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Curious About Your Genealogical Origins?

The Genographic Project can help. Writing in the Arizona Daily Star, Dan Sorenson describes how the Genographic Project can trace your ancestry back tens of thousands of years for a cost of $99.95. To be sure, you will not obtain any ancestor’s name or even a birth record, but you will obtain a report showing a high probability of where the ancestors lived.

According to Sorenson:

Human history is unfolding one cheek swab at a time in a cluttered, windowless laboratory deep in the University of Arizona’s Biological Sciences West Building. Although geneticists and anthropologists long ago determined that we all have origins in Africa, there is much to be learned from our DNA about where we went from there.

A cast of about 30 undergraduate UA biology students, technicians and the lab manager deftly dance around one another in the cramped space, like waiters and chefs in a busy kitchen, processing the DNA to do just that — for participants in National Geographic Society’s Genographic Project.

After extracting DNA from participants’ samples and putting it into a usable form it is analyzed, using special software. The software looks for mutations, essentially "spelling errors" in DNA. These markers are repeated — along with others picked up later — in descendants’ DNA, creating a trail.

You can read the full article at http://www.azstarnet.com/dailystar/161891.

from Eastman’s Online Genealogical Newsletter

A Pilgrimage to a Hospital for Black American Ancestry Information

The Ganges brothers, Tendaji, Larry and Kelly, traveled to Tinicum Township, Pennsylvania in August in what history buffs hope was the first of many pilgrimages to an early American quarantine station there. The red-brick lazaretto, as it was called, was built in 1800 as a way to screen ships on the Delaware River for infectious diseases. As such, it gave immigrants their first contact with the new world. In the case of the Ganges family, the lazaretto was the final act of a close call.

Two slave ships docked at the Delaware County station in 1800 after the U.S. Navy captured them off Cuba. The 134 Africans aboard went ashore "without the least clothing," as the Pennsylvania Gazette described them. They were indentured to area residents to learn trades, and given the name of the Navy warship that escorted them to freedom: the USS Ganges.

"We found where we hit shore," said Tendaji Ganges, 57, of Flint, Mich. "It is a human story. It’s not just our family’s story. That’s what is important about it."

You can read more about this story in the Philadelphia Inquirer web site at http://www.philly.com/mld/inquirer/news/local/states/pennsylvania/16314251.htm

from Eastman’s Online Genealogy Newsletter

How to Choose CD/DVD Archival Media

Almost all computer users need to preserve data occasionally, and probably the most common method is to write the information onto CD or DVD data disks. For most computer users, preserving data for a year or two is sufficient. In fact, many people are only concerned with preserving data until next year’s tax season. However, genealogists, historians, archivists, and a few others  are concerned with much longer preservation. We often think in terms of decades or even centuries.

Patrick McFarland has written an in-depth article that describes CD and DVD recordable media, explaining the various formats and their strengths and weaknesses. He points out that most of today’s "record-at-home" CD and DVD disks will only last a few years. However, certain brands are expected to be useable for at least 70 years, and one manufacturer’s products may last for up to 100 years.

McFarland explains the differences between "pressed" CDs (made by the thousands in a factory) versus "burnt" CDs (recorded one at a time on a computer). He then focuses mostly on CD and DVD disks recorded (burnt) on computers. His article describes the advantages and shortcomings of the different blank disks that you can buy in a local computer store, online, or by mail order. He also tells why DVD+R disks are much better than DVD-R.

The article ends with McFarland’s recommendation for the best archival quality writeable CD and DVD disks. He even tells which brand he buys for his own archival storage.

I think that one part of McFarland’s article should be required reading for all:

Unlike pressed CDs/DVDs, ‘burnt’ CDs/DVDs can eventually ‘fade,’ due to five things that affect the quality of CD media: sealing method, reflective layer, organic dye makeup, where it was manufactured, and your storage practices (please keep all media out of direct sunlight, in a nice cool dry dark place, in acid-free plastic containers; this will triple the lifetime of any media).

