Evidence Explained 40% off Today Only

I have written before about my recommendations for essential genealogy books and today one of them is on sale 40% off. If you do not already own Evidence Explained: Citing History Sources from Artifacts to Cyberspace by Elizabeth Shown Mills, the publisher has the second revised edition for $35.99 down from $59.99. 

 

In addition to this book being the best reference available for genealogical citations, it also contains an excellent chapter on evidence analysis. I recommend that this book be on every genealogist's desk as a handy reference.

 

Here is the link to take advantage of the discount from Genealogical Publishing Company:

 

http://www.genealogical.com/products/Evidence%20Explained%20Citing%20History%20Sources%20from%20Artifacts%20to%20Cyberspace%20%20Second%20Edition/3843.html

New Genealogy Textbooks for Kids

I received the following press release from a colleague of mine and fellow ProGen Study Group member, Jennifer Holik. While I usually feature educational opportunities for genealogists on my blog, these are unique new books for getting kids interested in genealogy and teaching them beginning research skills. 

Chicago, Illinois – March 23, 2012:
Professional Genealogist, Jennifer Holik, of Generations publishes six new genealogy textbooks for kids. Parents, teachers, and genealogical societies looking for a how-to genealogy textbook for elementary through high school-aged students need to look no further. In Branching Out, a new series available from Generations, author and professional genealogist Jennifer Holik provides parents and educators with the tools they need to teach genealogical research skills to children and teens.

Through thirty fun and educational lessons, students will learn the foundations of genealogy and how to begin research on a level that they can understand and enjoy. Each lesson contains a clearly defined goal, all necessary vocabulary, additional reading assignments, and lesson and homework assignments to extend understanding of the concept.

The Branching Out series of books begins with six paperback textbooks which are also available as a PDF or PowerPoint download. The PowerPoint files, which were created with the visual and hands-on learner in mind, contain the same information as the textbooks with a few fun and interactive extras.

The Branching Out: Genealogy Lessons for Adults will be released in April with additional books for families, genealogical societies, and educators to be published later in 2012.

The books are available on CreateSpace in paperback form at the links provided. The PDF and PowerPoint files are available at the Generations Store at: http://www.e-junkie.com/generations.

Branching Out: Genealogy for 1st – 3rd Grade Students Lessons 1-15
Book $24.95   PDF $17.95   PowerPoint $17.95

Branching Out: Genealogy for 1st – 3rd Grade Students Lessons 16-30
Book $29.95   PDF $20.95   PowerPoint $20.95

Branching Out: Genealogy for 4th – 8th Grade Students Lessons 1-15
Book $26.95  PDF $18.95   PowerPoint $18.95

Branching Out: Genealogy for 4th – 8th Grade Students Lessons 16-30
Book $32.95   PDF $23.95   PowerPoint $23.95

Branching Out: Genealogy for High School Students Lessons 1-15
Book $29.95   PDF $20.95   PowerPoint $20.95

Branching Out: Genealogy for High School Students Lessons 16-30
Book $34.95   PDF $24.95   PowerPoint $24.95

If you live in the Chicagoland area, you can meet Jennifer and purchase books at the Fountaindale Public Library’s Author Fair on Saturday, April 14, 2012. For more information visit the Generations Blog.

Upcoming Genealogy Webinars Abound

Have you looked at the calendar at GeneaWebinars.com recently? I visited today and was pleasantly surprised to see that there are genealogy webinars scheduled three or four days a week for the next month! I love listening to these lectures from home. There are many topics to choose from, but here are just a few that you may want to add to your calendar:


Top 20 Lessons Genealogists Need to Know
Presented by Barry J. Ewell 
Wed, March 21, 9pm – 10pm Eastern
Sponsored by Southern California Genealogical Society's Jamboree Extension Series

Juggling Complex Projects While Staying on Track
Presented by J. Mark Lowe, CG
Tuesday, March 27, 2012 — 8:30p.m. Eastern
Sponsored by the Association of Professional Genealogists 


1940 Census Images and Indexing UPDATE 
Hosted by DearMYRTLE
Mon, April 2 through Friday, April6, 9:00pm – 10:30pm Eastern

