Posts Tagged ‘genealogy’

Free Genealogy Resources

Posted: June 30, 2012 in Family
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English: An example of a Genealogy fan chart (...

English: An example of a Genealogy fan chart (or family tree fan chart) where paternal and maternal ancestors are shown as concentric rings of a fan. This family tree fan chart also includes family coats of arms. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

With the economic crunch that so many of us are feeling these days, myself included, we have to find a way to do research on our past generations in a much more frugal fashion. Unemployed? Still trying to find a job after so many interviews and very little call backs? I feel your pain. I have been in the market for not just a job but a career for several months now. No matter where you go, it’s been hard for everyone. I happen to live in Honolulu, and it’s just as hard here as any other metropolitan area in the mainland. I want to do something I’ll love in years to come; this is part of the reason I started writing again. I love it! Do I get paid to do it? Not so far, but it’s something I like to do. Being a genealogy researcher and unemployed at the same time can be a little time consuming, if not hair raising. Since looking for work and doing research takes up my hours and days, and sometimes those unfruitful days turn into very long weeks, I have been seeking out low cost or FREE genealogy resources to help me along the way.

Free resources are the best sometimes because it allows you to continue your search of your unknown ancestors. There are hundreds, if not thousands of genealogy blogs online. Start reading them! They are very informational and we all appreciate the feedback on the articles or topics we have written. Contact them or start a conversation in regards to the article presented; it doesn’t have to be scholarly. This is how you learn. People make mistakes or just may not be educated in this particular topic, but this will eventually help you. How? Well for starters, you will introduce yourself to the researcher where you can ask questions you may have, or just get a feel of what a genealogist does on any particular day. Learn from them, it’s easy and doesn’t cost you a dime to do so. It just takes up a few precious moments of your time to shoot someone an email and ask a few questions that you may have been wondering about. Go ahead and give it a try! You will be glad you did.

5 FREE RESOURCES I LIKE

https://familysearch.org/ ~ This web page has many free documents such as indexed records of the 1940 census, they also have other years available to aid in your search, birth, death, marriage records, probate records, military records and many more. You can search for free! There are learning centers on the site along with videos to watch and free genealogy courses that you can take online to help you discover your family tree. Discussion forums are a nice way to get involved also.

http://usgenweb.org/ ~ This web page is searchable by states, time is donated by dedicated volunteers to aid in keeping genealogy web sites free for us. For example, some of my family is from the beautiful state of Virginia. I click on the link for Virginia and I have a page of other links to go to that will further my research and increase my desire to find out more. I hope you enjoy this site as much as I have.

http://www.olivetreegenealogy.com/index.shtml ~ This web page has over 1900 pages of free genealogy records to help you and your search for your ancestral roots. Just to name a few different features of the site, there are too many to list otherwise. The Olive Tree Genealogy site has ship passenger lists, a gazillion other resource links, orphan records, photo albums, and even tutorial and help files along with blog articles. How could you not go to this site? It’s absolutely rewarding! I love it 🙂

http://www.geneabloggers.com/ ~ I utilize this site almost every day. It keeps me in touch with genealogists and their own blogs, which I have learned a great deal about. Not only is there a listing of blogs, but the site displays ones I never knew existed. I read the articles, the tips and tricks, and I try to stay up to date in the news of genealogy on a day to day basis. This site even lists events such as upcoming conferences and the like. Read up on what they have in their blog resources, and if you are thinking about writing a blog on your family history, you can submit your blog to this site. This, in turn, publicizes your site and helps you gain readers who may have never known of your site, or you, of theirs. It’s definitely worth checking out!

http://blog.dearmyrtle.com/ ~ Another resource I like to use is actually a blog by Pat Richley- Erickson called Dear Myrtle. On this site there is just loads of information to help you achieve the results you are looking for. So many articles, a calendar for webinars, you name it she has written about it. It’s a wonderful resource that you really shouldn’t miss!

 

I have only shared five links but there are thousands of others related to this topic. New blogs are popping up every day and why not even utilize the social networks? I utilize these every chance I get! There are Facebook pages on genealogy, some personal and some not, such as mine called Fans of Genealogy where you can access here : http://www.facebook.com/MyBlogMyLifeMyAncestry

Try Twitter! Connect with other users interested in the same topics- connect with them, talk to them. You never know what friendships you will make here unless you just get yourself out there and DO IT! You can follow my tweets on my twitter page at: https://twitter.com/KellyVial1 follow the people or pages that I do or you can just search for new ones on your own.

One option for doing a genealogy search is utilizing the search engines! Google Chrome is great and has many other features and apps that you can use. Try this link: https://chrome.google.com/webstore/category/home?utm_source=chrome-ntp-icon

Another search engine I would like to mention, but do not use regularly is Mocavo; this search engine is new and dedicated to genealogy but it hasn’t reached it’s full potential just yet. Yes they are off to a great start and you are welcome to try it, I think you have to sign up though. http://www.mocavo.com/

I hope you find these links useful and wish you all the luck in finding the roots to your family tree 🙂

Have you found any interesting resources? Care to share? Reply below, I look forward to checking them out!

