August 12th, Genealogy Workshop
A genealogy workshop titled, “Beyond the Grave: What You Can Learn from Estate Records,” will be presented by Karen Asche, Finance Director of RVGS. The workshop begins at 10:30 a.m. and ends at 12 noon at the Jackson County Genealogy Library at 95 Houston Road, Phoenix, OR.
We will discuss the wealth of genealogical and personal information which probate records often provide about your ancestors. In addition, we will explore other post-death records and the useful clues that can lead to solutions to stubborn genealogical problems. Attendees are encouraged to bring wills and legal documents created after death that we can use as examples in class discussion. Please register before August 11 as space is limited.
To register for the class please either call us at 541-512-2340, email us info@rvgslibrary.org, or visit us in person at JCGL, 95 Houston Road, Phoenix, Oregon.
The cost is $10 for RVGS members and $20 for non-members. When you register please provide your telephone number and email address to that we can contact you if needed.
On August 12, Go Diggin’ in the Dark: Genealogy after Hours
Genealogy After Hours
Join the Rogue Valley Genealogical Society staff and members for a free, full evening of family history fun. No previous genealogy experience is necessary. Bring your known family information, your supper, and a USB flash drive for saving what we find. Monday, August 22, 2011 -between 3:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m at the Jackson County Genealogy Library, 95 Houston Road, Phoenix, Oregon.
Please reserve a space either by phone 541-512-2340, by emailing info@rvgslibrary.org, or in person at JCGL. When you register please provide your telephone number and email address to that we can contact you if needed.
This event is free.
On September 10th, Break Down Brick Walls:
At 10:30 AM at Jackson County Genealogy Library, Charleen Brown will lead a round table discussion to help you find ways to find that elusive ancestor. Bring your question e.g., “Who was Violet Pepperdine’s mother?”and the list of the sources you have used to try to solve your problem.
JCGL is located at 95 Houston Road, Phoenix, Oregon.
According to Andrea Patterson, RVGS secretary, the previous BRICKWALL SESSION at JCGL was well-attended and the panel and participants learned something from each problem presented. These sessions will be held four times a year at the library with a volunteer team to moderate (Charleen Brown), suggest Internet sites (Andrea Patterson), research strategies (Carolyn Beron) and library books (Colleen Eccleston) available as resources.
Pittsylvania, Virginia was an area discussed. The patron was looking for the family of Samuel Lewis who had a will in 1822. A New York City problem existed for a German immigrant in 1923. A WW1 Draft Card was located and it appeared he still lived in New York. This participant may also want to check the New York Genealogical and Biographical Society. As a member, on-line access is available to every issue of the NYG&B Record since 1870. There are hundreds of compiled genealogies. Go to www.newyorkfamilyhistory.org.
Most participants had brickwalls in the late 1700’s to early 1800’s. Other topics included Quakers, the Scotch-Irish, Blunston Deeds in Lancaster, PA, and newspaper research. Nelson County, Kentucky, Pennsylvania and Sweden presented challenges for researchers. Anson County, N. Carolina was discussed and a correction is offered to the researcher who was told Anson County was an original county. It was not. It was created in 1750. We all learned from one another. Join us for the next BRICKWALL SESSION scheduled for Sept. 10th at 10:30 at the library.
Reserve a space either in person at JCGL, call us at 541-512-2340, or email us at info@rvgslibrary.org. When you register please provide your telephone number and email address to that we can contact you if needed.
September 20th
General Meeting
Tuesday, September 20, 2011 at 1:30 p. m.
OEA/Uniserv Building located at 2495 S. Pacific Hwy. Medford, Oregon
“Civil War Strategy and Leadership”
To commemorate the 150th Anniversary of the start of the Civil War, guest speaker Russ Kautz will present “Civil War Strategy and Leadership”. Mr. Kautz is a West Point graduate, Class of 1982 and a local businessman. He will offer his perspective regarding the strategy and leadership of the Civil War.
Dust Off Your Old Photos and Send Them to the Contest!
Kick-off of the 2011 Photo Contest takes place on September 20th at the General Meeting. Deadline for submissions is December 1. Winners will be announced at the January 17th General Meeting of RVGS. Search your family photos for potential entries in the following categories: Wedding-Military-Group-Children- Funniest Ancestor-Transportation or Travel-Oldest Photograph of an Ancestor-Occupation-Outrageous Hair, Hats or Headpieces-Interesting Headstone of an Ancestor*-Most Handsome-Most Beautiful-Open Class
On September 26th- October 1
Take Part in Genealogy Week at Jackson County Genealogy Library
Classes will be held at 10:30 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. each day. All classes are free and there is open research time for free both before and after the classes.
