NGSQ September 2019 Issue Now Online

The September 2019 issue of the National Genealogical Society Quarterly, Volume 107, Number 3, is available online in the Members Only section of the website. Members should see the new edition in their mailboxes in the next few weeks.

CONTENTS:

FEATURE ARTICLES 

• Southern Strategies: Merging Identities by Mapping Activities and Linking Participants—Solomon Harper of South Carolina’s Lowcountry by Rachal Mills Lennon, CG, FASG
• Who Were the Parents of Abigail (Grant) Risley of Canton, St. Lawrence County, New York? by Joan A. Hunter, CG

• Reexamining the Parentage of Anderson Boon of Lincoln, Marshall, and Obion Counties, Tennessee by Darcie Hind Posz, CG
• John C. Ahern a.k.a. John Lockren of Sonoma and Alameda Counties, California: Who Were His Parents? by Mary Kircher Roddy, CG

COMMUNICATIONS 

EDITORS’ CORNER

• A Concept of Time

ADMINISTRATION

SIDELIGHTS

• “Bonnie and Clyde” in Reverse
• Somebody Should Write a Country Song

REVIEWS

The National Genealogical Society Quarterly (NGSQ) is published four times per year, in March, June, September, and December. The journal is edited by Nancy A. Peters, CG®, CGLSM, and Allen R. Peterson, CG.

NGS Magazine July–Sept 2019 Issue Now Online

The July-September 2019 issue of NGS Magazine, Volume 45, Number 3, is ready for mailing to members and is available online in the Members Only section of the website.

EDITOR'S NOTE by Deb Cyprych

Digital tools and resources have become essential in genealogy. Family historians regularly use websites to access record images, software to organize information, and electronic media to connect with other researchers. This issue highlights two key aspects of digital genealogy and three types of tools that offer research assistance.

Negative search results in a FamilySearch database could mean that the record doesn’t exist in a particular FamilySearch collection, that the record exists but hasn’t been digitized, or that the record has been digitized but not yet indexed. Robert Raymond outlines an array of techniques for determining the coverage and indexing of FamilySearch record collections, so genealogists can plan their research accordingly.

Genealogical software programs and websites that host family trees are useful for keeping track of individuals, relationships, and facts, but their flexibility may allow researchers to become inconsistent in data entry methods. Ronald V. Hodges explains the best practices for data entry with detailed examples.

Donna Cox Baker describes the robust functions of Zotero, a free reference management tool that can store voluminous research and guide the collection of source information. Carla S. Cegielski demonstrates how browser extensions can simplify tasks and ease vexations such as “page not found” error messages. Kathy Petlewski provides an update to her 2013 NGS Magazine article on online family trees with a focus on privacy, sources, DNA, and mobile applications.

Other articles in this issue feature autobiographies, records preservation, lineage society qualifications, and DNA testing decisions.

B. Darrell Jackson makes a persuasive argument for the value of asking relatives to write or dictate their own memories. His examples reveal how personal accounts can answer important questions and convey the uniqueness of personality.

Janet Alpert reports on the broad scope of efforts by the Records Preservation and Access Committee (RPAC) to maintain access to vital records, with breaking news about a new model act including shorter embargo periods for birth and death records.

Bryna O’Sullivan discusses two ways in which Quebec ancestors can qualify for the Sons or Daughters of the American Revolution and lists the variety of patriotic services accepted by DAR. She also details the “last act” policy of SAR and DAR, which can nullify an application if the ancestor performed a Loyalist act after service in support of the Revolution.

Paul Woodbury, our newest columnist, has helped solve hundreds of genetic genealogy cases for clients. His first DNA Discovery column for NGS Magazine tackles the pressing question of whether genealogists should or should not take a DNA test.

Phyllis Matthews Ziller, our proofreader extraordinaire for the past seven years, has resigned to focus on other endeavors. Her eagle eye has been a valuable asset, and we wish her well.

Table of Contents

Features

• Determining FamilySearch Collection and Index Coverage by Robert Raymond
• Best Practices for Data Entry in Family Trees by Ronald V. Hodges, PhD
• Managing Research with Zotero by Donna Cox Baker, PhD
• Nine Solutions for Stress-Free Web Browsing by Carla S. Cegielski
• The Case for Autobiography by B. Darrell Jackson, PhD, CG
• Unexpected Patriots: Finding Ancestors in Quebec Who Qualify for DAR and SAR by Bryna O’Sullivan
• The "Last Act" Policy of the Sons and Daughters of the American Revolution by Bryna O’Sullivan

Departments

• PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE by Ben Spratling
• EDITOR’S NOTE by Deb Cyprych
• NGS NEWS 
• Hotel Reservations Now Open for NGS 2020 Family History Conference
• NGS Awards and Competitions Deadline: 15 December 2019
• Nominations to the National Genealogy Hall of Fame
• Call for Proposals for NGS 2021 Family History Conference
• Salt Lake City: The Heart of Genealogical Research by Erin Pritchett
• Records Preservation and Access Committee: Working for Genealogists by Janet A. Alpert
• REFERENCE DESK Online Family Trees: An Update by Kathy Petlewski, MSLS
• DNA DISCOVERY To Test or Not to Test? by Paul Woodbury

NGS Magazine is published quarterly to update members of the National Genealogical Society on NGS activities and to provide genealogists with special information and guidance on conducting effective genealogical research. The magazine is sent to libraries by subscription. Online access to NGS Magazine is available only as long as membership is active.

