Posted by Sherryl on 12:47 PM
Figuring out grandparent-grandchild relationships are pretty easy. All you have to do is count the "greats". Figuring out uncles and aunts starts out pretty easy, then gets a bit more complicated as you dig into more generations. Cousins are another matter all together. The more generations you go back, the harder (and more confusing figuring out relationships becomes).
And if that wasn't hard enough, then there's the whole "removed" thing (e.g., 3rd, twice removed). Many of us are lost at this point and just leave our relatives as the "cousin" level.
While there are lots of charts available on the internet to help you figure out these relationships, my favorite one can be found by clicking the link below.
10th Generation Relationship Chart
The...
Posted by Sherryl on 8:36 AM
Today while I was browsing the internet, I came across a site that contains a list of free genealogy software and just had to share it.
Each of the software programs listed on this site does different things, so you'll want to look at them carefully before downloading any of them. Because they're available for free on the internet, it's also a good idea to run a virus and malware scan first on any programs you download to make sure they won't hurt your computer.
Running the scans is easy and in most cases, you just have to RIGHT CLICK on the downloaded program icon and select SCAN WITH whatever program you have on your computer. I typically scan all my downloaded programs with Norton and Malwarebytes first.
To see the list of free genealogy software, click here.
For more information...
Posted by Sherryl on 3:38 PM
Once you start actively researching your family, it doesn't take long to gather a ton of records. Trying to keep them all organized can be daunting. While there are many different ways to organize your files, I thought I would offer one of my favorite ways for organizing files on the computer.
I personally prefer to keep all my records on the computer for many different reasons. So I'll take the time to scan in documents and photos for later use and reprinting. But many of the records you''ll find will come from a website (like Ancestry.com or some other website), so it's nice to keep these organized so you can find them quickly later.
My system may not be the best, but it works for me. So here it is ...
I've created a folder in MY DOCUMENTS called, "Family...
Posted by Sherryl on 10:24 AM
As you already know, many of the blank genealogical forms that you download from the internet are in PDF format. PDF is an acronym for "Portable Document Format" and is popular because it allows others to share forms and documents in a format that anybody can view. The only thing you need to open, view and print PDF documents is Adobe Reader installed on your computer. Because Adobe Reader is free, most people already have it installed in their computer ... and if they don't, it's very easy to get.
But as mentioned earlier, Adobe Reader only gives you the ability to view and print PDF documents - it doesn't allow you to edit them. This can be frustrating when trying to use blank genealogical forms in PDF format.
There several solutions available for editing those PDF forms you download. ...
Posted by Sherryl on 9:32 AM
Once you create a family tree on Ancestry.com, you'd hate to lose all the work by ending your subscription. Good news is that you can download your family tree to your computer. However, to see the tree again, you'll need special genealogical software. Family Tree Maker ($40) and PAF (free) are two of the more popular programs that will work.
When you download a family tree from Ancestry.com, the file is called a GEDCOM. This file is then imported into one of the software programs so you can see it. Keep in mind that before you important anything into your software program, you'll want to be sure and backup...
Posted by Sherryl on 8:59 AM
Census records often prove very useful when doing genealogical research. In addition to providing names and the location of where folks were living that year, often times, they also tell you when somebody was born or immigrated to the U.S. as well as what occupation they had. The more census records you have, the better picture you get on a person's life.
However, searching for census records can be frustrating at times ... especially if you've been searching for the 1890 U.S. Federal Census Record. This record was mostly destroyed in a fire in the National Archives building in 1921.
All census records (as well as other vital records) are stored in the National Archives building in Washington D.C. There was a fire in this building in 1921, which resulted...
Posted by Sherryl on 10:00 PM
Ever wonder what happens behind the scenes at Ancestry.com? Watch the video...
Posted by Sherryl on 3:46 PM
One of the most useful features on Ancestry.com is also one of the most difficult to find your way back to. It's the "Search by Location" feature. Ancestry.com lets you narrow your search to specific state or country. You can also narrows that search even further by selecting certain years or records to search.
To get to the "Search by Location" web page, click here.
One there, you'll see a screen like the image below. I know the image is small , but it should help quickly recognize if you're on the right web page.
Notice that there are 3 red circles on the above image. The red circle on the top left of the page,...
