Tag Archives: family history

More Local Programs!

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Two programs are coming up. I’ll be presenting “Introduction to Genealogy and Family Research” in at least 2 locations in the coming months.  First, at Wilbraham Public Library, a basic “Intro” program will take place in four sessions, one per month beginning November 19th.  The second and more comprehensive program will be held at YELLOW HOUSE COMMUNITY CENTER for LEARNING on a weekly basis beginning Thursday, January 17th 2013 and continuing for at least 5 and possibly 6 weeks.  The curriculum for Yellow House has been submitted and is awaiting approval but will include census records, vital records, interviewing relatives, becoming a “genealogical detective”, soundex calculations, name variations, interviewing relatives effectively and will include individual assistance with pedigree charts and family group sheets.

Each of these are designed to open up into a more advanced sessions which may involve computer labs with hands on research by individual participants and designed around the needs of those who want to continue into deeper research strategies.

I’ll be updating my web site at www.oldbones.co to include these latest additions.  Feel free to comment and let me know if you’re interested in joining either of the groups!

I Didn’t Know “Uncle Wallace”!!!

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In last night’s “Introduction to Genealogy”, I took some time to discuss the web site www.findagrave.com. I explained that it’s certainly not a “Primary Source” as the data is uploaded by volunteers who scour public records, family stories and even obituaries. Many volunteers are well intentioned and put up either their own family’s information or the information of their friends or clients. Very ofter, a person or a group may take on a “project” whereby they will use a specific data base and upload GOBS of information. I fall into all of these categories: 1) Family data; 2) Data on the family of friends and clients; 3) Cemetery logs; or 4) just from casual walks through cemeteries after finding a specific individual or individuals.

At any rate, these sisters, who are in their late 60’s or early 70’s (I certainly won’t reveal even though I’ve found them in the 1940 census!) asked if I could look in Island Pond Cemetery in Ludlow for their grandfather. I cautioned that the only way he’d be there is if a volunteer uploaded the information. That could be a relative or just someone who, like myself, will put up data for any number of reasons. They were disappointed that “William Williamson” wasn’t there, but it provided a perfect opportunity too show everyone in the class how the program works. So, based on the data the sisters had (and the research I’ve already done for them) the whole class became a part of uploading their grandfather to the site.

“Now”, I asked, “is your grandmother here as well?” As it turns out, she was Catholic and was buried in St Aloysius Cemetery in Indian Orchard, MA. William wasn’t Catholic and was buried in the secular Island Pond Cemetery in Ludlow, MA a few miles away.

Now is when it gets slightly weird. Someone had already uploaded Minnie Williamson, the grandmother. As I scrolled down, I discovered who that volunteer was…..me! I uploaded it a couple of years ago, probably after finding some other memorial that had been requested. I have no memory of it specifically. The relly weird part? On the tombstone and entered with his own memorial was an infant named “Wallace” who was born in 1912 and died in 1913. The sisters gasped and stared at each other! “Did you know about Wallace?” they asked each other almost simultaneously. Neither knew of “Uncle” Wallace….a family secret revealed!!

Ludlow Senior Center Presentation

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Usually, I’m talking to people who are trying to find their ancestors both near and distant.  Usually, I’m encouraging them to seek out the older generations  in their families (before it’s too late!) to get to the bottom of family stories, ask the right questions, seek out diaries, letters, photos…anything that may help shed light on what might prove to be a fascinating family history.

Today, I had the opportunity to talk to that generation, the older generation.  My message was largely, be cooperative!  Tell the stories….even it some of them make you uncomfortable!  You might be the only person that knows about Uncle Harry’s first wife, the one that “no one talks about!”  I am somewhat fortunate in that the “treasures” that I’ve gleaned from my own family members are not only uniqie, but tell some very interesting stories themselves.  Today, I showed an article from the Springfield Union of January 4, 1887.  I found it at www.genealogybank.com. It describes a train wreck in the West Springfield, MA freight yard.  One man was killed, several injured and a great deal of the cargo was desctroyed in the resulting fire.  This incident is of particluar interest to me.  I have a letter about spoons.  Yes, spoons!  Auntie Perham (I haven’t figured out who she is exactly, but that’s another blog another day!) sent my Great Grandmother Tuggey a letter about spoons. I quote her here: “I sent you the spoons nearly two weeks since & I don’t hear anything  I think perhaps they were on the train that was smashed near Springfield.”  She had shipped them “Express” with a value of $25.  So I’m not sure if she was worried about the spoons or any potential claim for a loss!  Otherwise, why would she have mentioned the insurance?

At any rate, no one needs to worry about the spoons…I brought them with me to the presentation to show everyone how sometimes a few things in that old box in the attic can tell an interesting story: The article about the wreck, the letter from Auntie Perham and the velvet lined box of spoons.  I think it makes a great little family story!

Shipped to Enfield, Massachusetts from Oswego, New York in 1887

Introduction to Genealogy Sessions will continue at First Church in Ludlow

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The fundraiser for the First Church in Ludlow that just completed was a very successful program. I believe that all the participants learned at least something and most picked up a lot of information regarding doing their own family research.  In some cases, the participants have asked me to help them along, which is, of course, my business!!

We covered a great many topics from simply getting started.  How?  Just write what you know.  The easiest tool to keep track of that data is a pedigree chart.  You start with yourself and build generations back as far as you know.  Names, dates, births, marriages, deaths, locations….whatever you can remember.

Then the verification process begins.  Did Uncle Fred come to the United States in 1893 or 1898?  Was great grandma married once, twice…or three times!!

In a nutshell, we filled 5 weeks with an enormous amount of information.  Everyone took notes and everyone left with more than they expected, I believe, because I tried my best to give everyone their own packets consisting of their own family’s census records, draft registration cards, birth, marriage and death records…whatever relevant documents I could find pertaining to each person.

So, now we begin again.  I’ve requested the opportunity to conduct another series of classes and the Church has given me the green light.

Who do you know that would be interested in spending about an hour and a half on Monday nights to learn about becoming a genealogical detective?

Contact me directly at dave@oldbones.co or check out the web site at www.oldbones.co.