QFHS Snippets - April 2011 Volume 11, No. 4

The Easter Bunny will soon be visiting and bring holidays for us to enjoy. Please note the closure dates for the library.

You’ll need the holiday break to read all the articles in this edition. Its size is an all-time record-breaker!

When I first began editing this e-letter, editions would be a maximum of 18 items in size.

So, the question to you – our valued members is – does Snippets contain too much information? Or would you like to see even more?

Let us know your thoughts at: snippets@qfhs.org.au

Table of Contents              April 2011 Volume 11, No. 4

    1. About This Newsletter
    2. QFHS Gaythorne Centre
    3. QFHS Dates to Remember
    4. Library Assistants' Meetings
    5. QFHS Trout Game
    6. Findmypast.com.uk. Discount for QFHS Members
    7. For Sale
    8. John Oxley Library - Share Your Flood Photos
    9. Queensland State Archives 2011 Saturday Openings
    10. Queensland State Archives - Seminars
    11. Free Taxi Service to Queensland State Archives
    12. Descendants of Moggill Pioneers
    13. Third Australasian Scottish Genealogy Conference
    14. Toowong History Group Meetings
    15. Welsh Society of the Sunshine Coast
    16. British Child Migration Program
    17. National Boer War Day
    18. More Old Australian Newspapers Coming Online
    19. Digitising the Dawn
    20. The Lost Diggers
    21. Australian Convict Sites on World Heritage List
    22. New Zealand Cancels the 2011 Census
    23. 1940's Edition OS Maps - England
    24. Kent History and Library Centre
    25. UK National Maritime Museum
    26. Ordering Birth, Marriage and Death Certificates from the UK
    27. Flintshire Records Office Change Opening Hours
    28. Update from Scotlands People
    29. Scotland 1911 Census is Released
    30. Scotland's DNA
    31. Ireland's Archive Collections Go Online
    32. Belfast Cemetery Records Now Searchable Online
    33. Is the UK Census Really Necessary?
    34. United States Military Post Returns Dating From 1806 to 1916
    35. US Presidents with Irish Ancestry
    36. Accessing the Pennsylvania Archives - Two Websites
    37. Revolutionary War Southern Campaign Pension Application Transcriptions Online
    38. New Jersey Searchable Databases Online
    39. Massachusetts Archaeological Dig Reveals Lifestyles of Early Irish Settlers
    40. FIBIS - The World of Family History in British India
    41. Norway: Graves in Oslo, Online Database
    42. Free Social Networking Course
    43. See Your Past
    44. ShoeString Genealogy
    45. Family Village - a Family History Game on Facebook
    46. Professional Photograph Restoration Workflow
    47. Who Do You Think You Are
    48. New Web Site Lists Professional Genealogy Researchers
    49. Etymology of the Word 'Pedigree'
    50. A Really Useful Leaflet
    51. Sources for Tracing Agricultural Labourers
    52. P&O Archive
    53. New Resources to Help Uncover Freemasony
    54. Writing Family History?  Online Course by U3A UK
    55. Mocavo.com - a Genealogy Search Engine
    56. Dear Ancestor
    57. Acknowledgements

       Top of page

1.    About This Newsletter

Snippets is a monthly publication of the Queensland Family History Society Inc. (QFHS). QFHS Website http://www.qfhs.org.au/

Please do not click on reply to contact Snippets - the 'click on reply' facility is strictly for 'un-subscribing' to the mailing list.

You are encouraged to contribute items which you feel would be of general interest to the family historian hunting for that illusive relative. Humorous items and items relating to the technology of using computers in genealogy are also welcome. Submit your BRIEF items supplemented by hyperlinks to additional details.

Snippets will rarely include items of a commercial nature and only then when they are likely to be of interest to a majority of our readers.

Submit your items to us via: snippets@qfhs.org.au   Top of page

2.     QFHS Gaythorne Centre

Our address is:

    58 Bellevue Ave
    Gaythorne QLD 4051
    QFHS library - (07) 3355 3369

For details about QFHS Centre, including location map, transport etc, click here: http://www.qfhs.org.au/location_hours.htm#Library

Please note that the library will be closed on:

3.     QFHS Dates to Remember

QFHS Monthly General Meetings are held on the third Wednesday of the month (but not in January and December), at the QFHS Library, and start at 7:30pm. Attendance is free, and visitors are welcome.

