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Federation of Genealogical Societies

The Federation of Genealogical Societies annual conference is getting reved up for the 2011 meeting in Springfield, IL, Sept 7-10.     If you plan to attend, it is time to get registered, find a hotel and start planning what sessions you will attend.  I usually try to attend every year, but will have to sit it out this year due to other commitments.

As we get closer to 2012, you will hear more about the 200th anniversary of the War of 1812.  The Federation is helping the National Archives and the genealogy community digitize the War of 1812 Pension Applications.  There is a counter on their website that lets you see their progress.  They are about 1% of the way and need financial assistance to complete the project.  Donations are gladly accepted, so go to the Federation website at www.fgs.org. and make a donation.

There are so many things to hear about at FGS.  And one of the most important parts is the exhibit area where 100s of exhibitors display their software, books, maps, etc.  It always seems like I come home with about 100 extra pounds of books.

All folks who profess to be a genealogist should attend at least one major genealogy conference per year and a number of local meetings to keep current with new ideas, records and websites available.

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A Week of DAR

This week started with Regents’ Club of Central Pennsylvania where new officers were elected.  President, Joan Romig;   V. President, Mary Duggan; Recording Secretary, Suzanne Seebold; Corresponding Secretary, Deborah White Hershey; Treasurer, Phoebe Conner; Chaplain, Lorraine Prutzman.

It was on to Harrisburg Chapter, DAR Flag Day luncheon with SAR.  We had an excellent attendance with numerous prospective, pending  and verified members.  The support the Chapter has garnered continues to grow as others see the many projects we have to honor our veterans, including Wreaths Across America; toiletries to Lebanon VA hospital; Bingo with the veterans at Lebanon; and clothing and other items sent to Landstuhl Medical Center in Germany.

Finally a trip to Rocky Springs Presbyterian Church in Chambersburg to the Franklin County Chapter, DAR memorial service and annual church service. The church is owned and maintained by this chapter.  It was a very warm day, but well attended services.

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Volunteer Field Genealogist Workshop

I am now available to present the National Society Daughters of American Revolution volunteer field genealogist workshops.  The workshop will help anyone who is interested in joining DAR, complete their application or Registrar’s some good information to help prospective members submit an application that is approved the first time it is submitted.

I joined 40 ladies at NSDAR for the 3 day seminar and learned so much about DAR and the folks that review these applications.  There are some very good resources for proving lineage.  Sometimes the information is not there to be found so a “preponderance of evidence” must be used for the proof.

Anyone who enjoys research will enjoy the workshop or course in Washington DC.

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Snedekerville School No. 3 Bell At Historical Society

Today Al and I returned the Snedekerville (PA) School No. 3 bell to Bradford County.  The bell was in Grandma White’s house for many years until it was given to Grandpa White’s nephew, Bob Spencer in Wallingford PA.  Bob and Mid used the bell for many years, then gave it to their daughter who has now given the bell back to me.  I thought the most fitting place to put the bell is back in Bradford County.  The Bradford County Historical Society was happy to get something for their museum from Snedekerville.  If anyone has anything from Sned that they would like to contribute, please notify the Historical Society.  They have a wonderful museum in the former Bradford County Prison.  Their genealogical collections are equally as terrific.  Check their website for visiting hours and information about their collections.  http://www.bradfordhistory.com

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First Families of Pennsylvania

Well it finally happened.  It was a long time coming, lots of research, but I finally made it into First Families of Pennsylvania through the Genealogical Society of Pennsylvania.  It is a wonderful program that honors the Pennsylvania ancestors and preserves your research.  There are 3 levels of participation:  Colony and Commonwealth: 1638-1790; Keystone and Cornerstone:  1791-1865; and Pennsylvania Proud:  1866-1900.  I was awarded a Colony and Commonwealth certificate for proving my 8th great grandmother, Sarah Shoemaker, came to Philadelphia in 1686, with her 7 children and bought 200 acres of land in Cheltenham area.  She must have been a very hardy soul.  Her son, George married Sarah Wall, who inherited a house from her grandfather, Richard Wall.  The Wall house still stands in Elkins Park, PA and is owned by Cheltenham Township.  You can tour the house on Sundays or just relax in their lawn any day.

What have you done lately to preserve your history?

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18th Century Market Fair at Fort Frederick

Today a friend and I went to Big Pool, MD for the 17th annual Market Fair at Fort Frederick State Park.  What a wonderful time.  If you want to get back to the 18th century living, you shouldn’t miss this next year.  Everything has to be authentic.  No visible signs of this century.  The porta potties are behind a burlap wall so you can’t see them.  Credit card machines are out of sight.