The Pursuit from Genealogy Hobbyist to Professional 
Presented by John Kitzmiller and Claire Brison-Banks
Wed, April 4, 2:00pm – 3:30pm Eastern
Sponsored by the The International Commission for the Accreditation of Professional Genealogists (ICAPGen)

Researching Your Scottish Ancestors 
Presented by Marie Dougan
Wed, April 18, 11:00am – 12:30pm Pacific
Sponsored by Legacy Family Tree

Reverse Genealogy: Finding the Living
Presented by Megan Smolenyak
Wed, April 25, 11:00am – 12:30pm Pacific
Sponsored by Legacy Family Tree

And this is just a sampling! To see the all the webinars coming up with full details and registration information click the "calendar" tab at GeneaWebinars.com

The International Society for British Genealogy and Family History Announces 2012 British Institute

I received this press release with the request to post it from three different sources today. I am always happy to post information on quality genealogy educational opportunities. There is excitement over the new course offered by Tom. Jones, but all the courses look excellent!

WESTMINSTER, Colo., 12 March 2011

The International Society for British Genealogy and Family History today announced its course lineup for this year’s British Institute. This weeklong, intensive institute will be held from 8–12 October in Salt Lake City. This year’s host hotel is the Radisson Downtown, located two blocks from the Family History Library. Registration is now open and class size is limited.

The Institute offers four tracks taught by expert genealogists:

• Records and Strategies for Beginning English Research
  Judy Jones, AG, CG
  Join us as we learn about the records and strategies needed to begin research in England. This class will begin by teaching a strategy for 19th and 20th century research, then study the three basic records needed to find families in that time period. From there it will expand to those records needed to find supporting information, including maps, gazetteers, probate, and reading handwriting.

• From Simple to Complex: Applying Genealogy’s Standard of Proof to Your Work
  Tom Jones, Ph.D., CG, CGL, FASG, FUGA, FNGS
  Genealogical statements and conclusions achieve credibility when they meet standards for proof. Participants will learn how to use widely accepted standards to measure their genealogical work’s accuracy and to assess the work of others.

• British Military, Its Regiments and Records
  John Kitzmiller, II, FSG (England); FSA (Scot); AG, Heraldist – Heraldry Society of Canada (2nd level) & Heraldry Society of London (2nd level)
  Why take this course? The answer is many of the population were involved in these entities throughout time. There is a high probability that somewhere you have a military-connected ancestor. The British military course will cover a wide variety of records that will assist you in tracing your military ancestors. We will discuss the records of military personnel for the outlined time period which are centered (or held) at the regimental level. This means that one must know the regiment (pre-1881) to be able to trace an ancestor. Post-1881 is a bit different, in that there can be indices available that cover the time period as well as civil records which are critical as an additional locator record. Websites containing military records will also be discussed.

• Advanced Methodology for Irish Research
  David Rencher, AG, CG, FIGRS, FUGA
  This course was first introduced in 2011 and will again focus on the methodologies needed for successful Irish research. New record sources and strategies will be introduced for 2012 with a review of best practices. Learn how to frame your tough Irish genealogical problems, develop a sound strategy and sharpen your analytical skills with these advanced methods. You’ll also enjoy the richness of the Irish collection of the Family History Library and explore some of the lesser known records of this vast resource, a must stop before leaving for Ireland.

“The Institute is in its 12th year and, as always, we design the program with the goal of helping students overcome the challenge of researching their British Isles from a distance,” said ISBGFH President Ann Wells. “We are excited to offer this panel of expert instructors and range of courses that would apply to beginner, intermediate, or advanced students.”

Registration Information

More detailed information on the institute can be found at the ISBGFH’s Web site http://www.isbgfh.org. You can register online, or print, fill out the application and mail to ISBGFH, PO Box 350459, Westminster, CO 80035-0459. If you have any questions, please e-mail admin@isbgfh.org. When registering at the Radisson Downtown Salt Lake, ask for the British Institute conference rate.

About The International Society for British Genealogy and Family History

The International Society for British Genealogy and Family History has been around a long time–longer than it takes to say the full name. Many of us who have been involved for years talk about “ISB” not only for convenience, but because the nickname suggests what the organization is—small, practical and friendly.

ISB got started in 1979 due to the efforts of several people who saw the need for an organization that would help genealogists tracing the origins of their British Isle emigrant ancestors. Thus it is no surprise that the members of ISB live all over North America and overseas.

