I just have to write a quick note here and share some of my thoughts.
Facebook has "accounts" (which can be "friended") for individuals and "pages" for businesses, products and other entities which can be "liked".
It is getting more and more complicated, for me anyway, as genealogists are using individual accounts for their business.
If you are going to use an account for your business please put some information on your INFO tab page that identifies who you are.
Here's why I say this, I get lots of queries about genealogy. Most of them are NOT in my area of expertise. So I am constantly referring people to other genealogists.
This morning I saw a post from a Facebook friend with a "business" account. This Facebook friend looked very knowledgeable about New York. I would like to contact this person but there is no name anywhere in the posts or on the info page.
I know, you are saying "just send the person an email." Unfortunately I'm a bit of an old fuddy duddy. I like to know who I am contacting first. When I friended this person originally maybe I knew they were, but since then I have lost the connection between the real person and the company name. So many genealogists are known better by their real name rather than their company.
So just a thought for those of you using Facebook individual accounts for your business instead of a business page - put your name(s) on your page. Thanks!
Friday, September 3, 2010
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
Have you visited your local library lately?
I think one of the toughest things about being a blogger is that there are so many great ideas and discussions happening everywhere. Too many ideas and not enough time to write and ponder further. For instance, this morning I received The Weekly Genealogist eNews newsletter from NEHGS. In it there were two items that really got me thinking and I haven't even made it through the whole newsletter yet.
Today's newsletter posted the results to last week's survey which asked readers how often they visit their local public library for genealogy research. The results showed that 33% never go to their library for genealogy research and 50% never use the library website.
NEHGS makes a great point that those people likely believe that if a library doesn't have a genealogy section/room then it has nothing to offer. I would suggest you read the article (not online at this moment but likely will be soon) to learn about the great resources that every library offers genealogists.
This got me thinking. Have you done an analysis of all that your local public library has to offer?
I have to ask myself first - how much do I know about my library?
My library does have a little local history room. For being such a small room, it is jammed packed with helpful items. Every time I visit I find new discoveries. For instance, this room contains many of the "tan books" for Massachusetts - the vital records up to 1850. It also has a number of other genealogical standard books, most particular to Massachusetts. However, I can also find special items such as oral history tapes, old maps (some of which have copies that are for sale), old newspapers, old local yearbooks, town reports and residents lists. One of my favorite groups of items are the binders put together by local residents full of newspaper clippings and information about the town. I am quite happy to spend hours in this room when I get the chance. That happens far too rarely.
There is much more available in my library than what is found in the history room. Sometimes I forget that. My library offers access to Ancestry.com on its in-house computers. I don't use this feature much because I have my own US-only subscription. However, if I were to do international research I would definitely take advantage of that.
My library also has a genealogy section in the regular stacks. This is the section I tend to forget about most. I have to admit that my library's genealogy skill book section is woefully small compared to other local libraries. After you check out the genealogy books in your own library there is one more section of the stacks you need to visit. Search the catalog to find the local history books. This is where you will find those huge county histories (affectionately referred to as mug books by genealogists) that may contain the names of your ancestors. You will likely also find the Images of America series of books by Arcadia Publishing that provides historical photos of local places. Also, don't forget, if you don't find the books you are looking for you can ask your library to order them. It doesn't guarantee that they will buy the books but it will definitely put the books on their radar and let the library know that their patrons are interested in genealogy. My library has pre-made slips that can be filled out for requesting new books.
But wait - there's more.
Don't forget to check out the video and audio book sections. The video section will have many PBS programs including Faces of America. In the audio book section I regularly take out the Great Courses Series CDs on American history which are wonderful to listen to on long driving trips.
My local library also puts a lot of local history resources up on its website. There you can find vital records, a cemetery transcription and genealogical information on the early settlers. I use it regularly because it's so easy to access.
In addition to all that you still have more options in the form of your knowledgeable library staff and library network/interlibrary loan.
I challenge you to survey your local public library and see what you can find. You can post your results here in the comment field or you can write a post on your own blog and leave me with a link to follow.
I'm looking forward to seeing what you discover!
Today's newsletter posted the results to last week's survey which asked readers how often they visit their local public library for genealogy research. The results showed that 33% never go to their library for genealogy research and 50% never use the library website.
NEHGS makes a great point that those people likely believe that if a library doesn't have a genealogy section/room then it has nothing to offer. I would suggest you read the article (not online at this moment but likely will be soon) to learn about the great resources that every library offers genealogists.
This got me thinking. Have you done an analysis of all that your local public library has to offer?
I have to ask myself first - how much do I know about my library?
My library does have a little local history room. For being such a small room, it is jammed packed with helpful items. Every time I visit I find new discoveries. For instance, this room contains many of the "tan books" for Massachusetts - the vital records up to 1850. It also has a number of other genealogical standard books, most particular to Massachusetts. However, I can also find special items such as oral history tapes, old maps (some of which have copies that are for sale), old newspapers, old local yearbooks, town reports and residents lists. One of my favorite groups of items are the binders put together by local residents full of newspaper clippings and information about the town. I am quite happy to spend hours in this room when I get the chance. That happens far too rarely.