Next Meeting: Wednesday, 20 April.

Mr Chris Dawson, Secretary of the Boggo Road Historical Society will be speaking about the "History of Boggo Road Gaol".
________________________________________

QFHS Daytime Meetings are held on the first Monday of the month (but not in January and December) at 20 Marmont Street, Geebung from 10am - 12 Noon.

The next meeting will be held on 4 April.

Contact Maureen Mutton on 3265 4378 if you would like to attend.   Top of page
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Central European Group

Meetings are held 10am - Noon on the 4th Saturday of each odd-numbered month. A $2 donation goes toward purchasing relevant records.

The next meeting will be on 28 May at the QFHS library.

For further information, contact Eric Kopittke on (07) 3376 4339 or email kopittke@tpg.com.au or centraleuropean@qfhs.org.au
________________________________________

English West Country Group

This group researches the counties of Cornwall, Devon, Somerset and Dorset. Meetings are held from 12 Noon - 2pm at the QFHS Library, on the fourth Thursday of the odd-numbered months.

Next meeting: Thursday, 26 May.

For further information contact Robert Browning on (07) 3359 9801 or email: robertbb2@bigpond.com
________________________________________

Family History Writing Group

These meetings are held from 9am - 11am at QFHS Library on the third Saturday of odd-numbered months.

Next meeting: Saturday, 21 May.

For further information contact FHWriters@qfhs.org.au OR Robert Adamson on (07) 3266 8353 OR Sue Reid on (07) 3378 2278.   Top of page
________________________________________

Family Tree Maker User Group

These meetings run from 10am - 11:30am at QFHS Library and are held on 1st Friday each month except January and last Saturday in each even-numbered month except December.

The next meetings will be held on:
For further details, please contact Kerri Kleidon or Joe Greaves via e-mail on: familytree@qfhs.org.au
________________________________________

The Master Genealogist (or TMG) User Group

After being hosted for more than six years by QFHS member, Peter Collins, the Brisbane TMG User Group has become a welcome addition to the Society's special interest groups. The group caters to the needs of all users, from novice to advanced. The group meets in the QFHS Library on the third Saturday of each month (except December) at 1:30 pm.

Next meeting dates is: 16 April
For a limited period, new members to the group will have the opportunity to purchase The Master Genealogist v7 Gold Edition at a bargain price.

For further information, contact George Kearney on 0438 073 344 or Kevin Haley on (07) 3359 7491.   Top of page
________________________________________

Irish Interest Group

Meetings are held from 10am - 12 Noon at QFHS Library on the second Saturday of the even-numbered months (not December).

Next meeting: 9 April.

For more information about Irish Interest Group contact Mary King on (07) 3205 3353 or email irish@qfhs.org.au
________________________________________

Scottish Interest Group

Meetings are held from 10am - 12 Noon at QFHS Library on the second Saturday of odd-numbered months (except January). Donations to buy more Scottish resources are welcome.

Next meeting: Saturday, 14 May.

For further information: Email scottish@qfhs.org.au OR phone Sam on (07) 3266 9131.   Top of page
________________________________________

Welsh Interest Group

This group meets on the fourth Sunday of the odd numbered months from 10am - 12 Noon at the QFHS Library.

Next meeting is: Sunday, 22 May.

Contact Paul Wood on welsh@qfhs.org.au for further information.

4. Library Assistants' Meetings

Library Assistants' Meetings will be held on the mornings of Friday, 29 April and Saturday, 7 May 2011 at the QFHS Library and Resource Centre. Two dates are offered to give as many Library Assistants as possible the opportunity to attend. Library Assistants are invited to select one of these days to come and meet fellow library assistants, committee members, and other key people.  You will also hear about some of the library features and have a chance to have your queries answered. All members are welcome; perhaps you are interested in becoming a library assistant and want to know more about the role. Look for an invitation in your mailbox and the sign-on sheet on the Library Assistants' desk.   Top of page

5. QFHS Trout Game

Allow yourself the privilege of having a fun day in family history and play the Trout Game! The game simulates researching an English family (the Trout family) using eleven types of records. The aim is to see if you can get back to the 1500s. Use the game to see how good a researcher you are using basic research techniques not involving computers at all and find out why you may have brick-walls in your research.

