Figuring Out Relationships

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 chart will print on a single 8.5 x 11 inch paper.  So here's how it works.

1. Identify a common ancestor (use a grandparent). 

2. Find yourself in the top row (reading left to right)

3. You have to know what relationship your other relative is to that same grandparent, and them on the left column. 

4. Find where the row and column intersect ... this is your relationship to that other family member.

Common Ancestor	Son/Daughter	Grandchild	Great Grandchild	2nd Great Grandchild
Son/Daughter	Sibling	Nephew/niece	great nephew or niece	2nd great nephew or niece
Grandchild	Nephew or Niece	1st Cousin	1st Cousin once Removed	1st Cousin twice removed
Great Grandchild	grand nephew or niece	1st Cousin once removed	2nd Cousin	2nd Cousin once removed
2nd Great Grandchild	great grand nephew or niece	1st Cousin twice removed	2nd Cousin once removed	3rd Cousin

Here's an example of how this works.  Let's say that John Smith is common ancestor between me and my other relative (John Boy).  John is also my great-great grandpa.  So on the chart above, I go to the first row and follow the cells right until I find "2nd Great Grandchild" (because that's my relationship to John Smith).

Now I also know that John Smith is John Boy's (my other relative) grandpa.  So looking at the chart again, I find the cell marked, "grandchild" under our common ancestor. 

Now I find where the row and column intersect .... which in this case is at the cell marked "First Cousin, twice removed".  So this means that John Boy is my first cousin, twice removed. 

The "removed" refers to generations apart.  In short, "twice removed" means that we were born two generations apart.  Once removed, means that we only born a generation apart, and so on. 

This relationship chart is very handy for helping you quickly figure out all those family relationships!

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Free Genealogy Software

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 about genealogy software, click here. 

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Organizing Records on Your Computer

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 ...

1. I've created a folder in MY DOCUMENTS called, "Family History"

2. Then in the Family History folder, I created a folder for each surname

3. Within the surname folder, I've created several different folder's labeled below:

• Census Records
• Birth Records
• Death Records
• Military Records
• Misc

For families that I have a lot of information on, I've also created specific folders for each them.  For example, I have a "John & Jane Smith" folder and another "John & Jane Doe" folder.  Obviously my folder names are different, but you get the idea. I do this in each of the surname folders.

By organizing my files this way, I find that I can retrieve information quicker when I need it because I'm looking through less files at a time.  This method helps me find specific information when I need it.

No doubt, others have found their own way of organizing their files too ... I hope folks will be willing to share their method of organizing files below so that we can all pick up some new tricks.

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PDF Escape - One Solution to Entering Data on PDF Forms

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.  Some of the forms, were created to be "interactive" - which means they can easily be edited in your internet browser ... but even these forms sometimes impose limits.

The best solution to this problem is not cheap.  But buying Adobe Acrobat will solve ALL your problems.  Adobe Acrobat is the top software program used to create PDF files in the first place.  Adobe makes their "PDF reader" available for free, but not their "PDF writer".  Acrobat is the PDF writer, and the full version typically sells for about $300 (one-time fee).  If you chose to upgrade your version later, you can buy the upgraded software for around $100 - but that's only if you want to upgrade (you don't have to if you don't want to).

If you can't afford the $300, there is another solution available, called PDF Escape - but there are limits to your capabilities.  The first limit is that that you can only edit forms that are 2 MB or less in size. You also have a limit of 50 pages.

The biggest advantage of PDF Escape, is that it's FREE!   Another advantage is that you don't need to download or install any software.  You just open your internet browser, upload your PDF file and start editing.  If you've registered for a free account, you can save your work and return to it later (and make further edits).  If you don't register for the free account, then your work is deleted after you close your browser.  However, before you close your browser, you can download or print your edited PDF files (another advantage).

The only thing that concerns me about PDF Escape, is the security of the program.  You are entering personal information (names, dates, etc.) over and unsecured internet connection. And if you register for the free account, your files are saved online.   This leaves your information vulnerable to hackers with the right tools.

Some people might care about risk because they're only entering data on people who have passed away already.  But even then, it concerns me a bit.  Personally, I'm too concerned about all personal data to take the risk.  This is why I prefer  Adobe Acrobat .... because it gives me total control over my files and everything is stored on my computer.

None the less, PDF Escape is one of many options available for entering data on genealogical  PDF forms!

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How to Download Your Family Tree From Ancestry.com

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 any existing trees you have first.  If something goes wrong, you don't want to lose what you've already done.

For detailed instructions on how to download your family tree on Ancestry.com, click here

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What Happened to 1890 U.S. Federal Census Records?

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 in the 1890 records getting water-soaked when the fire department put the fire out.  This of course, ruined the 1890 Federal Census records ... at least the ones housed in the National Archives.

A few states still have some of their original 1890 Federal Census records, which does help some.  Sites like Ancestry.com have also compiled some "substitute" census records using other data sources (such as city directories and tax schedules).   So with a lot of digging, you may be able to find some information about the 1890's.

If you'd like to know more about the fire that destroyed the 1890 Federal Census records, click here.
It's really an interesting article and even contains a few other tips for finding more information.

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Behind the Scenes at Ancestry.com

Ever wonder what happens behind the scenes at Ancestry.com? Watch the video?

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