There is much more available in my library than what is found in the history room. Sometimes I forget that. My library offers access to Ancestry.com on its in-house computers. I don't use this feature much because I have my own US-only subscription. However, if I were to do international research I would definitely take advantage of that.
My library also has a genealogy section in the regular stacks. This is the section I tend to forget about most. I have to admit that my library's genealogy skill book section is woefully small compared to other local libraries. After you check out the genealogy books in your own library there is one more section of the stacks you need to visit. Search the catalog to find the local history books. This is where you will find those huge county histories (affectionately referred to as mug books by genealogists) that may contain the names of your ancestors. You will likely also find the Images of America series of books by Arcadia Publishing that provides historical photos of local places. Also, don't forget, if you don't find the books you are looking for you can ask your library to order them. It doesn't guarantee that they will buy the books but it will definitely put the books on their radar and let the library know that their patrons are interested in genealogy. My library has pre-made slips that can be filled out for requesting new books.
But wait - there's more.
Don't forget to check out the video and audio book sections. The video section will have many PBS programs including Faces of America. In the audio book section I regularly take out the Great Courses Series CDs on American history which are wonderful to listen to on long driving trips.
My local library also puts a lot of local history resources up on its website. There you can find vital records, a cemetery transcription and genealogical information on the early settlers. I use it regularly because it's so easy to access.
In addition to all that you still have more options in the form of your knowledgeable library staff and library network/interlibrary loan.
I challenge you to survey your local public library and see what you can find. You can post your results here in the comment field or you can write a post on your own blog and leave me with a link to follow.
I'm looking forward to seeing what you discover!
Monday, August 30, 2010
The Perceived Age Demographic in Genealogy
Thomas MacEntee over at High Definition Genealogy has written a very thought provoking article about the perceived age demographic in genealogy. He discusses a recent article in Family Tree Magazine that focuses on young genealogists while noticing that the surrounding advertisements target a much older generation.
Here are some of my thoughts in response:
Genealogy Conferences
I definitely believe that the age perception garnered from a genealogy conference is not accurate. As Tina and some of the other commenters to the blog post have mentioned, money is an issue. The older generation is the one with the expendable money and free time to spend on such events. Young adults (gen-x, gen-y) are too poor or too busy trying to build a career or going to school. And young(ish!) families have huge time and budgetary constraints. Until recently I was an under 40 genealogist (oh, how quickly time slips by!). While money was not always the issue preventing me from attending a conference, time constraints and managing a family definitely were. Though I would love to attend a national conference I have yet to do so.
The national genealogy conferences often come at times that are difficult for parents and gen-x/y students. The NGS conference typically occurs in April while school is still in session. Parents can't attend if they have K-12 students still in school. And most gen-x/y students are still attending college classes. Similar problems occur with the FGS conference, though it tends to vary its schedule in a more helpful way. Often FGS is held the same week as the start of K-12 school, a particularly stressful (yet joyous!) time for parents. This year however, it was held a few weeks earlier in August rather than September which was most helpful. Until the national conference organizers are willing to change the dates of the conferences the demographic won't change.
Magazines/Publications
I think the same thing applies to magazine subscriptions. The older generation has the extra income to spend on such things. The younger folks, on the one hand get their information more from the internet rather than printed material, and on the other, they also seek out free sources on the internet to save money.
Where can we find an accurate metric measurement?
A demographic breakdown of Ancestry.com subscribers would probably provide a more accurate view of genealogists but it would still be skewed more toward the folks that have money. And it would exclude all the users who access Ancestry.com at libraries.
I don't believe there is any one source that can provide an accurate assessment of who genealogists are. The genealogical arena is broken down into too many "channels", in much the same way that the main stream news media shifted over the years from three major network channels to an information free-or-all on the internet. For instance, if we could analyze the viewers of Roots Television perhaps we would discover a much younger demographic and find those genealogists who prefer to absorb information through video.
The next question
Instead of analyzing traditional venues for a clue to genealogical demographics, perhaps the question we should be asking is where are today's genealogists getting their information? And what are they looking for while they are there?
Here are some of my thoughts in response:
Genealogy Conferences
I definitely believe that the age perception garnered from a genealogy conference is not accurate. As Tina and some of the other commenters to the blog post have mentioned, money is an issue. The older generation is the one with the expendable money and free time to spend on such events. Young adults (gen-x, gen-y) are too poor or too busy trying to build a career or going to school. And young(ish!) families have huge time and budgetary constraints. Until recently I was an under 40 genealogist (oh, how quickly time slips by!). While money was not always the issue preventing me from attending a conference, time constraints and managing a family definitely were. Though I would love to attend a national conference I have yet to do so.
The national genealogy conferences often come at times that are difficult for parents and gen-x/y students. The NGS conference typically occurs in April while school is still in session. Parents can't attend if they have K-12 students still in school. And most gen-x/y students are still attending college classes. Similar problems occur with the FGS conference, though it tends to vary its schedule in a more helpful way. Often FGS is held the same week as the start of K-12 school, a particularly stressful (yet joyous!) time for parents. This year however, it was held a few weeks earlier in August rather than September which was most helpful. Until the national conference organizers are willing to change the dates of the conferences the demographic won't change.
Magazines/Publications
I think the same thing applies to magazine subscriptions. The older generation has the extra income to spend on such things. The younger folks, on the one hand get their information more from the internet rather than printed material, and on the other, they also seek out free sources on the internet to save money.