The Trout Game will be played on Sunday, 15 May from 10am to 4pm at QFHS Library. Cost is $5.00 which includes morning and afternoon tea (BYO lunch). To make your booking, contact Game Master Ann Swain via email at: a.swain@bigpond.com or telephone (07) 3352 5537. Numbers are limited and early bookings are essential.   Top of page

6.  Findmypast.com.uk. Discount for QFHS Members

The QFHS now has a subscription to Findmypast.co.uk, and they have offered our members a discount of 15% towards membership.  To take advantage of this discount, simply key in the word "FMPSAVE".

Check it out at: http://www.findmypast.co.uk/home.jsp

7. For Sale

Due to refurbishment the Library presently has 3 computer desks for sale. 
  1. A honey coloured computer desk measuring W120cmxD60cmxH80cm, it has one drawer, keyboard sliding shelf, a separate shelf underneath the sliding shelf and a tower compartment. It is on 4 roller wheels.  Very good condition $40 o.n.o.
  2. A grey coloured computer desk measuring W120cmxD60cmxH80cm, it has one drawer, keyboard sliding shelf, a separate shelf underneath the sliding shelf and a tower compartment. It is on 4 roller wheels.  Reasonable condition $25 o.n.o. 
  3. A grey coloured computer desk measuring W120cmxD60cmxH80cm, it has one drawer, keyboard sliding shelf, a separate shelf underneath the sliding shelf and a tower compartment. It is on 3 roller wheels plus a wooden leg (the desk is still stable).  Reasonable condition $20 o.n.o. 
If you are interested in purchasing the desks, send an email to: treasurer@qfhs.org.au.   Top of page

8. John Oxley Library - Share Your Flood Photos

One of the John Oxley Library's key goals is to collect, preserve and share "Queensland Memory." The 2011 floods and natural disasters have been a significant event in Queensland's collective memory. The John Oxley Library encourages members of the public to help record the events surrounding the 2011 natural disasters for future generations. You can contribute by:
http://blogs.slq.qld.gov.au/jol/2011/01/28/collecting-flood-material/

9. Queensland State Archives 2011 Saturday Openings

In 2011, Queensland State Archives will be open to the public on the second Saturday of every calendar month from 9am to 4:30pm. The 2011 Saturday opening dates for the next three months are:
Queensland State Archives are located at 435 Compton Road, Runcorn, Queensland.

For more details, go to: http://www.archives.qld.gov.au/research/hours.asp   Top of page

10. Queensland State Archives - Seminars

Would you like to start research at Queensland State Archives, but don't know where to begin? Then come along to one of the upcoming Getting Started seminars. Presented by one of Queensland State Archives' experienced reference archivists, these seminars will provide you with the basics to begin your research at Queensland State Archives. The next seminars will be held on Saturday, 9 April at 9 am and Tuesday, 3 May at 10 am. For more information, and to book, call (07) 3131 7777 or go to: http://www.archives.qld.gov.au/events_2011.asp#April

Learn how to use Queensland State Archives' online catalogue ArchivesSearch at an introductory seminar on Tuesday, 12 April from 10 am. For more information, and to book, call (07) 3131 7777.

More details are available at:  http://www.archives.qld.gov.au/events_2011.asp#April12

11. Free Taxi Service to Queensland State Archives

A free taxi service between the train station car park (off Nectarine Street) and Queensland State Archives is available on Tuesdays. Queensland State Archives provides a free taxi service between the Archives and Fruitgrove Railway Station, Nectarine Street, Runcorn each Tuesday. http://www.archives.qld.gov.au/   Top of page

12. Descendants of Moggill Pioneers

You are invited to a pleasant Sunday afternoon at Moggill. Enjoy a relaxing afternoon, a chat and afternoon tea with fellow descendants and friends at Moggill cemetery on Sunday, 10 April 2011 from 2 p.m. Bring your own afternoon tea to share would be welcome and a mug and a chair could be useful. Feel free to invite family members, friends and anyone else interested and share your family's history with other descendants of Moggill pioneers. Everyone is welcome.

