by Lisa Cooke | Aug 22, 2019 | 01 What's New, Conferences
There’s big news regarding the two leading national genealogical organizations in the United States. I’ve got the press release from the Federation of Genealogical Societies here, as well as comments from FamilySearch.
NGS and FGS ANNOUNCE INTENT TO MERGE
August 21, 2019 – Washington, D.C.
In a historic move, the boards of the National Genealogical Society (NGS) and the Federation of Genealogical Societies (FGS) announced today their intent to merge.
The two organizations, both non-profit leaders in the dynamic genealogy industry, will form one consolidated group that will continue to operate as the National Genealogical Society. Both boards approved a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) earlier this week, and jointly announced the news at the Opening Session of the FGS Family History Conference in Washington, D.C. this morning.
Leaders of both organizations believe this merger will serve the genealogy community by improving support of both individual members and societies in the pursuit of genealogical excellence.
The organizational structure of NGS will be modified to increase functions that support genealogical societies and family organizations.
NGS Annual Conference
Digitization projects of genealogical importance such as the War of 1812 pensions will continue.
The two organizations will continue to operate independently while all details of the merger are completed, no later than October 1, 2020.
Faye Stallings, President of FGS, said: “We are excited about this opportunity to combine with a premier organization that has been in operation since 1903. This will allow for improved and expanded services to help support societies.”
Ben Spratling, President of the NGS, commented, “We look forward to continuing the strong legacy of FGS as a ‘gathering point’ for family historians and societies all across the nation.”
According to FamiySearch, “this significant, historical move will consolidate these two great, influential organizations in the genealogy industry, into one with greater capacity to serve the genealogy community. You can read more about it in their press release published in concert with the opening session of the FGS Conference today in Washington, D.C.”
David Rencher, FamilySearch CGO, said “this is a significant move forward for both organizations. FGS has wanted to better serve individuals, and NGS has been seeking ways to better serve societies. Combining their efforts is a win/win for all genealogists at the local, state and international levels. FamilySearch is thrilled with the leadership of both organizations coming together to better serve all genealogists and family historians.”
Podcasting at the Genealogy Gems booth at the FGS 2018 conference
About FGS: FGS was founded in 1976 and empowers the genealogical and family history community, especially its societies and organizations, by advocating for the preservation of records and providing resources that enable genealogical organizations to succeed in pursuing their missions.
FGS launched the Preserve the Pensions project in 2010 and raised more than $3 million to digitize and make freely available the pension files from the War of 1812. Fundraising was completed for that project in 2016 and the digitization continues.
FGS was also the driving force behind the Civil War Soldiers and Sailors project alongside the National Parks Service.
by Lisa Cooke | Aug 24, 2019 | 01 What's New, MyHeritage
MyHeritage is releasing a fantastic French record collection. It’s the France, Nord Civil Marriages, 1792-1937 collection which includes 5.4 million civil records of marriages (1792-1937) for the French department of Nord that were collected by government authorities after the French Republic was proclaimed in 1792.
Nord is in the far north of France. It was created from the western halves of the historical counties of Flanders and Hainaut, and the Bishopric of Cambrai.
What’s special about this collection? It contains a detailed searchable index that details you won’t find on other websites.
The collection is live in MyHeritage SuperSearch™. Start your search with the button below:
In this collection, you’ll find rich details about the bride, groom, and their families including:
- brides’ name
- groom’s name
- their birth dates
- birthplaces
- marriage date
- marriage location
- the names of the bride’s and groom’s parents — including their mothers’ maiden surnames!
- Additional information about the death of one or more of the parents
- witness names and details — often with recorded relationships to the bride and groom.
The collections provide robust coverage of during a span of 145 years making them a treasure trove of valuable family history information. They are sure to provide insight for anyone with roots in that region.
According to MyHeritage: “The index that we created for this collection is unique in that it lists information that isn’t available on any other website, such as the estimated birth years of the bride and groom, and the names of their parents.”
Higher Resolution Record Images
It’s not uncommon for more than one Genealogy Giants records website to have the same records. However, it’s always worth a look at both because sometimes the more recent collection will have better images sometimes thanks to newer technology. This collection on MyHeritage is a great example of that. This collection includes beautiful scanned images of every record in a higher resolution than can be found on some other sources.
Record example
Record Matches
The collection is available for searching on SuperSearch™. And if you’re a MyHeritage user, you will receive Record Matches from this collection as well. Record Matches might just reveal new information about your ancestors who appear in the records.
by Lisa Cooke | Sep 25, 2019 | 01 What's New, FamilySearch |
When new genealogy records come online, they can be in different forms. Sometimes they are indexed records and sometime they are browse-only digital images.
Either way, new genealogy content online is always welcome. And this week this new content is free thanks to FamilySearch.
Don’t let the fact that some of these genealogy records are currently browse-only images. in our article Browse Only Databases at FamilySearch are Easy to Use, we’ll help you navigate these types of records. It’s not difficult to do, and the rewards can be big.
Example of accessing browse-only digital images at FamilySearch
If you haven’t used FamilySearch before, all it requires is that you sign up for a free account which you can do here at their website.