The Society continues to evolve but it retains its original purpose. ISB is here to help members overcome the challenges of researching British Isles roots from a distance. See http://www.isbgfh.org for more information.

NGS 2012 Early Bird Registration Discount Ends Soon!

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

NATIONAL GENEALOGICAL SOCIETY

2012 FAMILY HISTORY CONFERENCE

CINCINNATI, OHIO, 9–12 MAY 2012

The Ohio River: Gateway to the Western Frontier

(Arlington, VA)—EARLY BIRD REGISTRATION DISCOUNT ENDS SOON! The NGS 2012 Family History Conference will be held 9–12 May 2012 at the Duke Energy Convention Center, Cincinnati, Ohio. Register for the conference today! The early-bird registration discount ends on Tuesday, 20 March 2012. In addition to enjoying a $35 discount, only early birds have the opportunity to order a printed syllabus. (Everyone will receive a syllabus on flash drive.) NGS members get even deeper discounts, so this is a great time to join.

Space is still available for most conference social events and workshops including the Friday night NGSQ 100th Anniversary Reception, Tuesday bus tour, museum center tour and dinner, and the NGS luncheon that features local celebrity, Dan Hurley.

The opening session at this year's conference will be held on Wednesday morning, 9 May 2012, at 8:00 a.m. The keynote address will be presented by Patricia Van Skaik, manager of the genealogy collection at the Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County (PLCH). This presentation will explore one of the PLCH's most valuable treasures, the 1848 Cincinnati Riverfront Panorama. Patricia will reveal this incredible early photographic snapshot of mid-nineteenth-century life in an important American river town, Cincinnati.

All full-conference registrants will be entered in a drawing to win a seven-night stay at the Salt Lake Plaza Hotel at Temple Square, courtesy of the Salt Lake Plaza Hotel. The prize will also include a free spot on one the Ancestor Seekers Salt Lake City research trips. Be sure to attend the opening session to find out if you are the winner. The winner must be present at the opening session to claim the prize.

To register online, visit the NGS website at http://www.ngsgenealogy.org/cs/attendee_registration and complete the registration form.

Founded in 1903, the National Genealogical Society is dedicated to genealogy education, high research standards, and the preservation of genealogical records. The Arlington, VA-based nonprofit is the premier national society for everyone, from the beginner to the most advanced family historian, seeking excellence in publications, educational offerings, research guidance, and opportunities to interact with other genealogists. Please visit the NGS Pressroom at http://www.ngsgenealogy.org/cs/pressroom/press_releases for further information.

RootsTech Videos Now Online

Twelve video presentations from the RootsTech 2012 Conference, held in February in Salt Lake City, are now available for viewing on the RootsTech website. If you were unable to attend the conference this is a great way to hear some of the presentations. Five additional videos from FamilySearch presenters at RootsTech are also available online at the links listed below. Topics include:

Do I Trust the Cloud?

By D. Joshua Taylor

 

Effective Database Search Tactics

By Kory Meyerink

 

Twitter – It’s Not Just “What I Had For Breakfast” Anymore

By Thomas MacEntee

 

Eleven Layers of Online Searches

By Barbara Renick

 

Exabyte Social Clouds and Other Monstrosities

By Josh Coates

 

Publish Your Genealogy Online

By Laura Prescott

 

Optimizing Your Site for Search Engines

By Robert Gardner

 

Genealogists “Go Mobile”

By Sandra Crowley

 

Google's Toolbar and Genealogy

By David Barney

 

Making the Most of Technology to Further the Family History Industry

By Tim Sullivan

 

Genealogy Podcasts and Blogs 101

By Lisa Louise Cooke

Privacy in a Collaborative Environment

By Noah Tutak

Additional Videos

The following presentations were given by FamilySearch presenters at RootsTech 2012 and are also available for viewing online (links go to FamilySearch.org):

YouTube Your Family History

By Devin Ashby

Reputation Systems for Genealogy

By Jimmy Zimmerman

GeneTech: YDNA Solutions to Common Genealogical Problems

By Nathan Murphy

Introducing the FamilySearch Indexing & Linking Tool

By Grant Echols

Using Android Devices for Genealogy and Family History

By David Lifferth