Enquiries to Don Greer (President) phone (07) 3202 6244 or email: margaret@thegreers.com.au or to Connie Sugars (Secretary) phone (07) 3286 4318 or email: william.sugars@bigpond.com

13. Third Australasian Scottish Genealogy Conference

The Genealogical Society of Victoria presents the above conference with the theme being: 'Catch the Moments - Scotland 1750 to 1850, A Century of Transformation'. It will be held on 16 and 17 April 2011 at Hemisphere Conference Centre 488 South Road, Moorabbin, Melbourne.

More information about the conference is available at: http://www.gsv.org.au/component/content/article/47-discussion/197-sag-conf   Top of page

14. Toowong History Group Meetings

The next meeting for this group will be held on Thursday 5th May. Marilyn England from Toowong History Group will hand over two WWI Diaries - one written by Lieutenant William O'Brien and one by Sergeant Arthur Sexton.  Anyone with WWI memorabilia at home bring is encouraged to bring it along on the night and tell us its story - we would love to hear about it.

The meetings are held at the Toowong State Primary School Library room from 7pm. Access is via Kate Street from Sylvan Road. Entry is free and all are welcome to attend.   Top of page

15. Welsh Society of the Sunshine Coast

The above society presents 'Cymanfa Ganu' - Festival of Music from 2pm on Sunday, 15 May at Caloundra Uniting Church, Queen Street, Caloundra, Queensland. The program includes:
Entrance is free with collection to defray expenses, and complimentary light refreshments will be provided.

16. British Child Migration Program

ABC Radio National Show Australia Talks will broadcast a feature specifically on the British child migration program; prompted by the soon-to-be released movie, Oranges and Sunshine. 

The feature will be broadcast on Wednesday, 18 May from 6pm.  Top of page

17. National Boer War Day

The National Boer War Memorial Association will conduct a commemoration ceremony in ANZAC Square Brisbane, at the base of the Boer War Memorial on Tuesday, 31 May. Guest speaker day will be Air Commodore (Retired) Peter Growder. For more information, contact Colleen O'Leary at: olearycolleen@hotmail.com

18. More Old Australian Newspapers Coming Online

For a list of old newspapers being posted to the Trove website, see the posting at: http://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php?topic=516638.0

19. Digitising the Dawn

The Dawn: a Journal for Australian Women was conceived and published by Louisa Lawson from 1888 to 1905. The National Library of Australia has been working to get our newspapers online and publishing them at http://trove.nla.gov.au. It's time to add The Dawn to the collection. If you would like to help with a donation to assist The Dawn be digitised or would like to read more, go to: http://digitisethedawn.org/   Top of page

20. The Lost Diggers

Ninety-five years ago, in a small French village a short march from the allied frontlines against the German army, a husband and wife team began a unique historical record of the First World War which has stayed hidden - until recently.

For the first time in nearly a century, you can see part of a massive collection of photographic glass plates taken during the First World War which eminent historians are now hailing as 'priceless' and as one of the most important ever historical discoveries from that conflict.

The sensational discovery was made by a Sunday Night team in France in early February. After following up rumours of a secret collection of photographs they found over 3,000 fragile photographic glass plate negatives in the attic of a dilapidated farmhouse in the small town of Vignacourt two hours' drive north of Paris, near Amiens.

To read more about the photographs and to view 500 of them, go to: http://au.tv.yahoo.com/sunday-night/blogs/article/-/article/8900933/the-lost-diggers/   Top of page

21. Australian Convict Sites on World Heritage List

In July 2010, UNESCO added 11 Australian Convict Sites to the World Heritage List. Together the sites represent the global phenomenon of convictism - the forced migration of convicts to penal colonies in the 18th and 19th centuries - and global developments in the punishment of crime in modern times. The Australian Convict Sites are the preeminent examples of our rich convict history, with more than 3,000 convict sites remaining around Australia. This is unique in the world today.

For more details, go to: http://www.environment.gov.au/heritage/places/world/convict-sites/index.html   Top of page

22. New Zealand Cancels the 2011 Census

The New Zealand government has announced the 8 March 2011 Census will not be held because of the impact of February's Christchurch earthquake on census operations in the city. It is only the third time the census had been cancelled, after disruptions in 1931, because of the Great Depression, and in 1941, during World War 2.

Read more about the census being cancelled at: http://www.odt.co.nz/regions/otago/150435/2011-census-cancelled

23. 1940's Edition OS Maps - England

At this website, you can look around, and see what the country looked like in the 1940s and 1950s. Click on the map on the home page to start, you can then scroll around and zoom in.
You can also search the maps by place name, and by postcode.