Creating A Genealogy Blog

Posted: June 28, 2012 in Family
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WordPress

WordPress (Photo credit: Adriano Gasparri)

Are you serious about recording your family history, promoting your blog and giving a gift of research to future generations? If you are serious, why are you creating it? Is it more a personal feat to record the history of your family, to know them as they were back in the day? Maybe it’s a creative outlet for your writing skills. I created my genealogy blog initially to keep track of all the research that I have done thus far. Now, writing my blog has become more of a personal endeavor. It’s no longer just names and dates of my family and past ancestry from maybe three or four hundred years ago, it’s more about learning about their history and the lifestyles they have led over the years. There are so many different reasons I choose to continue writing, but the main one is creating something that I hope one day will tell my children where they come from, in a genealogical sense.

Since I love to write, I always seem to be finding myself writing articles and completing more research to accommodate this passion I have for both writing, genealogy, and just the love of the hunt! There are a couple web sites that offer a blogging service, but since having Blogger over the past year, I now like to use WordPress. I seem to have more viewers and more feedback on the articles I have posted. Before you make a decision on which service you would choose, try watching some videos on YouTube, read some reviews and comparisons on the blog of your choice. Do you already have a blog? Tell me which one you use and why you like it. Feedback most welcome!

Wordless Wednesday ~ George Parks and Vinnie Testerment Parks

Posted: June 26, 2012 in Family
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George Parks and Vinnie Testerment

George Parks and Vinnie Testerment-Parks (date unknown)

Treasure Chest Thursday ~ James H. Curnutt Petition

Posted: June 20, 2012 in Ancestry
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Treasure chest and moss terrarium

Treasure chest and moss terrarium (Photo credit: elias_daniel)

As I open my little treasure box today, what do you think I will find? Let’s open it up and see what treasure awaits me! As the lid opens on the old, wooden box, it creaks open eerily, I look inside and am astonished by what lays before me. My hazel eyes are as big and round as the golden doubloons inside and worth more to me than I ever imagined. I am in awe of the beauty that lays before me. More than the doubloons worth, more than the shiny baubles winking at me with its’ rainbow prism of colors. I see something. But wait. Do I dare? Tempting me to touch, but I don’t. Instead I delicately pick up an old, printed document. Carefully looking at the text and just skimming the pages.. Why it looks like the petition I was seeking not so long ago! I am still on the hunt for the judge’s final decision, but this is a great start!


Many thanks to fellow researcher, Doris, for all the legwork and emails sent to connect the Cornett family with this document. 













Genealogy Tips For Beginners

Posted: June 14, 2012 in Uncategorized
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Are you interested and intrigued by your family ancestry but just don’t know where to start? First of all, you will want to start by being organized with your findings. You could start by creating folders for known family surnames that you plan on researching. If it helps, write a small note that has surnames of your family listed. This sometimes helps keep you organized but at the same time you don’t want to overlook a surname either.


For me, my interest and infatuation with genealogy came from my father. More than 15 years ago, he sent me a packet and in this packet were two different sets of genealogy research papers with names, birth, death, and marriage dates along with the names of children on down the line. When I first started, never having the proper education as far as the topic of genealogy was concerned or having someone say, “this is how you should start and this is what you need to do to get started”, so I did what I had to do, on a limited budget. I taught myself! Granted, I haven’t learned everything I need to know. Why? Because every day you learn something new. But how you retain that knowledge and use it is entirely up to you, the student.

I won’t tell you that your family research will be easy, because it won’t be. You may have some members in your family that you look up and find everything you could possibly hope for, but not all family members will be so easy. You have to dig deeper for these others because they are hiding out. For all we know, they could be there. Just not in plain view sight! They could be in an old cardboard box at a historical library in a room with other boxes. Just keeping each other company while collecting dust. That’s a horrible thought when I think about it.

The following tips helped me in my research and I hope they help you too.

1. Interview Family Members ~ Get in touch with and stay in contact with living family members that you can “talk story” with. You may hear a family story or two that you may be able to utilize later. You could voice record the conversation or even set up a video camera for your family interview. You probably don’t have to take it to the video extreme but it is an option you may want to consider. Talk to grandparents, aunts and uncles and anyone else you think may be able to offer some insight to your research.

2. Join a Genealogical Society ~ What are the benefits? You can learn new research skills and techniques for starters. You can meet other local researchers and volunteers that may help you along the way too. It is a great way to network with others that share your passion on the topic of genealogy. You can attend monthly meetings and listen to guest speakers and even if you are like me, and have moved away from the area where the majority of your family may have settled, you can still join! (My family is mostly from Kentucky and Virginia, but I live in Hawaii) You may eventually meet some local family historians who are more than eager to share their own experiences and accomplishments. Another benefit to joining is the newsletter, it may be monthly or bi-monthly, but the information that is in them could be very beneficial! So what are you waiting for?

3. Family Albums and Scrapbooks ~ Looking through an old family photo album or scrapbook, you may find just about anything! One day I was looking through some photos my mother has collected over the years, and not only did I find a few old photographs but I also found obituary clippings and funeral cards too. Scrapbooks and photographs can tell a story like you wouldn’t believe. Remember it’s not just about finding the photos, you could find birth announcements, wedding invitations, birth and death certificates, vintage postcards, old letters,   military records or enlistment papers.  

