ShoeString Genealogy

• Thursdae, 2-Feb-12, The American Civil War History chat will be Open Chat. Come join our chat at 11pm EST in the AOL chatroom, Ancestral Digs.

• Fridae, 3-Feb-12, the American Civil War History chat presents "Behind the Scenes- Part 1." "My life has been an eventful one. I was born a slave--was the child of slave parents." Elizabeth Hobbs Keckly was a former slave turned successful seamstress who is most notably known as being Mary Todd Lincoln's personal modiste and confidante. We meet at 10pm EST in the AOL chatroom, Ancestral Digs.

• Saturdae, 4-Feb-12, GENTREK presents "A Genealogical Perspective of Disease and Death in the 19th Century." The study of diseases and causes of death yields important findings for the genealogist. Death certificates (quite limited in number prior to the twentieth century) contain useful information for identifying ancestors; the mortality schedules of several nineteenth century federal censuses provide the month and cause of death; and church registers, within some denominations, yield some information on deaths of members. Please join us at 10am EST in the Genealogy Wise Chatroom.

• Mondae, 06-Feb-12, GENTREK presents "A Genealogical Perspective of Disease and Death in the 19th Century" The study of diseases and causes of death yields important findings for the genealogist. Death certificates (quite limited in number prior to the twentieth century) contain useful information for identifying ancestors; the mortality schedules of several nineteenth century federal censuses provide the month and cause of death; and church registers, within some denominations, yield some information on deaths of members. Join us at 9:00pm EST in the AOL Genealogy Chatroom to learn more.

• Mondae, 06-Feb-12, GENTREK presents "Compiling a Faith Chronicle." Find a more worthwhile goal for your genealogical research. Look for a goal which will bring more to you, more or better ideas for you to live a better and more rewarding life. Choose some ideal you find of interest and look for that in your ancestors. Better yet, look for the faith of your ancestral members and follow that through the generations down to yourself. We meet at 10:00pm EST in the Genealogy Wise Chatroom.

• Thursdae, 09-Feb-12, GENTREK presents "Exceeding the SOUNDEX Barrier." The Soundex is a surname indexing system for the 1880, 1900, 1910, and United States censuses. In addition, New York passenger arrivals after 1910 and other records (e.g., Military) also are indexed with the Soundex system. Join us at 10pm EST in the chatroom of Looking4Kin.

Classic Sketch

Classic Sketch

Thought

Look for the gifts

"In school you get the lesson and then take the test ... In life you take the test and then get the lesson." — Unknown Source

"When it is dark enough, you can see the stars." — Charles Beard

How is a problem in your life really an opportunity?

Problems invite us to go inside to recognize a bigger picture of ourselves and of life. This bigger picture brings meaning to what is unfolding. When you feel trapped in a problem, see if you can shift your perspective. Ask yourself, "What is my soul inviting me to learn from this situation?" The answer will always revolve around a quality or value, like gratitude, freedom, compassion, love, will, humour or acceptance. The answer will also always promote union rather than separation.

As soon as we find the meaning in our challenge, our resistance to it melts away. Often, awareness of the lesson is all that is needed to resolve the problem. If not, the awareness brings us courage and ways to work through it.

"The period of greatest gain in knowledge and experience is the most difficult period in one’s life." -— Dalai Lama

"Out of clutter, find Simplicity. From discord, find Harmony. In the middle of difficulty lies opportunity." — Albert Einstein

Weekly Reminder