Enjoy searching at: http://www.npemap.org.uk/   Top of page

24. Kent History and Library Centre

There will be a series of closures at the Centre for Kentish Studies in Maidstone and the East Kent Archives Centre in Whitfield near Dover in preparation for the move to The Kent History and Library Centre being built at James Whatman Way, Maidstone. These closures will take place between 7 March 2011 and 4 February 2012 when the Centre will be closed for periods of 5 days each time.

More information is available at: http://bit.ly/guyTZl

25. UK National Maritime Museum

UK National Maritime Museum's management intends to withdraw all library and manuscripts services for at least four months, beginning sometime in April.

The announcement can be seen at: http://tinyurl.com/6f3lt6s   Top of page

26. Ordering Birth, Marriage and Death Certificates from the UK

At a recent meeting of the Federation Family History Societies, concern was expressed over the exorbitant charges being made by third parties for birth, marriage and death certificates.  Sometimes applicants are being charging £30 for a certificate which the General Register Office (GRO) can supply for £9.25 by ordering online at http://www.gro.gov.uk/gro/content/certificates/ .

GRO has also produced a very informative booklet "Discover Your Family History". This can be downloaded in pdf format from:  http://tinyurl.com/32fsg4k

27. Flintshire Records Office Change Opening Hours

Commencing 4 April, the Flintshire Records Office will not open on Wednesdays.  There will be a trial period of opening on the second Saturday of each month, but not all documents will be available unless pre-ordered.

For more information, go to: http://www.flintshire.gov.uk/archives   Top of page

28. Update from Scotlands People

Scotlands People have announced that from 1 April 2011, any credits purchased will be valid for one year rather than 90 days. However, the cost of 30 credits will rise to £7 and the cost of an Extract will rise to £12.

Go to http://www.ScotlandsPeople.gov.uk/

29. Scotland 1911 Census is Released

The Scotland 1911 census will be available at the Scotlandspeople site from 5 April. It will cost 1 credit to view an index entry, or 5 credits to view an image. This census details information collected from more than 4.7 million Scots. The records will include the name, address, age, occupation, birthplace and marital status of everyone counted in the 1911 census, as well as details about their children. For the first time, the census data will be presented in full colour rather than black and white. The 1911 census was the last population survey carried out before the First World War and will feature for the last time, the names of many Scots who later died in service or left the country for overseas.

You can find the census at: http://www.scotlandspeople.gov.uk/Content/Help/index.aspx?r=546&2066   Top of page

30.  Scotland's DNA

Not surprisingly, many of Scotland's males carry Y-chromosome DNA from the Vikings. The Viking attacks began in AD793 with the surprise assault on the Holy Island of Lindisfarne. Later, waves of Viking invaders landed in northern, western, and southern Scotland as well as some in what is now Ireland. Clan names often show high percentages of males sharing the same DNA. Clan MacLeod is an especially interesting case study. From a sample of the DNA of 45 Macleod Y chromosomes almost half, 47 per cent, clearly show social selection at work in that they descend from one individual. You can read a lot more about the history of Scotland being verified by DNA in the modern Scotsman at:  http://thescotsman.scotsman.com/features/Scotland39s-DNA-Who-do-you.6727434.jp

The Scottish DNA Project is now managed by the University of Strathclyde, Glasgow and has over 2500 participants. The project accepts results for Y-DNA, mtDNA and autosomal DNA (Family Finder). The project's blog is available at: http://scottishdna.blogspot.com/  The project's website is at: http://www.scottishdna.net/ The project is hosted by Family Tree DNA and can be seen at: http://www.familytreedna.com/public/Scottishdna/default.aspx

31. Ireland's Archive Collections Go Online

Ireland's archive collections have found a new central home. The web site allows the public to search a wide range of Irish archives online. The Irish Archives Resource site brings together a large number of collections from around the country, preserved by a range of organisations. It includes records from current and defunct government and local government agencies, personal contributions, estate records, clubs, societies, trade unions, religious, cultural, sporting and political organisations.

