Iowa Genealogical Society

Transcription

1 M AY 2017 Iowa Genealogical Society Advantage Preservation Online Historic Newspaper Sites - MAPPED! Well, that's quite a map! What is being mapped? And what are all those balloons? I recently published an article - Search 40 Million Historic U.S. Newspaper Pages for Free!, which listed over 430 links from 37 states and a grand total of over 40 million newspaper pages available to be searched for free. Those collections were made available by the cooperation between many local and county libraries and historical societies in conjunction with the Advantage Preservation Company. My friend, Brian Olmstead from Denver, Colorado, took it a step further and included those links in a very useful custom Google Map. All of those collections are mapped in the image above. To get access to the map, click on drive.google.com/open?id=11twsadf5ymmff22gmh8n-ncskig&usp=sharing Everywhere you see a balloon, there is a collection available online. Having a Continued on page 4 INSIDE THIS ISSUE: President s Message 2 Director s Message 3 Using FamilySearch.com 4 Woodland Tours 5 Find Your Military Ancestor IGS Calendar 8 Membership 9 IGS 10 IOWA GENEALOGICAL SOCIETY 628 E Grand Ave Des Moines IA Phone: (515) igs@iowagenealogy.org Website: LIBRARY HOURS Monday, Wednesday, Friday & Saturday 10 a.m. 4 p.m. Tuesday & Thursday 10 a.m. 9 p.m. 6

2 IGS staff IGS EXECUTIVE BOARD Librarian President Billie Murano Kevin Spire Administrative Assistant President Debra 1st Vice Jennifer Chase Barsetti 2nd Assistant Vice President Librarians Jackson Sondra Car- Tasha nahan Debra Secretary Mo Wilkins IGS Library Hours Treasurer Carol Bower Monday, Wednesday, Friday IGS & STAFF Saturday 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. Administrative Assistant Debi Tuesday Iseminger & Thursday Chase 9 a.m. - 9 p.m. Librarian Debi Iseminger Chase Assistant Librarians Susan Claman IGS EDITORIAL STAFF Hawkeye Heritage Susan Claman IGS Newsletter Debi Iseminger Chase PRESIDENT S MESSAGE By Kevin Spire, IGS President Being a Part of IGS. What Does It Mean to You? Periodically, all companies and organizations need to take time to reflect on their focus. To ask themselves: What do our customers/members want? Are we satisfying them? How can we reach more of them? Answers to these questions help an organization to refresh and refocus. Breathe in new inspiration and exhale old trends that no longer meet their needs. Such has been the conversation within a number of areas at the IGS offices. Now, we re not talking about turning everything upside down and on its head! Rather a review, to re-familiarize with what we have and then determine how we can move forward with a refreshed and refocused approach. All in an effort to sustain and grow the organization. One of these re-familiarize efforts has been with the Strategic Plan that was developed for IGS a few years back. The plan was developed in 2012 and continues to have relevance to help IGS sustain itself today. At a high level, the plan involved a number of committees that would support the needs and functions of the organization. I m not sure we can jump in and get all these committees up and running at full speed tomorrow, but we have started to build out a number of them. We already have the Education and Collection Committees that have been in place for a while. Earlier in 2017 we started a Technology Committee (a part of the Management and Governance Committee as identified in the Strategic Plan). At the end of April, there are plans to kick off a new Fundraising Committee. And a new Membership Committee will be forming very soon. All this activity as an approach to keep IGS going and to keep our building! Do any of you have experience in these areas? Are you a grant writer? Have marketing experience to draw in new members? If so, we need your input. So many of you have worked professionally in these areas and your experience would be invaluable to us. Please reach out to me or our Executive Director (Jennifer Ewing) and we can connect you with the right person. We desperately need to gain momentum in these areas to help improve our cash flow, otherwise we may need to take steps to sell the building. Regardless of your experience in the areas I ve mentioned above, we each share something in common Being a part of IGS. I d like to hear from each of you about that. What does being a part of IGS mean to you? Please send me just 3-4 words that describes this. This does not have to be a wellconstructed sentence; just a few words that are meaningful and personal to you about IGS. (Your name and address will not be shared). I ll get the ball rolling and share my words: Family Fellowship Stories What about you? I m sure it s different from mine. Even if you can t get it down to 3-4 words, then share a short sentence. I d like to understand how you value IGS and what it means to you. Please me at: president@iowagenealogy.org Cheers! Kevin 2