4. Family Bibles and Journals ~ Look at an old family bible which most likely has writings of birth and death, names and dates, christenings or baptismal records. The possibilities are endless! My grandmother on my mother’s side use to have an old cedar chest in a guest bedroom. I wish I had access to the objects that were inside! I remember as a child, I would wear all her fancy old hats, scarves and jewelry that she kept in there. The jewelry wasn’t valuable at that time but they would be considered a great heirloom piece one day. She had old clothes in the chest along with a quilt she made, some doilies and some old books. Memories are wonderful things to behold.

5. Local Libraries ~ Visit your local library as you never know what you may be able to find there. Talk to the librarian and explain the research that you are partaking in. She may be able to offer some guidance or recommend certain texts. Unlocking the door to the past may only be a library card away! Here you can get familiarized with the printed work offered and also microfiche. Microfilm and the readers at your library may help spare you some time in researching and reading book after book. 

6. Internet Research ~ The Internet has evolved in so many ways. There are so many web pages dedicated to the topic of genealogy and family history research. You could read other blogs, read and participate in genealogy forums, read articles on the topic, groups on Facebook you can join, news articles. You can even view archived newspapers, look at old photos and anything related to this subject. Access to libraries online, genealogy files, online family trees, personal web pages that list members of their family tree, cemetery records and many others.

Below are a few of my favorite links that I like to utilize, but remember when doing your research, to have everything documented and to cite the source where the information was obtained from. If you do this right from the start, you can go back further in time and research other members of your family. For example, you may have a copy of your parents and grandparents birth or death certificates. This would name their parents, so this is a lead you can work with! Then you can research the parents and their parents and so on down the line. Good luck!

Links







There are many more sites to choose from but this list is just for starters. Good luck in your research and I hope this article has helped you in some way. 


Image Source:
Title:

vintage family photo album and documents
Caption: genealogy & family history
Creative image #: 108757760
License type: Royalty-free
Photographer:

Andrew Bret Wallis
Collection:

Brand X Pictures
Credit: Andrew Bret Wallis
Release information: This image has a signed property release. This image is available for commercial use.
Copyright: Andrew Bret Wallis

A Method to My Madness ~ Organizing My Genealogy

Posted: June 5, 2012 in Files, genealogy forms, organization
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So you have started searching your ancestral roots and you have accumulated documents, papers, genealogy forms, birth and death records from one or multiple surnames. How do you stay organized? How do you know what documents belong to which ancestor? Do you just throw everything into one file folder labeled “Family Tree Stuff”? Haha I did that! But I’m trying to change that right now! 


Some ideas that may help are:


In your filing cabinet, you have all these folders where some are labeled and some are not. Okay! So it’s time to sort through all that mess. Because the more involved you become in the subject of genealogy, the more paperwork and photos you are going to accumulate. Believe me, it’s not pretty! So first off, you are going to want to gather all your files together, separate each document by surname and put in a folder. This is where you want to start labeling each file folder- you can even color code each surname if it makes it any easier for you to distinguish one folder from the next. I love this idea! You don’t necessarily have to label the folder by surname; you can label by couple, maternal or fraternal grandparents and so on. I just think it’s much easier to label by surname to limit any confusion. As you probably already know, there are hundreds of names in one person’s family tree. In my own research, I have come across names in my Cornett ancestry that include but are not limited to Carrico, Sutherland, Delp, Canute, Canutt, Anderson, Livesay and so on. There are plenty of others, so this can get confusing if you don’t organize what you have already.


Organize your hard drive on your computer! Recently, I have scanned two separate sets of paperwork on my family’s tree- mind you, each set was approximately 30 pages! Create a hierarchy of folders that are easy to find on your hard drive. Adobe Acrobat is a Godsend as it creates one PDF file of multiple files. Saves you space! 



This is what my files look like, with everything labeled and in its’ respective folder. So easy to do! 


Do you have hand written notes in notebooks? I did! I think I had two notebooks at one time with names, dates and events all written down with no general sequence. They were just randomly written and sporadic and just a bunch of clutter! Well pull out your shredder and get rid of all that. Create a word document of all your notes so you aren’t throwing away any vital information and all that clutter. 


You could create an ancestral timeline that shows when your ancestors lived and for how long. 


Prepare and fill out the pedigree chart of all your known ancestors. 


I hope these ideas help you in some way. There’s nothing like a messy, unorganized work space! 




Links to Genealogy Forms- Free To Download


Free Forms To Organize Your Research


Free Genealogy Forms


Free!




Image Source: Stack Of Files



























Walter Allen Cornett Sr ~ UPDATED

Posted: May 16, 2012 in Census, cornett, discovering family, Family Search, family tree, Genealogy, grandparents, military
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My grandfather is being very elusive. I am having a hard time finding information on him. So far, I have some paperwork compiled by a family member of our family tree, some old black and white scanned photos, names, dates, and family members both past and present. Some are familiar to me and some are not. But that is the love of Genealogy research! Discovering family and learning, reading, and visualizing the lives they have led in the past.