The web site also carries detailed descriptions of what is in every archive listed and where it can be accessed physically, if the collection is not online. The important thing about the site is that every collection on it is accessible and available to the public. Check it out at: http://www.iar.ie/
  Top of page

32. Belfast Cemetery Records Now Searchable Online

This website covers burials and is searchable by year or decade.  The Belfast City Council has now made access to burial details in Belfast City cemetery, Roselawn and Dundonald.

More information at: http://www.belfastcity.gov.uk/burialrecords/index.asp

33. Is the UK Census Really Necessary?

These two recent news stories speculate that the current UK census might be the last. The Economist says "This year's big, complicated census may also be the last." http://www.economist.com/node/18335192?story_id=18335192

The Guardian asks "Do we actually need a census?" http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2011/mar/10/census-2011-do-we-need-it   Top of page

34. United States Military Post Returns Dating From 1806 to 1916

This database contains returns from U.S. military posts from the early 1800's to 1916, with a few returns extending through to 1917. Army Regulations stipulated that every post was to submit a return to the Adjutant General, usually at monthly intervals. These returns showed:
To search the database go to: http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=1571&enc=1   Top of page

35. US Presidents with Irish Ancestry

The rise of Irish-America is underscored by the progressive increase in the number of Presidents with Irish ancestry. Only 11 out of 28 Presidents from the institution of the office in 1789 until 1921 possessed elements of Irish ancestry. Since John Kennedy took office in 1961 every President bar one, Gerald Ford, has had some Irish blood. Read more at:
http://blog.eogn.com/eastmans_online_genealogy/2011/03/us-presidents-with-irish-ancestry.html

36. Accessing the Pennsylvania Archives - Two Websites

The Archives Records Information Access System (ARIAS) is designed to facilitate access to archival records created by all branches and levels of Pennsylvania (United States) State Government. The Records series currently online are:
Currently, about 1,500,000 records are accessible in ARIAS, and the State Archives plans to make additional records available in the near future. Enjoy searching at: http://www.digitalarchives.state.pa.us/

This second database covers early Pennsylvania records including: Church Records, Diaries and Journals, Governors and their Constituents, Land Warrantee Records (1730-1898), Militia Records and Council of Safety, Oaths of Allegiance, Naturalization and Ship Manifests and Tax Records.

Search for your ancestors for free at: http://www.footnote.com/page/88_the_pennsylvania_archives/   Top of page

37. Revolutionary War Southern Campaign Pension Application Transcriptions Online

This web site contains free transcriptions of over 10,000 Revolutionary War Pension Applications. The site is sponsored by the American Revolution Association and currently contains 10,496 pension application and 70 roster transcriptions, all from the Southern Campaign.

Check it out at: http://southerncampaign.org/pen/

38. New Jersey Searchable Databases Online

This website provides access to over one million database entries (indexing names and other information) in nearly 500,000 documents and photographs in the New Jersey (United States) State Archives' collection.

You can find the database at: http://www.state.nj.us/state/darm/links/databases.html   Top of page

39. Massachusetts Archaeological Dig Reveals Lifestyles of Early Irish Settlers

This article describes how six students took part in a week-long dig with archeological experts and their findings. Amazingly, the dig unearthed some 1350 artifacts; a huge historical find for just two trenches in one churchyard.

The recovered artifacts included children's marbles, rosary beads, clay tobacco pipes, shards of window glass, fruit jar remnants, iron nails and oyster shells, shedding light on the recreational, dietary and cooking habits of the early settlers.

You can read the article at http://www.irishemigrant.com/ie/go.asp?p=story&storyID=8587. Make sure you scroll down the page as the article is split into several segments including photographs.   Top of page

40. FIBIS - The World of Family History in British India

The Families In British India Society (FIBIS) is an organisation devoted to members with an interest in researching their ancestors and the background against which they led their lives in 'British India'. On its website along with a wealth of information FIBIS has a free searchable database of more than 710,000 individual names (FIBIS database) and the Fibiwiki where you can find out more about the lives your ancestors lived.

For more information visit the FIBIS website at: http://www.fibis.org/

41. Norway: Graves in Oslo, Online Database

If you're looking for ancestors buried in Oslo before 1925, this is the database for you. Unfortunately, the website is in Norwegian! Good luck at: http://www.begravdeioslo.no/

Alternatively you could try it via the Google automatic translation service thus http://tinyurl.com/6a7gvmw   Top of page

42. Free Social Networking Course

The National Institute for Genealogical Studies will be offering a free six week course on Social Media in conjunction with their recent acquisition of GenealogyWise. The course, entitled 'Social Media for the Wise Genealogist', covers social media tools vital to today's genealogical research, including social networking sites, RSS, bookmarking and more. The course utilises Drew Smith's book 'Social Networking for Genealogists' as is the basis of the course, so this is a necessary purchase.

