Back to newsletter listDate:
Wed, November 14, 2007 12:26:14 PMFrom:
Rootsweb Review
Subject:
Rootsweb Review, 14 November 2007, Vol.10, No. 46
RootsWeb Review: RootsWeb's Weekly E-zine
14 November 2007, Vol. 10, No. 46
(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. Free 24-hour Access to the "Guardian"
1b. Lincoln Bicentennial 2009
1c. Book Notice
2. Using RootsWeb: SOS: A New Help Page at RootsWeb
3. Connecting Through RootsWeb:
A Grandfatherly Connection
4. Bottomless Mailbag:
Stolen Goods
Unclear Legal Language
Follow-ups from Pennsylvania
Bill Mix-up
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. Free 24-hour Access to the "Guardian"
In last week's Review, I announced that issues of the UK newspaper the
"Guardian" were online for the years 1821-1975. Now you can register
for a free 24-hour pass to search the newspaper's digital archive.
Visit their website and click on the link in the lower, left-hand
corner for the 24-hour free pass.
http://archive.guardian.co.uk/Default/Skins/DigitalArchive/Client.asp?Skin=DigitalArchive&enter=true&AppName=2&AW=1194542839793
1b. Lincoln Bicentennial 2009
Led by the Lincoln Bicentennial Commission, many organizations are
working on events and lectures to commemorate the birth of Abraham
Lincoln in 2009. Events will take place beginning in February 2008 and
continue through February 2010. Visit the bicentennial website to
access details about these events.
http://www.lincolnbicentennial.gov/commission/
1c. Book Notice
Barney and Molly: A True Dublin Love Story
By Martin Duffy
duffyberlin@googlemail.com
This biography, written by RootsWeb user Martin Duffy, tells the story
of Duffy's parents, Barney and Molly Duffy, a working-class couple who
raised a family of thirteen children in the slums of Ireland--and who
did so "with dignity and love." It was compiled after Duffy conducted
interviews with his siblings, his mother, and other relatives. The
story also highlights some of the political and social tumult of
Ireland at the time. Cost: $12.68.
The book is available at www.amazon.com, www.amazon.co.uk, or
www.barnesandnoble.com. The paperback can by ordered in Ireland at
www.buy4now.ie.
Watch a video advertisement for the book here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3bVyzzxByso
2. Using RootsWeb:
SOS: A New Help Page at RootsWeb
By Jana Lloyd
Editor-RWR@rootsweb.com
Behind the scenes at RootsWeb, there is a dedicated group of
individuals known collectively as the HelpDesk. These people spend
hours a week (often many more than forty per person), answering your
questions: I subscribed to the RootsWeb Review but I'm not getting
it--Why? How do I register in My Account? How do I update my tree in
WorldConnect?
Some of these individuals are paid staff; many are volunteers.
Over the past month, the staff and volunteers have been working hard
to update the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) on the
HelpDesk--everything from questions about passwords to freepages. And,
starting tomorrow--15 November--these updated FAQs will appear as part
of a new Help page on the site.
How will this change affect you?
First of all, you will have updated answers to your most common
RootsWeb questions. The FAQs have not received a major overhaul in a
long time and many have long been outdated. About two-thirds of the
FAQs will be updated by the time the new Help page goes live tomorrow;
the rest will come shortly.
Second, the Help page will have a slightly new look and feel. All the
FAQs will be organized into one master list. You can sort the list by
topic (e.g., My Account Management, E-mail Address Changes, Message
Board Questions for Users, Message Board Questions for Administrators,
etc.). You can also search the list by keyword. The new Help page is
intuitive to use and has a streamlined look and feel.
Third, the first time you e-mail RootsWeb Support (Note: You should
only e-mail RootsWeb Support if you have checked the FAQs and still
cannot find an answer), you will have to register in the new Help
system. Even if you are a registered member of RootsWeb, you will be
asked to register separately in the Help system. You will only have to
do this once. Registering is useful because it groups all of your Help
requests together. When RootsWeb HelpDesk staff receive a question
from you, they will see a history of all your previous questions. This
helps them serve you more effectively.
