FREE Access to ALL Pennsylvania Resources on AmericanAncestors.org (16-23 May 2017)

FREE Access to ALL Pennsylvania Resources on AmericanAncestors.org (16-23 May 2017)

From our friends at American Ancestors …

May 15, 2017—Boston, Massachusetts—As one of the original thirteen colonies, Pennsylvania has a long history and many records available for tracing ancestors who lived there. Its size and central location on the Atlantic seaboard have made it an important player in the documenting of American family history. Prominent groups of immigrants who settled in Pennsylvania include Germans, Irish, African-Americans, Italians, Swiss, Dutch, and Chinese.

Starting at 12:01 a.m. (EDST) on Tuesday, May 16, through midnight (EDST) Tuesday, May 23, New England Historic Genealogical Society (NEHGS) and American Ancestors will offer free access to many Pennsylvania genealogical resources on AmericanAncestors.org. For one week, family historians may search databases for Pennsylvanian ancestors and register for a free webinar on Pennsylvania genealogical research methods.  Additional educational resources and features provided by NEHGS on Pennsylvania genealogy will all be free for one week with registration as a free Guest Member on AmericanAncestors.org/Pennsylvania.

NEHGS genealogist, Pennsylvania expert, and author Ann Lawthers points out that “By 1790 Pennsylvania was the most populous state in the country”—with Philadelphia being the largest and busiest port in British North America. With its prominence as an important immigration destination from many points in Europe and beyond, the state is a significant point of consideration for many Americans who are researching family history. 

Among the many features available during this week-long promotion is a free webinar by Lawthers on “Resources for Pennsylvania Genealogy.” Lawthers's webinar starts with a description of Pennsylvania settlement patterns and how those patterns and changing county borders influenced the surviving genealogical resources. Special attention is given to early German, Scots-Irish, Welsh, Quaker, and Mennonite immigration. A discussion of standard and unique genealogical resources for researchers is included in Lawthers's online presentation.

The free webinar and other valuable Pennsylvania research resources may be accessed free at AmericanAncestors.org/Pennsylvania. Registration at AmericanAncestors.org is required as a free Guest Member to gain access to these valuable resources. Guest Member accounts allow web visitors to use a limited suite of AmericanAncestors.org databases and access featured web content. Unlimited access to all 1.4 billion records and other benefits is through membership at NEHGS.

Which Pennsylvania-based ancestor are you researching?

If you found something new, please share!

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copyright © National Genealogical Society, 3108 Columbia Pike, Suite 300, Arlington, Virginia 22204-4370. http://www.ngsgenealogy.org.

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NGS does not imply endorsement of any outside advertiser or other vendors appearing in this blog. Any opinions expressed by guest authors are their own and do not necessarily reflect the view of NGS.

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Republication of UpFront articles is permitted and encouraged for non-commercial purposes without express permission from NGS. Please drop us a note telling us where and when you are using the article. Express written permission is required if you wish to republish UpFront articles for commercial purposes. You may send a request for express written permission to UpFront@ngsgenealogy.org. All republished articles may not be edited or reworded and must contain the copyright statement found at the bottom of each UpFront article.

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Suggestions for topics for future UpFront with NGS posts are always welcome. Please send any suggested topics to UpfrontNGS@mosaicrpm.com

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Unless indicated otherwise or clearly an NGS Public Relations piece, Upfront with NGS posts are written by Diane L Richard, editor, Upfront with NGS.

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National Genealogical Society Releases Research in Pennsylvania, 3rd Edition

National Genealogical Society Releases  Research in Pennsylvania, 3rd Edition

ARLINGTON, VA, 23 August 2016—The National Genealogical Society (NGS) announces the publication of the newly revised and updated Research in Pennsylvania. This essential guide book introduces family historians to a wealth of historic documentation that can aid their genealogical research. Written by Kay Haviland Freilich, CG^SM, CGL^SM, FNGS, Research in Pennsylvania, 3^rd edition, is part of the NGS Research in the States series and is available for purchase in the NGS online store in both PDF and print versions.