Monday, September 26
10:30 AM “Beginning Genealogy-Part 1″ Charleen Brown, Instructor
1:00 PM “Using JCGL Library Resources and the Online Library Catalog” Anne Billeter, Instructor
Tuesday, September 27
10:30 AM “Using the Website Menu on Patron Computers” Barbara Basden, Instructor
1:00 PM “What’s New on Family Search” Barbara Basden, Instructor
Wednesday, September 28
10:30 AM “Basic Internet Searching with Ancestry and Heritage Quest” Andrea Patterson, Instructor
1:00 PM “Just Websites” Andrea Patterson, Instructor
Thursday, September 29
10:30 AM “Using Land Records to Further Your Research” Chuck Eccleston, Instructor
1:00 PM “If You Can Talk, You Can Write” Charleen Brown, Instructor
Friday, September 30
10:30 AM “Techniques for Breaking down Brick Walls” Carolyn Beron, Instructor
1:00 PM “Avoid Tunnel Vision While Using the Census” Betty Miller, Instructor
Saturday, October 1
10:30 AM “Identifying Old Photos” Andrea Patterson, Instructor
1:00 PM “Beginning Genealogy-Part 2″ Andrea Patterson, Instructor
All classes will be held at Jackson County Genealogy Library, 95 Houston Road, Phoenix, OR.
Reserve a space either in person at JCGL, call us at 541-512-2340, or email us at info@rvgslibrary.org. When you register please provide your telephone number and email address to that we can contact you if needed.
Coming up this fall:
On October 18th, Honor Your Civil War Ancestor
Do you have an ancestor who fought in the Civil War? We want to hear their story.
During the General Meeting at 1:30 p.m. at the OEA building on North Pacific Highway, each person telling a story will be given five (5) full minutes to talk about their Civil War ancestor and show any treasures you have in your possession.
Sign up at JCGL or contact Carolyn Beron to be put on the schedule. Email Carolyn 541beron@charter.net or call 541-535-3624.
Reserve time to spotlight and honor your ancestor. When you sign up please provide your telephone number and email address to that she can contact you if needed.
Save the dates of October 21 and 22, 2011
An evening workshop and day-long genealogy seminar to be held at the Medford branch of the Jackson County Public Library System. Go to Stephen Morse’s website to read about Stephen Morse and the One Step Method he has devised to make internet searching more efficient and effective. If you would like to register for the evening workshop or the seminar go to the Rogue Valley Genealogy Society Website . The deadline for Early Bird registration (a savings of $5 for each event) is September 30th.
Tech Talk
Because many of you have struggled to be able to use a computer to use “Diggin’ in the Dark” sessions or during Genealogy Week activities, the Tech Committee proposed that more patron computers be purchased. In July the board approved the purchase of two additional computers for patron use. The new computers are located on the same bank of tables as the five computers already set up for patron use. All seven patron computers provide access to the Website Menu that in turn allows you to login to the following pay subcription genealogy sites: Ancestry.com, Footnote, American Ancestors (formerly New England Ancestors), World Vital Records, and Genealogy Bank. The website menu is also the home page on all patron computers. The Website Menu also includes quick access to free genealogy sites Family Search and Heritage Quest. Computers 1 & 2 and 5&6 allow access the Ancestry.com World Collection, computers 3, 4, and 7 allow access to the Ancestry.com US Collection. If you own a laptop you can access American Ancestors and Footnote through the library subscription once you are connected to our high-speed wireless network. Ask the librarian for the password if you have not accessed the internet at JCGL in the past.
Patrons seem to gravitate to Ancestry because it is well-advertised. Do not pass up the opportunity to explore other sites made available to you at the library. Genealogy Bank has a very strong collection of newspapers, e.g., obituaries, birth announcements, and military service activity. World Vital Records has resources not available on Ancestry such as the records collected through Everton publications. Footnote has digitized records from NARA, e.g.,immigration records, official military records, pension records, etc. Footnote is now owned by Ancestry and has been explicitly directed NOT to duplicate records already on Ancestry. American Ancestors is particularly strong on New England and Great Migration records and has resources not available on Ancestry. Family Search has an immense collection of digitized records and compiled family histories. Heritage Quest has Revolutionary War records and a collection of US Census records as well as access to PERSI, the catalog of genealogy periodicals.