The article is liberally spiced with technical terminology, but most anyone can understand his plain English recommendations, given at the end. You can read this excellent article on Patrick McFarland’s blog at: http://tinyurl.com/ycowgr

from Eastman’s Online Genealogy Newsletter

The Practical Archivist

Sally Jacobs has started a new blog entitled The Practical Archivist. It is labeled as "Archiving tips and geeky tidbits for genealogists, history buffs, and keepers of the family photo album. Written by an archivist who never met an antique photograph she didn’t like…"

Sally promises to supply plenty of archiving tips and geeky tidbits for genealogists, history buffs, and keepers of the family photo album.

Recent posts include:

     * Life Catching Life Hack
        Neat little video camera trick for capturing family stories – perfect
for December gatherings.

     * RIP VHS
        Technological obsolescence.

     * The World’s Fastest Librarian
        Fun video created by library students here in Madison, Wisconsin.

You can read The Practical Archivist at http://practicalarchivist.blogspot.com.

from Eastman’s Online Genealogy Newsletter

Genealogy Videos on Google

Google has videos, including 30 or more genealogy-related videos that you can view right now. (I’d suggest a broadband connection be used for these large video files.) Subject matters vary a bit; many of the videos are advertisements or "how to use" instructional videos for commercial products while others are more homespun.

Here is a partial list of some of the videos …:

A series of information videos produced by Family Tree DNA

Charlie Rose’ interview of Henry Louis Gates, Jr., about African-American genealogy and DNA

A broadcast news report about the 22nd annual International Association of Jewish Genealogical Societies (IAJGS) Conference in Toronto

Alastair McIntyre talks about his genealogy section on ElectricScotland.com

Zutavern Family Genealogy – a video tour of Zutaverns dating back to 1500 AD in Switzerland

Resnitzky Family Roots Trip Part II – Mote Resnitzky’s family roots trip to Argentina in October 2005 (home movies)

Tracing Your Family Roots – Sallyann Sack and Arline Sachs talked about methodology for beginning genealogical research.

"So You Want To Be A Personal Historian or Genealogy Journalist," a series of "home videos" by Ann Hart that give instruction on becoming a personal historian or genealogy journalist.

A demonstration of GenSmarts Genealogy Software

"If we told you doing genealogy was easy we’d be LION" – Roots Television co-host twins make a shameless plug for their cool book "Climbing Family Trees, Whispers in the Leaves"

Perhaps the strangest is "What does Star Wars have to do with genealogy?" I even watched the video, and I still don’t know what Star Wars has to do with genealogy. You can watch it to figure it out for yourself.

The above is a partial list; there are more.

Google videos are available on http://www.google.com. Click on the VIDEOS link in the Google toolbar, and then search for "genealogy" or any other topic of interest.

from Eastman’s Online Genealogy Newsletter

2007 NGS Conference

The following is an announcement written by the U.S. National Genealogical Society:

Registration is now open for the 2007 National Genealogical Society Conference in the States and Family History Fair, which will take place May 16-19 2007 at the Greater Richmond Convention Center and Richmond Marriott Hotel in Richmond, VA. 

The conference will feature over 150 educational sessions – with varied tracks including ethnic, beginners, research in the states, GENTECH technology and a BCG track.  There are also many workshops on genealogical computer programs, handwriting and special records; participating society luncheons; and social events including the NGS Banquet, ISFHWE dinner and local host society event. 

Everyone from the beginner to the most experienced genealogist will benefit from this premier conference.

For further information and to sign up go to: http://www.eshow2000.com/ngs/2007/

from Eastman’s Online Genealogy Newsletter

Roots Magic Cruise

RootsMagic is a very popular genealogy program for Windows, produced by RootsMagic, Inc. The same company also produces Personal Historian and Family Atlas software programs. Now RootsMagic, Inc., is planning to hold a Caribbean genealogy cruise.

The RootsMagic Cruise will be held from November 11-18, 2007, aboard Royal Caribbean’s Mariner of the Sea. Classes will include general genealogy topics taught by some of the best-known speakers in the field, as well as classes on getting the most out of your RootsMagic, Personal Historian, and Family Atlas software, taught by the experts at RootsMagic.

