Wednesday, August 5, 2015

Upcoming Genealogy Technology Interest Group Lectures in August

compiled by Paul Fleischmann

"Researching my Civil War Ancestors" by Thomas J. Ebert.

August 10, 2015, 6 - 7:45pm at the Salina Library, 100 Belmont St., Mattydale,NY.

"The talk I gave in Oswego a few years ago and have duplicated elsewhere is entitled "Researching my Civil War Ancestors". The talk will be particularly relevant since those attending with Civil War ancestors will likely have ancestors from Central New York. It will discuss some of the twists and turns one will encounter in their research and the many sources that will be useful on the internet.

"In the course of my research, I discovered 12 Civil War ancestors on my mother's side. Many of them are buried in Oswego cemeteries, but at least one is buried in Cold Harbor as an unknown, another buried somewhere in Virginia, and another one disappeared in Texas after the Civil War.

"I am sure that your audience will find the talk both informative and entertaining.

"As for background: I am a fourth generation native Oswegonian with graduate degrees in History (European actually but am pretty good in American and Civil War history also) and Library Science. I was a major collaborator (but not coauthor) with Dr. Allen Carden on his book Freedom's Delay : America's Struggle for Emancipation 1776-1865 published last July by the University of Tennessee Press. I am working on a coauthored book with Dr. Carden: a biography of John George Nicolay, Lincoln's private secretary."

"CNYGS Tree Talks and Civil War Research" by Joyce Cook, Tree Talks Editor and Civil War Researcher.

August 24, 2015, 6 - 7:45pm at the Salina Library, 100 Belmont St., Mattydale, NY.

Joyce Cook has been editor of Tree Talks for ten years, leading a group of volunteers and contributors in producing one of the New York States pre-eminent genealogy research resources. She is also a dedicated researcher of Civil War history, notably in her research on Elmina Spencer, an Oswego resident, who was a valuable nurse and held a prominent position with the Sanitation Commission during the Civil War.

Tree Talks is the Central New York Genealogical Society's 64-page quarterly publication. Within Tree Talks are articles by noted genealogists, abstracts of records of genealogical significance and reviews of publications. An every name Index is currently published annually, containing surnames from March, June and September issues. Printed copies of individual publications and searchable DVDs are available for sale on the Central New York Genealogical Society website. We also offer County Packets for sale, which contain county specific research from our Tree Talks journals.

The Central New York Genealogical Society began Tree Talks in 1961 to present abstracts of records from the post-Revolution era, to about 1860, of historical and genealogical interest from five central New York counties. By 1964, when New York State chartered the Society as a nonprofit educational corporation, coverage had expanded to forty-six of the state's sixty-two counties. Presently, forty-nine upstate New York counties are covered.

Material printed in Tree Talks is largely contributed by CNYGS members. Genealogical and historical records printed include those from Surrogate Courts and County Clerks' Offices, plus abstracts of church, cemetery and newspaper vital records. Members have supplied many Bible records and day-books of doctors, ministers and store-keepers. Tree Talks also contains book reviews of new genealogical publications.

An early census, or other significant record, with index, has been published as one issue of Tree Talks since 1974. The record transcribed is chosen because: it is the earliest unpublished census of that county; the county was on a migratory route, or was a parent county; names can be supplied by member-researchers for the initials used in the original enumeration; and finally, because of the research interests of the volunteer subscribers.

Showcasing the 2015 New York State Family History Conference

NYSFHC Featured Speaker: D. Joshua Taylor, MA, MLS

“Crossing the Pond: Finding Those Elusive English Origins”

This Saturday luncheon talk is sure to be a sell out with such a fabulous speaker.

Josh Taylor is a professional genealogist and current president of the Federation of Genealogical Societies. A co-host of the popular PBS series, Genealogy Roadshow, Joshua has also been seen on Who Do You Think You Are? (NBC and TLC) and at family history events across the globe.

Josh will be giving four lectures during the FGS Focus on Societies Day and three general lectures at the New York State Family History Conference. Sign up today!

Sue Miller is the New York Genealogical and Biographical Society's Director of Education and a member of the Association of Professional Genealogists. She has been working on her family's genealogy for more than twenty years.

Friday, July 31, 2015

Showcasing the 2015 New York State Family History Conference

by Sue Miller

NYSFHC Featured Speaker: Karen Mauer Jones, CG, FGBS

“The Records of Institutions and Local Governments in New York State”

Local-level records are filled with information of genealogical value: town court records, supervisor’s minutes, overseers of the poor, police and fire departments, and much more.

Karen Mauer Jones, CG, FGBS, of Monroe, New York, is an editor, author, lecturer and professional genealogist. She is currently the editor of the New York Genealogical and Biographical Record. Karen is a member of the NYG&B Education Committee and has served on the boards of the Association of Professional Genealogists and the Federation of Genealogical Societies.

