Indholdsfortegnelse for July/August 2024 i Family Tree

May saw the launch of two podcasts from experts in the genealogy field: • Finding Family DNA, hosted by the founder of BirthParentFinder <www.birthparentfinder.com> and a TV anchor who was adopted, shares inspiring and poignant stories of people who reconnected with their biological families. • Stories That Live in Us is a new show from Crista Cowan, The Barefoot Genealogist and Corporate Genealogist at Ancestry.com. Each episode profiles a researcher who made a meaningful discovery about their family history. Both shows are free and available on major podcasting apps. Family Tree Magazine Editor Andrew Koch appeared as a guest on episode 2 of Finding Family DNA <www.youtube.com/watch?v=OO8cijvxcy0>.…

Twenty-five years ago, FamilySearch <www.familysearch.org> launched and changed the world of online genealogy forever. The quickly growing website replaced hours of squinting at microfilm with simple clicks on a web page, making records more easily available than ever. Two years later, the Ellis Island website (now <www.statueofliberty.org/ellis-island>) brought New York passenger lists online as well. Both sites are once again on this year’s list of the 101 Best Genealogy Websites, although much has changed. FamilySearch’s collection has grown to include many records that you once had to visit the FamilySearch Library or a FamilySearch Center to see. And the Ellis Island database has grown from strictly covering 1892 through 1924—the peak years of immigration at that station—to some 65 million New York arrival records spanning 1820 to 1957. Moreover, this…

How do you search Ancestry.com? Since it’s one of the biggest names in genealogy, you’ve likely been using Ancestry.com for years—maybe even since you first started your genealogy journey. But sometimes the way we’ve been using it isn’t the best or most effective. The site continues to evolve, rolling out several new features since fall 2023—I’ve rounded up some of them in the sidebar at right. But the site’s fundamental infrastructure is the same as it’s always been. And in this article, we’ll go back to the time-tested basics of searching Ancestry.com. ACCESSING GENEALOGY RECORDS There are three basic ways you can look for records online: searching by keyword, searching by collection or type of record, or browsing. Ancestry.com also provides hints, which connect records in Ancestry.com’s data base with…

Websites Cyndi’s List: Washington, DC <www.cyndislist.com/us/dc> DCGenWeb <www.usgenwebsites.org/DCGenWeb> DigDC <digdc.dclibrary.org> FamilySearch: District of Columbia <www.familysearch.org/en/wiki/District_of_Columbia,_United_States_Genealogy> Linkpendium: District of Columbia <www.linkpendium.com/dc-genealogy> Publications The Guide to Black Washington, revised edition, by Sandra Fitzpatrick and Maria R. Goodwin (Hippocrene Books) The Jewish Community of Washington, D.C. by Martin Garfinkle (Arcadia) Official Register of the United States, Containing a List of Officers and Employees in the Civil, Military, and Naval Service, 37 volumes (Government Printing Office) Washington, Past and Present, three volumes by John Clagett Proctor (Lewis Historical Publishing Co.) Archives & Organizations DC History Center <www.dchistory.org> DC Office of Public Records and Archives <archives.dc.gov> Library of Congress <www.loc.gov> National Archives in Washington, DC <www.archives.gov/dc> The National Archives at College Park, Md. <www.archives.gov/college-park>…

Websites Archival Resources in Wisconsin digicoll.library.wisc.edu/wiarchives Cyndi’s List: Wisconsin <www.cyndislist.com/us/wi> FamilySearch Research Wiki: Wisconsin <www.familysearch.org/en/wiki/Wisconsin,_United_States_Genealogy> Linkpendium: Wisconsin <www.linkpendium.com/wi-genealogy> Recollection Wisconsin <www.recollectionwisconsin.org/explore/genealogy> University of Wisconsin Digital Collections <search.library.wisc.edu/search/digital> WIGenWeb <www.wigenweb.org> Publications People of Wisconsin, 12-book series by various authors (Wisconsin Historical Society Press) When the White Pine Was King: A History of Lumber  jacks, Log Drives, and Saw Dust Cities in Wisconsin by Jerry Apps (Wisconsin Historical Society Press) Wisconsin Agriculture: A History by Jerry Apps (Wisconsin Historical Society Press) Wisconsin in the Civil War: The Home Front and the Battle Front, 1861–1865 by Frank Klement (Wisconsin Historical Society Press) Archives & Organizations Wisconsin Historical Society <www.wisconsinhistory.org/genealogy> Wisconsin State Genealogical Society <www.wsgs.org> National Archives at Chicago <www.archives.gov/chicago>…

