exploring hurdles to gaining access to state and local records;
* Identifying actions that the private sector can take to help journalists access and analyze government records.

More information about the conference is at  http://www.archives.gov/ncast/news/events/magic.html

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For press information, contact the National Archives Public Affairs staff at 202-357-5300.

11-90

Magna Carta at National Archives (US) to be re-encased

Press Release
February 8, 2011

Last Chance to see National Archives 1297 Magna Carta Until 2012

 

Washington, DC…The National Archives has announced that Tuesday, March 1, 2011, is the final day for the public to view the 1297 Magna Carta before it is removed from display for a year to undergo preparations for re-encasement. The 1297 Magna Carta is on loan to the National Archives from David M. Rubenstein, co-founder of The Carlyle Group.

The National Archives Building is located on Constitution Avenue and 9th Street, NW, in Washington, DC. Museum hours are 10 am to 5:30 pm, daily, free admission. Metro stop Archives/Navy Memorial on the yellow and green lines.

The only original Magna Carta permanently in the United States will be taken off display for a year so National Archives conservators may examine and stabilize the parchment before placing it in a new state-of-the-art encasement. This new enclosure, designed and fabricated by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), is based on an original design used to protect the Charters of Freedom–the Declaration of Independence, the U.S. Constitution, and the Bill of Rights. These documents, which are on permanent display in the National Archives Rotunda, were re-encased in a multi-year project that was completed in 2003 by the National Archives in partnership with NIST.

The document will return to display in March 2012. When it returns, Magna Carta will have a new protective encasement and a new display case. The case will incorporate an interactive exhibit allowing visitors to easily read the document for the first time. Magna Carta is written in Latin. The new display, which will allow close examination of the document and will have a translation feature, will also place new emphasis on the connections between Magna Carta and American history, particularly American legal history. This will make it easier to understand the elements of the document that influenced the United States’ founding charters: the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution.

Background

In 1215 on the plains of Runnymede an assembly of barons confronted the despotic King John of England and demanded that traditional rights be recognized, written down, confirmed with the royal seal, and sent to each of the counties to be read to all freemen. King John agreed, binding himself and his heirs to grant “to all freemen of our kingdom” the rights and liberties described in the great charter, or Magna Carta.

Between 1215 and 1297, Magna Carta was reissued by each of King John’s successors. To meet his debts from foreign wars, King Edward I imposed new and harsher taxes in 1297. This provoked another confrontation between the king and the barons, resulting not only in the reissue of Magna Carta, but for the first time its entry into the official Statute Rolls of England. The 1297 document represents the transition of Magna Carta from a brokered agreement to the foundation of English law.

Only four originals of the 1297 Magna Carta remain. By the 17th century, the one displayed at the National Archives was in the possession of the Brudenell family, the earls of Cardigan. It was acquired by the Perot Foundation in 1984 and purchased by David Rubenstein in 2007. David Rubenstein has placed Magna Carta on loan to the National Archives as a gift to the American people.

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For press information, contact the National Archives Public Affairs staff at 202-357-5300.


Media Release: RootsTech Conference Will Broadcast Select Sessions Free Online

RootsTech Conference Will Broadcast Select Sessions Free Online

 

SALT LAKE CITY—RootsTech, a new family history and technology conference held in Salt Lake City, Utah, February 10-12, 2011, announced February 4 that six of its popular sessions will be broadcast live and free over the Internet. The live broadcasts will give those unable to attend worldwide a sample of this year’s conference content. Interested viewers can watch the live presentations at RootsTech.org. The first-year conference has attracted over 2,000 registered attendees.

 

The free online sessions include some of the keynote speakers and a sampling of technology and family history presentations.  Following are the six broadcasts, speakers, and times of the presentations. All times are in Mountain Standard Time (MST):

 

Thursday, February 10, 2011

·       8:30-9:00 a.m., A world of Information, Shane Robison, chief technology officer, Hewlett Packard

·       9-9:30 a.m., Turning Roots, Branches, Trees into Nodes, Links, Graphs, Jay L. Verkler, chief executive officer, FamilySearch International

·       3-4:00 p.m., Digitally Preserving Your Family Heritage, Barry Ewell, founder of MyGenShare.com

 

Friday, February 11, 2011

·       8:30-9:30 a.m., The Changing Face of Genealogy, by Curt Witcher, manager of the Historical Genealogy Department, Allen County Public Library

·       9:45-10:45 a.m., Cloud Computing: What is it and how it has been used to create the next familysearch.org, by Brian Pugh, senior engineer, FamilySearch International               

 

Saturday, February 12, 2011

·       8:30-9:30 a.m. Personal Archiving and Primary Documents, Brewster Kahle, founder of the Internet Archives

·       1:45-2:45 p.m., Virtual Presentations Round Table and Collaborative Panel Discussion, Thomas MacEntee, professional genealogist and technology specialist

·       3:00-4:00 p.m., The Power of PDF: Tools for Every Genealogist ,  D. Josh Taylor, Director of Education and Programs at New England Historical Genealogical Society.  

 

About RootsTech

 

RootsTech is a new conference designed to bring technologists together with genealogists to learn from each other and find solutions to the challenges faced in family history research today. The conference’s activities and offerings are focused on content that will help genealogists and family historians discover exciting new research tools while enabling technology creators to learn the latest development techniques from industry leaders and pioneers.