We hope you are as excited about the new RootsWeb Help page as we are.
The updated information and streamlined organization should help us
all to help ourselves--and each other--better. So take a minute
tomorrow to view the new page. All you have to do is go to
www.rootsweb.com and click the "Help" tab on the main toolbar.
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3. Connecting Through RootsWeb:
A Grandfatherly Connection
By Candace Fant
fantfam@gte.net
My husband grew up in Southern California and had known only his
divorced grandmother on his mother's side; he didn't know anything
about his grandfather because no one ever talked about him. But as I
was putting out requests for information about his grandfather through
my genealogy work online, and because he had a particularly unusual
name (Venton Eula THRAILKILL), I heard from a woman from central
California who said her grandfather had that name but that he had
called himself Fred. At the time, we had moved up to Portland, Oregon,
and this lady said she had a brother who just happened to live in
Vancouver, Washington--a city right across the Columbia River from
Portland.
As we found out, the grandmother of these two siblings had married my
husband's grandfather and they had wonderful memories of him from
their childhood. When those of us from the Northwest got together, it
was such a joy for my husband to hear all about the grandfather he
never knew.
We can only speculate as to why Fred was never talked about, and in
all his years, it had never occurred to my husband to even ask why he
didn't have a maternal grandfather around. But now we know and have
new friends here that aren't blood relations but are family all the
same.
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.]
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Stolen Goods
By Kate Shields
shiel1007@tc.umn.edu
An elderly relative and his wife made a number of trips around the
U.S. in their later years to see relatives and gather genealogy
information. On one trip he placed all their research and new
materials in one suitcase, which they checked in at the airport.
Unfortunately, their p*** was delayed and their luggage left on
another p*** and sat unguarded in their final destination airport for
a few hours before they were able to arrive to claim it. Their
suitcase full of research was stolen, along with a matching piece of
luggage owned by someone else. Someone seemed to want new luggage and
took the set.
After this theft, my relatives pretty much gave up on genealogy. They
have made some attempts to replace what was lost, but half-heartedly.
It was another case where money couldn't replace a loss.
Based on their experience, I would suggest doing the following things
to keep your genealogy material safe:
1. Keep the most irreplaceable items with you well marked with your
name and information.
2. If you must check-in luggage, place it in a re-sealable bag inside
your suitcase and attach labels to it saying that you will pay a
reward for the return of the information--no questions asked. I would
also recommend the same for an entire suitcase full of research.
I have heard that people who steal purses immediately remove and throw
out as much of the identifying material as possible in mailboxes, etc.
A well-marked package of research material might make it home for the
reward, or if it were discarded where others could see it, the
material might also be returned.
* * *
Unclear Legal Language
By Lyndall Maxwell
lymaxwell@sbcglobal.net
There are many questions I have about legal language in deeds and
wills. Is there a site where one can get help with these questions?
For example, my ancestor who made his will in 1792 in South Carolina
gave land to his daughter and her children "by her present husband
Henry XYZ." Would a legal expert interpret that she had been married
before?
Also, Henry XYZ died in 1794 without a will. His wife was not
mentioned anywhere in the inventory of household and farm goods, sale
of the deceased's land, etc. Henry's brother was appointed
administrator of the estate in January 1795 along with someone with
the same surname as the wife's maiden name. Does all this mean the
wife probably died before him or at the same time?
* * *
Follow-ups from Pennsylvania
By Justin Houser
Bellefonte, Pennsylvania
As a result of the intense inquiry by many genealogists and other
interested individuals into how the Open Records Law would affect
genealogical research in Pennsylvania and because of the letter I
wrote to the Pennsylvania Legislature last week, several promising
events have occurred that I feel I should share with readers.