(AR)KANSAS Several months ago, I was reading thru my Family Tree Magazine and noticed an error in the list of newspapers for Kansas and Arkansas [March/April 2023, “Extra, Extra!”]. You have an Arkansas newspaper listed as the Arkansas City Traveler. Arkansas City is not in Arkansas. It is in southern Kansas, about four miles north of the Oklahoma state line. Its newspaper was the Arkansas City Traveler until about 10 years ago (maybe longer) when it merged with the Winfield Daily Courier to become the Cowley Courier Traveler. Linda G. via FamilyTreeMagazine.com Editors: There is an Arkansas City, Ark. However, you’re correct that the Arkansas City Traveler was published in the larger, Sunflower State city of the same name. We made the appropriate change to the online edition of…

DNAeXplained <www.dna-explained.com> Deep dives into genetic genealogy set apart this blog from respected expert Roberta Estes. The Family Curator <www.thefamilycurator.com> Family Tree Magazine columnist Denise Levenick specializes in preserving family heirlooms and keepsakes. The Genealogy Guys <www.genealogyguys.com> Drew Smith and George G. Morgan share genealogy news and insights through their blog and podcast. The Legal Genealogist <www.thelegalgenealogist.com> You’ll love this unique look at the legal aspects of family history, from website terms of service to copyright laws to in-depth record analysis. Your DNA Guide <www.yourdnaguide.com> Diahan Southard and her team break complicated DNA topics down to laymen’s terms. Check out her column for Family Tree on page XX.…

Ancestry.com is constantly changing, whether it’s adding new collections or introducing new tools to help users find and analyze records. Have you seen the latest? ▸ Pro Tools: These add-ons to Member Trees unlock error-checking, additional print options, maps, and the ability to filter for family members. More tools are expected in the future. ▸ Memories: Create, record and preserve images and audio, and organize photos into albums. View all the media you’ve added to your tree in one place. ▸ My Ancestry Feed: This page collects topics and posts you might be interested in, and allows you to share information with others. The feed is populated by an algorithm, but you can customize it in a special Settings menu. ▸ Family Groups: Invite other Ancestry.com users to share and…

YOU MAY THINK OF WASHINGTON DC, as the denizen of only politicians, lawyers and an army of lobbyists. But the District of Columbia has evolved beyond what you might have seen in politically minded TV shows such as “The West Wing,” “Madam Secretary” or “Designated Survivor.” Once wetlands on the border of Maryland and Virginia, Washington is now a center of US history and culture (in addition to politics). Whether your ancestors lived in the capital city for a lifetime or just a single term of office, this guide will help you find your DC ancestors. A HISTORY OF WASHINGTON, DC The area that’s now the District of Columbia was first settled by indigenous tribes, including the Nacostine (Anacostan) and Patawomeck (Potomac), for whom rivers in the region are still…

WELCOME TO WISCONSIN, WHERE THE CHEESE curds are squeaky, the lakes are plentiful, and the genealogy resources are as good as they get! Located in the United States’ Upper Midwest, Wisconsin has a diverse and vibrant history. Read on for how to research your ancestors who lived there. A HISTORY OF WISCONSIN Wisconsin borders Lake Michigan in the east and the Mississippi River in the west. Other lakes (including Lake Superior to the north) dot the landscape. The northern part of the state is covered with dense forests, while the south (including the “Driftless Area”) is characterized by rolling hills and deep river valleys. The land known as Wisconsin was inhabited for several thousand years by various Native American tribes, including the Menominee, Sauk, Fox (or Meskwaki), Ho-Chunk (formerly Winnebago),…

