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Ask-the-Pros – Question and Answer Reliability of the U.S. Censu
David Rumsey Map Collection, Map of the United States, 1809. Published by Abraham Bradley. Question: An ancestor lived in early Virginia which was subsequently divided into other counties and state. Assuming that person lived in the same home but the land was annexed to another state. Their birth would be, legally I assume, would be in that city, county state at the time. A few years later, the same piece of land ended up in an neighboring … Read entire article »
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Advertise with Family History Expos Classified Ads
Searching for a long lost ancestor? Trying to connect with family members who are still presumed living? Have a genealogical service or product to buy or sell? Did you know that you … Read more »
Setting Goals to Focus Your Research
Introduction Setting realistic research goals or objectives for a trip to a repository such as the FamilySearch Family History Library in Salt Lake City, Utah, involves more than just looking at your data … Read more »
Learn from Family History Expos Class Handouts
At each Family History Expo, all of the class notes are collected into a handy bound volume … Read more »
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Special Invitation to Northern California Family History Expo
The time is quickly passing and the Northern California Family History Expo is right around the corner. This is an important opportunity for all of those in the Northern California area to gather together to sharpen their genealogical skills. The Expo will be held at the Crowne Plaza Sacramento Northeast, 5321 Date Avenue, Sacramento , California 95841 on June 28, 2013 to June 29, 2013. The Expo begins at 12:00 pm on Friday and ends at 4:30 pm on Saturday. The Northern California Family History Expo will have some outstanding presenters with six different class choices each hour of the Expo. Click here to view the schedule of presenters. Registration in advance, for the entire Expo, is $79 … Read entire article »
Ask-the-Pros – Question and Answer – Finding a train wreck
Question: I am trying to find an account of a local train accident that killed a relative in 1883 outside of Buchanan Ky. I have contacted the C&O railroad but records such as these were destroyed. I have contacted the library genealogy dept in Boyd County, but they find no record. Any ideas of where I can go from there? Answer: The first place I would research would be the newspapers. But I always start by identifying the locations on a map and getting an idea of the county and the adjacent counties. You refer to “Buchanan” in Kentucky and say that you checked the Boyd County library. I assume from your statements that Buchanan is supposed to … Read entire article »
Ask-the-Pros – Question and Answer – Native American and Slave Research
Question: Will the Expos help me to trace mine and my husband Native American and slave roots. If not, where can I go to get help? Answer: The answer to the first part of this question about whether or not attending a Family History Expo will help with your research, depends entirely on you and your research needs. But for an example, the upcoming Northern California Family History Expo has many classes that will assist with developing research strategies, regardless of the background of your ancestors. Past Expos have had classes specifically addressing both native american and slave research. You might want to purchase the syllabus for the Georgia Family History Expo in 2012 where there were several … Read entire article »
Preview of the Northern California Family History Expo 2013
Plans for the Northern California Family History Expo 2013 are well underway. The complete class schedule is available online and the date and location are also. Come join us at the Northern California Expo and learn how to research your family history and extend your pedigree! The Northern California Family History Expo 2013 will be held at the Crowne Plaza Scaramento … Read entire article »
Ask-the-Pros – Question and Answer – The Proverbial Brick Wall
Question: I am at the proverbial brick wall with my ancestor Saunders Haines. Saunders could be short for Alexander and Haines was later spelled Haynes.The earliest I can find him is in 1775 in Catskill, Ulster County, NY, where he (under name of Alexander) and Christina Halenbeck were married. I know he was in the Revolutionary War, that he had at least 5 children, and that in the Census of 1790, he was in New Paltz, New York. He moved to Rensselaerville, Albany County, where he died in 1813.How can I locate his place of birth and that of his parents, as well as their names? Answer: What this question describes is commonly referred to as a “brick … Read entire article »
Ask-the-Pros – Question and Answer – Finding a professional
Question: My great grandfather on my mother’s side came over from Denmark in 1906 so my research quickly requires someone that speaks and reads a different language, as well as knows the system for vital records for a different country.How do you connect with someone who can do all that? I tried through Ancestry.com and also local universities thinking they might have a Danish language department that can point me to someone but finding someone who is fluent in Danish, let alone also knows the Danish vital records system, seems impossible. Answer: Finding a specific professional genealogist may seem difficult, but there are a number of qualified people out there, but as you note, the trick is how … Read entire article »
Ask – the – Pros – Question and Answer – Voter Registration Lists
Question: What were the suffrage requirements in 1796 Maryland? Answer: This question really involves the more general topic of voter registration lists. Commonly, in most jurisdictions where voting was possible and where registration was required, historic voter registration lists may still be available. Unfortunately, many of these records have yet to make their way online and you may have to search for them in state and local archives as well as historical societies. One good source for records is the Family History Library in Salt Lake City, Utah. You can search the Family History Library Catalog (now called the FamilySearch Library Catalog) online at FamilySearch.org. You will have to click on the “Search” link to see the link to … Read entire article »
Dutch Settlers in New York
This article is contributed by Arlene H. Eakle, PhD. Let me introduce you to a relatively new book about the Dutch settlers in New York: Dutch New York: The Roots of the Hudson Valley Culture. Edited by Roger Panetta. 2009. Prepared to accompany an exhibition at the Hudson River Museum with the support of Westchester County and Fordham University Press. This very interesting volume is a series of 13 chapters on varying aspects of the culture through the Hudson Valley from influences of slavery, commerce, Indian villages, architecture, the romantic tradition in literature, historical documents and artifacts, family traditions, and even Santa Claus. Dutch influences in America: Practical tolerance that allowed immigrant peoples of differing backgrounds to live together without … Read entire article »
Ask-the-Pros – Question and Answer – More about American Indian Ancestry
Ask-the-Pros is a feature of the Family History Expos website. The feature is available from a link appearing on many of the pages of the website. If you ask a question, it will be reviewed and may be answered in this blog. It may be some time before your question is answered in a formal blog post. Question: I have a relative who was born in Alabama in 1868 and died in Texas in 1927. I have always been told she was Comanche Indian, the two census records that I have located her on do not state that she is Native American. I can’t find any death certificate for her, I do have a location for her … Read entire article »