Due to an inquiry by Stephen D. Shirk of Ontario, Canada, chairman of
the Historians for the Schurch Family Association of North America,
investigative work was undertaken by Mr. Edward Fochtman, counsel,
office of Pennsylvania state senator Jane Claire Orie. Mr. Fochtman's
research revealed that marriage licenses, classified as public records
under Title 23 Pa.C.S.A. 1309, are exempt from the limitations of the
new bill, which exempts records otherwise classified as public
records. On our behalf, Mr. Fochtman also consulted with a legislative
liaison and analyst for the Pennsylvania Association of Register of
Wills and Clerks of Orphans' Court, who was confident that estates or
probates and deeds of vital importance to property searching are
inherently exempt as well, both by statute and as a practical matter
owing to the universal necessity of access to these records throughout
the state.
In addition, Pennsylvania state representative Kerry A. Benninghoff
(R-171st District) was very responsive to this issue and proposed two
amendments to the bill, exempting the birth dates of deceased persons
and the addresses of deceased persons from any such closure in records
where they may appear. Both amendments passed in the Pennsylvania
House of Representatives.
While many individuals in Pennsylvania are otherwise divided over the
effectiveness of the present Open Records legislation, I feel that the
above represents good news, and that the aforementioned individuals
should be especially commended for their prompt attention to these
genealogical concerns. I applaud their work to clarify the law and
ensure that records of vital importance to Pennsylvania family
researchers will remain accessible in their current state.
* * *
Bill Mix-up
By Sharron Hanson
Crete, Illinois
I would like to send many thanks to Justin K. Houser from Pennsylvania
for his article. I alerted fellow genealogists and wrote to the
governor, Senate members, and House members using the hyperlinks he
thoughtfully included in the article.
However, I believe the House Bill is actually HB 443, not HB 343 as
stated in the article. Writers should include information that
indicates they are writing about the proposed Open Records Law, HB
443, section 307, which is of great concern to genealogists. The
Senate also has a "companion" bill. Soon the bills will go to
committee, where differences between the two will be worked out. Now
is the time to voice your concerns.
To read "Pennsylvania Open Records Law," visit:
http://ftp.rootsweb.com/pub/review/2007/1107.
* * *
5. New at RootsWeb
5a. New User-contributed Databases at RootsWeb
http://userdb.rootsweb.com/submit/
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The following databases have come online recently.
They are searchable, but not browseable.
Kansas, Bourbon County. Woods Cemetery Bourbon County.
18 records; Robin Hixon.
http://userdb.rootsweb.com/cemeteries/
5b. New/Updated Freepages and Homepages by Individuals
To Request a Free Web Account: http://accounts.rootsweb.com/
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Can your cousins find your website at RootsWeb? Has it ever been
mentioned here or do you have a new, updated, or substantially
revised website at RootsWeb (it will have "freepages" or "homepages"
in the URL)? Send the URL, the title of the website, the name of the
author, and a BRIEF description of the site, including major
surnames, to: Editor-RWR@rootsweb.com
* * *
If your genealogy- or history-related site is located somewhere
other than at RootsWeb.com, you can add the link here:
http://resources.rootsweb.com/~rootslink/addlink.html
* * *
BUTTERWORTH, LAMBETH, BARRY, WHITE, KAPPEN, and REEDIJK.
Most of the people on this family tree are from the United Kingdom,
Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, and the Netherlands, but there are
also some other countries represented from around the world.
http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~butterworth/1.htm
5c. New/Updated Freepages and Homepages by Counties, States, and
Genealogical/Historical Societies
To Request a Free Web Account: http://accounts.rootsweb.com/
-------------------------------------------------------------
Some of these Web pages might not be accessible yet. They are created
by volunteers, so if one that interests you isn't up yet, please
check again in a few days or next week.
http://www.rootsweb.com/~xxxxxx[accountname]
* * *
Note that the ~[tilde] before the Web account name is required.