New courses begin on Monday, 4 April and Monday, 2 May. To register, or obtain more information, see the National Institute's Web site at: http://www.genealogicalstudies.com/   Top of page

43. See Your Past

Anyone with British ancestors who has watched the TV series Who Do You Think You Are? will be jealous of the way in which the celebrities are assisted by a backroom team of experts who take them back to where their ancestors lived their lives. Now such help is available to everyone who has researched their family tree. British company, See Your Past, based in Leeds, West Yorkshire offers their service to international visitors who have researched their family background and would like to see just where and how they lived. People contemplating a visit to Britain this year with an interest in seeing their family history should contact them direct at: http://www.seeyourpast.co.uk/ to find out whether they have a Tour Guide local to their needs.

44. ShoeString Genealogy

This website provides Family Historians with information about how to research their ancestors both on the Internet and in libraries and other repositories. Besides how, we will show you where-locations for free and inexpensive information and the relative value of each.

Check it out at: http://shoestringgenealogy.com/   Top of page

45. Family Village - a Family History Game on Facebook

Family Village is a game on Facebook that is designed to lead you to an understanding and appreciation that we are all part of one great connected family. Developed by Funium, Family Village allows you to discover unknown ancestors and interesting facts about each one.

To read more, go to: http://tinyurl.com/49ob7dg

46. Professional Photograph Restoration Workflow

In this tutorial using Photoshop, you'll learn how to restore an old torn photograph. It takes you step-by-step through the processes used by professionals restoring old photographs to their former glory.

Have fun at: http://psd.tutsplus.com/tutorials/photo-effects-tutorials/professional-photograph-restoration-workflow/   Top of page

47. Who Do You Think You Are

View the most recent episodes of the United States series at this site. Guests include Vanessa Williams, Lionel Ritchie, Kim Cattrall, Rosie O'Donnell and Tim McGraw.

Check it out at: http://www.nbc.com/who-do-you-think-you-are/video/vanessa-williams/1284559

48. New Web Site Lists Professional Genealogy Researchers

Geneapro.com has launched a new website designed to bring together experienced genealogy researchers with people looking for accurate historical ancestral records and information. You won't find any genealogy records on the site. Instead, you will find contact information for people who are willing to find the information for you. Most of these researchers do charge fees for their efforts.

Genealogists, historical societies, and genealogical societies, in addition to individual genealogists, can join geneapro.com and make their services available to the general public. There is no charge to join geneapro.com either for those providing or seeking information.

To learn more about Geneapro visit http://geneapro.com/   Top of page

49. Etymology of the Word 'Pedigree'

This word "pedigree" originates from Anglo-Norman pé de grue (crane's foot), from p´ (foot) + de (of) + grue (crane), from the resemblance of a crane's foot to the succession lines in a genealogical chart. Its earliest documented use was in 1425.

To learn more, go to:  http://wordsmith.org/words/pedigree.html

50. A Really Useful Leaflet

The Federation of Family History Societies (FFHS) have introduced an updated Really Useful Leaflet which can be downloaded in pdf format from http://www.ffhs.org.uk/RUL-1103.pdf

 The leaflet also introduces a new FFHS competition, inviting readers to write about their most interesting ancestor. Details of how to enter the competition along with a list of prizes can be found in the leaflet.   Top of page

51. Sources for Tracing Agricultural Labourers

It's all too easy to fall into the trap of thinking that agricultural labourers are boring and that you can't trace anything about them. In fact they can be very interesting, and there's lots of information to be found if you know where to look. This podcast covers resources available in The UK National Archives, parish and county records, and manor, estate and farm sources. Mark Pearsall is the Principal Records Specialist - Family History and works in the Records Knowledge team in the Advice and Records Knowledge Department. He has worked in several departments of The National Archives over the years and has contributed articles to a number of family and local history publications. He is the author of The Family History Companion and co-authored The National Archives Guides on Immigrants and Aliens and Family History on the Move. He has also produced transcriptions and finding aids for various record series. Go to http://ht.ly/4czyg   Top of page

52. P&O Archive

A new website documenting the history of P&O has been launched. The Peninsular and Oriental Steam Navigation Company was founded in 1837 and by 1866 employed more than 12,000 people across 10 countries.  The P&O archives include some crew records, personnel files and details of 2,500 ships with images where available.