Walls are generally the safest place to display framed documents, photographs or art. But you’ll need to think about other environmental factors in the space before deciding where to hang your heirlooms. Here are some criteria: Instead of this: × Above or below a radiator or heating/AC vent× Above a working fireplace× In direct sunlight from a window or skylight× Lit by an individual picture lamp over the frame× In high-humidity areas such as a bathroom, kitchen or sunroom× In heavy-traffic areas where frames may be bumped and damaged Choose this: ✔ Away from vents, fireplaces or direct light✔ Along a wide interior hallway or living room wall✔ Over a bed or on a guest room wall✔ On the back of a bookshelf…

Coverage: Varies by locale, but generally began in the early 1800s Jurisdiction where kept: Individual schools or (for religiously affiliated schools) parishes or dioceses; today, held by local or religious archives Key details: Age and/or birthdate; level of education; place of residence; hobbies; photographs; miscellaneous biographical information (name of spouse, migration details, occupation and accomplishments, etc.) Alternates and substitutes: US censuses, newspapers, local histories…

Q Which is best: Y-37, Y-111, or “Big Y-700”? A When talking about both DNA tests and chocolate, more is better. But more isn’t always prudent—for our wallets or our waist-lines. In a perfect world, we’d always choose more. But dollar signs and calorie counts exist, so let’s break the question down further. As a reminder: Y-DNA testing is only available for men, and it traces only direct male lines. Y-DNA is passed from father to son, so it can give you information about your father, father’s father, and so on. As such, Y-DNA is useful when you want to know about a male along that line. The trick is finding just the right person to be tested. Y-DNA tests examine your DNA at certain sample places along the Y…

1543 The Council of Trent begins; in meetings over the next 20 years, it requires Catholic priests and bishops to maintain baptism, marriage and death/burial records. Most are kept in Latin. 1559 Spain rules most of what’s now Italy. Many records are kept in Spanish. 1720 The Austrian Hapsburgs rule most of current-day Italy via the Kingdoms of Sicily and Naples. Many records are kept in German. 1768 The French oust the Genoese from the island of Corsica. 1797 Napoleon Bonaparte of France signs the Treaty of Campo Formio with Austria, gaining its Italian territories. 1806 Napoleon’s French Empire annexes much of what’s now Italy and implements civil registration in most areas. 1808 The Kingdom of Naples, consisting of areas of mainland Italy south of Rome, begins civil registration. Civil…

WRITING TO ITALIAN ARCHIVES If you can’t find records online or on microfilm, you’ll need to request them from the Italian archive or parish with jurisdiction over your ancestor’s records. Write in Italian, referring to the letter-writing guide at <www.familysearch.org/en/wiki/Italy_Letter_Writing_Guide>. Don’t send money for postage unless it’s requested. Include your email address in your letter, and the recipient will let you know if you must send postage before the request can be filled. 7 TIPS FOR UNPUZZLING ITALIAN NAMES If you don’t know the names of your immigrant ancestor’s parents, Italian naming customs can provide clues to their given names. Many (but not all) Italian families followed this naming pattern: 1 The first son is named for the paternal grandfather. 2 The second son is named for the maternal grandfather. 3 The…

Genealogy how-to downloads and videos, plus PDF back-issues of Family Tree Magazine <store.familytreemagazine.com> Detailed online courses and webinars full of expert advice about key research subjects <www.familytreemagazine.com/course> Your ticket to premium articles and guides <store.familytreemagazine.com/family-tree-website-vip-membership> Free genealogy advice from host Lisa Louise Cooke and expert guests Apple Podcasts/Spotify/<www.familytreemagazine.com/genealogy-podcast> Subscribe to our free email newsletter for how-to articles. Daily and weekly options available <www.familytreemagazine.com/newsletter-signup> <www.facebook.com/familytreemagazine> @FamilyTreeMag Family Tree Magazine @familytreemag  <www.youtube.com/user/familytreemagazine>…

Chris Hussey never met his maternal grandfather, Frank Herbert Stacey. And his mother never said much about him. But she did show Hussey a photo of her father in a Canadian military uniform—unusual, since the family is from England. At the age of 17, Stacey sailed to Canada and enlisted in the 123rd Royal Grenadiers. In his enlistment papers, he listed his mother as Caroline Stacey, but not a father. For a long time, that’s all Hussey knew about him. That changed after Hussey’s mother passed away. Then, he discovered a small leather case among her belongings. Inside were military shoulder titles, brass buttons, badges, and two ID tags for a “Pte. Stacey.” One of the titles was identical to what Stacey wore on his uniform in the photo Hussey…