Posted by Sherryl on 10:07 AM
I've discovered that some of the people using Ancestry.com don't take advantage of "tree building" feature. I was reluctant to use it at first myself for privacy reasons. But then I discovered how NOT using that feature was actually making my research job a lot harder.
Keep in mind that you can make it private if you like (some nobody else can see it). So the privacy issue can be controlled. But building a tree on ancestry.com (even for free) offers a couple of big advantages.
First, building a tree helps you make sense of your family members and information about them (dates, places, siblings, uncles, aunts, etc.). ...
Posted by Sherryl on 11:04 AM
A friend of mine emailed me this video and I just had to share with you. I come from a big military family (even served myself), so I love capturing our family's military history.
I've never heard of North Platte's Canteen before, but after watching this video and now determined to ask my relatives who served in the war if they've heard of it. It should be interesting to see if any of them have or if they ever passed through it.
Enjoy the video .... and be sure to ask your relatives about the North Platte Canteen...
Posted by Sherryl on 5:10 PM
Below are links to download blank copies of some of the most commonly used genealogical forms and charts. Some of the forms can be used to transcribe census and military records for easy reference, while others can be used to track family details. While there is no shortage of blank genealogical forms available on the internet, these are some of my favorites.
Most of the genealogy forms below are in PDF format - which means you need Adobe Reader to open and view them. Most people already have this program on their computer so unless you run into problems, you don't need to download it.
In most cases, you'll need to download and print the forms and then hand-write the information on them. However, if you have the full version of Adobe Acrobat installed (which most people...
Posted by Sherryl on 4:12 PM
Anybody can start a tree on Ancestry.com - even if you don't pay the subscription fee. They'll let you join site the for free and build your own tree ... you just can't search their most of their resources for free.
When starting a tree on Ancestry.com, you're asked if you want to make it "public" or "private". If the tree is public, anybody can see it. If it's private, only you and those people you invite will be able to see the tree. The good news is that you can easily change back and forth between "private" and "public" if you change your mind later. To change these settings, follow the steps below:
Log into...
Posted by Sherryl on 11:03 PM
Trying to decipher the text on WW I draft cards can be difficult because of the poor quality of the scans.
Good news is that you can download free copies of blank WWI Draft cards to help you. There are three different samples of draft cards available for WW I.
Looking at the blank forms will help you figure out the meaning of some of the text on the actual images you come across of your relatives WWI Draft card.
You'll need Adobe Reader to open the files .. which is already installed on most computers. But if you have trouble opening the files, you can download the latest first of Adobe Reader by clicking here.
There are three different...
Posted by Sherryl on 12:53 PM
Ancestry.com allows you to keep a virtual "shoebox" of all the records you find on their site. The benefit of this shoebox is that you can add records to it for later review and while you keep searching for more records. You can also go back later and download the record images to your own computer.
I like to use the shoebox as my virtual storage place for all the records I find that are relevant to my family history. Occasionally, I'll add records there that I'm not sure are related to my family, but by doing so, I can go back later and look at them in more detail ... and then delete them if it turns out they are not related...
Posted by Sherryl on 2:32 PM
Keeping track of important dates and events is critical to successful genealogical research. If you search any of the online databases, your starting point is usually a name and date. Your research will go quicker and be more effective if you have this information quickly at hand.
The best method I've found of tracking dates is using a spreadsheet (like Excel). Spreadsheets are great because you can have several different worksheets to track specific information - while still keeping it all together.
I have different worksheets (or tabs) in my Excel spreadsheet for different types of dates and events. For example, one worksheet in my spreadsheet is devoted to tracking birth and death dates. Another worksheet tracks marriage (and divorce dates). I also have a worksheet set...
Posted by Sherryl on 1:10 PM
Like many of you, I have a passion for genealogical research. My interest in the subject grew over many years. While I love history and have always been interested in the colorful characters in my family .... it wasn't until I fell into the family historian role that my interest really started growing.
The last couple of years I have watched my grandparents deteriorate and know time with them is short. My grandma (despite being 87) has a mind like a steel trap and remembers every little detail about our family history. In all the years I've listened to the stories, the facts have never deviated once. She can tell you the exact time, day and date that something happened. It truly does amaze me - especially, since I can't tell you what I did last week!
I...
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