Rootsweb Review

RootsWeb Review: RootsWeb's Weekly E-zine
29 August 2007, Vol. 10, No. 35
(c) 1998-2007 RootsWeb.com, Inc. http://www.rootsweb.com/
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IN THIS ISSUE:
1. Editor's Desk: News and Notes
1a. Help Save U.S. Civil War Battlefields
1b. Book Notice (1)
2. Using RootsWeb:
Using File Searches to Find Lost Files
3. Connecting Through RootsWeb:
Message Board Success
4. Bottomless Mailbag:
Regarding "A Strange Experience with NARA" from 22 August 2007
Use Caution when Cleaning Headstones
WorldConnect Backup
Cleaning Up Your Computer
Miracle Viewfinder
Re: Debbi Geer on Taking Photos
5. New at RootsWeb
5a. New User-contributed Databases
5b. New/Updated Freepages and Homepages by Individuals
5c. New/Updated Freepages and Homepages by Counties, States,
and Genealogical/Historical Societies
5d. New Mailing Lists
6. Humor/Humour
7. Subscriptions, Submissions, Advertising, Reprints

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IN THIS ISSUE:

1. Editor's Desk: News and Notes

1a. Help Save U.S. Civil War Battlefields

The Civil War Battlefield Protection Bill is coming up for a vote in
the House and the Senate. The legislation would help reauthorize
federal grants for battlefield protection. If you would like to
encourage your representatives to vote for this bill, follow the
instructions on the following website:

www.battlefieldactivist.com

1b. Book Notice (1)

Young Adult Novel for Budding Genealogists

What do you do with all of the fascinating stories you've gathered
about your ancestors? You could turn them into a young adult novel, as
Stephen Davidson did in "Letters for Elly."

As a fifteen-year-old, Elly has to spend the summer with her great-
aunt and uncle. Their idea of a good time is visiting graveyards and
researching the family tree. It looks like Elly is doomed to have the
most boring summer of all time until she leans against an ancient
tombstone and begins to receive letters from the past on her laptop
computer. Are they really from seven siblings who lived through the
American Revolution? Using local archives, the Internet, and tombstone
data, Elly attempts to unravel the mystery. At the core of this novel
are the true stories of a family from Redding, Connecticut.

Suitable for inspiring young genealogists or helping students learn
about the loyalist experience, this illustrated paperback is available
for $15.00 CDN, online at www.carterhousetearoom.com

2. Using RootsWeb:

Using File Searches to Find Lost Files
By Mary Harrell-Sesniak
maryh@volunteer.rootsweb.com
"Genealogy is not just a pastime; it's a passion."

Have you ever worked long and hard on a project only to find your file
has disappeared the next day? If so, do what I do in this
situation--panic.

All kidding aside, stay calm and first try to determine if there was a
mechanical problem.

If your computer doesn't turn on, or it's groaning, I can't help you,
so go hire a pro.

If you have noted an error message, try researching it in Microsoft's
Knowledge Base or Apple's online support. Type in questions; with any
luck you'll get results. If they make no sense, print the results and
pass them along to whoever helps you later on.
Knowledge Base-- http://support.microsoft.com
Apple's Support Page-- http://www.apple.com/support/

SEARCHING FOR LOST FILES
Also, try searching for your lost files using Search, Find, Finder, or
another utility designed to search your computer. I'm a Windows user,
so I'll briefly explain the Search utility for that system. First,
click on the Start button in the lower left-hand corner of your
screen; then, click on Search. A window will pop up with a "What do
you want to search for?" prompt, followed by these options:
Pictures, music, or video
Documents (word processing, spreadsheet, etc.)
All files and folders
Printers, computers, or people

Click on "All files and folders." The following criteria will appear:
All or part of the file name
A word or phrase in the file
Look in

The first option allows you to enter all or part of a file name to
search for. If you are looking for a file titled "FamilyMary," you
could search for "Mary," "Family," or "Family Mary" to locate it. If I
had multiple files named "FamilyMary," "FamilyJohn," "FamilyMargaret,"
etc., I could search for "Family" to find all of them. Capitalization
is ignored initially, so it doesn't matter if you use uppercase,
lowercase, or a combination of cases.