1 Names: Start typing, and you’ll see options for narrowing your search to only names that are spelled exactly like (or sound similar to) your terms. If you’ve built a family tree, the site will offer to fill in details from a matching person. 2 Places and events, such as birth year, can narrow your search. For best results, only add as much information as you think is likely to be in the record you’re searching for. Select Ancestry.com’s standardized place names to have more filtering options. You can also add family members, which can help distinguish your ancestor from someone else who has similar life details. 3 Keywords could include a street address, the name of a military unit, or an employer. 4 Explore by Collection to limit your…

1608 Englishman John Smith notes a Nacostine village near modern DC 1783 A mob blocks Congress in the Pennsylvania statehouse, highlighting the need for an independent capital 1790 Congress authorizes the construction of a new permanent capital 1800 The federal government officially moves from Philadelphia to Washington 1814 The British invade Washington and burn several government buildings, including the White House 1846 The US government returns Alexandria County (modern Arlington County and the city of Alexandria) to Virginia 1850 The slave trade is abolished in the District; slavery itself remains until 1862 1871 The cities of Washington and Georgetown consolidate into a single municipality 1964 Residents of Washington are allowed to vote in presidential elections for the first time 2021 A Congressional bill to grant Washington statehood passes the House…

1634 A trading post is established at Green Bay 1673 Frenchmen Louis Joliet and Jacques Marquette explore the Upper Mississippi River 1763 Great Britain gains France’s land east of the Mississippi 1783 The United States gains independence and British lands south of the Great Lakes 1800 Indiana Territory is formed, including modern Wisconsin 1809 Wisconsin becomes part of Illinois Territory, then Michigan Territory in 1818 1836 Congress creates Wisconsin Territory 1848 Wisconsin enters the Union as the 30th state 1961 Menominee County is created, the last major county boundary change 1967 The Green Bay Packers win the first Super Bowl, then called the AFL-NFL World Championship Game…

You don’t have to be a genealogist to love heirlooms. But if you’re the keeper of your family’s stories and history, you probably also oversee your family’s photos, documents and memorabilia. As the family archivist, you may have conscientiously organized and preserved materials in acid-free archival storage files and boxes. You may have even scanned many items and carefully backed up your digital files. But you’re not finished yet. Keepsakes are the material objects that hold the memories of family stories. And family stories are meant to be shared. A vintage bottle of cologne is a memory of Grandma dressed for church with her hat and gloves. An old baseball glove might be scuffed and cracked, but it still holds memories of playing catch with your dad and brother before…

Websites Portale Antenati (Italian State Archives) <antenati.cultura.gov.it> Archivio di Stato di Milano (State Archives of Milan) <archiviodistatomilano.cultura.gov.it/home> Communi-Italiani (Italian Municipalities) <comuni-italiani.it> Corriere Della Serra/Dizionari (Dictionary) <dizionari.corriere.it> Cyndi’s List: Italy <www.cyndislist.com/italy> FamilySearch: Basic Italian Research <www.familysearch.org/en/help/helpcenter/lessons/basic-italian-research> FamilySearch: Italian Genealogical Word List <www.familysearch.org/en/wiki/Italian_Genealogical_Word_List> Finding Our Italian Roots <italiangenealogyroots.blogspot.com> Gente di Mare (Italian Genealogy Forums) <www.gentedimaregenealogy.com> Italian Genealogical Group <www.italiangen.org> Italian Genealogical Society of America <www.ouritalianroots.org> Italian Genealogy Online <geocities.ws/paulanigro/italian-genealogy-online> <ItalianGenealogy.com www.italiangenealogy.com> Parrocchie (Italian Parishes Search Engine) <www.parrocchie.it> Transcribed Vital Records of Italian Towns <www.sersale.org/comunes.htm> Termini Imerese Database (transcribed Italian indexes) <www.termini-imerese.org> Books & Publications The Family Tree Italian Genealogy Guide by Melanie D. Holtz (Family Tree Books) La Storia: Five Centuries of the Italian American Experience by Jerre Mangione and Ben Morreale (Harper Perennial)…