Progress Indexing the 1940 Census

On April 2nd images of the 1940 U.S. federal census were released by the National Archives, and now thousands of volunteers are working to create an index for the census. FamilySearch has a new map on their 1940 census page where you can see the progress on indexing the census for each state. Indexing is in progress for all but four states.

To see the map and progress for each state visit:
https://www.familysearch.org/1940census/

Here are the states that are 50% or more complete:

Delaware 100%
Colorado 99%
Kansas 99%
Oregon 99%
Virginia 91%
New Hampshire 87%
Utah 86%
Idaho 79%
Indiana 78%
Nevada 61%
Wyoming 50%

Overall progress on indexing the census is at 11.54% as of today. This is very exciting as it will be much easier to search the index by name than it is to search by enumeration district.

I am grateful to the many volunteer indexers and arbitrators who are working diligently to create this index!

Salt Lake Institute of Genealogy Scholarship

I received the following announcement about a new scholarship available for the Salt Lake Institute of Genealogy: 

April 17, 2012

The Salt Lake Institute of Genealogy is pleased to announce we are now accepting essays for the Jimmy B. Parker Salt Lake Institute of Genealogy scholarship. Full tuition to SLIG 2013 will be awarded to the student whose essay and application exemplify the culture of giving back lived by Jimmy B. Parker. The scholarship will be awarded by a committee comprised of SLIG committee members and the family of the late Jimmy B. Parker.

Applicants are asked to submit the following via email to sligdirector@ugagenealogy.org:

1.      A one-page essay detailing how attending SLIG will help you prepare to give back to the genealogical community, following Jimmy B. Parker’s example.

2.      A short biography including previous volunteer and research experience.

3.      The name of the course you would like to attend.

4.      A letter of recommendation from someone who has benefited from your volunteer service.

The winning essay will be posted on the UGA blog at http://ugagenealogy.blogspot.com/.

The Salt Lake Institute runs from January 14-18, 2013 and the winning student will have their choice of the following tracks:

American Research and Records: Focus on Localities (with Paula Stuart-Warren, CG, FUGA, FMGS)

Bridging the 1780-1830 Gap: From New England to the Midwest (and Points in Between) (with D. Joshua Taylor, MA, MLS)

Researching Your English Ancestors: Beyond the Parish Register (with Apryl Cox, AG)

Advanced German Research (with F. Warren Bittner, CG)

Researching in Washington D.C. without Leaving Home (with Richard G. Sayre, CG, and Pamela, Boyer Sayre, CG, CGL)

A Genealogist’s Guide to the Internet Galaxy (with Thomas MacEntee)

Principles of Forensic Genealogy (with Melinde Lutz Byrne, CG, FASG and in partnership with Boston University)

Producing a Quality Family Narrative (with John Philip Colletta, Ph.D.)

Advanced Genealogical Methods (with Thomas W. Jones, Ph.D., CG, CGL, FASG, FUGA, FNGS)

Advanced Evidence Analysis Practicum (with Angela McGhie and Kimberly Powell)

Problem Solving (with Judith Hansen, MLS, AG)

Applications and essays are due by May 15^th and the winner will be announced May 31^st. SLIG registration opens June 2, 2012 at 9:00 AM Mountain Time.

APG Hosts Two Webinars in April

The Association of Professional Genealogists is hosting two webinars this month. The first is for APG members only, and the second is open to the public. Here are the press releases with details:

How FamilySearch Can Help Professional Genealogists
19 April 2012, 8:00 p.m. EDT

Presenter: Diane C. Loosle, Director of Genealogical Services at FamilySearch

Did you know that FamilySearch offers free resources to help you develop your skills? Did you know there are opportunities for millions of people to know about you and your expertise through FamilySearch? Join this webinar to learn about the tools and resources you can use to develop professionally and promote your expertise.

Note: This webinar is being presented by FamilySearch for APG members only. Contact the APG Executive Director at admin@apgen.org for login information.

Facts, Photos and Fair Use: Copyright Law for Genealogists
25 April 2012, 9:00p.m. EDT

Presenter: Judy G. Russell, CG

Materials and records created by others are the bread-and-butter of genealogy. But whether copyright law allows use of old photographs, reports and articles can be murky at best. Join "The Legal Genealogist" Judy G. Russell as she sheds light on what’s copyrighted and what isn’t, when and how copyrighted materials can be used, and how to handle copyright issues with our own clients.

About the Presenter:
A Certified Genealogist℠ with a law degree, Judy G. Russell blogs as "The Legal Genealogist" and writes and speaks on a variety of genealogy topics. She is a member of the Association of Professional Genealogists and the Genealogical Speakers Guild, and has been published in the National Genealogical Society Quarterly and the National Genealogical Society Magazine.

Reserve your Webinar seat now at:
https://www1.gotomeeting.com/register/353574385

 
Note: This webinar is being presented by APG and is open to members and the public alike.