More details will follow in the weeks to come.  If you would like to be notified by email when reservations open, you can enter your e-mail address into a form at: http://www.RootsMagicCruise.com

from Eastman’s Online Genealogy Newsletter

2007 National Institute of Genealogical Research

The following announcement was written by the National Institute on Genealogical Research:

The National Institute on Genealogical Research (N.I.G.R.), on 15-21 July 2007at the National Archives in Washington D.C. and College Park, Maryland, is an intensive program offering on-site examination of federal records. Designed for experienced researchers, it is not an introduction to genealogy.

The 2007 program focuses on commonly used immigration, military, land, cartographic, African American, and non-population census records. Complementing those core lectures will be presentations on lesser-known federal records useful to family historians. Attendees will spend one day at Archives II in College Park, Maryland, for presentations on resources at that facility and for an opportunity to conduct research there. Evening sessions at the Library of Congress and the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution Library are optional.

To facilitate direct contact between the students and the lecturers and archivists, enrollment is limited. Brochures with an application form will be mailed in February 2007. The class fills very quickly. Tuition is $350 for applications postmarked on, or before, 15 May 2007, or $400 for applications postmarked after that date. For more information about the 2007 program, or to obtain an application brochure, see the institute’s Web site at www.rootsweb.com/~natgenin/ and add your name to the mail list; or e-mail NatInsGen@juno.com; or write to NIGR, P.O. Box 724, Lanham, MD 20703-0724.

Two scholarships are available, each offering a five hundred dollar stipend to help defray expenses of attending the institute. The N.I.G.R. Alumni Association offers the Richard S. Lackey Scholarship to "an experienced researcher in either a paid or volunteer position in the service of the genealogical community." For information, see the institute’s Web site for application information, or write to: Lackey Scholarship, NIGRAA, P.O. Box 14274, Washington, D.C.  20044-4274. Applications must be received by 15 January 2007. Winners will be notified no later than 20 February 2007.

The American Society of Genealogists offers the ASG Scholar Award, based on a manuscript or published paper of at least five thousand words. The application deadline is 1 January 2007. For details, see the society’s Web site at <http://www.fasg.org&gt;; or write to: ASG Scholarship Committee, P. O. Box 398 Demorest, GA 30535-0398.

N.I.G.R. has been a leader in the field of genealogical education since its founding in 1950. In 1989 the institute was incorporated as an independent, non-profit corporation. Its board of trustees consists of representatives of the American Society of Genealogists, the Association of Professional Genealogists, the Board for Certification of Genealogists, the Federation of Genealogical Societies, the National Genealogical Society, and the institute’s alumni association. The National Archives, a non-voting member of the corporation, provides strong support. The institute maintains a non-discriminatory policy toward enrollment. Applicants are accepted without regard to sex, race, creed, color, or national or ethnic origin.

from Eastman’s Online Genealogy Newsletter

Online Genealogy Classes

A new service offering online genealogy classes is now available. The following announcement was written by GenClass:

People around the world are catching the genealogy bug, but many just don’t know where or how to start. Are you one of them?

The experienced GENCLASS instructors want to help you, step by step, learn what records are available, how to access available resources and search the Internet.

All instructors have previously taught specialized classes for MyFamily.com to thousands of satisfied students from North America and around the world. Considered the "best kept secret" in the genealogical world, those classes helped many begin their searches and make great discoveries.

Current classes include Scottish, Eastern European basic/intermediate, Native American, Jewish basic/Internet, Lost Family & Friends, Write Your Family History, Great Lakes Research and Adoption Investigation.

If there’s a class you’d like but its not listed, let GENCLASS know.

Each four-week class includes a detailed course curriculum, online class meetings and more, for the low price of $29.95.

For more information, available classes, instructors’ bios and student comments, go to www.genclass.com and sign up today, as demand is sure to be high, and the maximum numbers of students per class are limited.

from Eastman’s Online Genealogy Newsletter

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