Minutes


Minutes April 20, 1016 Discussion Group

Genealogy Discussion Group #24
4/20/16
19 members present
Guest Speaker: Susan Kirk Ryan, President of the Delaware Genealogical Society
Topic :  Bumps in the Road : Quirks, Lucky Finds, and challenges on the Ancestral Trail
Susan shared her background in ancestry.  Her father loved studying genealogy, but she had no interest when she was younger.  Once she delved into it as an adult, it became a passion!
Suggestions presented:
  •        start with yourself and work backwards
  •        interview oldest living relatives to help flesh out your trees
  •        use pictures to help "narrate" stories and help them to come alive
  •        write down a list of family lore as a starting point
Older Research Methods:                      
Newer Research Methods
·       vital records
·       spreadsheets
·       immigration records
·       online resources
·       cemeteries
·       Ancestry family trees
·       newspapers
·       DNA
·       social media (Facebook)
·  note than spellings change and are frequently entered incorrectly
  •        a census can provide tons of information
  •        verify address trails
  •        check passenger lists
  •        use city directories
  •        find citizenship papers
  •        keep track of information on spreadsheets to pinpoint every year. name,       addresses etc. (she puts a slash for deceased)
  •        internment lists lots of information
  •        DNA connections help make connections
  •        keep pushing even if the search engine gives information as an unlikely match
With genealogy research, you often find answers, but then even more questions. You can find skeletons in your family closet and surprises.
Suggested resources: italiangen.org     Family Search WIKI     fultonhistory.org
NYC indexes     deadfred    NYC archives

Submitted by : Denise Russell Levering


Announcements:
1. Treasurer Report: Phyllis Edwards
      - $480.00 Donated from proceeds from first writing class taught by Phyllis Edwards
      - $150 additional income
      - expenses of $232.32 for training and $90 for posters
      - $307.68 remaining balance
      - Proceeds from 2016 writing class will be donated to NSC
      - $4,000.00 grant to the computer club has been used
2. Conference/Meetings:
      - Nancy Lyons presenting an Italian Genealogy lecture 4/23/2016 10:30 ?
        Delaware Archives? not sure
of location - if interested contact Helen Browne
      - Cherry Hill April discussion to be announced Shamalie
         - Susan Kirk Ryan, President of Delaware Genealogical Society will speak at our next
        Discussion Group Meeting, April 20. Topic: Bumps in the Road: Quirks, Lucky Finds,
        Challenges on 
the Ancestral Trail
      - Phyllis Edwards will present a lecture on 7/23/2016, 3:00 Topic: Claiming Your Heritage
      - Phyllis Edwards will be presenting a lecture at the Baltimore Lithuanian Society Meeting
      - Phyllis Edwards has been invited to have a table at the Lithuanian
             Festival in May
      - Genealogy Detectives Topic: Redoing Research File System Webinar - for info contact
        Helen Browne



3. Discussion Items:
      - Myron G: Apple will not support Family Tree Maker after the end of the year.
        Ged.com bought software and moving to another
database.  Max DS leased - can be 
        downloaded now - continues
support. Roots Magic can be synced with Ancestry   
 
 
    
     
- Becky - 160 page list of of genealogy websites has been placed on the Genealogy
        Blog on our website
      - Becky - will give Discussion Group e-mail addresses to Genealogy Detectives
        to be placed on their mailing list. They have very good newsletters and information.
PLEASE NOTE: Next meeting will be the third Wednesday this month due to the Spring Fair - April 20
 
 

Genealogy Discussion #21

1/27/2016

Who Am I?


1. Pilgrims Embarking on a New Year

         Cheryl Rolph shared a blessing from the book, One Hundred Graces. She said that she starts each day reading one as a connection to her past as well as laying a foundation for the day. Everyone present signed and dated their name. This tradition for the first meeting of the calendar year started for the group when reorganized in 2014.

2.  Honoring Our Ancestors

         "The Battle to Preserve War Letters" - Gail Russell shared a selection dealing with how letters sent during war are a link to our historical past. The author had suffered a fire that destroyed family letters. He reached out to Dear Abbey and received 15+ thousand letters. He used the letters to write several books which have become historical archives of military service in our country. Cheryl had an opportunity to meet the author, Andrew Carroll. Members shared stories about their family member's military correspondence. Gail also shared that the Delaware Military Museum will be opening. There will be located at Fort DuPont and are accepting donations of military items. The contact person is Brigadier General Kennard Wiggins. (h 410-398-0742 and c 443-553-6314)

3.  Revisiting 2015 Goals:

         Looking back at your genealogy progress in 2015: Members shared successes and failures. If you have not met goals, it is okay because the New Year offers a fresh new start.

4.   Launching 2016: Individual Genealogy Goals

         Cheryl recommended prioritizing, going step by step, reading the Genealogy Planner handed out and working on the To Do List before coming next month.

5.  Breaking Down Brick Walls

         Each member is to bring a "brick wall" next month that they have encountered as well as what information one needs before helping someone with a brick wall. Suggested reading, "The Long Way Around" found in December's issue of Family Tree Magazine, page 38.


6.  February Computer Session Preview- Donna Eisenbrey talked about finding Canadian ancestors by highlighting websites as well some of the history and regions of Canada.

7. Announcements

          Calendar - Next Meeting February 24th

             February 3rd Computer Genealogy - Canadian Census Online Quick Guide & Brick Wall Video

8.  Conferences and/or Meetings Shared

February 7th 2pm
Exploring Your Family History Through Genealogy
Hockessin Public Library



February 13th 2pm
DDGS Meeting
Delaware Public Archives
African American Genealogy Research Strategies
121 Martin Luther King Blvd. Dover DE



February 27th 10 am
Geographic Timelines
Hockessin Public Library
19th and 20th Century Urban Genealogy


March 19th
The Federal Census
Hockessin Public Library



April 17th 2pm
Basics and Applications of DNA Testing for Genealogical
Hockessin Public Library
Research


April 21st
Visit either the National Archives,  DAR or Library of
DDOG Spring trip to Washington DC $35
Congress


Ancestor Seekers in June
Trip to Salt Lake City to Latter Day Saints Archives



9. Other: Gale Russell shared information about attending a Genealogy Detectives workshop in North East about software programs such as Legacy System and Roots Magic. She gave a handout.

New Member: Robert McDonald shared about his ancestry and that he is just beginning to work on his family's history.


10.Next Meeting:

          Holidays - Share something done "In Memory of a Loving Ancestor"

          Brick Wall Submissions

          Pinterest


Minutes prepared by Denise Levering

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