QFHS Snippets - March 2011 Volume 11, No. 3


Welcome to the largest-ever edition of Snippets!

Take your time and enjoy all the newsy articles in this edition; including online access to birth and marriage records, wills, newspapers and old occupations.

Have you checked out the QFHS special interest groups? Join like-minded genealogists and enhance your research.

For those of you travelling to England, be aware of several archive closures.

What do you think of Snippets? We enjoy receiving your feedback – please send your Snippets pieces to us at: snippets@qfhs.org.au

Table of Contents          March 2011 Volume 11, No. 3

  1. About This Newsletter
  2. QFHS Gaythorne Centre
  3. QFHS Dates to Remember
  4. Library Assistants' Meetings
  5. QFHS Trout Game
  6. QFHS on eBay
  7. Find My Past
  8. Findmypast.com.uk. Discount for QFHS Members
  9. Toowong History Group Meetings
  10. Caloundra Family History Research Inc
  11. Family Trees in the Forest
  12. Queensland State Archives 2011 Saturday Openings
  13. Davis Genealogy Project
  14. Highland Games - Aberdeen, New South Wales
  15. Saul Reunion
  16. Ballarat Cemeteries and Crematorium Available Free Online
  17. Matthew Flinders' 1804 Map of Australia
  18. Free Online Teaching Resource for Australian Classrooms
  19. New Zealand Historical Records Published Online
  20. 1911 UK Census vs. 2011
  21. Nottinghamshire Family History Society
  22. Suspension of Archive Production Service at Bolton History Centre
  23. Hackney Archives Temporary Closure
  24. Lancashire Records Office
  25. Seventy Years Ago Bombs Were Falling
  26. Important Survivor of Georgian Social History Under Threat
  27. 1911 Scottish Census to be Released in April
  28. Deceased Online adds 100,000+ Aberdeen Burial Records
  29. Ulster Genealogy & Migration Studies Autumn School
  30. Northern Ireland Wills Online
  31. Old UK Occupations
  32. Updated version of Surname Atlas
  33. UK's Ancient Secrets May Be Buried With Old Bones
  34. 115,000 Burial Records for Canada Online
  35. The New England Regional Genealogical Conference
  36. 2011 FGS Conference Registration is Open
  37. Online Baptism and Marriage Records of Slaves
  38. American Surname Map
  39. Historic Athens, Georgia, Newspapers Now Available Online
  40. Washington: the "Blackest Name" in Americ
  41. Finding and Obtaining Copies of Jewish Records in Poland
  42. The Guild of One-Name Studies Membership Offer
  43. Free Social Networking Course
  44. Supporting Cyndi's List
  45. Genealogy Societies: What Keeps You Coming Back for More?
  46. March Mirth
  47. Acknowledgements

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:
  Top of page

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, 16 March. Mr Jim Burton will be speaking about "My Love of the South Pacific".
________________________________________

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 7 March.

Contact Maureen Mutton on 3265 4378 if you would like to attend.
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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 26 March 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
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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, 24 March.

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

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

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

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 10 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. QFHS on eBay

Did you know that your society's library has some of its CDs available on eBay? A range of titles can be found by going to eBay at: http://www.ebay.com.au/ Click on Advanced Search, go to Stores heading, Find 'Stores', enter 'qfhs', then click onto QFHS Family History and Genealogy, it will then display the CDs we are currently selling; some at quite reduced prices.
 

7. Find My Past

More than 9 million records from the Society of Genealogists were added to findmypast.co.uk on 3 February - for more information see: http://www.findmypast.co.uk/media/news/news-item.jsp?doc=SOGFeb11.html

Just a few days earlier over 2 million new Derbyshire records were published - see http://www.findmypast.co.uk/media/news/news-item.jsp?doc=DerbyshireJan11.html for full details.

Findmypast UK is now available for members on the QFHS computers - come and make the most of this new resource.   Top of page

8. 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

9. Toowong History Group Meetings

The next three meetings for this group are:

Thursday, 3 March: David Brownsey who has a marvellous collection of early telegraph equipment, telephones and teletypes will bring along a lot of interesting pieces to showcase.  2011 is the 150th Anniversary of the sending of the first telegraph from Queensland (it was sent from the Royal Historical Society Commissariat in Brisbane). He will tell us what happened on that exciting day in 1861.