But I will tell you what I do know of him so far. Walter Allen Cornett Sr. was born on December 29, 1909 and died nearly five years before I was born, he died on June 30, 1967. He married my grandmother, Lucia Rose Cornett on July 15, 1928. From what my mother tells me, they had 9 children together including a Dorothy Mae who was born on April 11,1930 and died May 10, 1930. She was only a month old when she passed away. I’m not sure what the cause of her death was. He was in the military, but I’m not sure which branch, what his rank was, military responsibilities, or even how long he was in the service.


According to the Social Security Death Index (SSDI), he was 57 years old and 5 months! Pretty exact I would say. I am still trying to find information on him, sent out emails, Facebook messages to family, and once I get more information I will be sure to post an update!


On Familysearch.org, I found the 1930 Census information on Walter’s household during that time. The information found is below.


Name:Walter A Cornett
Census Event Date:1930
Event Place: Black Lick,Wythe,Virginia
Gender:Male
Age:21
Marital Status:Married
Race:White
Birthplace:Virginia
Estimated Birth Year:1909
Immigration Year: N/A
Relationship to Head of Household: Head (SELF)
Father’s Birthplace:Virginia
Mother’s Birthplace:Virginia
Enumeration District Number: 0004
Family Number:469
Sheet Number and Letter: 4B
Line Number: 59
Nara Publication:T626
Roll 2465
Film Number:2342199
Digital Folder Number:4547863
Image Number:00576


Walter A Cornett, Married at age 21 to Spouse Lucy R Cornett age 15.


Please Note: In the 1930 Federal Census- my grandmothers name is stated as Lucy R Cornett but in actuality her name is Lucia Rose Cornett. I guess that is the problem with Census takers, a lot of misspellings in the names and such, which makes it harder to discern your research at times.

Source Citation
“United States Census, 1930,” index and images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/CJPG-ZW2 : accessed 16 May 2012), Walter A Cornett, Black Lick, Wythe, Virginia.





Below are some of the photos I have of them. Since I am in the process of moving, I will have to wait until I unpack and get settled to see if I have any other photos I can add to this blog about Walter! Please be patient….







After going through some paperwork, I found some other documents such as 2 separate honorable discharge papers, a press release and also a death certificate for Walter Allen Cornett. These were given to me from a family member. Granted, they are only scanned copies, but I’ll take what I can get! I am very much appreciative that she took the time to scan them and mail them to me.

Press Release
Andrews Field, MD


Honorable Discharge Document #1 (1945)



Honorable Discharge Document #2 (1946)
Death Certificate for Walter Allen Cornett





Cornett Family Genealogy Books

Posted: May 14, 2012 in books, Canute, cornett, Cornutt, data, descendants, family crest, Genealogy, Google, Happy Mother's Day, historical society, Internet, surname
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As I am scouring the internet for factual data, I just decided to Google my grandmother’s name, Lucia Cornett. (Happy Mother’s Day grams!)  I came across her online obituary and I can’t believe almost two years has passed since she became one of God’s perfect angels. I am saddened by her loss but at the same time I know I will one day meet her again. For those of you who know me personally, you know that I was a small child when my parents divorced and I moved away from the Cornett side of my family. This is where I want to apologize for not staying in close contact with my family. Yes, I was only 6 years old but still feel like maybe I could have at least wrote letters to my grandma or something? Who knows what could have been if I had. But on the bright side of the situation, I have made contact with my Cornett family on Facebook! We stay in touch, communicate, share photos and our life events as they are happening or will happen in the near future. For this, I am thankful.


Sorry for rambling, so back to the internet search! Searching Google I found another name that was familiar due to past research I have done in the past. Archelus Cornutt. It’s discouraging as surnames have changed in their spellings over the centuries. Apparently there is a book out there somewhere called, Descendants of Archelus Cornutt: The Son of James Cornutt, 1743-1956 written by Hannah Alice Cornett Magee. I then “Googled” the books title and author and came across the Amazon web page- I must say I had no luck in finding the book because it is no longer in print. But doing more research on this matter, I found out that the book may be located at the Laurel County Historical Society in Kentucky. So now I am on the search for this book and hopefully I will have some luck tracking it down. I wonder if any of my Cornett relatives have a copy? It would be nice if I could even find an e-book for my Kindle regarding this particular book. By the way, I found out about this book by reading the Cornett Family Forums on Ancestry.com. I will share the link below if anyone is interested in this particular family lineage.


Links:
Laurel County, Kentucky Historical Society


Ancestry Cornett Surname Forum


Image Source: Cornett Family Crest

DAR~ A Free Genealogy Resource

Posted: May 4, 2012 in brick wall, Canute, cornett, Daughters of the American Revolution, free, Genealogy, James Canute Cornett, Lineage, members, preservation, research, Resources, surnames, surnames. database, volunteers
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Image Source:
DAR Logo

DAR- Daughters of the American Revolution is a free resource for genealogists and offers aid in their research. The (GRS) Genealogical Research System is a collection of databases, which provides access to the many materials that have been collected over time. The DAR was founded in 1890, the members are passionate about their research findings and are committed to preservation of the history of our ancestors.


