TSGS Cruiser Blog

Saturday, January 16, 2010

NAVIGATING ALONG the RIVER -
Research Tips

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Research Inventory
by Terry Winchester

Have you ever found yourself scouring through records online, such as at http://www.ancestry.com/ or at the Family History Library Catalog at http://www.familysearch.org/, and come across records that sound familiar, but you can’t decide on whether or not you’ve already searched some of those records? Or, perhaps you’ve been in the process of looking through material, and discover only after a good amount of time spent, that you’ve already searched that particular source? We always want to avoid the duplication of research by others, but how often do we duplicate our own research? I know I’ve looked at the same records several times, only to discover that I had already searched them, and only after some serious time spent on the record, something shows up that reminds me that I’ve already been there.

Information on the internet is being updated on a daily basis, and somehow, we’ve got to remember where we’ve been and what we’ve done in order to avoid wasting time. And it’s not confined to the internet, either. Our own TSGS is constantly buying new books and material, and in order to save time and, frustration, it helps to know what you’ve already looked at in the enormous amount of material at Willard Library.

Well, I found a solution that, at least, works for me. I call it my Research Inventory Sheet. For each county that I’m interested in, I create a form, and make an entry for each record relating to that county, that I’ve searched, be it in book or microfilm form. Here’s how I do it. In Microsoft Excel, I create my own form, with column headers, as follows: Title, Author, Publisher/Location, Result. I think the headers are pretty well self explanatory, but I’ll explain a bit. TITLE is obvious. Under PUBLISHER/LOCATION, I’ll list everything about who published the material, and where and when I found it. If it’s a book that I found at the Library, I’ll include the Call#. Under RESULT, I simply list, in summary, what was found, and any notes that I may need to find the entire contents of the record which I have filed in my own filing system. Of course, at the top of the page, I allow for an entry as to County of Research and Surname(s).
- Written & submitted by Terry Winchester.

Friday, January 15, 2010

RACING DOWN the RIVER -
Brief Genealogical Notes

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Bill West announced that...

"Who Do You Think You Are" premieres on NBC Friday Mar 5 at 8pm EST. Read more on the NBC Web Site: http://www.nbc.com/news/2010/01/14/nbc-presents-post-winter-olympics-primetime-schedule-beginning-march-1/ "“Who Do You Think You Are?” gives viewers an up-close and personal look inside the family history of some of today's most beloved and iconic celebrities. Among the celebrities featured are Matthew Broderick, Lisa Kudrow, Spike Lee, Sarah Jessica Parker, Susan Sarandon, Brooke Shields and Emmitt Smith. Ancestry.com is NBC's official partner on the series. From executive producer Kudrow (“Friends,” “The Comeback”) - in conjunction with her production company Is or Isn't Entertainment and the U.K.'s Wall to Wall productions - “Who Do You Think You Are?” is an adaptation of the hit BBC television documentary series created and executive-produced by Alex Graham."

Dick Eastman posted...

It appears that genealogy is all over the television set these days. PBS is releasing a four-part series, "Faces of America with Henry Louis Gates Jr." The special, which builds upon the Harvard University professor's popular documentary series "African American Lives" parts 1 and 2, traces the genealogical histories of 11 luminaries of various races and backgrounds. The list includes author Malcolm Gladwell, cellist Yo-Yo Ma, former champion figure skater Kristi Yamaguchi, television actress Eva Longoria, and Oscar-winning legend Meryl Streep. When "Faces of America with Henry Louis Gates Jr." premieres on PBS in February, viewers will first get to see Kristi Yamaguchi learn about the grandfather she never really knew. Meanwhile, novelist Louise Erdrich is shown cheering out loud when she is told one of her ancestors was one of the founders of Detroit. Check out the PBS Web Site for more: http://detnews.com/article/20100114/ENT10/1140329/PBS-lines-up-family-history-series--Faces-#ixzz0ce3yCrZT

Thursday, January 14, 2010

Tombstone Thursday - Carver

St. Bernard Cemetery, Rockport, Indiana
John D. Carver
1952-2006
[Click on the photo for a larger image.]
This poem is very special, it reminds me of how I feel about my wife.

- Photo taken & submitted by JGWest
[Tombstone Thursday is dedicated in memory of Donald G. West 1952-2000]

Wednesday, January 13, 2010

From the FIRST MATE's
PHOTO ALBUM...

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Contrasts!

My newly discovered cousin from Chicago posted these photos on Facebook over a period of 4-5 months... what a contrast!!!

"The Jeep photo was taken August 31, 2009, in the Hawaiian Paradise Park subdivision, about ten miles south of Hilo on the Big Island of Hawaii." - Clint said in his e-mail with the photo. Click on it for a larger, clearer image... great photo of a beautiful, warm scene (noticed jeep with wheels turned for photographic effect!).


The below photo shot out Clint's window taken 08 January 2010 in the Chicago neighborhood of Logan Square, during a "snow storm that dumped about 8 inches ... fairly light for the city, but the first significant snow this winter." Zoomed image of the alley showing the snow coming down.
Photo (below) taken on 08 Jan. 2010 from Clint's window looking down on the snow covered cars on North Maplewood Ave. in Chicago.

What a contrast from August to January! From the bright, sunny and warm scene in Hawaii to dark, night-lighted and cold alley of Chicago!!!
- Photos taken & submitted by Clint Hadden

Tuesday, January 12, 2010

THE CAPTAIN'S LOG –
TSGS News

Tonight is the Jan. monthly TSGS meeting...
at Willard Library at 7:30 PM (12 Jan 2010). We meet the second Tuesday of each month except the vacation months of July & August. There will be 3 discussion groups that you may choose to join at the conclusion of our brief business meeting. Discussion Groups (choose one): A) Adoptions, led by Becky West, B) German Research, led by Karin Kirsch, C) Piftalls, led by Mary Lou Bevers (Mary Lou sent an email that she may not be able to make the meeting). Karin & Becky have prepared to lead their discussion groups... be sure to attend to participate. The roads are all good for traveling and we are experiencing a "heat wave!" - so, come to the meeting and learn something new.

The deadline for the March issue of the Tri-State Packet (TSGS Members quarterly journal) is January 15th. Please get your submissions to the Editor Brenda Legate by that time. She is looking forward to hearing from you! [Click on Brenda's name to send her a message.]

Last Friday (08 Jan 2009), the TSGS Cruiser got 140 hits - a record for one day!!!

John G. West, TSGS President

Sunday, January 10, 2010

THE CAPTAIN'S LOG –
TSGS News

The next TSGS meeting is this Tuesday night at Willard Library at 7:30 PM (12 Jan 2010). There will be 3 discussion groups that you may choose to join at the conclusion of our brief business meeting. Discussion Groups (choose one): A) Adoptions, led by Becky West, B) German Research, led by Karin Kirsch, C) Piftalls, led by Mary Lou Bevers. I hope you will come out and join in on the discussions and learn something or share something for others to learn.

The deadline for the March issue of the Tri-State Packet (TSGS Members quarterly journal) is January 15th. Please get your submissions to the Editor Brenda Legate by that time. She is looking forward to hearing from you! [Click on Brenda's name to send her a message.]

John G. West, TSGS President