Thursday 7th April: David Jones from the Queensland Maritime Museum talk on "Brisbane as a Wartime Submarine Base".

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 7.00 pm. Access is via Kate Street from Sylvan Road. Entry is free and all are welcome to attend.   Top of page

10. Caloundra Family History Research Inc

Caloundra Family History Research Inc is conducting a Beginner's course over 4 consecutive Saturday afternoons in 2011. Two sessions have already been held, with two more still available:
The course is held in the Guide hut in Arthur Street, Caloundra. Cost is $20.00 which includes hand-outs and afternoon tea. If would like to attend, contact June Blackburn on (07) 5493 2679 or email on: caloundrafamilyres@hotmail.com

11. Family Trees in the Forest

As a guest special activity, Ann and Tony Swain will be running a two-day family history workshop at Binna Burra Lodge on 18-19 March 2011. The workshop is suitable for all levels of experience, helping beginners get started and advanced researchers break down their brick walls. Information is available on the Binna Burra website at: http://www.binnaburralodge.com.au/   Top of page

12. 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

13. Davis Genealogy Project

This blog highlights different people being researched by Greg Davis and hopes to bring some items to the attention of other researchers. Some surnames being researched include: Hendle, Spilling, Baxter, McDougall, Davis, Adsett and Dobbins.

Check out the website at:  http://davisgenealogyproject.blogspot.com/   Top of page

14. Highland Games - Aberdeen, New South Wales

Held each year on the first Saturday in July, the Aberdeen Highland Games have become Aberdeen's most spectacular event, drawing hundreds of people to the township to enjoy the festivities. This year the event will be held on 2 July.

The Games begin with a parade of bands, clan representatives and others that leads into the Massed Band Salute and Chieftain's Address that officially opens the day. Activities include Highland and Country Dancing, Pipe Band displays, Strong Man events with the Tartan Warriors and the famed Kilted Dash. A multitude of stores and stands will surround the area selling all manner of Scottish heirlooms and souvenirs, clothing and garb, and food and drink to complete your day. For those who wish to stay, the Games are followed by a Ceilidh in the evening and Kirkin of the Tartan on the Sunday morning.

For any enquiries on the Aberdeen Highland Games, contact Elizabeth Birch at the Aberdeen Information Centre: on (02) 6543 8457 or email: aberdeeninfocentre@bigpond.com

More information is available at: http://www.aberdeenhighlandgames.com/index.php   Top of page

15. Saul Reunion

Descendants of William and James Saul who arrived in NSW in 1850s and settled on the Macleay River near Kempsey, are invited to attend a reunion on the 150th anniversary of William's marriage to Janet Gray. Related names are: Gray, Sutherland, Sullivan, Boyes, Webster, Rowe, Welsh, Walker, Hunter; Stone, Berg, Taylor, Reilly, Jamieson, Heffren.

The reunion will be held on 21 May 2011 at Kempsey, NSW. For more information, contact Lorraine Stacker on telephone: (02) 4735 6972 or via email: lstacker2001@yahoo.com.au

16. Ballarat Cemeteries and Crematorium Available Free Online

This website contains information on the following cemeteries and crematorium:
The database can be searched by first name or surname at:  http://ballaratcemeteries.com.au/cemetery_database.html   Top of page

17. Matthew Flinders' 1804 Map of Australia

On 25 January 2011, in front of St Paul's Cathedral in Melbourne, the President of the Federation of Australian Historical Societies Inc, Assoc Professor Don Garden, joined the Victorian Education Minister, the Lord Mayor of Melbourne and the Member for Flinders in the Australian Parliament to launch a call for bringing home to Australia Matthew Flinders' 1804 map of Australia. 2014 is the bicentenary of the death of Flinders. The 1804 Finders map is significant for Australia as a nation. Flinders was commissioned in 1801 by the British government to chart the previously unmapped regions of the 'great south land'. Flinders completed his circumnavigation and rough charting in 1803. He completed the map in 1804 while detained at Mauritius and sent it to England. His account of his explorations, Voyage to Terra Australis and the first map of Australia were published in 1814. This is the map that is normally reproduced. In 1817, Governor Macquarie recognized Flinders' preference for the name 'Australia', and adopted the name himself. As the original map Flinders drew in 1804 is a priceless part of our national heritage, it is important that it be returned to Australia and exhibited.