Enjoy surfing at: http://www.poheritage.com/
 

53. New Resources to Help Uncover Freemasony

The Library and Museum of Freemasonry has completed a survey of the whereabouts and types records held by record offices, Masonic lodges and chapters throughout England and Wales. The survey lists records created by lodges and chapters in the course of their activities: minute books, financial records and membership records etc. It also includes the surviving lists of members of Masonic lodges submitted to the county magistrates and held among quarter sessions records under the 1799 Unlawful Societies Act. If you know the name of the lodge or chapter your ancestor joined then you can search the online catalogue to see if a lodge or chapter history survives. The content of such histories varies but may include a list of members and occasionally, photographs.

Visit the website for further information, leaflets and to search the online catalogue at:  http://www.freemasonry.london.museum/   Top of page

54.   Writing Family History?  Online Course by U3A UK

This course is not about collecting genealogical data but about how to use memories and word of mouth stories passed on through generations in order to paint word pictures of each of the characters who have and those that are currently part of the make up your family. History is made by people's life experiences. What they did, how and why. Writing their history is to tell how they lived, ate and loved not by dates and complicated charts but by using information you have or can gather coupled together with photographs, newspaper cuttings and similar material. The main aim of the course is to help you write stories using facts, memory and some imagination that will bring your forebears to life and record for future generations their achievements and maybe failures.

You can learn more about the course at: http://onlinecourses.u3a.org.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=250&Itemid=36

55.  Mocavo.com - a Genealogy Search Engine

This free genealogy search engine searches hundreds of thousands of genealogy web sites, looking for the words that you specify. Web sites searched include thousands of genealogy message boards, society web pages, genealogy pages uploaded by individuals, state historical societies, family societies, Find-A-Grave, the Internet Archive (mostly scanned genealogy books from the Allen County Public Library), the Library of Congress, several sites containing scanned images of old photographs, and tens of thousands of distinct sites that contain various transcribed records of genealogical interest.

You can search this website using people's names or search for towns, states, occupations, relatives, or any other text information you think might be included with an ancestor's name. At this time, Mocavo.com finds mostly North American genealogy information. Try it out at: http://www.Mocavo.com/   Top of page

56. Dear Ancestor

Your tombstone stands among the rest;
Neglected and alone.
The name and the date are chiselled out
On polished, marbled stone.
It reaches out to all who cares
It is too late to mourn.
You did not know that I exist
You died and I was born.
Yet each of us are cells of you
In flesh, in blood, in bone.
Our blood contracts and beats a pulse
Entirely not our own.
Dear Ancestor, the place you filled
One hundred years ago
Spreads out among the ones you left
Who would have loved you so.
I wonder if you lived and loved,
I wonder if you knew
That someday I would find this spot,
And come to visit you.

- Author Unknown

57. Acknowledgements

We would like to thank all those who have taken time out to send items of interest to our "Snippets" mailbox at: snippets@qfhs.org.au

The more we receive, the more frequently we can produce a Newsletter. If your submission does not appear in this issue, we will try to include it in a future edition. Please note that reference to any product does not imply endorsement. Members are cautioned to evaluate products prior to purchase.

Pauline Macfarlane

Disclaimer: This newsletter is produced in good faith, and information received is deemed to be accurate, but the editor takes no responsibility for incorrect information supplied. [Editor's note: The opinions expressed herein are those of the authors and are not necessarily those of the Editor or of QFHS]

Permission to reprint articles from QFHS 'SNIPPETS' NEWSLETTER is granted unless specifically stated otherwise, provided: (1) the reprint is used for non-commercial, educational purposes; and (2) the following notice appears at the end of the article: "Previously published in QFHS 'SNIPPETS' NEWSLETTER" with the appropriate date and volume number (eg QFHS 'SNIPPETS' NEWSLETTER January 2009 Vol 9 No. 1). The last six months issues of Snippets are available from: http://www.qfhs.org.au/snippets.htm

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