Challenge #1 – ’52 Weeks of Personal Genealogy & History’

Amy Coffin has authored a brand new series of personal history prompts for our use this year. If you’re looking for a little help getting your personal history together in a manageable amount of time per week, these challenges will serve you well.

Here’s this week’s challenge: New Year’s

View the entire description of this week’s challenge, by using my Examiner.com, Phoenix Genealogy Examiner link. Click here.  I invite you to click “subscribe” at the top if you’d like my articles automatically delivered to your inbox each week. Click the RSS icon if you’d like to receive posts via feed reader.

Amy Coffin of the We Tree blog has put together the helpful ’52 Weeks of Personal Genealogy & History’ series. These prompts are hosted on the GeneaBloggers website. You may be interested in seeing posts about the challenge from other GeneaBloggers.

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Looking for UNIQUE GIFT IDEAS? Click here

Note from Family Tree Gal, Carolyn: Have you joined the Family Tree Quest at www.familytreequest.com ? I also invite you to join me on Facebook and Twitter. Check out my Family Tree Gal Blog if you haven’t done so already.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I have not received any compensation from Amy Coffin or GeneaBloggers.com for writing this post. I am listed on the GeneaBloggers Blog Roll because I find it to be a valuable, shared community resource. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Last Challenge, #52 – 52 Weeks to Better Genealogy

Here’s your weekly challenge: Tools and Resources

View the entire description of this week’s challenge, by using my Examiner.com, Phoenix Genealogy Examiner link.  Click here.

Many thanks to Amy Coffin of the We Tree blog who has put together a great series of weekly prompts for our challenge this year.  Also thanks to Thomas MacEntee who hosted this challenge on the GeneaBloggers website.

Remember the upcoming AZ Family History Expo to be held in Mesa, AZ on January 21-22, 2011.  Click here for more information or to register.

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Note from Family Tree Gal, Carolyn:  Have you joined the Family Tree Quest at www.familytreequest.com ?  I also invite you to join me on Facebook and Twitter.  Check out my Family Tree Gal Blog if you haven’t done so already.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I have not received any compensation from Amy Coffin or GeneaBloggers for writing this reminder. I am listed on the GeneaBloggers Blog Roll because I find it to be a valuable, shared community resource. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”   I am a Blogger of Honor this year for AZ Family History Expo for which I will receive a Tweet Pass for entrance and will attend the Friday event without charge. I have attended the Expo at my own expense before and highly recommend it based on my personal experience there.

Big Changes at FamilySearch.org

Here is an announcement from FamilySearch.org dated 12/14/2010:

Updated Site Now Available; More Improvements to Come

SALT LAKE CITY–FamilySearch announced several changes today for its family history website,  FamilySearch.org. Online patrons will find millions of new records and images, over 40,000 helpful articles, over 100 interactive courses of instruction, and a dynamic forum to ask personal genealogy questions. The changes have been in testing for some time. FamilySearch will continue to implement the new website in phases to ensure all critical elements are functioning as desired. Once complete, the website will be promoted more broadly.

The new site offers the following free benefits to FamilySearch patrons:

• Millions more scanned, historical documents and indexes that are published more frequently.
• An improved search experience that looks through more content and gives more accurate results.
• A thriving online genealogical community where patrons can give and receive help.
• One user name and password for all FamilySearch products and services.
• Responsive, reliable, and scalable hardware and software that will allow the site to grow and improve.

FamilySearch has published a helpful document called “Adjusting to the New Version of www.familysearch.org” and a video tutorial that summarizes the changes to the new site.  These new guides can be found under the “Changes at FamilySearch.org” link.

The prior version of the site will still be available through the transition period.

To link to the actual announcement, click here.

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Looking for FAMILY-FRIENDLY GIFT IDEAS?  Click here.

Note from Family Tree Gal, Carolyn:  Have you joined the Family Tree Quest at www.familytreequest.com ?  I also invite you to join me on Facebook and Twitter.  Check out my Family Tree Gal Blog if you haven’t done so already.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I have not received any compensation from FamilySearch for writing this post.  I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Challenge #51 – 52 Weeks to Better Genealogy

Here’s your weekly challenge: Next year’s goals

View the entire description of this week’s challenge, by using my Examiner.com, Phoenix Genealogy Examiner link.  Click here

Remember to choose only the challenges that suit you and fit into your schedule.
These challenges are meant to be a blessing, not a burden!

Amy Coffin of the We Tree blog has put together the helpful 52 Weeks to Better Genealogy series. These prompts are hosted on the GeneaBloggers website. You may be interested in seeing posts about the challenge from other GeneaBloggers.  Both sites have been voted among Family Tree Magazine’s Top 40 Genealogy Websites this year.

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Looking for FAMILY-FRIENDLY GIFT IDEAS?  Click here.

Note from Family Tree Gal, Carolyn:  Have you joined the Family Tree Quest at www.familytreequest.com ?  I also invite you to join me on Facebook and Twitter.  Check out my Family Tree Gal Blog if you haven’t done so already.