Many American families can trace their roots back to early Pennsylvanian immigrants, including the Dutch, Swedes, Finns, Germans, Scots-Irish, Welsh, and African Americans as well as later immigrants from Asia and Slovak countries. New to this edition is information about the Vital Records Law Senate Bill 361 (Act 110), enacted in 2011, that opened Pennsylvania’s older birth and death records to researchers for the first time. The author reviews the age restrictions that apply to those records, the transfer of the currently open records to the State Archives, online access to those open records, and the special option established for state residents.

After a concise review of the state’s history and settlement, the book delves into the types of genealogical resources that can be found both in major and lesser known archives, libraries, societies, and federal repositories. Changes in repository holdings are itemized and new repositories have been added. Research in Pennsylvania also covers other research categories, including atlases, gazetteers, and maps; business, probate, and court records; colonial enumerations and state and federal censuses; city and county directories; ethnic, religious, and military records; and much more. Additional religious organizations are included, and web sites and contact information have been updated.

Kay Haviland Freilich is a 2012 NGS Fellow and co-author of Genealogy and the Law: A Guide to Legal Sources for the Family Historian. Winner of the 2009 NGS Family History Writing Contest, she is a former president and trustee of the Board for Certification of Genealogists, a former officer and board member of the Genealogical Society of Pennsylvania, and a frequent speaker on Pennsylvania topics.

The Research in the States series editor Barbara Vines Little, CG, FNGS, FVGS, is a former NGS president and editor of the Magazine of Virginia Genealogy. Other volumes in the series include Arkansas, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan, Missouri, Nebraska, New Jersey, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, West Virginia, and Research in New York City, Long Island, and Westchester County. Additional states guides are planned.

Founded in 1903, the National Genealogical Society is dedicated to genealogical education, exemplary standards of research, and the preservation of genealogical records.  The Arlington, 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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copyright © National Genealogical Society, 3108 Columbia Pike, Suite 300, Arlington, Virginia 22204-4370. http://www.ngsgenealogy.org.

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NGS does not imply endorsement of any outside advertiser or other vendors appearing in this blog. Any opinions expressed by guest authors are their own and do not necessarily reflect the view of NGS.

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Republication of UpFront articles is permitted and encouraged for non-commercial purposes without express permission from NGS. Please drop us a note telling us where and when you are using the article. Express written permission is required if you wish to republish UpFront articles for commercial purposes. You may send a request for express written permission to UpFront@ngsgenealogy.org. All republished articles may not be edited or reworded and must contain the copyright statement found at the bottom of each UpFront article.

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Think your friends, colleagues, or fellow genealogy researchers would find this blog post interesting? If so, please let them know that anyone can read past UpFront with NGS posts or subscribe!

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Suggestions for topics for future UpFront with NGS posts are always welcome. Please send any suggested topics to UpfrontNGS@mosaicrpm.com

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Unless indicated otherwise or clearly an NGS Public Relations piece, Upfront with NGS posts are written by Diane L Richard, editor, Upfront with NGS.

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National Genealogical Society - March 2016 Quarterly Now Online

Volume 104, No.1, March 2016 (PDF 1.6MB) of the National Genealogical Society Quarterly is now available online in the Members Only section of the website.

Feature Articles

+ Thinking Philosophically About Genealogy by Stephen B. Hatton

+ Aaron Strickland’s North Carolina Origin by Laurel T. Baty, CG

+ Indirect Evidence Connects Frances Shaffer to Her Grandfather, Michael Bossler of Blair County, Pennsylvania by Gayla S. Nieminen

Notes And Documents

+ Pursuing the Dismissed Case: Simon Sweeney’s Freedom Petitions in Loudoun County, Virginia by Alycon Trubey Pierce, CG

and other regular features ...