3 DIRECTOR S MESSAGE By Jennifer Ewing Today, I, as I am sure many of you do, am unable to function without the internet. Phone books are a thing of the past. I do actually have one on which my monitor rests. The print in the phone book is way too small to read anyway and it does not have a zoom feature. Watching TV, if my husband and I do not know who an actor is, we use our smart phone to look it up. If I want to know the name of a song, I have an app for that. Need directions? Google is my go to. Organizations such as FamilySearch and our own State Historical Society are digitizing records at an extraordinary rate, but I read an estimate that it was going to take 1,800 years (not days, not months but YEARS) to digitize the National Archives alone. That does not include local repositories, state and county archives, county records and that out of print book that your third cousin twice removed has in their possession. I doubt in our lifetime, that everything will ever be on the internet, if ever. Even though the internet has provided an unbelievable amount of information (some of it actually useful), most of us know that it is not the answer for every genealogical research question. When I was a kid, my father (who, even now, was one of the smartest people I knew) said Don t believe everything you read or see on TV. It was decades before the advent of the internet and the World Wide Web. Apparently, that saying needs to include the internet as well. How many of us have fallen for that Shaky Leaf, only to have it take us down a very incorrect path in our research? Using online indexes to search for records is a huge time saver. But if you have struggled to read the handwriting on a vital record or census record, remember that those indexers are only human. And humans make mistakes in spelling, in typing and interpreting those documents. And if you are only searching the indexed records on a web site such as FamilySearch, then you are missing a lot of resources that are online. FamilySearch has over 44,000,000 Historical Record Images for Iowa alone. As for print resources, my father s advice still rings true. Again, print resources are generated by humans. And humans are not infallible. In reviewing a published family history, it is best to confirm sources. There was a genealogist by the name of Gustav Anjou. According to Wikipedia, Gustav Anjou was a self-professed genealogist who prepared hundreds of fraudulent pedigrees. Check the author of that family history before you proceed. And if the author does not cite sources, then take that nugget of information and do your own research. Find your own sources. And don t forget to cite and document those sources for generations to come. Forgotten Iowa Historical Society For those of you that use Facebook. The Forgotten Iowa Historical Society was founded nearly three years ago with a handful of people. Today they have grown to a group of over 28,000 members representing every Iowa county and nearly 3/4 of Iowa communities as well as numerous Iowans living in other states and countries. The group was founded with and will maintain a focus on Iowa history and culture. If you love looking at Iowa s past this is the site for you. Old buildings, schools, barns, cemeteries and houses are popular. Also, pictures of towns and the buildings that used to be there as well as great pictures of the people of Iowa s past. Photo from Forgotten Iowa Historical Society 3 Iowa Genealogical Society May 2017

4 Using FamilySearch By Debi Iseminger Chase FamilySearch Family Tree The FamilySearch Family Tree is one tree for everyone in the world. Everyone can access it. Everyone can make changes. Sounds a little scary doesn t it? I thought so too. But after I started using it I loved it. Yes occasionally someone changes something they shouldn t. But because I have clicked on the Watch button I get notified when something gets changed. I can change it back if I want to or I can contact the person that You currently can t make updates to your tree in genealogies. If you have a lot of changes you ll need to delete your genealogy tree and update the update. Other people can look at your tree but they cannot make any changes. This is a great way to preserve your tree. If something happens to your copy of your tree on your own computer you can download the copy from FamilySearch. changed it to see why they think their information is correct. But, because so many sources have been attached I have had far fewer problems of people changing information. Another great part of the FamilySearch Family Tree is the Memories Gallery where you can add photos, stories, documents, and audio recordings. Not only sharing them with others but preserving them for future generations. Currently each person in the FamilySearch Family Tree can have up to 1000 pictures and documents attached to them. All of your cherished family memories are in one place. It s a great way to let others have access to photos and documents. You can also add family stories to help bring your ancestors to life. Adding items to memories means if you ever lose those items due to a natural disaster you will be able to access them again through FamilySearch. If you don t want to use the FamilySearch Family Tree you can still use FamilySearch to preserve your own family tree. FamilySearch allows you to upload a gedcom file to the Genealogies section. FamilySearch is a great free site. Take the time to get to know it and learn what it has to offer. To watch a quick video on You Tube that gives an overview of FamilySearch go to Ron Tanner works for FamilySearch and gives a fast overview. The slides are hard to see because this was not filmed professionally but it is still a very useful video. Newspaper Sites Mapped Continued from page 1 mapped set of collections is very useful, especially when there are dozens of collections available, as in Iowa, Illinois, Ohio, New York and a few other states. It enables the researcher to see what additional newspaper collections might be available to search in a location near the search subject person's residence, or birth, or death place or any other event for that person. Thanks Brian, this is a terrific and very useful search aid that you have created! Taken from theancestorhunt.com blog April 18, Iowa Genealogical Society May 2017