Where can we find an accurate metric measurement?
A demographic breakdown of Ancestry.com subscribers would probably provide a more accurate view of genealogists but it would still be skewed more toward the folks that have money. And it would exclude all the users who access Ancestry.com at libraries.
I don't believe there is any one source that can provide an accurate assessment of who genealogists are. The genealogical arena is broken down into too many "channels", in much the same way that the main stream news media shifted over the years from three major network channels to an information free-or-all on the internet. For instance, if we could analyze the viewers of Roots Television perhaps we would discover a much younger demographic and find those genealogists who prefer to absorb information through video.
The next question
Instead of analyzing traditional venues for a clue to genealogical demographics, perhaps the question we should be asking is where are today's genealogists getting their information? And what are they looking for while they are there?
Sunday, August 29, 2010
Love genealogy but looking for something more?
Do you love genealogy? The hunt is addicting and success is even more exhilarating. But sometimes it can be frustrating too. There reaches a point when genealogists need something more.
For me that came in the form of the ProGen Study group. This study group allows genealogists to work in small groups to expand their knowledge, thus sharing and growing with their peers, all the while learning about genealogy from the "master source" - Professional Genealogy: A Manual for Researchers, Writers, Editors, Lecturers and Librarians, edited by Elizabeth Shown Mills. The project is coordinated with the very able leadership of genealogist Angela Packer McGhie.
Now don't get scared away that it says Professional Genealogy. You can participate even you don't want to take clients. Perhaps you'd just like to higher level skills to track your ancestors.
When I participated in ProGen I believe it was ProGen 5. Each group session is numbered based on which "generation" of the group it is.
So what makes ProGen so great?
Well, it's the people. Each group is small, say around 6 people. Each group also has a leader and there is a moderator who is typically a Certified Genealogist. Every month the group reads a chapter from the book Professional Genealogy and then there is an assignment to complete based on the chapter. Later in the month the participants get together online for a discussion of the chapter and the assignment. Since this is a peer-based program assignments are shared with each group member so that they can comment and learn from each other.
I found the interactions with the other group members to be one of the most satisfactory parts of the program. I developed a wonderful group of colleagues. And the discipline of reading and completing an assignment each month enriched my genealogical skills.
So if you are looking for something more head over to the ProGen website to find out further information. When I took the class it was free. I have heard that they are now charging $38 but there is no indication of that on the website.
For me that came in the form of the ProGen Study group. This study group allows genealogists to work in small groups to expand their knowledge, thus sharing and growing with their peers, all the while learning about genealogy from the "master source" - Professional Genealogy: A Manual for Researchers, Writers, Editors, Lecturers and Librarians, edited by Elizabeth Shown Mills. The project is coordinated with the very able leadership of genealogist Angela Packer McGhie.
Now don't get scared away that it says Professional Genealogy. You can participate even you don't want to take clients. Perhaps you'd just like to higher level skills to track your ancestors.
When I participated in ProGen I believe it was ProGen 5. Each group session is numbered based on which "generation" of the group it is.
So what makes ProGen so great?
Well, it's the people. Each group is small, say around 6 people. Each group also has a leader and there is a moderator who is typically a Certified Genealogist. Every month the group reads a chapter from the book Professional Genealogy and then there is an assignment to complete based on the chapter. Later in the month the participants get together online for a discussion of the chapter and the assignment. Since this is a peer-based program assignments are shared with each group member so that they can comment and learn from each other.
I found the interactions with the other group members to be one of the most satisfactory parts of the program. I developed a wonderful group of colleagues. And the discipline of reading and completing an assignment each month enriched my genealogical skills.
So if you are looking for something more head over to the ProGen website to find out further information. When I took the class it was free. I have heard that they are now charging $38 but there is no indication of that on the website.
Saturday, August 28, 2010
Where do genealogists meet on the internet?
A few years ago to find me on the internet you needn't look further than the Rootsweb TGF or old APG lists. After some continued bickering on those lists I stopped following them, only to check in periodically. Lately I've been spending more time on Facebook. I find that the interactions on Facebook suite my personality and I like the way multiple people can join a conversation. Seeing photos of people's faces is an advantage too. Somehow it's just more personal.
Recently, I decided to give the TGF list a try again. I would pop in over there to see what was going on. Do you know what I discovered? Some of my Facebook friends who don't say much on Facebook have a whole lot to say on the TGF list.
That got me thinking. Where are genealogists "meeting up" these days on the web? And what is their preferred place to discuss what's on their mind? In the "old days" it was all about the APG list. Then the TGF list came along and a lot of folks migrated over there. But now there are lots of options - Facebook, Twitter, GenealogyWise, Second Life, LinkedIn and old fashioned regular email.
Not only that but blogs and bloggers have really come to the forefront of the genealogical community. Much
discussion and ideas are shared there as well.
So where do genealogists meet now? Is there one place? Is the community segmented so that only the most devoted follow all the possible outlets?
One of my Facebook friends announced today that she is going to have two Facebook accounts - one for family and friends and another one for genealogists. I tried the two Facebook account scenario once and it didn't work well for me (learning how to use groups in Facebook properly did, but that's a topic for another blog post). Is what she is doing further segmenting genealogy and genealogists?