Here’s the latest press release from FamilySearch detailing the newest content.
SALT LAKE CITY, UT—FamilySearch.org added over 13 million new, free, unindexed digital images of historical Italian records this week from Avellino, Belluno, Caserta, Matera, Verona, and Vicenza, Italy. Other indexed records include areas from Brazil, Germany, Peru, South Africa and the United States, including Alabama and Kansas.
Click here to search over 8 billion free names and record images catalogued on FamilySearch.
(Find and share this announcement online from the FamilySearch Newsroom.)
Brazil
Brazil, Pernambuco, Civil Registration, 1804-2016
Indexed records: 162,706
Added indexed records to an existing collection
Brazil, São Paulo, Civil Registration, 1925-1995
Indexed Records: 199
Added indexed records to an existing collection
Germany
Germany, Baden, Archdiocese of Freiburg im Breisgau, Catholic Church Records, 1678-1930
Indexed records: 1,045,113
Added indexed records to an existing collection
Germany, Bavaria, Diocese of Augsburg, Catholic Church Records, 1615-1939
Indexed Records: 383,480
Added indexed records to an existing collection
Italy
Italy, Avellino, Civil Registration (State Archive), 1809-1947
Digital Images: 3,099,458
Added images to an existing collection
Italy, Belluno, Civil Registration (State Archive), 1806-1815
Digital Images: 43,298 New browsable image collection.
Italy, Caserta, Civil Registration (State Archive), 1809-1866
Digital Images: 4,543,698
Added images to an existing collection
Italy, Matera, Civil Registration (State Archive), 1809-1925
Digital Images: 1,323,614
New browsable image collection.
Italy, Verona, Civil Registration (State Archive), 1630-1942
Digital Images: 2,796,910
New browsable image collection.
Italy, Vicenza, Bassano del Grappa, Civil Registration (State Archive), 1871-1942
Digital Images: 1,637,660
Added images to an existing collection
Peru
Peru, Lima, Civil Registration, 1874-1996
Digital Images: 175,257
Added images to an existing collection
The records newly added to this collection have not yet been digitized. Click the clink at the bottom of the search page to browse.
Click to browse genealogy records from Peru
Here’s an example of what these Civil Registration record from Peru look like:
Example of Civil Registration records from Peru
South Africa
South Africa, Natal, Passenger Lists, 1860-1911
Indexed Records: 154,091
Added indexed records to an existing collection
United States
Alabama, Jefferson County Circuit Court Papers, 1870-1916
Indexed Records: 30,070
Added indexed records to an existing collection
Kansas, Grant County, Census Records, 1895-1982
Indexed Records: 87,928 0
New indexed records collection
An example of a record from the Kansas Grant County Census Record Collection
United States Census, 1880
Digital Images: 13
Added images to an existing collection
United States, Cemetery Abstracts
Indexed Records: 179,757
Added indexed records to an existing collection
Share Your Findings
Did you find a genealogy gems in one of these new records at FamilySearch? Please leave a comment below.
by Lisa Cooke | Oct 14, 2019 | 01 What's New, MyHeritage
The second annual MyHeritage user conference, MyHeritage LIVE 2019, was held in Amsterdam.
Below you’ll find a list of lectures from the conference which are now online. These sessions, given by world-renowned experts and valued MyHeritage staff, are now available on MyHeritage Education.
If you missed the conference or the live stream, you can now take watch these video recordings for free, from the comfort of your own home, at any time, and at your own pace.
Pick from this List of MyHeritage Video Classes
Here is a list with a full description of each and links to watch them:
Opening Session: Keynote by MyHeritage Founder and CEO Gilad Japhet
In his keynote address at MyHeritage LIVE, MyHeritage Founder and CEO, Gilad Japhet, talks about recent MyHeritage achievements as well as upcoming features and projects
Watch
What’s New at MyHeritage
with Maya Lerner
Maya Lerner, VP of Product at MyHeritage, gives a summary of MyHeritage’s new features and a look ahead at future plans.
Watch
Introducing the New Educational Resource Center for MyHeritage Users
with Daniel Horowitz
This presentation will give you an inside look at MyHeritage Education, a new online resource center for enhancing your understanding of the MyHeritage platform.
Watch
Hear my interview with Daniel Horowitz in Genealogy Gems Podcast episode #221.
Searching and Browsing on MyHeritage to Get the Most Out of Your Research
with Cyndi Ingle
With 10 billion historical records, MyHeritage is able to provide the most extensive genealogy searches available on the Internet. Learn how to use them efficiently to find new and relevant information to incorporate into your research.
Watch
Discovering Immigration Stories with MyHeritage
with Lisa Alzo
Every immigrant has a story. Learn how to leverage the immigration records collection at MyHeritage to uncover key clues and make amazing discoveries about your immigrant ancestors from both sides of the pond.
Watch
Lisa Alzo has been a guest blogger here at Genealogy Gems. Her articles include Heritage Receipts – Aunties, Sprinkles and the Santa-in-his-cap cookie cutter and 4 Steps to Getting Started with Scrivener Software for Writing Family History.