There are several reports there which should help people make up their minds to support or not support the petition. More reports on the issue can be found at: http://tinyurl.com/4mzrah2

An online petition is available at: Petition to the British Parliament - Bring Home the Birth Certificate of Our Nation.   Top of page

18. Free Online Teaching Resource for Australian Classrooms

Created by leading family history experts, this program brings family history into the classroom of Australian primary schools by placing the child's family history at the centre of the learning experience. Students will be able to create family trees online, whilst learning about the lives of their ancestors. It's a great project that starts in the classroom and one that the whole family can then do together.

The online teaching resource includes a step-by-step teaching program (including learning outcomes, lesson outlines, discussion topics, and cross curricula activities), questionnaires, and space to upload teachers' own personal resources. More information about the site can be found at: http://tinyurl.com/4n424jw

Teachers can register and get started by visiting: http://www.myplaceinhistory.com/   Top of page

19. New Zealand Historical Records Published Online

Ancestry.co.uk has launched online the largest online collection of more than 20 million records, which document both the early European settlers to New Zealand as well as many of the country's indigenous M?ori tribes.

The 'Anne Bromell Collection', named after the woman who collated the original records, spans almost 140 years from 1842 to 1981 and includes electoral rolls, immigration records, directories and land records for New Zealand, providing a comprehensive history of early settlement in the colony.

You can start researching here: http://www.ancestry.com.au/newzealand?o_iid=47111&o_lid=47111   Top of page

20. 1911 UK Census vs. 2011

Next month, the UK will do its most thorough census yet. A century ago, a new expanded form was evidence of a government's thirst for knowledge in their efforts to help a population stricken by poverty, bad nutrition and high infant mortality.

There are many differences between the 1911 and 2011 census. That of a hundred years ago was able to fit on a single sheet. The census of 2011 is likely to be about 30 pages long.

You can read an article describing many of the differences at: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-12324970   Top of page

21. Nottinghamshire Family History Society

For those travelling to UK and planning to do some research, Nottinghamshire FHG advise that they will no longer open on Monday, but will extend their opening time on Tuesday to 8pm.

22. Suspension of Archive Production Service at Bolton History Centre

Due to refurbishments of the above centre, suspension of the archive production service has been extended. It will not be possible for any original archives to be produced or local studies reserve stock material released until Monday, 23rd May 2011. In addition, the centre is unable to answer any enquiries relating to these collections for the duration of the refurbishment.

The Bolton History Centre will remain open and the sources available in there will be accessible as usual. This includes access to Ancestry, census records, microfilmed parish registers, newspapers and many other resources. Much of the local studies stock of printed publications, pamphlets and books will also remain available. See their website for details: http://www.boltonmuseums.org.uk/bolton-archives/

It is advisable for anyone planning a visit to telephone or email in advance to ascertain what is available. Telephone 01204 332185 or 01204 332179 or Email: archives@bolton.gov.uk.   Top of page

23. Hackney Archives Temporary Closure

Hackney Archives has temporarily closed to the public, in order to prepare for moving to new premises being built in Dalston. As well as preparing for the move of the collections, staff will spend time during the closure developing new resources to improve their services when they re-open to the public.

From 21 February until the new library at Dalston opens later this year, there will be a limited enquiry service by post and email. Anyone who would have wanted to access the borough's archives should call 020 7241 2886 or email: archives@hackney.gov.uk for more information.

24. Lancashire Records Office

Over spring and summer of 2011, there will be major work carried out at Lancashire Record Office. Although a detailed timetable is not yet available, there are early indications that it may be necessary to close the building totally to public access for at least some of the time work is in progress.