Where is our community today and what is the glue that sticks it together? I'm interested in hearing your thoughts on this.
Recently, I decided to give the TGF list a try again. I would pop in over there to see what was going on. Do you know what I discovered? Some of my Facebook friends who don't say much on Facebook have a whole lot to say on the TGF list.
That got me thinking. Where are genealogists "meeting up" these days on the web? And what is their preferred place to discuss what's on their mind? In the "old days" it was all about the APG list. Then the TGF list came along and a lot of folks migrated over there. But now there are lots of options - Facebook, Twitter, GenealogyWise, Second Life, LinkedIn and old fashioned regular email.
Not only that but blogs and bloggers have really come to the forefront of the genealogical community. Much
discussion and ideas are shared there as well.
So where do genealogists meet now? Is there one place? Is the community segmented so that only the most devoted follow all the possible outlets?
One of my Facebook friends announced today that she is going to have two Facebook accounts - one for family and friends and another one for genealogists. I tried the two Facebook account scenario once and it didn't work well for me (learning how to use groups in Facebook properly did, but that's a topic for another blog post). Is what she is doing further segmenting genealogy and genealogists?
Where is our community today and what is the glue that sticks it together? I'm interested in hearing your thoughts on this.
Thursday, August 26, 2010
A Great Idea for Genealogy Societies
On Tuesday night I spoke at the Southington (CT) Genealogical Society. I finished setting up early and found myself with some extra time to chat and check out their offerings. One of the things I came across was a notebook of previous talks. This book was made out of a 3-ring binder and filled with sheet protectors. The society makes a uniform promotional flyer for each talk which is perfect for a divider sheet between the various information. Behind each flyer is the handout from the speaker and any other tidbits they may have provided such as articles or a promotional tri-fold. If a society member sees something they like, there is a sign up form. At the next meeting they receive their copies.
I think this binder, the first of its kind I've ever seen at a society meeting, is wonderful for so many reasons. It serves as a constant reminder for all the great programs the society has and acts as an organizational tool as well. Not only that but it shows new and prospective members just what kind of quality programing they can expect. From a speakers point of view, it's nice to be remembered past the few hours spent together on one evening. And last of all it provides an archival record of what the society has done.
I was so impressed by it. I hope other societies will considering making one as well.
I think this binder, the first of its kind I've ever seen at a society meeting, is wonderful for so many reasons. It serves as a constant reminder for all the great programs the society has and acts as an organizational tool as well. Not only that but it shows new and prospective members just what kind of quality programing they can expect. From a speakers point of view, it's nice to be remembered past the few hours spent together on one evening. And last of all it provides an archival record of what the society has done.
I was so impressed by it. I hope other societies will considering making one as well.
Monday, August 23, 2010
Funny Names and Funny Business in the Census
The US Federal Census can be a great place to have a chuckle in between serious, in-depth research. Likewise the NGSQ has some real ticklers in between its otherwise complex articles.
For instance, in the June 2010 NGSQ there is a brief one page article called "A Case of Last but not Least" (page 120) contributed by Stephen Wayne Turner. He reveals that most of the children in one family are named some variation of the name "Bud." While that is funny enough, his analysis of other censuses and unraveling of what is going on is amusing as well.
Recently I've been reading Who Do You Think You Are?, the companion book to the NBC series by Megan Smolenyak. On page 77 she has reprinted the "Top Ten Unhappily Named Americans of 1880" which was a blog post originally appearing on The Genealogue by Chris Dunham.
On Facebook yesterday, blogger Bill West shared some funny treatment to some of his family names. He wrote,"My greatgreatgranduncle Fernando Ellingwood is listed as Frenda, his daughter Amelda as Amenda and son Manley as Amendley."
What about you? Have you had your family names morphed into amusing counterfeits, whether intentionally or not? If so, let me know about them. I'm ready for some more chuckles.
For instance, in the June 2010 NGSQ there is a brief one page article called "A Case of Last but not Least" (page 120) contributed by Stephen Wayne Turner. He reveals that most of the children in one family are named some variation of the name "Bud." While that is funny enough, his analysis of other censuses and unraveling of what is going on is amusing as well.
Recently I've been reading Who Do You Think You Are?, the companion book to the NBC series by Megan Smolenyak. On page 77 she has reprinted the "Top Ten Unhappily Named Americans of 1880" which was a blog post originally appearing on The Genealogue by Chris Dunham.
On Facebook yesterday, blogger Bill West shared some funny treatment to some of his family names. He wrote,"My greatgreatgranduncle Fernando Ellingwood is listed as Frenda, his daughter Amelda as Amenda and son Manley as Amendley."
What about you? Have you had your family names morphed into amusing counterfeits, whether intentionally or not? If so, let me know about them. I'm ready for some more chuckles.
Thursday, August 19, 2010
A New Genre for Genealogy Books?
Not long ago I finished reading "The Journey Takers" by Leslie Albrecht. This book is unlike anything I've read before - part genealogy, part narrative non-fiction, part memoir. It was a fascinating look into Albrecht's ancestry as well as her present life. And well documented to boot.