If you have forgotten what you named your file, try searching for a
file type. Each program tacks on a short extension to identify its
type. Sometimes programs share extensions, but in genealogy most
don't. This is a list of some commonly used ones:
ftm, ftb--Family Tree Maker
ftl--Family Tree Legends
ged--GEDCOM (GEnealogical Data COMmunications)
fdb--Legacy Family Tree
tmg--The Master Genealogist
paf--Personal Ancestal File
rmg--RootsMagic
tmg--The Master Genealogist

Web pages, graphics, documents, and other file types all have
individual extensions. Try to get to know them. For example, Web pages
typically use the extension htm or html, indicating they are written
in the Hypertext Markup Language. Graphics have their own extensions,
such as bmp (bitmap), eps (encapsulated post script), jpg (joint
photographic experts group) and tif (tagged information file format).
Programs frequently use exe (executable) and com (command), and some
common document extensions are:
doc (Microsoft Word and others)
odt (Open Office)
pdf (Adobe's portable document format)
rtf (Rich Text Format)
txt (plain text)
wpd (word processing document)
wps (Microsoft Works)

To learn more of the thousands of known extensions, try one of the
websites that list them: www.file-extensions.org

EXTENDED SEARCHING
If these methods don't help you locate your file, try another type of
search.

Use the "A word or phrase in the file" option to search for a unique
word within your file. This search method will be slow, as the
computer will examine every line in every document. But you can hasten
the process if you use the "Look in" option to limit the search to a
specific portion of your computer, such as the desktop, the hard
drive, or a disk.

You can also try these three options listed at the bottom of the
window, if you know the pertinent information:
When was it modified?
What size is it?
More Advanced Options:
Search system folders
Hidden files and folders
Subfolders
Case sensitive
Tape Backup

The "When was it modified?" feature allows you to search using a
selection of date ranges and is particularly useful when looking for
current files. Specify a specific date range, or use the preset
options to search for files created within the last week, month, or
year.

The "What size is it?" option allows you to search for a file of a
particular size. You can select "small," "medium," or "large" as the
file size, or you can specify a certain number of kilobytes (KB).

FOLDER SEARCHING
You can find all of these search items through another method. Click
on the same Start button on the bottom left-hand side of your screen;
then click on My Computer. Select a directory (hard drive, disk, etc.)
that you want to search, right-click on it, and then select Search.

I hope you have enjoyed these tips; I'll write some more from time to
time. In the meantime, if you have more creative tips on this subject,
send your ideas along.

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* * * * * * * * * * End of Advertisements * * * * * * *

3. Connecting Through RootsWeb:

Want a free copy of "The Official Guide to RootsWeb.com"? We will be
giving a free copy to ten people who submit the best "Connecting"
story over the next two weeks.

* * *

Message Board Success
By Adele Marcum

Although my initial experience with message boards yielded no
responses, hearing the success stories of others encouraged me to try
again in April 2003. Before posting my own message, I searched through
the Bartels family boards. To my delight, I saw a post inquiring about
the location of an obscure town, Finnen Am Rhein, in Germany--the town
I knew to be Vynen, Germany, where my Bartels family was from. I
contacted the poster and after several exchanges we discovered that he
descended from our common ancestor's youngest son and I descended from
the eldest son.

http://genforum.genealogy.com/bartels/messages/220.html

Several weeks later we arranged a reunion in Milwaukee: My
grandparents, my grandmother's cousins, and I met with the gentleman's
family (including all of his brothers and their families). We had a
lovely time together, exchanging stories, data, photos, maps, and
more. Since then, we have continued to exchange information as it is
discovered.

And, as if this wonderful experience was not enough, a few months
later another gentleman stumbled across our postings about
Finnen/Vynen and contacted us. He is another long-lost cousin and has
data about another branch of the family. I met with him and his family
when I was on a trip in New England. It was another lovely evening and
an opportunity to learn more about my ancestors.