For anyone planning to visit the office, and think your visit may be affected, please contact the Record Office by email on: record.office@lancashire.gov.uk   Top of page

25. Seventy Years Ago Bombs Were Falling

Seventy years ago bombs were falling, not just on West Yorkshire, but across the entire country of England as aerial attack became an increasingly important part of the Second World War.  In the West Riding of Yorkshire, the most severe incidents took place in 1941. You can now watch the events of that year unfolding as they happened through the latest social media venture from the West Yorkshire Archive Service. 1941 was the worst year for the West Riding of Yorkshire in regards to the air war, culminating on the 14-15 March with a heavy raid on Leeds.

The Twitter account will be covering that night live, as it happened, using the archive collections at West Yorkshire Archive Service. These will include reports of air raid alerts, bombing incidents, unexploded bombs and aircraft that crashed as well as friendly advice about how to stay safe during the war.  Each tweet will go out as closely as possible to the time of the real incident giving a flavour of life at the time.

For more information about the twitter feed visit http://twitter.com/WR_ARP  or email archives@wyjs.org.uk.   Top of page

26. Important Survivor of Georgian Social History Under Threat

There is a campaign to save a 230 year old Georgian former workhouse which is the last of its kind in central London. Many of you in your researches have found, or may yet find, ancestral connections to workhouses. This particular example is typical of the late eighteenth century but is now very rare.

You can read more about the workhouse at: http://www.clevelandstreetworkhouse.org/Home.html You can find the petition here: http://www.gopetition.com/petition/39594.html

27. 1911 Scottish Census to be Released in April

The Registrar General for Scotland has announced that the 1911 census will be released on 5 April 2011. 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.

You can read the press release at: http://www.scotlandspeople.gov.uk//Content/Files/1911Census.pdf

The records will be available at http://www.scotlandsPeople.gov.uk/ for a fee.   Top of page

28. Deceased Online adds 100,000+ Aberdeen Burial Records

Over 105,000 burial records for St Peter's Cemetery and Churchyard in Aberdeen City have been added to this growing database. The new data is for St Peter's Cemetery and Churchyard for the period 1830 - 1951 and comprises scans of the original burial registers and details on occupants of graves. The data represents approximately 70% of all burials within the Cemetery and Churchyard for this period and others will be added over the next few months.

Further records before 1830 will also be included on Deceased Online later this year. Have fun searching at: http://www.deceasedonline.com/

29. Ulster Genealogy & Migration Studies Autumn School

If you are interested in finding out more about your Ulster ancestors or wish to explore the history of Ireland's Northern Province this is the perfect opportunity in which to do so. Over six days you will be assisted to carry out research for yourself as well as discover the history of Ulster first hand through excursions to some of the province's most historic sites. In the evenings you can relax and enjoy some entertaining and enlightening talks and discussions.  The School will be held from 9th to 15th October 2011.

For more information go to: http://www.ancestryireland.com/autumnschool   Top of page

30. Northern Ireland Wills Online

The Public Record Office of Northern Ireland (PRONI) has indexed and digitised wills from the three District Probate Registries of Armagh, Belfast and Londonderry between 1858 and 1900.  The wills can be searched by name, registry or date.  Where an image is available, this can be viewed online and is free of charge.  There are also plans to digitise pre 1858 will indexes back to the early seventeenth century. The Ulster Covenant and Freeholder Records are also available on this website.

Check it out at: http://www.proni.gov.uk/index/family_history.htm

31. Old UK Occupations

This interesting website lists old occupations, especially those found on UK census. Many of the jobs no longer exist, so there is a brief description against each one.

Check it out at:  http://www.worldthroughthelens.com/family-history/old-occupations.php   Top of page


32. Updated version of Surname Atlas

An updated version of Surname Atlas has just released. Surname Atlas plots surname and first name data from the 1881 Census of Great Britain. The Atlas can display at county level or at poor-law Union level, using absolute numbers or relative frequency.