The latest issue (Summer 2010) of American Ancestors by the New England Historic Genealogical Society (NEHGS) features a book (p. 38) called "The Obermeyers: A History of a Jewish Family in Germany and America, 1618-2009" by Kenneth Libo and Michael Feldberg. I haven't read the book yet but Lynn Betlock describes it like this: "Information on early generations reflects a range of historical and genealogical sources, while twentieth-century family members are brought to life through first-person accounts and reminiscences." Part one of the book focuses on the family's life in Germany. Part two describes their more recent life in the United States.
Betlock puts into print exactly what I've been thinking about when she says "Genealogists often want their books to distill and document their research for posterity - and at the same time provide an engaging read for close family members."
More and more we are seeing this combination of the past and the present with books that are written for a wide audience but are definitely more personal in nature.
Is there a word for this new genre? If so, I'd like to know what it is.
Also, if you have read any other books that fit into this category please let me know. I think this could be the wave of the future for genealogy books.
The latest issue (Summer 2010) of American Ancestors by the New England Historic Genealogical Society (NEHGS) features a book (p. 38) called "The Obermeyers: A History of a Jewish Family in Germany and America, 1618-2009" by Kenneth Libo and Michael Feldberg. I haven't read the book yet but Lynn Betlock describes it like this: "Information on early generations reflects a range of historical and genealogical sources, while twentieth-century family members are brought to life through first-person accounts and reminiscences." Part one of the book focuses on the family's life in Germany. Part two describes their more recent life in the United States.
Betlock puts into print exactly what I've been thinking about when she says "Genealogists often want their books to distill and document their research for posterity - and at the same time provide an engaging read for close family members."
More and more we are seeing this combination of the past and the present with books that are written for a wide audience but are definitely more personal in nature.
Is there a word for this new genre? If so, I'd like to know what it is.
Also, if you have read any other books that fit into this category please let me know. I think this could be the wave of the future for genealogy books.
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
What I learned today...German Farm names
I'm a little slow when it comes to reading some of my journals. Typically I read my NGSQ right away. This summer has seen me reading it more casually as I wait out swimming lessons poolside. I like the NGSQ because I always learn something. That's what makes it my favorite genealogy journal.
Today I read an article from the June 2010 NGSQ called "Johann Henrich Klocke of Lippe-Detmold: An Identity Hidden by a German Farm Name" by Carolyn L. Whitton, CG.
Now I have to admit to you that I know nothing about German research. Honestly, I know nothing about European research with a slight exception for the UK. Really, I mean nothing, it kind of scares me. But part of the fun of genealogy for me is reading about topics that I know absolutely nothing about. I always find it interesting.
Well, I was floored when I read this article and learned about German Farm names. I never knew there was such a thing. In the back of my mind I made a mental note for my German ancestors in case I am ever brave enough to research them.
This article introduced to me the concept that a man could give away his own surnames and take his wife's if she happens to be a farm owner and he is not. I'm sure that is an over simplification of what is really going on. Carolyn Whitton did a thorough and excellent job of explaining what a farm name is and how to use it in German research and provided a complicated example to boot. And now I am an inch closer to trying to research my German ancestors. But honestly, I think it will take a little bit bigger push than that.
Today I read an article from the June 2010 NGSQ called "Johann Henrich Klocke of Lippe-Detmold: An Identity Hidden by a German Farm Name" by Carolyn L. Whitton, CG.
Now I have to admit to you that I know nothing about German research. Honestly, I know nothing about European research with a slight exception for the UK. Really, I mean nothing, it kind of scares me. But part of the fun of genealogy for me is reading about topics that I know absolutely nothing about. I always find it interesting.
Well, I was floored when I read this article and learned about German Farm names. I never knew there was such a thing. In the back of my mind I made a mental note for my German ancestors in case I am ever brave enough to research them.
This article introduced to me the concept that a man could give away his own surnames and take his wife's if she happens to be a farm owner and he is not. I'm sure that is an over simplification of what is really going on. Carolyn Whitton did a thorough and excellent job of explaining what a farm name is and how to use it in German research and provided a complicated example to boot. And now I am an inch closer to trying to research my German ancestors. But honestly, I think it will take a little bit bigger push than that.
Saturday, August 14, 2010
I stopped by the 18th century and bumped into Randy Seaver
Recently I have been working on a house history of an 18th century colonial in Millis, Massachusetts. This project was for a monthly column called “Old House Secrets” which appears in a local newspaper. Public record listed this property as being built around 1790. A conflicting document from the Massachusetts Historical Commission listed the date as 1760. While it wasn’t my goal to find out the exact date the house was built, I wanted to get back as far as possible.
After quite a bit of work I broke the “year 1800” barrier. The earliest record I found at the Norfolk County Registry of deeds was a 1795 deed transferring the property. This is not the earliest deed for the property however. Norfolk County was created from Suffolk County in 1794. Earlier deeds could be found at the Massachusetts State Archives in Boston. For this article, though, I had run out of time and budget to go further.
The 1795 deed transferred the property from Ichabod Seaver to Tisdale Puffer. For my house history research I like to do genealogical sleuthing to discover more information about the people who lived inside the home. I wanted to know as much as possible about Ichabod Seaver. The deed itself provided me with his name, his wife’s name (Rebecca), and his occupation (cordwainer). I can also infer from the deed that in 1795 and for sometime earlier he resided in Millis, Massachusetts.