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Disclosure of Material Connection: I have not received any compensation from Amy Coffin or GeneaBloggers.com for writing this post. I am listed on the GeneaBloggers Blog Roll because I find it to be a valuable, shared community resource. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Records Update: FamilySearch Wraps Up Genealogical Gifts for the Holiday Season

Here is an update from FamilySearch:

Nearly four million new digital images are now available on Beta.FamilySearch.org. These collections include the first images from South Africa, as well as records from Brazil, Canada, Germany, Guatemala, the Netherlands, and the United States. About 1.7 million of these records are indexed.
Click here to see the chart for the complete list of newly added or updated collections.

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Looking for FAMILY-FRIENDLY GIFT IDEAS?  Click here.

Note from Family Tree Gal, Carolyn:  Have you joined the Family Tree Quest at www.familytreequest.com ?  I also invite you to join me on Facebook and Twitter.  Check out my Family Tree Gal Blog if you haven’t done so already.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I have not received any compensation from FamilySearch for writing this post.  I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Challenge #50 – 52 Weeks to Better Genealogy

Here’s your weekly challenge:  Regional Archives

View the entire description of this week’s challenge, by using my Examiner.com, Phoenix Genealogy Examiner link.  Click here

Remember to choose only the challenges that suit you and fit into your schedule.  These challenges are meant to be a blessing, not a burden!

Amy Coffin of the We Tree blog has put together the helpful 52 Weeks to Better Genealogy series. These prompts are hosted on the GeneaBloggers website. You may be interested in seeing posts about the challenge from other GeneaBloggers.  Both sites have been voted among Family Tree Magazine’s Top 40 Genealogy Websites this year.

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Looking for FAMILY-FRIENDLY GIFT IDEAS?  Click here.

Note from Family Tree Gal, Carolyn:  Have you joined the Family Tree Quest at www.familytreequest.com ?  I also invite you to join me on Facebook and Twitter.  Check out my Family Tree Gal Blog if you haven’t done so already.

 

Disclosure of Material Connection: I have not received any compensation from Amy Coffin or GeneaBloggers.com for writing this post. I am listed on the GeneaBloggers Blog Roll because I find it to be a valuable, shared community resource. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

 

MyHeritage.com Partners With Generation Maps

Here is part of the announcement from MyHeritage.com:

MyHeritage.com, the largest and fastest growing family network on the web, unveiled today a host of new online family tree chart designs and features. As the leading online source for family tree charts, with over 7,000 of them created every day by its users, MyHeritage.com has now completely revamped its offering to enable free customization, printing and sharing of beautiful family tree charts. Going one step further in enabling users to showcase their family history, MyHeritage.com launched today a professional poster printing service for any chart produced on the website, and added a new department specializing in the production of custom-tailored handmade family tree charts.

To read the full announcement click here.

To find out more about Generation Maps click here.

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Looking for FAMILY-FRIENDLY GIFT IDEAS?  Click here.

Note from Family Tree Gal, Carolyn:  Have you joined the Family Tree Quest at www.familytreequest.com ?  I also invite you to join me on Facebook and Twitter.  Check out my Family Tree Gal Blog if you haven’t done so already.

Disclosure of Material Connection: Family Tree Quest.com is my personal website.  I am happy to be an affiliate of  the companies represented once you click on any links to my site.  I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

15 Million New Indexed Genealogical Records Added to FamilySearch Beta

Here is part of the announcement from the FamilySearch Beta blog:

The collection of indexes and images available on FamilySearch’s beta website continues to grow by leaps and bounds, with the addition of 34 collections of genealogical records. These records include 15 million indexed records and 2.5 million images. The bounty of information covers 13 different countries around the world: Mexico, Chile, Colombia, Honduras, Guatemala, Brazil, France, Spain, Germany, Belgium, Jamaica, Canada, and the United States. Search these records now at Beta.FamilySearch.org.

To read the entire announcement go to https://news.beta.familysearch.org/node/1001.

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Looking for FAMILY-FRIENDLY GIFT IDEAS?  Click here.

Note from Family Tree Gal, Carolyn:  Have you joined the Family Tree Quest at www.familytreequest.com ?  I also invite you to join me on Facebook and Twitter.  Check out my Family Tree Gal Blog if you haven’t done so already.

Disclosure of Material Connection:  I have not received any compensation for writing this post from familysearch.org.  I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Recent Press Releases From Ancestry.com

Ancestry.com announced that they have created a strategic alliance with National Geographic Digital Media.  Click here for details.

Ancestry.com also announced the release of West Point U.S. military cadet application papers, including those of ‘Stonewall’ Jackson, Colonel Custer, and General Sherman.  Click here for details.

Find out more and access ancestry.com on my website by clicking here.

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Looking for FAMILY-FRIENDLY GIFT IDEAS?  Click here.

Note from Family Tree Gal, Carolyn:  Have you joined the Family Tree Quest at www.familytreequest.com ?  I also invite you to join me on Facebook and Twitter.  Check out my Family Tree Gal Blog if you haven’t done so already.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I am happy to be an affiliate of  Ancestry.com.  I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

How To Start Your Family History

Familysearch.org is a great resource when starting your family history.  This website outlines six basic steps to family history research.  Those steps are:

1. Remember your ancestors.  2. Use sources in your home.  3. Ask relatives for information.  4. Choose a family or ancestor you want to learn more about.  5. See if somebody else has already found the information.  6. Search records for your ancestor.

Click here to go to familysearch.org.  Happy researching!

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Disclosure of Material Connection:  I have not received any compensation for writing this post from familysearch.org.  I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”