5 HISTORICAL WOODLAND CEMETERY TOURS Woodland, Des Moines' oldest cemetery, is beautiful, full of history, and has been a popular visitor site for decades. First plotted in 1848 with a mere five and one-half acres, Woodland was a cemetery before Des Moines became the state capitol. The original acreage was donated by John S. Dean, Abel, J. Cain, Henry Everly, Jonathan Lyon, and Lewis Jones. Woodland was originally called Fort Des Moines Cemetery. One of the oldest graves is that of William Wear ( ). Some of Des Moines' earliest leaders are buried here, including Sumner F. Spofford, one of Des Moines' first mayors and Nathaniel B. Baker, Iowa's adjutant general during the Civil War. In 1986, the City Council designated Woodland Cemetery a local historic landmark. Archie Cook Teacher, Historian, Researcher Archie offers free group tours throughout the summer and fall. To find out more information contact Archie at Or at archiecook@ .com Save the Date IGS Fall Conference October 20 & 21 With Judy Russell, the Legal Genealogist May 2017 Iowa Genealogical Society 5

6 Find Your Military Ancestor by Alice Hoyt Veen, CG Sometimes we have personal knowledge, family tradition, or preserved records for an ancestor s military service. At other times it comes as a revelation, especially as we travel back through generations and discover previously unknown family. Did your ancestor serve in the military? Clues are found in a variety of sources. Here are a few tips to get you started: Military age. Your soldier may have been younger or older than the usual age for service, but as a rule of thumb, military age ranges from eighteen to thirty-five. Draft registration and service often extended to older men during times of war. In 1863, the Union Army drafted men ages twenty to forty-five. Of course, boys and older men often provided a false age to enlist; recruitment centers turned a blind eye to meet quotas. Historical context. This seems obvious, but was there a war going on during your ancestor s eligible years? Federal census. Several census years collected information about military service: Pensioners for Revolutionary or military services Although the 1890 federal census was mostly lost to fire, a Veterans Schedule is available for some states, identifying the names of soldiers, sailors, marines and widows. Information collected includes basic service information: rank, regiment or vessel, enlistment and discharge dates, plus any disabilities incurred. The 1890 Veterans Schedule is not available for Iowa Whether a survivor of the Union or Confederate Army or Navy Whether a veteran of the U.S. military or naval forces mobilized for any war or expedition. If yes, What war or expedition? Supplementary questions: Is this person a veteran of the United States military forces: or the wife, widow or under 18-year-old child of a veteran? If a child, Is veteran father dead? What war or military service? State census. Many states conducted their own censuses, and questions may include military service. In Iowa, military service is noted in the following years: Soldiers, Sailors and Mariners in the War of the Rebellion, branch of service, rank, company and regiment, and from which state served. Soldiers in Mexican War regiment and state Service in Civil War, Mexican War, Spanish War company, regiment, state. Class of Service cavalry, infantry, artillery, navy; dates of enlistment, discharge. Continued on page George W. & David W. Nevins,Co. K, 43 rd Indiana Infantry, ca Iowa Genealogical Society May 2017

7 Find Your Military Ancestor Continued from page Military Service Civil War, Mexican, Spanish; infantry, cavalry, artillery, navy; state, regiment company Military Service Civil War, Spanish-American War, World War. Are you a veteran? branch of service in which served; what state enlisted or drafted from. Clues in obituaries and cemeteries. Does your ancestor s obituary mention military service? Perhaps his gravestone was provided by the U.S. government; markers are simple and distinctive. Veterans organizations place commemorative markers and flags on military graves. Service may be identified on the gravestone itself. Organizational memberships. Was your ancestor a member of the G.A.R.? That stands for Grand Army of the Republic and indicates a veteran of the Civil War. Perhaps he joined the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) or American Legion. The organizations in which your ancestor or their spouse was a member can be clues to military service. Clues in photographs. Your uniformed ancestor s photograph is an obvious clue to his service, but other clues may exist in hat insignias, lapel pins, or a lady s jewelry. If you look closely at the photograph of Elmira Bonnett Hoit, you ll see she s wearing a Ladies of the GAR brooch. Local histories. Published local histories often include military rosters, especially if published close to the end of a particular war. Next Steps Your ancestor may have served in more than one war, or served with more than one unit in the same war. He may have participated at a local, state or federal level, or at more than one level during the same war. Determine which side he supported. Was he a British loyalist during the Revolution? Did he fight for the Union or the Confederacy during the Civil War? These questions are relevant to the records created for your soldier. Look for clues, then develop a plan to learn more. Resources abound for America s military past. Next time we ll discuss strategies for discovering, documenting, and understanding your soldier s military experience. Elmira Bonnett Hoit Lady of the GAR 7 Iowa Genealogical Society May 2017