This genealogical resource has many volunteers who have scanned and indexed years worth of documents and other materials which can be found in the online database. There is a drawback to sharing this information with others, because of proprietary information and data, and under no circumstances may it be shared or published.


If you are like me, an amateur genealogist, or you may even be a genealogy expert, the DAR could be a stepping stone to finding your ancestral ties that you may have been seeking for so long. It is definitely worth a try, don’t you think? Maybe we can knock down some of these brick walls we have encountered and find some really valuable documents that will only further our research and prove who we are and where we come from. It’s not just about where you, your parents or grandparents were born and the dates of birth, or even how many children they may have had. To me, and this is my own personal opinion on the matter, genealogy research is about finding out more about who my family really was, what they looked like, their way of life, the career choices they may have made and so many other points of their lives and the direction that those points have taken them over the years. 


I recently received an email from a family member, who as it turns out, was researching the same family surnames that I was. Imagine not knowing that you had a family member and didn’t even realize that they were family until you connected through a genealogy resource! Anyhow, back to the email! She has been verified by the DAR and is in the process of getting it signed by officials in Washington D.C. So I can’t wait to find out if she was successful in finding the data she needs to prove her lineage and connection to James Canute Cornett! 


I am definitely going to be researching this DAR to gain a more in-depth understanding. So you may see future postings related to the Daughters of the American Revolution. Who knows, maybe I will also find information on some of my Sutherland and Canute ancestors.


Good luck in your research!





The Fascinating World Of Genealogy

Posted: September 19, 2011 in ancestor, Ancestry, heritage, historical maps, photo genealogy, research, US Geological Survey Maps
Tags:
1

Has your family research come to a standstill? What about that proverbial brick wall that has you stumped? What will you do next? Many researchers both newbies and the more experienced, get stumped all the time. Myself included! It is very frustrating to finally get the lead you have been searching for only to find out that it really hasn’t led you anywhere. Sometimes I feel like a dog who is running around in circles chasing its’ own tail!


Here are a couple of ideas that might get you back on track. I hope the ideas help you and I also hope they help me in searching my ancestral roots.


U.S. Geological Survey Maps– Have you thought about topography maps to aid in your research? The U.S. Geological Survey web site can help you locate historical maps of interest that may help you in your genealogy searches. In addition, this site also features a National Atlas, which will help you by offering a number of maps that can include country boundary lines, cities, lakes and rivers, and other topographical points of interest. 
** Another idea that just came to mind: Blow up the map to a large wall size and use different colored “ball” tacks for different family surnames to give you the visuals that you may need in your research. It could help you track their movements especially if they have migrated from other countries.


Direct Line Software– A software program that is called Deed Mapper. Deed Mapper works with old land records. Whether you have one deed or a hundred, this software program will help you:

  • Find the location of a particular plot by anchoring a group of neighboring plots against a stream.
  • Discover genealogical relationships by showing that person X sold a part of person Y’s land.
  • Untangle people having the same name by analyzing their landholdings and transfers.
  • Create a map of original landholders in a region. 
  • Trace changes in parcel ownership over the years.



There is also an online community that you can interact with other members. Deed Mapper is designed for historical research so it handles surveys that have straight lines. So it may be worth checking out at least!


Direct Line Software Screenshots


Dead Fred– This web page is dedicated to genealogists and family researchers, who can search and post photos, search surnames and the like. It is a free, fun photo genealogy research site devoted to helping you visualize your heritage! Wouldn’t it be great to find a lost ancestor on this site?  Your bonus would be a photo you may have been searching out for years! 


Image Source:
Dog Chasing Its’ Tail

Dog Chasing His Own Tail

Image no. 700-00046138

No model release  – model release: no release on file    No property release  – property release: no release on file   
700-00046138 [65 – Masterfile] / 4160133 [1]

Your Genetic Genealogy~ Is It As Accurate As You Think?

Posted: July 29, 2011 in Ancestry, discovering family, DNA, Family, family history, Genealogy, genetic genealogy, missing links
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Good morning and Aloha! 
It has been breezy but also rainy here on Oahu this morning and it makes for great sleeping weather, so what am I doing up? It’s 9 a.m. that’s why; I cant sleep in like my husband can, he can sleep through a tsunami! If I were only that lucky…but anyway, I have been wondering about the accuracy of DNA in our genealogy. 



Image Source:
DNA Genetics



How do we know this is truly accurate, as DNA is taken from the living, not the dead? The genetic genealogy tests can be expensive, depending on your own economic standpoint. So just how great is this anyway? I’ve been reading up on several different articles that pertain to this topic and in my opinion, I wouldn’t waste my time or money on something that isn’t 110% accurate. I’m not saying that a person shouldn’t do this type of testing, if it leads them to finding their missing links in their families history. By all means, go for it if that’s what you want to do. I am merely expressing my own opinion. After reading the following article, I became a little skeptical. There are many companies offering these types of services that promise to trace your lineage through means of a DNA test, whether it’s paternal or maternal, the price goes up depending on your needs. Read this article from another blogger, who seems to have done her research and then let me know whether you think this type of test is something you would do. 