My first attempt was a broad Google search of the terms “Ichabod Seaver” +Rebecca. I like to include names in quotations so that Google will return only hits with that exact name. The +Rebecca ensured that the name Rebecca would also be found on the same page. The site I was brought to was called “The Descendants of Caleb Seaver.” There I found my Ichabod, with his wife, Rebecca, and information about their marriage and children. I floated to the top of the page to see who the site was created by and what did I find – Genea-Musings’ very own Randy Seaver.
When I started my research, the name Seaver never triggered any bells in my mind. Though previously, I had located a survey sheet on another Seaver house in Massachusetts for Randy. Running across Randy while doing my recent house history research was fun. It was almost like discovering a long lost cousin.
Typically I don’t research the whole lives of my subjects, just the years they lived in the house. But with Ichabod Seaver I’ve decided to go further. Perhaps it was the combination of a cool sounding name, bumping into a colleague and the connection to my home county. Maybe after I have finished compiling all the research you’ll see it here as another blog post.
After quite a bit of work I broke the “year 1800” barrier. The earliest record I found at the Norfolk County Registry of deeds was a 1795 deed transferring the property. This is not the earliest deed for the property however. Norfolk County was created from Suffolk County in 1794. Earlier deeds could be found at the Massachusetts State Archives in Boston. For this article, though, I had run out of time and budget to go further.
The 1795 deed transferred the property from Ichabod Seaver to Tisdale Puffer. For my house history research I like to do genealogical sleuthing to discover more information about the people who lived inside the home. I wanted to know as much as possible about Ichabod Seaver. The deed itself provided me with his name, his wife’s name (Rebecca), and his occupation (cordwainer). I can also infer from the deed that in 1795 and for sometime earlier he resided in Millis, Massachusetts.
My first attempt was a broad Google search of the terms “Ichabod Seaver” +Rebecca. I like to include names in quotations so that Google will return only hits with that exact name. The +Rebecca ensured that the name Rebecca would also be found on the same page. The site I was brought to was called “The Descendants of Caleb Seaver.” There I found my Ichabod, with his wife, Rebecca, and information about their marriage and children. I floated to the top of the page to see who the site was created by and what did I find – Genea-Musings’ very own Randy Seaver.
When I started my research, the name Seaver never triggered any bells in my mind. Though previously, I had located a survey sheet on another Seaver house in Massachusetts for Randy. Running across Randy while doing my recent house history research was fun. It was almost like discovering a long lost cousin.
Typically I don’t research the whole lives of my subjects, just the years they lived in the house. But with Ichabod Seaver I’ve decided to go further. Perhaps it was the combination of a cool sounding name, bumping into a colleague and the connection to my home county. Maybe after I have finished compiling all the research you’ll see it here as another blog post.
Have ancestors with confounding common names? Look to a deed for help.
Some ancestors with names like John Smith can seem too difficult to research. An internet search of that name can provide thousands of results. Without additional criteria such as birth and death dates or locations the search can be unwieldy. However, if you know where your ancestor resided at at any point in their adult lives then deeds are perhaps just the tool you need to sort it out.
As a house historian, I frequently research people who owned a house at a particular time. I jump into the middle of their lives without knowing anything about where they were born or died. This can make research a real challenge.
Luckily, deeds provide some clues that make it much easier for both the genealogist and the house historian.
Find the wife’s name
Depending on the time period, the transfer of property may have required a release of dower rights. Dower is the part of the husband’s estate that the wife is entitled to after his death. To ensure that husbands didn’t sell property to deprive their wives of their dower, the wife’s release was required for the deed. Typically a dower release will appear towards the very end of a deed. Armed with the name of the wife, you can separate your John Smith from many others.
I recently researched a 1795 deed where Ichabod Seaver sold property to Tisdale Puffer (I did not make these names up!). In the dower release Ichabod’s wife’s name was listed as Rebeccah. It was just the information I needed to distinguish him from any other potential candidates.
Deeds sometimes provide the name of a spouse even without a dower release. If the property is held jointly, her name will be mentioned as part of the deed. A second place you might find it is at the beginning of a deed where the parties involved in the transfer of property are listed. In this location you might find spouses or parents names listed to further identify the individuals.
Occupations
Another helpful tool you can find in a deed is the listing of occupations. Deeds from the early 19th and 18th centuries frequently listed the occupations of the parties involved in the property transfer. In the case of Ichabod Seaver, he was noted as being a cordwainer (someone who made shoes). Tisdale Puffer happened to be a cordwainer as well. In 1801 when Puffer sold the property, the buyer was Nahum Thayer, a blacksmith. Now you not only have something with which to differentiate your ancestor by in other documents but you’ve learned an interesting fact about your ancestor as well.
The next time you get stuck tracing your ancestor with a common name, consider searching for his land records and see if you can find a deed to help you.
As a house historian, I frequently research people who owned a house at a particular time. I jump into the middle of their lives without knowing anything about where they were born or died. This can make research a real challenge.
Luckily, deeds provide some clues that make it much easier for both the genealogist and the house historian.