For example, the Idaho Cemeteries website is at:
http://www.rootsweb.com/~idcemet2/
* * *
DAR = Daughters of the American Revolution
USGW = USGenWeb
CAR = Children of the American Revolution
U.S.A.
casescar -- Stephen Eastin Society (California) Chapter CAR
idcemet2 -- Idaho Cemeteries
meccanto -- City of Canton (Maine) USGW
mipresq2 -- Presque Isle County (Michigan) USGW
mnmlchs -- Mille Lacs County Historical Society (Minnesota)
ncchowa2 -- Chowan County (North Carolina) USGW
ncdare2 -- Dare County (North Carolina) USGW
ncmarti2 -- Martin County (North Carolina) USGW
ncorang2 -- Orange County (North Carolina) USGW
ncperqu2 -- Perquimans County (North Carolina) USGW
ndcemete -- North Dakota Cemeteries
ohwccps -- Wayne County Cemetery Preservation Society (Ohio)
padauph2 -- Dauphin County (Pennsylvania) USGW
sdcemete -- South Dakota Cemeteries
txelca -- Elgin Latin Cemetery Association (Texas)
txrjfdar -- Rebecca Jane Fisher (Texas) Chapter DAR
vascvhs -- Sussex County Historical Society (Virginia)
AUSTRALIA
ausbhs -- Bayswater Historical Society (Australia)
* * *
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
ABREGO
ABREU
ACEVEDO
ACOSTA
ACUNA
ADOMO
AGOSTO
BADILLO
BAEZ
BAHENA
BALDERAS
BANDA
BARAJAS
BARELA
BARRAGAN
BOROWIEC
BRETSCHNEIDER
FORAKER
FRENZEL
HADER
MACGRADY
MARUT
MCDANALD
MCGANITY
MCRHOADS
MULLENNIX
PILL
SCOMA
TEUSCHER
VERIOD
WUTKOWSKI
NEW REGIONAL MAILING LISTS
CAN-AB-CEMETERIES -- This is a cemetery list for the province of
Alberta, to be used by family researchers to locate burial information
on their ancestors.
CAN-MB-CEMETERIES -- This is a cemetery list for the province of
Manitoba, to be used by family researchers looking for burial
information on their ancestors.
CAN-NUNAVUT-CEMETERIES -- This is a cemetery list for the Nunavut
Territory to provide burial information on family researchers'
ancestors.
CAN-NWT-CEMETERIES -- This is a cemetery list for the Northwest
Territory to provide burial information on family researchers'
ancestors.
MS-HARRISON-OBITS -- This list will be used for posting obituaries
within this county.
NEW ETHNIC OR SPECIAL INTEREST MAILING LISTS
FRAME-DNA -- This is a mailing list for the discussion and sharing
of information regarding genetics studies for those with the Frame
surname and variations.
SHERMAN-DNA -- This mailing list is for the worldwide discussion of
DNA testing as it relates to genealogical research for the surname
SHERMAN. If you think you might be a SHERMAN but have a different
surname this could help to confirm it.
6. Humor/Humour
My great-grandmother, Elma Penny, had a brother named Lincoln Penny
born the year that Abraham Lincoln was elected president. This was
many years before anyone thought to put President Lincoln's image on
the coin we call the penny. Sadly, little Lincoln doesn't appear on
the census after 1870; like his namesake, it appears that his life was
cut short prematurely.
--Thanks to Bob Clark
* * *
My father's great-uncles were named Thoughty Yessie and Doubty Shore.
The story is that a baby boy was born and no one could think of a
name. After contemplating the problem for awhile, one of the baby's
siblings came running into the house excitedly pronouncing, "Thought
a' Yessie!"
When the next son was born the same dilemma persisted. Again, one of
the young siblings, after some major thought, came running inside
yelling, "Doubt fer shore (sure)!"
Using the country slang and dialect of the Kentucky area, the names
Thoughty Yessie and Doubty Shore came into being. Yessie ended up
having a community named for him and Doubty became the county court
clerk.
--Thanks to Sharon Tabor
* * *
While working as a pediatric nurse in a northern California hospital
in the 1960s, we had two families that gave their newborn daughters
interesting names: one was Crystal Glass and the other Candy Apple.
--Thanks to Esther Pierce Kooiman
* * *
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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SUBSCRIPTIONS. You received this newsletter because you are subscribed
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If you use a spam-filtering program, in order to receive the RootsWeb
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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: 14 November 2007, Vol. 10, No. 46.
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