The British 19th Century Surname Atlas is a fully interactive CD-Rom product that allows you to plot distribution maps for all of the surnames and forenames found in the 1881 census of England, Scotland and Wales. Surname Atlas is available for purchase online at the Guild of One-Name Studies website at: http://www.one-name.org/sales.html   Top of page

33. UK's Ancient Secrets May Be Buried With Old Bones

Top British archaeologists are urging the government to rethink a law requiring human remains be reburied, warning it risks undermining years of research into the island's ancient peoples and study of their DNA.

You can read more in an article here: http://tinyurl.com/4ahfxac

34. 115,000 Burial Records for Canada Online

The recently launched Beechwood Cemetery Registers include more than 115,000 names of those buried in Beechwood Cemetery in Ottawa, Canada between 1873 and 1990. The records also include cremations from 1981 onwards, as well as the names for some individuals who died before 1873 whose remains were later moved to Beechwood.

The indexes are searchable by a combination of name, death date, birth date, birthplace, and parents' names and include 4,730 images. Depending on the year, ledgers may also include last residence, occupation, cause of death, funeral director or undertaker, informant (relative or friend) and informant's relationship to the deceased.

To discover if you have relatives interned at Canada's historic Beechwood Cemetery, and to start searching Ancestry ca's 128 million historical Canadian records, visit http://www.ancestry.ca/ for a free 14-day trial.  Top of page

35. The New England Regional Genealogical Conference

The New England Regional Genealogical Conference (NERGC) will be held April 6-10, 2011 in Springfield, Massachusetts, United States. Over sixty top speakers from the United States, Ireland and Poland will be speaking at the conference.

Events at the conference include the Society Fair, special workshops, special interest groups, an Exhibitor Hall, the Ancestors Road Show and much, much more.  See the NERGC website for more information at:  http://www.nergc.org/NERGC2011

36. 2011 FGS Conference Registration is Open

Registration for the 2011 Federation of Genealogical Societies Conference, scheduled for 7-10 September 2011 in Springfield, Illinois, United States is now open. This year's conference theme is "Pathways to the Heartland," and the local host is the Illinois State Genealogical Society. Over 165 educational sessions and 13 luncheons will be held; exploring a variety of records, strategies, and other tools available to those interested in researching their family history. You can learn all about the 2011 FGS Conference and register for the four-day event at http://www.fgs.org/2011conference

For more information and travel advice, go to: http://www.fgsconferenceblog.org/   Top of page

37. Online Baptism and Marriage Records of Slaves

The Archdiocese of New Orleans, United States has created a new online database containing records of baptisms, marriages and deaths in colonial New Orleans - including those of African slaves, who until now have been nearly invisible to genealogical research.

You can access the "Slave and Free People of Color Baptismal Records in the Archives" at http://www.archdiocese-no.org/archives/sfpc.php   Top of page

38. American Surname Map

You'll find a map made up of surnames found in the United States at this website. The size of the printed name is relative to the overall number of persons by that name living in a state. Every state is made up of the top 25 surnames found there.

Check it out at: http://blogs.ngm.com/blog_central/2011/01/whats-in-a-surname.html

39. Historic Athens, Georgia, Newspapers Now Available Online

An archive of historic Athens newspapers is now available online via the Digital Library of Georgia at the University of Georgia, United States. The Athens Historic Newspapers Archive provides online access to five newspaper titles published in Athens from 1827 to 1922. Consisting of more than 57,000 newspaper pages, the archive provides historical images that are both full-text searchable and can be browsed by date.

The archive includes the following Athens newspaper titles: Athenian (1827-1832), Southern Banner (1832-1882), Southern Watchman (1855-1882), Daily/Weekly Banner-Watchman (1882-1889), Daily/Weekly Athens Banner (1889-1922). The Athens Historic Newspapers Archive is available at: http://dlg.galileo.usg.edu/athnewspapers

Other newspaper archives available through the Digital Library of Georgia include the Atlanta Historic Newspapers Archive (1847-1922), the Macon Telegraph Archive (1826-1908), the Columbus Enquirer Archive (1828-1890), the Milledgeville Historic Newspapers Archive (1808-1920), the Southern Israelite Archive (1929-1986), and the Red and Black Archive (1893-2006).