Genetic Genealogy Blog




To My Readers: Have you tried this sort of testing to trace your ancestral roots? Did you have any success? Please post your success stories! Below is a company offering this type of service. What do you think?


DNA Ancestry Project

Family Genealogy Package

Posted: July 27, 2011 in birth certificate, death certificates, descendants, family treasures, George Parks, history, Homestead, military service records
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Yesterday, I received my genealogy package in the mail from my Aunt Evelyn! I was so excited to open it, that it was like opening a birthday gift except there wasn’t any frilly bows or paper to unwrap. In this package came two thick stacks of family history, stapled together, one for Lucia Cornett, (my grandmother’s side of the family) and another packet of information for Walter Cornett’s side of the family, (my grandfather). 


One packet was labeled, “The Family of Stuart Marvin Cornett and Gincy Malinda Long Cornett” which contains names, birth and death dates, marriages and the children’s information, etc and there was even a few photos included in each of the documents, a couple of newspaper articles, one which was a 50th wedding anniversary article, another article titled, “Three Couples From Cornett Family Celebrate 50th Wedding Anniversaries” (Gazette, Galax, VA, Monday, December 9, 1991) How exciting to have three different couples, all in the Cornett family to celebrate such a momentous occasion at one time! The other packet was labeled as “The Descendants of David and Feby (Phoebe) Sutherland Cornett.


The package also included a death certificate for Walter and a birth certificate for Lucia, two different Honorable Discharge papers for Walter’s WW II military service, a press release regarding his service in the Army Air Forces and a story titled, “Roberts Cove” which was written by Pat Miles Burris and Anna J. Woods and included a photocopy of the George Parks homestead which is posted below.

George Parks Homestead
(Notice that there are three front doors)





In the above photo, the back side reads: George Parks and Vinnie Testerment- 
Izora’s Mom & Dad- (Walter’s grandparents on mother’s side)
Date Unknown
‘
The Homestead Photo has writing also- “Old George Parks Homestead”
Date Unknown




Are Your Children Interested In Genealogy?

Posted: July 18, 2011 in activities, children and genealogy, family treasures, family tree, Genealogy, involvement, roots
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Good afternoon! I have been trying to figure out a way to get both of my sons, ages 20 and 14 to have an interest in their family tree. I have had some success with my oldest son John, but Dakota, well that’s another story entirely. All he is interested in, is playing basketball! So how can I get him involved and actually start liking “the hunt”? I have a few ideas that I have been thinking about but have come to realize that he may never really be interested in genealogy or where he comes from, for quite awhile. But in the meantime, I like to share what I have found out so far with both John and Dakota. John likes hearing it to a certain extent, he wants to know about all the drama in our family! Personally, I think he watches too much television! I haven’t found any mobsters or convicted criminals yet. My family is not based on a mobster movie like the “Godfather”, either! 

Image Source
Genealogy For Kids



As much as they would like it to be, I can’t say that the research I have come across, resembles anything even close to that. Dakota, on the other hand, thinks I’m weird for focusing my time on research and not doing fun stuff! He told me the other day, “Mom, you live in Hawaii! You need to do fun stuff like going surfing!” Haha, me on a surfboard? Now that would truly be a sight! Don’t get me wrong, I love the ocean and watching the surfers do their thing. But I don’t want to be one!! I like to go snorkeling. Now that’s something I could do without getting cut up by the reef. Besides I kind of fear sharks A LOT! Give me a boat and I’ll go out in the middle of the ocean, but you aren’t going to find me on a surfboard, catching the next swell anytime soon. 


Are your children interested in Genealogy? Does anyone have any ideas for activities that will help get children involved more? If you do, please share! I imagine if I had started this when they were younger, there would be plenty of things that I could do with them. But they’re a little older now, so it may not be such an easy task. Everyone has their own idea of fun, their likes and dislikes and what I may like and think as fun, someone else may not. 



Saturday Shout Out

Posted: July 16, 2011 in article, blog, Family Cherished Blog, Genealogy, Saturday Shout Out
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A few days ago, I thought about taking a few college courses in Genealogy to further my research and put my thirst for knowledge to work. Then life intervened and I got side tracked and it just slipped my mind to investigate it any further. That is, until I read a blog called Family Cherished written by Valerie, a very talented and inspiring writer I might add. The particular blog article I am referring to is called, “Getting a Great Genealogical Education For Little or No Money!”  Can I just say, I was hooked before I even finished the first paragraph? 


The article was very informative, and just what I was looking for, in terms of courses that wouldn’t put me into tremendous debt. Been there, done that! I’m still paying off college loans, so why would I want to be further indebted just to take a couple of extra courses? This article is a “must read” for those that have been thinking about gaining a little extra knowledge on this topic. Valerie listed some very good ideas on…..well you really need to read it for yourself! 


Kudos, Valerie for writing such a great article and spurring me into action!