Find the wife’s name
Depending on the time period, the transfer of property may have required a release of dower rights. Dower is the part of the husband’s estate that the wife is entitled to after his death. To ensure that husbands didn’t sell property to deprive their wives of their dower, the wife’s release was required for the deed. Typically a dower release will appear towards the very end of a deed. Armed with the name of the wife, you can separate your John Smith from many others.
I recently researched a 1795 deed where Ichabod Seaver sold property to Tisdale Puffer (I did not make these names up!). In the dower release Ichabod’s wife’s name was listed as Rebeccah. It was just the information I needed to distinguish him from any other potential candidates.
Deeds sometimes provide the name of a spouse even without a dower release. If the property is held jointly, her name will be mentioned as part of the deed. A second place you might find it is at the beginning of a deed where the parties involved in the transfer of property are listed. In this location you might find spouses or parents names listed to further identify the individuals.
Occupations
Another helpful tool you can find in a deed is the listing of occupations. Deeds from the early 19th and 18th centuries frequently listed the occupations of the parties involved in the property transfer. In the case of Ichabod Seaver, he was noted as being a cordwainer (someone who made shoes). Tisdale Puffer happened to be a cordwainer as well. In 1801 when Puffer sold the property, the buyer was Nahum Thayer, a blacksmith. Now you not only have something with which to differentiate your ancestor by in other documents but you’ve learned an interesting fact about your ancestor as well.
The next time you get stuck tracing your ancestor with a common name, consider searching for his land records and see if you can find a deed to help you.
Monday, July 12, 2010
The Holy Grail: New Genealogists
The New England Historic Genealogical Society (NEHGS) has started surveying its eNews readers with single-question queries. Recently they asked their members how long they have been researching their family history. The largest group, 17%, reported that they have been researching for 30 to 40 years. All together 81% of the respondents have been researching for 10 years or more.
Interestingly enough only 7% reported researching less than five years and 1% less than one year. What this tells me is that NEHGS has done a great job branding to and retaining experienced genealogists but they are having more trouble reaching newer genealogists.
There has been a great deal of talk in the genealogical community about the impact of nationally-viewed programs such as Who Do You Think You Are?, Faces of America and African American Lives. It seems fair to say that these shows are having an impact on the interest of Americans in learning about their family history.
New genealogists are the Holy Grail for the genealogical community and, dare I say, the genealogical industry. They bring the opportunity to replenish our genealogical society memberships, fill our conference halls and bring their buying power to industry vendors large and small. The question is how to engage these new family historians.
Ancestry.com has done a full frontal assault to attract the attention of new family historians. They advertised heavily during the television programs and they have a broad advertising presence online. They have been very successful, from what I can see, in positioning themselves.
But not every organization or professional genealogist has the financial or PR power to attract the attention of new genealogists in the national media. What options are available for everyone else?
I don’t have all the answers but here are a few suggestions.
Bloggers
Bloggers have leveled the playing field by producing top-notch content that receives high placement in the search engines. In order to attract new genealogists, some focus will need to turn to creating entry-level content that guides new family historians on their journey. Blogs specifically for beginners should be placing special emphasis on their keywords and tags so that beginners can find them.
Societies
Genealogical societies should have at least two events per year targeted toward beginners. These could be open houses where the general public is invited in. NEHGS, in conjunction with Ancestry.com, recently did this in Boston with a Family History Day and was rewarded with record attendance. Not every organization is going to have to mailing lists like NEHGS or Ancestry.com, but if you advertise heavily locally and post flyers you should be able to draw a good crowd for your events.
Conferences
Genealogical conferences need to focus on new areas to keep the buzz going – such as free classes on basic genealogy in the vendor hall (or a widely publicized track in the main program) and a blogger lounge. Bloggers are the face of the future. If you want to get the buzz out about your conference, embrace bloggers. I can’t emphasize this enough. We need to do little more than look at the recent Southern California Genealogical Society Jamboree to see proof of this.
Vendors and Publishers
Times have been tough for genealogical vendors and publishers. This group needs to focus on partnering with organizations/conferences that are thinking out of the box and successfully trying to attract new family historians. They should be carefully watching who can draw a large crowd, who provides offerings for beginners and who is reaching out to bloggers.
All of the above
All of the groups above should be embracing social media in their attempts to engage new genealogists and family historians. It has been said many times that the internet has leveled the playing field for large and small organizations. This is still true. A consistent Facebook presence is key for organizations to reach out to their existing and potential members as well as attracting the elusive Holy Grail of new genealogists. Both large and small organizations have succeeded in this. Take a look at NEHGS and Ancestry.com for examples of larger organizations. But also take a look at the smaller Cambridge, MA Historical Society and the Little Compton, RI Historical Society – both of whom do a terrific job of engaging stakeholders.
Not interested in Facebook? Then try Twitter. You can have a strong presence there as well. The Nova Scotia Archives and the Connecticut State Library both have strong visibility on Twitter. If you do choose to engage your target audience on social media, make sure that you have a plan to succeed. Too often social media is embraced with gusto only to be abandoned later after running out of steam.
Interestingly enough only 7% reported researching less than five years and 1% less than one year. What this tells me is that NEHGS has done a great job branding to and retaining experienced genealogists but they are having more trouble reaching newer genealogists.
