Mission Statement
ShoeString Genealogy provides Family Historians with information about how to research their ancestors both on the Internet and in libraries and other repositories. Besides how, it indicates where—locations for information and the relative value of each.
Here you will find useful, free Genealogy Charts and free Genealogy Forms; free Presentations on Genealogy Topics; Tips and Techniques; new Developments and Resources; and diversions such as Trivia Quizzes and Crossword Puzzles.
ShoeString Genealogy focuses on lowering the costs of research and raising the quality of information obtained. Although not all online resources are free, many are. Same for many repositories. We'll show you an abundance of excellent resources that are quite inexpensive, too.
What's New? 27-Aug-2008
Wednesdae, 27-Aug-08, Jeansgenes will host the Genealogy Trivia at Genealogy Lookup Forum. Contest begins 9:30 pm EDT at GLF.
Thursdae, 28-Aug-08, GENTREK will present "Verifying Internet Data," by Dae Powell. Many budding genealogists are thrilled when find that many of the names in their family tree are easily available online. Proud of their accomplishment, they then download all the data they can from these Internet sources, import it into their genealogy software and proudly start sharing their "genealogy" with others. Their research then makes its way into new genealogy databases and collections, further perpetuating the new "family tree" and amplifying any errors each time the source is copied. While it sounds great, there is one major problem with this scenario; namely that the family information that is freely published in many Internet databases and Web sites is often unsubstantiated and of questionable validity. Let's look at this problem together in the Genealogy Lookup Forum Chatroom: GENTREK from 10pm-11pm EDT.
Thursday, 28-Aug-08, "Vital Signs: using obits, newspapers, funeral records, cemetery records and more" with hosts GLF-CARI & GLF-RITA. This week: Railroad Records. It all happens at 9 pm EDT in the Ancestral Room.
Fridae, 29-Aug-08, GENTREK will present "Mommalies," by Dae and Jayne. Mommalies? They are sayings passed down from generation to generation, often without thinking about them. We'll think about them in this session and perhaps you'll have some to contribute, too. Let's discuss this at 4 pm EDT, or 9 pm British, in the AOL Genealogy Chatroom—UK.
Fridae, 29-Aug-08, GLF-Wohlford and GLF-Debbie explore the world of paranormal activity in our lives, our ancestors' lives and in our research. They may talk about ghosts, psychic phenomenon in research, or beliefs of our ancestors—whatever interests you. They even have some Reiki Masters who can discuss energy sources and ancestral guides and their influence on research. Hope to see you 9pm-10pm EDT in the StateRoom.
Saturdae, 30-Aug-08, Dae & Jayne are on summer hiatus from Mugs & Hugs, Saturdae edition. These are friendly chats, where any topic may come up—even genealogy. And you don't have to remain the entire hour. <grin> Each Saturdae, from 9am-10am EDT in AOL chatroom Ancestral Digs.
Saturdae, 30-Aug-08, UK Genealogy Chat Room, dedicates the evenings of Wednesdays and Saturdays as Search Only days for anyone wishing to discover their Ancestors. If you are interested in discovering your Roots, please join us. Regulars in the room are also willing to do searches on any other days — just ask when you enter the room. Join us at 4 pm EDT, or 9 pm British, in the AOL Genealogy Chatroom—UK.
Mondae, 25-Aug-08, GENTREK will present "Researching Roman Catholic Records." Catholic church law has long required the keeping of an elaborate system of records which are of interest to genealogists. We'll attempt to describe the nature and development of those records in this session. The records exist largely because of the Church's sacramental theology. Join us, won't you, in AOL Chatroom: Genealogy Chat from 9pm-10pm EDT.
Tuesday, 26-Aug-08, GLF-GEORGE will hold the New England States chat starting at 8pm EDT. This chat will be held in the StateRoom. George discusses researching in New England, with emphasis on Maine and New Hampshire. He also has resources in Massachusetts, since he resides in its western part. And he has full membership at NEHGS, along with ANCESTRY.COM and GENEALOGY.COM. Take advantage of these New England States chats.
