Any of you who know me well know that I am an AVID cemetery photographer, and probably know my favorite web site for this is Findagrave.
So how long do you think I've been a member?
Pretty much as long as I've been doing genealogy, over 15 years. That's a long time to use a web site, and I use it regularly. I have contributed an average of over 1000 photos per year, or 3 per day.
Then lately, they decided to TOTALLY change their site, and its design. Now there have been updates over the last 15 years, but generally their design has stayed the same. So it wasn't that hard to get used to those.
I didn't think I was "old dog" who couldn't learn new tricks but for some reason I have been resistant to try this out. Well in the last month or so, it pretty much looked like I didn't have a choice.
Also please refer to their statement here as to the changes: https://www.facebook.com/FindAGrave/posts/10155934120708680
Pros:
1. Findagrave says it's better for phones and tablets.
I rarely use it on my phone or tablet, but I agree it does work well on my phone. No need to zoom in to read the type which before was quite small.
2. It's faster.
I have found it loading quicker, hopefully this continues.
3. Easier to send edits
Instead of 5-7 choices to send edits, there is one page to make all the edits and then click save. No need to send relationship links in one edit, and then edits to dates in another. Do it all in one. Thanks Findagrave. I am liking this one.
4. More photos allowed.
This is a pro as sometimes a contributor would put 5 family photos on, not leaving any space for a gravestone photo or vice versa.
Now there is a limit per contributor
Cons:
1. You have to accept edits one at a time. This is more time consuming than it used to be. Used to be able to set up to 25 edits to accept (or reject or ignore) and then process them.
2. You have to claim a photo request in order to report a problem on it. My questions is Why (did Findagrave do this)? It seems like an extra step that is unnecessary.
That's all I can think of for now. Feel free to leave a comment if you can think of other Pros or Cons to the new format. Please no other comments about Findagrave and specific people (like the complaint I often see about posting memorials RIGHT after someone dies). I'm just talking about the format changes.
Sunday, December 31, 2017
Sunday, October 8, 2017
Cousin's DNA
Ancestry DNA had a good sale a while back, so I asked a few of my cousins if they would take a DNA test. About 5 people agreed, but I was only paying for two. Not a whole lot of surprises by their DNA, but it's interesting. So I did a comparison:
Beth (my) DNA:
Jeremy DNA:
Tricia DNA:
Okay we are all three first cousins. Tricia's Mom, my Mom, and Jeremy's Dad are all siblings.
We are all 100% European, no surprise. Our top 4 are virtually all the same. However the percentages vary, which is to be expected. Percentages can even vary between siblings. Also even though we are ALL Scandinavian, there is no Scandinavian in our common heritage. Jeremy's Mom and my Dad have Danish ancestors, so pretty sure that's our Scandinavian. With Tricia's maiden name, her Dad surely has Swedish ancestors (or possibly Norwegian).
Our common countries should be Ireland, Germany, France and England. So the Europe West could be Germany and France. We all have Irish, and all close to the same percentage 17-23%. The Irish is from our great-grandmother (our grandmother's mother was pretty much 100% Irish). We also all have a tiny bit of Iberian Peninsula, which I'm thinking could be related to our French ancestors. I haven't found any Spanish or Portuguese, so maybe our French were further south.
Some things stand out. Jeremy is the only one with Finland/Northwest Russia which must be from his Mom. Maybe her Danes dabbled in Finland. Tricia is the only one with European Jewish which must be from her Dad's side. Tricia and I have Italy/Greece but not Jeremy, and I have not found any Italian or Greek ancestors yet, but notice my percentage is tiny.
Anyway, this was all very interesting to me. Feel free to leave any comments below or on social media.
Beth (my) DNA:
Okay we are all three first cousins. Tricia's Mom, my Mom, and Jeremy's Dad are all siblings.
We are all 100% European, no surprise. Our top 4 are virtually all the same. However the percentages vary, which is to be expected. Percentages can even vary between siblings. Also even though we are ALL Scandinavian, there is no Scandinavian in our common heritage. Jeremy's Mom and my Dad have Danish ancestors, so pretty sure that's our Scandinavian. With Tricia's maiden name, her Dad surely has Swedish ancestors (or possibly Norwegian).
Our common countries should be Ireland, Germany, France and England. So the Europe West could be Germany and France. We all have Irish, and all close to the same percentage 17-23%. The Irish is from our great-grandmother (our grandmother's mother was pretty much 100% Irish). We also all have a tiny bit of Iberian Peninsula, which I'm thinking could be related to our French ancestors. I haven't found any Spanish or Portuguese, so maybe our French were further south.
Some things stand out. Jeremy is the only one with Finland/Northwest Russia which must be from his Mom. Maybe her Danes dabbled in Finland. Tricia is the only one with European Jewish which must be from her Dad's side. Tricia and I have Italy/Greece but not Jeremy, and I have not found any Italian or Greek ancestors yet, but notice my percentage is tiny.