4. BOTTOMLESS MAILBAG
[Editor's note: The opinions expressed herein are those of the
authors and are not necessarily those of the editor or of
RootsWeb.com.]
-------------------------------------------------------------

Regarding "A Strange Experience with NARA" from 22 August 2007
By Leslye Winslow

I sent a request form to NARA in St. Louis for information on my
grandfather, who was a private in WWI. I got a form letter back saying
there wasn't enough information, and I should fill out another form. I
did so and got another letter asking for more information. The initial
form I sent had everything--every bit of information was filled in,
plus I had attached a complete service history--so it was disturbing
that they could not find my grandfather's file and were still asking
for more information. I called them and they referred me to an e-mail
address. When I e-mailed, I got a response: they found the records; I
sent in the money, and I got copies.

Shortly after that, we filled out the same NARA form for my husband's
grandfather, with a copy of his obituary, which gave his entire
military history, and a photo of his tombstone at West Point. The
exact same form letters (from a different person) came back, just as
they had for my grandfather: "We can't find the file without further
information," etc. They could not find any records for a man who was a
West Point student and later a teacher and superintendent there, a
career military officer, a general who served in WWI and died in
Korea?

We e-mailed the address we had been given before and copied a couple
of people in charge whose e-mail addresses were on the NARA website.
We also attached JPEG copies of everything.

The response was immediate. My husband has received many phone calls,
e-mails, and a lot of personal attention and apology. NARA said that
there had been a fire and the records were water-damaged. They were
going to restore and copy the documents. We have gotten the first file
(of three) that they plan to send, about 2" thick. All the copies are
very clear.

However--the first two letters were disconcerting. It would be
interesting to hear NARA's side of the story.

To read "A Strange Experience with NARA," visit
http://ftp.rootsweb.com/pub/review/2007/0829.txt
* * *

Use Caution when Cleaning Headstones
By Shara Forrister

While I have enjoyed the comments on using non-invasive techniques to
read illegible tombstone inscriptions, John Banbury's piece, titled
"Cleaning Headstones," caused me some concern. While the product he
mentions seems wonderful, I would caution individuals to always check
a cemetery's rules and policies before using such a product.

Numerous members of my family tree reside in a cemetery that will
bring criminal charges against any visitor who uses any kind of
defoliant, including simply scraping or cutting away crab grass
encroaching on a headstone. Several other cemeteries in the area have
similar policies. Use of the "safe" product mentioned in "Cleaning
Headstones" by a visitor in any of these cemeteries could result in
heavy fines or even jail time. However, the caretakers of these
cemeteries have been more than happy to clear away the headstones for
me when I have pointed out a headstone that needed care, and perhaps
they would find this product of use in their job.

Just my two cents.
* * *

WorldConnect Backup
By Connie Trier

Last week, in her article "Computer Crash Recovery," Mary
Harrell-Sesniak mentioned being able to back up your genealogy data by
submitting a GEDCOM to WorldConnect. A few years ago I accidentally
erased my genealogy database. Fortunately I had uploaded my data to
RootsWeb just three days before, so almost everything was saved. Then,
last year my computer woke up dead one morning. Again, thanks to
RootsWeb most of my genealogy data was saved. I can't say thank you
enough.

To read "Computer Crash Recovery," visit
http://ftp.rootsweb.com/pub/review/2007/0829.txt
* * *

Cleaning Up Your Computer
By Larry Thompson
LarryThompson@TwoThompsongenealogies.com
http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~lt0168/maps
http://www.twothompsongenealogies.com/index.html

In "Computer Crash Recovery," Mary Harrell-Sesniak recommended
periodically cleaning up your computer by checking for errors,
defragging, etc. This is an excellent idea; however, before performing
maintenance on your computer, you should reboot and start in Safe
Mode. Usually you can start in Safe Mode by hitting the F8 key as soon
as the computer starts to boot.

Using Safe Mode keeps the operating system from starting any other
processes than basic Windows. Otherwise, some applications can
interfere with the processes. For example, doing check disk or
defragging, every time something accesses the disk these two processes
will stop and start over, putting the computer in an endless loop. It
will eventually finish, but it could take days. In safe mode it can
usually be done in hours.