Lots of people are in 18th century dress, buying 18th century clothing or dreaming of that next purchase.  The beautiful gowns, hats, shoes, etc for the women is so fun, I almost left reason behind and purchased a beautiful silk gown.  But where would I wear it?  I had a gown made for the PSSDAR State Conference Banquet, but it wasn’t truly authentic.  I had a zipper put in so I could dress myself at the banquet, since I didn’t have my trusty, Pal Al with me.

The men had even more to chose from.  They had wonderful handmade shoes, hats, coats, stockings, and guns.  I was surprised how much the men got into dressing as men of yore.  They had wonderful costumes from kilts to waistcoats and buckskins.  There was even a VERY authentic Native American walking about.

There were almost 150 vendors with everything you could want for your 18th century outfit or home.  Because this is a juried show, you can count on the authenticity of everything.  The seamstresses and taylors have studied for a long time to provide good quality products.

Can you tell I enjoyed myself?  Despite the threat of rain, the turn out was phenomenal.  Fort Frederick is a wonderful place to visit when there isn’t a Market Fair, they have plenty of activities coming up this summer.  Woodmont Open House May 14 & Sept 10, Colonial Children’s Day June 4th, Artillery Programs, French and Indian War Muster Aug. 27-28 and a ghost walk on Oct. 22nd.

 

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Genealogy Consultant Course at NSDAR

I took the Genealogy Consultant course at NSDAR last week.  What a way to get rejuvenated in genealogy.  Much of it was aimed at completing NSDAR applications, but everyone learned a thing or two about doing research and where to look.  There are so many sites available for free that contain valuable information about our ancestors.

When working on a Revolutionary War ancestor for DAR, service and location is key.  If they were in the militia in Cumberland County, but they lived in Chester County, you probably have the wrong soldier.  Militia groups were formed locally.  It is not unheard of that they may have joined somewhere else, but doubtful.

NSDAR has put the Genealogy Research System (GRS) on the public site at www.dar.org.  If you think you know of an ancestor who fought in the Revolutionary War or provided civil or patriotic service you may be eligible to join this lineage society.

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Revolutionary War Patriot Homes in Pennsylvania

The Harrisburg Chapter DAR Historic Preservation Committee started a project to identify and document Revolutionary War Patriot Homes in Dauphin County, Pennsylvania.  It is an ambitious project, but very interesting to see how many homes that were built in late 1700s or early 1800s are still standing and many still occupied.  Another Chapter asked me to do a talk on this project and so my search began in other counties outside of Dauphin.  It doesn’t take too much searching to find these homes, thanks to the folks who preserve them, put them on the National Registry of Historic Places or those folks so long ago who did an Historic American Building Survey (HABS).

Working on this project has taught me so much about the history of the area.  Here is something for you to look up — “Conway Cabal”.  I learned a lot about the Revolutionary era military and people in general.  They had petty little squabbles in Congress in the 1770s just like they do today, but this country remains strong despite it all.

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Who Do You Think You Are?

For those of you who are following WDYTYA on Fridays, this past week was different from the others.  Kim Cattrall was tracing her long, lost grandfather and found out he was quite the scoundral.  This is a far cry from the wonderful, wonderful lives of most of the other people researched.  I think it gives you an idea that you may not always find you are related to the Queen of England or high society, but there is an occasional horse thief or two that you should be prepared to find.  That’s what makes genealogy so interesting.  It is also something to think about ahead of time in how you are going to handle the information you find.  Would your grandmother be horrified if this got out?  Kim’s mother and aunts initially didn’t want to contact  the other family involved, but after the filming did contact them.

Watch for this week’s episode of WDYTYA on NBC.

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Who Do You Think You Are?

Another good week on Who Do You Think You Are?  This week was Rosie O’Donnell, last week Tim McGraw and the first week was Vanessa Williams.  All were well researched by the best in the industry.  It will give you an idea it is very easy, but it took a lot of researchers and alot of hours.  Don’t let that deter you.  There are lots of professional researchers who are willing to help, but be humble.  It took them many years to learn what they know. Listen to their advice and don’t try to tell them their business.

Try out Ancestry.com and pick up a book on genealogy, or better still, take a course in genealogy.  Ancestry and FamilySearch are two of the best websites.  Write everything down and cite your sources.