Editor’s Note: Please note that online access to the NGS Quarterly (NGSQ) and NGS Magazine are available only as long as your membership is active. You can access the NGSQ archive – the index is available for FREE and as a member you can access archives encompassing 1960-1974, 1976–current.

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copyright © National Genealogical Society, 3108 Columbia Pike, Suite 300, Arlington, Virginia 22204-4370. http://www.ngsgenealogy.org.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

NGS does not imply endorsement of any outside advertiser or other vendors appearing in this blog. Any opinions expressed by guest authors are their own and do not necessarily reflect the view of NGS.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 

Republication of UpFront articles is permitted and encouraged for non-commercial purposes without express permission from NGS. Please drop us a note telling us where and when you are using the article. Express written permission is required if you wish to republish UpFront articles for commercial purposes. You may send a request for express written permission to UpFront@ngsgenealogy.org. All republished articles may not be edited or reworded and must contain the copyright statement found at the bottom of each UpFront article.

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Think your friends, colleagues, or fellow genealogy researchers would find this blog post interesting? If so, please let them know that anyone can read past UpFront with NGS posts or subscribe!

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Suggestions for topics for future UpFront with NGS posts are always welcome. Please send any suggested topics to UpfrontNGS@mosaicrpm.com

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Unless indicated otherwise or clearly an NGS Public Relations piece, Upfront with NGS posts are written by Diane L Richard, editor, Upfront with NGS.

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20 Free and (Relatively) New Genealogy and Family History Resources - 2016 Version Part 1

I have my annual present for you ... Just over a year ago, I did a multi-part years “20 Free and (Relatively) New Genealogy and Family History Resources” (Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5, Part 6, Part 7)

As I trawl genealogy newsletters, blogs, and elsewhere, I kept an email folder of all the news items that aren’t “big enough” for a full post and yet sound useful for genealogists and family historians.  These range from how-to type information to databases.  There is so much information out there and it’s impossible to fully blog about most of it.

In order that those collected don’t go to waste, I am again planning to create a few posts where I present you with 20 “relatively” new resources and the associated hyperlink.  That’s it; a very no frills list. If the title doesn’t convey enough info I will add a note about what content caught my eye ...

I will be doing this from oldest to youngest in my queue – so, some of these may seem familiar to you and probably less familiar as I get to the more recently collected pieces.

CANADA

1.     Release of an updated version of the Immigrants from China database

2.     Canadiana.org -- a coalition of memory institutions dedicated to providing broad access to Canada's documentary heritage.

IRELAND

3.     IGP Headstone Project [Ireland Genealogy Projects Archives] – over 85,000 Headstones

4.     Index of Townlands, Now Searchable Online [Ireland]

5.     Kabristan Archive – Ireland, Ceylon and India Gravestone Indexes

6.     UCD launches Army Barracks of 18^th-century Ireland

7.     National Library of Ireland (NLI) Catholic Parish Registers at NLI

UNITED KINGDOM

8.     British Library – Georeferenced Maps

9.     Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow – Digital Volumes – vaccination registers covering 1801-1831 (fascinating!)

10. Lane’s Masonic Records -- John Lane’s Masonic Records 1717-1894 is an authoritative listing of all the lodges established by the English Grand Lodges from the foundation of the first Grand Lodge in 1717 up until 1894.

11. Last Chance to Read (Free to signup, $ to access pages) (UK & Ireland) – over 4000 newspapers

12. Bedlam Burial Ground Register -- register of over 5,000 people buried at the Bedlam Burial Ground at Liverpool Street in the City of London

13. England’s medieval immigrants revealed by universities

UNITED STATES

14. Are Slave Narratives Useful to My Family Tree Research?

15. U.S. Serial Set – Starts 1817 and contains the House and Senate Documents and the House and Senate Reports & American State Papers -- the legislative and executive documents of Congress during the period 1789 to 1838

16. Back Issues of the Quarterly Publication of the State Historical Society of Iowa Available Online free

17. Spotsylvania County (VA) Chancery Causes Online

18. Penn Libraries Launches ‘OPenn’ Digital Resources Online Platform -- Some rare books and manuscripts from Penn Libraries can now be accessed online