Anyway, this was all very interesting to me. Feel free to leave any comments below or on social media.
Friday, May 19, 2017
May Ancestor: Harry Seggerman
Sorry to my faithful readers that it's been a while. I've just been busy.
Did my fellow genealogists know that NSGS (Nebraska State Genealogy Society) offers family recognition certificates? So if your family settled in Nebraska AT LEAST 100 years ago, you could apply for one of these! And in 2017 the certificates are special with the Nebraska 150 logo, and the 40th anniversary logo of NSGS. This year I hope to do that for 2 of my ancestors, one a pioneer family and one a century family. Go here https://nsgs.org/cpage.php?pt=33 for more information.
For my pioneer family, I plan to apply with Lars Jorgensen. I have already blogged about him here http://geniebeth.blogspot.com/2015/05/april-ancestor-lars-jorgensen.html
For my century family, I plan to apply with Harry Seggerman.
Harry was born the 9th of October 1881 to Johann Heinrich (John Henry) and Mary (Junker) Seggerman in Minonk, Woodford County, Illinois. Harry was the sixth of nine children born to J. H. and Mary Seggerman. Some time between 1889 and 1894 the Seggerman family moved from Illinois to Jefferson County, Nebraska. Here is where the 1890 census would help determine that. I have evidence that their youngest daughter was born in 1889 in Illinois, and Mary passed away in 1894 in Jefferson County, Nebraska. So Harry spends much of his youth growing up in Illinois, and then around the age of 10 moves with his family to Nebraska.
On April 7, 1904 Harry marries Anna Michels in Jefferson County, Nebraska. This union is blessed with 3 children: Henry, and then twins Lester and Esther. Harry is a farmer in Jefferson County, Nebraska for his entire married life. Harry passes away February 18, 1942 at the age of 60 years and about 4 months in Fairbury, Jefferson County, Nebraska. He is laid to rest on February 20 in the cemetery where his father and several siblings are buried, the Pleasant Hill Cemetery just west of Fairbury. He is survived by his wife, 2 sons and one daughter, two brothers and three sisters.
Did my fellow genealogists know that NSGS (Nebraska State Genealogy Society) offers family recognition certificates? So if your family settled in Nebraska AT LEAST 100 years ago, you could apply for one of these! And in 2017 the certificates are special with the Nebraska 150 logo, and the 40th anniversary logo of NSGS. This year I hope to do that for 2 of my ancestors, one a pioneer family and one a century family. Go here https://nsgs.org/cpage.php?pt=33 for more information.
For my pioneer family, I plan to apply with Lars Jorgensen. I have already blogged about him here http://geniebeth.blogspot.com/2015/05/april-ancestor-lars-jorgensen.html
For my century family, I plan to apply with Harry Seggerman.
Harry was born the 9th of October 1881 to Johann Heinrich (John Henry) and Mary (Junker) Seggerman in Minonk, Woodford County, Illinois. Harry was the sixth of nine children born to J. H. and Mary Seggerman. Some time between 1889 and 1894 the Seggerman family moved from Illinois to Jefferson County, Nebraska. Here is where the 1890 census would help determine that. I have evidence that their youngest daughter was born in 1889 in Illinois, and Mary passed away in 1894 in Jefferson County, Nebraska. So Harry spends much of his youth growing up in Illinois, and then around the age of 10 moves with his family to Nebraska.
On April 7, 1904 Harry marries Anna Michels in Jefferson County, Nebraska. This union is blessed with 3 children: Henry, and then twins Lester and Esther. Harry is a farmer in Jefferson County, Nebraska for his entire married life. Harry passes away February 18, 1942 at the age of 60 years and about 4 months in Fairbury, Jefferson County, Nebraska. He is laid to rest on February 20 in the cemetery where his father and several siblings are buried, the Pleasant Hill Cemetery just west of Fairbury. He is survived by his wife, 2 sons and one daughter, two brothers and three sisters.
Saturday, March 25, 2017
Advertisement: NSGS Conference 2017
Readers beware,
This is basically a promotional post. I am the conference coordinator for NSGS.
This is basically a promotional post. I am the conference coordinator for NSGS.
Solve
Family History Mysteries with
PBS
Genealogy Roadshow’s D. Joshua Taylor
D. Joshua Taylor,
president of the New York Genealogical and Biographical Society, will be the
keynote speaker at the Nebraska State Genealogical Society (NSGS) conference
April 28-29, 2017 at the Cornhusker Marriott Hotel, Lincoln, NE.
Nationally and internationally known, Mr. Taylor has
been featured on the PBS TV multi-season series Genealogy Roadshow. He is
past president of the Federation of Genealogical Societies.
In addition to Mr. Taylor, the two-day event also includes
additional speakers and sessions for genealogists, historians, librarians, and
archivists.
