State archives newsletters hold value for genealogists

Have you checked the newsletters produced by the state archives in your ancestral states? The content varies, but may include:

• list of recent acquisitions
• bios of staff members (may tell you which person is familiar with specific collections)
• descriptions of collections
• notes on state history
• indexing projects
• digitization projects

Both the current and past issue are valuable. Many are in paper format but some have older issues online. Some archives deliver their newsletters electronically today. 

These are some you might want to check:

• Pennsylvania State Archives
• Missouri State Archives
• Maryland State Archives
• California State Archives
• Oregon State Records Center and Archives Older issues only
  

The Digital Genealogist

One of publications that I subscribe to is Digital Genealogist. It is edited by Elizabeth Kelley Kerstens, CG, CGL. Liz was editor of the Computer Genealogist that was published by Ancestry. Liz created the Digital Genealogist to fill the void left by the demise of that publication. She is also the editor of the NGS NewsMagazine. I eagerly await notice of each new issue and as a disclaimer, I don't write for DG and paid for my own subscription. DG is only available online which is so fitting. I do read this publication from beginning to end and add considerably to my technology related education. I am not a techie by any means, but I can understand what is written, gain practical knowledge, and even better, learn while sitting at home in my robe.

The Table of Contents for the current issue is online and features articles and columns by some well-known names. The range of articles is impressive and as usual, includes the regular column for MAC users. Another regular column gives us a refresher on search engines, key words and phrases, and related help this time. Another explains more about the wealth of info provided by Google Maps, finding addresses, collaborating with others and how to create our own family history maps. I have visited most streets where ancestors lived and found views of the homes. Liz tells us about selling used textbooks and duplicate genealogy books via Amazon.com. These articles represent only a small portion of this 51 page January/February 2008 issue which includes software reviews. DG is viewable in a PDF format which gives readers the ability to increase/decrease the size of the print.

The DG website allows curious genealogists to read the sample first issue of the DG from 2006. Other back issues are available for $4.00 via PayPal and the T of Cs are online. A one year subscription is only $20.00 and can be processed online.

Nu? What's New

Nu? What's New is a free bi-weekly newsletter edited by Gary Mokotoff and published by Avotaynu. It is designed for researching Jewish family History. HOWEVER, I have found much useful info for searching in Eastern European countries, Canada, the U.S. and good updates on the Family History Library. You can sign up via the website below and the back issues are available online. Avotaynu is a magazine with the same aims and my subscription to it has been valuable in the same ways. http://www.avotaynu.com/nu.htm

Free Genealogy News

From time to time I will post the links to genealogical and historical electronic newsletters and blogs that are available at no cost. I do happen to be one of the writers for the first two.

24/7 Family History Circle http://blogs.ancestry.com/circle/

Ancestry Weekly Blog http://www.ancestry.com/learn/library/article.aspx?article=dailynews

Dick Eastman's Online Genealogy Newsletter http://www.eogn.com/
Dick also has a Plus Edition that is fee based.

Leland Meitzler and Everton Publisher's Blog http://www.genealogyblog.com/