19. Congregational Library & Archives, History Matters – Series I: Church Records -- This series contains collections of church records documenting early Puritan, Congregational, and Christian (denomination) history in New England

20. Kalkaska County (MI) Library’s Digital Newspaper Archive

Editor’s Note: As of today, each of the above links worked.  Now, whether the links in any of the identified articles work, I cannot vouch for that.  And, armed with the information provided, it should be relatively easy to get to determine where the discussed database currently resides.  If you get really stuck, drop me an email and I’ll try to ferret out the recalcitrant link or cross out my entry in the above list!

Editor’s Note: Know of a neat resource that you think might be a hidden gem?  Drop an email to UpFront@ngsgenealogy.org.

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copyright © National Genealogical Society, 3108 Columbia Pike, Suite 300, Arlington, Virginia 22204-4370. http://www.ngsgenealogy.org.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

NGS does not imply endorsement of any outside advertiser or other vendors appearing in this blog. Any opinions expressed by guest authors are their own and do not necessarily reflect the view of NGS.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 

Republication of UpFront articles is permitted and encouraged for non-commercial purposes without express permission from NGS. Please drop us a note telling us where and when you are using the article. Express written permission is required if you wish to republish UpFront articles for commercial purposes. You may send a request for express written permission to UpFront@ngsgenealogy.org. All republished articles may not be edited or reworded and must contain the copyright statement found at the bottom of each UpFront article.

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Think your friends, colleagues, or fellow genealogy researchers would find this blog post interesting? If so, please let them know that anyone can read past UpFront with NGS posts or subscribe!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Suggestions for topics for future UpFront with NGS posts are always welcome. Please send any suggested topics to UpfrontNGS@mosaicrpm.com

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Unless indicated otherwise or clearly an NGS Public Relations piece, Upfront with NGS posts are written by Diane L Richard, editor, Upfront with NGS.

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Want to learn more about interacting with the blog, please read Hyperlinks, Subscribing and Comments -- How to Interact with Upfront with NGS Blog posts!

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PAL-AM Conference, 2-4 June 2011

NGS subscribing organizations Palatines to America (PAL-AM) and the Western Pennsylvania Genealogical Society (WPGS) want to remind you of the 2-4 June 2011 National conference being held in Pittsburgh PA.

Palatines to America (PAL-AM) is a German genealogy society dedi-cated to the study of an-cestors from all German speaking lands. The society takes its name from the fact that some of the earliest German- speaking immigrants to the American colonies came from a region in present-day Germany known as the Palatinate and were called Palatines.

The Western Pennsylvania Genealogical Society is a non-profit organization of amateur and professional genealogists and historians who are dedicated to the study of the preservation of local and family history. The geographic area encompassed by the society includes the 26

counties west of Centre County. Any WPGS member who can validate an ancestor who lived in any of the twenty-six counties prior to December 31, 1810, can be accepted into the First Families of Western Pennsylvania.

Check the conference brochure for further details.

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copyright © National Genealogical Society, 3108 Columbia Pike, Suite 300, Arlington, Virginia 22204-4370. http://www.ngsgenealogy.org.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 

Republication of UpFront articles is permitted and encouraged for non-commercial purposes without express permission from NGS. Please drop us a note telling us where and when you are using the article. Express written permission is required if you wish to republish UpFront articles for commercial purposes. You may send a request for express written permission to UpFront@ngsgenealogy.org. All republished articles may not be edited or reworded and must contain the copyright statement found at the bottom of each UpFront article.

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Follow NGS via Facebook, YouTube and Twitter.

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Think your friends, colleagues, or fellow genealogy researchers would find this blog post interesting? If so, please let them know that anyone can read past UpFront with NGS posts or subscribe!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Suggestions for topics for future UpFront with NGS posts are always welcome. Please send any suggested topics to UpfrontNGS@mosaicrpm.com.