Random Acts of Genealogical Kindness

Posted: July 15, 2011 in cornett, involvement, Random Acts of Genealogical Kindness, surname, volunteers
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As I am researching my Cornett surname, I happen to come across another web site that I had to share! It’s called Random Acts of Genealogical Kindness, where select volunteers offer to do look ups for people like myself, that cannot locate a particular document. In my case I was looking for a marriage record, which I couldn’t find for my grandparents. After searching Ancestry.com and not really wanting to pay the price, at least not at the moment; I came across this little gem of a web site. The volunteers on the site have generously offered their time to do some genealogical research on my (visitor to the site) behalf. So really the only thing that must be reimbursed to the volunteer is copy and printing costs, postage, mileage, parking and the like. I didn’t think that was such a bad deal! You never know unless you try, right? 

Image Source:
Random Acts Of Genealogical Kindness



So here’s the link if you would like to try the services being offered.



So for now, I have sent in my request and hopefully I will receive the results that I couldn’t find elsewhere. Wish me luck! What would you do as a random act of kindness for another person? Comments are most welcome.

Learning "Legacy" Family Tree Software

Posted: July 14, 2011 in database, DNA, Family Search, family tree software, Forms, learning, Legacy software, Microsoft Earth feature, PDF, powerful, software programs, Source Writer, teaching, webinars, Word files
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English: Headquarters of Ancestry.com (formerl...

English: Headquarters of Ancestry.com (formerly “The Generations Network”) in Provo. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Good morning all! This morning I am finally learning and teaching myself more about the Legacy software created my Millenia. What’s so great about this program versus others out there? I have tried many different ones, but I seem to get along with this one the best, and it has come in under the #2 spot in the Genealogy Software Review for 2011! But just to let you know, I tried the standard version, which is free by the way; but I absolutely love the options and features that are offered for the deluxe version!




PROS: “Legacy can directly search Ancestry.com, FamilySearch, Genealogy.com and many other online services.”
CONS: “Although this is a powerful database application, some others are more visually appealing.” 
(Data Source: Genealogy Software Review)


This program is cost effective especially when you look at what Legacy offers, some of the features that I found so far that I like the most are listed below.



  • Mapping feature which allows you to utilize the Microsoft Earth to pinpoint the places in your ancestors lives, automatically from within the program.
  • The Source Writer! I can’t forget to mention that- and who wouldn’t like to have their sources written out for them- just type in the necessary information, and you’re good to go!
  • Interview Reports- currently there are over 1000 pre-written interview forms you can use to interview family members or others when researching your family history. Cool huh?
  • Along with attaching pictures, sounds, and video to individuals, events, locations, and sources, you can now also attach any other kind of document (PDFs, Word files, etc.).
  • Recording DNA marker test results from different companies offering this type of service
But this is just a few of the features I like, that the deluxe version offers; there are plenty more! On the Legacy web site, they are offering several webinars on different topics, that you can listen in on, if you wish. I’ll post the links below.

I’m not getting paid for the content of this blog posting; I am just merely expressing my opinion on  the software itself and the features that I enjoy so far.





Family Stories That May Be Lost Forever

Posted: July 13, 2011 in data, discovering family, facts, Family, family stories, heirlooms, knowledge, share information
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Thank you Ancestry.com! I have made contact with family members I didn’t even know existed. By researching the Cornett/ Sutherland heritage on the web site, I have connected with others who are researching the same family as I am and what do you know? They’re actually family. This is very exciting! The branches of my tree have become so tangled and intertwined, but in such a good way. What a great way to share data gathered through web sites such as Ancestry, and being able to share that knowledge with your own family, is priceless.

Image Source: Family Stories
Photo Credit: Andrew Bret Wallis



I was just talking to my oldest son, John, who was recently asking about our ancestry. He has become somewhat curious about who his relations were back in the “old days”. I was so excited that he even asked, that I think I may have bored him with my rantings of our family tree and what I had found so far. When I was his age, I “tuned out” my family when I heard the stories of ancestors past. Now I’m kicking myself for not paying attention! I went into my own little world of music and television so I didn’t have to listen to boring stories that related to history of people I never even knew. Today, I really wished I had recorded their stories in some way. Now that the older generations in my family have passed on to a better place, there is no way I can get that history, or even the stories back. The stories seem to have died with them. 



Family stories casually chatted about at the dinner table, or told again and again at family gatherings can parallel great epics or notable short stories. The memorable stories of our lives and of others in our family take on special importance because they are true, even if everyone tells different versions of the same event. These tales are family heirlooms held in the heart not in the hand.


So knowing that I lost those memories forever, how do I continue my research into a quest for family stories that relate to my family? Any suggestions?

Thinking About Acquiring An Education In Genealogy? Read This First!

Posted: July 12, 2011 in Classes, education, genealogy courses, knowledge, online education, procedures, research, The National Genealogical Society
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green door & windows

green door & windows (Photo credit: peter.clark)

I love learning new things and furthering my education and knowledge. I was even thinking about taking some classes in Genealogy. I thought that maybe acquiring additional knowledge or procedures might just help me in my own research. Below is an article I found on the Genealogy.com web site in regards to certain institutions offering a beginners genealogy course. If you are interested in these types of classes, please check the qualifications and reputations of the instructor and the educational institution! Granted some may be free, but why risk being led in the wrong direction which in turn, could be a costly mistake in your research.


