FGS Press Release on War of 1812 Pension Project

The Federation of Genealogical Societies just issued this exciting press release. Please share the news with your friends in genealogical, historical, and military society circles. You can also make a contribution to the fund by visiting the FGS booth in the Exhibit Hall during this week's National Genealogical Society Conference in Salt Lake City. The Exhibit Hall opens Wednesday, April 28th at 9:30 a.m. and is open during daytime hours Wednesday-Saturday this week.

April 27, 2010:  FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

The Federation of Genealogical Societies Launches National Fundraiser, Preserve the Pensions!, to Digitize the War of 1812 Pension Files

SALT LAKE CITY — With the approaching bicentennial of the War of 1812, the Federation of Genealogical Societies, a non-profit genealogical organization headquartered in Austin, Texas, is pleased to announce a national fundraising initiative to raise $3.7 million to digitize of the War of 1812 pension files. 

New episode of "Who Do You Think You Are?" this Friday

Lou Szucs from Ancestry.com sent a reminder about this Friday's show! Lou said:

"With just two episodes left, the Who Do You Think You Are? season is nearly over. Don't forget to remind friends and family to tune in as two more fascinating family stories are revealed. Genealogical societies, libraries and archives are continuing to enjoy increased traffic as the series grabs the attention of many individuals who are now intrigued and determined to solve their own family mysteries.

This Week's Episode - Susan Sarandon

This week's episode will feature leading actress Susan Sarandon, who sets out to learn more about her grandmother Anita, who led a life shrouded with mystery and who disappeared out of Susan's mother's life when her mother was just a child. In the episode, Susan visits the New York City Public Library and the New City Library in Rockland, New York.

Check out the teaser featuring Susan Sarandon, and tune into NBC for the full episode on Friday at 8/7c.

Have you seen these blogs?

Special collections departments or libraries on college and university campuses often hold much for the study of local history and genealogy. Yes, they likely include the university's archives but the other manuscripts, oral histories, newspapers, and books can be a gold mine for research. Local history collections in city and county public libraries are also the home of many resources for family history research. Check out these blogs that are produced by staff at such collections. 

• Haverford College Libraries, Quaker and Special Collections http://news.haverford.edu/blogs/special/
   
• University of Montana, Missoula, Archives & Special Collections at the Maureen and Mike Mansfield Library http://content.lib.umt.edu/spcoll/
   
• Sandusky Library Archives Research Center, Sandusky, Ohio http://sanduskyhistory.blogspot.com/
   
• The Top Shelf, University of Texas, San Antonio Libraries Special Collections http://libtmp.lib.utsa.edu/blogs/index.php?blog=7
   
• University of Kentucky Archives and the Louie B. Nunn Center for Oral History http://www.ukyarchives.blogspot.com/
   
• Iowa State University Special Collections Blog http://isuspecialcollections.wordpress.com/
   
• The San José State University Special Collections & Archives http://sjsuspecialcollections.blogspot.com/

Spring 2010 FGS FORUM is ready!

I just received an email telling me that the Spring 2010 issue of FGS FORUM is ready for me to read online. This quarterly publication of the Federation of Genealogical Societies is now in its 22nd year.

FORUM is an inexpensive publication -- just $15.00 for access to four issues (one year or $25.00 for two years). Check out the online FREE issue at http://fgs.org/forum/ to see why you should order this neat publication today. Each issue is 45 pages long, viewed in PDF format, links to websites are live (my favorite), and the contents include news on technology and genealogy, ethnic, international and genealogical society activities, extensive book and CD reviews, news on records including access issues, specialized topics written by recognized experts, and so much more.

I particularly enjoyed Wendy Bebout Elliott's article on the "War of 1812: Brief Background and Genealogical Resources" and the project of FGS, the National Archives,

Minnesota Genealogical Society Family History Fair, April 17th

Immigration and roots across the Atlantic are themes of the annual MGS Family History Fair that will be held April 17 at the MGS Library and Research Center in South Saint Paul, Minnesota.

Anduin Wilhide of the University of Minnesota's Immigration History Research Center will give the keynote talk on 19th Century immigration. Afterward, an experienced researcher will lead discussions on genealogy research in nine areas:

• Danish - Scott Jkar
• African-American - Myrtice Orr
• English - Lois Mackin and Jay Fonkert
• Bavarin (German) - Kent Cutkomp
• Irish - Beth Mullinax
• Yankees - Barbara Oestreich
• Italian - Pat Ricci
• Dutch and Belgian - Jay Fonkert
• Scottish - Bergetta Monroe and John McKeen.

And you can get answers to your research questions at a lunch-time "Ask a Genealogist" forum.

Register online, by mail (checks only sent to: Family History Fair, MN Genealogical Society, 1185 Concord St. N., South Saint Paul 55075), or at the door. Registration is $25; an optional lunch is available for $7. Please register by Wednesday, April 14. For more information, contact Terry Kita (by e-mail or phone:612-927-0719).

Next seminar: April 23-24, Norfolk, Nebraska

My next stop is the Nebraska State Genealogical Society's Conference in Norfolk, Nebraska. The local host is the Madison County Genealogical Society. Are you getting a nagging feeling that you know something about Norfolk? As area residents know, that is the home place of Johnny Carson.

Click here for the full two day program which includes other speakers.This is also the spot to learn more about hotels, meals and the registration form. The pre-registration deadline is April 15th, just ten days away.

I will be presenting six lectures over the two days:

• The Three Rs: Reading, 'Riting, and Research In School Records

• Organizing your Genealogical Materials

• Where Are The Records They Told Me to Check?

• The WPA Era: What is Created for Genealogists

• Finding Ancestral Places of Origin

• Railroad Records and Railway History: Methods for Tracking

Norfolk is a great place for a conference as the driving distance to there from these places runs about 2 hours or less: Council Bluffs and Sioux City in Iowa, Omaha, Lincoln, and Grand Island in Nebraska, and Sioux Falls, Yankton, and Vermillion in South Dakota.

The following week is the NGS Family History Conference in Salt Lake City! I will also see you there for a full week of activities.

Who Do You Think You Are? Renewed for a second season!

Suzanne Russo Adams from Ancestry.com just shared this press release. Thanks Suzanne! I am so glad that Ancestry.com and other advertisers helped to make sure this show got on TV, that the viewers have responded, and that a whole bunch of people are now taking the steps to learn more about their personal history. I am also grateful to my fellow professional genealogist who helped with the research.

NBC announced today that popular TV show "Who Do You Think You Are?" has been renewed for a second season. NBC published the following press release earlier this afternoon. The full press release text follows and can be read at this link. The following words are selected from that NBC press release.

NBC Picks Up Three Freshman Series As 'The Marriage Ref,' 'Minute To Win It' and 'Who Do You Think You Are?' are Renewed for 2010-11