Celebrate Labor Day with 50% off a MyHeritage complete subscription, valid through 12 September 2019

A Special Offer From Our Trusted Partner   The National Genealogical Society has an exclusive offer for our members, friends, and family: Celebrate Labor Day with 50% off a MyHeritage complete subscription, valid today through 12 September 2019. MyHeritage is an industry-leading platform that makes family history research easy and offers you some of the most advanced tools on the market to overcome genealogical brick walls. MyHeritage search and matching technologies enable you to grow your family tree more easily and make fascinating discoveries about your ancestors. Get 50% off the MyHeritage Complete subscription The Complete plan gives you full access to all MyHeritage advanced features, including: Unlimited family tree size (option to upload a GEDCOM file) 9.6 billion international historical records Automatic Smart Matches™ with millions of family trees Automatic Record Matches Instant Discoveries™, which can add an entire branch to your family tree with one click Consistency Checker, which automatically identifies inaccuracies in your tree Advanced DNA features PedigreeMap™ Family Tree Builder software premium edition Priority customer support via phone and email 24/7 Hurry up! For a limited time, every NGS member, plus their family, and friends can get a one-year Complete subscription for only $149. Grab this deal before it’s gone! Save 50% off now *Offer valid for NEW MyHeritage subscribers only, valid through 12 September 2019.

NGS and FGS Announce Intent to Merge

 NATIONAL GENEALOGICAL SOCIETY^®

6400 Arlington Blvd., Suite 810

Falls Church, VA 22042-2318

Phone 703-525-0050 or 800-473-0060

NGSgenealogy.org

Press Release

Contact: Kathryn M. Doyle

Phone: 510-388-6477

[email protected]

Embargoed until 9:00 a.m. EDT 21 August 2019

NGS AND FGS ANNOUNCE INTENT TO MERGE

In a historic move, the boards of the National Genealogical Society (NGS) and the Federation of GenealogicalSocieties (FGS) announced today their intent to merge. The two organizations, both non-profit leaders in the dynamic genealogy industry, will form one consolidated group that will continue to operate as the National Genealogical Society. Both boards approved a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) earlier this week, and jointly announced the news at the Opening Session of the FGS Family History Conference in Washington, D.C., this morning.

Leaders of both organizations believe this merger will serve the genealogy community by improving support of both individual members and societies in the pursuit of genealogical excellence.

The organizational structure of NGS will be modified to increase functions that support genealogical societies and family organizations. Digitization projects of genealogical importance such as the War of 1812 pensions will continue. The two organizations will continue to operate independently while all details of the merger are completed, no later than October 1, 2020.

Faye Stallings, President of FGS, said: “We are excited about this opportunity to combine with a premier organization that has been in operation since 1903. This will allow for improved and expanded services to help support societies.” Ben Spratling, President of NGS, commented, “We look forward to continuing the strong legacy of FGS as a ‘gathering point’ for family historians and societies all across the nation.”

            ____________________________________________________________________________

Founded in 1903, the NationalGenealogical Society is dedicated to genealogical education, exemplary standards of research, and the preservation of genealogical records. The Falls Church, Virginia, based nonprofit is the premier national society for everyone, from the beginner to the most advanced family historian, seeking excellence in publications, educational offerings, and guidance in research. It also offers many opportunities to interact with other genealogists.

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Hotel Reservations Open 15 August 2019 for the 2020 Family History Conference

#NGS2020GEN Hotel Reservations Now Open

Reserve your accommodations starting 15 August 2019 for the National Genealogical Society’s forty-second annual Family History Conference, Echoes of Our Ancestors. 

The conference will be held 20-23 May 2020 at the Salt Palace Convention Center (SPCC), 100 S. West Temple, Salt Lake City, Utah. It will feature more than 150 genealogy lectures on a wide variety of topics including DNA, ethnic sources, historical migrations, immigration, research techniques, specialized collections at the Family History Library, and more.

NGS offers attendees a choice of several hotels with discounted rates. All are convenient to the convention center. The official conference hotel, the Hilton Salt Lake City Center, is just a short walk from the convention center. The Radisson Hotel Salt Lake City Downtown is located adjacent to the convention center, and the Salt Lake Plaza Hotel is only half a block away. The three hotels offer complimentary wireless internet. 