Students Beware!


“The Genealogical Web Site Watchdog warns of a free online course offered by the Iowa Digital Education Association. The Watchdog says, “There are 15 lessons in the course covering what one would expect to find in a beginning genealogy course. Problem is, much of the information is too generic to be useful and there is a lack of qualifications on how different laws and time periods affected the records available. Additionally, the beginning genealogist is frequently referred to secondary sources, with no mention of the primary sources and their availability. Granted, the course is free, but the cost can be high to someone sent off in the wrong direction with bad information.”

The Genealogical Web Site Watchdog also alerts genealogists about the Genealogy 2000 School of Genealogy which allows you to become an Ethel Torice Certified Family Genealogist (Certified Certificate Program), or an Ethel Torice Certified Professional Genealogist (Certified Diploma Program), or an Ethel Torice Certified Home-Based Business Genealogical Executive (Certified Diploma and Business Licensing Program). Watchdog states: The Ethel Torice Genealogical Society claims to be an umbrella group for a number of other organizations, some sharing the Torice name, but others with names that are deceptively similar to well-known national genealogical organizations with no connection to the organization. The society lists credentials of an unidentified “Educational Staff” that includes respected credentials awarded by recognized national accrediting bodies, but includes others unknown generally, like “Accredited Master Genealogist.”
This demonstrates how vulnerable we are to seemingly credible education. To prevent the cost of poor education, check out the credentials of instructors. Compare a sample lesson with lessons from another Web site.” Written by Kathleen W. Hinckley, CGRS


Kathleen W. Hinckley, is a Certified Genealogical Records Specialist, author, lecturer, and owner and operator of Family Detective. She also serves as the executive director of the Association of Professional Genealogists, and trustee for the Board for Certification of Genealogists.
 
But on the bright side, The National Genealogical Society offers this type of course free to their members, which only costs $60 for a one year membership. If interested, you can go to the following web site for further information. You can review the syllabus on this site also.
NGS Educational Courses




Source: 
Hinckley, Kathleen W. “Genealogical Education: Online and Home Study Courses.” Genealogy.com. Genealogy.com Web site, n.d. Web. 11 Jul 2011. <http://www.genealogy.com/57_kathy.html&gt;.

Now Where Did I See That Surname?

Posted: July 8, 2011 in access, Evernote, projects, research, software programs, surnames. database
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Evernote for iOS icon

Evernote for iOS icon (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Have you ever thought about how much genealogy research you accumulate over time? I have papers, personal notes, photos, and other documents that just keep piling up and thrown into a folder, then filed away into my filing cabinet. How will I ever stay organized and find what I need without having to search each paper individually for a particular surname or date? I found it! A program called Evernote; I’ll only have one account and can use it on a multitude of devices! 


Evernote works by connecting all the computers and phones you use daily, which in turn, enables you to capture something in one place and then access it from another. What a genius idea! Imagine creating a folder for each project, surname, location, or however you see fit. You can capture everything, every bright idea, every little post-it you may have attached to one of your documents, so if you can see it or think of it, Evernote can help you remember it. “Everything you capture is automatically processed, indexed, and made searchable. If you like, you can even add tags or organize specific notes into different notebooks.”
 Evernote Download






Using Evernote will help me remember tons of things! I will be able to clip text from different web pages on topics of interest, I can then tag them for easy reference later. What’s even greater? The fact that I can use my smart phone to automatically sync my account with the program I have installed on my laptop! I could be in town and see something that sparks an interest that relates to genealogy in some way- snap the pic and off I go! I love this program because I can also use it in my library research. If you decide to use Evernote, let me know what you think of it. You can download a free version, the link to the website is above. 



Email notes from anywhere and they end up in your Evernote account to access later. A scribble from your iPad, a voice memo from your phone, a typed memo from your desktop, a clip from a website, a snippet form a blog, a photo, a link – absolutely anything! The world is your oyster…











Tips For Surname Research

Posted: July 4, 2011 in 4th of July, accuracy, Census, dates, documentation, Family, locations, names, surnames. database
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research

research (Photo credit: suttonhoo)

When researching surnames in your family ancestry, here is some good advice.


(1) Get documentation beginning with your parents and work your way backwards. Be absolutely sure of the first three generations, which are easily documented, before going back farther.

(2) Treat all siblings equally, along with their spouses. Don’t just gather information about your direct ancestors.

(3) Get accurate locations for every event in their lives, including township, county, state or province, etc. and always give that information when posting queries.

(4) Find every possible family member in every possible census and make a timeline showing where they lived and when.

(5) Post a query to any forum or board giving full names, dates and locations for each generation, including all siblings and their spouses. This will help out in the long run, so researchers or volunteers know what to search for.

(6) Use any information found online or posted in response to your query as a *clue* and always go back to primary sources. Don’t believe everything you see online. Never add unsourced information (online family trees are NOT sources) to your database until you have sourced the info.


Surname Database ~ Search For Yours Today!
 

Hoping everyone has a safe and Happy 4th of July!

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