To read "Computer Crash Recovery," visit
http://ftp.rootsweb.com/pub/review/2007/0829.txt
* * *

Miracle Viewfinder
By Kevin Hansen

Debbie Geer wrote a comment titled "Miracle Viewfinder" last week in
which she mentioned having an old camera with a viewfinder that helped
her pick out the writing on illegible headstones. Then she mentioned
her dilemma in no longer having that camera.

Her story reminded me of a time in Hawaii when I was looking at
ancient hieroglyphics carved hundreds of years ago into the lava. They
were a bit hard to pick out when viewed with the naked eye, but when
viewed through a 35mm single lens reflex camera with a polarizing
filter on it, they popped out. The pictures were also more distinct
than what we saw with our naked eye.

For those not familiar with a polarizing filter, it allows light to
pass through the lens that is oriented the same direction as the
filter. It is mounted on a lens and can be rotated, changing the
picture to make it more distinct. Unfortunately, with the digital
camera age, filters mounted on camera lenses are limited to the
highest cost cameras. Polarizing sunglasses use the same type of
filter and in a pinch, could be used in front of the camera lens. The
problem with doing that is that they need to be rotated to get the
best effect (the way they fit on your face may not be the best way for
the camera lens). If you're wearing polarized sunglasses, tilt your
head to both sides while viewing the gravestone to see if the writing
becomes any clearer. The contrast will change while rotating up to 90
degrees each way. Give it a try on your next trip to the cemetery.
* * *

Re: Debbi Geer on Taking Photos
By Joy

After I take a photograph of a gravestone with my digital camera I can
zoom in on the photo and I find that I can read the engraving very
easily. My camera only has a resolution of four mega pixels, but works
very well.

5. New at RootsWeb

5a. New User-contributed Databases at RootsWeb
http://userdb.rootsweb.com/submit/
-------------------------------------------------------------
The following databases have come online recently.
They are searchable, but not browseable.

Search: To look for specific data or occurrence of text in a file.
Browse: To view the entire contents of a file or a group of files.

CALIFORNIA. Los Angeles County. Glendale High School 1958 Stylus
Yearbook Senior Portraits and Activities. 695 records. Susan Archer.
http://userdb.rootsweb.com/alumni/

LOUISIANA. Caddo Parish. Shreveport. 1936 Fair Park High School. 1,162
records. Gary Hardy.
http://userdb.rootsweb.com/alumni/

NEW YORK. Genesee County Batavia Daily News, 1944-45. 10,430 records.
Leilani Spring.
http://userdb.rootsweb.com/news/

5b. New/Updated Freepages and Homepages by Individuals
To Request a Free Web Account: http://accounts.rootsweb.com/
-------------------------------------------------------------

No New/Updated Freepages and Homepages by Individuals

5c. New/Updated Freepages and Homepages by Counties, States, and
Genealogical/Historical Societies
To Request a Free Web Account: http://accounts.rootsweb.com/
-------------------------------------------------------------

No New/Updated Freepages and Homepages by Counties, States, and
Genealogical/Historical Societies

5d. New Mailing Lists
To Request a New Mailing List: http://resources.rootsweb.com/adopt/
-------------------------------------------------------------
For information and an index to the more than 30,000 RootsWeb-hosted
genealogy Mailing Lists and for easy subscribing (joining) options go
to: http://lists.rootsweb.com/

NEW SURNAME MAILING LISTS

BAUDER
BERKHEISER
BREHMEYER
BULSO
DEROSSETT
FRIEDRICHSEN
FROW
GUILES
HAENES
KADAR
LINDSKOG
LITKE
LUCACEVICH
MCMONIGLE
MCNERNEY
MORMAN
NEIGER
PETILL
SOYSTER
SPRINGTHORPE
STONESTREET
STUHLDREHER
TIDMARSH
WINENGER
ZERBEE

NEW REGIONAL MAILING LISTS

BRISTOL_AND_DISTRICT -- A mailing list covering Bristol, South
Gloucestershire, and North Somerset for beginners and more experienced
researchers. For sharing of information relating to family, social,
cultural and local history, past and present, including dialect, slang
and sayings, traditions, occupations, recipes, folklore, etc. Methods
and problems of recording both family and associated historical
information is also included.