“I am pleased to announce Mr. Taylor as our speaker
for this event. The conference will
honor both the 150th anniversary of Nebraska statehood and the 40th
anniversary of the NSGS. Participants
will discover many new ideas, research strategies and trends they can apply to
their family history research,” said Rosalee Swartz, NSGS president.
Conference
Highlights
·
Conference
Sessions: A wide variety of genealogy-related lectures for all experience
levels. Attendees will be able to learn tips for researching their ancestors, using
the internet, DNA, Nebraska resources and more. Pre and Post Conference
research activities available.
·
Vendor Exhibits: Includes
genealogical products and genealogical organizations.
·
Single Day (Friday
or Saturday Only) Registration with Luncheon: NSGS Members $60, Nonmembers $70.
·
2-Day Conference
with two luncheons: NSGS Member $109, Nonmember $119.
·
Friday Evening
Banquet and
Program: Featuring Dr. Sara Crook, chair Nebraska
Sesquicentennial Commission “Celebrating Nebraska’s Sesquicentennial”
$30.
About the Nebraska
State Genealogical Society (NSGS)
The Nebraska State Genealogical Society (NSGS) was
founded 40 years ago in 1977. It
represents members across Nebraska and the country. NSGS connects the state-wide
genealogical community through resources, programs, on-line links, and its
quarterly publication Ancestree and
newsletter NewBrassKey.
Learn More about
NSGS, the 2017 Spring Conference and Stay Connected
·
Visit the conference web page at http://nsgs.org/cpage.php?pt=14.
·
Twitter: @NebrStGenealogy and
Facebook group: Nebraska State Genealogical Society
Monday, January 2, 2017
Review of 2016
Well a bit late, but the holidays are busy as usual.
Time to review my goals from 2016:
Professional:
1. I attended about 14 sessions of genchat this year. (pretty much met goal, which was 16)
2. Do 2 webinars or videos, I did one
3. Go to 2 genealogy conferences, I went to one (didn't find another close by that interested me)
4. Blog twice a month or 24 times
I blogged 9 times, and have 2 drafts in progress, so close to half
5. Work on projects for clients
Progress made
Volunteer:
1. Update the local cemetery directory
Done in May before Memorial day
2. Continue adding photos on Findagrave for cemeteries
This one wasn't very measurable but I finished the ones I wanted to do, plus did others
3. Continue indexing marriage records and put online
Made progress, got through some quick letters (Q, U, V) and helped do a little with FamilySearch indexing.
4. Continue quarterly updates of my GenWeb site
I did some updates, particularly when I added the above marriage records, but probably not quarterly
Personal:
1. Do timelines for 12 ancestors
Not even sure if I got one done
2. Continue regular quarterly backups
I did a backup in the 3rd quarter, so need to do this more
3. Finish husband's Mayflower application
Progress made, but need to do more
4. Do my DAR application
Progress made, working on getting records so I can submit soon
5. Continue working on my research To Do List
This is also not very measurable but some progress was made.
I seem to be much better at the first two categories than the last. Always putting others first, I guess. But I've been focusing on my own for the first 10 years or so, so these last 4 1/2 I can focus on others.
I don't think I did too bad, but always room for improvement. Well I have things to carry over for next year....well this year now. I also need new ideas, so if you have different goals than mine, let me know. It's always good to share ideas.
Time to review my goals from 2016:
Professional:
1. I attended about 14 sessions of genchat this year. (pretty much met goal, which was 16)
2. Do 2 webinars or videos, I did one
3. Go to 2 genealogy conferences, I went to one (didn't find another close by that interested me)
4. Blog twice a month or 24 times
I blogged 9 times, and have 2 drafts in progress, so close to half
5. Work on projects for clients
Progress made
Volunteer:
1. Update the local cemetery directory
Done in May before Memorial day
2. Continue adding photos on Findagrave for cemeteries
This one wasn't very measurable but I finished the ones I wanted to do, plus did others
3. Continue indexing marriage records and put online
Made progress, got through some quick letters (Q, U, V) and helped do a little with FamilySearch indexing.
4. Continue quarterly updates of my GenWeb site
I did some updates, particularly when I added the above marriage records, but probably not quarterly
Personal:
1. Do timelines for 12 ancestors
Not even sure if I got one done
2. Continue regular quarterly backups
I did a backup in the 3rd quarter, so need to do this more
3. Finish husband's Mayflower application
Progress made, but need to do more
4. Do my DAR application
Progress made, working on getting records so I can submit soon
5. Continue working on my research To Do List
This is also not very measurable but some progress was made.
I seem to be much better at the first two categories than the last. Always putting others first, I guess. But I've been focusing on my own for the first 10 years or so, so these last 4 1/2 I can focus on others.
I don't think I did too bad, but always room for improvement. Well I have things to carry over for next year....well this year now. I also need new ideas, so if you have different goals than mine, let me know. It's always good to share ideas.
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