These archives can be accessed at:  http://dlg.galileo.usg.edu/MediaTypes/Newspapers.html   Top of page

40. Washington: the "Blackest Name" in America

George Washington's name is inseparable from America, and not only from the nation's history. It identifies countless streets, buildings, mountains, bridges, monuments, cities - and people. Most of the people named Washington are black. The 2000 U.S. Census counted 163,036 people with the surname Washington. Ninety percent of them were African-American, a far higher black percentage than for any other common name.

You can read more in an article at: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20110221/ap_on_re_us/us_the_blackest_name   Top of page

41. Finding and Obtaining Copies of Jewish Records in Poland

Many Jewish researchers will find that some members of their family originated in what is now, or once was, Poland. Poland's borders have changed a lot over the years, and what was once Poland might now be in Lithuania, Ukraine or Belarus. In addition, what was once part of Russia, Prussia (part of what became Germany) and Austria may now be in Poland. It's possible that someone lives in many countries without actually ever moving.

You can read more in an article at: http://www.bloodandfrogs.com/2011/02/finding-and-getting-copies-of-jewish.html

42. The Guild of One-Name Studies Membership Offer

The Guild of One-Name Studies is offering a special membership to new joiners. Normally membership of the Guild costs £15.00 and covers a period of up to a year with renewal on 1st November 2011.  This special extended membership will cost £20.00 but will include a full year's extra membership, renewal not being due until 1st November 2012.  The aim of the scheme is to attract more new members and to encourage these members to stay with the Guild for longer and to appreciate and utilise the various benefits available to members.

This special offer is only available until 3 March 2011 at the Guild website at: http://www.one-name.org/specialoffer.html

Details of all the Guild facilities can be found at: http://www.one-name.org/guildsvces.html   Top of page

43. Free Social Networking Course

The National Institute for Genealogical Studies will be offering a free course on Social Media in conjunction with their recent acquisition of GenealogyWise at: http://www.genealogywise.com/  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'. The course begins 15 March 2011.

To register, see the National Institute's Web site at: http://www.genealogicalstudies.com/


44. Supporting Cyndi's List

Do you use Cyndi's List (http://www.cyndislist.com/) frequently? Many of us do. It is one of the most valuable genealogy resources available on the Web. Paula Stuart-Warren has written an article about Cyndi's List in which she describes the financial realities that Cyndi faces in keeping this valuable source of information online.

If you use Cyndi's List, you might want to read Paula's article at: http://paulastuartwarren.blogspot.com/2011/02/cyndis-list-what-would-i-do-without-it.html   Top of page

45. Genealogy Societies: What Keeps You Coming Back for More?

This article explains the author's reasons for remaining a member of genealogy societies.

Read it at: http://wetree.blogspot.com/2011/02/genealogy-societies-what-keeps-you.html   Top of page

46. March Mirth

Isn't genealogy fun? The answer to one problem, leads to two more! 
It's 2011... Do you know where your Great-Great-Grandparents are?
A family reunion is an effective form of birth control...
A family tree can wither if nobody tends its roots.
A new cousin a day keeps the boredom away.
After 30 days, unclaimed ancestors will be adopted.
Am I the only person up my tree...sure seems like it!
Any family tree produces some lemons, some nuts and a few bad apples...
I want to find ALL of them! So far I only have a few thousand...
I think my ancestors had several "Bad Heir" days!
Only a genealogist regards a step backwards, as progress!
Share your knowledge; it is a way to achieve immortality...
Many a family tree needs pruning!
Shhhhh! Be very, very quiet...I'm hunting forebears.
Most of my family roots are underground.
Time flies! Genealogists are the navigators!
A COMPLETE Genealogy just can't be. There's always more.
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47. 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

If you do not wish to continue to receive the QFHS email Newsletters, please click on "REPLY" at the top of your window and simply type "unsubscribe" in the subject line. You do not need to write a message.
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