Karen will be giving two lectures at the New York State Family History Conference. Sign up today!

Sue Miller is the New York Genealogical and Biographical Society's Director of Education and a member of the Association of Professional Genealogists. She has been working on her family's genealogy for more than twenty years.

Tuesday, July 28, 2015

Showcasing the 2015 New York State Family History Conference

by Sue Miller

NYSFHC Featured Speaker: D. Joshua Taylor, MA, MLS

“Bridging the Gap: Finding Ancestors in the United States between 1780 and 1830”

Have you lost an ancestor between 1780 and 1830? Come learn key records and strategies for finding your lost ancestors during this time period, including resources found in archives, the DAR, and other locations.

Josh Taylor is a professional genealogist and current president of the Federation of Genealogical Societies. A co-host of the popular PBS series, Genealogy Roadshow, Joshua has also been seen on Who Do You Think You Are? (NBC and TLC) and at family history events across the globe.

Josh will be giving four lectures during the FGS Focus on Societies Day, one lecture and a luncheon talk at the New York State Family History Conference. Sign up today!

Thursday, July 23, 2015

Showcasing the 2015 New York State Family History Conference

by Sue Miller

NYSFHC Featured Speaker: Henry B. Hoff, CG, FASG, FGBS

“Research Strategies for Upstate New York”

Learn some of the best strategies and techniques for researching in Upstate New York from an acknowledged New York expert. Henry will review five key strategies and discuss critical tactics for researching in this region.

Henry B. Hoff is editor of The New England Historical and Genealogical Register and former trustee editor of The New York Genealogical and Biographical Record. His genealogical interests include New York and the West Indies.

Henry will be giving two lectures at the New York State Family History Conference, both sponsored by the New England Historic Genealogical Society. Sign up today!

Sue Miller is the New York Genealogical and Biographical Society's Director of Education and a member of the Association of Professional Genealogists. She has been working on her family's genealogy for more than twenty years.

Thursday, July 16, 2015

Showcasing the 2015 New York State Family History Conference

by Sue Miller

NYSFHC Featured Speaker: Dr. Thomas. W. Jones, CG, FASG, FUGS, FNGS

“Will Your Family History Have Lasting Value?”

Most genealogists want to prepare family histories that future generations will cherish. Not all succeed. Many genealogies contain only “harvested” information, which our descendants will be able obtain themselves (perhaps more easily than we can today). Some of that information likely is wrong. We begin to create worthwhile and accurate family histories by collecting and sharing family stories and DNA test results—information that might soon disappear. Our research progresses from that starting point toward the goal of a printed, computerized, or online family history. If we pay attention to four factors—biography, accuracy, documentation, and explanation—our history will be irreplaceable.

Tom will be giving three lectures at the New York State Family History Conference. Sign up today!

Thomas W. Jones, Ph.D., CG, CGL, FASG, FUGA, FNGS, has edited the National Genealogical Society Quarterly since 2002. He is author of Mastering Genealogical Proof, a popular textbook on genealogical assessment and reasoning. Tom also is a trustee and a past president of the Board for Certification of Genealogists. Tom works full time as a genealogical researcher, writer, editor, and educator. He coordinates courses at the British Institute, Genealogical Research Institute of Pittsburgh, the Salt Lake Institute of Genealogy, and Samford University’s Institute on Genealogy and Historical Research; and he teaches in Boston University’s Genealogical Certificate Program.

Sue Miller is the New York Genealogical and Biographical Society's Director of Education and a member of the Association of Professional Genealogists. She has been working on her family's genealogy for more than twenty years.

Tuesday, July 14, 2015

Showcasing the 2015 New York State Family History Conference

by Susan Miller

NYSFHC Featured Speaker: Judy Russell, JD, CG, CGL

“No Person Shall ... Gallop Horses In the Streets” – Using Court Records to tell the Story of our Ancestors’ Lives

Early court records give color and meaning to the lives and times of our ancestors. County courts often functioned as both judiciary and legislature, and appeals courts published fact-filled opinions. While the records often establish relationships to help build a family tree, they offer so much richness and depth to help tell a family's story.

Award-winning blogger Judy G. Russell (http://www.legalgenealogist.com) is a genealogist with a law degree who writes and lectures on topics ranging from court records to DNA. She is a Trustee of the Board for Certification of Genealogists, from which she holds credentials as a Certified Genealogist and Certified Genealogical Lecturer.

Judy will be giving three lectures and a dinner talk at the New York State Family History Conference. Sign up today!

Sue Miller is the New York Genealogical and Biographical Society's Director of Education and a member of the Association of Professional Genealogists. She has been working on her family's genealogy for more than twenty years.