Using MyHeritage to Find Ancestors from the Netherlands
with Yvette Hoitink
If you have ancestors from the Netherlands, this talk introduces you to the most important records and shows you what you can find online, even if you don’t know any Dutch. Learn how naming traditions and emigration patterns can help you find your Dutch ancestors.
Watch
PANEL: Researching Dutch Family History Around the World
These experts give tips and advice on how to research your roots in Surinam and the former Dutch East Indies.
Watch
Evaluating Your Smart Matches™ and Record Matches on MyHeritage
with James Tanner
Smart Matches™ and Record Matches on MyHeritage supercharge your research. Learn how to review and evaluate these automatically generated matches and effectively use them to advance your genealogical research goals.
Watch
An Overview of Western European Record Collections on MyHeritage
with Mike Mansfield of MyHeritage
With over three billion records from thousands of collections of European origin and a vibrant user community, MyHeritage is an incredible resource for European research. This session will provide an overview of these collections and highlight how to best find access and utilize these sources.
Watch
Using Geni and How it is Different from Other Genealogy Platforms
with Mike Stangel
Learn more about the benefits of collaboration in a single-family tree, including adding sources to shared profiles, communicating with public discussions, understanding the revision history of profiles, and working with projects. Learn how Geni and MyHeritage work together to help improve the quality of the World Family Tree and connect you to new relatives.
Watch
Top Technology Tips for MyHeritage Users & Introduction to Family Tree Webinars
with Geoff Rasmussen
Watch
Developing Your Own Research Plan on MyHeritage
with James Tanner
MyHeritage provides an extremely valuable platform for conducting systematic and source-based research. A formal research plan can help you organize all the information presented in a coherent, useful way, and keep you moving towards your genealogical goals.
Watch
Using Census, Immigration, Newspaper, and Yearbook Records at MyHeritage to Explore the LIves of Your Ancestors
with Lisa Alzo
In genealogy, cluster and collateral research is a key strategy for solving complex brick wall problems. Learn how to use census, immigration, newspaper, and yearbook records at MyHeritage to explore the lives of your ancestors and their inner circles.
Watch
Science for the Non-Scientist: How Does MyHeritage Produce their DNA Results?
with Diahan Southard
DNA test results are a companion to our other research methods. A better understanding of how it all works will lead to better use of the tools for your family history research.
Watch
Diahan has been a regular contributor here at Genealogy Gems. Read her article Adoption DNA Match Strategy: Combine DNA Test Types.
Click the video player below to watch my conversation with Diahan about common genetic genealogy misconceptions:
What Exactly is a Centimorgan? An Introduction to the Science of DNA Testing
with Ran Snir
Whether you have already taken a DNA test or this is the first time you’re hearing about it, in this session we will start from the very beginning. We’ll go over the basic terms of DNA testing and learn how DNA is passed down through generations, how and why individuals have shared DNA segments and how we’re able to estimate one’s ethnicity origins.
Watch
Ran Snir was featured in Genealogy Gems Podcast episode #227. Click here to hear my interview with him on the Theory of Family Relativity™.
Mapping Your DNA Matches on MyHeritage
with Blaine Bettinger
Learn about useful tools to organize your list of DNA Matches, how to differentiate between them, and how to better utilize each tool.
Watch
Using the Theory of Family Relativity™ to Research Your DNA Matches
with Ran Snir
Learn about the revolutionary technology that saves you dozens of hours of research by synthesizing billions of data points to craft multiple theories about how you and your DNA Matches might be related.
Watch
PANEL: The Future of DNA Testing
Roberta Estes, Blaine Bettinger, Yaniv Erlich
This panel of DNA experts discusses the current state of DNA testing and what the future will bring.
Watch
Formulating a DNA Testing Plan
with Blaine Bettinger
DNA testing can be expensive, but DNA evidence is a component of exhaustive research when it is available. Identify some of the ways you can minimize costs while maximizing results by formulating a DNA testing plan early in your research.
Watch
Why You Should Complement Your DNA Data with Genealogy Research
with Diahan Southard
Building a family tree is free and adds a lot of value to your DNA test. Learn how it can help improve the accuracy of relationship estimates, trace common ancestors to uncover how exactly you are related, increase the chances DNA Matches will contact you, help you identify the family members whose DNA results would contribute the most value to your research, and more.
Watch
The World Wide DNA Web
with Alon Diament Carmel
Alon Diament Carmel, Ph.D., researcher for the MyHeritage science team, explains what we can learn from the vast web billions of DNA Matches about genetic groups and identity.
Watch
Introducing the MyHeritage DNA Health+Ancestry Test
with Yaniv Erlich
Discover how your genes affect your health and explore the valuable insights you can gain from this latest addition to our DNA product line. The MyHeritage DNA Health+Ancestry test gives you dozens of personalized health reports that explain your genetic risk for developing certain conditions, and tell you whether you’re a carrier for hereditary conditions that can potentially be passed on to your children.
Watch
PANEL: DNA Testing for Health
with Yaniv Erlich, Diahan Southard, Roberta Estes
This panel of DNA experts discusses the advantages of taking a Health DNA test to learn more about how your genes may affect your health and empower you for the future.
Watch