Tip o' the Dæ: 6-Aug-2008
What's in an Address?
What was the mode of transportation during the time your ancestor lived at an address? Don found an address for his great-great-grandfather who was a conductor on a railroad, which no longer exists. (Detroit, Grand Haven & Milwaukee RR) After checking his home address from a city directory of Detroit, Don found he lived just a few blocks from the rail yards of the railroad that employed him. Being in the mid-1800s to the early 1900s and no automobiles or road and street systems as there is now, it made sense. In the horse and buggy days it would have been hard to commute over too far a distance to the work place from where you lived. That is, if you owned a horse and buggy.
Don also found the same address listed for his great-grandmother, and great-grandfather (before they were married). [Hmm.] Then Don remembered something his grandmother had told him long ago, that her mother ran a boarding House. Bells and whistles went off like a Fourth of July fireworks display. Yes, it is important to find the addresses of your ancestors. It helps answer a lot of questions.
Early Texas Newspapers
The Fort Worth Library now has the Texas Historical Newspapers added to their Newsbank database. Yipeee!!! This has some of the early Fort Worth newspapers indexed and available for searching. You will need to clear your cookies and your cache in order for the new item to show up on Newsbank. To access the database do the following:
- 1- From the library’s home page select reference databases (left side column)
- 2- On the next page from the alphabetical listing select America’s Newspapers (Newsbank)
- 3- Select use at home and follow the instructions of signing on to their system. You will need a Fort Worth Library card.
- 4- On the Newsbank page you will see the link Texas Historical Newspapers click on it
- 5-On the opening page of the Texas Historical Newspapers click on the Newspapers Titles list. You will see the listing of papers to search as well as the dates available.
Random Acts of Genealogical Kindness
RAOGK is another major resource for ancestral information. I've been with the organization for years and have enjoyed helping the many researchers who've contacted me through them. Most of the requests I receive are for obituaries, and I've written a presentation about gleaning information from obituaries. You can find it for FREE right here.
Delayed Birth Certificates
Many people born before the advent of birth certificates obtained delayed birth certificates to get Social Security benefits or pensions. Any person could apply for delayed certificate by proving an age with other documents, such as baptismal certificates, signed affidavits, family Bibles or insurance papers. Delayed birth certificates may not be subject to the same privacy restrictions as regular certificates, and you may find them on microfilm. Run a keyword search of the Family History Library online catalog for delayed birth certificates to see if there are records for your ancestors' birthplace and time period.
How to Find an Email Address
Look for the email address in your existing email correspondence. If you have emailed her earlier, you may still have her address.
Look for people in Email Address Directories or White Pages. Browse the public records, MySpace.com, email address directories and change of address services. Try using dedicated search engines — even variants of the person's name.
Try guessing the email address. Many organizations assign email addresses by name. Take advantage of that by guessing the address of the person whom you seek. For example: DPowell@HappyDae.com or PowellD@Clotmail.org
Search Usenet Newsgroups. Perhaps email address is lurking in discussion a group.
Try Vanity Searches. Make it known on the Web that you are looking an email address, and if he searches for himself, he will find you.
Check Business Cards. Look through your collection of business cards. You may find email addresses of more people than you probably know.
Ask directly for the email address. This is still the easiest way to find an email address.
Try using specific people searching sites such as the following:
Classic Sketch: 4-Aug-2008
"Light Flashes from a Friendly Shore"
"Pity the poor sailors at sea . . . and the awaiting lasses still ashore."
As the torrid winds drive the blond sailor toward the rocks at night, a light flashes from a friendly shore. His well-tanned maiden has pined long and hard for his return, whilst Cupid hoists the lamp of Love to guide him home.
A closer look shows the weariness in her countenance as onward time drags in his absence. The determination in his face and sinews whilst he grips the rudder reveals the lad's eagerness to see her again. Have you someone whose return you await? Or perhaps there's someone to whom you long to return?