As a rule, conference hotels tend to fill quickly, so we recommend making your reservations early if you intend to register and attend the conference. The hotels are offering the NGS rate three days before and three days after the conference, based on availability, so participants can do research or go sightseeing in the area. Check the hotels’ websites for cancellation rules and for additional amenities. You can find full details and links for discounted, reservations on the NGS conference website.

Set in the beautiful Wasatch mountain range, Salt Lake City is a sophisticated city with a modern convention center and many great choices for hotels, restaurants, and shops. For family historians, it offers some of the best genealogical research resources in the United States. To learn about research facilities in the area, refer to the conference’s Announcement Brochure on the NGS conference website.

The four-day NGS 2020 Family History Conference promises to be a great opportunity for family historians to advance their research, hone their skills, and network with fellow genealogists. Be sure to reserve your hotel accommodations as soon as possible.

NGS Magazine April–June 2019 Issue Now Online

The April-June 2019 issue of NGS Magazine, Volume 45, Number 2, is ready for mailing to members and is available online in the Members Only section of the website.

EDITOR'S NOTE by Deb Cyprych

This issue takes a look at the value of lineage societies for genealogical research. While these societies are by definition closed to those who don’t meet their eligibility standards, most lineage societies welcome new members and graciously share their resources.

Kimberly Ormsby Nagy discusses the broad range of societies and their activities. She explains why and how to apply for membership, pointing out that the application process can sharpen research skills, and that members preserve their family histories while supporting societies’ missions.

Shelley K. Bishop provides a sampling of the wealth of public resources offered by sixteen lineage societies in their libraries and online databases. Researchers can take advantage of collections including finding aids, digitized books, and lists of approved ancestors.

Kathy Petlewski’s column describes the history of lineage societies and the controversies surrounding them as early as 1783. The incredible growth of lineage societies between 1880 and 1900 was due in part to fear of immigrants and the desire of prominent families to set themselves apart from new millionaires.

Two articles highlight the improved standards and new types of evidence incorporated by some societies that may be useful to many family historians.

Sara Louise Sukol examines the changes in documentation requirements for the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR). Since the first application in 1890, which had no dates or places, DAR has steadily increased its requirements for proof of lineage and service.

Jennifer Zinck investigates the evolving use of DNA in the policies and practices of the Mayflower Society, DAR, and the Sons of the American Revolution, and delineates the specific types of genetic evidence these societies have recently begun accepting.

Other articles in this issue feature city directories, a case study about conflicting evidence, and so-called Confederate slave payroll records at NARA.

City directories may have unusual content such as photos, ethnic and biographical information, farm listings, social registers, and church maps. Terry Koch-Bostic explores the special content of directories, presents research strategies, and lists resources for using these multi-faceted people-finders.

Jean Atkinson Andrews, CG, uses a case study about a Civil War veteran to demonstrate how she resolved a problem of conflicting evidence by analyzing source and informant reliability. Her techniques can be adapted for many other situations when records disagree.

Finally, Claire Prechtel Kluskens’s NARA column profiles a series of payroll records for payments to slaveholders based on the labor of enslaved people impressed to work on Confederate fortifications and production. The records list the names and locations of thousands of slaves and slaveholders.

After writing this column for over fifteen years, Claire is taking a break for a year. Her articles about the records of the National Archives are valuable resources, and we thank her for the knowledge she has shared with our readers.

Table of Contents

Features

• Lineage Societies: Leaving a Legacy for Future Generations, by Kimberly Ormsby Nagy, MD, PLCGS
• A History of Changes in DAR Documentation Requirements by Sarah Louise Sukol
• Making Discoveries in Lineage Society Resources by Shelley K. Bishop
• Evolving Genealogical Evidence: DNA and Lineage Societies by Jennifer Zinck
• City Directories: Antiquarian People Finders by Terry Koch-Bostic
• Strategies to Resolve Conflicting Direct Evidence by Jean Atkinson Andrews, CG

Departments

• PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE by Ben Spratling
• EDITOR’S NOTE by Deb Cyprych
• NGS 2020 Family History Conference Returning to Salt Lake City by Erin Pritchett
• NGS Awards Presented at St. Charles Conference by Janet L. Bailey
• REFERENCE DESK The History of American Lineage Societies by Kathy Petlewski, MSLS
• NATIONAL ARCHIVES Civil War Confederate Slave Payroll Records by Claire Prechtel Kluskens

NGS Magazine is published quarterly to update members of the National Genealogical Society on NGS activities and to provide genealogists with special information and guidance on conducting effective genealogical research. The magazine is sent to libraries by subscription. Online access to NGS Magazine is available only as long as membership is active.