8 IGS CALENDAR All programs & activities take place at the IGS Library, 628 E Grand Ave, Des Moines IA unless otherwise noted. Wednesday, May 17 MAY 2017 Heritage Quest. Lunch & Learn Noon - 1:00 p.m. Theresa Liewer, instructor. Preregistration required. Cost: $5 IGS members/$15 non-members. Come and learn more about this free source available through many public libraries. Saturday, May 20 Beginning Genealogy 10:30 a.m :30 p.m. Kevin Spire, instructor Cost: FREE Find out how easy it is to get started in this popular and fascinating pursuit. Your family has a story to tell. Google Search 1:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. Kevin Spire, instructor Cost: $5 IGS members/$15 non-members. Saturday, May 27 Documentation and Source Citation 10:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. Alice Hoyt Veen, CG, instructor Cost: $5 IGS members/$15 non-members. Prerequisite for the GPS series. Learn the basics for documenting the sources you access and learn why documentation is necessary. Intro to the Genealogical Proof Standard (GPS) 1:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. Linda Greethurst, instructor. Cost: $5 IGS members/$15 non-members. This class provides an overview of the 5-step GPS research process. Discussion includes what to expect in the upcoming GPS series. Saturday, June 10 JUNE 2017 Beginning Genealogy 10:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. Theresa Liewer, instructor. Cost: FREE Find out how easy it is to get started in this popular and fascinating pursuit. Your family has a story to tell. Sanborn Maps 1:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. Theresa Liewer, instructor. Preregistration required. Cost: $5 IGS members/ $15 non-members. We ll talk about the history of Sanborn maps and how to locate them online. Monday, June 19 Beginning Genealogy 5:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. Jennifer Ewing, instructor. Cost: FREE Find out how easy it is to get started in this popular and fascinating pursuit. Your family has a story to tell. For more information about IGS programs and activities, or to register for classes, contact IGS: ; igs@iowagenealogy.org, or visit the IGS website: 8 Iowa Genealogical Society May 2017

9 Iowa Genealogical Society Membership Application Membership Benefits: Free access to IGS research library Bimonthly Newsletter Admission discounts to all IGS classes & events Discounted hourly research rate Individual: $35 Family: $45 New membership Renewal I would like to make a tax deductible gift of $. My company has a matching gift program. Company name: My gift is in Memory/Honor (circle one) of My gift may be best utilized for: Building Fund $ General Fund $ Name(s): Mailing Address: City, State, Zip: Day phone: Check enclosed. IOWA GENEALOGICAL SOCIETY NEWSLETTER May 2017 The Iowa Genealogical Society Newsletter is a publication of the Iowa Genealogical Society. Members receive the newsletter as part of their membership. Individual members, member chapters, regional representatives and the public are invited to submit articles, reviews, chapter news and program information for publication. Contact IGS for more information or to submit your article: Iowa Genealogical Society 628 E Grand Ave. Des Moines, IA igs@iowagenealogy.org Please charge my credit card in the amount of $ (+ $2.50 credit card handling fee) Visa MasterCard Discover Account No. Expiration Date: Signature: Mail to: Iowa Genealogical Society, 628 E Grand Ave, Des Moines IA NOTE: Please check the mailing label for your membership expiration date. May 2017 Iowa Genealogical Society 9

10 IGS EVENTS IGS SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS All groups meet at the IGS Library, 628 E Grand Ave, Des Moines: German Interest Group meets on the first Monday of each month at 7 p.m. Irish Interest Group meets on the third Tuesday of each month at 7 p.m. Norwegian Interest Group meets on the fourth Tuesday of the month (except December) at 7 p.m. British/Welsh and Scottish Interest Group meets the second Thursday of the month at 7 p.m. Legacy User Group meets the third Thursday of the month, from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. RootsMagic Interest Group meets the fourth Saturday of the month, from 10 a.m. to noon. Ancestry.com Interest Group meets the second Sunday of the month, from 1:30 p.m. DNA Interest Groups meets the first Tuesday of the month, at 1:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. ANCESTRY.COM USERS GROUP Due to Mother s Day in May this interest group will meet on May 21st in the IGS conference room. IGS OPEN SUNDAYS FOR MEMBERS ONLY May 21, 2017 & June 18, a.m. to 4 p.m. IGS SLUMBER PARTY June 24 / 25 4 p.m. to 6 a.m. $25 per person Back by popular demand Bring your research and stay awhile. Bring snacks to share. Pizza will be provided late night. If you ve ever dreamed of being locked in a library this is your chance. Contact the library with any questions or to sign up. PRESERVING THE PAST & ENRICHING THE FUTURE