DEBATABLE-LANDS -- For anyone interested in the genealogy or history
of the Debatable or Threip Lands on the bounds of
Roxburghshire/Dumfriesshire/Cumberland or those of
Roxburghshire/Northumberland.

ENG-LAN-CROSTON -- A mailing list for anyone with a genealogical
interest in the village of Croston, Lancashire, England and the
surrounding area.

RUS-SARATOV-SCHWAB -- The RUS-Saratov-Schwab mailing list is for the
Volga German village of Schwab, intended for use by descendants of
families that resided in that village.

NEW ETHNIC OR SPECIAL INTEREST MAILING LISTS

ASIA-GENWEB-CC -- A mailing list for the Country Coordinators of the
AsiaGenWeb Project.

EEUROPE-GENWEB-CC -- This list will be used by the Country Coodinators
for EastEuropeGenWeb, to keep in touch and provide helpful information
to other Country Coodinators in East Europe.

FTM-2008-HELP -- A forum for discussing the FTM 2008 genealogy
software program. To help in learning how to use the new interface and
discuss problems encountered, etc.

MASSGENCOUNCIL -- This list is for the use of the Massachusetts
Genealogical Council--this is an umbrella organization for
genealogical and historical societies and libraries.

NORTHAM-GENWEB -- This mailing list is for the Country Coordinators of
the NorthAmGenWeb Project. http://www.rootsweb.com/~nrthamgw/

SWITZER-DNA -- To discuss DNA testing related to the Switzer,
Schweitzer, Swisher, and other variant surnames.

6. Humor/Humour

This story was taken from the "Public Opinion," dated August 1906.

"It wasn't a Missouri editor but a printer's devil who was going
through his first experience on 'making up' forms. The paper was late
and the boy got the galleys mixed. The first part of the obituary
notice of a precocious citizen had been dumped in the forms, and the
next handful of type came off a galley describing a recent fire. It
read like this;
'The Pallbearers lowered the body to the grave and as it was consigned
to the flames there were few if any regrets, for the old wreck had
been an eyesore to the town for years. Of course there was individual
loss, but that was fully covered by insurance.'

"The widow thinks the editor wrote the obituary that way because the
lamented partner of her joys and sorrows owed him five years
subscription."

--Thanks to Crystal Payne
* * *

Found a funny or "proper name for the job" in old records, or an
amusing entry in census, parish, church, or other records? Send them
to:
Editor-RWR@rootsweb.com. We also welcome other humorous
genealogy-related submissions.

7. Subscriptions, Submissions, Advertising, Reprints
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rootswebreview@email.rootsweb.com. The RootsWeb Review is a free
publication of The Generations Network, Inc., 360 West 4800 North,
Provo, UT, 84604
* * *
The RootsWeb Review does not publish or answer genealogical queries,
and the editor regrets that she is unable to provide any personal
research assistance or advice. RootsWeb Review welcomes short (500
words or less) articles, humor, stories, or letters, and reserves the
right to edit all submissions. The announcement of books and products
is provided as a community service and is not an endorsement in any
way. All mail sent to the RootsWeb Review editor is considered to be
for publication--send in plain text (please, no attachments) to:
Editor-RWR@rootsweb.com and please include your full name and e-mail
address in the text.
* * *
ROOTSWEB REVIEW ADVERTISING CONTACTS.
AdSales Worldwide: Tami Deleeuw, tdeleeuw@tgn.com
* * *
REPRINTS. Permission to reprint articles from RootsWeb Review is
granted unless specifically stated otherwise, provided: (1) the
reprint is used for non-commercial, educational purposes; and (2) the
following notice appears at the end of the article: Previously
published in RootsWeb Review: 29 August 2007, Vol. 10, No. 35.
* * * *

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Rootsweb Review, 05 September 2007, Vol.10, No. 36