There has been a great deal of talk in the genealogical community about the impact of nationally-viewed programs such as Who Do You Think You Are?, Faces of America and African American Lives. It seems fair to say that these shows are having an impact on the interest of Americans in learning about their family history.
New genealogists are the Holy Grail for the genealogical community and, dare I say, the genealogical industry. They bring the opportunity to replenish our genealogical society memberships, fill our conference halls and bring their buying power to industry vendors large and small. The question is how to engage these new family historians.
Ancestry.com has done a full frontal assault to attract the attention of new family historians. They advertised heavily during the television programs and they have a broad advertising presence online. They have been very successful, from what I can see, in positioning themselves.
But not every organization or professional genealogist has the financial or PR power to attract the attention of new genealogists in the national media. What options are available for everyone else?
I don’t have all the answers but here are a few suggestions.
Bloggers
Bloggers have leveled the playing field by producing top-notch content that receives high placement in the search engines. In order to attract new genealogists, some focus will need to turn to creating entry-level content that guides new family historians on their journey. Blogs specifically for beginners should be placing special emphasis on their keywords and tags so that beginners can find them.
Societies
Genealogical societies should have at least two events per year targeted toward beginners. These could be open houses where the general public is invited in. NEHGS, in conjunction with Ancestry.com, recently did this in Boston with a Family History Day and was rewarded with record attendance. Not every organization is going to have to mailing lists like NEHGS or Ancestry.com, but if you advertise heavily locally and post flyers you should be able to draw a good crowd for your events.
Conferences
Genealogical conferences need to focus on new areas to keep the buzz going – such as free classes on basic genealogy in the vendor hall (or a widely publicized track in the main program) and a blogger lounge. Bloggers are the face of the future. If you want to get the buzz out about your conference, embrace bloggers. I can’t emphasize this enough. We need to do little more than look at the recent Southern California Genealogical Society Jamboree to see proof of this.
Vendors and Publishers
Times have been tough for genealogical vendors and publishers. This group needs to focus on partnering with organizations/conferences that are thinking out of the box and successfully trying to attract new family historians. They should be carefully watching who can draw a large crowd, who provides offerings for beginners and who is reaching out to bloggers.
All of the above
All of the groups above should be embracing social media in their attempts to engage new genealogists and family historians. It has been said many times that the internet has leveled the playing field for large and small organizations. This is still true. A consistent Facebook presence is key for organizations to reach out to their existing and potential members as well as attracting the elusive Holy Grail of new genealogists. Both large and small organizations have succeeded in this. Take a look at NEHGS and Ancestry.com for examples of larger organizations. But also take a look at the smaller Cambridge, MA Historical Society and the Little Compton, RI Historical Society – both of whom do a terrific job of engaging stakeholders.
Not interested in Facebook? Then try Twitter. You can have a strong presence there as well. The Nova Scotia Archives and the Connecticut State Library both have strong visibility on Twitter. If you do choose to engage your target audience on social media, make sure that you have a plan to succeed. Too often social media is embraced with gusto only to be abandoned later after running out of steam.
Friday, July 9, 2010
Hooray for the Town Clerk
Hooray for the Town Clerk. No, not the one in Ohio who just sent you a certified copy of your great grandfather’s birth record. Hooray for David Turner Shaw (1764-1856), Town Clerk of Bath, Maine. He became Town Clerk in 1803 and served for more than forty years. Town Clerks are a devoted, meticulous bunch of people. They are committed to accuracy and correctness. And for this I will be forever grateful.
In May 2005, I posted a message to the Shaw surname board on Ancestry.com looking for information about my ancestor, David Turner Shaw. David was one of ten children, most of whom were born in Massachusetts. David and two of his siblings were born after their parents migrated to Bath, Maine. I had little proof of the connection between the Massachusetts and Maine born children.
In August 2009, four years after my original post, I received notification of a response from Ancestry.com. It cam
e from Ann Raymond of the Monmouth Museum in Monmouth, Maine. The message said she had a handwritten account of the family history written in 1843 by David Turner Shaw himself.
I contacted Ann and she mailed me a photocopy of the family history right away. True to his Town Clerk calling, Shaw wrote a detailed, three page history of his family. In the document he honestly revealed which information was accurate and which was to his best recollection.
The document gave me the link I needed to prove that he was part of the same Massachusetts family. If you haven’t tried surname message boards maybe now is the time. If you are patient they might just deliver for you too.
In May 2005, I posted a message to the Shaw surname board on Ancestry.com looking for information about my ancestor, David Turner Shaw. David was one of ten children, most of whom were born in Massachusetts. David and two of his siblings were born after their parents migrated to Bath, Maine. I had little proof of the connection between the Massachusetts and Maine born children.
In August 2009, four years after my original post, I received notification of a response from Ancestry.com. It cam
e from Ann Raymond of the Monmouth Museum in Monmouth, Maine. The message said she had a handwritten account of the family history written in 1843 by David Turner Shaw himself.I contacted Ann and she mailed me a photocopy of the family history right away. True to his Town Clerk calling, Shaw wrote a detailed, three page history of his family. In the document he honestly revealed which information was accurate and which was to his best recollection.
The document gave me the link I needed to prove that he was part of the same Massachusetts family. If you haven’t tried surname message boards maybe now is the time. If you are patient they might just deliver for you too.
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